"What on earth is the principle behind this thing?" Hara Kenji appeared somewhat eager to try, truly curious about how a Snapdragon, being a plant, could actually be used for communication.
Hell Super-tech? Formations? Could there be something else hidden inside the fish's belly?
It should be a specialty of Hell, right?" Kisaragi Chiyo, who had never seen such things in the human world, rested her chin on her hand and speculated, "Like a magical product?
Magic doesn't really fit with Hell." Hara Kenji shook his head. "I think it's likely some kind of mass-produced cursed tool.
"Through sound." Thinking of the Snapdragon's cry, Hara added.
"I already know how to use it." Matsuda Jinpei put the manual away and looked seriously at the Snapdragon sitting in the middle of the table.
"Strike the Snapdragon's head three times with your fist." The instructions in the manual were simple, but it was worth noting that there were two lines of small, emphasized text below this sentence.
*To avoid disturbing the neighbors, please do not use Snapdragon late at night.
*Snapdragon is not edible.
"Would anyone really want to eat something like this?" Kisaragi Chiyo looked at the Snapdragon's bloated body; its bulging fish-eyes were constantly rotating left and right, its fish-like lips were opening and closing, making "oh-ah-oh-ah" sounds.
If you ate it, you'd probably turn into an idiot, wouldn't you? Kisaragi Chiyo was very skeptical about this.
Probably?" Hara Kenji's expression was somewhat hesitant. "But using a punch as a method, does that really not count as animal cruelty?
"So, because it's a Snapdragon, it doesn't count as an animal?" Kisaragi Chiyo thought this was probably a joke exclusive to Hell.
Because all three of them were focused on the second point, they naturally overlooked the importance of the first note.
So, after Matsuda used the method described in the manual to strike the Snapdragon three times.
A sonic attack, centered around the Snapdragon, erupted and lasted for three full minutes.
Those were the longest three minutes of his life.
Kisaragi Chiyo stared blankly at the Snapdragon, his mouth opening as if to speak, but he hesitated, because he found that besides his head throbbing and his vision going dark, he also seemed to be experiencing tinnitus.
Even though that demonic sound from Hell had stopped, it had already left an indelible mark on his brain during those brief three minutes.
"I feel like I've lost all my memories from those three minutes just now." Hara Kenji rubbed his head as he crawled out from under the table, his tentacles all shrinking into a pile in fear, as if they had been shocked, becoming so tangled that they were difficult to untangle for the moment.
And as someone with resistance, Matsuda Jinpei's expression wasn't particularly pleasant either; he pursed his lips, attempting to maintain his dignity as an experienced senior.
But the cat ears sprouting from his head and the bristling tail behind his back had already completely betrayed his emotions.
“Hell is truly a terrifying place.” Kisaragi Chiyo let out a sincere exclamation; whether it was the three-hundred-year mortgage or the Snapdragon, such things truly only appeared in Hell.
But what happened next gave the three of them no time to recover.
Because Snapdragon spoke.
*
“Is there something you need to discuss by contacting me at this time?” Snapdragon spoke, the voice of the Hell Assistant Official, Hozuki, emanating from its mouth.
Hello, Lord Hozuki," Kisaragi said, holding her head as she barely recovered, "I would like to consult you regarding the recruitment you mentioned before.
Oh?" At the mention of this, Hozuki's originally flat and emotionless voice seemed to carry a hint of interest, "Have you already made up your mind?
Yes." Kisaragi Chiyo exhaled softly. "Besides that, I also wanted to ask you about..
“You want to ask about that Evil Spirit, don't you?” Hozuki spoke a step ahead, as if he had long ago anticipated what Kisaragi Chiyo would say.
Hell doesn't care about his illegal trespassing.. If he can pass the exam, he can naturally take the job." Hozuki gave a light chuckle, his tone somewhat meaningful. "After all, Hell is still in need of manpower right now.
"As for your matters.." Hozuki fell silent for a moment, the sound of pages turning and faint footsteps came from Snapdragon's mouth.
Hozuki seemed to have left, but he returned shortly after.
"You should know this place, right?" Along with the sound of pages turning, Hozuki read out an address, which was exactly the villa where Kisaragi Chiyo and the others were currently living.
"This villa.." Kisaragi Chiyo organized her words; she had previously heard rumors of a 'Man-Eating Villa' from Officer Date's partner.
At the time, although he had his doubts, he hadn't sensed any ominous aura, since things had remained peaceful while he lived in the villa, he hadn't seen any other ghosts besides the six that were being used as decorations hanging from the chandelier.
Therefore, he cast the aftermath of this matter to the back of his mind.
If what Takagi Wataru said back then was true, then the ghosts of the three victims from the first murder case should still be inside the villa.
"They're alive, right?" Using that word seemed a bit terrifying, as if they had been living inside a monster's belly all along.
You could say that." Hozuki tapped the tabletop. "But it would be more accurate to use the word 'vessel'.
"A vessel?" Kisaragi Chiyo frowned.
What you need to do is bring the imprisoned souls back to Hell.
As for what happens after that, whether they are reincarnated or something else, the laws of Hell will decide.
"I understand." Kisaragi Chiyo nodded; he understood that this mission was the job application test assigned to him by Hozuki.
You can have others assist you," Hozuki continued. "I don't care what methods or means you use; I will judge your performance in this trial based on the results I see and the mission report.
As for that Mr. Evil Spirit,
Called by name, Hara Kenji gave a sudden start and responded.
Matsuda recommended you to me before." That meaningful tone appeared from Hozuki's mouth once again. "I believe you will be an equally excellent employee. As for the exam preparation materials, I will send them over to you all in a moment.
Do not let me down.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Thanks to all the little angels for your support, mwah 030
Chapter 128
After Hozuki finished saying that, Snapdragon let out a drip sound, the three of them immediately understood that the connection had been cut.
Looking at it this way, Mr. Hozuki is truly a considerate boss." Hara Kenji let out a slow breath, wiped the non-existent sweat from his forehead, looked toward Matsuda Jinpei, his voice laced with teasing laughter. "Little Jinpei is truly my good childhood friend; even after finding a job in Hell, he hasn't forgotten to look out for me.
“Hagi is truly moved.” Hara Kenji feigned tears, wiping them away with his sleeve.
Of course." Matsuda Jinpei's expression was somewhat smug as he accepted Hara Kenji's praise without a hint of shame. "After all, who am I not a great person?
Alright, alright, alright," Hara Kenji said with a squint of his eyes, following his friend's lead. "The great person Little Jinpei, the wonderful senior Matsuda. Do you still remember how many parts the Hell Assistant Official exam is divided into?
Regarding the question, Matsuda pondered for a moment.
Although I no longer have my memories from that period, once I saw that Hozuki had intentions of recruiting Kisaragi Chiyo, I also asked about it in passing.
After all, once he knew he had an official position, the most urgent matter was to find a way to secure a legitimate source of employment for his illegal companion as well. Therefore, before Hozuki returned to Hell, Matsuda had consulted him about this issue.
"It's usually divided into a written exam and practical assessment." Matsuda Jinpei curled his fingers against his chin, his teal eyes staring blankly at the Snapdragon sitting in the center of the dining table.
The written test is conducted collectively, while the practical exam is supervised and judged by Hozuki.
"That sounds like a fairly normal process." Hara Kenji tilted his head in thought, feeling that it should be similar to what they had experienced when they took the police academy entrance exams.
Even though one is in the human world and the other is in Hell, they both essentially work for the authorities, handling matters involving lawbreaking and disorder.
"Probably.." Matsuda Jinpei's tone was somewhat hesitant, because he lacked that memory. Consequently, he was unclear on the specific details of the process; he only remembered the meaningful and subtly joyful tone Hozuki had used when answering about the practical assessment.
There shouldn't be any problems, right? After all, Hozuki seems quite reliable.
That's good." Hara Kenji relaxed instantly. He looked at Kisaragi Chiyo with a beaming smile, his tone cheerful, "Who knows, maybe Chiyo-chan and I will end up being in the same class.
"You seem quite confident about the exam?" Kisaragi Chiyo looked up, holding her phone, her body leaning back slightly against the chair.
"I think I'm quite talented when it comes to studying," Hara Kenji replied.
Since he was a child, he had always belonged to the ranks of good students who never gave their parents or teachers cause for concern. Regardless of whether a rebellious teenager lived within his heart—at least on the surface, that was the case—he never had to expend much effort.
"Who are you chatting with?" Hara Kenji blinked, staring at the phone screen that had just gone dark in the young man's hand. The mass of tentacles huddled under the table, after untying the knot they had made, impatiently began to crawl toward Kisaragi Chiyo.
Kisaragi Chiyo looked down at the approaching tentacles and reached out to grab one of the upturned ones. The slender, translucent tentacle curled around the young man's fingertips and quickly coiled around his forearm like a snake.
It's Mari Koike.
Seeing Hara Kenji's confused expression, Kisaragi Chiyo added another sentence: "The one who told me about Miki last time."
Oh, your high school classmate," Hara Kenji nodded with a smile and asked nonchalantly, "So, he approached you this time because of Miki's situation again?
Something like that?" Kisaragi Chiyo told Hara Kenji and Matsuda Jinpei the things she had just heard from Mari Koike. "He came to tell me that something happened to Miki.
"Oh?" Matsuda Jinpei raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, looking at Kisaragi Chiyo with an inquisitive gaze.
"It's not me. I wouldn't be that fast, would I? I haven't even had the chance to cause him some trouble yet." Kisaragi Chiyo said with a sigh, her expression looking quite regretful, seemingly not finding it problematic at all to speak so bluntly about her intention to find someone to cause trouble for, right in front of two former police officers.
"Indeed, that Mr. Miki deserves a lesson." Hara Kenji's eyes crinkled, but there was not a trace of warmth in his dark purple gaze. His tone was gentle, his expression was as pleasant as a spring breeze.
"For example, making him experience exactly what he wants to do to others?" Matsuda Jinpei leaned forward slightly, a sharp edge in his handsome eyes. His aura was dangerous, looking as if he might blow out someone's tire at any moment.
"Good suggestion." Kisaragi Chiyo nodded slightly in approval.
However," he suddenly changed his tone, "I think by the time it happens, we won't even need to lift a finger; it will be enough to ensure he suffers for quite a while.
"So, what exactly is the good news?" Hara Kenji looked over curiously, resting his chin in his hand, while beneath the table, his foot restlessly brushed against the young man's ankle.
Matsuda Jinpei, sensing the movement under the table, shot a sidelong glance before looking at the expressionless Kisaragi Chiyo, said nothing.
Miki had a car accident yesterday and broke a leg; he's currently in the hospital," Kisaragi Chiyo said, casting her eyes down with a sneer. "At the same time, it was revealed that he embezzled funds from his workplace to buy jewelry for his lover, that lover is also connected to a boss in an organization in Hakata.
And that boss is currently in the infatuation stage with his lover, so as soon as the lover cries a little, he naturally assumes that Miki is the one shamelessly seducing his lover.
I heard that when that organization boss brought his subordinates to the hospital, he caused such a stir that the local police sent out several cars.
"That's really.." Matsuda Jinpei was speechless after hearing that, felt a slight urge to laugh.
"Serves them right." Hara Kenji felt complete sympathy for Miki's predicament; for someone like that to end up like this was more like delayed retribution.
By the way, how will Mr. Hozuki transmit the data later?
Set the matter regarding Miki aside for the moment; preparing for the Hell Assistant Official exam was their most important priority right now.
"I don't know." Matsuda Jinpei crossed his arms, his tone sounding quite confident.
But I think it should be through something like a teleportation array?
In short, Matsuda Jinpei didn't think Hozuki would make the trip himself; if he were to be troublesome, he would likely just ask others to come over instead, but that possibility was still quite low.
Aside from Hozuki, dispatched personnel, fugitives, people from Hell rarely come into contact with the human world.
*
Just as the three were making all sorts of guesses, the Snapdragon on the dining table suddenly moved.