Hearing Luo Shu's inquiry about the world's situation, Sharon slightly lowered her head in humility while carefully choosing her words. After a few seconds, she asked:
"Which aspects would you like to know about?"
Luo Shu tapped the table lightly with his finger and specified: "The Abyss, and Abyss Artefacts."
From the fact that Succubus Blood, produced from the Demon Heart, could enhance Utaha Kasumigaoka's Mind Reading ability, and that the Holy Shroud could serve as a primary material for Sharon's Class ability upgrade, Luo Shu strongly suspected that every Abyss Artefact might potentially become a material for ability advancement.
Of course, these were merely his conjectures for now, requiring verification from Sharon's information.
'Information about the Abyss and Abyss Artefacts?' Sharon pondered briefly before explaining:
"Regarding the Abyss, current theories vary among major organisations, but governments and certain secret societies have reached some consensus."
"That the Abyss isn't a singular existence, but rather multiple parallel worlds that have established connections with our current reality."
"Due to unknown reasons – beginning approximately over thirty years ago – certain portions of these parallel worlds would suddenly connect with ours, creating the phenomenon known as Abyss Descent."
"Generally speaking, Abyss Descent phenomena are relatively brief, the longest recorded instance lasting only twelve hours. Currently, Demon Hunters still lack effective methods to detect impending Abyss Descents."
When mentioning this point, Sharon paused thoughtfully before adding:
"Based on intelligence I received before coming to Japan, while governments are actively researching Abyss Descent fluctuations, they still lack effective monitoring methods. They can only detect certain energy signatures through specialised means some time after the phenomenon occurs."
Hearing this, Luo Shu chuckled derisively: "Actively researching?"
Sharon continued, unsurprised by Luo Shu's scoff:
"As you've likely guessed, this so-called active research comes with caveats."
"Because after Abyss Descent occurs, it inevitably brings objects – and sometimes lifeforms – from other worlds into ours."
"These extradimensional objects are called Abyss Artefacts, while the lifeforms are termed either Abyss Lifeforms or Abyss Fiends."
"Official agencies and major secret organisations across various nations actively research methods to detect the Abyss Descent precisely to obtain Abyss Artefacts."
At this point, Sharon paused, revealing a slightly complicated expression as she said:
"Actually, I myself am an Abyss Lifeform, and I arrived in this world about a year and a half ago."
Luo Shu showed no surprise at this, merely nodding slightly in understanding before asking:
"What's the difference between Abyss Lifeforms and Abyss Fiends?"
Hearing this, Sharon realised the deity before her didn't mind this point, so she relaxed slightly and explained:
"Abyss Lifeforms are generally intelligent beings capable of communication, mostly humans. But according to European legends, among the Abyss Lifeforms that come to this world, there are also fantastical races like fairies and demons."
"Compared to these communicative beings, the more frequent visitors to this world are the mindless, slaughter-driven Abyss Fiends."
"These creatures typically possess extremely high aggression, with some having innate abilities, often causing significant casualties among ordinary civilians."
"However, currently, although the number of Abyss Fiends encountered annually by various nations shows a slight increase, the average doesn't exceed 1,000 per year, so public order remains relatively stable."
Hearing this, Luo Shu immediately realised something and said: "The information is being controlled!"
"Yes." Sharon nodded in confirmation:
"Currently, internet media platforms across all nations have been covertly taken over by authorities. China's Tencent, America's Twitter and YouTube, and even LINE - all have been secretly appropriated. Whenever someone posts the truth, they flood the space with disinformation and swiftly control the truth-tellers, ensuring the Abyss's existence remains concealed."
"Generally, since most of these fiends have rather grotesque appearances, various governments currently use the 'nuclear wastewater pollution' narrative to make Japan shoulder part of the blame for Abyss Fiend incidents."
Hearing this, Luo Shu immediately had a "?" moment.
"You mean Japan didn't actually release nuclear wastewater?"
"They did." Sharon seemed puzzled by Luo Shu's focus on this point: "Precisely because Japan's government released it, all nations unanimously voted to make Japan bear the negative publicity from the Abyss Descent incidents. There were originally several alternative candidates, but because of the nuclear wastewater issue, the others were dropped."
'So any casualties caused by future Abyss Descents could be blamed on Japan's government? Because the public already believes Japan is responsible for such disasters... Whose brilliant idea was this?'
As Luo Shu felt rather odd about this, Sharon added:
"If you wish to monitor Abyss-related developments, you could follow NHK News. You'll basically see daily reports of Japanese officials bowing in apology. Just note which disaster they're apologising for, and you'll know roughly which country experienced an Abyss Descent - though there's usually a two-day delay."
At this point, Sharon added another remark:
"According to the information I obtained from the Demon Hunters, it seems that as repayment to Japan, both China and America have promised not to blockade the straits, preventing Japan, which heavily relies on international resources, from becoming isolated at sea."
'What talent... using something they already possess to threaten you into taking the blame, then rewarding them by not threatening anymore. This must have been collectively agreed upon by the five permanent members, right?'
'Did the five great powers agree to throw Japan under the bus?'
Luo Shu couldn't help but mentally complain about this. Then, he glanced at Sharon and said:
"Besides that, there must have been additional incentives for the Japanese government to swallow this humiliation?"
"...You're absolutely right."
Sharon paused briefly before replying with a subtle expression: "As compensation for this matter, various nations have permitted Japan to establish an Abyss Artefact exchange market secretly."
Hearing this, Luo Shu's expression also turned subtle.
It gave him a rather absurd feeling, like discovering a nuclear arms bazaar had opened in his backyard.
Those damned higher-ups really have the guts! The absolute bastards!