Why is my journey to the world of anime a strange tale of rules?

Nothing.

After a while, the thing shrank back, and then the heavy door slowly closed. But before it closed completely, a scalpel blocked the door. Then, Gao Hai, who had jumped up at some point and used his feet to brace himself against the wall, forcibly landed on the ceiling and gently pulled the door open.

Outside the door was a corridor covered with expensive carpets, decorated with various paintings on the walls, and music could be heard in the distance. The corridor, bathed in warm light, exuded an elegant aristocratic atmosphere.

Gao Hai knew that it sounded strange, but when he saw the corridor, he did have the feeling that this was the villa of an elegant nobleman, as if the area itself exuded this kind of atmosphere.

When Gao Hai used that blood key just now, he was thinking of going to the vicinity of Fujiwara Chika. In other words, is that girl somewhere here?

Step out of the storage room.

Gao Hai carefully made his way down the corridor.

The paintings on both walls depict figures in formal attire, both men and women, each with a smiling expression, as if showcasing their elegance to the guests.

But for Gao Hai, who was walking down this empty corridor, he felt as if the people in the paintings were alive, and each of them would turn around and stare at him indifferently after he passed by.

Gao Hai was gradually approaching the location of the melodious music.

Gao Hai gently opened a wooden door, put away the tools he had taken from his office, looked at the door, and then stepped inside.

After passing through a somewhat dark area, gradually, one could begin to hear people talking, footsteps, and sounds like clinking glasses.

The warm candlelight spread outwards.

The tables were laden with lavish meals, emitting enticing aromas.

Hiding behind a pillar, Gao Hai saw figures sitting in their seats, conversing quietly, elegantly cutting steaks, drinking red wine, and enjoying the piano performance on the platform not far away.

No, there was no one in the seat.

Those were just empty seats, yet voices could be heard coming from them from time to time.

The restaurant was almost completely empty, with no diners present, except for the girl silently playing piano music on the high platform; everything was deathly silent.

The girl is still alive.

Although her condition is terrible, and you can clearly feel her mental state deteriorating to the point that she's almost collapsing and can only desperately try to keep playing, at least for now, she's still salvageable and hasn't completely lost her sense of self.

A swollen, balloon-like thing slowly emerged and appeared on one side of the platform, holding a microphone, as if it wanted to say something.

Gao Hai had already taken advantage of the fact that the venue was only lit by candlelight and had many dark areas to slip into this area and slowly approach the area where the platform was located.

The phantoms around the dining table were merely remnants of the past; there was no way to find Gao Hai's whereabouts.

But this enormous, decaying figure was clearly different; it was the master of this memory, a bizarre creature radiating intense malice.

Gao Hai dared not act rashly, but carefully hid on one side of the platform.

Just then, he heard the indistinct sound that came from the thing, mixed with the sound of flowing water.

Thank you all for attending this banquet. In a moment, I will lead everyone to... the Red Nut Grotto to participate in... the ceremony...

Amidst the indistinct sounds, the thing slowly raised its swollen arm, which was covered in cuts and lacerations, and dark yellow pus and blood seeped out and dripped onto the ground.

The empty dining tables were suddenly filled with the sound of applause.

The carpeted floor began to gradually transform, little by little, into the shape of a cave.

Gao Hai noticed some clothes that looked like those of tourists, which were faintly visible among the rocks.

This place is becoming dangerous.

Therefore, Gao Hai did not hesitate and rushed forward quickly, leaping to Fujiwara Chika's side.

The girl, who was clearly on the verge of despair, paused slightly when she saw Gao Hai appear, and her piano playing slowed down.

The deformed thing immediately turned around, and the entire restaurant became even colder at that moment.

Then, Takami and Fujiwara Chika stepped inside the door.

The door that Gao Hai had taken down when he came in, opened with the blood key, led to Wilbur's office. It was now lying next to the piano, open.

The ashes flew up and landed on the thing, slowing its movements for a moment. Gao Hai used that moment to pull Fujiwara Chika into his arms, then fell into the doorway. As he fell into the office, he hooked his foot on the doorknob and slammed it shut, thus successfully completing the rescue operation.

"Phew, this is quite difficult."

With these thoughts in mind, Gao Hai supported himself on the ground with one hand, trying to stand up and check on Chika's condition in his arms.

He couldn't stand up immediately.

Because the girl in his arms stretched out her arms and hugged Gao Hai tightly, almost with all her strength, making it impossible for Gao Hai, who dared not exert too much force, to move.

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Guilt, the Suspension Bridge Effect, and a Feeling of Great Pleasure

"Woo..."

"Um, Ms. Fujiwara?"

"Waaaaah...waaaah..."

"Um, Ms. Fujiwara? Are you alright? Are you alright?"

“Wa ...

At this moment, in Wilber's office, Gao Hai sat with a slightly embarrassed expression against the desk in the middle of the room, while Fujiwara Chika was almost completely wrapped around him, burying her head in his chest and letting out suppressed sobs.

Neither Maki nor Kaguya, no matter what setbacks they encountered, would show such weakness as Fujiwara Chika. Therefore, this feeling of being tackled by a beautiful girl was extremely novel to Takahashi. Feeling the intense sensation of their bodies in such close contact, and the fragrant scent filling his nostrils, Takahashi experienced an indescribable pleasure—no, it was more of a feeling of annoyance, yes, annoyance.

{Haijun, I've met up with Auntie and left the analysis room. Next, we're going to the archives area to conduct our investigation. How are you doing?}

At this moment, Shijo Maki's private communications suddenly reached Takami's ears.

Why did it have to happen at this time?

For some reason, Gao Hai felt his heart race when he heard Zhen Fei's voice in this state.

{I just explored a very eerie area, like a place where various people's memories were piled up together. To be honest, it was quite bizarre and quite terrifying. But I've found the path to the next area and am resting now. I'll be setting off soon.}

There was no trace of emotional abnormality in the reply; Gao Hai's acting was flawless at this moment.

{Is that so? You're not injured, are you? Don't push yourself too hard; make sure to rest properly when you need to.}

Unexpectedly, while she was making steady progress on her side, Gao Hai encountered trouble. Maki immediately became nervous and quickly inquired about Gao Hai's situation.

Just as Gao Hai was about to reply, his attention was diverted by the soft touch of Chika pressing against his chest and abdomen, and he was unable to give an answer immediately. As a result, Maki's second message came right after.

{Haijun, how are you doing now? You haven't been pushing yourself too hard, have you?}

{No, it's nothing, just a few scrapes. I'm fine, don't worry.}

Gao Hai's reply came a little late, and it was clear that Zhen Fei couldn't be dismissed with just a few words.

Are you really okay?

{It's really nothing, don't you trust my abilities?}

{I'm completely worried. You've already gone back in time once, haven't you? I'm very concerned about your situation. Perhaps I should try to come over and have Fujiwara and I switch places? Auntie and Fujiwara are very close; maybe it would be better if they worked together?}

{No, it's better not to do that. I'm currently under surveillance, and any contact other than this mental link could be risky. I don't want anything to happen to you, so relax and leave things here to me.}

Okay... but don't push yourself. If you do something reckless again, I won't let you off the hook!

{Okay, okay, don't worry, my little Zhenfei~}

{Who said anyone is your little concubine? You perverted lecher!}

After some communication and exchange, the matter was resolved peacefully.

Finally, he even flirted with her a bit. But how should I put it, he was holding a woman in his arms while talking to another woman, and even said some flirtatious and teasing things. Gao Hai felt an increasingly strong sense of guilt for being a scumbag.

But it seems like I don't reject this feeling?

Thinking this, Gao Hai felt the girl's sobs in his arms gradually subside, so he reached out and touched Chika's head, saying, "Have you calmed down?" and looked at her.

Although she had clearly been greatly traumatized, Fujiwara Chika was actually very calm. So when she cried, she buried her head in Takami's arms and suppressed her sobs to a minimum, making no noise that might attract anything.

Now, after her emotions have completely calmed down, the girl still sobs occasionally, but she is able to calm down and look up at Gao Hai.

It has to be said that the sight of a cute and pretty girl with tears in her eyes is quite charming and touching.

"Um, thank you, Gao Jun. Without your help, I wouldn't know what to do..."

Fujiwara Chika, who was quietly thanking him, realized what she was doing. Her cheeks turned even redder than before, but she did not immediately get up from Takahashi.

"You're welcome. It's only natural to feel fear when faced with terrible things. You did a great job. You used that unfortunate scene to your advantage by playing the pianist in the restaurant, right? You're quite resourceful."

Gao Hai smiled, praised Qian Hua, and patted her on the head.

Ouch, this head-patting feeling... Am I being treated like a child?

Fujiwara Chika, who covered her head with her hand, blushed even more deeply.

Just now, she was truly on the verge of despair.

After finding herself inexplicably transported to a strange area, Fujiwara Chika considered running away and hiding, but discovered that her location seemed to be teeming with those terrifying things. Then, remembering the rule of "playing a role" that Takahashi had mentioned, the girl steeled herself and sat down at a piano on a high platform in that area, trying to use this method to disguise her identity and deceive those things.

The result could be considered a success, but in reality, it was also equivalent to a failure. After she started playing the piano, Chika found that she couldn't leave. It was as if she was fixed in front of the piano, and she could only play the same piece over and over again. Her consciousness became more and more blurred, and she gradually began to feel drowsy.

Knowing that she might not wake up once she fell asleep, Fujiwara Chika fought with all her might, but she was slowly losing consciousness and falling into despair. But at that moment, Takami suddenly appeared and saved her. The girl was overwhelmed with emotion and, after being safe, she completely broke down and cried in his arms.

"So, it's about time to get up, isn't it?"

Then, just as she finally calmed down and regained her composure, amidst Gao Hai's polite smile and voice, the girl suddenly felt a hard touch pressing against her, and she froze instantly.

This... this thing, could it be...?

"I'm telling you, you should have some self-awareness. You're a very pretty and lovely girl. This kind of sudden hug is not a good thing. I think as a lady, it's better not to do this kind of thing to a strange man."

Gao Hai maintained his polite smile, but earnestly warned Qian Hua.

"I...I would never do that to a strange man."

Fujiwara Chika, who suddenly stood up from Gao Hai and stepped aside, was about to cry out, but then realized where she was and quickly suppressed her voice, only stamping her foot and blushing as she retorted.

My heart is beating very fast.

Even that hard, indescribable thing didn't seem to make the girl feel any disgust towards the man in front of her.

Perhaps it's because he said he was a pretty and cute girl that I couldn't bring myself to dislike him?

No, it seems to be the complete opposite of disgust, a completely different feeling...

At this moment, Fujiwara Chika was a little confused about her own thoughts.

"So, did you find any valuable clues in the area where you were trapped?"