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

One ticket.

It has to be said that although Gao Hai had guessed what this thing might be, he still felt quite heavy-hearted after actually seeing it delivered to his door.

Without a doubt, this was delivered to him through the power of the KP, and Gao Hai estimated that among all the players so far, he was probably the only one who had truly come into contact with the KP's existence. These things, hidden behind the dungeons, are clearly superior to ghost stories and the bizarre. They exert influence in the shadows, creating dungeons one after another. It can be said that in those tragedies, the KP is always the individual who fuels the flames.

Why are they doing this? What is their relationship with the sacrificial game? What is the stance of these KPs? What is their ultimate goal in doing these things for at least several decades? What will they do to the world in the future? My black watch... is it also connected to these things?

One question after another weighed heavily on Gao Hai's mind, making him feel extremely heavy-hearted.

He knew that with his current level of initial contact with and understanding of the Red Moon-level dungeon, he was far from being able to confront those things head-on.

Even though he already possessed such immense power, capable of unleashing strength far exceeding that of ordinary players through combinations of different blessings and the watch's functions, he was still utterly insignificant in the face of these incredibly mysterious beings.

But if these things are so powerful, why do they still create these instances in a clandestine way? The Keeper of the House at Shirakawa Apartments used false information to induce Sanchez to make the wrong choice; the Keeper of the Red Nut Grey Hole used flawed reasoning to manipulate Foln; and the Keeper of Fujihana Middle School manipulated Alice in some way. They didn't overuse their superhuman powers, but rather used language, communication, and strategy to guide people's choices, thus shaping these instances.

Both the Red Nut Gray Hole dungeon and the Wisteria Middle School dungeon were once capable of causing immense disaster. However, due to the influence of these KPs, they were eventually transformed into controllable dungeons that players could explore and investigate. From this perspective, it seems that what these KPs did wasn't entirely bad? Although they did contribute to and induce tragedies, they also controlled the scope of these tragedies, stabilizing them.

What are they trying to achieve by doing this?

Gao Hai couldn't think of an answer to this question for a moment, or rather, he did have some guesses, but without any evidence, these thoughts could only be guesses, so he dared not draw any conclusions.

Forget it, let's take it one step at a time. As a Foundation Establishment stage nobody, I shouldn't be thinking about getting involved in the affairs between Grand Luo Golden Immortals. Let's deal with the present matters first.

"Don't worry about it. At least for now, um... there shouldn't be any more problems, right? Let's go, it's about time we went into the dungeon."

Putting aside his inner thoughts, Gao Hai placed the strangely powerful job description into his watch's storage space. Then, he turned to look at Shinomiya Kaguya, who was confused about the situation, and spoke to her.

However, as if deliberately contradicting his words, no sooner had Gao Hai finished speaking than a servant rushed in from one side of the corridor. The servant was startled upon seeing the unusual scene in the corridor, but quickly composed himself, bowing respectfully to Kaguya and speaking:

"Young lady, the young ladies from the Shijou and Fujiwara families have arrived."

Interlude 3-11: Shijo Maki's premonition that she wants to join Takami

Gao Hai had to admit that he had underestimated the abilities of his two girlfriends.

They actually deduced that he was hiding something from them just because he didn't molest them much, and even deduced the possible situation. They're really not to be underestimated, even though they were trying to keep it a secret.

While silently criticizing the situation, Takahashi looked at the two girls sitting on the same sofa, and Kaguya sitting directly opposite him with an unnatural expression. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.

"So, because your great-aunt's maid is trapped in the dungeon, Hai-kun decided to go in with your great-aunt. The two of them ran into a high-risk dungeon of the same level as Fujiwara Middle School, and they even planned to do it on their own without telling me and Fujiwara, right?"

After roughly understanding the situation, Maki sighed and looked at Takami and Kaguya with a complicated expression.

"It was my idea; she just asked me for help."

As Gao Hai spoke, he took out his phone to check the time. He confirmed that it was still within the optimal time frame for entering the dungeon that Xiong Mi had told him about, and that he still had some time to chat. Only then did he feel a little relieved.

"I see... Then, could you tell me why we can't be involved?"

Because they were discussing a serious matter of life and death, Zhenfei didn't throw a tantrum at Gao Hai, but instead looked at him seriously and asked.

But precisely because of this, Takahashi knew that persuading Maki to let go of this matter wouldn't be easy. After all, although this girl often complained about Kaguya Shinomiya's stubbornness, she was actually quite similar to Kaguya in this respect.

Chika didn't speak, only giving Takahashi a somewhat apologetic smile. Unlike Maki, she didn't feel the need to interfere. In her view, Takahashi must have his reasons for making such a decision, so she was more inclined to trust him. However, Chika's thoughts couldn't sway Maki, so to avoid any unpleasant situations, she accompanied Maki and also wanted to hear Takahashi's plans.

"There are many reasons. The dungeon is too dangerous and uncertain. According to intelligence, the information pollution of the Hayate Elementary School dungeon is also terrifyingly high, so external assistance like that from Fujika Middle School is unusable. Also, although my main goal in entering the dungeon is to rescue people, you all know that I must break the core obsession to successfully leave the dungeon. This determines that this mission will inevitably become more difficult. Considering that I now have a certain level of self-defense ability in the Red Moon level dungeon, with Shinomiya and the person I need to rescue, there is still room for maneuver. But if there are more people, the situation will be hard to say."

In a calm voice, Gao Hai slowly explained his thoughts.

Maki sat calmly on the sofa, listening quietly until Gao Hai finished speaking before looking up at him.

"So, is it because I'll hold you back that Haijun chose to act behind my back?"

The girl's voice carried a subtle, almost imperceptible fluctuation.

"...Perhaps that's partly true, but not entirely. In any case, this operation was unnecessary and too risky. I still don't fully understand the inside story of this instance, and the veteran players who do know are all very tight-lipped. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that the person I was rescuing was Shinomiya's friend, and it would be easier to identify her if I brought her along, I would have gone in alone."

Faced with Princess Zhenfei's attitude, Gao Hai hesitated for a moment before explaining the situation again.

"No matter what, this whole thing started because of me, and I should be the one to take responsibility. I already feel bad enough about involving Taka-kun, and it's really not good to drag Shijo-kun and Fujiwara-kun into it as well..."

Kaguya lowered her head slightly at this moment, saying apologetically. However, there was a hint of anxiety in her voice. Even though she knew that the optimal time to enter the dungeon hadn't passed yet, she had first been attacked by strange things that inexplicably broke in, and only managed to get through the trouble thanks to Takami. Then, she had to run over here with Maki and Chika. These constant delays were making the girl extremely anxious, and at this moment, she could only try her best to calm herself down and force herself to stay composed.

"Even so, we can still get involved. We've been through danger many times before, haven't we?"

But clearly, this reasoning was not convincing to Princess Zhenfei.

"Since we've decided to build a team, we should face whatever comes our way together, right? Let me come along too. Haijun and I have a mental link, which makes it easier for us to gather and organize intelligence. If we encounter danger, it will be easier to confirm and analyze the situation. With the three of us together, it will definitely be easier to conquer the dungeon."

Maki took a deep breath, then seriously refuted Takami and Kaguya.

Compared to the scene of a little girl throwing a tantrum and making a scene, Maki's reaction at this moment can be described as quite restrained and rational. But it is precisely because of this that Gao Hai feels that it is really quite troublesome to persuade this girl.

He knew perfectly well that if Princess Zhenfei were involved, she would definitely be of great help.

After all, Shijou Maki was the first to experience dungeons with Takami, and they built a close relationship, becoming the most familiar and compatible partners.

But this time, we really can't let her get involved.

Previously, Gao Hai didn't have a particularly clear reason; he simply knew that Maki might stop him and planned to secretly go deep into the dungeon with Kaguya, even if he got scolded when he returned. However, after obtaining the ticket to Baytos Academy and gaining a deeper understanding of the existence and power of the KP, he felt it was best to keep Maki out of the picture now.

Gao Hai strongly suspected that the PK might be preparing something in the Zaoli Elementary School instance.

And this Zhenfei, whom he likes the most, cares about the most, and is most connected to him, if she were to enter Hayate Elementary School with him... To be honest, although there is no concrete evidence, Gao Hai instinctively felt that something might happen that he would regret for the rest of his life.

However, he couldn't say these thoughts and reasons directly.

After all, he knew this girl's stubbornness very well. Saying such things would only make her more determined to get involved, so he had to use another reason.

At this moment, Chika stood up, walked to Kaguya's side, took her hand, and gestured for her to leave the room with her temporarily, leaving the side hall to Takami and Maki.

After the two girls left, Gao Hai remained silent for a while, then suddenly thought of the thing that had appeared earlier, wandering the corridor with a ticket to Bydos Academy. Gao Hai hadn't seen what it looked like, but through his blessing, he received the warning: "Seeing it means certain death." This meant that the thing itself was a malevolent entity, or perhaps a manifestation of the power of an obsessive object.

The way KP obtained tickets to Hayate Elementary School and Yoruyama Junior High School was in a [reasonable] manner.

Therefore, this ticket to Baidos Academy should also be plausible. In other words, although I did obtain the ticket through that strange object, the guy who delivered it probably wasn't doing this just to deliver a package.

Is it the mysterious player behind the female mask gang?

Could this item be a test by the player who possesses Alice's Black Umbrella, who is likely using low-level players for some purpose?

“You checked the time several times before, right? There are time requirements for entering the Zaoli Elementary School instance, right? Let’s set off now. Although I did come in a bit of a rush, my great-aunt had some spare supplies, so I can get ready in two minutes.”

Princess Zhenfei had already stood up, intending to take immediate action.

At that moment, Gao Hai stood up and placed his hand on the girl's shoulder.

"No, this time, you really can't come in."

Gao Hai lowered his head to meet the girl's brown-purple eyes and spoke in a serious voice.

"Once Shinomiya and I enter the instance, I'm afraid trouble will come your way. If you're not here, the target might shift to your family and friends. So, you two have to stay and deal with this. In this matter, I can only rely on you and Chika right now."

Interlude 3-12: His ties to the world and the moment of entering the instance.

In the end, Princess Zhenfei was successfully persuaded and reluctantly stayed.

After seeing the bullet holes in the second-floor corridor and understanding the previous attack and the possibility of a second wave, Maki hesitated for a moment before finally deciding to stay and go with Chika to contact Goto Ichiri to seek help in preventing a possible second attack.

After all, both Maki and Chika have family and friends who need protection. If Takami and Kaguya were to enter the instance as well, no one would be able to detect any further attacks in the real world.

Only Kaguya Shinomiya, whose family harmony score is negative, wouldn't care at all if someone came to take revenge on her family after Hayasaka Ai was trapped in the instance. She might even think it's a good thing.

"Is it really okay?"

Before leaving the Four Palaces residence, Princess Zhenfei hesitated and stopped, looking at Gao Hai and asking softly.

"To say there's absolutely no problem... well, to be honest, I wouldn't dare say that, but at least I'm more confident than when I went to Fujika Junior High. After all, this time I wasn't caught up in it completely unprepared."

Gao Hai looked at the worried girl in front of him, smiled, and then spoke.

"Sigh, no matter what, you must be careful. Haijun, I know that with that ability, you often have to bear the torment of failure and starting over, and the pain of each time. I can't help you with that. But, Haijun, even so, I... I don't want to see you get hurt, and I don't want to see you go through all that pain."

"Even if some things are unavoidable, at least don't take them for granted, and don't burden yourself with too much because of them. Haijun, I hope you can cherish yourself more and care about yourself more. At least, don't get used to this pain, don't think, 'I can do it all over again,' and don't take this kind of opportunity gained through your own pain for granted."

"Maybe I'm just overthinking it, but I always feel that if you rely too much on this ability, you might distort yourself and gradually become someone you don't recognize. I don't want that to happen..."

The girl reached out and hugged Gao Hai, speaking softly to him.

No matter how stubborn or arrogant she usually is, when she learned that Gao Hai was about to set off and step into dangerous territory again, Zhen Fei still revealed the softer side of her personality and sincerely whispered her words of advice to Gao Hai.

"Yes, I know, don't worry, everything will be fine. Struggling to survive is my motto."

In response, Gao Hai simply reached out and gently embraced the girl, whispering his reply into her ear.

I will never be distorted.

Because in this world, there exists a girl like you who genuinely cares for me.

As long as you are here, as long as there is Qianhua, and as long as there are all the people I have known since I came into this world, all the people who are willing to treat me sincerely, I will never distort myself, I will cherish myself, and I will cherish everything I have.

After all, this is the most genuine reason why I've persevered all this time.

Gao Hai didn't voice these innermost thoughts, as some of them touched upon his role as a "time traveler."

However, he had to admit that since transmigrating to this perilous world, the beauty and love he had experienced, just like the madness and darkness he had witnessed, were all profoundly ingrained. It was precisely because of these ties that he was gradually able to integrate into this world and develop a real sense of "being a part of this world." If he hadn't met Maki and Chika, Gao Hai estimated that he would never have had this mindset or be in this situation.

In that state, he might have been more like a reclusive and aloof loner, perhaps even stronger and more powerful than he is now? But if Gao Hai had to make a choice now, he would definitely prefer to choose these ties he has now, even if it means he might not be as strong as he is now.

slam-la-

The car gradually disappeared into the rain.

Kaguya's private driver drove Maki and Chika away. Even as the distance grew greater, Takami could still see Maki watching him through the car window, and Chika waving goodbye.

So he stretched out his hand and waved it a few times before turning back to the mansion and walking toward Kaguya Shinomiya, who had been waiting for him.

Are you nervous? Are you scared?

Gao Hai asked the girl in front of him.

"No... I'm still a little scared. Shall we set off?"

The girl with long black hair tied with a red ribbon first shook her head, but after hesitating for a moment, she still nervously told the truth.

After hearing Takami's account of her experiences at Fujika Middle School, Kaguya knew the difficulty of the Crimson Moon-level dungeon. The thought of going to such a terrifying place made her unable to calm down. However, the thought of Hayasaka being trapped there prevented Kaguya from backing down, no matter how scared she was.

We must rescue Hayasaka.

Kaguya held firm to her beliefs in her heart.

One last time, Gao Hai took out his phone to check the time. It was still within the optimal entry time given by Xiong Mi. Although the strange attack and the arrival of Maki Chika had delayed things a bit, Gao Hai had successfully eliminated the former after testing it twice, and it hadn't taken too long to persuade the latter, so the situation was still okay.

Because Kaguya had a strange experience of being interacted with via her phone while at the Shirakawa Apartment, both Takami and Kaguya left their phones at the mansion.