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

Gao Hai started to feel a headache coming on.

The situation in this copy seems to be becoming increasingly complex and difficult to understand.

ding dong -- ding dong --

In the distant teaching building, the bell for class had already rung.

Ultimately, during the break between the first and second periods, the bullying by those mischievous students stopped at verbal mockery.

However, based on Fujiwara Chika's observations, it's possible that these strange students would begin physically assaulting students before the fourth period ended in the morning. The bullying in this place is developing much faster than in normal schools, possibly because this place itself has been refined many times over.

As for the police officer on the rooftop, Gao Hai has now lost contact with him. However, he hasn't been eliminated; he simply can't reach him. Gao Hai can sense that the officer is still somewhere within the instance, but for some reason, the signal is extremely weak, making it impossible to locate him, perceive his current state, or issue commands. He can only barely confirm that the officer is still there.

However, this also confirms one thing: the seemingly normal rooftop does indeed immediately transport you to another space upon entering. Now, all we can do is hope that the summoned police officer's automatic mode is smart enough to find its way back.

"Phew...it's about time to continue..."

Despite being attacked by the female ghost who jumped off the building at the last moment, the thing's power didn't seem to cause any real harm outside the dormitory building. Therefore, Gao Hai only felt dizzy for a while before recovering and being able to continue his actions.

"Hey, is everything alright now?"

"Of course, this is nothing."

Takahashi waved to the still somewhat worried Miko, reluctantly gave up the lap pillow, stood up and walked out of the woods, looking at the campus that had become deserted as class time began.

His gaze quickly shifted to the direction of the affiliated teaching building, to this place that had not yet been formally explored.

That was the place he decided to go next.

Chapter 50: Incomprehensible Behavior of Following and Two People Moving Forward Together

ding dong -- ding dong --

As the bell rang, the third period of the morning had begun.

As Chika had predicted, after the second class, the students' isolation of those special individuals began to worsen. It had escalated to leaving abusive and vulgar words on their desks, sticking notes with insulting phrases on their backs when they weren't looking, or sticking chewing gum on their chairs.

After discovering these anomalies, the students who were pranked usually just silently cleaned the stains left on their desks or bodies, then became more cautious and timid, and did nothing else, or rather, they dared not react at all.

What's even more perplexing is that, despite the considerable number of students being bullied and ostracized, these students showed absolutely no intention of uniting to fight against the others. In fact, when one student was insulted, other similarly ostracized students would join in the mockery, echoing the pranksters' taunts.

To the onlookers, especially Xiong Mi and Jian Bing who were from China, this was utterly incomprehensible. You were being ostracized and bullied along with others, and now he was being ridiculed. As someone who was also being ostracized, it would be one thing if you didn't help this person who was actually in the same boat as you—at least that could be considered protecting yourself—but instead you joined those who looked down on you and hated you in mocking the victim. What kind of logic is that?

Ultimately, the words and actions of these strange creatures are nothing more than repeated imitations of the behavior of the living people from whom the obsession originates. Therefore, it is only because such a thing actually happened in the past, when there were still living people in this school, that these strange creatures have their current behavioral patterns.

But this only made things more puzzling. Xiong Mi and Jian Bing thought about it for more than half an hour, but they still couldn't figure out what was in the minds of the students who studied at this school back then, that would lead them to do such incomprehensible things.

{Fujiwara Chika: This isn't really that strange, because these ostracized people always yearn to "return to the atmosphere." So, even if it means groveling like a dog, even if it means completely abandoning their dignity, they won't hesitate.}

{Chika Fujiwara: Compared to being insulted, tortured, and ridiculed, being abandoned by the majority is far more terrifying. Although from the day you're rejected by the atmosphere, the situation is essentially irreversible, those people won't give up; they'll try again and again. They're capable of many irrational things for this, like joining others in mocking other victims—that's just the basics.}

As a social butterfly, Fujiwara Chika is arguably the one who sees things most clearly and can explain them most clearly. Well... although her explanation only makes Takami more confused and even more convinced that he can't understand this kind of person's thought process.

Of course, other players are paying attention to this now, so Gao Hai doesn't need to care too much.

In comparison, further exploration and investigation are more important.

"Are you really not going to rest for a bit longer?"

At the junction of the teaching building and the main teaching building, in a small pavilion, Jianzi looked at Gao Hai, whose face was still a little pale, hesitated for a moment, and then asked in a low voice.

Moving from the dormitory building to this small pavilion was not an easy process. Although it was morning and most students were in the main teaching building, there were still a few students having physical education classes on the playground, and some teachers were walking by on the road from time to time.

These strange creatures were few in number and seemed like they didn't require much attention; a little carelessness would suffice. However, in reality, the slightest disturbance would be noticed by both students and teachers, who would immediately come to investigate, even during class. If it weren't for the black cloak that concealed their presence, Gao Hai estimated that he and Jianzi would already be followed by several tails.

Isn't this a bit too much? Could it be because Miko and I have become specially marked as "targets of hatred," so that as long as we make a sound and are heard, even if we can't see anyone, it will attract their attention?

If that's the case, Gao Hai seriously doubted whether he could even stay on the main campus for a whole day. In fact, his current pale complexion was due to the immense energy he had expended in avoiding these things, preventing his already somewhat lethargic mental state from recovering.

"We've rested enough. We haven't attracted the attention of those things yet, so overall I feel it's been quite easy. Hmm... but you're still just an ordinary person. Even with your physical abilities enhanced, this kind of stealthy movement might still be a bit difficult for you. If you're tired, you can rest here for a while. I can go in and investigate the situation first."

At this moment, Gao Hai was focusing most of his thinking on analyzing the situation, and he didn't notice that the question Jianzi had just asked was actually meant to make him rest for a while.

The more you explore, the more you realize how complex and unpredictable this instance is. The more you want to obtain more information, the more you have to proceed cautiously and cautiously because the instance itself is fraught with danger.

This is really troublesome, but at this point, difficulties of this magnitude are not something I would choose to back down from.

"I'll join too. I'm not tired, I don't need to take any extra rest."

Upon hearing Gao Hai's words, Jianzi almost immediately replied, and even nervously straightened her chest and raised her head, as if she was afraid of being abandoned by Gao Hai.

"Don't push yourself too hard. This isn't some small trip like a picnic. A slight oversight could cost you your life. I dared to go in because I still have some survival skills, and even if I encounter danger, I still have a chance to escape. But you're very likely to run into trouble when facing those things. So if you want to come in, make sure you're in the right condition first."

Seeing that the girl looked very nervous and couldn't calm down, Gao Hai thought for a moment and gave her a serious warning to prevent her from pushing herself too hard.

"Hmm... I'm fine. Although I can't really help in a fight, I'll do my best to find the hidden clues. I just saw that you looked unwell, so I asked if you wanted to rest."

Miko almost called him "senpai" again, but subconsciously pursed her lips. Because of the possible existence of "name-stealing monsters" in this awful place, Yoruyama Middle School, even addressing Takami had become troublesome. She had to restrain herself from calling him that every time they talked, which was quite annoying. Even with Miko's good temper, she felt inconvenienced in every way after two playthroughs.

"Don't worry about me. In my current state, well, it's just a warm-up exercise."

Realizing that Miko was worried about him, Takahashi smiled, thought for a moment, and then reached out and gently touched the girl's head.

Touch touch~ Touch touch~

Just like petting a cat, Gao Hai gently stroked Miko's head.

The girl's cheeks flushed almost instantly, and she subconsciously lowered her head, letting Gao Hai stroke her head.

This feeling... Ugh, is my senior treating me like a child?

Although I don't dislike the feeling of being touched.

The intimate moment was very short, lasting less than half a minute. Gao Hai withdrew his hand and turned his gaze back to the now empty affiliated teaching building.

"Well, it's the fourth minute of the third period now, and there are about 36 minutes left before get out of class ends. Let's go in together this time."

Gao Hai spoke in a deep voice, stepped out of the small pavilion, and walked first toward the main gate of the affiliated teaching building. Behind him, Yotsuya Miko followed cautiously. The two of them quickly crossed the lawn and the stone path, stepping into the dimly lit building.

Chapter 51: Successful Explorations and Unsuccessful Explorations

cold.

It was very cold.

From the moment he stepped into the affiliated teaching building, Gao Hai felt a very obvious chill.

Like the dormitory building, the entire attached teaching building was dark because no students or teachers were staying there at the time.

The shadows that enveloped the building seemed to Gao Hai like something alive, as if they were slowly breathing. The already eerie building was now enveloped in a chilling current; the temperature had dropped to at least 5 degrees Celsius, and Gao Hai even suspected it might be below zero.

If Gao Hai were to enter such a place in the real world, he would probably turn around and leave without hesitation. He would never deliberately run into it.

However, thinking about such things is meaningless; he was just habitually letting his mind wander and daydreaming.

He placed the previously removed door in a concealed location not far from the affiliated teaching building, deliberately placing it a little distance away from the building to avoid a repeat of the incident where someone opened the door and ran out, only to be met with divine intervention. Next, Gao Hai chose entrance A into the affiliated teaching building, an entrance relatively far from the cafeteria where staff might be busy, making it easier to respond to unexpected situations.

Although Entrance C is actually the furthest and most secluded area away from where people might come and go, entering from there requires passing through the restrooms to explore the building, and there isn't a single door in that entire corridor, which Gao Hai sees as a potential hazard.

"Ugh..."

Miko, who followed him in, flinched slightly, clearly unaccustomed to the unusually low temperature inside the building. However, when Takami looked at her with some concern, Miko immediately smiled at him to reassure him, so the two continued on their way.

Hmm... Sure enough, the lights are on in the library.

Gao Hai rubbed his hands together and breathed on them to warm them as he looked towards the entrance of the library, located on the first floor of the affiliated teaching building, which in fact almost completely occupied the entire floor. Although the library was empty, it was still brightly lit, unlike other places where the lights were turned off. It was as if many people were quietly browsing through books inside.

If I turn off the lights in the library, will it attract some strange creatures?

While considering the possibilities, Gao Hai did not approach the area rashly, nor did he intend to do anything reckless. He simply observed it from a distance, and then quickly led Jianzi up the stairs directly opposite the entrance through Gate A to the second floor of the affiliated teaching building.

“Hu…Hu…Ha…”

Following Gao Hai, Miko also imitated him by breathing on her fingers, and the two of them rubbed their hands together in a surprisingly synchronized manner.

The staircases in the teaching building are relatively narrower than those in the dormitory building, probably because the building has an elevator to separate people. In addition, the staircases here are also dirtier than those in the dormitory building. There are many strange and unrecognizable graffiti and messages on the walls, and some scraps of paper, pen caps and other small pieces of trash on the ground.

Gao Hai's goal for this exploration was very clear: the student archives room on the second floor of the attached teaching building.

In the previous playthrough, although the archives were discovered by players, the players who investigated the attached teaching building at the time inexplicably didn't delve into the archives, and no one, including Gao Hai, suspected anything. Looking back now, Gao Hai felt a little uneasy about this. However, considering the cognitive blocking effect within this instance, it's possible that the players who investigated this place couldn't retain the relevant memories, so Gao Hai had a reason to come back regardless.

After going up the stairs, well, the restroom is right next to it, but you don't need to go near it. Then you need to pass by an elevator and a multimedia conference room. According to the schedule from the first day of the previous playthrough, the multimedia conference room is not in use at this time, so there shouldn't be any students inside. So the only problem is that weird broadcast that might appear on the second floor. That ghost story that Ms. Xiongmi successfully banished in the previous playthrough, it probably won't be so easy to deal with with my current blessings and items.

As Gao Hai ascended the stairs, he carefully analyzed and considered his course of action based on the map he knew.

Behind him, Jian Zi followed obediently without saying a word. She reached out and grabbed Gao Hai's clothes, carefully observing the surroundings and trying to search for anything unusual.

As things stand, everything seems to be normal?

Jianzi wanted to draw this conclusion in her heart, but recalling the investigation process from entering Yeluoshan Middle School to now, she felt that this feeling of "everything is normal" actually foreshadowed a more dangerous and terrifying situation, so she became even more nervous.

tread--

The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the not-so-spacious corridor.

tread--

In the dim light, the shadows of the two figures trembled and moved on the wall, like two flickering flames about to go out.

tread--

Seeing that Zi had moved even closer, almost touching Gao Hai, it seemed that only this method could give her a sense of security in this dangerous place.

Slowly, the two reached the top of the stairs on the second floor. The lighting in this corridor was slightly better than on the first floor, so the overall brightness was acceptable. Gao Hai first peeked out from the top of the stairs, looking left and right, then had Jianzi peek out as well, to observe the surroundings. The two heads remained like this for a while, and after confirming that there was nothing ominous around, they finally stepped out from the top of the stairs and officially entered the second-floor corridor.

【■……■■……】

It seems I heard a sound.

Sensing something was wrong, Gao Hai turned his head and looked at the toilet next to the stairs.

Just moments before, as Gao Hai stepped out of the stairwell, he seemed to hear singing coming from the restroom, sounding like a young girl practicing her voice. But now, when he listened more closely, he couldn't hear anything at all.

{Yotsuya Miko: Senpai, have you discovered something?}

Because she was in an unfamiliar indoor environment where she didn't know what she would encounter, Yotsuya Miko didn't speak directly. Instead, she asked Takami through the mental link.