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

This guy is a bit tricky. He's conveniently blocking my investigation, so he seems to have some skills. I just don't know if this mysterious person was a member of the [Hospital] from the beginning, or if he was brainwashed and transformed for some reason during the month he started operating within the [Hospital].

Of course, although they couldn't directly find the other party, Gao Hai wasn't without options. In fact, right after they dealt with the enemy and restored the surrounding buildings to their original state, Xiao Heshu approached them and told them that this group of players came from America. They even went to the [Market] after entering the country to say hello, indicating that they had been invited to provide support in response to a possible disaster that might befall Tokyo.

Alice, who had been monitoring the battlefield and opening boxes for every player Gao Hai approached, soon compiled a list of the attackers' activities in the Kingdom of Amelia for Gao Hai. At first glance, nothing seemed amiss, but closer investigation revealed that these modified attackers had all experienced at least one [Hospital Grounds] type dungeon and retrieved their obsession items. Considering that no one had noticed their anomalies before they acted, Gao Hai understood that this meant all players who had experienced hospital-type dungeons or obtained hospital-type items might become untrustworthy. Simply releasing this information would inevitably cause suspicion within the entire player group.

This reckless attack may not have been intended to defeat Gao Hai from the beginning, but rather to use the operation to strike at the player team.

Gao Hai frowned slightly upon realizing this, realizing that this opponent might be more troublesome than expected.

[What's certain at the moment is that the mastermind behind this likely has connections with many high-ranking officials in the United States. There's very little information available online, but if Alice could hack into some internal encrypted networks that are physically disconnected from the outside world, she might be able to find some intelligence. Of course, this won't be something that can be done in a day or two, so please be extra careful during this time, Teacher. This is already the third, or even the fourth, contact with the enemy. Alice estimates that disaster is truly about to erupt soon~]

Alice did some research online, but this time she didn't find much information, only confirming that the other party might be hiding in the upper echelons.

After an emergency discussion that night, Xiaohe Shu and several high-ranking Red Moon-level players based in Tokyo decided to temporarily withhold information about the attack. Instead, they would intensify their investigation into players who had access to the [Hospital-type dungeon] and carefully assess the support players from Europe and America. As for the specifics of how to implement these plans, Gao Hai estimated that a conclusion wouldn't be reached until at least the next morning. In any case, most of them would likely be working through the night; it was estimated that few of the top-tier players would get a good night's sleep after such an incident.

However, at this point, it had little to do with Gao Hai. In fact, after escorting Hongxia and Liang home with Yili and leaving behind some protective and reconnaissance measures to prevent further problems, he and Yili went to a high-end hotel together.

After tonight's events, both Nijika and Ryo were eager to know what Ichiri had been through during this time and wanted to find out the truth. Takami originally intended to explain, but later, considering Kita's absence and the fact that the four band members had not reunited, some things might be difficult to explain clearly. So, he told the two girls to meet somewhere the next afternoon and then left with Ichiri.

Judging from Hongxia and Liang's expressions when they parted, Gao Hai guessed that neither of them would be able to sleep tonight.

Incidentally, Gao Hai initially didn't plan to go to a hotel; he intended to take Ichiri straight home. However, Ichiri, for some reason, suddenly suggested going to a high-end hotel while walking, so Gao Hai decided to grant her wish and changed their destination.

I wonder what she's thinking this time.

Sitting on the large bed in the upscale hotel room recommended by Chika, Gao Hai turned his head slightly and could see Goto Ichiri himself taking deep breaths outside the gauze curtain covering the edge of the bed, seemingly preparing himself mentally for some action.

So what is she planning to do? Gao Hai's curiosity gradually grew, but after entering the room, he had promised not to peep or ambush her, so he could only sit obediently on the bed and wait for her to come over.

So, how did Ichiri and I develop into the relationship we are today?

While waiting, Gao Hai suddenly thought of this problem.

To say it was a passionate and dramatic love story doesn't quite fit. Only Maki and Chika seem to fit that description. And if it was about developing feelings through shared hardships and dangers, plus the "suspension bridge effect" from the rescue, well, that doesn't quite work either. After all, Ichiri was already very strong when I met her; Miko and Ai are more likely to fit that description. As for Kaguya's case, where the relationship went from teammates to lovers in a rather convoluted and bizarre way, that doesn't seem to qualify either; it's a case that doesn't even exist.

Ultimately, Ichiri and Ichiri were simply saving innocent victims from the "Campus Ghost Stories" together. They were just retracing fragments of decades in the long river of time. In this process, the two of them could be considered to have lived together for several years, which is equivalent to being roommates for several years.

Then, their relationship improved, to the point that Yili often came to sleep at Gaohai's place at night, for reasons that were both funny and sad, such as not being able to sleep well without Gaohai's side.

I always felt that Yili and I became more like an old married couple who got used to and adapted to each other than a couple, and then we gradually completed the things that couples need to do. The process was completely reversed.

Thinking this way, Gao Hai couldn't help but chuckle.

Meanwhile, by the bedside, which he couldn't see because he had deliberately suppressed his mental energy, Goto Ichiri's mental energy was already nearing its limit.

Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, I'm doomed! How did it really come to this? Why did I have to bring Mr. Hai here myself? Why did I suggest going to a hotel together just because we passed by a couples' hotel, and why did Mr. Hai actually agree?!

So, should we do it?

Do we really have to do it here? Right now? Right here?

How do I do this? I don't understand the general process or the specific actions. My brain is about to break down. What should I do now?

Ah, I've got it! I can just consult someone with experience about this!

Having quickly made up his mind, Ichiri took out his phone, recalled the seemingly calm and normal people in the Takahashi Squad he had met, and then sent a message to Kaguya Shinomiya.

{Goto Ichiri: Kaguya, if I want to [whoosh—] with Mr. Kai, what should I do?}

The message was quickly marked as read, but Kaguya's reply took quite a while to arrive.

{Kaguya Shinomiya: ???}

{Kaguya Shinomiya: Uh...you're asking me this kind of question?}

She seemed quite surprised. To be honest, Ichiri was also feeling pretty hopeless right now, but she couldn't think of any other way, so she could only muster up her courage to continue replying.

{Goto Ichiri: Because in my memory, Kaguya, you are the most composed person, so I can only think of asking you for help with this kind of problem.}

{Goto Ichiri: Please, please teach me! I'll do anything, this is my lifelong request!}

{Kaguya Shinomiya: Don't escalate this to the level of a lifetime!}

Kaguya Shinomiya: Let me think about it... maybe I do know a little bit of a way...

At Pochi's earnest request, Kaguya, though somewhat at a loss, quickly offered what she considered to be the best strategy.

And that is—

"Um, I'm here."

Amidst the timid voices, Gao Hai turned his head and saw Ichiri, dressed in a maid outfit that perfectly showcased her enviable figure, peeking out from behind the gauze curtain, her face flushed as she looked at Gao Hai.

Yes, Kaguya Shinomiya's ultimate answer was a maid outfit. And coincidentally, Ichiri also had an item that could change clothes to a certain extent, so after spending a little time, she actually changed into a maid outfit and appeared in front of Takami.

However, it is quite obvious that Ichiri's maid outfit and Kaguya's maid outfit are completely opposite in terms of temperament.

If Kaguya's maid outfit created a contrast with Takahashi's noble and elegant demeanor, then Ichiri's maid outfit... well, it gave Takahashi the feeling of being huge, incredibly visibly massive, and full of a 3D sense of space.

So that's how it is. It seems to be an invitation to the battlefield.

Gao Hai's expression turned sharp.

While Yili hesitated for a moment, she was already preparing to pull back the gauze curtain and enter the large bed.

Suddenly, before the girl could make a move, she abruptly retreated behind the veil.

It wasn't that she was trying to play hard to get, but rather that Ichiri herself was too ashamed and couldn't maintain the effect of the object of her obsession. As a result, the clothes she had just conjured disappeared, leaving only the stockings and the ribbon on her head. Because she was too shy, Ichiri didn't dare to appear in front of Takahashi for a while, so she had to cover her body with a veil.

But to her surprise, the gauze curtains around the bed were already semi-transparent, so her act of blocking them only made the beautiful scenery even more obvious.

"Um, Mr. Hai, perhaps it's really better to..."

The girl was already having the urge to give up; she felt her brain starting to malfunction more and more.

"No, no, no, I'll take care of this."

Seeing that the other party was probably unable to continue taking the initiative, Gao Hai finally got out of bed and faced the girl who was avoiding his gaze.

slam-la-

The gauze curtain was slightly loosened, revealing the fair skin behind it.

The girl's flustered gaze darted away in the darkness, but she finally mustered the courage to meet the man's eyes again.

Then comes the tactile sensation of a kiss and the tactile sensation of an embrace, synchronized with both of their senses at that moment.

Unlike the dramatic development of her relationships with other girls, everything felt natural and inevitable, as if she had always been ready to take this step, but had simply never made that choice before.

The night was somewhat eventful, and there's still a long time to go by.

As the warm touch between his skin continued to extend, the influence of the blessing power within him momentarily jolted Gao Hai out of his reverie.

Then, they became even more eager, enjoying this beautiful dream that belonged to the two of them.

Under the hazy night sky, the mingling breaths created a soft melody.

An invisible blessing flowed from Gao Hai and was infused into Ichiri's power. Thus, thanks to Andres' blessing, a new link was created through Gao Hai's manipulation.

Interlude 4-43: The Question of Address and the Follow-up Visit

Eleven days after the end of the 【Infant Cry Village】 instance, it was a cloudy day, and it looked like it was going to rain, but no raindrops fell. Only a persistent feeling of muggy heat enveloped the city.

However, for Gao Hai, this was nothing. Even if the temperature rose to 60 or 70 degrees Celsius, his body could still withstand it. Of course, he wouldn't be so crazy as to physically try to withstand the high temperature if it really came to that, since life is meant to be enjoyed, not suffered.

From this perspective, Gao Hai is actually quite enjoying himself right now, after all, the sight of the girl beside him whimpering and crying out of shyness after waking up is indeed quite beautiful.

“Wu…Wu…”

Goto Ichiri buried her face in the pillow, her body trembling slightly.

The faint red marks left on the girl's smooth shoulders and back revealed that her battle with Gao Hai the previous night had been quite intense. So much so that the next morning, Ichiri was unable to get out of bed for a while due to lower back pain; she collapsed back down as soon as she tried to get up, and then, overwhelmed by shame, she couldn't bring herself to look Gao Hai in the eye.

"One mile, is that alright?"

But her silence didn't mean Gao Hai wouldn't do something. Before Yi Li could fully enter a withdrawn state, Gao Hai leaned forward and whispered in her ear.

"Huh? Huh? No, no problem, no problem, oh, this, this..."

Startled, Iri almost jumped out of bed, but Gao Hai quickly subdued her by holding her with one arm.

As the two touched each other again, the warm sensation from their skin caused Yili's blush to deepen rapidly. Lying in Gao Hai's arms, she clearly entered a state of mental blankness, so much so that she stared blankly for a while before lowering her head and covering her face with her hands, continuing to shut herself off in Gao Hai's arms.

So shameful.

Even now, I can still clearly recall some of my reactions last night.

She actually did that kind of thing with Mr. Hai, and she was so proactive, even wearing a maid outfit to seduce him, and... and she even screamed so loudly...

My life must have come to a complete end, right?

Dad, Mom, Erli, I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was actually this kind of girl. Please forgive me.

My life has vanished with the night wind, leaving behind only a shameless shell. So sorrowful, so unbearable to recall, then please listen to my final performance, this elegy written for myself—

pat!

"Whoa?!"

Gao Hai's karate chop to the head successfully rescued the girl from her gloomy mental state.

"Stop overthinking and acting like your life is over. What we need to do now is enjoy life and live each day happily, right?"

As Gao Hai said this, he hugged Yili a little tighter, causing her head to press against the side of Gao Hai's chest. The squeezing sensation from her chest was clearly transmitted to Gao Hai.

Such a strong scent, such a clear touch, it's as if everything from last night is still vivid in my mind.

And, judging from this sensation, does Mr. Hai really want more? But... but my waist is already immobile; if we continue fighting, I won't be able to take it...

The girl wanted to struggle, wanted to escape.

But for some reason, what was stronger than the urge to escape was the urge to stay, to continue indulging in this embrace.

Just like in the [Infant Cry Village] instance, when we were trying to establish a connection with Gao Hai by licking each other's blood, even though it was just licking our fingers, it felt like we were completely immersed in it, and our heads were spinning.

"That...that...oh dear..."

The dark clouds outside the window drifted slowly in the wind, just like the trees swaying in the wind by the roadside, and the window making a slight sound as it was blown by the wind, while the chirping of birds was hidden among them.

Boys and girls ran quickly across the road, laughing and joking, their noise mingling with the sound of the wind, and the sound didn't stop for a long time.