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

While speaking slowly and deliberately, Gao Hai, whose strength far surpassed that of his opponent, pulled away Lixer's hand that was gripping the switch.

"Is there another group of players? Are they in 'that place' mentioned in this notice? What can we do to help these people? We can't watch them suffer. Mr. Gao, is there anything I can do to help?"

Lixer was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, but quickly showed an expression of sudden realization.

Gao Hai could sense the other party's genuine and strong goodwill.

No matter how many times you judge using the power of blessing, it will be the same: what exists in Lixer is a way of thinking that is completely devoid of any abnormality, embodying truth, goodness, and beauty.

It's as if this person has no selfish thoughts at all.

"I do have a way to help players leave; in fact, I came up with this idea after seeing this document."

Gao Hai maintained a calm expression and communicated with Lixer without revealing anything unusual.

Kaguya Shinomiya was imprisoned in a secluded area of ​​the research base. That very night, a bizarre creature resembling Follen launched an attack on Maki and Chika. Meanwhile, I had been in the shelter for over ten hours without seeing a single person. I went out to help Maki and Chika, and less than ten minutes after returning, Rexes appeared, his hand already on the power switch. If I hadn't been quick enough, that guy would have already pulled the switch.

What a coincidence!

“I know what that terrifying thing mentioned in the message is, and I’m confident I can distract them. Since you’re so eager to help, I can assist in getting those trapped players out of here.”

While speaking to Lixer, Takahashi did not forget to communicate with Maki in his mind.

Gao Hai: How are you all doing now?

{Shijo Maki: We're about to enter the [Research Area]. Yes, we're already in. This is much larger than the Analysis Area, and... well, I'm not quite sure what these machines are for, but Fujiwara-san said she might know what this place is for. She said it's where they research bullets?}

{Gao Hai: Researching bullets?}

{Shijo Maki: Fujiwara-kun said it might be the kind of bullet you know about. Wait, why does that sound like a secret between you and her?}

{Takahashi: What are you still dwelling on at a time like this? Ask her if she's really sure this is where bullets are made? And what about Shinomiya's situation?}

{Shijo Maki: I... I was just asking casually. My aunt is doing okay, but the person locked up next to her seems to be talking to themselves again. My aunt is worried that it might be a person or a monster and might do something to her, so she didn't sleep well all night.}

Gao Hai: I see. Okay, I think I understand now. Be careful.

The communication between the two parties did not take too long.

On the first floor of the research base, Maki and Chika had already stepped into the research area.

The heavy protective door behind them slowly closed.

Meanwhile, Maki's gaze had already swept over the research area rules that each person had a copy of.

The simplest rule she had ever seen so far.

[Rules to be observed in the research area]

[1. This area is under the jurisdiction of Professor Folneng, who is the overall person in charge of affairs in this area. Researchers must abide by Professor Folneng's instructions.]

2. All research work is arranged by Professor Fernand, and researchers must follow Professor Fernand's instructions.

[3. When researchers are unable to complete their assigned tasks, they may apply to Professor Furn.]

4. Researchers must complete their assigned tasks properly; otherwise, Professor Furn has the right to discipline them.

5. Researchers must not disturb Professor Furn during the work phase. They must remain focused on their own work at all times; otherwise, they will be subject to severe warnings and disciplinary action.

[6. Researchers are not allowed to enter the cryogenic zone without authorization from Professor Furn. Only those with Level 4 or higher access privileges may apply for entry.]

It feels like "Professor Fulton is God" has been written into the code of conduct, which is quite uncomfortable.

And is this thing even a rule? It feels like it was rushed out and hastily put together, with the whole thing just a perfunctory "Oh yes, the boss is right, the superior is right, oh yes, oh yes" kind of thing.

Although she really wanted to complain, Maki continued to move forward silently on the surface.

The research area contains even more complex instruments whose purpose is completely incomprehensible to the real Princess.

But what she could see were stones in individual transparent glass containers.

Even though it was completely sealed, the broken stones, which kept oozing a dark red liquid, still seemed to emit a bloody smell.

The instruments here analyze, observe, and classify these stones. Some stones are discarded, and others are transported away, their destination unknown. However, most stones are processed directly here, ground into powder, and then mixed with various other substances to produce a variety of unique reactions. Finally, these mixed powders are injected into smaller, bullet-shaped containers.

Shijo Maki didn't know what these bullets were, but Fujiwara Chika already recognized them.

[Black Blood Bullet]

In the second playthrough, it was an item used by Susan, and it came from Lixer himself.

Special bullets that can temporarily repel the strange creatures upon impact are rare consumable items that circulate only within the Kingdom of Amelia and rarely end up in the hands of players in other regions.

Can't go wrong.

This is the kind of bullet being manufactured in this research area.

However, compared to the bullets Susan used, these bullets looked much coarser in structure, and seemed... more like experimental ones?

Welcome to the ladder of human progress, where we will lead our civilization to greatness and glory.

Standing in the middle of the research area, Professor Follen spread his arms, his gaze sweeping over the silent researchers, and spoke in a cold voice.

Then, the man gestured for Maki and Chika to go to an area to work, while he turned and walked towards another area of ​​the research zone, a place marked "Frozen Zone," and quickly disappeared inside. It was unknown what he was going to do inside.

Unlike the simple tasks in the analysis lab where you could just press buttons, the instruments in the research area have extremely complex operating procedures and require researchers to constantly record various data changes, making it impossible for non-professionals to handle. Although Maki and Chika are both highly educated students, it's clear that throwing them directly into a completely unfamiliar field in the lab wouldn't allow them to master it immediately. And obviously, this would make Maki and Chika increasingly conspicuous among the group of researchers working silently.

These things seem to be watching me and Fujiwara-kun...

Standing before the large instrument panel, whose operation she had no idea how to use, Maki hesitated for a long time, not daring to press any buttons to try operating the instrument. This caused a researcher sitting next to her, who seemed to be assisting Maki in her research, to turn and look at her, seemingly wondering why Maki was not moving.

Chika, on the other side, obviously encountered the same situation, but this girl was bolder, so she tried to operate it. Then, unsurprisingly, accompanied by a sharp alarm, the instrument panel in front of her turned red.

This is really...

I secretly glanced in the direction of the freezer section.

The professor stood in front of the entrance to the freezing area, casting his gaze in this direction from a distance.

More and more researchers around them looked up at the extremely aloof Maki and Chika, each of them displaying the same expressionless face.

Then, in the next instant, Maki and Chika vanished from their spot.

Two young girls suddenly appeared in the pitch-black cave. They were holding researchers' lab coats, then they put on their explorer's clothes and quickly moved towards one side of the cave.

After passing through the wide and narrow cave passages, you arrive at the entrance to the Land of Regret, which is also the front door of the fire station.

Maki and Chika stopped here to catch their breath. Then the door opened automatically. Behind the transparent glass door was not the corridor it should have shown, but a somewhat dark room with various wires scattered around.

Gao Hai opened the door for the two of them from inside the house using the blood key.

"Yo."

Gao Hai stretched out his hand and waved to Zhenfei with a smile.

"What do you mean 'oh'? We almost couldn't get out of that place just now."

As Maki entered the house, she let out a long sigh of relief. Clearly, she was still not in a good mood after what had just happened.

"Yo~da~"

As Fujiwara Chika followed him into the house, she blinked and responded energetically to Takami's greeting.

Close the door and take the blood key.

Then the door was no longer connected to the fire station's main entrance, and its original spatial structure was restored.

Gao Hai's gaze lingered on the door, as if trying to penetrate the door itself and see the scene outside.

The timing of Maki and Chika's forced teleportation was perfect; it happened just as Rickser left, or rather, after Rickser was forced and pushed out of the room and locked the door with Takami, Maki and Chika were compelled by the situation to change clothes and teleport over. Luckily, they had put on clothes beforehand under the researcher's clothes; by simply taking off the clothes and putting on the other set they weren't properly dressed in, they could instantly escape, thus avoiding being surrounded by those strange creatures.

However, Gao Hai couldn't help but think of Lixer's behavior earlier, where he refused to leave directly and kept talking to Gao Hai to stall for time.

If he hadn't pushed him out the door himself, Rickse should have been able to see Maki and Chika return here, just like... perfectly timed.

Chapter 68: Multiple Actions Continue to Unfold at This Moment

Kaguya Shinomiya heard a cough coming from next door.

The other person seemed to be in very poor physical condition, coughing incessantly. Their voice was always filled with confusion, as if they had forgotten many things, and it was as if their spirit had been severely damaged, and they were about to lose even their basic sense of self and humanity.

【hey-hey……】

She heard the man start laughing again.

Hehe... They stole her, they stole her from her...

We must get it back... we absolutely must get it back...

If we don't find it... everyone will die... hehe... including you...

He was neurotic, constantly repeating himself, muttering to himself incessantly.

A screeching sound of scratching rang out.

That was the sound of fingernails scraping against a heavy metal door.

Then suddenly, the other person let out a low gasp, as if they had discovered something.

Who's there?

Are you one of the people who were locked up here?

Those bastards... they've kept me locked up here. I... my name is Howard, what's your name?

"Ha... It's alright not to say anything. I've been locked up here for a long time. I've just been locked up here for a long time..."

No, no, no, is there really anyone there? No, no, no…

The voice behind the wall tried to speak to Kaguya once again.

Kaguya remained silent as before, not answering the other person. Soon, the person's voice turned into a soliloquy, which eventually disappeared in a nervous murmur, and silence returned.

After a few tens of minutes or an hour or two, the voice will start again, and the person will begin talking to themselves once more.

Kaguya knew this process very well, because this was the 7th time it had happened.

The sound had been heard several times before the lights were turned off yesterday, and it was the same today, appearing intermittently and then disappearing.

She did not answer the voice.

This involves a degree of caution stemming from uncertainty about the other party's identity.

Another reason is related to the notice she saw when she was brought in.

[Regulations on the Management of Segregated Prison Areas]