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

Gao Hai, who was walking in front, felt very embarrassed.

He desperately wanted to turn around and tell the girl behind him to stop stalking him so openly.

But he had a premonition that if he did that, the girl, whose personality was already quite extreme, might die or faint on the spot.

After all, this is Pochi-chan.

That said, the cardboard box was probably an object of obsession, so none of the passersby noticed anything wrong with it and paid no attention to it.

If that's the case, then the effect of this obsessive object is quite interesting.

However, why can I see the cardboard box...? Hmm, could it be because I saw this girl hide inside the cardboard box when I first entered the [Market], so I was able to break through the cognitive blockage caused by this obsessive object? Or is this some kind of enhancement I gained after experiencing the [cognitive blockage] attack through the Hayate Elementary School instance?

That said, if I weren't paying special attention, I could barely sense the eerie aura emanating from that cardboard box. It seemed to be just a Twilight-level artifact, and probably even one of the weaker ones among Twilight-level artifacts. Isn't Goto Ichiri a Red Moon-level player? Why would she carry around such a low-level artifact? Could it be because its appearance and abilities perfectly suited her tastes, making her somewhat attached to it?

In any case, at least one thing is certain: at this moment, Goto Ichiri was completely unaware that her supposedly well-concealed disguise had actually been seen through by Takami long ago.

As for why she appeared here, and her purpose in searching for Gao Hai, that's easy to figure out, and you could even say you could get the correct answer immediately.

Kita Ikuyo.

This red-haired girl appeared once in the Fujika Middle School instance, but never reappeared after the save file was reloaded. After successfully completing the instance and returning to the real world, Gao Hai did not hide his encounter with this girl, but instead chose to make the information public.

Although Takahiro knew that with his return to the starting point, his contact with Kita Ikuyo was now a thing of the past, after a series of encounters, especially after officially confirming the special nature of the black watch through the KP, Takahiro felt there was no need to keep this information to himself. In any case, whether he actively faced it or chose to avoid it, some things would inevitably find him. Since that was the case, it was better to reveal it now; perhaps he could even gain more support later. As for whether it would cause trouble, what a joke! Did he think he wouldn't have trouble if he didn't speak up?

It was precisely because of this carefree, or rather, nonchalant, attitude that Takahashi briefly revealed most things that didn't involve watches or KP. Therefore, he could surmise that it was likely his act of revealing information that led Goto Ichiri to engage in this abstract act of stalking.

Well, although I have a strong urge to tease the child, I'd better find a quiet place to talk to her first.

With that thought in mind, Gao Hai began to walk into the deserted alley.

"……Why?"

Goto Ichiri, who was following behind, hesitated.

The other party deliberately moved into the alley, which alerted the girl, making her realize that she might have been discovered.

Although her way of thinking may be somewhat different from that of normal people, and she may sometimes seem a little unintelligent, Goto Ichiri still possesses normal discernment. Therefore, after Takami changed her route, she realized that she might have been exposed.

However, for the sake of his friend who was trapped inside the instance, he had to follow him even if it meant risking exposure.

Wait a minute, I came to see Mr. Gao precisely to ask for his help, to ask for his assistance, right? If that's the case, why not just approach him openly and honestly? Why am I following him? Isn't that strange?

Goto Ichiri sensed something was wrong.

But clearly, by the time she realized it, it was already too late; the damage was done.

The timid girl followed into the alley and, as expected, saw Gao Hai waiting in the alley, watching her intently.

“Ms. Goto, you came for Kita, right? I understand your concerns. Once we enter the dungeon, if there's any hope of rescuing her, I'll try my best. However, the Crimson Moon dungeon is fraught with danger, and I can't make any guarantees about this.”

Gao Hai spoke calmly and earnestly to the girl who was still hiding in the box.

As a senior colleague who had genuinely provided him with intelligence assistance during his early career, Takami was willing to make a small promise to Goto Ichiri. However, as he himself said, the matter was far too dangerous, and he wasn't confident he could actually accomplish it, so he wouldn't make any promises he couldn't keep.

"Oh...oh! Oh! I...I understand, thank you! Thank you so much, Mr. Gao!"

After a brief pause, the carton of ripe mangoes turned without hesitation and sped off towards the end of the alley.

"Ms. Goto, um—"

As for the rest, after Goto Ichiri turned and ran away so decisively, Takami had to swallow back the words he hadn't had a chance to say.

She runs really fast, although Gao Hai couldn't understand how she could maintain such a fast pace in that state.

But he could already see what was in front of the cardboard box.

"Wait a minute, there are power lines over there—"

Boom!

The utility pole shifted slightly, and some barely noticeable cracks appeared on it.

The undamaged cardboard box paused for a moment, then sped up and headed out of the alley once more.

Boom! ! !

This time, the wall of a building on one side of the alley was smashed through, leaving a rectangular outline.

Gao Hai stood there silently.

He sensed that Goto Ichiri, the pink-haired girl nicknamed Pochi-chan, was perhaps even more abstract than he had imagined.

"Could this be considered yet another example of the intertwining of cause and effect, fate and destiny?"

Thinking of Goto Ichiri's performance and Kita Ikuyo, who almost killed him before, Takami couldn't help but mutter to himself.

Inside the breached wall, more sounds of collision and commotion could be heard.

It's likely that the pink-haired girl accidentally bumped into something in an emergency. After all, she's a Red Moon level player, so even if she did bump into something, it shouldn't leave any marks.

Now, we have one more objective after entering [Nightfall Mountain Middle School].

I wonder what Kita Ikuyo's state will be when I enter the dungeon. I hope we can still communicate with him instead of attacking him right away.

Thinking this, Takami turned and walked away after seeing that Goto Ichiri had already left.

As for the pink-haired girl who only realized what she was doing after crashing through several walls, and then turned back to look for Gao Hai, only to find that he was already gone, she stood in the alley for a long time, but in the end, she couldn't muster the courage again and had to leave with a long face.

After that, nothing particularly noteworthy happened today.

The afternoon's study of the dungeon information compiled by Zhenfei didn't last long, and Gao Hai then went to play the game. After experiencing that bizarre dream, Gao Hai realized that he might encounter completely unexpected situations when he entered the dungeon this time, so the information from predecessors could only be used as a reference and couldn't be completely trusted.

Although he didn't know how a dungeon that was already fixed and wouldn't undergo significant changes could produce any surprises, Gao Hai knew that luck was obviously unreliable in such matters. Therefore, he seriously warned the players who were going to participate in the mission, as well as Zhenfei and the others.

As night fell, Fujiwara Chika once again sneaked into the hotel.

In order to escape her strict home, Fujiwara Chika has become extremely familiar with the "Inducement Necklace," her obsession, and has become increasingly skilled at inducing and hypnotizing her family members.

That evening, Fujiwara Chika and Takami engaged in a very serious and sincere discussion about various philosophical reflections and practical activities related to life. They conducted in-depth research and analysis on modern games and entertainment projects and ultimately reached a research conclusion that satisfied both of them. However, Chika's physical strength was clearly insufficient to support such rigorous academic activities, so for most of the later stages, Takami took the lead in guiding the project's progress.

The night gradually passed.

A new day quickly arrived.

With one day closer to the time to enter the instance, the fireworks festival held by ordinary people who have no connection with the strange world is also just before its opening.

Despite still feeling a bit weak, Chika hugged Gao Hai one last time before heading to school.

As for Gao Hai himself, he waited in the hotel until the afternoon arrived, and only when the students of Shuchiin were dismissed did he get up and leave the hotel, wearing a clean and tidy new outfit, and head towards the nearby park.

Miko Yotsuya, still wearing her school uniform, waited for Takami at the park entrance.

"Senior, let's go together."

Amidst cheerful laughter, Yotsuya Miko, whose brow hadn't relaxed like this in a long time, was the first to walk towards the makeshift shops.

Gao Hai smiled and agreed, chatting casually with Jianzi along the way, and they continued on their journey together.

There were no suggestive hints, nor any awkward or teasing maneuvers involved.

Takami and Miko's date seemed rather uneventful, without any major incidents.

But Gao Hai felt exceptionally comfortable, and felt that this feeling was enough.

Interlude 3-32: Miko Yotsuya's Date and the Approaching Storm

As dusk fell, a gentle evening breeze blew by, bringing a slight chill.

The tides lapped against the beach, rising and falling as always, whipping up white spray.

Meanwhile, Takami and Yotsuya Miko were walking side by side on the seaside path. Their shadows, lengthened by the setting sun, swayed slightly with each step they took.

Their clasped hands connected their shadows.

Some shy girls dared not get too close to the man, so the two maintained a distance that was neither too close nor too distant, yet they were connected by holding hands.

Nothing particularly special happened on their afternoon date. The two of them simply strolled around the square, checking out the shops and entertainment options available at the venue for the fireworks festival the following day. They then walked around the surrounding commercial street, bought some snacks and drinks, and after eating, they took a casual walk along the seaside street.

Very bland.

There was no sense of pleasure in teasing Maki during their dates.

There was none of that feeling of exhaustion and joy that I had when I went on a date with Chika, like being taken on a leisurely trip by a frolicking dog.

As for that date with Kaguya, well... Takahashi couldn't quite describe how it felt. After all, it was the first time he and Kaguya had interacted as non-teammates, so he could accept Kaguya's various outrageous behaviors during the date.

And now, the date with Yotsuya Miko is, well, quite uneventful.

They chatted casually, strolled casually, and laughed and talked casually.

It's as if I've already distanced myself from dungeons, from sacrificial games, and from that dark world full of blood and madness.

For a moment, Gao Hai even felt that he had cleared all the dungeons, completely ended the sacrifice game, and was beginning to enter the retirement stage.

Gazing at the girl's gentle smile.

Watching her furrow her brow and ponder as she tried to choose those cute phone charms.

And during walks and casual chats, I would listen to her talk about all sorts of interesting or uninteresting things that happened at school.

It was only then that Gao Hai realized that without the sacrificial game, without being drawn into these bizarre dungeons, and without awakening that ability to see through reality, the young girl named Yotsuya Miko would have been an ordinary, utterly unremarkable girl.

Unlike Shijou Maki or Shinomiya Kaguya, who were destined for an extraordinary life that most people envy due to their noble birth and exceptional talents, she was not destined for such a life.

She wouldn't follow the same philosophy of life as Chika Fujiwara, which is to enjoy life to the fullest, nor would she happily challenge and research niche things that are difficult for ordinary people to pay attention to.

Such a perfect maid, like Hayasaka Ai, who possesses extremely strong combat skills and is capable of everything, or Goto Ichiri, who has an extremely twisted personality and possesses extraordinary talents that are difficult for ordinary people to match, allowing her to easily support herself, has no connection with Yotsuya Miko.

While Miko is undeniably beautiful, she doesn't possess the same meticulous skincare and hair care as the wealthy girls she knew, which further enhances her appearance. Furthermore, her overall demeanor is quite ordinary, lacking any distinctive features. If one had to pinpoint anything, her long, straight black hair and golden eyes are somewhat recognizable, but the problem is that long, straight black hair is so commonplace in both anime and real life that it's hardly a defining characteristic.

So, if she didn't possess that innate talent for perception—

If she had not acquired this special talent—

Yotsuya Miko would just be an ordinary girl, like everyone else, someone who would blend into the crowd and be indistinguishable from others.

What Gao Hai found most about his date with this girl was just ordinary.

It doesn't feel ordinary or boring; on the contrary, it makes people yearn for those peaceful and tranquil ordinary days.

Stay away from turmoil, stay away from hardship, and stay away from the mundane routine of battle and adventure.