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

Snickers, sounds of disgust, and clamor filled the air, as if a farcical, almost clownish spectacle had occurred that had garnered immense attention.

The source of those gazes and voices seemed to be pointing at myself, at myself who had written my name on the teacher's certificate and was trying to connect myself with that certificate.

I could feel the dampness.

One stroke after another, leaving a deep imprint.

The marks that gradually spread across my neck looked like they had been deliberately etched by someone.

Kita Ikuyo, who was walking towards Takami, stopped in her tracks, her eyes showing obvious confusion, as if she was at a loss.

Gao Hai had already seen the various marks, large and small, on his neck reflected in the girl's eyes, and the deep red hickeys scattered across his skin.

Hickey?

Why...why is this a hickey?!

The completely unexpected situation left Gao Hai, who was unprepared, wide-eyed in surprise.

Chapter 95: Reflections on the Issue of Identity and the Imminent Actions

As a man who already had two—no, three—or rather, four girlfriends, and with a fifth one yet to be acquired, Gao Hai was quite adept at identifying hickeys. Therefore, at this moment, he was absolutely certain that the red marks on his neck were hickeys left by someone, and these marks didn't match any of his existing girlfriends; they must have been from a complete stranger.

So what's going on here? Why is this happening after I wrote my name on a fictitious third core obsession's object? Could it be that this fictitious core obsession has a "perverted teacher" setting?!

Gao Hai felt it was difficult to maintain his composure.

This bizarre turn of events seemed utterly absurd to Gao Hai, who genuinely couldn't understand why such a situation had occurred to him. Moreover, for some reason, Gao Hai felt as if this wasn't the first time he'd encountered this situation. It seemed he'd previously played the role of a "teacher" in a dungeon, only to find a hickey inexplicably appearing on his neck.

Wait a minute... wasn't that back in Hayate Elementary School? And it's exactly the change that happened after I forcibly kissed Kaguya...

During my time at Fujika Middle School, although I didn't enter the instance through normal means, I still possessed a special identity that other players didn't have, just like I did in Shirakawa Apartment and Red Nut Gray Hole. That is, the identity of the teacher who saved Hirano Sousuke's life.

However, when I entered Hayate Elementary School, I didn't have this identity. Or perhaps I did have a special identity, but because the changes in the entire instance were too drastic, this identity was completely useless. At that time, I wondered if my special identity was that of a teacher, and a potentially unethical one at that. After all, those hickeys were indeed difficult to explain with a straight line of reasoning; I could only speculate in that direction.

But now, I'm facing the same situation at Yelushan Middle School as I did at Zaoli Elementary School.

Gao Hai couldn't help but recall the indistinct discussions he had overheard from the students earlier. Although he couldn't recall everything, he was certain he had heard the word "Zao Li." In other words, one version of the role represented by this abstract "teacher" identity, in the students' perception at Ye Luo Shan Middle School, ultimately ended up at Zao Li Elementary School?

If that's the case... could it be that I actually acquired this identity from the very beginning? Perhaps even back during the Hayate Elementary School mission, I already possessed this... special identity that allows me to be established at both Yoruyama Middle School and Hayate Elementary School simultaneously? But just like my previous identities, I had to perform actions sufficient to "activate" this identity before it could be recognized within the instance? Like now, I've written my name on this certificate, so my hidden identity has been recognized?

bang bang bang-

Three faint gunshots rang out from outside the library.

Gao Hai could sense that Yotsuya Miko used three suppression bullets to instantly defeat and seal the core obsession Urian, who had invaded from Bydos.

Because the sealing conditions for the pistol were almost entirely met, the suppression rounds proved incredibly effective at this moment. Just three bullets achieved a 30-hour sealing time, exceeding the pistol's 24-hour bullet replenishment rate. It could be said that as long as Gao Hai and Jian Zi weren't killed by any other monster, they could work together to permanently control this monster, truly banning this core obsession from the instance.

As for Kita Ikuyo, after Takami wrote her name on the blank teacher's certificate, the possessing monster seemed to enter a disordered state, so much so that the girl herself stood there stunned for a while, just staying there.

{Shijo Maki: Kai, Kai-kun, um, what's going on? Why can't I remember anything about Kai-kun... Kai-kun? You're here, right? This mental link should be working, um, it feels so strange. Even though my memories are getting blurry, I inexplicably feel like Kai-kun has called me "Mama" or something like that a lot next to my ear, and I also feel like someone has been touching me all over my body several times, um... what is going on...?}

The mental link rang out at this moment, and one could hear the confusion in Zhenfei's words. It seemed that Gao Hai's test in Blood City was more effective than expected.

{Takahashi: Yeah, what happened? I don't know either. Has Kaguya reacted at all? And Chika, what's the situation on your end? How are things going for you guys?}

While participating in the conversation through the mental link, Takahashi quietly took a few steps back, carefully observing Kita Ikuyo's reaction.

I can no longer feel that intense hostility that I felt before, the feeling that I could be killed at any moment.

At this moment, Kita Ikuyo appears to be nothing more than a slightly confused red-haired girl. Although her clothes are filthy, as if she has rolled around in a construction site, and her blank expression even has a hint of idiocy, she is still much better than someone who would suddenly come up and cut open a person's brain.

"Hello, how are you feeling now?"

Takami hesitated for a moment, then took a small step closer and tried to talk to Kita Ikuyo.

【Hello……?】

The red-haired girl tilted her head and answered Gao Hai in a slightly hesitant voice.

It looks like everything is fine now.

Seeing that the girl had indeed lost her hostility, Gao Hai breathed a slight sigh of relief. After confirming through the mental link that Jianzi had arrived at the elevator, he could now completely relax and confidently plan his next move.

{Shijo Maki: Auntie's condition is very bad. Her face is very red. How should I put it? Although she says she's fine, I feel like she's been sexually assaulted. Speaking of which, Kai-kun, you specifically asked me to inquire about Auntie's condition. Did you do something? Wait, this feeling that you knew something from the beginning... You, you've already rewound? Kai-kun, have you already rewound? How many times have you started this?}

{Fujiwara Chika: Hmm, so this is the mental link? It feels really amazing... Hmm, I'm fine here, everyone's regrouping. But since Akai was able to establish a mental link with me, it means you've already gone through time travel at least once, right?}

{Shijo Maki: Huh, why are there other people's voices in the mental link... And this feeling of déjà vu... Huh? Huh?}

{Yotsuya Miko: There's nothing on the second floor right now, and I'm blocking the elevator doors to prevent it from closing. But it would be best if you came as soon as possible, senpai. I have a feeling something is hiding here. If we stay here too long, something bad might happen.}

The voices of the three girls, each with a different emotion, rang out simultaneously in the mental link, creating a somewhat noisy atmosphere. However, for Gao Hai, this level of trouble was insignificant. He quickly left the library and hurried upstairs, using the mental link to instruct Maki and Chika to find a way to reunite with the others as soon as possible, gather everyone together, and explain some important points for the first and second playthroughs. At the same time, he was already mentally calculating the series of arrangements to come.

Kita Ikuyo remained in the library, staring blankly as Takami left. She didn't follow, so Takami simply left her alone. Although Maki and Kaguya had suggested breaking the third core obsession first in the second playthrough, his current information was insufficient. Therefore, it wasn't the time to risk contacting this girl; avoiding trouble was the best course of action.

As I was thinking, I felt a heavy touch in my pocket.

Gao Hai took out the thing that had appeared in his pocket, which, unsurprisingly, was the domino he had thrown out earlier.

"Disordered Dominoes," that's the name Gao Hai gave this thing. It looks quite similar to mahjong tiles, but you can clearly feel that it's made of bone. The patterns carved into the dominoes have become blurred and indistinct; Gao Hai thinks it looks a bit like the "one of bamboo" and a bit like the "one of ten thousand," but it also seems to have some resemblance to the "seven of bamboo." It looks quite old, giving Gao Hai the feeling that it's decades or even centuries old, though he's not sure if it's just his imagination.

The effect of this item is simple: mentally select a target, then throw dominoes. For about two to three seconds, it confuses the spatial structure between yourself and the target, making it impossible for the opponent to lock onto you or find you using movement items. Various marking items will also become ineffective during this time. In other words, it's a great item to use in crucial moments to protect yourself, remove enemy control effects, and interrupt lock-on skills.

The most unique thing is that once this thing is thrown out, no matter where it is thrown, as long as it isn't picked up by a living person, it will automatically return to the user, just like it automatically returned to Gao Hai's pocket now. It seems that once used, this thing can establish some kind of special connection with the user.

As for the issue of losing control, the tendency for this thing to do so is extremely low. Gao Hai is certain that it's highly unlikely to voluntarily go out of control once a player holds it. As for how to make it go out of control, Gao Hai hasn't tried yet. He only vaguely senses, through his connection to the object itself, that taking it to a place like a casino might trigger it. However, he doesn't have a tendency to take risks, so he's unlikely to intentionally take it to such a location.

[Sizzle—Sizzle—]

The loudspeaker was blaring harsh static.

Something seemed to flash by in the corridor, hidden in a dark corner, watching Gao Hai as he passed by quickly.

It was not attacked.

Even though he could clearly sense something lingering there, Gao Hai was not attacked in any way.

However, there was nothing that could be done about it. After all, to those things, Gao Hai had become an unlockable, non-existent entity.

"OK, we've arrived safely. Next up is the operations meeting."

Finally arriving at the elevator entrance, Gao Hai smiled and said to Jianzi, who was waiting there.

Chika and Maki's voices began to ring out again in the mental link, and the players on the surface of Nightfall Mountain Middle School had gathered together. Reminded by Maki and Chika, Xiong Mi quickly realized Gao Hai's disappearance. Upon learning that Gao Hai had [obtained some information in advance], she showed a brief expression of surprise, but then, as if remembering something, she quickly calmed down and indicated that she could follow Gao Hai's orders.

With the girls' cooperation and Xiong Mi's assurance as the team leader, Gao Hai's obstacles to the subsequent action plan have undoubtedly been minimized.

"Well, after being tormented by this nested doll-like dungeon for so long, it's about time to fight back."

As Gao Hai closed the elevator door, he spoke simultaneously through the mental link and inside the elevator.

Chapter 96: The Player Team Split into Four Groups and the Girl's Gaze

The first thing to confirm is that in the following actions, players must divide up and work together into several teams to carry out the mission.

The first point is the continued investigation in the Baidos region.

While Yotsuya Miko brute-forced her way through the core obsession of Lord Urian using her perception cheat, the investigation into the Baydos Research Institute itself is clearly not progressing well enough. This instance obviously holds many crucial secrets that may be directly related to the ghost stories and monsters themselves, so we must investigate as much as possible.

This task must be carried out by Hayasaka Ai and Yotsuya Miko; no one else can do it. However, someone must guard their bodies in the Yoruyama Middle School area to prevent them from being approached by any strange creatures. Especially Miko, who has acquired too much information and has fallen into the deeper layers of the instance; her safety must be ensured at all times.

Considering that Takami can only establish mental links with three people—Miko, Chika, and Maki—it's essential to separate them into different teams as much as possible. Therefore, the person who stays by Miko and Hayasaka's side to protect them must be trustworthy, capable, discerning, and know what to do and when.

And this is the first team that needs to be divided up right now.

Secondly, it is also crucial to press the advantage against enemy players in the forest area.

The crucial delayed curse artifact has been taken, and Garisto and Evalist have been reduced to zero, significantly weakening the players' strength. However, it cannot be ignored that there are still five fanatical players maintaining their full combat power, and they will certainly not sit idly by after discovering that their teammates have lost their artifacts; they are likely to take even more extreme and radical actions than in the first and second playthroughs.

Eliminating these clueless players who only hinder the dungeon's progress and seizing their coveted items is another crucial point. After all, the key scene for Gao Hai and his team's second core obsession, which they need to investigate, is located in the forest area, and they can't afford to let these guys cause trouble.

This task must be entrusted to a team of players with strong combat capabilities. They must be reliable and ruthless enough to hold their own in crucial confrontations and show no mercy when necessary. Therefore, Xiong Mi herself is absolutely indispensable. In the previous second playthrough, this reliable veteran player was at the forefront, successfully eliminating Garisto. So, she has to be involved in the confrontation. As for other helpers, Gao Hai felt it was better to leave it to Xiong Mi herself rather than appointing them himself; he only needed to provide the items to support her.

As for the players who remained, Gao Hai, after careful consideration, decided to have Zhen Fei accompany the player group. She didn't need to fight alongside Xiong Mi and the others; she only needed to use the artifact Gao Hai had given her to protect herself, act as a medium for retrieving artifacts, and, if the operation went smoothly, participate in further actions. That would be sufficient.

This is the second team that the squad needs to be divided into.

The investigation into Yoruyama Middle School cannot stop there. Although, according to Kaguya Maki's message in the second playthrough, it can be confirmed that the core obsession of this instance must be resolved in a certain order, otherwise problems will arise. And the first core obsession, seemingly the simplest, is actually a minefield that cannot be touched. However, Yoruyama Middle School itself still contains many unsolved mysteries; for example, the question of where the "Life Club" came from remains unanswered.

Therefore, a team needs to remain at Nightfall Mountain Middle School. This team doesn't need to be exceptionally strong, but it must be capable of countering the invisible "atmosphere" rules within Nightfall Mountain Middle School, and ideally, even using these rules to create a situation favorable to itself. Then, based on this, a cautious and exploratory approach must be maintained. After all, Nightfall Mountain Middle School is ultimately one of the "stages" designed by the author; this academy is fraught with hidden dangers, and a single mistake could lead to utter destruction.

Therefore, Chika must stay at Yoruyama Middle School. In order to counter the atmosphere of Yoruyama Middle School, Goto Ichiri must act together with Fujiwara Chika and use her obsession to ensure that Chika does not fall into a state of isolation and helplessness.

The main stadium, indoor sports fields, swimming pool, and two teaching and dormitory buildings that haven't been fully explored yet—these are the areas the third player team is responsible for. Of course, compared to the first two teams, their task isn't as demanding; their main focus is on exploring and investigating areas that haven't been thoroughly examined before, while ensuring their own safety. If they can accomplish this, that will be sufficient.

Finally, a fourth team needs to be identified.

The leader of this team can only be Takami, because his perception is second only to Miko, and he has the [Persistent Pen] to assist him in conducting investigations. Therefore, he is the only possible leader of this team. The fourth squad only has one task: to investigate [Morihara Koji], the core obsession, to clarify the situation of this core obsession for which there was previously insufficient information, and to find a way to free him.

"In conclusion, we need to split into four teams, four groups of people, each responsible for four different tasks. Although focusing on one objective and extending the timeframe might seem more cautious and safer, I don't think we have much time left. As this instance is an 'unlimited time' instance, I think the restriction itself might be a hint that the more we delay, the more serious the problem will become, and the more dangerous the instance will become."

"The situation within this instance—the Baydos Research Institute and Nightfall Mountain Middle School—is far too complex. We must quickly untangle every thread within it and clearly uncover the underlying logic hidden within this instance in order to better cope with the current situation."

"These are my thoughts and the actions I plan to take next. What about you? Have you decided what you're going to do?"

In a secluded corner of a wooded area behind the dormitory building, Zhenfei relayed Gao Hai's words one by one, and then silently watched the Red Moon level players in front of her.

"It's too risky. Splitting into four teams in a Red Moon-level dungeon is far too risky. I don't think it's a good idea. Besides, why did he separate from us in the first place, and how can we verify the authenticity of all this information? I'm sorry, it's not that I don't trust you, but I really can't feel at ease with such a sudden and unusual move."

Aoyama Nanami expressed her opposition without hesitation. She stood in front of Goto Ichiri, who was still somewhat at a loss, and looked at Maki with suspicion and scrutiny.

For Nanami, who only recently entered this instance in her memory, both the mysteriously missing Takami and Maki, who claimed to have a mental link with Takami and threw out a bunch of heavyweight information, made her feel extremely uneasy. Of course, after contacting the strange objects through the deeper floors of the [elevator] and breaking the cognitive blockage, she had to admit that the possibility of this unknown information being true was indeed quite high, but she still couldn't quite adapt to the current situation.

Even though Nanami had initially believed that Takami might achieve the impossible and become a "savior" before entering the dungeon, the fact that everything had spiraled out of control from the very beginning was something this cautious veteran player couldn't help but worry about.

"Indeed, there are too many suspicious points. Such an unusual situation would make it difficult for anyone to feel at ease."

At this moment, Xiong Mi nodded slightly and said in a calm tone.

"At least we need to see him first; I need to make sure his mental state is normal."

Upon hearing this, Nanami felt that Xiongmi probably shared the same idea, so she made the suggestion.

"No, you stay here and take care of these two young girls. You happen to have a mental object that can create safe zones at predetermined times, and you're a cautious person. With you here, these two girls won't have any worries about exploring Bydos."

But then, Xiong Mi gave a completely unexpected answer.

"This...why?"