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

Were they already killed?

No, neither the young lady nor Yotsuya are ordinary players in terms of strength. Even if they were in real danger, they wouldn't be helplessly defeated. So, is there a considerable possibility of an anomaly in the spatial structure? Spatial transformation… If so, it's quite similar to what happened at Yoruyama Middle School. However, we can't jump to conclusions so quickly; we can only determine the truth after all the clues are complete.

Hayasaka did not make any rash moves, but continued to walk at a normal pace.

The fact that various problems have arisen so early in this instance reminds Hayasaka of his experience at Hayate Elementary School. Although the intensity of the monster attacks at the beginning was indeed greater at Hayate Elementary School, the fact that this instance has already encountered such issues so early is a cause for concern.

Where could the problem lie?

The girl frowned, silently pondering the events that had unfolded since the moment the three of them encountered the paper figure.

There must be some reason why the current situation has occurred.

There must have been a mistake at some crucial point in their actions, which triggered the current situation.

Is ignoring the paper figures a mistake?

Or is it that their act of bypassing the paper figures, seemingly ignoring them, actually acknowledged their existence by making the decision to "bypass" them, which is why they were brought here?

Whoosh—whoosh—

The cold wind rustled through the trees.

Have we made it out?

"I don't think I've seen that thing again. I guess I've gotten rid of it?"

Miko and Kaguya's voices rang out from beside Hayasaka, as if the two people were really right next to her.

Hayasaka had no idea why the two paper figures carrying lanterns could mimic their companion's voice, and why the mimicked voices didn't convey any of the eerie feeling of the creatures. Nor did she intend to think about the answer.

After a brief moment of thought, she chose to continue walking at her normal pace, completely ignoring the two paper figures beside her, and continued forward.

One step, two steps...

Hayasaka quickened her pace, passing the two paper figures and moving forward.

The paper figure that had been making noises fell silent, saying nothing more, and even its footsteps stopped, as if it had never existed.

But the blood-red lantern was flashing behind her.

By simply lowering his head slightly, Hayasaka could clearly see his own shadow reflected in the bloody light, as well as the two shadows closely following behind him.

So it really isn't that easy to get rid of?

Hayasaka remained silent, simply continuing to walk forward.

slam-la-

The swaying of the bushes and branches suddenly intensified for some reason, as if someone was shaking them forcefully.

No, no, this feeling...

There was something inside, something was moving through the woods, right beside me, slowly moving around me.

That's a person.

Those are paper figures.

Made of red paper, the paper figures resemble little children, happily running through the woods with little windmills.

An adult made of black and white paper strolls leisurely through the woods, his face bearing an unchanging smile drawn with a pen.

One paper figure after another.

These paper figures were everywhere—in the woods, on the dirt road, and all around me.

They were chuckling softly, chatting and laughing about something.

They quieted down, and soon became completely silent.

After Hayasaka passed by, they stopped talking and silently followed her, carrying the same red lanterns, slowly keeping up with her.

A dark red light enveloped them from behind.

One shadow after another swayed behind the girl.

There was no sound at all.

Hayasaka could no longer hear any other sounds except for her own breathing and heartbeat.

On this desolate forest path, there was only himself and the silent paper figures behind him.

The earthy smell grew stronger at that moment.

It was as if it were buried in mud, and you couldn't smell anything else.

Then, Hayasaka saw the end of the road ahead, and there was a very inconspicuous little village in front of the woods.

A dark red light radiated outwards.

On the deserted road, red lanterns were hung in front of all the houses on both sides.

The burning flames cast a dim red light through the lanterns, enveloping the road leading into the village and the entire silent village.

Liu Family Village

Hayasaka saw the village name indistinctly illuminated by the dim red lantern light.

Behind her, the paper figures that had followed her here remained silent, continuing to move forward.

Whether he liked it or not, Hayasaka, having already arrived here, clearly realized that he had to enter this village.

tread--

Gao Hai stepped over the old wooden threshold and into the interior of the earthen house.

This place looks very ordinary, the kind of rural mud-brick houses that you'd only see many years ago. The lighting inside is very poor; once you walk in, it feels like it's all dark, and you can't even see what's in the corners.

The roof of the house was made of a mixture of bricks and thatch, and the small windows were not made of glass, but were wooden planks supported by small wooden blocks.

From the side of the house, one could hear the grunting of domestic pigs and clearly smell the distinct odor of farmyard manure wafting over. The smell wasn't exactly pleasant; rather, it would make anyone smelling it for the first time feel nauseous.

The two people named Li Eryang and Li Xiaoju were still enthusiastically greeting the girls behind Gao Hai.

Along the way, the villagers of Lijia Village all showed expressions of envy, as if hosting guests in their own homes was a great honor.

But Gao Hai still didn't sense any strange aura.

Compared to the dangerous situation that had already occurred with Jianzi, he had entered Li Family Village so smoothly, without discovering any strange aura or finding any trace of supernatural power. All the villagers appeared completely human; none of them seemed malicious or mentally disturbed—everything was perfectly normal.

"Dear guests, you will be staying in this side room for the next month. It may look a little small, but it's not a problem if you squeeze in a bit."

Li Eryang lit a candle in the dimly lit earthen house, then opened a small door, revealing three beds placed side by side inside.

The three beds were almost completely pushed together, yet there was a very short gap in the middle. For some reason, in the extremely dim light, Gao Hai inexplicably felt that they weren't three beds, but three coffins.

Wait, three?

Gao Hai suddenly noticed the problem with the number of beds.

Me, Maki, Chika, and Ichiri—weren't we four people who entered the village together?

Why are there only three beds here?!

Turning his head, Gao Hai looked at Maki and Chika behind him, who had also realized the problem.

But I didn't see Goto Ichiri.

Chapter Six: The Girl on Her Own Journey and the Sense of Déjà Vu Under the Night

what happened?

It wasn't until the changes around her that the girl belatedly blinked, realizing that she had encountered an extraordinary and unusual situation.

Just moments before, she clearly remembered entering Li Family Village with Gao Hai and his group. But the moment she stepped into the village, everything around her changed. Silently, until everything had completely transformed, the girl suddenly awoke, realizing what had happened.

This is not the same place as before.

Under the dim sky, the dilapidated houses were empty, and outside the path, which was full of withered yellow weeds, dead trees were densely packed together. Looking around, you could not see even a single tree with green leaves.

I felt a strong sense of impending death.

It was as if the entire world had lost all vitality and fallen into absolute silence.

Life is not allowed to exist in this world. Everything that is still alive will be ruthlessly torn apart until all vitality is completely extinguished.

"call……"

With each inhalation and exhalation from the lungs, the essence of Goto Ichiri descended into this withered world.

Then, she felt someone watching her.

A certain gaze emanated from behind the withered trees, from the collapsed houses, and from all the dimly lit corners where the interiors could not be clearly seen.

They have already seen it.

They have already sensed it.

The person who appeared here is still alive.

And the sacrificial mark of the coveted red moonlight that she carried.

There was no strange creature in sight that was attacking him.

But Ichiri could clearly confirm that he had been targeted by countless strange creatures and was in danger of death.

My teammates are missing and I can't contact them.

There is no prior information that corresponds to the current situation.

The dungeon has only been open for less than two hours, and we're already facing this situation? Is this what they call "red moon level dungeon raiding"?

"call……"

As the second breath fell, all was still silent, yet the omen of death was already imminent.

Goto Ichiri gripped the guitar tightly in his hands.

Her gaze became focused, and she seemed to be getting excited.

However, this was unavoidable, as she was currently completely alone, without any companions around. In this state, Goto Ichiri was at her strongest, showing no fear and never panicking or retreating.