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

This invading copy of the real world is causing such severe chaos in Tokyo, mainly through two means. First, it uses the flesh and souls of living people to create spatial nodes, filling the edge space between the real world and the copy world, thereby constantly narrowing the distance between the two and gradually dragging the copy world into the real world.

This is quite straightforward to handle: find the node, destroy the node—the steps are simple and brutal. Given that most players now possess the protection of high-level Crimson Domain fragments, and a few even have Mental Fragments for protection, even nodes guarded by multiple Crimson Moon-level or even Abyss-level monsters are unlikely to completely block player attacks. Therefore, in this aspect, the [Hospital] and the senior are evenly matched, and it will be difficult to determine a winner in the short term.

However, the other side of the problem is quite troublesome: the [Psychiatrist], [Internal Medicine Doctor], and [Surgeon]. These three monsters are at the level of gods, and even if they are far from being true gods, they still possess the characteristic of absolutely crushing the players. Moreover, on this basis, the three monsters seem to have the ability to create clones, so wherever they appear, the advantage that the players have painstakingly built up will disappear, resulting in huge casualties.

With his main body restricted by the [Throne of Mind], making it difficult for him to focus his attention on any one place, Gao Hai struggled to keep track of the three [Doctors]' movements. He could only find out what had happened after the players reported it. And since the players were powerless against those three monsters, almost every time Gao Hai confirmed news about the [Doctors], it was accompanied by the destruction of one or more player squads. Moreover, by the time he found out, the [Doctors] had usually already left, leaving Gao Hai with nothing but devastation even when he descended in his avatar.

So the key issue now is how to deal with those three "doctors".

Jianzi closed her eyes, sensing the fragments of her own memories, sensing the information she had deciphered and read during Gao Hai's beating of the [psychologist] avatar.

Yotsuya Miko already has a very comprehensive understanding of the monster that is the "psychologist".

She knew perfectly well that this monster was the embodiment of fear and escape, one of the root causes of suicide, and a symbol of the aggregation and activation of certain concepts of human civilization itself.

She also knew that, despite its conceptual aspect, as a materialized "psychologist," this monster still needed a physical body. Only by possessing a real body capable of bearing these concepts could the "psychologist" truly act as a monster.

Just like Alice from Fujika Middle School.

The girl suppressed her shock.

That's right.

This monster really does look quite similar to Alice.

Just as Alice is the embodiment of the will of the dead and the twisted resentment within Fujika Middle School, the "psychologist" is also a kind of condensation phenomenon.

Just as Alice's body was extracted from a living person whose real name was Alice, the [Psychiatrist] also possessed such an original form, only that information about that original form had been erased by the [Hospital]. If Takahashi hadn't directly attacked the [Psychiatrist's] clone, and if Miko hadn't been observing the entire process, the girl probably wouldn't have been able to find this opening and discover clues directly within the [Psychiatrist's] memories.

Takamatsu Masahiko.

Jianzi confirmed the name.

The human being who serves as the vessel for the concept of a "psychiatrist," and who is the recipient of this monster's concept, is named Masahiko Takamatsu.

That should be a man, quite old, most likely not from modern society. Perhaps from the Taisho era? Or the Meiji era? Miko's information wasn't comprehensive enough to confirm this, but she was certain that this Takamatsu Masahiko was a doctor, and a highly respected one at that. Because in the extremely rare fragments of memory she had unearthed, Dr. Takamatsu was always surrounded by many worshipping figures, and there was even an image of an entire village kneeling before him.

What exactly happened to this person that led them to become a vessel for the "psychologist" remains a mystery to Miko. However, this doesn't stop her from listing them as her next target. Now that the situation in the residential area is largely settled, and the "hospital's" methods have become ineffective, Miko, having successfully survived the pursuit, will not stop there. She will head towards areas where those "doctors" are suspected of being active, to have a proper encounter with those monsters.

Not a single monster can be spared!

The girl made up her mind.

Of course, before this, Miko had already compiled all the information she had gathered about the "psychologist" through her interactions and uploaded it through the Crimson Domain Fragment Network established by Alice. This ensured that everyone with a smart device containing Crimson Domain Fragments could access the information and know how to deal with the "psychologist." Although... this information couldn't actually provide many countermeasures, and if one were to encounter one, sacrifice would still be unavoidable, it was still much better than being completely ignorant before.

In short, I still need to keep working hard; I'm still far from being good enough.

Thinking this, Yotsuya Miko looked down at her phone, at the document she had already prepared and uploaded:

[High-risk entity identified: psychologist]

[Danger Level: Highest]

[Activity range: Undetermined, can be considered as active throughout the entire territory, possesses the ability to create clones]

[Rule Level: Unknown, presumed to be higher than the Abyss Domain level]

[Confirmed entity-initiated rule-making capabilities and their deficiencies:]

[1. When the "psychologist" attacks an object with human characteristics, the attack is guaranteed to hit. Even if the attacker uses supernatural powers to defend against it, this defense can only be effective once within a certain time. A second attack will definitely fail to stop the "psychologist's" attack.]

[Drawback: This ability only works against a single target's defensive action. If two or more targets alternately use their supernatural powers to defend against the attack, the ability will reset repeatedly as the targets switch. Therefore, when dealing with this entity, it is best for multiple players to take turns using their supernatural powers to fight it; never attempt to fight this entity alone.]

2. When a "psychologist's" attack hits a target with human characteristics, the attack inevitably causes severe, irreparable damage. This damage is based on the victim's cognition; by forcibly imbuing the target with the concept of "injury," it can disregard self-healing abilities and continuously harm the target.

[Drawback: This ability's effectiveness is based on the victim's perception; therefore, erasing the memory of the attack will remove the forcibly imposed conceptual contamination. However, this only eliminates the negative characteristic of the wound's inability to heal; recovery abilities or items are still needed for a faster recovery.]

3. When the "psychologist" is in a hostile state with a subject possessing human characteristics, the subject's thinking and memory will be continuously damaged. As the damage deepens, the effects of all blessings will be continuously weakened, and the subject's mental activity will be forcibly reduced. If the damage cannot be stopped, the damaged subject will eventually be completely controlled by the "psychologist" in terms of thinking and memory after the damage has developed to a certain extent.

[Flaw: When the mental power of an adversary surpasses human limits and reaches the divine realm, this ability will conversely cause continuous damage to the "Psychiatrist," negatively impacting their thinking and impairing their abilities. Ordinary people and players cannot counter this, but those possessing a Crimson Domain Fragment can attempt to actively unleash its full power, which might allow them to resist the opponent for a period of time.]

[4. When the "psychologist" comes into close contact with a subject with human characteristics, the subject's memories related to inner trauma will be gradually deciphered. This ability is effective regardless of any mental defense mechanisms.]

[Weakness: A firm commitment to confronting personal trauma and refusing to escape can, in turn, impact the therapist, causing instability and revealing more of your own flaws. If you have nowhere left to retreat and only facing the enemy remains, this may be the last thing you can do.]

[5. When a "psychologist" launches a physical or psychological attack based on the memories of an object with human characteristics, the effectiveness of the attack is greatly enhanced. Even if it is successfully resisted, it can still cause harm and inflict lasting trauma on the victim's mind, gradually distorting their personality.]

[Weakness: The essence of this ability stems from the very origin of the "psychologist," namely, humanity's avoidance of pain. Therefore, by forcibly displaying "real trauma" to stimulate the "psychologist," it can in turn damage them, temporarily rendering them incapable of action. For example, displaying or reciting a critical illness notice can have a severe impact on the "psychologist." However, while this tactic can control the other party in a short period of time, it can also lead to being locked onto by the other party. Therefore, caution is advised when using this method.]

6. The "psychologist" is normally immune to all non-divine harm; neither physical attacks nor attacks of supernatural power can cause her any damage.

[Flaw: Divine power can inflict double the damage on the "psychologist," potentially even shattering the "psychologist" as a conceptual embodiment, reducing them to a mere, intangible concept. This is largely irrelevant to ordinary people, but if you are in an area with a sufficiently powerful Crimson Domain, you might try summoning Gao Hai and using his power to drive away the enemy.]

[Confirmed characteristics of the entity itself:]

[1. A "psychologist" cannot ignore the existence of patients and will prioritize those who actively seek treatment from them. This ability is presumably related to the nature of a "psychologist," and could be used to construct a decoy tactic.]

[2. The "psychologist" cannot avoid real pain and will react negatively to scenes or objects that trigger the painful memories of the victims it has absorbed. When the reaction is strong, its ability to act is significantly weakened. It is presumed that this ability is related to the victims absorbed by the "psychologist," and the stimulating effect of this method on the "psychologist" should be noted.]

3. The "psychologist" possesses a certain degree of independent action, but can also be remotely controlled by the "hospital." Based on actual contact, when acting independently, the "psychologist" exhibits a certain degree of self-expression, responds to others' words, and possesses its own logical system. Conversely, when remotely controlled, the "psychologist" displays more mechanical and rigid characteristics. It is speculated that in the latter state, the "psychologist" is unable to perceive the surrounding situation in detail; escaping the "psychologist's" presence during this stage is advisable.

[4. In terms of their modus operandi, "psychologists" tend to give victims an experience akin to euthanasia. Unless the victim strongly resists, they usually do not cause them too much harm. Passive resistance may slow down the speed and intensity of the "psychologist's" actions to some extent, but it may also provoke a strong reaction.]

5. The "psychologist" will have their judgment impaired when entering areas with specific significance. Currently confirmed areas affected include funeral homes, morgues, and cemeteries; some memorial halls can also have an effect. If you are fortunate enough to enter such an area, try disguising yourself as a corpse. The "psychologist" may not be able to detect your presence. Remember to only move after confirming that the "psychologist's" presence has completely disappeared; otherwise, you are very likely to be discovered and attract their special attention.

[Confirmed physical derivatives:]

【1. Eyeball Ghost】

[Its appearance is that of a giant eyeball connected to irregular flesh and blood. Its size varies from nearly the size of an adult to that of a large truck. The largest known specimen is over 10 meters tall and over 15 meters long.]

[Danger Level: Dark Night - Crimson Moon]

[Possesses extremely strong mental pollution properties. Low-level players should not attempt to fight it. If you encounter it, please use the protection of the Crimson Domain Fragment to escape its activity area as quickly as possible.]

[Note: It possesses a physical form, cannot be killed but can be damaged to a certain extent, and its mobility will be reduced when it is injured.]

The densely packed text, numbering over a thousand words, contained both information confirmed by Miko after her actual contact with the "psychologist," and details gleaned from information leaked when the psychologist was brutally beaten by Takahashi. To be honest, Miko had no idea how many people this information would help save. She could only hope it would genuinely help someone, and she was determined to quickly enter the area inhabited by those monsters to gather more information and ultimately destroy them.

However, it's really quite troublesome; there are times when players have to figure out how to summarize the rules themselves.

As she pondered, Miko noticed her mother, Touko Yotsuya, hurrying over. From the worried expression on Touko's face, she was certain her mother probably already knew what she was going to do. Hmm, did the Sunflower Squad tell her, or did Xiaohua tell her? It was probably Xiaohua, since she had mentioned to her before that she was going to a more dangerous place.

Knowing that he couldn't avoid this situation, Jianzi showed a somewhat helpless expression and turned to walk to his mother's side.

"You're going to even more dangerous places, aren't you?"

Touko Yotsuya grabbed Miko's shoulder and stared intently at her daughter's face as she asked.

"...Yes, Mom, I have to go."

Seeing that she wanted to avoid her mother's expression, but after a brief hesitation, she decided to look up at her and speak with a firm tone.

I could feel the hand gripping my shoulder tightening slightly.

The mother pursed her lips, opened her mouth as if wanting to say something, but didn't speak, only staring intently at her daughter. After a long while, she sighed and released Jianzi with trembling hands.

"Come back alive."

The girl could hear the suppressed sobs in her mother's voice.

"I will, Mom, I definitely will."

All Miko could do was hug her mother, just like her mother had hugged her when she was a child, and gently comfort her.

Of course, she also gave Xiaohua, who was standing outside the door, a helpless look. Xiaohua, somewhat at a loss, could only give Miko an awkward, sheepish smile. She certainly had no intention of telling Miko's mother; it was Touko who realized something from Miko's reaction after returning home and came to Xiaohua to ask. Xiaohua, who wasn't good at hiding secrets, tried her best to make up a story, but she still couldn't fool Touko, which is why she suddenly came to her.

Fortunately, Jianzi's mother did not stop Jianzi, probably because she knew she couldn't stop her anymore.

beep-

While thinking, Xiao Hua suddenly heard the sound of a car horn outside the window.

Then, Miko, who was by the window, turned her head and saw a dilapidated bus pull out. No one knew how much effort the Sunflower Squad had put in, but they had actually found the bus they had lost.

Didn't that thing return to the instance after being unattended for so long? Ah, speaking of which, Tokyo in the real world has been distorted by the [Hospital], so it's indeed possible for obsessive objects to remain for a long time.

Thinking this, Miko noticed that Kita Ikuyo, who had fully recovered, was squatting on the roof of the bus with a lollipop in her mouth, so she waved to her. Kita waved back and lazily yawned.

Around the bus, there were other players moving around; these were rescue personnel who had entered after the spatial blockade of the residential area was lifted. These people would be responsible for transporting the survivors in this area to the human-controlled shelters, completing the final cleanup work. It was all unrelated to the assault team members like Miko Kita, but it was a very necessary and important task.

"Well, it's about time to go, Mom, Xiaohua, let's get in the car together."

Since the total number of people had not exceeded the 13 people on the out-of-control bus, and both Miko and Kita were able to easily quell the bus malfunction, Miko took her mother and Xiaohua and boarded the Sunflower Squad's vehicle, leaving the area ahead of them.

Splash—splash—

Under the dark sky, the city, torn apart by the torrential rain, could not drown out the noise of human activity.

In a dark space filled with the smell of blood, Gao Hai opened his eyes once again. He silently read the information posted by Jian Zi, and after a long while, he let out a long sigh.

"In this way... we've managed to turn the tide."

As he spoke, a faint, blood-red light flickered in Takahashi's eyes. Beside him, Hayasaka, who had fallen asleep due to weakness, leaned against his thigh. Even though she was not fully conscious, her body was still trembling slightly from the pain.

This was unavoidable. In order to strengthen the power of the fragmented Crimson Domain, Takahashi had to rely on Hayasaka Ai's exile ability. Even with an incomplete connection to the Throne of Mind, the burden on this little maid was still very heavy, even with Takahashi helping her shoulder most of the burden.

It won't be long before the time comes to determine the winner.

Takami gently stroked Hayasaka's head, his expression unchanged, as if he couldn't feel the damage the machines were inflicting on his body. He simply looked up at the dark ceiling, as if his gaze was piercing through and meeting something.

# Task Five (Conclusion): Nightmare Boundary

Chapter 1: Ijichi Nijika, Ijichi Hoshika, Yamada Ryo

[Sizzle... sizzle sizzle...]

Please do not believe any unusual phenomena observed indoors...

Do not try to confirm or dispel such phenomena, and do not show any tendency to believe that you can see or feel them...

[The above is the 6th edition of the citizen announcement...]

[Sizzle... sizzle...]

An unsettling dark red glow emanated from the computer, illuminating the Star Livehouse, which was already covered in a layer of water.

Sitting at the bar, Ijichi Niyaka shivered slightly, instinctively shrinking back as she felt a distinct chill. Her older sister, Ijichi Seika, standing beside her, looked anxious but couldn't find a way to resolve the situation. After all, the entrance to the Starry Sky had been damaged, and there was nowhere to wash or change into dry clothes inside the shop. Therefore, everyone could only stay there and wait silently.

However, none of the three people present knew how long they would have to wait.

"We can't keep waiting like this."

Ijichi Seika stood up, stepped into the water, and spoke.

"elder sister?"