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

It undoubtedly exudes an eerie aura, yet it lacks a strong sense of coldness; instead, it makes one feel at ease.

Looking up at the other person, I didn't see that they had changed into a yukata. It seems that if they aren't a living person, they won't be subject to any role-playing requirements. However, it's also possible that their attire itself represents a special profession, thus exempting them from the role-playing rules here.

Rescue team members.

I heard from the people in the "Touch Fish Gang" that this thing can be called "Old Guo," but I don't know what this strange name means.

To ensure the mission went smoothly, Gao Hai assigned a rescue team member to each of the Red Moon-level squads participating in the operation. This was the so-called "Old Guo." Because the operation was carried out in plurals, Yuanshan Ming never doubted that "Old Guo" was a person's name, but rather thought it was some kind of special designation.

As for the rescue team members he received, Akira Toyama felt they were quite good overall, except for one small problem.

Let's work together to protect the lovely girl and the dream of anime!

The rescue team members, whose faces were blurred, blatantly struck a JOJO pose right in front of Akira Toyama, uttering vulgar and inappropriate words that made Akira so embarrassed he wanted to scratch his feet.

What kind of person was this strange creature in life, and why was it so bizarre?

While inwardly reflecting on his feelings, Akira Toyama forced a smile and slowly walked towards the other person.

Chapter 52 In-depth exploration of the resort: Time, hunger, and the arrival of crisis.

Regarding the strange change in rescue team member Lao Guo, Gao Hai himself said he didn't understand and couldn't accept it, but he couldn't think of any solution for the time being, especially since there was a place where this thing would be useful.

So all he could do for the time being was to let it be and pretend he didn't know about the guy's abstract behavior.

However, Gao Hai's feigned indifference doesn't mean there won't be people who come to explain things to him, such as Alice, or Alice who just wants to watch the show, and Alice, the mischievous spirit who enjoys watching the drama unfold.

[Really? Really? Does the teacher really not understand?]

Why would such a person with such weak spiritual power undergo such a drastic change? Teacher, if you think about it carefully, you'll understand.

[Hehe, Alice already told the teacher the answer when the teacher asked the question before, but now the teacher is still pretending not to understand. It's so cute how the teacher tries to cover up her embarrassing past by deceiving herself like this~]

What do you mean by pretending not to understand? What does that have to do with me? Stop talking nonsense and go do your job.

[She's angry, she's angry! It's rare to see a teacher looking so sullen!]

However, don't forget that Alice is not under the teacher's control, so the more the teacher doesn't want Alice to say something, the more Alice will say it!

Just like Alice said before, this bad guy called Lao Guo was only a lower-middle-tier player when he was alive. Although he had some things specifically designed to target other players and his style of doing things was indeed ruthless, overall he was just someone who couldn't even clear a Dark Night-level dungeon with a high rating, and he didn't have any blessings on him. Therefore, his mental and soul strength was extremely low, not much different from that of an ordinary person.

[Under such circumstances, after being infused with a large amount of the teacher's power, especially since he was already dead and had been transformed, what kind of changes would occur? Did the teacher really not consider this at all? Hmph, Alice has serious doubts about it.]

It was as if you could really see Alice with long golden hair appearing not far away, laughing heartily while giving her explanation.

Gao Hai, quite annoyed, tried to catch her, only to find that Alice had already run away. What he was hearing was merely a recording she had left behind. Clearly, as a variant of Gao Hai's power, Alice had a thorough understanding of his thoughts, giving him no real chance to catch her.

Very well, I'll remember this grudge.

Gao Hai could only watch Alice escape, silently adding another mark to his heart. In fact, since the appearance of this split spirit Alice, Gao Hai had silently remembered many of her provocations and tricks, just waiting for the day he could really catch her and punish her severely.

But isn't the recording finished yet? Does she really have that much to say?

While thinking, Gao Hai noticed that the recording Alice left behind was still playing. He immediately realized that this time the other party was not simply teasing him, but had something to tell him. So he patiently decided to listen first.

[So, what Alice wants to say is that this "Old Guo" is practically nothing left now. Teacher, you used your power to burst this puppet, causing his soul to dissipate. Strictly speaking, this rescue team member is actually just an extension of your power. However, because of the obsession with the rescue team badge, a pre-set personality has been established for the rescue team member. Therefore, this "Old Guo," who is no longer considered Old Guo, will not truly lose consciousness but will continue to maintain the personality model of a rescue team member.]

However, conversely, various things belonging to the teacher's subconscious, especially those things the teacher wanted to forget or discard, would be infused into them through this connection. This is the reason for the drastic personality changes in the rescue team members. However, this change is distorted and chaotic, conflicting with the rescue team members' relatively stagnant personality models. Furthermore, many of these mental fragments, because they weren't actively projected by the teacher, exhibit incomplete and disordered characteristics. This often leads to the rescue team members' reactions resembling those of mental illness. But this doesn't affect their actions; after all, the strange creatures don't require rational participation when acting, which is a key reason why the teacher chose to let them run rampant.

Of course, from the teacher's perspective, it must be terrifying to have their dark past exposed in this way. Things stemming from their subconscious that they themselves might not even remember are being inherited by these rescue team members and presented in an exaggerated and distorted manner. But what Alice wants to say is that this change actually signifies the teacher's deepening control over the rescue team badge—a recurring obsession—a manifestation of the teacher's growing power. Therefore, why not try to further enhance the power of instillation? Transforming the uncontrollable changes of the rescue team members into controllable changes would be beneficial for the teacher, wouldn't it?

After leaving the message, Alice, who had long since disappeared, was nowhere to be seen. Takami, who looked quite annoyed, could only sigh again after the truth he already knew was revealed, and then continued to look around the various areas of Tokyo.

I had already thought of this little thing, but Alice insisted on reminding me in this roundabout way. I really don't know what to say.

buzz-

Communication from that hybrid copy briefly resumed at this point, and the connection was restored.

Gao Hai quickly confirmed the situation, learning that the "Slacking Off Gang" had successfully reached the core area of ​​the most complex 6-core dungeon and confirmed the traces of 3 core obsessions. They were currently focusing on tracking down the core obsession objects. Xiao Heshu had returned to the Market Team's location and was leading them to attempt to conquer a newly discovered area that appeared to lead to a 4-core dungeon area; however, there were no results yet. As for Tang Yuan's historian team, they had just experienced a serious crisis and would have been wiped out if not for Gao Hai's protection. Regarding Maki's parents, Shijou Takaaki and Shijou Yoshiko, the historians had not yet found any trace of them, only estimating that there was a high probability they were still in the mixed dungeon.

Besides that, if there's any good news, it's that the Red Knot Society has successfully reunited with the lost rescue team member. Well, I guess that counts as good news. And another piece of good news is…

Thoughts, fueled by the power of the mind, continue to spread outwards.

In the Blood Throne within the dark space, Gao Hai continues his all-out confrontation with the [Hospital] in silence.

At the same time, within the instance space, Akira Toyama, the vice-captain of the Red Knot Society, was watching the rescue team members following him with a complex expression.

To be honest, I feel a little uneasy.

Akira Toyama glanced at the rescue team members beside him repeatedly, trying to maintain a calm expression, but from time to time he seemed on the verge of breaking down.

However, at least for now, Akira Toyama feels that he can still hold back.

Are you a guy or a girl?

The rescue team members, who were walking like crabs, suddenly approached and asked in a heartfelt tone.

Yuanshan Ming: "..."

Ah, love is like poop, just flush it away!

Before Yuanshan Ming could react, the rescue team member had already stepped forward, stretched out his hands, and exclaimed with emotion.

Yuanshan Ming: "..."

But lolis are innocent! We must protect our best anime and manga world! We declare war on censorship! We declare war on subtitle groups! We declare war on websites! We declare war on everyone who doesn't support our pairing! Let's fight to the death!

Then the next second it ran back, running around the distant mountains while shouting.

Yuanshan Ming: "..."

Out of professionalism and dedication as a Red Moon-level player, Toyama Akira didn't say a word, and his facial expression remained largely unchanged.

However, beneath Toyama Akira's feet, the luxurious carpet was riddled with holes, all caused by his toes unconsciously picking at it in his excessive embarrassment. Fortunately, Toyama Akira's shoes were also objects of his obsession, so even in his embarrassment, he was unlikely to damage them; only the socks inside were torn.

This rescue worker's problem is clearly more serious than before.

Were the strange creatures that Mr. Gao summoned mentally ill in their previous lives? Commanding such things to assist in battle and exploration must be far too difficult, right? Sigh, I suddenly feel that Mr. Gao is also quite pitiful and has had a tough time.

At least one piece of good news is that the changes in the rescue team members were so abstract that even a Red Moon-level player like Toyama Akira couldn't guess the underlying cause of these changes. He even thought that Gao Hai had a suppressive effect on these things, and that it was really too difficult for Mr. Gao to get along with such things.

Regardless, the investigation must continue.

Forget it, I'll just pretend there's someone doing stand-up comedy next to me and ignore it.

Let's focus on the investigation for now.

While thinking, Akira Toyama took a deep breath and turned his attention to the wall not far in front of him.

Just now, Akira Toyama had detected a hidden door in the wall on this side, and the faint aura of a strange entity emanated from within. This really bothered Akira, and he wouldn't leave without opening the door and investigating.

"I need to investigate this place; please assist me."

Akira Toyama spoke to the rescue team members beside him.

[Yes, Commander! Mission accomplished!]

The rescue team members, who had been nonchalant just moments before, instantly stood up straight, picked up their submachine guns, and switched to combat mode.

Good, at least this thing will be quiet for a while now.

No longer paying attention to the rescue team, Akira Toyama turned his attention to the hidden door ahead, which was completely unmarked and invisible at first glance.

Reach out and gently press your hand against the wall.

The wall was easily pushed open by Akira Toyama, revealing a small room inside.

At first glance, under the cool-toned lighting, Akira Toyama could see a lot of cleaning tools piled up in the room, as well as a garbage disposal point commonly found in old-style tenement buildings. Akira Toyama didn't know much about these garbage disposal holes, only that some old-style apartments had this kind of vertical hollow structure that stretched from the top floor to the first floor, allowing residents on each floor to throw their garbage down through the hole. He didn't know that such a relatively upscale resort would have one; perhaps it was because it was convenient to use?

While pondering, Akira Toyama slowly stepped into the room. The loudspeaker wasn't playing, which meant that entering the cleaning room wouldn't cause any adverse reactions. As for the layout of the cleaning room, Akira Toyama glanced at it and, apart from the trash disposal hole, didn't see any other passageways or places where people could hide.

Approaching the disposal opening, Akira Toyama reached out and opened it, immediately releasing a stench. He frowned, enduring the stench as he peered into the opening. He found it completely overflowing with garbage, swarming with maggots writhing in the rotting food and broth, and layers of blackish-green dead flies floating among them. Many more flies swarmed up as soon as Akira opened the opening.

boom--

Faced with this extremely shocking scene, Akira Toyama chose to take out a lighter, ignite it, and burn it down the discharge port, subjecting all the wriggling insects to flames.

"All sorts of disgusting things keep popping out, it's really a headache."

Watching the insects turn into charcoal and protein in the flames, Toyama Akira shook his head and closed the drop hole. However, before closing it, out of player caution, he carefully measured the size of the drop hole. After confirming that a player under 1.8 meters tall could easily squeeze in, Toyama Akira's expression changed, and the worry between his brows deepened.

How much sorrow can one have? It's like a man's buttocks stuck in a hole.

Upon seeing the expression on Yuanshan Ming's face, the rescue team member standing next to him immediately gave a serious assessment.

"...We are currently carrying out a very important mission, so please remain as quiet as possible and avoid attracting unnecessary attention."

Upon hearing this, Akira Toyama subconsciously turned around and looked behind him. Then, realizing what he was doing, he took a deep breath and earnestly warned the rescue team members again in a helpless tone.

I came quietly, and I will leave quietly; I will wave my sleeves and never let the enemy's entire family escape.

The rescue team members nodded solemnly again, but their reply was something that Akira Toyama found hard to understand.

So, is this the kind of thing Mr. Gao usually spends his time with?

Feeling increasingly aware of Takami's hard work, Akira Toyama didn't say anything more, but instead began to investigate the interior of the cleaning room.

As for whether to try drilling through the hole if they really can't find a way to the underground area, Akira Toyama decided to leave that to his future self. He decided to leave the present situation to himself for now.

"Hmm, as expected, there will be a record."

Out of habit, Akira Toyama started searching through the cleaning cart in the cleaning room and soon found a tattered note on the cart that could hold various cleaning tools.

It appears to be a page torn from a diary, containing entries from a cleaner's diary.

Today is my sixth day working at the "Spring Breeze Hot Spring Resort".

Just like the experienced colleagues said before I came, the work intensity here is really high, and the job requirements are extremely demanding. Even cleaning requires learning how to smile at customers and how to handle their requests for help. Why do cleaners need to learn these things? Every day I feel like I'm about to fall apart from exhaustion. No wonder the turnover rate here is so high.

But the salary is really high. With such a high salary, I feel like even if I'm tired and overworked, there's still hope for the future. I just don't know how long I can keep this up; this kind of work intensity is really unbearable.

[Speaking of which, there seem to be quite a few strange topics circulating here. When we first arrived, the team leader said absolutely no gossip was allowed, but everyone's talking about it anyway. There are rumors about ghosts in the venue, or problems with the restrooms at night that you shouldn't go in—the rumors are all incredibly exaggerated. I doubt they're all true. If there were really so many problems, how could this place still be so popular, with so many customers coming here for entertainment?]

However, there is some truth to the rumor about the third basement level. I remember hearing people around me say that this resort was going to be further developed, but something seemed to have happened and it all fell through.

[Furthermore, the team leader is sometimes very secretive, making it hard to understand what he's thinking. Why is it that once it gets dark, none of us are allowed to approach pool number 4 and hot spring pool number 11 on the second basement level? Despite several complaints from guests about the hygiene there, the team leader still insists that those two areas can only be cleaned during the day, and even has people guarding the passageway there every night, stopping only his own people and not customers. I don't understand.]

Could it really be true, as rumored, that there's a staircase hidden behind the wall between pool number 4 and hot spring pool number 11, leading to the abandoned third basement level?

[And what about the stories told by the older generation about people who went down that staircase and disappeared forever, never to return? Could that also be true?]

[Sigh, what am I thinking? Whether this is true or false, what does it have to do with me?]

I'm here to make money. As long as I get paid, that's enough. Why bother with anything else?