In the anime, people are in everyday Tokyo, but they are playing the reincarnation game

"In that case..."

At this time, Kaguya Shinomiya slowly took a few steps forward, looked directly at Hat Mita standing there, and said lightly.

"Just tell me what you... no, what exactly do you want to discuss with our three player teams?"

"Yes, that's right. Everyone must be tired after such a long journey, so I'll make it short~"

Hat Mita put away his smile, looked at the three player teams around him, and slowly spoke.

"Everyone should be aware that it's impossible for a player team like us, strangers, to cooperate. We can't trust each other. If we act together, we'll even have to be distracted and wary of each other. However, it's unlikely that a single player team, even one like mine, can break through the research base's defenses. So..."

Having said that, Hat Mita paused for a moment before smiling.

"There's only one way we can achieve something resembling cooperation without acting together. That's to break through the defenses of the research institute's base from different directions at the same time."

"Hmm? This plan..."

All the players, including Kaguya Shinomiya, began to think seriously after hearing Hat Mita's proposal.

It’s true, this is indeed the most feasible plan.

The institute base is a large building covering an area of more than ten square kilometers. Breaking through from four different directions at the same time means that after a successful breakthrough, the four player teams will not meet each other, nor will they travel along the same route inside the institute.

The different directions reduced the probability of encountering each other to a minimum, but because the attack was launched at the same time, the four teams shared the responsibility of dispersing the defense force of the research institute base, and there would not be a situation where a single player team had to face the defense force of the entire base.

"Indeed... this plan is the most reasonable, but..."

Shinomiya Kaguya looked at Hat Mita and asked the question in a calm tone.

"Since we're attacking from four different directions, the defenses we'll face initially will certainly be different. After all, there are bound to be areas within the research base that are difficult to penetrate, as well as areas where the defenses are less strong and relatively weak. How should we allocate our forces specifically? Furthermore, how can we ensure that our four teams will launch their attacks simultaneously, without someone attempting to draw fire from another team while they reap the benefits?"

"Let me answer your second question first."

Although Hat Mita's brain was not very good, it was obvious that before this discussion, Asagiri had already told her the specific plan and also informed her of various questions that the players might raise. She just responded calmly at this time.

"Twenty-four hours after we enter the dungeon, that is, twelve hours from now, the research institute base will be attacked by a demihuman named Sato. His goal is to rescue a demihuman named Nagai Kei who is imprisoned there."

"Nagai Kei...I've heard of that name."

Not only Kaguya Shinomiya and the other two players, but the other two player teams had obviously collected relevant information. Although they did not know that Kei Nagai was being held in the research institute base at this time, there was indeed news about the appearance of demi-humans on the Internet. The news also wrote that the demi-human whose identity was exposed was called Kei Nagai, and he was originally a high school student.

But the name Sato... is a little unfamiliar. After all, Sato once raided a research institute and successfully rescued a demihuman who was used as an experimental subject. In addition, his thoughts and behavior style are very extreme, so the information about him is top secret. Only senior officials with a certain status in the Demihuman Countermeasures Bureau, like the on-site commander killed by Asagiri and others, know about it.

"Sato's individual combat capabilities are extremely strong. After he forcibly breaks into the research base, most of the defense personnel will be attracted to him. However, his goal is to rescue Nagai Kei, and after achieving this goal, he will leave. In other words, the time we have to break into the research base and obtain the experimental data is limited."

Hat Mita glanced at the group of players around him and spoke with a smile.

"You're willing to risk a direct battle with the Demihuman Countermeasures Bureau and force your way out of the city where you first entered the dungeon to come to the research base. This shows that you're all players who want to achieve the highest clearance rating and the best rewards."

"Sit back and reap the benefits? While this idea is certainly feasible, I don't think anyone here would be so foolish. Perhaps a few minutes of delay would allow another player team to obtain the experimental data first and complete the level."

"After all, we players are competitors, aren't we?"

After listening to Hat Mita's words, Kaguya Shinomiya agreed in her heart.

The three player teams present here have all gone through untold hardships to arrive here. Who would be willing to give up the experimental data that represents the highest level of clearance evaluation and the most valuable clearance reward?

It is not a wise choice to delay or even lose the opportunity to obtain experimental data in order to face fewer enemies.

After all, which player standing here at this moment would not dare to face the risk?

"As for the first question..."

Hat Mita said as he smiled.

"The Demihuman Countermeasures Bureau is very wary of Satou. Plus, the institute is also holding Nagai Kei. If they discover his intrusion, they'll inevitably withdraw most of their defenses. It doesn't really matter which direction we break through. However, this discussion was initiated by my team. Let's choose the frontal direction, which has the strongest defenses and the most stringent security. That's the south side of the research base."

After hearing what Hat Mita said, Kaguya Shinomiya and Hayasaka Ai beside her looked at each other, and they both had the same thought in their minds.

The team this lovely girl belongs to must be very strong and confident. They actually took the initiative to request a breakthrough from the main gate.

"Then we're going west."

"We're north."

After hearing the leaders of the two player teams take the lead in speaking and choosing the direction of breakthrough, Kaguya Shinomiya didn't say much, but just said lightly.

"Then let's break through from the east."

"OK~ Everyone is a reasonable person~"

Hat Mita raised his hands and clapped, but none of the players present joined in. After all, in such a serious and even slightly heavy atmosphere, clapping and celebrating seemed too cheerful.

Just when Hat Mita was feeling a little embarrassed, he heard applause and cheers.

"Okay~"

Shinomiya Kaguya and Hayasaka Ai turned around and saw Fujiwara Chika with a cute and adorable smile on her face. She clapped her hands like Hat Mita and made cute cheers.

"You...I really don't know what to say..."

Even the aloof Kaguya Shinomiya was speechless at the abstraction of Chika Fujiwara.

“Thanks for your support~”

Hat Mita's and Fujiwara Chika's communications somehow met. She first said this with a smile, then turned around and entered the dense forest. After a while, she came out carrying a large plastic bag.

"This is food and mineral water, free for you. After all, if you can't recover properly, you'll die too quickly during tomorrow's attack, and there'll be no one to help us share the firepower~"

...........

After receiving the supplies distributed by Hat Mita and re-entering the dense forest, Kaguya Shinomiya looked down at the rice ball in her hand and muttered to herself.

"Just what kind of team is that girl in?... She doesn't look like a team leader. To come up with such a plan, and even proactively share food and water with the other players, to make such a rational and wise decision... Just what kind of person is she..."

"He must be a very powerful person~"

Chika Fujiwara was munching on a rice ball with big mouthfuls, her face filled with the same happy expression as Kotoko Iwanaga's. There were also a few grains of rice on the corners of her mouth, and even her lines were similar.

"Mmm~ Rice balls are so delicious, I'm so happy~"

"Just eat it."

Hearing Shinomiya Kaguya's helpless complaints, Fujiwara Chika did not respond. Although she had a simple and cute smile on her face, her eyes showed a thoughtful look, and she was thinking secretly in her heart.

Among the four player teams that arrived here first... Utsunomiya-san wasn't there.

Did he not enter this instance? Or was he not actually a player, and his perception was wrong?

Or...

That cute girl with teardrop makeup and an overly cheerful personality is actually a member of Utsunomiya's team?

"Will we launch an attack tomorrow..."

Fujiwara Chika ate a whole rice ball in big mouthfuls, breathed a sigh of satisfaction, and then smiled and talked to herself.

"It's really exciting~"


Chapter 36:034 The Beginning of the War

At the same time, on the other side of the forest, inside a tent.

Asagiri, Yuuki Asuna, Iwanaga Kotoko, and Kato Megumi, the four of them stayed in one tent. The space naturally seemed a bit cramped, but there was no way around it. After all, Kato Megumi only brought back a simple tent, so everyone had to squeeze together.

"Qianhua and the others... actually entered this dungeon..."

Asuna Yuuki sat there, with a complicated look in her eyes. She pursed her lips, as if she wanted to say something, but did not speak for a while.

"Are you worried about the three of them?"

Kotoko Iwanaga saw what Asuna Yuuki was thinking at the moment and spoke with a smile.

"There's no need for that. Shinomiya Kaguya, Fujiwara Chika, and Hayasaka Ai, who we haven't had much contact with, have entered the dungeon at this time and are among the first four player teams to arrive here. This proves that they have already made up their minds as players. They don't need our help, and we have no obligation to help them."

"Yes, I know."

Although Yuuki Asuna is a kind and gentle person, she is definitely not the kind of fool who is overly virtuous.

It is true that Fujiwara Chika is her good friend, but her three teammates, Asagiri, Iwanaga Kotoko, and Kato Megumi, are the most important to her and the ones she must protect.

The only thing Yuuki Asuna can do is to try her best to ensure that her team can obtain the experimental data stored in the research institute base as quickly as possible. After completing the goal, all surviving players will be able to pass the level, including Fujiwara Chika and the other two.

"but..."

Iwanaga Kotoko looked at Asagiri and said with a little confusion.

"Do we really need to break through from the main gate? Although with the Phantom's capabilities, we can indeed sneak in quietly, it is still the most difficult and dangerous route, right?"

"If you only look at the surface, maybe that's true."

Asagiri nodded first, then changed the subject.

"However, since we all know this is the riskiest route, Sato is unlikely to choose this route to break through. This means that among the four player teams, we are the least likely to suddenly run into him."

"So it's to avoid Satou? Hmm..."

Iwanaga Kotoko thought seriously for a while, then hesitated.

"But is this really necessary? With our strength, dealing with him shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"It would be easy to just kill him once or twice."

Asagiri explained in a calm tone.

"But with Sato's individual combat capabilities, coupled with his immortality, it would be difficult for even us to disable him without killing him outright. And don't forget, if Sato is truly recognized by the system like Crazy Mita, then even if he hasn't officially become a player yet, he must have some understanding of players. Given his personality, he wouldn't have easily started this war without being fully prepared."

"So...we should try to avoid him?"

"Hmm? We avoid him?"

Hearing what Iwanaga Kotoko said, Asagiri smiled and said with great momentum.

"I'm just being cautious and considering the efficiency of the operation, so I don't want him to interfere with us. If we really run into him in the research institute base... then I will kill Sato with warm wine."

Seeing Asagiri's imposing and confident look, and listening to his passionate war declaration, Yuuki Asuna couldn't help but complain.

"Why are you acting like a jerk... You were so careful and thorough when making the plan, but now you're all crazy... Your mood swings are so fast, aren't they?"

Asagiri shrugged and replied in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Isn't that perfectly normal? For a player like me who's primarily interested in having fun, a perfect speedrun is certainly rewarding. But if I can't complete a speedrun, I don't mind just getting started and killing everyone who gets in our way."

"Indeed, although we try to avoid fighting, if we really encounter a situation where we must fight, we cannot retreat."

Yuuki Asuna first agreed, then asked curiously.

"But are four player teams enough? More players should arrive here later. Don't we need to discuss the battle plan with them?"

"unnecessary."

Asagiri waved his hand and chuckled.

"Even if this weak mob joins the battle plan, it will only hinder the powerful player teams. Furthermore, those players who arrived here exhausted and without adequate rest, even if they join the attack, will at best serve as cannon fodder to distract us. Forget about that. For tomorrow's battle, it's better to go to bed and rest early."

"Wuhu, go to bed~"

Hearing Asagiri's words, an inexplicable excitement appeared on Iwanaga Kotoko's face, and she cheered.

"I want to sleep next to Leader~"

"Are you doing that for sleep? I'm embarrassed to point it out to you."

Yuuki Asuna blushed slightly and stole a glance at Kato Megumi. She thought that since the other party already knew it, she might as well stop hiding it and speak frankly.

"Let's not even mention that the four of us are sleeping in one tent. We have a battle tomorrow. What if you...if you use up all your energy tonight, what will happen to your condition tomorrow?"

Iwanaga Kotoko curled her lips and said dissatisfiedly.

"I just want to sleep next to him and have him hold me in his arms. What are you thinking?"

"hehe."

Asuna Yuuki didn't believe Iwanaga Kotoko's nonsense at all and spoke in a tough attitude.

"No, if you really have this much self-control, you won't be yourself anymore. Absolutely not!"

Iwanaga Kotoko frowned slightly and said with an unhappy look on her face.

"By the same token, I don't trust your self-control, so you can't sleep next to him, right?"

"whispering sound..."

Faced with Iwanaga Kotoko's rebuttal of using a technique to retaliate, Yuuki Asuna was a little choked. Finally, they both turned their eyes to Kato Megumi, who was sitting there obediently and silently like a transparent person.

"Eh? Me?"