Yotsuya Miko opened her eyes.
Amid the roaring storm outside the window, she sat up from the couch, her expression turning grave.
The TV screen continued to play, but the girl no longer had the heart to watch. After all, she had already seen the scenes before—the lines spoken by the characters, the unfolding plot—she knew it all by now.
This wasn't even the second time. It was the third. Maybe even the fourth.
Senpai is in danger.
Miko understood this clearly.
She could feel the sudden stagnation of her consciousness, the hazy sensation of being in a blood-soaked world.
…Including the feeling of Takakai lying on her stomach.
Honestly, it's a little embarrassing…
But when she considered what he must have endured to end up in that crimson city, she understood. He needed some way to relax.
In previous loops, Miko had no idea what she could do. Even if she tried contacting Maki and Chika, the answer was always the same: "Senpai has already entered the dungeon. There's nothing we can do to help from the outside."
But this time was different.
Because in that blurred, blood-drenched space, she had heard his words.
Reality – Five Hours Earlier
"You're sure? Get Kai-kun an official, legally recognized teaching credential within five hours? Tch, that's a pain, but fine. We'll make it happen. That idiot's run into trouble again, hasn't he? I knew things wouldn't go smoothly…"
Over the phone, Maki swiftly mobilized after hearing Miko's message, contacting Chika and the Shijo family to pull strings for Takakai.
Naturally, she also reached out to Kumami. After returning to the real world, Takakai had shared Kumami's contact info with them, so they could coordinate if needed.
Though it was already evening and most offices were closed, exceptions were made for special cases. In just over two hours, Takakai was granted an honorary physical education teacher position at Shuchi'in Academy's high school division. While this credential didn't allow him to actually teach or certify any skills, it was fully legitimate on paper.
"So he really did enter a dungeon, huh? Tch, I've never seen someone like him. Charging headfirst into hell itself without even flinching… Or is there something forcing him forward?"
Kumami's "Slacker Squad" (摸鱼帮) had also secured a third-rate teaching certificate for Takakai in China. She relayed this to Maki over the phone, her tone oddly admiring.
Maki didn't know how to respond, so she simply thanked her sincerely.
After a brief hesitation, Maki decided to contact Gotou Hitori as well, hoping to find a way into Shirasawa Elementary. Unfortunately, this attempt failed.
"Um… creating a plausible role requires… a corresponding [Vacancy]. B-But those two… didn't leave that kind of opening when they entered Shirasawa… S-So it's hard to fabricate… I-I'm sorry! So sorry!"
Despite being the one asked for help, Gotou Hitori stammered out an explanation before profusely apologizing, as if she were the one inconveniencing them.
With no options left, Maki could only wait for updates from Takakai's side—while silently vowing:
Next time, no matter what excuses he gives… I won't back down.
If I'm not by his side when he's in danger, all I can do is watch helplessly.
I won't let that happen again.
Dungeon – Present
Takakai checked his suppression pistol—four rounds remaining—then glanced at Kaguya, whose tension was palpable, before turning his gaze to the small bedroom's door.
They still had some time before this room vanished.
During this period, Takakai had briefed Kaguya on the situation, explaining the events of previous loops and outlining key precautions for their next moves. Upon learning about the resets, Kaguya's demeanor grew solemn. She quickly established another [Anchor] to maintain her sense of self during their mission.
Takakai avoided elaborating on the KP. It was difficult to explain, and mentioning it would only stress Kaguya without providing any tangible benefit. He knew what he was up against—that was enough.
Similarly, he withheld [Hachiya Chiyo]'s name. He needed to confirm whether legitimizing his identity would prevent pursuit by that ayakashi before sharing the intel.
As for obtaining a teaching credential within five hours?
Takakai trusted Maki completely.
The slightly tsundere, relentlessly diligent girl would make it happen. By the time five hours passed and he returned to the dungeon, he would genuinely believe he was a teacher—no falsehoods, no deception.
Time passed swiftly.
When the five-hour mark arrived, their surroundings shifted from the cozy cabin to the stench-ridden kennel.
Takakai immediately spotted the ayakashi—the hulking monstrosity that had lurked in this room, never leaving.
But he wasn't transformed into a dog.
Because he was wearing its apron.
This grudge item, stolen via the wristwatch's power, shielded him from the creature's [Dog Transformation] rule.
Kaguya, meanwhile, hid behind Takakai, using his body to block the entity's line of sight.
Then—
BANG!
The first round struck the towering figure, freezing its movements momentarily.
A policeman-shaped rescue member charged forward, grappling the entity's waist and heaving it off the ground. With a running start, he kicked open the kennel's back door and hurled the monstrosity inside.
Takakai followed, pistol trained on his target.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Three more shots. The last of his suppression rounds embedded themselves in the creature's body.
Takakai knew this ayakashi was a fusion of physical and spectral entities.
He understood its rules—transformation, dismemberment, boiling, immortality—from firsthand experience.
He stood in the heart of its domain: this kitchen-slaughterhouse-dining room where its rules were strongest.
And though the apron mitigated its power, the rules still affected him.
Four conditions met.
The bullets' sealing power amplified exponentially.
The ayakashi froze completely, like a statue.
The simmering meat broth fell silent. Kaguya turned to see the boiling water motionless, steam hovering mid-air as if time had stopped.
The oppressive aura suffusing the room vanished entirely.
The butcher ayakashi—the one that loved dog meat—was fully sealed.
All its rules were nullified.
Duration: 22 hours.
Almost a full day.
Four rounds to seal two Crimson Moon-tier ayakashi (or 3.5, considering one rule was partially mitigated). Not bad.
Without this thing, Shirasawa Elementary lost one of its most lethal threats. Exploration just got much safer.
[Hmph…]
A disdainful snort echoed in the air, laced with venomous resentment—there and gone in an instant.
Takakai turned toward the doorway.
A pale, grime-covered child with a distorted face stood there, glaring at him.
He felt its malice, its overwhelming presence—
Then, in the blink of an eye, it vanished without a trace.
Seems I passed the test.
Takakai exhaled quietly.
The two biggest obstacles to his investigation were neutralized.
That [100-Sunlight Chomper] was likely summoned by the little girl. And if he recalled correctly, she called it the [Supreme Ruler]—the same name as Shirasawa Elementary's research project.
Just like Fujika Academy's [Idol of Suffering], this place's experiments were codenamed [Supreme Ruler]. Maybe the naming hints at their true nature?
His thoughts raced—
Until Kaguya's startled cry interrupted him.
Followed by a second voice: a whimper, soft and puppy-like.
"H-Hayasaka?! You changed back?! Y-Your posture is so— Wait, Takakai-san, don't turn around! Don't look!"
Kaguya's flustered voice filled the room. Then she noticed Takakai standing perfectly still, his back turned, showing no intention of peeking.
…Good. At least he's reliable about this.
Relieved, Kaguya turned her attention to the golden-haired girl still crouched on all fours, clearly disoriented.
Where do I even find clothes for her…?
"Use my shirt. It's big enough to cover her for now."
Takakai pulled off his T-shirt and tossed it to Kaguya, leaving himself bare-chested under the filthy apron. He walked to the room's edge, examining a grease-stained notebook on the stove.
He didn't so much as glance at Hayasaka.
After all…
When he'd turned earlier to confirm the ghost girl's disappearance, he'd already taken a good look at Hayasaka's state—and etched it into his DNA.
When it came to these matters, Takakai could proudly declare himself a professional.
"Another notebook. But if we want clues, we'll have to read this thing."
Sighing, he reached for it—then paused.
Instead, he summoned the firefighter who'd nearly been shredded by the butcher earlier.
"Memorize every name in here. Then cross them out. That way, this dangerous notebook won't harm anyone else."
His tone was deadly serious.
The firefighter—a remnant of Howard's grudge—nodded silently.
Picking up a grimy pen beside the notebook, he began reading and annotating methodically.