[Drip—]
A cold drop of water fell onto Takumi's nose.
He opened his eyes, but before him was only a field of darkness, unable to see anything at all.
There was the smell of sand and rock.
The air carried a slight sense of dampness.
[Drip—]
The clear dripping sound echoed, as if he were inside some kind of cave.
Where is this?
His consciousness seemed faintly shrouded in haziness.
He pushed himself up from the ground and stood straight.
Then he saw a faint light appear in the distance.
The uneven rock walls were illuminated by the light, and the light also revealed, beside it at the foot of the rock wall, a large chest one meter in height and width.
Takumi reached out in the darkness and touched the rock wall beside him.
This was a cave.
A cave that was incomparably gloomy, extending who knew how deep underground, shrouded in darkness.
It was not where he was supposed to appear.
It was not the cave entrance where he should normally have appeared at the start of this dungeon, nor the attraction entrance area outside the cave or anywhere like that.
So, something had gone wrong.
And so he realized that what he had run into was very likely the worst possible scenario.
He opened his mouth.
Takumi wanted to curse.
But a sharp, piercing sound drowned out his hearing before he could get the curse out.
[Bzz—]
Takumi lost the ability to control his own body.
It was as if someone had pressed a pause button on him; his whole body went completely rigid where he was, and he could only remain motionless, listening to that grating noise and to the eerie voice that followed it.
[Welcome to the Sacrifice Game]
[Player Takahashi Takumi, this game is the second game you have participated in; the game level is: Dusk]
[Your clear condition is: reach the real surface]
[The time limit for this game is: fifteen days]
[The game will now issue hint messages to you; please make good use of them]
[Hint 1: Those who seek to usurp the divine throne will in the end reap bitter fruit and never find rest]
[Hint 2: The proof of the pact remains valid even to this very day]
[Hint 3: The memories of the lost guide a rage that cannot be extinguished]
[Hint 4: Obvious facts must be kept behind one's lips]
[Hints concluded; may you clear this game and draw near to the throne that bears witness to the end]
These were not the hints he was originally supposed to hear.
They were completely different from the game hints provided in the intel.
Takumi remembered very clearly the four hints this dungeon was originally supposed to give players.
The original four game hints should have been "The wandering phantoms repeat the days of old," "Unnecessary curiosity is a quality tourists ought to have," "The actors of the curtain call have yet to take their places," and "This obsession is still in the midst of gestation."
Among them, the last game hint was the common hint for dungeons that had not yet been fixed.
But now, every hint was completely different, utterly unlike the original intel; this could only prove one thing—one thing Takumi had already realized just now, one thing he very, very much did not want to happen.
This dungeon was already in the process of being [Fixed].
Why?
Running into a [Fixed] state in his very first newbie dungeon could still be chalked up to bad luck, but for the second dungeon to also end up [Fixed]—that was absolutely abnormal. No matter how unlucky he was, he shouldn't be running into [Fixed] dungeons twice in a row, right?
'Or is it… that this has to do with me, that there's something wrong with me?'
Takumi took a deep breath, adjusted his emotions, and worked hard to calm his state of mind. Then he reached back and felt along his own back, and only when he touched his backpack did he finally relax a little.
Everything was still there.
But he did not hear anyone else's voice.
Had they been split up?
Thinking this, Takumi set his feet in motion and moved forward cautiously in the pitch-black cave, walking toward the direction of the light.
Based on his experience in Shirakawa Apartments, as well as the posts from other players on the forum, even if a dungeon was in the process of being [Fixed] and there was a possibility of a rank increase, the beginning usually would not be so ridiculously difficult. There was still time for players to check the situation around them and at least find a rules sheet.
Complaining about the current situation was already completely meaningless.
Takumi knew very well that a player's life was, by its very nature, one spent staking one's life on the line, and the fact that he had the chance to roll back and start over already made him far more fortunate than the others.
So the most important thing to do right now was to confirm the current rules of this place, find a way to survive no matter what, and then rendezvous with Maki, Kaguya, and the others, and together search for a way to escape this eerie place.
He did not walk quickly.
Because in the completely dark cave, Takumi found it very hard to make out the state of the path around him, and this cave was clearly a natural cavern; the passageways inside had basically not been refurbished at all, full of bumps and rises and dips, and with the slightest carelessness he would stumble.
It was only because Takumi's physical condition was now far beyond that of an ordinary person that he was able to move forward with nothing but the faint light in the distance shining on him.
As for why he did not take the flashlight out of his backpack, Takumi felt that since the players had started the game in a dark environment, it would be better not to rashly create light and change the current environment before confirming the relevant rules.
After all, he did not know whether something might be following right beside him in this cave.
Getting close to the area where the light was did not take very long.
Takumi discovered that it seemed to be a searchlight, the kind that, logically speaking, should be high-power and high-brightness, but perhaps because it had been left on for too long, the battery was already nearly dead, so at this moment the light from it appeared somewhat dim.
The searchlight had been laid flat on top of the chest beneath that rock wall. The chest itself was a large waterproof case, and it did not appear to be locked, so it could be opened easily.
When he walked up to the searchlight, Takumi noticed a printed sheet of paper being pressed underneath it, with what looked like quite a lot of writing on it.
Was this the rules sheet he could get at the start this time?
Hopefully it wouldn't be some outdated rules like those at Shirakawa Apartments.
Thinking that, Takumi reached out and grabbed the edge of the printed sheet, and then he heard footsteps sounding not far away, along with a girl's quiet muttering.
"Uu… what on earth is going on?"
From the sound of it, it even seemed a bit familiar—was it someone he knew?
Takumi turned his head and happened to see the other person step into the range of the light and appear before his eyes.
"Eh, eh, isn't this Takumi-kun who locked me in the ramen shop?"
Before Takumi could speak, the girl was already covering her mouth in surprise as she spoke.
Long pink hair.
A black ribbon.
Under the school uniform was a fine figure and full curves that could not be hidden.
Fujiwara Chika, this playful and cute girl, had once again reunited with Takumi.
In this incredibly deadly world of rules-based horror stories, she had reunited with him once more.
"Should I say you're unlucky, or that you've been dragged down by me?"
Takumi, who had not expected such a coincidence, couldn't help but shake his head as he said this. Under the girl's puzzled gaze, he pulled out the printed sheet and unfolded it under the searchlight's beam.
"Takumi-kun, um, what exactly is this place? I was clearly just taking a nap, so why did I end up here?"
Fujiwara Chika, who did not understand what Takumi was talking about, did not shout with the boundless energy of the original work that Takumi knew. Although she usually looked a bit airheaded and silly, it was obvious Chika was no idiot. Whether it was this dark and eerie cave, or the grave expression on the face of the man she had reunited with, both already made it very clear to her that she had gotten into trouble—and into very big trouble at that.
"Don't make noise. Once I'm done reading these rules, I'll give them to you. After you read them, you'd better memorize them. I only want to get out of here alive, so as long as you don't drag me down, I don't mind helping you two clear this together. For now, just quiet down for a bit."
Faced with the nervousness of the girl in front of him, Takumi merely waved his hand and said this casually, then immediately turned his gaze back to the printed sheet.
[Drip—]
Under the dim patch of light, the dripping sound echoed out from the darkness beyond its reach.
And Takumi's eyes had already fallen on the title printed on the sheet.
[Red Nut Grey Cave Class I Explorer Regulations]
Class I regulations? What does that mean—could it be that this rules sheet is categorized?
A faintly worse premonition gradually arose in Takumi's heart, and he sped up, reading carefully.
[Welcome to Red Nut Grey Cave. This is a locally famous cave attraction, with all kinds of unique sights inside. Since you have come here to explore, you must already be prepared to face various challenges. The following are the exploration regulations summarized by the park. For the personal safety of all explorers, please be sure to follow them; otherwise, you will bear the consequences yourself]
[1. Please wear a complete set of explorer gear, including caving protective clothing, protective gloves, safety helmet, headlamp, knee pads, elbow pads, and protective footwear. For protective footwear you may choose either hiking boots or high-top rain boots. Please remember that you are an explorer and should carry comprehensive, safe exploration equipment; this is the basic requirement for being a qualified explorer]
[2. The Big Slide is a slope approximately 160 meters in length, with a height difference of approximately 70 meters between its starting point and end point. The park has installed safety ropes here connecting top and bottom. You may grab the rope to climb, but when the rope shows obvious shaking and you feel that someone else has grabbed it, please let go of the rope as quickly as possible and only grab it again once it is no longer swaying]
[3. The pulley area at the Big Cliff has been closed and is no longer open for visitors to use. If you discover staff members appearing in the pulley area, please ignore them and use the vertical safety rope to go up and down the cliff. If the staff interfere with your actions, no matter what questions they ask you, only answer them that you are an explorer; do not give any other answer]
[4. From time to time, firefighters and search-and-rescue personnel will appear in the exploration area. There are often false alarms here that draw them over. Do not make contact with them. If you cannot avoid them, please tell them that you are not an explorer, you are a tourist]
[5. Confirm that you are an explorer, you are an explorer]
[6. The Blood Vessel is the narrowest exploration area in this scenic spot, with a total length of 230 meters. When exploring this area, please make sure you are crawling in a natural cave without any traces of human modification. If you are not, please quickly search for a side passage or retreat; do not call for help]
[7. In a narrow area where you cannot turn around, you are an explorer who is alone. You have no companions; if you do, at this moment you are also not together with them]
[8. Any crying, talking, scraping, or similar sounds heard inside the cave are all normal natural phenomena and do not need to be paid attention to. However, if it is the sound of many people quarrelling and arguing, please avoid it as quickly as possible]
[9. The Blood Vessel has no side passages]
[10. You are an explorer who has come to Red Nut Grey Cave to explore. Aside from this, you have no other identity. Do not explain to them any identity you do not possess, and do not ask others about any identities other than that of explorer]
[11. From the Blood Vessel to the turn-back point to the Stone Pillar Plaza to the Large Chamber, it is all a one-way path with no second branch. If you see more than one path, please return the way you came]
[12. The safety rope installed on the artery connecting the Heart and the Large Chamber has already been damaged. Do not grab it while moving forward, especially when you are already lost]
[13. To ensure the safety of explorers, many supply boxes have been set up in the Red Nut Grey Cave exploration area. They contain food and basic exploration gear that can be replaced at any time and used to replenish stamina. Please make sure that you are an explorer]
[14. When crawling through narrow areas, you should pass through as quickly as possible to avoid affecting other explorers. Speaking and conversing while moving in such areas is a waste of stamina and should be avoided as much as possible. Do not answer the person behind you, and do not ask questions of the explorer in front of you]
[15. You should reach the Heart. As an explorer, you ought to reach the deepest part of Red Nut Grey Cave. After reaching the Heart, please return to the surface as quickly as possible. Air circulation is poor in the underground area, and too many explorers should not remain there for long periods of time]
[16. It is unavoidable for explorers to be injured while exploring. Do not be surprised by injured explorers you see, no matter how unbelievable their injuries may be. Remain calm. Do not ask others about the abnormalities on their bodies. Do not converse with these explorers. If you have already begun conversing, please end the topic as quickly as possible, and do not discuss matters related to the other party's personal situation]
[17. Some performance artists like to appear in the cave wearing strange clothing, such as soldier uniforms, yellow-striped uniforms, rescue personnel uniforms, white coats, bloodstained dresses, and so on. These are mentally ill patients who have strayed into the park. Please do not make contact with them. If you encounter them, please flee as quickly as possible. Remember that you are merely an explorer and have no need to get entangled with these people]
[18. Firefighters and rescue team members above the entrance to the Big Slide are trustworthy. As long as they firmly assert their identity, please believe them and follow them out of the cave. People who are vague about their identity and unable to explain it clearly are not trustworthy; do not converse with them]
[19. The exploration attraction of Red Nut Grey Cave consists of a single route with no branches. Therefore, once you have completed a single tour, you have already seen all the sights and there is no need to come again. As an explorer, you will also have no interest in retracing sights you have already experienced. So after completing the tour, you will no longer wish to come back again]
[The above are the basic rules that explorers of the Red Nut Grey Cave need to follow. We believe that under the guidance of this set of rules, you will have an unforgettable cave exploration experience. After all, you are an explorer, and this is what explorers need.]
Unlike the rules list Takumi had once read at the Shirakawa Apartments, this rules list seemed closer to the clauses he had seen online in those Horror Story "rules-type tales".
No annotations, no obvious traces left by any senior survivors.
Beneath each line of seemingly normal text, the descriptions carried a bizarre feeling that was impossible to ignore
"It's your turn."
Maintaining a calm expression, Takumi glanced once more at the girl in front of him. After confirming through the Blessing that she was human and bore no hostility toward him, he handed her the rules list he had already read and memorized completely.
"Eh? Already? Wait—what exactly is this thing?"
The girl, utterly confused, was just about to say something, but Takumi directly grabbed her hand and rather roughly wedged the rules list between her fingers.
"Read it. Memorize it. The faster the better. This isn't a place for playing house. If you want to stay alive, then stop talking nonsense."
Takumi's voice came out slightly cold, carrying a kind of authority Chika had only ever seen from the elders.
So she quieted down, lowering her head to look at the words written on the paper. Even though she still had no idea what was happening, instinct told the girl that something was wrong, and she did her best to memorize this strange rules list.
[Step—]
Footsteps echoed from within the darkness.
Takumi lifted his head and looked toward the darkness ahead.
The next moment, he pulled Chika by the arm and stepped back slightly. After telling the girl, "Don't say anything later," he once again looked vigilantly toward the source of the sound.
"Hello there. Are you explorers who came here to explore as well?"
A figure stepped into the lit area, revealing the face of a young man with white features.
"…We are all explorers."
After a brief moment of silence, Takumi watched the man and replied.
"Since we're all explorers, why aren't you wearing explorer gear? That's not very good, is it?"
The other party asked somewhat curiously, a hint of puzzlement on his face.
"Our gear broke. We were just about to change into our spare equipment here."
As Takumi spoke, he took off his backpack, pulled open the zipper, and revealed the helmet, elbow pads, flashlight, and other pieces of exploration gear inside.
"So that's how it is. You really need to take good care of your gear. Where are you from?"
The young white man showed a look of sudden realization, then asked again.
"We are explorers."
But Takumi only repeated this answer, and shot Chika a glance, warning her once more not to speak.
"Alright then, are you interested in traveling together? It's pretty boring being here all by myself."
The man let out a laugh, scratched his head, and asked curiously.
"Not interested. Go on your way; we don't feel like talking."
Takumi's tone grew even colder, already sounding quite rude.
"That attitude's a bit much, isn't it… ah, whatever, whatever. Have fun, then—there are quite a lot of visitors here to explore today."
The man wiped the blood between his fingers onto his pants, shrugged, and then turned to leave.
At that moment, Chika had originally wanted to say something, wanting to figure out what exactly was going on.
But before she could speak, Takumi, who had been watching her all along, reached out and covered her mouth, stopping the confused girl's words from leaving her lips.
He also pushed back down the scream that was about to burst from her throat the next instant.
[Gurgle—]
Thick, dark red liquid mixed with white tissue flowed out from the hollow in the back of his head.
The man who was walking away with his back to them had the back of his head completely opened up; they could see the collapsed and shattered skull caving inward, as well as the brain matter that had been churned to mush.
[Gurgle—]
It looked like a bowl of scrambled eggs after being stirred.
As the man moved, it still swayed gently, occasionally spilling out and dripping to the ground.
Only after they saw the wound, saw the blood, and saw this most direct scene did the unbearable stench finally reach their nostrils.
Chika's body began to tremble slightly.
Her eyes widened as she instinctively clutched at the hem of her clothes, unable to conceal her fear.
Takumi, however, only remained silent, a silence without any hint of surprise.
Before that man stepped out of the darkness, before he came up to them and spoke, Takumi had already realized—had already understood from the intense surge of the Blessing—what that thing approaching them actually was.
Only after the man's back completely disappeared into the darkness, only after he was no longer within Takumi's perception, did Takumi release the hand covering Chika's mouth. Then he spoke faintly: "I hate horror games where the safe period at the start is too short."
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