At dusk, on a slightly bustling street, two figures were walking forward side by side.
Takumi held Maki's hand, wearing a calm expression as he walked along the street. Maki herself had a faint blush on her face, following along step by step. The two of them continued forward in silence, until Takumi suddenly stopped. Maki, however, instinctively took one more step forward before belatedly realizing it and hurriedly stopping as well.
"What are you thinking about? You look so flustered."
Takumi asked with a smile as he watched Maki's startled reaction.
"...N-nothing. I was just thinking about that "Alice's Game" you mentioned before, Takumi-kun."
She first denied it instinctively, but after hesitating for a moment, Maki spoke again in a small voice.
"Oh, that? I only mentioned it offhand. You actually went and checked it out?"
Takumi was somewhat surprised. After suspecting that he might be pulled into a Red Moon-level Instance by the power of the watch, he had indeed paid very close attention to the Instance "Campus Uncanny." During this period, he had searched the player forums many times for related information. Among them, the rules and related intelligence concerning Fujihana Middle School were relatively abundant, so it was the area he focused on most.
Such behavior would naturally attract the girls' attention, and Takumi had no intention of concealing it. He directly explained his speculation. As a result, after that, Kaguya, Maki, and Chika all began paying attention to the Instance "Campus Uncanny," helping him investigate information in this regard. They even tried to gather intelligence about some other Red Moon-level Instances as well, just in case.
Come to think of it, even after learning that I might be pulled into a Red Moon-level Instance by the watch's power, these girls showed no intention of backing down. They seem to trust me deeply, believing that even in an ultra-high-difficulty Instance like this, I would still find a way to clear it. That kind of trust is truly heartwarming—and at the same time, it brings immense pressure.
Thinking this, Takumi could not help but sigh inwardly.
"So, do you have any ideas? We can talk while we walk."
Holding Maki's hand, Takumi continued forward as he spoke.
"As for ideas, I do have quite a few. By the way, how much of the information about 'Fujihana Middle School' have you read, Takumi-kun?"
With this topic as an opening, Maki's nervousness visibly eased. Her voice gradually became more fluent as she spoke with Takumi.
"I've read the two sets of game rules—the 'Alice's Grand Adventure Game' in the Teaching Building and the 'Alice's Puzzle Mini-Game' in the Residential Wing. I've also gone through the twelve recorded game prompts heard by players at the start of the Fujihana Middle School scenario."
Takumi nodded as he answered, already recalling the intelligence he had previously reviewed.
Within the middle school known as "Fujihana Middle School," there are four "Alice's Games" in total. These four games are located in the Teaching Building, the Residential Wing, the Athletic Field, and the Swimming Pool respectively. However, at present, only the rules for the Teaching Building and the Residential Wing can be accessed. The Athletic Field and the Swimming Pool are in a semi-sealed state. Even if players enter those areas, they cannot find any rule boards. Moreover, the related rules that players had originally recorded in the real world have mysteriously disappeared without a trace.
As for the reason, although there is no definitive conclusion yet, many players speculate that the Obsession Item within those two areas was taken away, causing the associated games to be sealed as well. However, many others do not accept this theory, because under normal circumstances, the disappearance of an Obsession Item only results in area closure when the core Obsession Item is removed. The disappearance of ordinary Obsession Items does not affect an Instance.
Aside from this speculation, there is another theory that says the games in the "Athletic Field" and the "Swimming Pool" have already produced a "winner," so there is no longer any need to hold the games. And after the games in the "Teaching Building" and the "Residential Wing" also finish determining winners, the Fujihana Middle School area might even undergo further anomalies. Of course, this theory is regarded as even less reliable. As for the reason, the players on the forum have no way to explain it directly—but Takumi can already guess why.
The winners of the "Alice's Games" are all killed by the Aberration within Fujihana Middle School.
A player who truly wins according to the game rules is absolutely impossible to survive. The forum's players did not say this outright, but for Takumi, who had already seriously read the rules, it was not difficult to grasp this point.
"At the end of the day, these two sets of rules are fundamentally a completely different situation from the rules we encountered at the Shirakawa Apartments, and in the Red Nut Grey Cave."
"The rules at the Shirakawa Apartments were written by Mr. Kyosei. Although the contents of those rules had various problems due to being outdated, there is no doubt they were survival rules written to safeguard the survivors' continued existence."
"The rules in the Red Nut Grey Cave were divided into the Cave Research Base section and the cave section. The former was written by the people inside the base to maintain the base's own order, while the latter was left by Mr. Wilbur, who went deep into danger to try to avert tragedy, striving to leave something behind for those who came later."
"What these rules have in common is that the ones who wrote them all stood on the side of 'humans.' Whether their purpose was 'maintenance' or 'survival,' in the final analysis, it was for the good of more people. That's why players can make use of these rules, and we can basically trust all of their clauses."
"But these two games—right from the start, the feeling this stuff gives me is that it wasn't left behind by a normal person. To be honest, all I can sense from these rules is a thick malice. If we really trust these rules and follow them, I think there's no way we'll survive."
While Takumi was thinking, Maki was also explaining her analysis. Clearly, her thoughts aligned perfectly with Takumi's.
The biggest difference between the Fujihana Middle School Instance and the previous two Instances lies in the standpoint of the rule's author—and for players, this difference is extremely fatal.
"In that case, Maki, where do you think the path to survival in the Fujihana Middle School Instance really lies? You should know that although this Instance is extremely dangerous, quite a few players have still escaped from it alive. Since people can leave alive, it proves this place isn't some absolute dead end. There must be a path to survival hidden within it."
After thinking for a moment, Takumi asked.
"As for the path to survival… I think it is very likely to be on the 'Bad Kids' in the rules."
Maki lowered her head and thought seriously for a while, then gave this answer.
"Judging from the two sets of rules we currently have, completing the game and becoming Alice's friend is very likely a dead end. Conversely, the 'Bad Kids' who do not become Alice's friends are probably where the corresponding path to survival lies. In other words, if players can obtain the identity of 'Bad Kid,' there is a possibility of surviving."
"Of course, considering the existence of beings mentioned in the rules such as the 'Big Bad Wolf,' even if a player obtains the identity of 'Bad Kid,' they must still face various dangerous Aberrations. This identity merely gives players a possibility of staying alive."
"As for how to obtain the identity of 'Bad Kid,' for example, judging from the Teaching Building rules, perhaps we need to blow out the candles in other players' hands—or our own? As for the Residential Wing rules, they seem much simpler. It might be enough to not go to bed on time after dark to become a 'Bad Kid'?"
The girl spoke very seriously, explaining her analysis and thoughts.
Takumi stood beside her, nodding lightly and listening carefully to Maki's ideas. At the same time, he was also thinking seriously himself, recalling the contents of the second "Alice's Game" rules he had previously read, and trying to infer the hidden information within them.
[Alice's Puzzle Mini-Game!]
[Welcome to Alice's Residential Wing. This is where Alice rests. We are going to play games here, and we will become good friends here!]
[Alice loves making friends the most. Alice wants to become good friends with everyone, to become the very, very best of friends together with everyone. So let's play a game. As long as we play the game together, everyone will become friends with Alice!]
[The objective of the game is very simple. Alice will give you a riddle, and as long as you find the item corresponding to that riddle within the Residential Wing and take it to the correct place, that's enough. Isn't it very simple? It's very easy, very easy to clear the stage. So everyone, come play with Alice!]
[But if you want to play the game, you must follow the rules. Only children who follow the rules are good children. So you must remember carefully the rules Alice is about to say!]
[Rule 1: Everyone's riddle is unique. Each person may only search for the answer to their own riddle. You may not tell others your riddle and have them help you look for the answer, nor may you tell others the answer to your riddle and have them help you find the corresponding item. Otherwise, a very, very bad Big Bad Wolf will come looking for you and swallow you, this bad child, in one bite.]
[Rule 2: Cleanliness and hygiene are very important. The beds and sheets in the dormitory must be folded neatly, and there must not be any trash on the floor. Otherwise, Teacher Broom will angrily come looking for you and urge you to clean up."
[Rule 3: After dark, good children must lie properly in their beds and sleep. You must not make noise, nor run around. Aunt Owl will carefully inspect everyone, so you must sleep properly.]
[Rule 4: There is no basement level in the Residential Wing. If you see an entrance to a basement level, you must pretend not to see it. That is a trap set by Bad Kids for pranks.]
[Rule 5: Grandpa Bull patrols the stairwell every day. When you see Grandpa Bull, you must greet him properly and say to him, 'You've worked hard.']
[Rule 6: You must not go to the rooftop of the Residential Wing. The rooftop is a prohibited area. Uncle Cat dislikes those who violate the rules. If you make him angry, that would be very bad. However, you can try bribing him with small dried fish.]
[Rule 7: No one may remain in the Residential Wing during the daytime. Inspector Giraffe will come periodically to check, so you must not stay inside the Residential Wing during the day.]
[Rule 8: Conserving water is a good habit. You must not waste water resources. This is a virtue that Brother Faucet has taught each of us, and it must be firmly remembered in your mind. Perhaps Brother Faucet will turn it on to inspect.]
[Rule 9: Because Brother Pencil loves studying very much, he is always very sleepy, so he often sleeps in the corridor. Everyone should be considerate of him and must not run or make noise in the corridor."
[Rule 10: The lights in the restroom are broken, so it is impossible to distinguish between the men's restroom and the women's restroom. Therefore, before entering, you must loudly ask whether anyone is inside. Only after confirming clearly whether it is the men's restroom or the women's restroom may you enter.]
[Rule 11: Only after the morning bell rings may the lights in the Residential Wing be turned on. If the evening bell rings, the lights must be turned off. Lights must not be turned on at night. This will disturb others. Everyone must be a good child. A good child must think of others!"
[Rule 12: You must solve Alice's riddle and take the item to the correct place in order to leave the Residential Wing. The game must be played properly to the end. You must absolutely not leave early.]
[Rule 13: Cheating is absolutely not permitted. Everyone's riddle is unique. Each person may only rely on themselves to complete their own game. Whether helping others or being helped by others, both are absolutely not allowed. Alice hates cheaters the most. Alice will never become friends with cheating Bad Kids, so you must never, ever cheat.]
[So that's all the rules. Everyone, do your best and come play with Alice!]
[As long as you've played the game, we'll all be good friends!]
…
To be honest, Takumi had always felt that the biggest difference between the writer of these rules and the writers of the previous two Instances lay in the tone. After all, whether it was Kyosei, Wilbur, or the staff of the Cave Research Base, none of them would have written rules in such a sickeningly coy manner, nor would they have played this kind of maliciously cute trick.
"No matter what, one thing is certain: for us right now, the Fujihana Middle School Instance still carries an extremely high level of danger. If we take being drawn into that place as a given premise, then we'll probably need to find ways to strengthen our own abilities. For example, perhaps we could try trading for some Obsession Items that suit us better?"
Maki pondered for a moment before offering that suggestion.
Takumi, who had been listening carefully to the girl's proposal, nodded seriously. Then he suddenly snapped back to his senses and realized something was off.
Wasn't I out shopping with Maki? Wasn't I supposed to be resting and relaxing? How did we end up talking and talking until we circled back to serious matters again? The ambiguous atmosphere we had finally managed to create just now—how did it vanish into thin air like that!?
"What's wrong? Why does your expression suddenly look so grim? Are you a little nervous?"
Maki, standing beside him, noticed the change in Takumi's expression and looked at him with some confusion as she asked.
"…No, it's nothing. I just realized only now that you're really quite serious."
Serious like one of those workaholics who voluntarily go into the office during holidays. Though, considering that we players have to risk our lives every month, it's not exactly the same as being a workaholic.
"What's that supposed to mean? That almost sounds like you're mocking me. I was seriously helping you analyze the rules, you know?"
Unaware of Takumi's inner thoughts, Maki frowned, her expression turning displeased.
"How could I be mocking you? I was just sighing with emotion, that's all. All right, all right—let's keep walking. For now, let's not think about these headache-inducing things. We finally came out to have some fun for once, and I'd rather cherish the time we get to spend alone together."
With a soft sigh, Takumi once again took Maki's hand. Speaking in a solemn tone, he gently pulled her forward and continued walking.
"Hey, wha—mm… you jerk… fine… do whatever you want…"
And Takumi's words once again made Maki blush bright red. She trembled for quite a while without managing to form a coherent sentence. In the end, she could only lower her head and let Takumi keep holding her hand as they continued walking forward.
At that moment, the twilight sunset stretched their shadows long across the ground. As their steps gradually drew closer together, the two elongated shadows slowly approached as well, until at last they merged into a single silhouette.
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