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

Kaguya glanced at Takami, paused for a moment in thought, and then slowly spoke.

She was still a little shaken up; having a basin of boiling water suddenly poured on the person next to her was a bit too much of a shock.

Seeing that Gao Hai didn't react much even when he was suffering such pain, and that he used his obsession object to save himself in a series of orderly actions, Kaguya couldn't help but feel uncomfortable because she felt that if she reacted more emotionally, she would be looked down upon. Therefore, she forcibly kept her expression calm and maintained her usual indifferent attitude.

"Who knew this thing would be so unreasonable? Just because you 'know' about it, you get attacked. It's really troublesome. However, it's not all bad news. Since Miss Shinomiya wasn't attacked when she entered 304, it means she should have a chance to explore that place normally. If we're careful, we might be able to use this to turn the tide."

Gao Hai, lying there like a do-or-die person, sighed and chewed on a chocolate bar, using the sweetness to fight off the pain in his body.

He could now vaguely sense that something was watching him.

Without actually browsing the relevant information or directly observing the taboo content, he clearly possessed memories related to the taboo. This led to increasing attention being paid to Gao Hai, yet it didn't immediately put him into the most dangerous phase, somewhat like the slow boiling of a frog. Yes, he meant the kind of boiling method where a frog is tied up and slowly boiled.

"Since you're injured, rest well and don't talk too much. In any case, for the next exploration, it will be just me and my great-aunt. I never imagined that the younger generation of the Shinomiya and Shijo families would have to entrust their backs to each other in a place like this."

As she said this, Maki sat down on a small wooden stool next to Takahashi. She first observed Takahashi's condition and, after confirming that he was alright, turned to Kaguya to discuss the next steps.

In the hallway, Sun Dajun was still repairing the broken lock on the door of apartment 204. He had already finished it once, but due to the clock's rewind, he now had to redo his work. Meanwhile, Green, who was forced to take on the guard duty again, was yawning listlessly. In contrast, Mamel was quite excited; this was his first real experience with supernatural power, and he was secretly thrilled. If it weren't for the need to avoid making too much noise and attracting any bad influences, he might have already launched into an impromptu rap.

Carefully, Maeda Miwa brewed three cups of tea using tea leaves she found in Grimm's room, placed them on the table in the living room, and then obediently stepped aside. Although she was a bit of a simpleton, this woman at least knew not to make things worse if she couldn't help, so she remained quiet.

Kaguya began recounting her experiences on the third floor to Maki (omitting her intimate moments with Takami), outlining various precautions beforehand. Takami occasionally added his own thoughts, and in a sense, the three of them gradually summarized the basic rules for survival in the bizarre Shirakawa Apartment. However, unlike the past during the Void Rebirth era, where survivors wrote down their summaries to ensure they would help everyone, the three of them were merely analyzing and summarizing together. Of course, this was also related to the fact that even if they recorded the rules, no one else would need to use them.

"If only we could find 309 directly, I still feel we should try to get into 309. The situation at 304 still feels too dangerous..."

After the final discussion, Consort Zhen muttered something in a somewhat helpless tone.

“That’s impossible. The complex environment on the third floor doesn’t allow us to search any rooms other than 304. Only 304 is easy to find because we can use the direction of footsteps. Besides, 309 might indeed be a key point. We can be pretty sure that the man named Xusheng is dead inside. What if we do find 309, open the door, and he comes out to attack us, like the corpse in 201 who was guarding the door? Right now, we only have the key to 304 and the relevant information. Taking it one step at a time is the key.”

Kaguya disagreed, decisively rejecting Maki's suggestion. She stood up to stretch, ready to set off again.

"That's true, but anyway, let's set off in half an hour. Hopefully, we won't return empty-handed this time."

Zhenfei pursed her lips and turned her head away, saying nothing more.

Rescue team badges, blood-stained dolls, scalpels, and blood-stained keys.

Each of them had a scalpel, a badge, and the key was handled by Maki, while Kaguya was in charge of the blood doll. Because Takami was injured and unable to go, the two of them couldn't use the watch that could store their obsessions, so they had to carry these obsessions with them.

"Speaking of which, Haijun, are you really completely unaware of anything about this watch?"

After carefully putting away the object of her obsession in the backpack she had snatched from Lao Guo, Zhenfei looked at Gao Hai lying on the floor covered with a blanket (using the back of the relatively clean blanket on the bed), and after thinking for a moment, she still asked with some unease.

"I'd like to know what this thing is all about..."

Gao Hai shook his head helplessly. He genuinely had no idea what this thing was all about. Personally, he wished the watch was like a cheat code in a mindless wish-fulfillment novel, a super-powerful item whose origin he didn't need to care about. But after two saves, he knew very well that this thing definitely had a significant background, although even if he knew, there was nothing he could do about it.

"It's best not to let others know about this thing easily."

Kaguya then approached, bent down, and sat down next to Takami in the standard Japanese kneeling posture, then looked at him and spoke slowly.

"Although it's only the first contact, it's clear that simply possessing such an object of obsession can burden a person's mind, and your watch can store this dangerous item without any cost. If you encounter experienced players like those two from before, they might cut off your hand in an attempt to take it away."

Kaguya's words were quite straightforward.

Knowing perfectly well that what she said was true, Gao Hai could only nod slightly and say, "Thank you for the advice."

The idea of ​​someone taking a fancy to his watch and then robbing him, murdering him, or stealing it—I always thought that was something that only happened in novels. I never imagined that one day I would have to worry about something like that myself…

Gao Hai sighed helplessly to himself, but he was already aware of this possibility. He understood the principle that it was necessary to be mentally prepared and take precautions in advance.

In the following time, Maki and Kaguya began to make final preparations for the next operation, while Takahashi, who was somewhat bored and unhappy that he could not participate in the operation, took out the blood-red rag doll that he had not yet found a use for from his watch and started to play with it to pass the time.

This is a cherished item belonging to that old player who disguised himself as Maeda Miwa.

Thinking back to the last time this guy spent all his time in room 205, yet he was able to clearly know the clues they obtained and launch attacks at crucial moments, he must have a way of understanding the external situation. Thinking about it carefully, she most likely used this object of obsession. However, Gao Hai hadn't figured out its purpose since obtaining it; this thing didn't seem to be as convenient as other objects of obsession for testing functions.

Perhaps, like wearing an effective rescue team badge, it will also need to be activated in some special way.

Thinking this, Gao Hai turned the doll over and found a zipper on the back. He unzipped it and saw the cotton inside the doll soaked in blood.

After a brief moment of thought, he tore off a piece of the blood-stained bandage from his body, stuffed it into the doll, and then zipped it up.

The icy touch that followed sent a shiver down Gao Hai's spine.

This feeling... it's like I'm being held in the hand of some enormous person, and the perspective feels strange, like there are two different viewpoints... Wait, speaking of this touch, I can control the doll's movements and even perceive my surroundings through it?!

Having finally figured out the purpose of this thing, Takahashi couldn't help but show a surprised expression. He released the doll, and the rag doll that fell to the ground first disappeared briefly, then reappeared. Then Takahashi raised his hand, and the rag doll next to him also raised its hand, waving its arms together to attract the attention of Maki and Kaguya, who were preparing to set off.

"Hey ladies over there, wait a minute, can I share a ride with you?"

Chapter 50: This isn't called a dish, it's called each dish having its own strengths.

"It feels... weird."

Tie the doll to one of her ankles with a thin rope and attach it to the backpack strap. Maki turned her head and looked at the doll perched on her shoulder, its gaze fixed on the front. Then she turned to look at Takahashi beside her, her eyes suddenly becoming sharp.

"What's wrong? Is it uncomfortable hanging like this? How about we try hanging it on your backpack? But I'm afraid it would be difficult for me to control this doll."

Sitting on the ground with a serious expression, Gao Hai asked the question, his eyes filled with innocence.

"I just feel like something's not right... Never mind, let's go, Grandma. Haijun, this time I'll trouble you to be a good camera and early warning system, and keep me and Grandma alert to any dangers around us."

Although she had some doubts in her heart, Maki ultimately said nothing. She only gave Takami a final word of advice before setting off with Kaguya, who was waiting silently to the side, towards the third floor.

The crimson doll, controlled by Gao Hai, sat steadily on Zhen Fei's shoulder and moved forward with her.

For Gao Hai himself, it was as if he had a second perspective and a second body. He could clearly feel Maki's body through a thin layer of clothing, and he could clearly smell the shampoo scent of Maki's long brown hair. When he reached out and touched her shoulder, he could feel Maki's skin very delicately, just as if he were really touching it with his hand.

Wow, this seems pretty fun.

"I always feel like there's something amiss in this doll's eyes. Is it just my imagination, Hai-kun?"

The doll was then lifted up and forced to face Maki's brown-purple pupils.

Gao Hai manipulated the doll to shake its head repeatedly.

"Don't waste time."

Kaguya, who was walking ahead, turned around and said somewhat unhappily.

"I know, I know. Tsk, that's the downside of elders, they get anxious so easily."

Looking at the doll again, unable to discern its expression or make a sound, Maki reluctantly placed it back on her shoulder, unable to figure out what Takami, who was controlling the doll, was thinking, and continued on her way with Kaguya.

It's just a doll, so why do I have this strange feeling? Is it because Haijun is controlling it, and I subconsciously treat it as Haijun himself? Could this be a characteristic of this obsessive object?

Princess Zhenfei thought for a long time but couldn't come up with an answer, so she could only put the matter aside for the time being. Therefore, she didn't notice the strange action of the doll on her shoulder suddenly raising its head towards her hair and then suddenly lowering its head.

"Hiss-ha-"

Gao Hai let out a long inhale from the living room.

This is the first time in my life I've ever been able to smell a girl's hair without any restraint.

If he weren't injured and unable to move, Gao Hai would have even wanted to jump up and shout "Yay!"

However, let's focus on what's to come now.

Exploring the third floor is no easy task; one must be mindful of one's lewd thoughts in different situations and not let them interfere with important matters.

Gao Hai's expression quickly turned serious.

After Maki and Kaguya officially stepped into the stairwell and entered the third-floor area, he immediately suppressed all unhealthy thoughts and focused entirely on the task at hand, carefully monitoring each area.

Miwa Maeda, huddled on one side of the living room, was somewhat frightened.

She watched Gao Hai's expression shift from sudden ecstasy to rapture, then to instant indifference, and finally to a serious expression. He then sat down on the sofa, closed his eyes, and became deep and brooding, like a madman. It was truly terrifying to her.

Could this man be possessed by an evil spirit?

Because of the hallucinogenic drugs, Maeda Miwa's mind was already somewhat impaired. She trembled and tried to run out of the house, but then Takami noticed her movements, opened his eyes and stared at her, which frightened the woman so much that she didn't dare to move at all.

What's wrong with this clock-setting tool?

Gao Hai was puzzled and didn't quite understand what was going on with the other party.

However, he didn't pay too much attention to what was happening there. His focus was on Maki and Kaguya, who had already stepped onto the third floor.

"It's a complete mess. This kind of architectural structure shouldn't exist in the real world..."

Gazing at the upside-down table, chairs, and water glasses on the ceiling, Maki couldn't help but murmur a sigh.

"Indeed, it is a nightmare place after all. Be careful, and pay close attention to footsteps. The footsteps on the third floor are traces left by the former debt collectors. We must not let the footsteps detect us, but by following the direction of the footsteps, we can find the location of 304."

With this reminder, Kaguya took the first step, first passing through a winding corridor, then carefully peeking out from the corridor to observe her surroundings, and only continued forward after confirming that there was no danger.

Maki followed closely behind, warily watching out of Kaguya's blind spots. The two girls moved forward step by step through the completely distorted building.

"Front."

Kaguya suddenly said in a low voice.

Three porcelain dolls, walking side by side, emerged from a door not far ahead.

"it's here."

Maki spoke up immediately and took the lead. Kaguya followed without hesitation, and the two hid on a cabinet that Maki had already discovered and remembered.

"Walk."

After the dolls left, Kaguya immediately jumped down, and Maki landed steadily behind her. The two then continued forward.

After walking a short distance, Gao Hai noticed a doll silently approaching from behind and immediately patted Maki's neck. The doll quickly turned around, noticed the porcelain doll, and whispered to Kaguya, "Behind you!"

Then Kaguya quickly moved forward and led Maki to a cabinet that she had noticed during her investigation three seconds earlier.

Silently, Kaguya bent down slightly, jumped nearly two meters high, flipped herself onto the cabinet, and then stretched her hand behind her.

Almost simultaneously, Maki, who was following behind her, jumped up, grabbed Kaguya's outstretched hand, and landed smoothly on top of the cabinet. Her speed and fluidity left Takahashi, who was watching from the sidelines, dumbfounded and speechless.

"Hmm...it's a bit crowded..."

However, because the cabinet was so small, Kaguya and Maki had to hug each other, and the doll controlled by Takami "accidentally" fell between them, getting stuck and unable to move.

What exactly does this feeling feel like?

Sitting on the sofa, Gao Hai couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Sponge? Pillow?

It felt like being gently embraced.

It also has a slightly hot temperature to the touch.

But it doesn't seem to be very deep; there's still a slight feeling of bumping into something.