Contact

The floating islands began to settle as the group completed the final trial of the stage. The gate in front of them opened with a resounding click, revealing a path that led to a grand chamber filled with pulsing lights and strange symbols.

As they prepared to explore the new area, Yuuto's communicator suddenly buzzed. The unexpected noise startled the group, and Yuuto quickly retrieved the device from his new gear's utility pocket.

"Is that a message?" Aya asked, her eyes widening with curiosity.

Yuuto checked the device, and his eyes went wide. "It's from Rika!"

The screen flickered to life, showing Rika's face. She looked tired but relieved. "Yuuto! Can you hear me?"

"Rika! We can hear you," Yuuto said, his voice filled with relief. "Where are you? How did you manage to contact us?"

Rika glanced around, making sure no one was watching her. "Miki and I have found a temporary shelter in what seems to be an abandoned research facility. It's hidden away in a remote part of the game world. We've managed to avoid detection for now."

Yuuto's face brightened. "That's great news! We've been searching for any signs of other survivors. What's your situation like?"

Rika's expression grew serious. "The facility is relatively safe, but we're running low on supplies. We've encountered several hostile creatures and traps while trying to scavenge for resources. We need your help to secure the area and find a way to gather more supplies."

Miki's face appeared on the screen, and she gave a small wave. "Hi, everyone. We're glad to hear you're okay. We've set up some basic defenses, but we could really use reinforcements."

Yuuto nodded decisively. "Understood. We'll make our way to your location as soon as possible. Do you have any idea how to get there?"

Rika looked thoughtful for a moment. "We have a map of the area. I'll send it to you now. Be careful—there are dangerous creatures and traps along the way. We've had to fight off several attacks already."

As Rika transmitted the map, Yuuto examined it closely. The route to their location was complex, winding through various hazards and obstacles. "Got it. We'll follow this route and stay in touch."

Professor Yagami joined the conversation. "We'll need to prepare for the journey. The map shows a number of potential threats, so we should gather as much information and supplies as we can before we head out."

The group quickly gathered their gear and made final preparations. With the map in hand, they set out towards Rika and Miki's location, navigating through the new stage's challenges with their enhanced outfits and abilities.

As they made their way through the treacherous terrain, they encountered a series of obstacles—hidden traps, hostile creatures, and environmental hazards. The new gear they had acquired proved invaluable, allowing them to handle the challenges with greater efficiency.

Along the way, they encountered a few smaller groups of hostile creatures, which they managed to defeat with their newfound skills. The journey was exhausting, but the thought of reuniting with Rika and Miki kept their spirits high.

After several hours of travel, they reached the outskirts of the abandoned research facility. The building loomed ahead, a monolithic structure partially hidden by overgrown vegetation and debris.

Yuuto signaled for the group to halt. "We're close. Let's approach cautiously and see if Rika and Miki are still safe."

As they entered the facility, they were greeted by the sight of Rika and Miki waiting anxiously at the entrance. Their faces lit up with relief upon seeing the group.

"Thank goodness you're here," Rika said, her voice filled with gratitude. "We were starting to worry that something had happened to you."

Yuuto smiled. "We wouldn't have missed it. Let's get inside and start securing the area. We need to make sure everyone is safe and gather the supplies we need."

The group moved inside the facility, setting up defensive positions and starting to organize the supplies Rika and Miki had managed to gather. The building provided a temporary reprieve from the dangers of the outside world, and they took the opportunity to rest and regroup.

As they settled in, Yuuto couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of hope. Reuniting with Rika and Miki was a significant milestone, and with their combined resources and knowledge, they were better equipped to face the challenges ahead.

The facility's interior was filled with old research equipment and files, offering potential clues about the game world and its mechanics. As they explored, they hoped to uncover more information that could aid them in their quest for escape.

With their newfound allies by their side and a clearer path ahead, the group prepared to face the next stage of their journey, ready to tackle whatever challenges the game world would throw at them.