Chapter 49: Preparations to Be Made in Advance

Chapter 49: Preparations to Be Made in Advance

The sound of running water echoed as Shijo Maki washed her bloodstained hands. She then turned to look toward the kitchen doorway, where Takahashi Takakai lay on the floor.

The burns on Takakai's body had almost completely healed. The method was simple: repeatedly wearing and removing the rescue team's badge. The badge's effect of transforming a person into a rescue team member gradually healed the injuries and altered his body.

In a sense, this could be considered a unique use of Obsession that only Takakai could manage. Ordinarily, anyone repeatedly using an assimilating Obsession like this would quickly spiral into mental collapse, lose themselves, and become part of a horror story.

Alternatively, their body would enter an irreversible transformation stage. However, as long as Takakai's mind could endure, he managed to remove the badge before his body was fully assimilated, waited for the injuries to heal, and then repeated the process.

Even so, Takakai had his limits. Generally, he could only repeat this process three times within an hour. After that, he had to wait at least a day before using the rescue team's Obsession again. Otherwise, wearing the badge would lead to instant assimilation. No matter how strong his will was, his body was still human and subject to its limitations.

Shijo Maki assisted Takakai in removing the rescue gear created by the Obsession's effect. These items had a certain degree of connection to his body, so removing them inevitably tore some flesh. Still, compared to his initial full-body burns, these small tears were insignificant. At this point, Takakai's upper body was still wrapped in layers of bandages, and the act of bandaging him had left Shijo Maki's hands covered in blood.

"On the very first exploration, something like this happened. The danger level of the third floor is truly extreme."

After washing her hands, Shijo Maki returned to the living room. Looking at Takakai lying on the floor and Shinomiya Kaguya sitting on the sofa, she couldn't help but comment.

"The main problem likely lies with Takahashi-san himself. Based on his conjecture, knowing forbidden information that shouldn't be known makes him more vulnerable to attacks and injuries. From this perspective, Takahashi-san is indeed unsuitable for exploring the third floor. That place is already very close to the core of the anomaly, making it far more dangerous for him than for others."

Shinomiya Kaguya gazed at Takakai, pondered briefly, and then spoke slowly.

In truth, she had yet to fully calm down. Having a bucket of boiling water suddenly poured on someone beside her was truly shocking.

However, witnessing Takakai endure excruciating pain while remaining composed, taking a series of self-rescue actions in an orderly manner using the Obsession, Shinomiya Kaguya felt that overreacting on her part would diminish her own composure. Thus, she tried her best to maintain a steady expression, preserving her usual cold demeanor.

"Who would have expected something this absurd? Just knowing could lead to being attacked—how troublesome. But fortunately, it's not all bad news. If Shinomiya-san wasn't attacked when entering Room 304, it proves she might be capable of exploring that place safely. If we're cautious, perhaps we can use that as a breakthrough."

Lying down like someone who had given up on life, Takakai sighed and muttered while chewing on a chocolate bar to suppress the pain.

At present, he could vaguely feel something watching him.

He hadn't directly reviewed the forbidden information or observed its contents, yet he clearly had memories related to it. This increased the attention directed at him but didn't immediately push him into the most dangerous phase.

"Injured people should rest and stop talking so much. In short, for the next exploration, it'll just be me and oba-sama participating. Who would've thought that the younger generations of the Shinomiya and Shijo families would have to rely on each other in a place like this?"

Shijo Maki sat down on a small chair beside Takakai, checking his condition before turning to Shinomiya Kaguya to discuss their next steps.

In the hallway, Sun Dajun was still repairing the broken lock on Room 204's door. Initially, the work had been completed, but due to the wall clock running backward, he had to start over from scratch. Meanwhile, Green, who was once again assigned the role of guard, yawned in boredom. In contrast, Mameir seemed very excited. This was his first time truly experiencing supernatural power, and he was slightly exhilarated. If not for the fear of making noise and attracting unwanted attention, he might have freestyled a rap on the spot.

Maeda Miwa carefully brewed three cups of tea using tea leaves she found in Green's room and placed them on the living room table before quietly stepping aside. Though not particularly bright, she at least understood that if she couldn't help, the best thing she could do was avoid causing trouble. Thus, she remained silent throughout.

Kaguya began recounting her detailed experience on the third floor to Maki (omitting the 'intimate moments' with Takakai) while pointing out areas that required caution. Occasionally, Takakai added his own thoughts.

Together, the three gradually deduced the basic survival rules for navigating the strange Shirakawa apartment complex. However, this was different from Xu Sheng's time, when survivors documented the rules to help others. This time, the three only discussed among themselves, as no one else would need these rules.

"If only we could find Room 309 right away. I feel like we need to get inside there first—Room 304 is still too dangerous..."

As the discussion concluded, Maki muttered helplessly.

"That's impossible. The complex environment of the third floor doesn't allow us to search for rooms other than 304. Only Room 304 can be located using the sound of footsteps. Furthermore, even if 309 truly holds the key, it's almost certain that the man named Xu Sheng died inside. What if we open the door and he charges out to attack, like the corpse in Room 201? Right now, we only have the key and related information for Room 304. Taking it step by step is the best approach."

Kaguya firmly opposed Maki's suggestion. She stood up, stretched, and prepared to head out again.

"You're probably right… Fine, let's take a half-hour break. Hopefully, this time won't be a waste."

Maki pouted and turned away, saying nothing further.

The rescue team badge, the blood puppet, the scalpel, the blood key.

Each person carried one scalpel and one badge. Maki kept the key, while the blood puppet was entrusted to Kaguya. Since Takakai was injured and unable to participate, the clock, which could store Obsessions, couldn't be used. They were forced to carry the items with them.

"Speaking of which, Kai-kun, are you really clueless about this clock?"

After storing the Obsessions in the backpack taken from Old Guo, Maki turned to Takakai—who was lying on the floor wrapped in a clean blanket—and asked with visible concern.

"I wish I knew what this thing was..."

Takakai shook his head helplessly. He had no idea of its origin. Personally, he hoped the clock was like the overpowered items owned by main characters, but after experiencing two time reversals, he was certain this item wasn't so simple. Yet even if he knew more, he wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

"It's best not to let anyone else know about it."

Kaguya walked over, knelt in the formal Japanese manner, and looked at Takakai as she spoke slowly.

"Even with minimal contact, it's clear that just owning an Obsession places immense mental pressure. This clock can store them without any apparent cost. If we encounter veteran players like the two we saw before, they might chop off your hand to steal it."

Kaguya spoke bluntly. Takakai, fully aware of the truth in her words, could only nod slightly and respond with, "Thanks for the advice."

The thought of being robbed or killed for his "cheat" was something he had only encountered in novels, yet now it was a genuine concern...

Takakai sighed inwardly. He understood that some things required mental preparation beforehand.

Meanwhile, Maki and Kaguya were finishing their preparations for the upcoming operation. Left out of the action, Takakai felt both bored and frustrated. To pass the time, he retrieved the crimson doll—an Obsession belonging to the player who had impersonated Maeda Miwa—from the clock and began fiddling with it.

Reflecting on the previous loop, he recalled how this person had stayed inside Room 205 almost the entire time yet had clearly known about the clues they had collected and attacked at critical moments. She must have had a way to observe what was happening outside. On further thought, it was highly likely that the tool she used was this very Obsession.

Yet, since acquiring it, Takakai had not figured out how to use it. This item seemed different from other Obsessions, whose functions were relatively straightforward to test.

Perhaps, like the rescue badge, which required wearing it to activate, this doll also needed a specific method to function.

With that thought, Takakai turned the doll over and noticed a zipper on its back. He opened it and found that the stuffing inside was thoroughly soaked with dried blood.

After a brief moment of thought, he tore a piece of bloodstained bandage from his own body, stuffed it into the doll, and zipped it back up.

The instant his hand touched the chilling sensation, a shiver ran through his entire body.

This sensation... it felt as though he was being gripped by some enormous invisible hand. Moreover, his perspective shifted strangely, as if he had gained two simultaneous viewpoints... Wait, what was this feeling? Could he control the doll's movements and perceive his surroundings through it?!

Finally understanding how to use the item, Takakai couldn't suppress a delighted smile. He placed the doll on the ground. It fell and disappeared for a moment before reappearing. When he raised his hand, the doll beside him mirrored the motion, swaying its arm in unison.

The strange display immediately caught the attention of Maki and Kaguya, who were just about to head out.

"Hey, beautiful lady over there! Wait a second! Mind giving me a lift for a little bit?"