Obtaining three Twilight-level instance entry tickets for the same scene, ensuring the three of them could team up for their second mission and complete it in the same location—this was one of Gao Hai's team's strategic goals from the very beginning.
However, despite having this goal, actually pulling it off was bound to be extremely difficult. After all, Twilight-level entry tickets were in high demand, and many veteran players needed them. And three tickets for the same location were even more significant for these veterans.
So, when three Twilight-level instance entry tickets for the same location appeared at this moment, frankly, Gao Hai's first reaction was to wonder if he was being scammed.
"The other party chose a small shop in a bustling downtown area for the trade. The message came in around seven in the morning. Judging by their attitude, it seems that because you took care of the 'Woman-Face Gang,' a certain seller has taken an interest in us and decided to 'invest' in our team."
On the phone, Kaguya Shinomiya's voice replied coolly, tinged with a faint weariness. Although she hadn't participated in last night's conflict herself, it was clear the news had cost her a good night's sleep.
Since it was nearly midnight, Kaguya Shinomiya, bound by her family's strict curfew, couldn't leave the mansion. Instead, she chose to wake her personal maid and have her take the blood doll hidden in a box to support Maki. In the end, however, Maki had already successfully dealt with the two players who broke into her home before the support arrived. Consequently, the blood doll was returned to Gao Hai's possession, delivered personally by that same maid.
Speaking of which, that little blonde maid had quite a resentful look in her eyes at the time. After all, she knew nothing and was suddenly saddled with an urgent midnight delivery job by her master, only to inexplicably have the destination changed halfway through.
"I'll be there this time. The Shinomiya family won't have as much control over me in a busy downtown area."
As Gao Hai was pondering these bits and pieces, Kaguya Shinomiya's voice continued on the phone.
"Is that so? To be honest, you don't really need to be constrained by that Shinomiya family of yours anymore, do you? All the curfews and controls... it sounds pretty disgusting to me. With your current abilities, can those people really manage to control you?"
Gao Hai asked with some confusion as he finished making his bed.
"...The time isn't right yet. There are still a few things I haven't figured out. When it's time to act, I won't hesitate."
The girl's voice on the phone paused for a moment before she replied in a calm tone.
"Alright, I was just saying. Every family has its own problems. It's really up to you to handle things like this; I'm an outsider, so I won't offer any advice."
Even though they were only talking on the phone, Gao Hai still shrugged as if they were chatting face-to-face.
"Advice? If you truly have some advice, I'm willing to hear it, Gao-kun."
But, somewhat unexpectedly, this piqued Kaguya's interest. Just when she seemed ready to end the conversation, she continued it.
"Oh, are you sure you want to hear it? My advice is the crude kind you'd expect from a low-class person."
Now it was Gao Hai's turn to be surprised.
"Of course I want to hear it. Different people have different perspectives. It's possible my own thinking has become too narrow."
She's serious.
Gao Hai couldn't help but pause and think it over seriously.
"I see. Let me think... Judging by the way you talk about your family, it doesn't sound like you have a good relationship. In that case, why not just take out the management of the companies run by your brothers? First, announce who you're going to kill, then do it. After a few rounds of that, they'll know you're not to be trifled with."
Originally, he had wanted to suggest that Kaguya just eliminate her family for the greater good and kill her colossal idiot of an older brother, Shinomiya Oko, since he was her greatest enemy. However, for one thing, he hadn't actually known Kaguya for long in this world, and revealing plot details that only a manga reader would know would be hard to explain. For another, it was uncertain whether the current Kaguya was capable of directly harming her own blood relatives. So, he settled for the next best thing and suggested she target their centers of profit.
"...That advice is certainly simple and brutal. But what if they choose to retaliate against the people around me?"
This suggestion made Kaguya fall silent again for a moment before she posed another question.
"Who has more weak spots, you or them? Make a list of their subordinates and the people around them and send it over. Let them know that if they dare to make a move even once, you'll cross any line to kill every single person on it. Those guys will naturally know what choice to make. To put it bluntly, ever since we became players, we've been a bunch of desperados. The order of civilized society is already detached from us to some extent. Gambling with our lives, playing for keeps—that's our specialty. I don't think the people controlling you have the guts to fight you to the end on this."
With that said, Gao Hai walked out of his bedroom, washed up, killed some time puttering around the house, and then got dressed and headed out. He bought some bread at a nearby bakery for a quick breakfast and then set off for the destination.
Kaguya Shinomiya didn't say much after that, ending the conversation abruptly. Whether or not she would choose the 'filial piety' route or something similar, Gao Hai honestly couldn't predict. After all, Kaguya Shinomiya's development was now clearly diverging completely from the original story.
The morning sun was as bright as ever.
Unaware that two life-or-death battles had taken place in the city the night before, office workers and students continued with their daily lives.
Meanwhile, Gao Hai had arrived at the small shop. It looked like a teahouse, with many small rooms inside.
"Yes, I'm the guest who reserved the 'Flying Dragon in the Sky' room."
After a brief exchange with the clerk, he was led to the door of the corresponding room.
Gao Hai pushed the door open and entered. Kaguya and Maki were already seated on one side of a large table inside. In the corner on the other side of the table was Hitori Gotoh, who looked nervous and, in fact, was very nervous. At the same time, a girl with glasses, long brown hair, and golden eyes was also seated, offering a polite smile to the newly arrived Gao Hai.
"Hello, you must be Mr. Gao Hai? I'm Nanami Aoyama. I'm the player who organized this trade. Miss Gotoh is my friend. I hope we can all get along."
As she spoke, the young woman, who looked no older than twenty, stood up and gave Gao Hai a slight bow.
"Yes, hello, Miss Aoyama."
Gao Hai returned the greeting earnestly, though his mind was already racing, recalling information related to this character.
Nanami Aoyama, 158cm tall, from the work 'The Pet Girl of Sakurasou.' A very strong and independent girl who works hard at part-time jobs to pursue her dream of becoming a voice actress. Compared to the bizarre female characters in other anime works, this girl was, in a sense, more down-to-earth—approachable, modest, considerate, and methodical. She was the type of virtuous wife perfect for taking home.
Wait a second. Speaking of which, that house little Bocchi took him and Maki to before... the cat tag on the door was an orange cat. Could it be that it wasn't a cat at all, but a tag with the image of 'Torajiro,' which Nanami Aoyama was fond of?
Tsk, I didn't remember it at all back then. The anime adaptation of her series was from 2012; only true fans would remember such detailed settings. It was already impressive enough that he could recall various related details just by recognizing the character.
Speaking of which, seeing her capable and confident demeanor, could she be the one who led Hitori Gotoh through the instance? In the original story, she looked after the clueless Mashiro, and now she's looking after the severely socially anxious little Bocchi. What's with this strange motherly persona?
"Hey, hey, why are you staring at her?"
Maki, her expression showing some displeasure, lightly kicked Gao Hai under the table. To avoid getting dust on his pants, she even made sure to use the top of her foot.
"Ahem, it's nothing. Anyway, we're here to trade for the entry tickets, right? But honestly, I'm still confused. Why would someone offer something as important as three Twilight-level entry tickets for the same scene to newcomer players like us?"
Clearing his throat, Gao Hai's expression turned serious as he posed the question to Nanami Aoyama.
"You'll have to ask Mr. Ogawa about that. After all, he's the one who made the decision. I'm merely responsible for organizing this trade and acting as a witness. Ah, it seems he's here. The trade should be able to begin officially."
Nanami Aoyama said with a smile, and before Gao Hai and the others could notice anything, she had already turned her head towards the door. Only then did Gao Hai's group hear the approaching footsteps, followed by the door being slowly pushed open as a figure stepped into the room.
It was an old man, bald and stooped, who looked like a skeleton leaning on a cane.
The moment Gao Hai's eyes met the old man's, the man grinned, revealing a small black insect crawling quickly across his teeth before disappearing into his lips.
Holy shit, it's Matou Zouken!
"I don't know what you're thinking, but let me state this upfront: my name is Itsuki Ogawa, and I just turned 28 this year. I have to maintain this wretched old man's appearance because I use a parasitic insect-type Obsession Item. Please don't mistake me for some kind of villain just because I look a bit strange."
Gao Hai had just made that snide remark in his head when the old man shook his head and spoke, looking as if this kind of misunderstanding had happened many times before.
"Mr. Ogawa, why did you seek us out and want to sell us the entry tickets? You must know that as newcomers, it's impossible for us to have any high-value Obsession Items. I'd really like to know the reason for your decision."
Kaguya, unconcerned with the man's appearance, asked him directly.
"How could that be? Just obtaining the Obsession Items from the 'Woman-Face Gang' is enough to cover the payment, especially that 'Substitute Flesh.' You managed to get one, didn't you? To think you even got 'Old Ghost Guo's' faceless head... I can't even imagine how you did it in the Shirakawa Apartments instance. Destroying a high-difficulty instance that was likely fixed at the Dim Night level, obtaining its blessing, and killing six veteran players, one of whom was the notorious Old Ghost Guo—such an achievement is more than enough for me, for the 'Market,' to want to recruit you. Your potential is simply too terrifying. At the very least, we must ensure we can be friends, not enemies."
Speaking in a slow, deliberate manner, the old man pulled out a chair and slowly sat down.
Was he watching yesterday's battle from the sidelines? Or did he use some other method to observe?
To know that Maki Shijo used the faceless head in the fight, he must have witnessed the entire process. This Itsuki Ogawa is connected to the organizers of the 'Market,' which means the 'Market' wanted to watch the tigers fight from a mountaintop, wait to see who won, and then step in to recruit them?
A choice like that is understandable.
But frankly, it was more than a little unpleasant.
"So it's an investment, is that right? In that case, what location are the entry tickets you're giving us for?"
Gao Hai's tone didn't change as he looked at the man and asked.
"America. Red Nut Gray Hole. It's an unfixed, low-difficulty Twilight-level instance. I have exactly three tickets."
The old man let out a somewhat hoarse laugh, then held out his hand. Three crumpled tourist tickets immediately appeared in it.
________________________________________
If you want more chapters, please consider supporting my page on Patreon. with 40 advanced chapters available on Patreon
patreon.com/Ms_Medusa