Instance entry ticket.
This was the first time Gao Hai had seen one of these things—an item that could be considered a necessity and hard currency for players.
Reaching out to touch it lightly, he felt a texture like sandpaper, yet with a hint of coolness.
It was clearly a real, tangible object, yet with a simple wave of his hand, the old man (age 28) made the old ticket, inscribed with the words [Red Nut Gray Hole Tourist Ticket], vanish from thin air and reappear in his own hand.
While touching the writing on the ticket, Gao Hai could faintly hear a voice, as if someone were reciting the words "Twilight-level instance entry ticket · Claustrophobia."
"Three tickets in total, all for the same location, and Twilight-level at that. If I were trading with someone else, I could get a massive profit from these three tickets. But now, I'm willing to lower the price to make a deal with you."
Holding the three entry tickets, Itsuki Ogawa said in a low voice.
"You said this is an unfixed instance?"
Instead of immediately discussing the price, Gao Hai frowned and asked first.
"That's right, unfixed. Therefore, the Core Obsession Item has not yet manifested. Instances at this stage are the easiest to clear. It's even possible to escape with all members alive, without any deaths."
Itsuki Ogawa chuckled again, then noticed Gao Hai's furrowed brow and quickly realized what he was worried about.
"If you're worried about the instance becoming fixed after you enter, you really don't need to be so pessimistic."
"An instance doesn't suddenly become 'fixed.' It's a gradual process, one that players can detect in advance."
"And according to feedback from players who participated in this instance last month, there are currently no signs of it becoming 'fixed,' so you can rest assured. Of course, I admit that some instances do become fixed suddenly, but such cases are extremely rare. To date, only three have been recorded on the player network. I trust you all won't be that lucky."
Laughing as he spoke, Itsuki Ogawa placed the three entry tickets on the table and made a gesture with open hands toward the trio.
"Is that so..."
Gao Hai really wanted to roast this old man. If he hadn't added that last part, he might have actually believed there was no problem. But after that final sentence, Gao Hai instantly felt like a flag had been raised—something like "After this battle is over, I'm going home to marry Maki"—and that their next mission was destined for major trouble.
"What do you want?"
Seeing that Gao Hai had no intention of saying more, Kaguya took over the conversation.
"We want the 'Woman-Face Gang's' 'Substitute Flesh.' Beyond that, you can trade two other Obsession Items of your choosing. One Obsession Item for one ticket, three Obsession Items for three tickets. The trade is that simple. Of course, we won't just give you the tickets; we'll also provide you with intelligence on this instance. I can assure you, this intel is all first-hand and brand new, guaranteed to help you clear it."
Itsuki Ogawa chuckled. If it weren't for the occasional insect crawling across his face, one might even say his elderly face had a somewhat kind and benevolent look.
Three Obsession Items, including the 'Substitute Flesh'?
Gao Hai fell into deep thought.
The items for the trade had clearly been decided from the start. Moreover, the three specific Obsession Items to be traded had, in fact, been predetermined.
Maki Shijo's fight with those two veteran players had been extremely perilous. The bloody deathmatch had left the two Obsession Items Maki recovered from them on the verge of losing control, which was one of the main reasons Gao Hai had to be the one to contain them. Add to that the 'Substitute Flesh,' an extremely bizarre Obsession Item that none of them wanted to keep, and it was safe to say Itsuki Ogawa's objective was crystal clear.
In that case, the only Obsession Items they'd actually gained from taking down the 'Woman-Face Gang' were the Blood Scissors, the Black Umbrella, and the Rotten Hand. Still, considering they hadn't paid much of a price, it wasn't a bad haul.
Gao Hai remained silent. Maki and Kaguya were both frowning in thought, unable to make a quick decision.
"I know you have many questions. Both that piece of flesh and those out-of-control Obsession Items are of great significance to us. I'll be direct: the origin of these Obsession Items in the 'Woman-Face Gang's' possession is highly problematic. Although we haven't found anything conclusive yet, it's certain that the way they obtained these items was not normal. Therefore, handing these troublesome things over to us is a win-win. Of course, if you insist on keeping them, be my guest. But in that case, you won't be getting these three tickets. The 'Market' doesn't haggle. My willingness to meet with you is, more importantly, due to the potential of the three of you."
Seeing the three of them hesitate, Itsuki Ogawa laid his cards on the table.
His attitude was perfectly clear. He was indeed interested in those three Obsession Items, but truthfully, they weren't worth three Twilight-level entry tickets for the same scene—not even if you tripled the price. Therefore, if these three young people were going to drag things out and haggle, there was no need for him to continue the trade. After all, the party with the real need was Gao Hai's group; they were the more desperate ones.
Kaguya and Maki couldn't make an immediate decision. They hesitated, still somewhat wanting to try and negotiate further.
Gao Hai, however, after a brief silence, chose to turn his gaze to Nanami Aoyama, who had been observing the whole time.
"Miss Aoyama, as the witness to this trade, can you guarantee its fairness?"
He asked slowly, his tone very serious.
"Of course. Mr. Itsuki Ogawa has managed the Tokyo trading area with great fairness for the past six months. I have also confirmed the items he is offering today beforehand; there are no issues."
In response to Gao Hai's question, Nanami Aoyama answered with equal seriousness.
Having received such an answer, Gao Hai didn't hesitate. He nodded directly at Itsuki Ogawa and then took the Obsession Items out from his watch.
From Itsuki Ogawa's unsurprised expression, Gao Hai knew that his watch, which could store Obsession Items, had already been exposed. He just still didn't know when they had started watching him, or what method they used to observe him without being detected.
Could it be insects?
"Hai-kun..."
Maki hadn't expected Gao Hai to be so decisive and subconsciously called out in a small voice.
"It's fine. His attitude is clear enough, so we can't be too petty either. But I'd still like to ask first, what specific information on the instance can you provide?"
Placing the Substitute Flesh and the two nearly out-of-control Obsession Items on the table, Gao Hai turned back to reassure Maki before facing Itsuki Ogawa again to ask his question.
"The map, information within the instance, and the method to clear it."
As the old man spoke, the three entry tickets materialized in his hand once more.
A strange sense of connection linked Gao Hai and the other man at that moment. He vaguely seemed to hear the other man say something like [Agree to Transfer], and then he found an entry ticket in his hand. And this time, in his perception, the ticket seemed to be connected to him, capable of appearing and disappearing at his will, and could be instantly recalled no matter the distance.
If there were entry tickets shaped like banknotes... no, no, better not to have such weird thoughts.
The three Obsession Items were grabbed by some invisible force, moved to Itsuki Ogawa's side, and swallowed by the shadows on the table.
Immediately after, a file was pushed in front of the trio.
[Red Nut Gray Hole Instance Intelligence File:]
[I. Clear Method]
[Role-play as tourists and a tour guide. Enter from the entrance area and follow the tour route: Entrance -> Gentle Slope -> Plains -> Grand Plaza -> Plains -> Stone Forest Path -> Entrance. By touring the entire Red Nut Gray Hole in this order, you can leave the instance normally. The current shortest clear record is 2 hours and 25 minutes.]
[Note 1: Do not approach the Great Slide. The tourists you are role-playing as will only operate in the sightseeing area. You are playing as ordinary tourists without an exploration permit, and you have no interest in attractions like the Great Slide that are not open to the general public.]
[Note 2: Do not look at any maps inside the cave, especially the complete map of Red Nut Gray Hole that includes non-tourist areas.]
[Note 3: Ignore anyone who asks for your help and wants you to go to the Great Slide. Ignore them.]
[Note 4: Ignore anyone who strikes up a conversation with you and asks for directions. If you are blocked and cannot leave, you can tell the person to ask the staff at the entrance.]
[Note 5: Do not discuss any topics involving words like "crowded," "narrow," or "claustrophobia" within the instance. It is best to remain quiet and just sightsee for the entire duration. You know you're not really here for sightseeing, so don't overact.]
[Note 6: The player acting as the tour guide may directly reprimand anyone who obstructs them, using the excuse "Don't interfere with my work." Violence may be used if necessary.]
[Note 7: It is best for the player acting as the tour guide to provide an introduction at each scenic spot. This file includes a Red Nut Gray Hole tourist brochure at the end, compiled from the memories of players who have cleared it. This can be used as a reference.]
[Note 8: If you encounter people in soldier uniforms during the tour, please evade them immediately. Do not make contact with them.]
[Note 9: If you encounter people in yellow uniforms during the tour, please evade them immediately. Get away from their area as quickly as possible.]
[Note 10: If you encounter a tour group consisting of multiple people during the tour, any player who can evade should do so as quickly as possible, avoiding their area. After confirming evasion, select a second player to act as the tour guide.]
[Note 11: If you learn what is behind the Great Slide and manage to leave this instance alive, do not come back.]
[II. Red Nut Gray Hole Map]
[III. Red Nut Gray Hole Tourist Guidebook, as Recalled by Players]
[Dear visitors, welcome to Red Nut Gray Hole, an ancient hydrothermal cave with millions of years of history. It is like spring here all year round, warm in winter and cool in summer, and features a variety of unique landforms passed down from ancient times. This guide will lead you to explore the various attractions of the cave. We hope you have a wonderful experience.]
[1. Entrance]
[The entrance to Red Nut Gray Hole has undergone multiple artificial renovations and can now be accessed via a specially constructed staircase. Please note that the stairs are steep. Do not play or fool around at the entrance to avoid slipping and falling.]
[After entering Red Nut Gray Hole from the entrance, you will arrive at a grotto with multiple natural levels. From here, you will officially enter Red Nut Gray Hole. Please do not climb over the railings or go into the areas behind the cordon. Those are areas where tourist development is incomplete. This scenic area is not responsible for any accidents that occur from entering recklessly.]
[2. Gentle Slope]
[When you set out from the entrance and reach the fork in the road, you will see two different paths. If you choose the path on the right, you will arrive at the 'Gentle Slope' area of Red Nut Gray Hole.]
[This is a tunnel about 120 meters long. The overall height of the tunnel is quite high, with the lowest point being 220cm, so taller visitors do not need to worry about their foreheads.]
[The terrain here rises and falls, and you will constantly be going uphill and downhill. But don't worry, the slopes here are mostly very gentle, and we have built various handrails and benches. You can proceed slowly here and enjoy this naturally formed cave passage.]
[Additionally, please note that although most of the slopes on the Gentle Slope are quite gentle, there is a fissure in the middle section of this tunnel. This fissure is over 300 meters deep. Please do not climb over the railings. If you, having signed the liability waiver, get trapped in this fissure, you will have to pay for your own rescue and compensate this tourist area for any losses.]
[3. Stone Forest Path]
[At the fork near the entrance, if you choose to take the path to the left, you will arrive at the 'Stone Forest Path' area of Red Nut Gray Hole.]
[This path is about 150 meters long. The path is relatively narrow and low, with low stalagmite structures in many places. Taller or larger visitors are advised to be careful when passing through this section.]
[The Stone Forest Path is a gentle trail with an abundance of stalagmite and stalactite structures, like a forest sculpted from rock, full of unique natural beauty. We have set up several viewing platforms along this path for you to take pictures. Please do not climb over the railings or damage the stalagmite structures.]
[4. Plains]
[Exiting from either the Gentle Slope or the Stone Forest Path, you will arrive at the 'Plains' area of Red Nut Gray Hole.]
[This is the largest area inside Red Nut Gray Hole, a naturally formed rock cavity. It is said that three hundred thousand years ago, this area was completely submerged in water. You can see many unique cave landforms here, and we believe you will have a wonderful experience.]
[We have also set up some simple benches and stone stools for you to rest here. Additionally, please do not litter here. Cleaning inside the cave is very troublesome, and we hope you can appreciate the hard work of our staff.]
[5. Grand Plaza]
[Continuing forward from the Plains, you will reach the final area of the Red Nut Gray Hole tourist zone, the 'Grand Plaza' area.]
[This area is a slightly undulating flat ground with several large stone pillars, making it an excellent place to tour and rest. At the edge of the plaza, there is water seeping down from a lake. Please do not drink it.]
[Although this area is deep within Red Nut Gray Hole, due to the cave's own structure, cool breezes often blow through, making the temperature here extremely pleasant. If you are visiting the cave in winter, please make sure to stay warm before going deep into this area.]
[IV. Detailed Records from Players Who Have Cleared the Instance]
...
There was quite a lot of information in the file. Besides the basic summary at the beginning, there were also notes and experiences left by various players who had cleared the instance.
If Gao Hai had to describe this file, he could only say it felt like he was playing a tutorial level that walked you through the entire process step by step. Especially when he remembered the terrible experience of his first instance, the Shirakawa Apartments, he felt an urge to burst into tears.
So this is what a Twilight-level instance is like?
So this is what it feels like to have support from reliable veteran players?
"This information was bought with players' lives. I hope you will cherish it. The 'Market' will remember the friendly attitude you've shown here. If you run into any trouble in the future, you can come to me for consultation. I'm optimistic about your future."
With that, Itsuki Ogawa stood up to leave, bidding farewell to the group.
"Well then, we should be going too. Cherish this easy experience. Good luck and stay alive."
Nanami Aoyama quickly left with Hitori Gotoh, but not before offering some words of encouragement to Gao Hai's trio.
"An easy experience, huh?"
Gao Hai muttered to himself, not saying the rest of his thoughts out loud to avoid jinxing it.
As long as the instance isn't fixed, its difficulty won't change, and it will remain a simple mission with basically no real challenge.
As long as this instance... isn't 'fixed,' and the core Obsession Item doesn't manifest...
With the clicking sounds of a camera shutter, Maki and Kaguya photographed every page of the file. Gao Hai, frowning at a slight sense of unease in his heart, was responsible for taking the physical file back. Now, before the mission began, it was time for the three of them to prepare for this easy-difficulty instance.
At least, that's what Maki herself was thinking at the moment.
Before she saw Kaguya call out to Gao Hai as he was about to leave, that was what she thought.
"Gao-kun, are you busy today? If not, could you accompany me somewhere this afternoon?"
Until Kaguya, who had almost never invited anyone out before, called out to Gao Hai and proposed they do something together, Maki hadn't thought much of it.
"Huh? Great-Auntie, what are you talking about?"
"Oh, did you need something from me?"
Maki's voice rang out even a fraction of a second before Gao Hai's. Before he could turn his head to ask Kaguya what she wanted, Maki had quickly stepped in front of him, looking at Kaguya with the wary expression of a kitten.
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