Drip—
A cold drop of water landed on Gao Hai's nose.
He opened his eyes, but his vision was filled with darkness; he couldn't see a thing.
There was a scent of sand and rock.
The air was slightly damp.
Drip—
The clear dripping sound echoed, as if he were in some kind of cave.
Where is this?
His consciousness felt hazy and muddled.
He pushed himself up from the ground and stood straight.
Then he saw a faint light glowing in the distance.
The uneven rock walls were illuminated by the light, which also revealed a large box, a meter high and wide, at the base of the wall next to the light source.
Gao Hai reached out in the dark, touching the rock wall beside him.
This was a cavern.
An incredibly gloomy, pitch-black cavern, its depth beneath the earth unknown.
This wasn't where he was supposed to be.
Not the cave entrance where he should have normally appeared at the start of this instance, nor the scenic area entrance outside.
So, something had gone wrong.
And so he realized that he had likely encountered the worst possible scenario.
He opened his mouth.
Gao Hai wanted to curse.
But before he could get the words out, a sharp, piercing sound overwhelmed his hearing.
Bzzzz—
Gao Hai lost control of his body.
As if the pause button had been pressed, his entire body froze in place, able to do nothing but listen to the grating noise and the strange voice that followed.
[Welcome to the Sacrificial Game]
[Player Gao Hai, this is the second game you have participated in. Game Level: Twilight]
[Your clearance condition is: Reach the true surface]
[The time limit for this game is: Fifteen days]
[Game hints will now be issued. Please be sure to use them well]
[Hint 1: Those who would usurp a divine seat will reap what they sow and find no rest]
[Hint 2: The proof of the covenant remains valid to this day]
[Hint 3: The memories of the lost guide an unquenchable fire]
[Hint 4: The obvious truth must be kept unspoken]
[Hints complete. We wish you success in this game, that you may approach the throne that witnesses the end]
These were not the hints he was supposed to hear.
They were completely different from the game hints provided in the intel file.
Gao Hai clearly remembered the four hints this instance was originally supposed to give players.
The original four hints should have been "The wandering phantoms repeat the past," "Unnecessary curiosity is a quality a tourist should have," "The actor for the final bow is not yet in place," and "This obsession is still gestating." The last one was a common hint for unfixed instances. But now, every single hint was different, a completely separate matter from the original intel. This could only prove one thing, something Gao Hai had realized a moment ago, something he desperately wished hadn't happened.
This instance was already in the process of[fixing].
Why?
Encountering a[fixing]instance for the first tutorial level could be considered bad luck. For the second instance to also be[fixing]was absolutely not normal. No matter how unlucky he was, he shouldn't run into[fixing]instances twice in a row, right?
Or... is this related to me? Is something wrong with me?
Gao Hai took a deep breath, regulated his emotions, and tried to calm his mind. Then he reached back and felt his backpack, sighing in slight relief when he touched it.
Everything was there.
But he heard no one else's voice.
Were they separated?
With this thought, Gao Hai started walking, cautiously moving through the pitch-black cavern toward the light.
Based on his experience in the Shirakawa Apartments and messages from other players on the forums, even if an instance was[fixing]and had the potential to scale up in difficulty, the beginning usually wasn't absurdly hard. There was still time for players to assess their surroundings and find a rules sheet, at the very least.
Complaining about the current situation was pointless.
Gao Hai knew full well that a player's life was a gamble with death, and having the ability to rewind and restart already made him far luckier than most.
So the most important thing to do now was to confirm the current rules of this place, find a way to survive, and then rendezvous with Maki and Kaguya to find a way out of this bizarre location together.
He didn't walk quickly.
In the complete darkness of the cavern, it was difficult for Gao Hai to make out the terrain. The cave was clearly a natural formation, its path largely unmodified, full of pits and rises. A single careless step could lead to a stumble.
It was only because Gao Hai's physical condition now far surpassed that of an ordinary person that he could advance with only the faint light in the distance to guide him.
As for why he didn't take a flashlight from his backpack, Gao Hai felt that since players started in a dark environment, it was better not to rashly create light and change the surroundings before confirming the relevant rules.
After all, he had no idea if something was following him in this cave.
It didn't take long to approach the area with the light.
Gao Hai found that it seemed to be a searchlight. It should have been a high-power, high-brightness type, but perhaps because it had been on for too long, the battery was almost dead, making its light rather dim.
The searchlight was placed flat on the box at the base of the rock wall. The box itself was a large, waterproof container that didn't appear to be locked and could be opened easily.
As he walked up to the searchlight, Gao Hai noticed a sheet of printed paper pinned beneath it, with quite a bit of writing on it.
Is this the rules sheet for this start?
I hope it's not an outdated set of rules like at the Shirakawa Apartments.
With this thought, Gao Hai reached for the edge of the paper. Just then, he heard footsteps and a girl's soft muttering from nearby.
"Ugh... what in the world is going on?"
It sounded a bit familiar. Someone he knew?
Gao Hai turned his head and saw the person step into the illuminated area, appearing right before his eyes.
"Hey, hey, isn't that Gao-kun who locked me in the ramen shop?"
Before Gao Hai could speak, the girl covered her mouth in surprise.
Long pink hair.
A black ribbon.
Her school uniform couldn't hide her fine figure and full curves.
Chika Fujiwara, the playful and cute girl, had reunited with Gao Hai.
Reunited with him once more in this deadly world of rules-based horror stories.
"Should I say you're unlucky, or that you got dragged into this because of me?"
Not expecting such a coincidence, Gao Hai couldn't help but shake his head as he spoke. Under the girl's confused gaze, he pulled out the printed sheet and unfolded it in the searchlight's beam.
"Gao-kun, um, where is this place? I was just taking a nap, why am I here?"
Not understanding what Gao Hai was talking about, Chika Fujiwara wasn't yelling energetically like the original character Gao Hai knew. Although she sometimes seemed a bit ditsy, Chika was clearly no fool. The dark, eerie cave and the grave expression on the man's face clearly told her she was in trouble—very big trouble.
"Be quiet. After I finish reading these rules, I'll give them to you. You'd better memorize them after you read them. I just want to get out of here alive, so as long as you don't hold me back, I don't mind helping so we can clear this together. For now, just be quiet."
Facing the girl's anxiety, Gao Hai just waved a hand and spoke casually, immediately turning his attention back to the paper.
Drip—
Under the dim light, the dripping sound echoed from the darkness beyond the beam.
And Gao Hai's gaze had already fallen on the title of the printed sheet.
[Red Nut Gray Hole Explorer Regulations - Class One]
Class One regulations? What does that mean? Are the rules categorized this time?
A more ominous premonition growing in his heart, Gao Hai sped up his reading.
[Welcome to Red Nut Gray Hole, a locally famous cave attraction with a variety of unique sights. As you've come here to explore, you must be prepared for all manner of challenges. The following are explorer regulations compiled by the park. For your own safety, please be sure to comply, or you will be responsible for the consequences]
[1. Please wear complete explorer equipment, including a caving suit, protective gloves, a safety helmet, a headlamp, knee pads, elbow pads, and protective footwear. For footwear, you may choose hiking boots or high-top rain boots. Please remember that you are an explorer; you should carry comprehensive and safe exploration equipment. This is a basic requirement for any qualified explorer]
[2. The Great Slide is a slope approximately 160 meters long with a 70-meter drop from start to finish. The park has installed a safety rope here connecting the top and bottom. You may grip the rope to climb, but if the rope shakes noticeably or feels like it's being grabbed by someone else, please let go immediately. Wait until the rope stops shaking before gripping it again]
[3. The pulley area at the Great Cliff has been closed and is no longer available for tourist use. If you see staff members in the pulley area, please ignore them and use the vertical safety ropes to ascend or descend the cliff. If staff members interfere with you, no matter what they ask, only answer that you are an explorer. Do not give any other answer]
[4. Occasionally, firefighters and rescue personnel will appear in the exploration area. False alarms often attract them here. Do not make contact with them. If unavoidable, tell them you are not an explorer; you are a tourist]
[5. Confirm you are an explorer. You are an explorer]
[6. The Blood Vessel is the narrowest exploration area in this attraction, with a total length of 230 meters. When exploring this area, ensure you are crawling through a natural cave with no signs of artificial construction. If not, please find a fork in the path or retreat as quickly as possible. Do not call for help]
[7. In narrow areas where you cannot turn around, you are an explorer on your own. You have no companions. If you do, you are not with them at this moment]
[8. Sounds such as crying, talking, and scraping heard inside the cave are normal natural phenomena and should be ignored. However, if you hear the sound of many people arguing, please get away as quickly as possible]
[9. The Blood Vessel has no forks]
[10. You are an explorer who has come to explore Red Nut Gray Hole. You have no other identity. Do not state an identity you do not possess, and do not ask others about any identity other than explorer]
[11. The path from the Blood Vessel to the Turning Point to the Pillar Plaza to the Great Space is a single, one-way road. There is no second fork. If you see more than one path, return the way you came]
[12. The safety rope in the Artery connecting the Heart to the Great Space is damaged. Do not grab it while moving forward, especially if you are already lost]
[13. To ensure explorer safety, many supply boxes have been placed in the Red Nut Gray Hole exploration area. They contain food and basic exploration gear, which you can use to resupply and replenish your energy at any time. Please ensure you are an explorer]
[14. When crawling through narrow areas, you should pass through as quickly as possible to avoid hindering other explorers. Speaking in such areas is a waste of energy and should be avoided. Do not answer questions from people behind you, and do not ask questions of explorers in front of you]
[15. You should reach the Heart. As an explorer, you ought to reach the deepest part of Red Nut Gray Hole. After reaching the Heart, please return to the surface as quickly as possible. The air circulation in the underground area is poor, and too many explorers should not linger for long]
[16. It is inevitable for explorers to get injured during an expedition. Do not be surprised by any injured explorers you see, no matter how unbelievable their injuries are. Remain calm. Do not ask others about any abnormalities on their bodies. Do not communicate with these explorers. If you have already started a conversation, please end it quickly and do not discuss matters related to the other person]
[17. Some performance artists enjoy wearing strange clothing in the cave, such as soldier uniforms, yellow-striped uniforms, rescuer outfits, lab coats, blood-stained dresses, etc. These are mental patients who have wandered into the park. Please do not make contact with them. If you encounter them, flee as quickly as possible. Remember, you are just an explorer; there is no need to get entangled with these people]
[18. The firefighters and rescue team members in the area above the Great Slide entrance are trustworthy, as long as they insist on their identity. People who are vague about their identity and cannot explain it are not trustworthy. Do not communicate with them]
[19. The exploration attraction of Red Nut Gray Hole is a single path with no forks. Therefore, after completing one tour, you will have seen all the sights. There is no need to come again. As an explorer, you have no interest in revisiting sights you have already seen, so after completing the tour, you will not want to come back again]
[The above are the basic regulations that explorers of Red Nut Gray Hole must follow. We trust that with this guide, you will have an unforgettable cave exploration journey. After all, you are an explorer, and this is what explorers need]
This was completely different from the rules sheet Gao Hai had read at the Shirakawa Apartments. This time, the rules seemed closer to the articles in the rules-based horror stories he'd seen online.
No annotations, no obvious traces left by previous survivors.
Beneath lines of seemingly normal text was a sense of grotesqueness that was impossible to ignore.
"Your turn."
Gao Hai maintained a calm expression. He glanced at the girl again, confirming with his Blessing that she was human and bore him no ill will. Then, he handed the rules sheet he had finished reading and memorized to Chika Fujiwara.
"Eh, so fast? Wait, what is this thing?"
The completely bewildered girl was about to say something when Gao Hai grabbed her hand and somewhat roughly shoved the rules sheet between her fingers.
"Read it. Memorize it. The faster, the better. This isn't a playhouse. If you want to live, cut the crap."
Gao Hai's voice was cold, carrying a sense of authority that Chika had only ever encountered from her elders.
So she quieted down and looked at the text on the paper. Although she still didn't understand what was happening, her instincts told her something was wrong, and the girl did her best to memorize the strange rules sheet.
Thump—
Footsteps sounded from the darkness.
Gao Hai raised his head, looking into the darkness ahead.
The next moment, he pulled Chika's arm, took a slight step back, and after telling her, "Don't talk in a moment," he turned to face the direction of the sound, on high alert.
"Hello there. Are you explorers here, too?"
A figure stepped into the light, revealing the face of a young Caucasian man.
"...We are all explorers."
After a brief silence, Gao Hai stared at the man and replied.
"If you're all explorers, why aren't you wearing any gear? That's not good, is it?"
The man asked curiously, a hint of confusion on his face.
"Our gear broke. We were just about to change into our spares here."
As he spoke, Gao Hai took off his backpack, unzipped it, and revealed the helmet, elbow pads, searchlight, and other exploration gear inside.
"Oh, I see. You really have to take good care of your gear. Where are you guys from?"
The young Caucasian man showed a look of understanding before asking another question.
"We are explorers."
But Gao Hai simply repeated his answer, glancing at Chika to warn her again not to speak.
"Alright then. Interested in traveling together? I'm pretty bored on my own here."
The man laughed, scratching his head as he asked curiously.
"Not interested. You can go. We don't want to talk anymore."
Gao Hai's tone grew even colder, bordering on rude.
"That's a pretty bad attitude... ah well, whatever. Have fun. There are quite a few tourists exploring today."
The man wiped the blood from between his fingers on his pants, shrugged, and turned to leave.
At that moment, Chika wanted to say something, to understand what was going on.
But before she could speak, Gao Hai, who had been watching her, clapped a hand over her mouth, stopping the dazed girl's words from escaping.
He also smothered the scream that was about to erupt from her throat.
Gurgle—
A viscous, dark red liquid mixed with white tissue flowed down from a hole in the back of his head.
The man who was walking away with his back to them... the entire back of his head had been blown open. They could see the shattered, caved-in skull and the mangled brain tissue within.
Gurgle—
It looked like a bowl of stirred mapo tofu.
As the man moved, it wobbled gently, occasionally spilling out and falling to the ground.
Only after seeing the wound, the blood, this most direct and visceral sight, did the unbearable stench finally reach their nostrils.
Chika's body began to tremble slightly.
Her eyes widened, and she subconsciously clutched the hem of her clothes, unable to hide her fear.
But Gao Hai was just silent, an unsurprised silence.
Before the man had walked out of the darkness, before he had come up to them and spoken, Gao Hai had already realized—had understood from the intense stimulus of his Blessing—what kind of thing was approaching.
Not until the man's back had completely disappeared into the darkness, not until he was beyond Gao Hai's perception, did he release his hand from Chika's mouth. Then he spoke in a low voice:
"I hate horror games with short safe periods at the start."
________________________________________
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