[Cough… cough…]
The low, intermittent sound came from behind the wall.
A man—middle-aged or older, likely 40s to 60s.
Another prisoner?
Kaguya edged closer cautiously.
[Who's there?]
She'd thought herself silent, but the figure immediately noticed, his tense voice followed by faint clinking chains.
She froze.
Her Blessing detected nothing—perhaps blocked by the wall. The chances of this being another player were slim. More likely, it was another apparition in disguise. One wrong word, and she'd be killed.
[Are you… also trapped here by those bastards?]
Receiving no reply, the man seemed to decide Kaguya was a comrade, continuing unprompted.
[I'm Howard… a firefighter. At least, I think I was.]
His voice wavered, disoriented.
[I don't know how long I've been here. Every day, locked away, going nowhere.]
[What's it like outside? Years must've passed… Do you know about X City Fire Department?]
[And—is Nutty Putty Cave still operating? Are those monsters still running it?]
His voice grew agitated. Kaguya heard fists pounding against the wall.
She remained still, listening silently from a meter away.
[Please… say something…]
The man sounded broken.
[It's been… so long since I talked to anyone…]
[No—no, no… Another hallucination? Is anyone there—?]
Muttering devolved into frantic growls. Kaguya heard him thrashing, pacing, breathing ragged—then abrupt silence, as if nothing had happened.
What is on the other side?
Retreating to the cell's center, Kaguya sat down—
—and tensed.
Something soft and cloth-like brushed her leg.
What—?!
For a split second, panic spiked—until she realized it was writing on her skin. With her spatial awareness, she quickly deciphered the invisible touch's message.
Maki's stealth doll! It must've followed me unnoticed.
Relief washed over her.
I'm not alone.
Then, self-mockingly:
Pathetic. Even now, I'm relieved to depend on others. The Shinomiya creed demands we use people, not rely on them. I'm a failure by their standards.
…How laughable. At a time like this, I'm still worrying about being a "proper Shinomiya"?
Steadying herself, Kaguya glanced at the cell's surveillance camera before subtly shifting to block its view. Then, she began writing back on the floor.
For ordinary people, such communication would be impossible. But both Kaguya and Maki possessed exceptional memory and perception—like when Maki had "written" on Takakai's hand in Shirakawa Apartments' darkness. This was a ridiculous method only geniuses could use.
[I'll summarize what I saw in the power room—layout and notices. Tap my leg twice if you're reading.]
Two faint taps responded.
[Below is the notice posted at the power room's entrance:]
[This area is the cave research base's power hub, maintaining all electrical supply. Only personnel with Security Level 4+ may enter for maintenance. Adhere strictly to these rules.]
[1. One primary system, three backups. Each backup activates instantly if the primary fails. Never allow a blackout.]
[2. Power is divided into isolation, observation, research, and living zones. Isolation zone is Priority 5—never disrupt its power.]
[3. Professor Fernen and General Sheglar's offices have independent Priority 5 circuits. Maintenance requires pre-approved documents.]
[4. Three external backup power systems exist outside this zone. If complete shutdown is required, request temporary external circuit takeover from superiors.]
[5. Unauthorized wiring is prohibited. All maintenance must follow standards—no modifications to existing circuits.]
[6. No littering in the power zone. Patrols have repeatedly found discarded cans, cigarette butts, and old clothing. These items are banned. Graffiti on walls will incur severe penalties.]
[7. Unauthorized personnel will be immediately flagged upon entry. If you've entered illegally, do not touch anything. Exit and accept punishment.]
After transcribing the notice, Kaguya continued "writing," detailing the power room's layout.
Meanwhile, Shijou Maki and Fujiwara Chika had returned to their dorm for lights-out. Maki remotely controlled the wobbling stealth doll to maintain communication.
One primary circuit, three backups, plus three external systems… Cutting power is practically impossible. And as Takakai-kun said, a blackout might doom us.
This is bad…
Frowning, Maki pondered their next move—when a metallic scent hit her nostrils.
Creak—
The dorm door slid open unnoticed.
Peering through her blanket's gap, Maki saw it—a towering shadow in the hallway's crimson light, stepping into the pitch-black room.