The player hidden within the Shinomiya family was a veteran who had completed eight missions—two Midnight-class and six Twilight-class dungeons.
In Tokyo's player community, clearing two Midnight-class dungeons already placed one among the elite. Only five players in the region had surpassed his record. Moreover, he hadn't been forced into those Midnight-class dungeons as a last resort—he had voluntarily challenged them before the [Sacrificial Game] could corner him. In all of Tokyo, only three others could claim the same.
This was why the man carried a quiet arrogance, considering himself part of the upper echelon, just below the very top players. Yet he remained cautious in his daily life—after all, any rookie could stumble upon an overwhelmingly powerful cursed relic through sheer luck.
He rarely clashed with other players, content to lurk within the Shinomiya family, indulging in luxury and debauchery funded by their wealth. Only when Kaguya and Maki became players did he feel threatened enough to act.
Even then, he hadn't wanted things to escalate to bloodshed. Even after that shadowy figure gave him the hotel keycard that could alter perceptions, he had only planned to manipulate Takakai and Kaguya's minds—to ensure they'd never threaten him. In his eyes, this was justified. He was merely protecting what was already his backyard. But these damn brats clearly had no intention of negotiating.
Fine. Then there was no need to talk anymore.
Swish—
The dagger thrust forward with inhuman speed, aimed straight for Kaguya's eye.
Clang!
A scalpel intercepted the blade, deflecting it with equal force.
The man leapt back like a startled monkey, putting ten meters between them in an instant. His face twisted in disappointment.
She didn't dodge. She countered with a relic. Damn it.
He glanced at the unremarkable dagger in his hand.
Of course, this was a cursed relic—one he always prioritized in player confrontations.
Outwardly, it seemed like an ordinary knife. But when used against humans, its true nature emerged:
If the target tried to evade, the blade would always strike where he intended. If the target tried to block, it would sever their joints effortlessly.
The only counter was to oppose it with another relic's power. But most players lacked relics strong enough, and in initial skirmishes, few would go all-out immediately. This gave his dagger a decisive edge.
Yet this time, his opponent had chosen the one effective countermeasure.
A coincidence?
Frowning, he discreetly palmed his second relic.
Whoosh—
Kaguya closed the distance in an instant.
Dagger and scalpel clashed in a flurry of sparks.
Within seconds, the man realized with horror that he was outmatched in both speed and skill.
Nearby, Takakai had already sat down beside Oko to enjoy the show.
Kaguya accelerated further, her crimson eyes gleaming predatorily in the dark. Her blade whirled, breaking his guard and slicing his arm.
"Guh! Damn it—!"
The man staggered back, desperately parrying while scanning for an escape route.
"Looking for this?"
Takakai's voice rang out.
The man froze, turning to see Takakai holding a black marble.
How...?
Before he could process it, a crimson flash severed his wrist.
Kaguya caught his falling hand and pocketed the dagger he had painstakingly retrieved from a Midnight-class dungeon.
"You—! Agh! Why...?!"
Clutching his bleeding stump, the man stumbled back, unable to comprehend how his teleportation relic had been intercepted.
The twin marbles allowed him to throw one and teleport to it within a minute. But if the marbles weren't reunited in time, they would summon something... unnatural.
But that wasn't the issue now.
The real question was: How had Takakai found the marble he'd secretly dropped in the blood?
The answer had nothing to do with keen observation.
It was because of Fujiwara Chika.
Having lived through the timeline where Takakai disappeared, she had witnessed Kaguya and Maki's battle with this man. His appearance, abilities, and relics—she had disclosed everything.
In that timeline, his dagger and marbles had nearly cost the girls their lives. The fight had been perilous, requiring careful analysis of his relics' mechanics. The victory had come at a price.
Now, armed with this foreknowledge, the battle held no suspense.
"Tell us who's pulling your strings, and you might live."
Takakai stood, watching the pale, bleeding man.
"It's... Koizumi. Koizumi ordered me to attack you."
Dizziness from blood loss set in, but the man clung to his lie.
"Do we look that gullible? Or are you that eager to die?"
Kaguya's voice was glacial.
"It's true! Koizumi and Aoyama planned it together—"
Sweat beaded on his forehead.
"We wouldn't ask if we couldn't verify your answers. Last chance."
Takakai waved a hand impatiently as Kaguya lunged.
Are they bluffing? Or do they really have a way to—?
Gritting his teeth, the man decided to betray his patron. Survival came first.
But as he opened his mouth, his body moved against his will—drawing a third relic: a grimy, blood-stained notebook.
This was his mental-type relic, capable of brainwashing readers who perused its written contents. It was how he'd remained undetected in the Shinomiya family for over half a year.
Useless in combat—it required at least 100 written words and full reading time to take effect—he had no reason to retrieve it now.
Why is my body—?
Don't tell me... No...
Bang!
His thoughts ended abruptly.
Kaguya lowered her pistol, frowning at the headless corpse. She yanked the notebook free.
This move hadn't existed in Chika's timeline. An unknown variable.
Safety first.
After confiscating the second marble, dagger, and notebook—sealing them in Takakai's watch—Kaguya smoothed her clothes and approached Oko.
"Are you even still part of the Shinomiya family?"
Oko's ashen face showed no will to resist.
"Why do you think you're still breathing?"
Kaguya's reply was icy, though her expression flickered with complexity.
"...I understand. From today onward, the Shinomiya clan exists to serve Shinomiya Kaguya. Whatever you... whatever my lady demands, we shall fulfill. Our esteemed... head of household."
Bowing deeply, pressing his forehead to the ground—
In the ruined mansion, Oko Shinomiya performed a flawless dogeza.
Kaguya stood motionless, accepting her brother's submission with detached indifference. Only after half a minute did she permit him to rise. Her demeanor made it clear: He was no longer family—just a disposable servant.
Nearby, Takakai watched as Koizumi materialized beside the dead player's corpse. After a polite nod, the [Market] overseer vanished with the body.
How many surveillance "insects" does this guy have? Is there anywhere in Tokyo he can't see?
Turning back, Takakai saw Kaguya—usually so expressionless—smile at Oko.
"Then it shall be so, for as long as I live."
Her voice was soft, her posture relaxed as never before.
She turned away, leaving her broken brother slumped on the floor.
As she walked toward Takakai, her words lingered in the ravaged hall:
"Farewell, brother. Pleasant dreams tonight."
"And farewell... to the weak, powerless me who could never fight back."