Awakening.
Opening his eyes in the crimson city.
After a brief moment of disorientation, Takakai quickly regained full awareness—realizing he had once again returned through death.
"Home again... I'm actually starting to think of this place as home..."
With a sigh, he plopped down onto the ground, exhaling deeply.
Damn it, I really am starting to treat this hellhole like my own home. What the hell is wrong with me?
And this was the fourth loop now. Both Shirakawa Apartments and Nutty Puttt Cave had been cleared by the third loop, but Fujika Middle School had dragged him into a fourth. Worse, he had only just made contact with the dungeon's Core Obsession at the very end.
Three seconds of contact. One look, a few gunshots, and then—dead.
This death had been brutally efficient. The bullets had instantly shut down all bodily functions, overriding even the Rescue Team Badge and his blessing's power. Normally, after two dungeons' worth of enhancements, he could shrug off pistol rounds at point-blank range—yet the Core Obsession had obliterated him without hesitation.
But... looking on the bright side, at least it had been quick.
Almost no pain, no drawn-out torment. Just a headshot, two follow-ups, and lights out.
Honestly, that wasnice.
Compared to his previous deaths, Fujika's Core Obsession was practically a hospice care specialist—giving him the gentlest exit possible. How touching. I'm moved to tears. (Not that I wanted to die...)
And this third loop's exploration had only lasted about an hour.
Even combining all three loops in Fujika, the total was barely four to five hours. In that short time, Takakai had been fighting nonstop, pushing himself purely through sheer willpower and his watch's abilities. Now that Alice was dealt with—marking the end of the dungeon's first phase—he was utterly exhausted.
So this time, he simply lay down on the ground and fell asleep.
He dreamed of a school.
Of a black-haired girl's ordinary days.
At some point, he found himself sitting beside her—being stared at.
Should I say something?
After all, in a way… I killed her.
As he met Yotsuya Miko's gaze and tried to form words, a hand settled on his shoulder.
Turning, he saw Shijo Maki—expressionless.
"Kai, who is this girl?"
Her voice carried a chilling edge.
Footsteps sounded behind him. Fujiwara Chika stood there, forcing a smile.
"Kai... did I come at a bad time? Sorry, I'll just..."
She took a step back, as if to leave.
What the hell is this?
Dazed, Takakai acted on instinct—grabbing Chika and pulling her into his arms, then doing the same to a stunned Maki. He hesitated briefly before yanking Miko into the embrace too, wrapping all three in a hug.
Their soft, sweet scents filled his nose—intoxicating.
Then—
He spotted Shinomiya Kaguya in the distance, staring in horror.
"You—how could you be so shameless?! This kind of thing should only happen after marriage!"
Her worldview seemed shattered.
"Then let's all get married! That's the solution! Ohhhh~ Here comes the creepy uncle to get you too—!"
Takakai launched himself through the air toward her—
—and woke up.
The crimson city remained unchanged.
Sitting up, Takakai stretched, feeling oddly refreshed—but baffled by the dream.
Why would I call myself a creepy uncle and chase Kaguya? And hugging three girls while yelling"You're all my wings!"is even weirder. I'm not that shameless! I'm actually pretty reserved—this dream totally ruined my image.
Shaking his head, he began searching the city.
The flames' inhabitants were as lively as ever.
And Yotsuya Miko—yes, she was here again.
No sign of Alice. That sensation of "someone else inside him" from the flesh fusion was gone too.
As expected—the black watchfilters outanything harmful when I revive. Miko being allowed in means the watch considers hernon-threatening.
But this time, Miko seemed... different?
Staring at her motionless form, Takakai eventually crouched and poked her cheek.
...Softer?
No breath, no heartbeat, no body heat—but her skin now felt smooth, not stone-like.
Is the crimson city slowly accepting her because we fused twice? If we merge a few more times, could shewake uphere?
The idea was tempting. But he needed to clear Fujika ASAP—and once the dungeon collapsed, all its artifacts (red candles, white flowers, goat skull, Alice's four items, the flesh-fusion device) would vanish. Finding another safe way to merge outside the dungeon would be near-impossible.
...Let's table that thought.
Closing his eyes, Takakai refocused.
Third loop takeaways:
Alice's four artifacts originated from her corpse being divided by fans.
The Core Obsession that killed him was likely the officer who shot Alice, then hunted down her fans in Fujika.
His death happened because housing Alice in his body made the Core Obsession mistake him for her.
But what was the Core Obsession's true wish?
The officer hated Alice, yet she still ran rampant in Fujika's surface layer, erasing all traces of him. Normally, players would never discover the dungeon's truth.
His deepest desire is probablykilling Alice... but it doesn't feel like how Heddar wanted to kill Forneus in Nutty Putty Cave. When he shot me, there was no sense offulfillment.
Maybe he needed the four artifacts combined into a complete Alice before killing her?
Possible, but not certain.
Reviewing the dungeon's hints:
"Choosing lies may be better than truth."
"People still await a truly fair judgment."
"Those who dig up secrets must pay a price."
"Those who waver are unnecessary."
Could these point to the officer's past actions?
Alice never hid her monstrous nature—she lied constantly but acted openly evil. If such a person became a nationwide idol, would she suddenly reform? In a country like Japan, how would a charismatic, mentally unstable idol be judged if her crimes came to light?
Two other hints stood out:
"The audience need not care for facts."
"Fitting that fanatics worship their idol."
Some connections are forming, but not enough. What's the deal with thatpsychiatric ward?Need to investigate next loop.
And with Fujika's surface layer gone, where would Miko and her classmates spawn this time? Locked in cells like me?
Please don't be another team-wipe trigger... And what was up with Kita Ikuyo?! Since when could Yoruyama High's aberrationhijack her bodyto invade another dungeon?! Will she show up again? Facingtwo Core Obsessionsat once sounds like a nightmare...
No matter what, the next loop would test his theories.
Action was needed.
Dong—
The tolling bell snapped him from his thoughts.
All artifacts—Alice's four items, the discarded flesh, even Kumami's doll—fell from the sky, returning to him.
...If I clear this dungeon, then die in another, will Kumami revive as a doll again?
The watch provided an answer: He could choose to "abandon" artifacts before reviving, preventing reclaimed ones from respawning.
Dong—
A second chime.
After consideration, Takakai decided not to wish this time.
The fusion device offered intriguing possibilities, but the risks were too high. With limited watch slots left, recklessness wasn't an option.
Dong—
As darkness swallowed the crimson city, Takakai glanced at Miko's fading form.
Three loops in, we never grewparticularly close.We trusted each other as allies, but formemory retentionandtelepathynext loop, we'd need adeeper bond.
...If the fourth loop fails, should I tryromancing herin the fifth?
The thought felt bizarre.
Then, remembering Kumami's sacrifice and having to kill Miko, he steadied himself.
This time—no one dies for me again.
Awakening.
Eyes opening in a dim hospital room.
Shaking off grogginess, Takakai assessed his situation—then warily looked toward where the Core Obsession had entered last time.
One... two... three...
No sudden headshots.
Good. Last time's death was because Ifused with Alice.Without that, it won't target me.
Now—let's see Fujika'strue face!
Confidence surging, Takakai prepared to move—
[Patient 304, recreation time!]
The door swung open.
Two hulking nurses—muscles bulging under their uniforms—marched in.
Unstrapping him, they dragged him out without ceremony.
Takakai stayed silent, letting them.
They look human, but... Their icy skin confirmed they were aberrations.
The hallway outside had barred windows on one side and cell-like doors on the other.
Somewhere, a girl screamed—likely his classmates already causing trouble.
I could protect them at school, but here? Good luck.
...Where's Miko?
As he wondered, another door creaked open nearby.
Three hazmat-suited orderlies emerged, escorting a strapped-down patient.
Instantly, Takakai recognized the aura.
Turning, he saw—
Fujika's Core Obsession.
A wild-eyed, straitjacketed man—the officer from his death.