Takakai could only describe the attempted contact with the core Obsession as less than ideal.
Every attempt at communication yielded no response. The entity was like an empty shell devoid of soul, completely unresponsive no matter how Takakai manipulated it. Even when he tore off the restraints and freed it from the stretcher bed, there was still no reaction.
"Wrong. This isn't the true core Obsession."
After careful observation, Kumami reached this conclusion.
"Not the true core Obsession?"
Takakai turned to Kumami, waiting for further explanation.
"I've encountered this situation multiple times while exploring scenarios and studying other players' records. This man, Hirano Sousuke, likely exists in multiple forms and states. But except for his true core form, none of the other manifestations are his real self."
"For example, there was a scenario where the core Obsession appeared simultaneously as a child, middle-aged man, and elderly person. Players found they couldn't meaningfully interact with the child or elderly forms. Eventually they discovered the Obsession's greatest regret occurred during middle age - only by contacting that form could they resolve it."
"To find the correct method to resolve this Obsession, we must contact its true form - the version carrying its deepest regrets and most intense emotions. As for this empty shell, it probably can't help us at all."
While giving this detailed explanation, Kumami had already completed searching Hirano Sousuke's ward.
Nothing.
The ward contained no discernible clues.
Their search of the stretcher bed and this empty shell-like person similarly yielded no results. The room was suspiciously clean for a patient's ward, without any personal belongings whatsoever.
It was unnervingly bare.
Since scenario environments usually recreate memories or emotions, this emptiness suggested only two possibilities: Either historically, Hirano Sousuke's ward truly was this empty when he was confined here, or at that point in time, he had already become a mere flesh puppet completely devoid of self.
Takakai suspected these possibilities weren't mutually exclusive.
The veteran player Touyama Akira's rampage was gradually being suppressed, while their current investigation had produced no valuable leads. Considering the unknown horrors of the upcoming "treatment" once the hospital returned to normal, Takakai chose the risky path without hesitation.
"We must change identities - from patients to doctors. I previously saw a contaminated rules list - the patient identity here is a death sentence. We have to change status no matter what. As for this person... let's take him with us!"
Acting immediately, Takakai wheeled out a medical cart loaded with syringes and medicine bottles from the hallway. He covered it with a sheet from his own bed, then wrapped Hirano Sousuke in another sheet and placed him on the cart, piling miscellaneous items on top as camouflage.
He deliberately left space underneath the cart for a petite girl to hide. Naturally, he hadn't forgotten about Yotsuya Miko - forgetting her might lead to her killing both him and Kumami in retaliation, making her quite unforgettable.
The uniform theft proceeded smoothly. Kumami used her bronze eye to immobilize an orderly while Takakai stripped off the uniform and swapped clothes. They repeated the process to get a second uniform for Kumami, dressing an orderly in Hirano Sousuke's patient garb. As for Hirano Sousuke himself, Takakai had him thoroughly wrapped in sheets and restraints to prevent any suspicious exposure.
Incidentally, Kumami seemed unusually familiar with this process.
Only after completing the outfit change did Takakai realize how perfectly Kumami had coordinated with him.
"Stealing clothes from supernatural entities and wearing them is routine for Crimson Moon players. Any veteran would have this process memorized," Kumami explained proudly when asked.
Was this really something to be proud of?
Regardless, after changing clothes and pushing the cart forward, Yotsuya Miko appeared from somewhere, completing the team reunion just like in the third loop. Approximately two hours had passed since the fourth loop began - the first time Takakai had survived this long in what appeared to be a degraded Midnight-level but was actually a top-tier Crimson Moon scenario.
The medical staff and patients had nearly finished suppressing Touyama Akira. A rampaging player with out of control Obsessions was dangerous, but couldn't overcome a Crimson Moon scenario's power. Through the window, Takakai could see the unconscious Touyama Akira strapped to a stretcher, the Blood Saw having disappeared - likely expelled from the scenario. Whether his other Obsessions remained was unclear.
"They'll probably brainwash or modify that player. This might become a serious problem later," Takakai frowned as he watched them take Touyama Akira away.
"Most likely. But we can't intervene now. Having released this trouble and benefited from it, we must accept the potential consequences. Quiet now - two orderlies ahead. This will test our disguises."
Kumami whispered this warning before noticing the situation ahead and immediately becoming serious.
Pity they weren't solitary orderlies - otherwise they might have gotten an outfit for the girl hiding under the cart.
Seeing the two orderlies ahead, Takakai also steeled himself, imitating their expressionless demeanor as he and Kumami pushed the cart forward.
Creak—
The locked gate slowly opened.
The two orderlies completely ignored Takakai and Kumami, letting them pass without a glance.
Good. The rule that clothing determines identity seemed effective here.
Though his face remained calm, Takakai had been somewhat nervous. Seeing their success, he relaxed slightly.
Beyond the gate stretched a long corridor with windows showing the hospital's greenery outside, creating a deceptively pleasant atmosphere. Reaching the corridor's end brought them to a new area - apparently another building of the psychiatric hospital.
Here, they found a detailed map of the entire area posted in the hallway.
"The front building probably handles patient admissions, while where we were is the living quarters. But that building near the back door seems suspiciously obvious," Takakai murmured after studying the map.
"First let's deal with our cargo. The third floor restroom appears to have been converted for laundry purposes," Kumami said after checking room labels, pushing the cart toward one door.
Inside were several old washing machines and piles of bedding, some already emitting unpleasant odors.
After thoroughly confirming the room contained no hidden entities or surveillance, Kumami locked the door before lifting the cart's curtain to let Miko out for air.
"Haah...haah... Hello, Kumami-san."
The girl had been sensing supernatural presences throughout the journey, instinctively holding her breath to avoid detection. Now able to breathe freely again, her voice came out slightly uneven, but she still politely greeted Kumami.
How wonderful - Kumami-san was alive and well.
Remembering the previous loop, Miko looked at Kumami with particular sincerity.
"Good composure. That's valuable," Kumami nodded slightly, though inwardly puzzled by Miko's oddly emotional gaze - as if seeing someone return from the dead.
Well... technically she had returned from death?
While this exchange occurred, Takakai had begun unwrapping the bundled bedding to check on Hirano Sousuke's condition.
His brow furrowed upon seeing what lay within.
"Seems we can't remove the core Obsession's shell after all," he remarked while untying the restraints to reveal completely empty sheets - no trace of anyone inside.