If his life were a novel, Takakai swore he would track down the author and slap them across the face a few times.
First, some unseen horror descends the hallway and instantly kills three side characters. Then, the sanity-draining knocking trio tries to murder us. And now, just as we've barely secured temporary safety using the environment's rules, you throw a corpse staring at me into the mix? Can't you go a little easier on my heart?
What if I die of fright? What are readers supposed to do then? Switch protagonists? Let me tell you, swapping MCs is a cardinal sin in storytelling—take it from a failed writer like me!
His internal monologue raced at lightning speed.
Externally, Takakai's expression remained utterly blank.
He knew the man behind the female corpse was already dead, that he shared some traits with a corpse—no breathing, fatal wounds that would kill any living human.
But he also knew the damn thing was staring at him.
The man's one remaining intact eye was wide open, fixed unblinkingly on Takakai's face.
Takakai shifted slightly.
The male corpse's head turned silently in response, maintaining eye contact.
Its hiding spot was almost entirely shrouded in darkness.
Had Takakai not scrutinized the area, he would've never spotted it. But even now, he dared not expose its presence. After the previous two encounters with the supernatural, he understood this apartment's horrors were beyond human resistance.
Right now, the corpse was lying still.
But if it got up…
Game over.
"Let's go. Nothing worth seeing here—just a corpse. We should check Room 210 instead. Might find clues there."
Lowering the bedsheet to conceal the corpse, Takakai stood and glanced at Kaguya, mouthing the words [S.O.S.]
Catching his meaning instantly, Kaguya eyed the seemingly harmless bed before looking down at the blonde woman—whose cheeks were now red from being pinched—and coldly stated:
"I'll release you now. Don't scream. Stay quiet, don't interfere, and I won't bother with you."
She loosened her grip slightly.
"P-Please… I-I'm poor, I don't have money… D-Don't kidnap me…"
Tears streamed down the woman's face, her voice a trembling whisper. The Ice Princess of Shinomiya's intimidation stat was clearly maxed out.
"Who'd kidnap you? Open your eyes—we're trapped here just like you. Let me make this clear: we're not helping out of kindness. If you can't prove useful, you'll end up like that corpse."
Maki, shoving documents of questionable value into her backpack, headed for the door.
"W-What do you even want?! I've never wronged you—!"
Sun Dajun finally mustered some defiance, shielding the sobbing blonde as he protested.
Ugh. So troublesome.
Takakai genuinely regretted not ditching these people.
It hit him now—Old Guo had bailed because he didn't want this headache.
These people, fresh into the Sacrifice Game's horrors, were still applying everyday logic to a world where one misstep meant annihilation.
Takakai wasn't a philanthropist. Frankly, he'd have loved to leave them to their fate—like last time.
But in this apartment, the dead didn't rest.
They became monsters—ones that would hound the living and complicate their survival.
Damned if you help, damned if you don't.
Less than an hour into this seven-day nightmare, Takakai was already drowning in the dungeon's malice.
"Green. Do you have a knife?"
Kaguya's voice cut through the tension.
"Y-Yes."
Green produced a 15cm dagger—honed to a razor's edge, glinting ominously even in the dim light.
"Escort him out. If he makes a sound, cut out his tongue."
She didn't even glance at Sun Dajun, simply motioned for Takakai to follow and strode out.
Takakai trailed behind, then turned to the trembling blonde with what he thought was a perfectly pleasant smile.
"Will you walk out on your own, or shall I carry you?"
His tone sounded normal to him.
The woman burst into fresh tears, scrambling out like she'd just been threatened by a serial killer.
As for Sun Dajun—though he briefly considered defiance, when Green pressed the knife less than a centimeter from his ear, he nearly wet himself and complied.
"Good."
Kaguya observed them from the hallway like a dispassionate queen.
"Whether you accept it or not, disobedience will be punished."
"In survival situations, humanity is a luxury. Savagery is what keeps you alive. Right now, you're less than dogs—useless trash. Prove marginally competent, and I might grant you minor privileges."
"Green, keep these mutts in line. Don't let them get in the way."
With that, she dismissed them.
"My name is Sun Dajun! I'm not a dog!"
The man growled through gritted teeth.
"A-And I'm Maeda Miwa…"
The blonde, emboldened by his defiance, added weakly.
Green's grin turned feral.
"Don't care. Shut up, or lose your tongues."
They shut up.
Two minutes later, the pair had been sufficiently cowed.
So. Damn. Annoying.
Takakai massaged his temples.
These two needed to witness the supernatural firsthand—otherwise, they'd pull some horror-movie-idiot move the second they weren't watched. Even with Green babysitting, one man couldn't monitor two people perfectly.
And given this place's mechanics, their deaths might spawn something unstoppable.
Forcing a clock reset would be peak frustration.
That said, they did have one use:
Alternate clock-winders.
Even now, Takakai could feel the head-clocks' gaze—some eerie connection formed after his first adjustment.
Kaguya and Maki were too valuable to risk. Green was an option, but Sun Dajun and Maeda Miwa?
Perfect candidates.
A few turns of the clock hands would enlighten them real quick.
Cruel? Maybe. But I'm already cursed for saving them—they can pay a little interest.
Surprisingly, Takakai found this shift in mindset effortless.
Playing the villain alongside Kaguya, even contemplating ruthless measures—no moral qualms whatsoever.
Probably because they're not cute girls. I've always been shallow that way.
Grabbing a wooden slat from the hallway, he propped it against Room 205's door.
After exchanging glances with Kaguya and Maki, he pointed toward Room 208.
Both girls nodded, signaling Green to herd the hostages along—silently.
The Room 210 mention had been a bluff.
With Old Guo's warning fresh in mind, Takakai wasn't suicidal enough to test its validity.
Instead, Room 208—previously explored and (seemingly) safe—would serve as their observation post.
(At least Fridge Bro hadn't shown hostility during their last visit.)
Yep. Naming horrors like Saw Guy or Scissor Man makes them less intimidating. Gotta cope somehow.
Green, reveling in his newfound authority, marched Sun Dajun and Maeda Miwa into the kitchen.
Per Takakai's orders:
The fridge was turned to face the wall.
Both hostages sat against it.
Green stood guard at the door.
"If something tries to get out of the fridge, retreat to the living room."
Green's face had paled at the instruction. His bravery was entirely borrowed from Takakai's group.
Kaguya remained in the hallway, ears sharpened for danger.
Maki, stationed at the living room entrance, sighed wearily.
Unlike Kaguya (raised in cutthroat aristocracy) or Takakai (flexible morals), Maki was genuinely kind-hearted.
She hated this charade but understood its necessity.
And Green's obedience hinged on believing they were veteran players.
The moment that illusion shattered, his knife might change targets.
Why must this "game" torment people who just wanted to live normally?
Her silent lament went unanswered.
Then—
Click.
The wooden slat outside Room 205 toppled over.
Kaguya's breath hitched.
It's moving.