Even now, even as the three inside the room tentatively reached a basic agreement to cooperate, the hallway outside remained silent.
That uncle named Sun Dajun, that Black guy, that blonde girl who could barely walk from fright—their voices had disappeared into the hallway. Since Kaguya closed the door, not a single sound had echoed again.
No one knew what the situation was like now in the corridor beyond the door.
Still, for now, the people in the room didn't need to worry about that.
"Anyway, this rules-based horror setup... it's basically a survival guide distilled from experiences without directly describing the terror itself. But the version we have, I suspect it's outdated. At the very least, it no longer matches our current reality," Takashina Kai said slowly as he sat around the coffee table with the others, pointing at the two identical A4 printouts labeled 204 and 208.
"Let's not even talk about how the rule says daytime is safe—we haven't confirmed the hallway conditions yet. But one thing's already clear: it claims everyone mysteriously dragged into the Shirakawa Apartments is over 20. Yet all three of us here aren't even 20. That alone is a contradiction. So I suspect there was a major anomaly that altered the situation here, making the old survivor rules no longer reliable or effective."
"Since we got here, we haven't seen any signs of recent life—not in the rooms, not in the halls. Whoever had the ability to leave these rules behind wouldn't have just stopped there. If they were still around, there should be more traces. But there's nothing. So, we need to test these rules and figure out which still work and which are no longer effective."
"Of course, that's just my opinion. What do you two think?"
Takashina Kai sat obediently on a stool, looking like a model student in a primary school class. But inside, he still had a bit of pride.
After all, I'm a transmigrator. I've struggled in society, eaten my share of dirt. My insights and thinking must be better than these JKs who didn't even know what a rules-based horror story was.
If that's the case, then I'll rely on my brain and their support to survive this ordeal!
"I actually did find signs of past life, but you're right—whoever was here disappeared long ago," Shijo Maki said seriously. She walked to the side of the bed, bent down, and dragged out a small suitcase.
"Hngh..."
The suitcase was clearly heavy. Shijo Maki carried it over with some effort and placed it on the table before unzipping it.
Takashina Kai and Shinomiya Kaguya immediately saw the contents—compressed biscuits, instant noodles, bottled water, toilet paper, alcohol, iodine, fever meds...
All sorts of supplies were mixed in, obviously prepared to help whoever lived in the room.
"The production dates are all from two years ago. The newest is from two years and three months back. Most are expired or about to expire. And all the writing is in Huaxia script. Seems like we've been brought to a small town in Huaxia. Oh, and there's this, too."
Maki pulled out a sheet of white paper from a side pocket.
Like the earlier rule sheets, it had writing on it:
[To the Survivor]
[No matter who you are, the moment you wake up in this room, you're one of us now.]
[We all suffer the same curse, trapped in this terrifying apartment. Only by working together can we survive.]
[This box contains food, water, disinfectant, bandages, simple meds and tools. Everything is replaced annually, so don't worry. Take what you need.]
[If it's nighttime, please try not to make noise while using the supplies. If you've read the rules posted in the room, you'll understand why. If you haven't, go read them now. This is not a place where you can relax. Everyone here is constantly in danger. To survive, you must know the rules.]
[Contents of the supply box:
Chocolate bars x3
Canned compressed biscuits x1
Vitamin supplements x1
Instant noodles x3
Bottled water x5 (600ml each)
Lighter x1
Toilet paper x1 pack (180 sheets)
Disinfectant alcohol x1
Iodine x1
Medical bandage x1
Common meds x1
Sanitary pads x1
Clear tape x1
Earplugs x1 pair
Homemade noise-dampening mask x1 (If you snore, you must wear this while sleeping no matter how uncomfortable it is.)]
[– Masaru Kusuo]
Unlike the densely written rule sheets, this note was much simpler and more direct.
Just reading it filled Takashina Kai with an indescribable feeling.
From the individual rule sheets in each room, to the improvised hiding spots in the hallway, and now these supply kits—it was clear the previous survivors had made every effort to help others survive.
But now, they were gone. Only these remnants remained.
What happened to them?
The note alone proved they had the capacity to distribute supplies and maintain them. They must have known the rules well enough to live here somewhat safely, maybe even help others.
So what exactly wiped them out?
"If the annual replacement wasn't a lie, then the organized group of survivors fell apart at least a year ago," said Shinomiya Kaguya, still cold-faced as she stared into the suitcase.
"Right. I asked around earlier—none of the others noticed any supply kits in their rooms. I suspect every room had one. If we're stuck here a while, gathering these will be important. Even near-expired food is better than starving. Right, Auntie?"
Shijo Maki kicked her legs playfully on the couch, but Kaguya frowned at the title. Although technically correct in family terms, being called "Auntie" by someone her age really irritated her.
Still, as a Shinomiya, she had to keep her composure—especially with an outsider present.
Maintaining her calm expression, she analyzed:
"Though we need to take action, we lack too much intel. Acting blindly is dangerous. Like Takashina-kun said, this rule sheet may be outdated. Some parts may still help, but others could be death traps in disguise."
"So we need to dissect these rules."
She pointed at one of the rule sheets on the table.
"Let's start from the first line. 'Safe from 8 a.m. to 5:50 p.m.' This clearly has issues. It looks like daylight outside, yet the hallway exhibits anomalies. Either the light is deceptive, or the rule no longer holds."
Maki immediately added, having already considered this.
"I'm certain it's daytime. So the rule must be outdated."
"Biological clock?" Maki tilted her head.
"Exactly. The Shinomiya family enforces strict routines. If it's past 11 p.m., I get sleepy. The clock said 1, and I felt nothing. If it were 1 a.m., I wouldn't be this alert."
Kaguya nodded proudly.
"Sounds like a pitiful lifestyle, Auntie. But have you considered time zones? What if we were taken somewhere with a large time difference? Or worse, an alternate world?"
Maki crossed her arms, unimpressed.
"I've considered that. But everything here—architecture, furniture, language—screams China. Unless someone rebuilt all this somewhere else just for kicks, we're probably still in East Asia. Besides, even if it's another world, that's not useful now. Thinking that way leads to despair. Our goal is escape."
Kaguya spoke rapidly, and Maki eventually nodded, conceding.
"I think—"
Takashina Kai raised a hand, trying to speak.
"Okay, next line—'After 9 p.m., strange changes occur...'"
But Kaguya pushed the discussion forward before he could finish. Maki followed her lead as they quickly dissected the rest of the rules.
...
Takashina Kai sat still, silent.
The two girls were like machine guns of analysis. Every time he tried to talk, they said exactly what he wanted to say—then immediately moved on to the next topic. He couldn't keep up, and eventually just gave up.
Yep. There really are gaps between people.
At this moment, Kai felt their trio was composed of two elite players and one useless noob. And obviously, he was the noob.
"In short, the key issue is whether or not we should open the door to investigate. Auntie thinks we should probe. I say we wait and see if the other two make a move. What about you, Takashina Kai?"
"I'm here to yell 666."
Kai raised his right hand seriously.
"...Huh?"
Maki frowned, clearly confused.
"I mean, carry me, Senpais. I'm just a noob. ."
Still expressionless, Kai continued.
"...What kind of lame, creepy cutesy act is this? I'm seriously asking for your opinion!"
Maki stomped her foot angrily, little fang peeking out in frustration.