The cute girl's mournful expression—how to put it? Gao Hai felt like he might never tire of seeing it, even in ten or twenty years.
If this were everyday life, he definitely wouldn't let her off without teasing her a bit. But right now, it was better to pull her out first. This place didn't feel stable at all, and Gao Hai hoped to avoid any accidents if possible.
Grabbing the girl's hand, he pulled her out of the cave.
Chika Fujiwara showed a pained expression, letting out 'wu wu wu' sounds as Gao Hai slowly dragged her out bit by bit.
Judging from the wear on her clothes, this time her butt had gotten stuck.
"Having such a great figure can cause problems like this too? I don't even know what to say to you."
Gao Hai looked at Chika Fujiwara's dust-covered pants, now with several new streaks, and couldn't help but sigh.
"D-don't talk about that! I'm troubled by it too..."
Chika Fujiwara, whose face was red like an apple, shook her head repeatedly, letting out small animal-like whimpers.
It was so embarrassing.
She never imagined that after coming all this way, she'd end up stuck in a cave and become a laughingstock because of her figure.
"Alright, let's confirm our identities. I'm an explorer, Gao Hai, a player. My goal is to leave this place."
Gao Hai quickly shifted his attention away from the matter.
"Mm, I'm an explorer, Chika Fujiwara, a player. My goal is also to leave here."
Chika Fujiwara nodded lightly; she was already familiar with Gao Hai's identity confirmation process.
"Good. Now, let's check our clothes."
Then, Gao Hai and Chika Fujiwara turned their backs to each other and inspected their explorer suits for any signs of adhesion.
However, perhaps because they were far from the deeper areas of the Red Nut Gray Hole, the erosion effect on the suits had weakened significantly. There were no signs of sticking or fusing yet; they remained in their normal clothing state.
"No problems here."
Chika Fujiwara raised her small hand and answered seriously.
"None here either. After a short rest, it's time to climb the cliff. Scared?"
Gao Hai sat down on the ground and smiled at Chika Fujiwara.
"Ehehe, yeah, a bit scared."
The girl, who had also sat down, smiled without hiding her inner fear.
Gao Hai didn't pay too much attention to what Chika Fujiwara said. He carefully checked the surroundings with his Blessing to confirm no anomalies were hiding there before finally relaxing.
Meanwhile, the pink-haired girl secretly observed the expression on Gao Hai's face, her small hands gripping her legs a little tighter.
She felt a bit disappointed.
After learning that Gao-kun already had a girlfriend—and it was none other than Maki Shijo.
A man who could give her a sense of security in the midst of danger, who protected and saved her—it was like a prince on a white horse. She never thought that even at her age, she'd still get excited over such a fairy-tale scenario.
And he was so dominant, always decisive in everything he did.
But he already had a girlfriend...
The girl's heartbeat became erratic, her emotions a mix of sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy, hard to pin down.
But Gao Hai wasn't thinking about that. He was pondering their next moves and couldn't help but pull out the flyer again, looking at its contents.
[Welcome to the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for the New Red Nut Gray Hole Scenic Area, a National-Level Attraction]
[The greatest scenic spot in the city, Red Nut Gray Hole, has completed construction of its new area. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on [date] at the new Red Nut Gray Hole area. You are invited to attend.]
[Confirmed attendees for this event:]
[Antonitovan Bush; Saxon Bird...]
To be honest, Gao Hai didn't recognize any of those names in the long list, nor could he figure out which families they might belong to from their surnames. The only one he vaguely remembered was Antonitovan at the top.
Ribbon-cutting in the new area.
So those politicians back then didn't have the guts to actually go into the Red Nut Gray Hole; they held the ceremony outside instead?
They weren't completely stupid, but in the end, it didn't change their fate. Gao Hai guessed that during the ribbon-cutting, the anomaly in the Red Nut Gray Hole had its first major outbreak, swallowing everyone nearby.
As for the rescue team during the flood... they were probably the ones who rushed in for rescue operations right after the initial disaster.
In that case, the research base came last, built by Amelian higher-ups after the anomalies in the Red Nut Gray Hole stabilized somewhat following the sacrifice of the rescue team.
According to the info from Maki, the base had built a nearly 100-meter diameter sealing zone at the Red Nut Gray Hole entrance, with only that one deliberate entry point—ensuring no one could enter from elsewhere.
He wondered which era of the Red Nut Gray Hole he'd enter by climbing the Great Cliff now.
As he thought this, Gao Hai suddenly frowned and clutched his forehead.
He felt dizzy.
For some reason, he suddenly felt inexplicably dizzy.
Come to think of it, he had successfully exited the [Blood Vessel] earlier, but... he felt like he'd encountered a fork.
Back then... he had retreated, right?
He must have; otherwise, there's no way he could have gotten out safely. But during the process, he'd probably suffered some mental shock—likely that 'danger at hand, narrow escape' plot. Anyway, he'd made it out safe and sound in the end.
Whatever. That's not important now. Better think about the next steps.
Turning his head, Gao Hai looked at the sheer rock cliff beside him, so tall its top was invisible.
If he remembered right, this cliff was about 80 meters high—equivalent to a 20-plus-story skyscraper. But now... it looked way taller than 80 meters. Had the anomalous power stretched it?
He spotted the pulley elevator position nearby—a simple lift made of ropes and an iron plate loaded with cables. It looked utterly unsafe.
Of course, Gao Hai had no intention of using it. He'd come this far; he wasn't about to risk it at this crucial point.
Meanwhile, Maki and Kaguya had reached curfew night. Though the girls wanted to investigate more, they didn't dare act on their own and returned to the dorms to rest.
On Gao Hai and Chika's side, their rest was nearly over; it was time to move. Chika had suggested resting longer after noticing the scary wound on Gao Hai's ear, but he flatly refused. This was a critical moment; delaying too long might make them too late... Wait, why did he feel like they were running out of time?
Gao Hai's frown deepened.
He suddenly felt like he'd overlooked something crucial—something absolutely vital he shouldn't have forgotten.
What was it?
When did it happen? What had he overlooked and forgotten...
Vague images began surfacing in his mind.
In pitch-black darkness, unable to see anything in the dim cave.
He—
"Cough cough... damn it..."
Gao Hai's recollection was interrupted by a voice from the [Blood Vessel] cave entrance.
A man covered in scratches, face bloodied, struggled out of the cave.
It was Kawano, the most enthusiastic—or rather, the only enthusiastic one—in that four-person group, who had tried inviting new members but likely carried a mind-induction Obsession Item and was dangerous.
He'd survived. He must have another life-saving Obsession Item.
Gao Hai instantly went on high alert, standing up and pulling the still-unaware Chika Fujiwara behind him, watching Kawano warily as he slowly rose, looking in bad shape.
He could sense the man's eerie state. Though his Blessing judged him alive, he was entwined in anomalous aura, radiating intense malice.
And that malice targeted Gao Hai and Chika Fujiwara without hesitation upon seeing them.
"Great, looks like two familiar faces."
Kawano grinned, his smile utterly grotesque.
"..."
Gao Hai said nothing, drawing his pistol from the holster.
"You're really unfriendly. But no matter—after all, I hate people like you who refuse to be friends the most."
Unlike before, Kawano showed no sign of backing down at Gao Hai's vigilance. Instead, his eyes gleamed with murderous intent, growing more excited.
Some Obsession Item side effect? It had changed him somehow?
Gao Hai couldn't pinpoint the exact cause from a few words.
But he knew what came next.
Player vs. player combat? They'd fought twice in Shirakawa Apartments; now here too?
Silently complaining inwardly, a pair of blood-red scissors appeared between Gao Hai's left fingers.
Drip—
Faintly, the sound of dripping water echoed from afar.
Then, Chika Fujiwara looked up in shock at the cliff top, where turbid muddy water was pouring down from above.
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