After successfully escaping Elysia and returning home, Hayashi looked at the cat tail in his hand with lingering fear.
Then he looked at 096, who was following him, no longer shy after turning into a husky, bounding around happily... 'Does this guy prefer this dog face over its ugly face?'
As if noticing Hayashi's gaze, the creature actually wagged its tail at Hayashi.
'Truly a dog's life by nature.'
'Right, 173, I wonder where those people threw it. I hope there aren't too many casualties by the time the Bureau finds it!'
After complaining internally, Hayashi observed the cat tail in his hand again.
Only now did he notice that, unlike 096's headband-style dog ears, this cat tail was attached to the rear... 'Elysia! She's not Pink-Cut-Pink! How could my adorable Elysia turn evil?!'
Hayashi roared internally, but then he remembered he hadn't logged into Honkai Impact 3rd for a long time, leaving the high-affection girl in the wedding dress waiting for him on the Bridge... Thinking of this, Hayashi couldn't truly be angry at Elysia.
'I have a feeling that even though I dodged it this time, Elysia will come up with another bad idea next time.'
'Forget it, a path will open up when the carriage reaches the mountain...! Besides, Elysia doesn't know I have Super Perception, which reveals the entire map. no fear, no fear!'
As he thought, Hayashi's mind suddenly drifted. Looking at the cat girl tail in his hand, he felt that this item seemed more suitable for Yukino than himself... 'I need to find a way to make Yukino wear it!'
'Just right... Yukino is heading to her next dungeon in a couple of days. If I go in with her then, maybe I'll get a chance?'
Beep~! Beep~!
As the sound of the bus horn rang out.
Yukino's surprised voice rang out from the white fog-shrouded villa.
"What!! You want to go with me?"
Today, Yukino was not enjoying black tea; instead, she was reviewing and preparing for her upcoming mission.
She was startled when she suddenly heard Hayashi request to enter the instance together.
"Do you know what you're saying?"
Yukino gazed into Hayashi's eyes, seemingly trying to find a hint of joking in his expression.
At that moment, Yuki and Kaguya, who were beside Yukino, also looked towards Hayashi.
Today was the day Yukino was entering the instance, and Kaguya was preparing to enter with her.
Yuki, worried about them, was preparing to wait for their return at the villa.
So they were also at the villa today.
"Yukino-san, I think I've made myself quite clear. If you feel you didn't hear me, then I'll say it again."
"I want to go with you on this instance mission!"
Facing Yukino's intense gaze, Hayashi said calmly.
"Hayashi-san, I must remind you that my instance this time is not a novice instance like the one you experienced, but a high-difficulty instance!
Even if Kaguya and I go together, we aren't sure if we can return alive, and I believe Yuki must have already told you that inside the instance, all special abilities are sealed, and the authority of the cursed tools is the same. Those cursed tools can only be used as consumables for three life-saving uses!
Under these circumstances, you still want to follow us!?"
Yukino seriously explained the dangers of this instance to Hayashi.
"Do you really want to come with us? This instance isn't something you can clear just by being lucky!"
Kaguya, who maintained her icy beauty statue demeanor nearby, gave Hayashi a cold glance. Seeing his serious expression, Kaguya turned to Yukino and said.
"If he wants to follow, let him follow!
But let's establish this first: inside the instance, you must obey all our commands, otherwise..."
Kaguya didn't finish her sentence, but the threat was clearly implied.
"Understood!"
Hayashi nodded decisively, indicating that all his actions would follow their instructions.
But obviously, this was just to placate Kaguya. His innate talent was clearly outside the instance's restrictive abilities.
Since he could load saves, he didn't know the meaning of fear!
"Sigh~ Fine~ Just remember to stick closely to our actions and don't fall behind~"
Yukino looked at Hayashi helplessly. She actually wanted to suggest that Hayashi complete a few more low-difficulty instances to gain more experience.
But since he strongly requested it and Kaguya agreed, she approved Hayashi's application to enter together.
Of course, if Yukino knew this guy had a cat tail in his backpack, preparing to find an opportunity to put it on her!
She would definitely prepare to freeze this guy to death first!
Yukinoshita likes cats, and she doesn't mind cosplaying as a cat girl.
But… that doesn't mean she's willing to be fitted with a cat tail!
"Let's go!"
Unfortunately, Yukino was unaware of Hayashi's wicked intentions at this moment; otherwise, she would definitely regret bringing Hayashi into this instance.
Soon, Hayashi, Yukino, and Kaguya, under Yuki's watchful gaze...
The three arrived on the second floor of the villa.
[The Seventh Dungeon]
[Instance: Zoo.]
[Instance Requirement: Exit the Zoo within seven days. ]
[Hint: Please firmly believe that you are human.]
'The Zoo?'
The thought had just flashed through Hayashi's mind, and the next moment, accompanied by a strange knocking sound...
His consciousness sank into darkness. When he came to, he found himself in a noisy environment.
The sound of children laughing, parents showing concern, couples joking... At this moment, the three of them had appeared inside a zoo.
A huge notice board in front of them read:
[Welcome to the largest zoo in the city.]
[As the director of this park, I sincerely wish all visitors a pleasant touring experience.]
[Please be sure to comply with the visitor guidelines while touring this park.]
[On behalf of all zoo staff, I wish you a pleasant tour.]
Zoo, visitor guidelines... so the high-difficulty instance is a rule-based horror story!
As a rule-based horror story that became famous in his previous life, the zoo could be considered a pinnacle of the genre.
Hayashi, who enjoyed surfing the internet, had naturally heard of it.
He still remembered the chilling dread brought by the rabbit-eared elephants, goat meat, and rabbit blood when he first read the original text.
And if he remembered correctly... actually, leaving the zoo at the very beginning was extremely simple: walk through the entrance into the zoo, then turn around and walk out!
Happy entry, happy exit!
Thinking of this, Hayashi couldn't help but look toward the direction of the zoo's main gate behind him.
Where the main gate should have been, there was nothing now... Hayashi wasn't surprised by this, because... he knew too much.
Clearly, he no longer had the chance for a happy exit.
Just as Hayashi was thinking about the zoo...
Kaguya, who was usually like an iceberg, let out a gasp.
Editor's notes:
Don't know about this reference…