"—Rawr!"
What was that sound?
Freshly transmitted into this unfamiliar world, the Tarnished had barely stabilized himself when an odd cry rang out.
He slowly opened his eyes.
A youthful face filled his vision.
Instinctively, he stepped back two paces before taking in her full appearance.
Reddish-brown twin tails fading into darker tips. A black, Chinese-style outfit patterned with unusual motifs and a long trailing hem. On her head sat a peculiar hat adorned with plum blossoms. Behind her shoulder peeked a white, marshmallow-like spirit.
"…Miss Hu Tao?"
"Hehe, that's right! Did I scare you?"
"…."
He fell silent.
How was he supposed to answer that?
For a split second, yes—he had nearly drawn his weapon.
But only for a split second.
That exaggerated, clawing pose wasn't frightening at all.
If anything, it was… kind of cute.
"Hehe."
Seeing his silence, the girl seemed to misinterpret it as success and laughed brightly. The white marshmallow spirit deflated and vanished as she extended her pale hand.
"Hello! I'm Hu Tao, the seventy-seventh Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"…Hello. I am a nameless Tarnished, from the Lands Between."
He shook her hand briefly and released it.
Even in a world of madness and slaughter, he understood basic etiquette.
He then turned his gaze to the surroundings.
A luxurious corridor in unmistakably modern style stretched before them.
It felt both familiar and alien.
Curious.
"Where is Otto Apocalypse? Hasn't he arrived yet?"
After confirming the hallway was otherwise empty, he opened the chat.
Trying to Save My Wife Tarnished: "@Otto Apocalypse Miss Hu Tao and I have arrived. Where are you?"
Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor: "Mr. Otto, it's so quiet here. Not a single person in sight."
Otto Apocalypse: "I have dispatched someone to receive you. We will discuss details when I arrive."
Fujiwara Chika: "Mr. Tarnished is already there?! I'm so jealous! I want to go too! (crying)"
He ignored Fujiwara Chika's lament and scanned the corridor again.
Not just empty.
Dead silent.
He had hoped to eliminate the invaders quickly and return home to accompany his wife.
Just as he prepared to inquire further—
Footsteps echoed faintly from the far end of the hall.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Like high heels striking tile.
The sound carried clearly in the emptiness.
He narrowed his eyes.
A slender figure emerged from the corner.
"…A woman?"
He hesitated.
The attire was unmistakably feminine.
A pale blue, backless evening gown—something like a modernized qipao. Long, toned legs wrapped in black stockings. Red high heels. Flowing gray hair swaying gently with each step.
Everything pointed toward female.
And yet—
Her chest was so flat it nearly overturned the conclusion.
For reasons he could not explain, the phrase Divine Flatlands echoed in his mind.
"You must be the assistants sent by Overseer Otto."
The woman approached.
These unusual outfits must match Otto's description.
Especially the armored figure—judging by build, likely male.
"My name is Fu Hua. Overseer Otto instructed me to receive you."
"Yahho! I'm Hu Tao, current Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Yes, we're here to help Mr. Otto!"
Hu Tao greeted her cheerfully.
That voice… Kiana?
Fu Hua's expression flickered. For a moment she had mistaken Hu Tao's tone for someone else.
But Hu Tao's next sentence nearly broke her composure.
"Miss Fu Hua, would you be interested in learning about the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services? I see dark clouds over your brow. Within the next few years, you will likely encounter a bloody calamity."
Spoken with the confidence of a street fortune-teller—despite her youthful face.
"..."
Fu Hua did not know what this "Wangsheng Funeral Parlor" was.
But the latter half was unmistakable.
Are you cursing me?
She inhaled slowly, calming herself, and adjusted the rim of her red glasses.
"This is not the place to talk. Please follow me."
As Fu Hua turned and walked away, Hu Tao tilted her head, puzzled.
"Mr. Tarnished, did I say something wrong?"
"…You don't open conversations like that with everyone, do you?"
"Of course not! But some people really do have signs of a bloody calamity. I'm just kindly informing them."
Kindly?
He was stunned.
That was absolutely not a first-meeting conversation starter.
Who told strangers they were about to suffer bloody disaster?
He glanced at Hu Tao, who still looked utterly innocent, unaware of any misstep.
With a resigned shake of his head, he followed Fu Hua.
Bloody calamity… what was that again?
—
In the chat.
Fujiwara Chika: "Eh? Does that lady really have a bloody calamity?"
Hu Tao had apparently activated the livestream without him noticing.
Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor: "Yes! Likely within two years. Sigh… I'm only trying to help. Why won't she understand?"
Trying to Save My Wife Tarnished: "..."
Aizen: "..."
Otto Apocalypse: "..."
King of Heroes: "..."
Forever Seventeen: "..."
Northern Northern Northern: "Terrifying indeed.jpg"
Were these two social terrorists?
—
Under Fu Hua's guidance, they were led to a lower-level room of the hotel.
"My apologies," Fu Hua explained. "The upper floors have been secured by Anti-Entropy."
"As for the specifics, Overseer Otto will explain upon arrival."
Knock. Knock.
A sudden rap at the door drew all three pairs of eyes toward it.
Fu Hua approached cautiously, peered through the peephole, and opened it.
"Good evening, Lady Fu Hua. It has been some time."
A soft, alluring voice accompanied the sight of a maid standing at the doorway.