Chapter 100
"No, I don't know Kaguya Shinomiya, I'm just helping you."
Yuki expressionless, but Hayasaka Ai felt these were the gentlest words she had ever heard. She said nothing, simply opened the car door, and quietly got out.
"Don't you need me to stay and help?"
"It's alright, I can handle it myself. Don't worry, Kaguya Shinomiya will definitely be monitored. If she really becomes a player, it will be very dangerous for her."
As an ordinary person, you might become a toy, but if you become a player, you become a competitor. Enemies will not show mercy because every veteran player has experienced bloodshed and should not be underestimated.
"I know, and I'll be careful with my approach; I won't confront Ms. Kaguya directly."
"You don't believe her?"
"How could that be?" Hayasaka Ai paused, biting her lip slightly. "But I'm not alone now; I have to consider your interests."
The Reincarnation Game would distort the player, and she wasn't entirely sure, much less willing to drag Yuki and Mai Sakurajima into it.
That's enough; considering each other's needs is the key to a lasting relationship.
Yuki remained silent, watching the figure disappear into the distance. He didn't trust Kaguya Shinomiya, but he trusted Hayasaka Ai.
I can't be as cold and ruthless as Brother Lu.
Yuki also got out of the car. The car was stolen, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka could have investigated it if he wanted to, but he knew the other party wouldn't. Given equal intelligence, it would be a waste of effort.
We started with the first clue.
Since it's a transaction, he won't engage in telecom fraud. If he says he'll do something, he will definitely do it. Everything is difficult at the beginning, and there will be many opportunities to cooperate in the future.
"Are the enemies the financial conglomerates and a group of people within the academy?" Yuki didn't even need to guess; he already knew what Ayanokouji wanted him to do.
He wants to play the victim, which is perfect; I also want to shift the blame, since we at least have a common enemy.
Yuki's motivation was still self-interest. Only by muddying the waters could his little group have an opportunity to take advantage of the situation. Because of Hayasaka Ai, the two sides were bound to clash sooner or later.
He opened the player panel and deliberately glanced at the costume section.
"Perfect timing, I have a card in my hand."
Yuki stayed in Tokyo and booked a room at the Advanced Nurturing High School using a false identity.
The money was provided by her senior, which gave Yuki the illusion that she was being kept, and the latter began performing.
Watching the press conference on TV, where Mai Sakurajima was introducing her comeback plan, Yuki couldn't help but smile; this was something they had discussed beforehand.
The school is the most dangerous place. Even if her identity is exposed, with the aura of an artist, others would have to consider the game's adjustments before they can touch her. And while the plan is a plan, when it will be implemented is still in Mai Sakurajima's hands.
The situation is good, except for a slightly troublesome issue with Hayasaka Ai. Kaguya Shinomiya is already being watched, and there are very few opportunities to probe indirectly.
"Looks like I'll have to create an opportunity."
Yuki was very patient, observing from afar for the past two days, picking up the remote and changing channels a few times, revealing an amused expression.
The news reports that the missing persons rate has increased by 0.5 percentage points compared to last year, or that the police are tracking down a psychopathic killer. I didn't think much of it before, but I understand now that I'm a player.
It's been about two weeks, and a lot has changed in the world. For example, this wanted criminal who randomly inserts people like decorative vases is definitely related to the players, but what are they after?
Yuki found some gruesome photos online: in a dimly lit alley, a fallen girl was tortured and murdered, her body used as a vase, her limbs and head inserted into it, looking like disgusting abstract art.
Thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. The cruel Reincarnation Game creates rational and calm players like them, but it also leaves behind unscrupulous lunatics who insist on performing art even while enduring punishment.
He should be killed.
Yuki turned off the TV, stood up coldly. He treated reality as his home, and it was always annoying when someone acted recklessly in his house.
But we don't have the resources to deal with these lunatics right now.
He went to the window and could see the huge school in the distance, as well as a silver-white sedan driving on the nearby street. The silver-white sedan always appeared on time these past two afternoons.
Reconnaissance? Decoy? No, this hook is too obvious. Are they trying to test our attitude?
Yuki pondered for a few seconds. The people in the car dared not enter the school rashly, and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's enemies were also suspicious, clearly having learned their lesson from being tricked.
No one was willing to show up, and the situation remained at a standstill.
"The next dungeon shouldn't be out for long, I don't have time to play games with you guys." Yuki maintained his indifferent expression and glanced at his player panel.
[Character Costume: Assassin]
[You will gain some of this character's abilities and traits]
[Remaining time: 3 hours]
Just like farming stamina in a mobile game, Yuki does one gacha pull every day and actually managed to find a useful Craft Essence. However, its trait is only level 2, meaning it can only store one Craft Essence, which it either overwrites or uses.
After thinking for a moment, he took his phone out of his pocket.
I turned on the phone, made a call, but there was no sound after it connected, so I simply spoke first:
"Keep your people deep inside the school. I'm about to make my move. Also, hold off the stronger ones among them."
How strong?
"Four or more dungeon experience levels, and do you have information on the other members of the consortium? You've probably been observing them for several days now."
Is he really going to do it? Oh, I guess he's testing me.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka hesitated for a moment. Was his opponent stronger than he had imagined?
"Based on the timeline, one person in the car is nicknamed 'Smoker,' and the other is nicknamed 'Armless.' The former has four dungeon experience points, and the latter has three."
"Are you sure?"
"When an organization grows larger, it will be divided into smaller teams, and the team members usually don't change. Fortunately, my people have worked with them in the previous instance."
That's reasonable and well-founded. Since it's a test before cooperation, there's no need for them to lie to me.
"Send me their information." Yuki nodded and continued, "Also, ensure the other side is at the same level of strength. You can do that, right?"
"I can create an opening, relax the surveillance a bit, and deliberately free them up their hands. Besides, this is data from the previous instance, so it can only be used as a reference."
Because of the academy's unique nature, most veteran players are out in the open, one after another keeping an eye on them, so no one can make any rash moves. But it's much harder to deliberately guide them, since they're not stupid.
How to release them? Whom to release? How to leave no trace?
This is a game of strategy, but Yuki believes in Ayanokoji's intelligence.
"That's enough. We'll begin in two hours."
"Let me make this clear first, I can't guarantee they'll make contact with each other. After all, normal people would observe from a distance and then probe step by step, just like you did—conceal your identity and try to communicate."
"That's how normal people are, but I can make things abnormal."
"Special skills?" Ayanokoji immediately became interested; this was something that couldn't be planned with just intelligence.
"Just focus on being a good examiner and don't worry about anything else."
Beep beep beep.
The receiver went dead. The boy on the rooftop paused for a moment, then slowly put down his phone, squinting as if savoring every word he had just heard.
"Does he trust you that much?" The girl with the cane quietly approached, also showing a curious expression.
"I don't believe it."
"So you believe him?"
"I don't believe it either." Ayanokoji glanced at the girl's strange expression and slowly shook his head. "Sakayanagi, for people like us, verbal communication is meaningless. The key is to see what he does and whether he has the ability to bring benefits to both of us."
"Yes, it's not worth risking everything for some information. He must have a grudge against those conglomerates and is trying to shift the blame elsewhere."
"He used me, I used him, it's fair. Anyway, I don't have time to play balancing games with them." Ayanokoji stretched out her hand, palm facing the noisy campus, and clenched it tightly, as if she were holding it in her palm.
"The first step is to break the balance and completely take control of this treasure trove."
Chapter Fourteen: Unlocking Random Missions
After reviewing the information, Yuki put down his phone, closed his eyes and pondered for several seconds before opening them again.
He had no reason to lie to me. If the accuracy of the information could reach over 70%, the odds of winning would be as high as 90%. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's reason for being honest was quite simple.
"Do you want to break the balance and completely seize control of that fortress that breeds venomous insects?"
The purpose wasn't hard to guess; the question was why he would do it. According to his memory, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka wasn't the kind of ambitious man who wanted to become a 'king'.
Because of the Alienated Grade of the Reincarnation Game, Yuki couldn't guarantee whether the other party was 'perverted', so he simply stopped thinking about it and focused on satisfying his own interests first.
Leaving aside Shiina Hiyori, he, Mai Sakurajima, and Hayasaka Ai are already deeply intertwined. Unless he kills his sister to prove his path, Hayasaka Ai's affairs are his affairs.
"We need to find those conglomerates something to do, instead of having them monitor Kaguya Shinomiya all day long. At least Ayanokouji can handle the pressure."
It's that simple. My shoulders can't bear this pressure right now. Since Ayanokoji wants to break the balance, I'll just do him a favor.
Opening the prepared package, Yuuki found a red school uniform inside—the uniform of the Advanced Nurturing High School. Putting it on, Yuki faced the mirror and carefully disguised himself.
Lacking Hayasaka Ai's makeup skills, he put on a brown wig based on the photo, then donned a mask and contact lenses, and looked up at his glasses to make minor adjustments.
This is a 'missing' student from the Advanced Nurturing High School. He's about the same build as Yuki, and his clumsy disguise is easy to spot, but it's enough to fool the cameras.
"Dead men don't talk, you can investigate all you want."
With a satisfied smile, Yuki opened the side window of the room and waited for a while.
According to the Tyrant's intelligence, random quests will be triggered when players attack each other, and three conditions must be met:
First, it requires a clash between Transcendental Grade forces.
Second, it exhibits aggressive behavior.
Third, the attack range, i. e. the area affected.
That's why he entered the academy as an ordinary person, which falls under the category of social order and has nothing to do with players. While a massive attack can cast a wide net and catch more fish, a huge game overhaul is something no player can withstand.
Is there something that can gather monsters without affecting ordinary people?
Yuki jumped onto the windowsill, raised his right hand, and snapped his fingers lightly.
Of course there are.
A silver-white sedan slowly pulled up to the side of the road, with two people inside.
In the driver's seat on the left, a man wearing a white smiling mask had his thick forearms exposed by rolled-up sleeves. He was extremely strong, and his head almost touched the roof.
On the right is a woman with her legs, encased in fishnet stockings, resting on the dashboard. Her low-cut blazer reveals most of her breasts, and she wears a matching smiley face mask. Her left hand is empty.
The atmosphere inside the car wasn't good. For players, returning home is a time for relaxation and enjoyment, so it's no wonder they're in a good mood after being sent out on a mission. But they have no choice; enjoying material things comes at a price.
"It's been three days, and there's still no movement." The man's voice was deep and menacing. "We've specifically used in-game outfits; we can't possibly be completely unaware of whether there are any players inside."
"The kids in the game are all cunning, and there are definitely more in this school," the woman said slowly, yawning as she spoke. "But the higher-ups aren't giving up; a new identity has already been arranged—a visiting scholar."
"Bullshit! I didn't even finish junior high school, how can I be a scholar? Besides, there are a lot of players inside, wouldn't we be doomed if we went in?"
To put it bluntly, they were human scouts, used to test the academy's strength and stance, a process that was both troublesome and dangerous.
"Can't we just not do it?" the woman asked slowly in return.
Bang!
The steering wheel was slammed hard, and Smoker couldn't utter a single word. Joining the organization meant being under constant surveillance; in reality, all his information had already been thoroughly investigated.
Betrayal kills not just one person, but an entire household register.
"Regretful? You were so excited when you received the invitation."
The Smoker couldn't answer either. As a loan shark and a disgrace to his parents, the Reincarnation Game changed his life.
The organization arranged respectable jobs for them, allowing their parents to hold their heads high in the village again. The monthly bonus of one million yen was enough to live a life of luxury, and they could now call up several young models at once, something they never dared to dream of before.
"Tch, since you're risking your life anyway, at least there are benefits. So, do you regret it?"
"I don't care. The person who hurt me is dead. All I want now is to reach Rank B and become a complete person." The woman gently shook her head. The organization had an item that, when activated in a dungeon, could repair all cigarette butts and wounds on the body.
"The last person who gang-raped you also died?"
"Yes, the organization found him in South America. He died a horrible death, just like me. He had to sell his ass for a month before he died. I'm very satisfied."
The Smoker fell silent, glancing at the distant academy with a mocking look in his eyes.
He admitted that some of these students were quite capable in the Reincarnation Game, but they were too naive. They didn't care about classmate relationships; the game was just a trading platform.
Give your life, provide your strength, and reap the benefits.