Chapter 161
The Grand Blue? It certainly brings joy.
She gazed at the distant sea, not feigning profundity, but simply puzzled. Just over twenty hours ago, they were hunting players in the Bone Plains; how could they have switched roles so quickly?
Now that I'm in a team with them, what will happen in the future? The Shinomiya Clan is too dangerous, should I go back? What will become of my relationship with Hayasaka? Can it still be the same as before?
A major life question lingered in her mind, and as she pondered it in the setting sun, she suddenly took a step to the side.
Splash!
The seawater was quickly absorbed as it hit the sand. Kaguya turned her head to look at Mai Sakurajima, whose sneak attack had failed, and looked puzzled.
"You've finally returned, so don't overthink it. The new dungeon will probably start again in a few days. Aren't you tired?" The senior student walked over with a smile, lightly flicking her shoe.
"Our return was never easy, and now we finally understand why some players go to such lengths to hide their identities."
These words reminded Kaguya of the 'Phantom Thief,' a boy who was not much weaker than Yuki, yet always remained a lone wolf. In his words, he only wanted to live a few peaceful days after leaving the dungeon.
Gazing at the girl in the sunset, Kaguya hesitated for a long time before softly saying, "I'm sorry to have troubled you."
She already knew the enormous plan Hayasaka had prepared for her, not only getting Yuki involved but also going abroad and changing his identity to fly back.
Unbeknownst to them, the biggest crisis was averted.
"I wasn't taking this opportunity to mock you." The senior student said gracefully, handing the shoes to Kaguya and bending down to wring out the water stains from her skirt. "Just do your best to resolve what has already happened. There are many troublesome things in the world; thinking about them one by one will never end. Just like there might be an even larger player organization behind Daylight."
This is inevitable. The Shinomiya Clan is very powerful, but they are not the top in the world. What Shinomiya Oko can do, others can also do. So when will this end?
"That's one issue; Yuki himself is shrouded in mystery, making it even more difficult to uncover the truth behind his existence."
"With so much trouble, how can he still laugh?" Kaguya turned her head to look at the young man who was rubbing a boy's head.
"It's not difficult, do you think I'll cry?" Mai Sakurajima chuckled, took a few steps forward with her hands behind her back, "After getting through the initial nightmare, I asked someone what his goal was in the Reincarnation Game. But when I was confused, he always ended up influencing me."
"With this thought, everything became clear. Why bother thinking about other things? Just give it your all when it's time to do something, whether it's clearing a dungeon, killing people, or teaching a few kids to play in the sand."
Isn't this just persona acting?
Kaguya seemed somewhat familiar; both she and Hayasaka possessed similar skills. No wonder she hadn't noticed anything amiss, and no wonder Mai Sakurajima dared to return to being an idol.
Without a doubt, this is a skill possessed only by geniuses, because most people can't even distinguish between work and life, let alone this daily life and the Reincarnation Game.
"Kaguya-chan, do you know why Yuki is fighting?" the upperclassman asked abruptly. The girl, who had been looking at Yuki, nodded almost imperceptibly.
She roughly understood, and felt somewhat ashamed of her initial wariness. This man had never been interested in becoming a regional overlord, yet his ambition was terrifyingly unbelievable.
For players, building a large organization like Daytime is not difficult; strength, wisdom, and financial resources are all that's needed. However, enjoying this peace for a long time is extremely difficult, because the enemy is the Reincarnation Game itself.
And what about me?
Kaguya pursed her lips. She was a rather complicated person. Her education in imperial studies made her want to replace Shinomiya Oko, but her fear of death also made her crave power and security.
But there are other player organizations behind Ke Zhou. Even if he unites all players worldwide and becomes the strongest, is there a limit to the difficulty of the Reincarnation Game? When will it end?
Her legs felt like they were sinking into gravel. Kaguya remained expressionless, her eyes darting around, realizing that the most frequent image she'd seen these past two days wasn't actually the world of King's Reign.
Hayasaka Ai, Chika Fujiwara, and Shuchiin— those uninteresting yet innocent mediocre talents.
'But I've changed. This Reincarnation Game can change a person in just one day. The will to survive truly is the best teacher.'
She still trembles when she thinks about the first instance. She was bedridden for several days before she recovered, and then she made various excuses not to go to school and declined Chika Fujiwara's request to visit her in the hospital.
She now had an urge to rush back to Tokyo to enjoy Hayasaka's coffee, then freshen up and go to school to listen to Fujiwara's silly and funny jokes, but reason told her that doing so was dangerous and self-deception.
Is it possible to go back?
Kaguya glanced at Yuuki Yuki goodbye to the children in the distance, and at Mai Sakurajima walking Lightness away carrying her shoes. The last rays of the setting sun lingered in the fiery red sky, dyeing the entire sea surface gold.
She has her own vacation villa and has seen countless sunsets, but this one seems exceptionally beautiful.
Perhaps.
"Senior, are you in your Novice Guide mode again, giving someone psychological counseling?"
Yuki had his back to the beach, but everything was under his control.
"Don't call me that, it reminds me of that disgusting monster with its head blown open." Mai Sakurajima wrinkled her nose and replied with a smile, "We're teammates after all, how can we not be united? It's just that Kaguya-chan Taiyi from us, a bit too mature yet too childish."
Mature yet childish?
Despite the contradictory assessments, Yuki felt they were quite apt, after all, this was Alienated Grade version of Kaguya, and indeed different from a normal person.
"Her problem is solved. Hayasaka will be back soon. She's set up over a dozen fake targets, so even if Daytime sends out players, it'll take some effort. This is where the detached family ties come in handy; after all, she doesn't need to let anyone know she's safe."
"It sounds rather pathetic, but it's for the best, at least it's safer this way." Mai Sakurajima didn't doubt the maid's professionalism and lowered her head with interest.
There was a magnificent cluster of castles on the beach, no wonder the children were all shouting and yelling like they were under a spell.
"By the way, you can even build sandcastles?"
"I couldn't do that before, but after my physical fitness improved, I can perfectly recreate what's in my head with my hands. To be honest, it's pretty boring."
"So you spent over an hour playing with those kids?"
Yuki turned around, her back to the setting sun, and asked, "Senior, don't you wash your hands when they're covered in grime?"
His face was hidden in the darkness, only his gleaming white teeth were visible, and the sunlight behind him was like an umbilical cord connecting him to the last ray of light.
Mai Sakurajima paused for a moment, then gave a somewhat awkward smile, "Looks like I'll have to keep a closer eye on you."
"Hahaha, I couldn't be happier." Yuki laughed. He had a lot of negative mental states, so it was amazing that he could still enjoy a normal life.
After saying goodbye to the children, the three continued their walk.
By then, the last rays of sunlight had faded, there was no moonlight, no stars, and all around was darkness, with only the sound of the rushing tide to be heard.
No one asked when we were going home, and we didn't know where we were going. The distant Lighthouse looked like a firefly, and as we walked, we heard people talking ahead.
It was a man and a woman, seemingly talking in hushed tones, and they immediately fell silent when they heard someone approaching.
Yuki could only see a silhouette, and tentatively asked, "Iori Kitahara?"
"Yuki Sorajima? What a coincidence, you're here for a stroll too?" The young man looked around, his eyes seemingly able to see through the night. "Oh, so this is your friend from Tokyo, whom you brought to Izu specifically to see the sea?"
Players!?
Kaguya tensed instantly, and Mai Sakurajima became more wary. They could sense that the gaze was not simple, but they deliberately looked away when it swept over their faces.
"You and Chisa are out for a walk too?" Yuki didn't answer directly, but he could see the short-haired girl nodding to him, then curiously looking at the two people behind him.
"No, I just came out for some fresh air because I was a bit tipsy. By the way, Tokita- senpai is just ahead. You'd better turn back. A lady from Tokyo might not understand the customs of Izu."
Is baseball-style boxing a local custom in Izu?
Yuki turned around decisively, knowing that Iori Kitahara wasn't just for ventilation; she probably had a lot to say to Chisa. He knew he had that much insight.
"Hey, is it really necessary for you to be so busy all day long?"
They had only taken a few steps when the young man's voice drifted over from afar, clearly indicating that he had guessed what was happening in Tokyo.
"It's not very interesting, but there are always moments of great significance." Yuki didn't explain, just waved his hand casually. "By the way, my female friend in Tokyo is someone else."
The night was silent for a few seconds, then the night wind carried the curse, "You beast, you deserve to die!" Yuki just smiled and acted as if nothing had happened.
After a brief encounter, they went their separate ways. Kaguya couldn't hold back any longer and was about to ask who this dangerous player was when a clear, ringing bell rang, forcing her to shut her mouth.
"You finally called me. I thought you were too badly injured to survive." Yuki answered the phone and greeted me like an old friend.
"I'm not physically injured, and besides, you've already guessed the outcome, so I don't need to report it to you specifically." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, lacking any sense of humor and not intending to beat around the bush, simply asked, "When can we meet?"
"Okay, no problem." Yuki answered decisively, clearly having anticipated this move.
"Then how should we meet?"
"Someone will contact you later; the time is set for tomorrow."
"No problem."
After hanging up the phone and exchanging only a few words, Yuki put his phone back in his pocket and turned away with a hint of helplessness.
"Just had a day off, and now I'm back to work."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Mai Sakurajima asked immediately.
"With Hiyori here, Senpai, go ahead and do your work. It's not easy to come back, so try to relax." Yuki was considerate of others' feelings, then looked at Kaguya: "As for you, you can stay in my room. Hayasaka should be back tomorrow."
Is Hayasaka finally coming?
Kaguya was secretly pleased, but also troubled, unsure of what expression to wear when saying goodbye.
She suppressed her emotions and asked coldly, "You're going alone? Aren't you afraid of danger?"
"I prefer working with smart people; it reduces the amount of scheming and avoids insulting each other's intelligence." Yuki replied, seemingly unrelated to the question, head held high, slowly disappearing into the darkness. Some things are better left unsaid.
Rescuing you was just a side effect; that's the true meaning of participating in the war.
Chapter Twenty-One: The Game's Secrets
Yuki had many questions he wanted to know, and after experiencing three dungeons, each time he had even deeper questions.
The Reincarnation Game is like a patient storyteller, gradually unlocking permissions as players gain experience. Normal players call this 'growth,' but Yuki has discovered much more and has long realized that it's not as simple as it seems.
Even if you include Kaguya Shinomiya, the team only has five people in total, and none of them are very experienced. It would take them forever to find out the truth on their own.
He had neither the inclination nor the time to waste on real-world interpersonal relationships. Since someone nearby happened to have the interest and resources in this area, it was only natural to help out in exchange for information.
The next day, after several transfers, Yuki arrived in Fukuoka and then took a boat to Aosu Island.
The island is extremely small, located dozens of kilometers north of Fukuoka. It was once inhabited by hundreds of fishermen, but now, with young people flocking to the city, the island is deserted.
Yuki wanted places that were deserted. That's the beauty of Japan. Don't be fooled by how crowded Tokyo is; in the countryside, you won't see a soul.
Wearing light-colored jeans and a white short-sleeved shirt, dressed like a student, Yuki stood at the bow of the ship. The Fool's Mask transformed him into a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy. Before long, a long, narrow island came into view.
There is a small pier on the island, and some old two-story houses are built against the mountain, but most of them have their doors and windows closed. There are also a few old people who can barely open their eyes fishing on the pier, and they raise their heads slightly when they see someone coming.
What a day it is today! There are actually several young people here. Apart from the doctors who occasionally come to the island, they haven't seen people of this age in a long time.
Yuki jumped off the ship and looked at the few figures standing not far from the dock. He never expected that his first face-to-face meeting with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka would be under the watchful eyes of a group of elderly men who were on their deathbeds.
The boy stood on the shore, with Shiina Hiyori and Sakayanagi Arisu beside him. He also saw Yuki, looked him up and down, and then silently walked onto the covered bridge.
The two boys, who were about the same age, walked towards each other without shaking hands or exchanging pleasantries, and stopped when they were about a meter apart.
You looked at me, I looked at you, neither of us spoke, yet a vast amount of information flashed through our minds.
Contrary to my expectations, Brother Lu seems more ruthless and mature. Yeah, after all, he's the type to adapt his approach to different situations; the Reincarnation Game is much more interesting than a chaotic brawl among vocational school students.
I can't smell any blood. Does this person have some kind of split personality? No wonder he seems like a combination of a strategist and a brute. Well, I don't like talking to brainless people.
After forming their first impressions, it was Ayanokoji Kiyotaka finally broke the silence.
"The meeting place you chose is strange. I've never heard of a private meeting being made the center of attention."
"But this is the safest way. If anyone wants to target us, they'll be discovered as soon as they land on the island."
"Hmm, thinking in reverse, you're sure I'll erase the islanders' memories?"
"Otherwise what? I put on a disguise, didn't you even prepare for that?" Yuki spread his hands, and seeing that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, whom he had tricked, showed no change in expression, he nodded in satisfaction.
"You have a rather broad mind; no wonder you didn't waste time looking for Hiyori."
"Because you deserve my caution." Ayanokoji didn't say much. It would be easy for him to dig out Shiina Hiyori, and the latter showed no surprise when she revealed her identity.
Shiina Hiyori wasn't exactly a hostage, but the fact that she was still at the academy reassured me. As for the person's disguise, it wasn't a big deal.
His identity is a matter of life and death for many people. As long as he can remain hidden in the shadows, no one dares to touch Shiina Hiyori or a hair on his head.
"Thanks."
Yuki accepted the respect without hesitation, then looked up at the two people who had stepped onto the pier.
Leaning on a cane, Sakayanagi Arisu and sickly, as if even a gust of wind could blow her over, but Yuki felt a sense of oppression and immediately realized that this woman was no ordinary person.
Her eyes were filled with curiosity, which she didn't bother to hide at all; those fox-like eyes had scrutinized her dozens of times.
Shiina Hiyori still had that girl-next-door look, a slight smile as if that was all she needed to say hello, making you want to pinch her cheeks.
The two approached, then separated clearly, each standing behind their respective commanders like strategists, still evenly matched.
"I didn't expect Shiina from Class C to be your classmate, which actually made me more determined to meet you," Ayanokoji said calmly, the meaning behind his words truly incomprehensible to the average person.
"A person's value is not determined by their killing ability, especially in the Reincarnation Game." Yuki didn't hide anything. Hiyori looked harmless. "Please, let's talk as we walk. It's uncomfortable to be stared at by a group of people who are about to die."
There's an abandoned shrine on a mountain in the center of the island, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding area, making it a safer place to talk.