This Humble One, Reincarnation Stream Player

"Bullshit responsibility. I went through hell and back in the last Dungeon just to enjoy my life, so why should I give a damn if anyone else lives or dies?" Band Guy wiped his red hair, slung his sword over his shoulder, and returned to the table. He stomped his leather boots onto the tabletop and raised his voice:

"Listen up, everyone. If you want protection, the terms are the same as before: women can offer their bodies, and men pay up after returning to reality. Don't harbor any delusions; this game is more dangerous than you imagine. If you die here, you won't survive in reality either!"

Very vulgar, very confident, and very realistic.

Yuki hadn't interjected from start to finish. He guessed that he had wasted too much time finishing off the Newbie Guide and had entered almost at the last second, likely missing the veteran players' information-sharing session, but that wouldn't stump him.

First, there were two veteran players, and they didn't know each other.

Second, without protection from teammates, these two veterans clearly held the power of speech.

Third, the players present all came from the same world; otherwise, the demand for payment after returning to reality wouldn't have been made.

Fourth, the real world and the instance were synchronized, which was only to be expected.

Yuki quickly analyzed these four pieces of information, then felt a light tap on his shoulder.

"Don't be afraid. He just looks fierce; in reality, he won't do anything to you." Li Dan, who looked like a corporate slave, offered a smile. He seemed quite gentle and easily gained others' favor.

This kind of smile often appeared on insurance agents, and Yuki's dull expression indeed made him look like he had been scared witless.

"H-he, did he want to kill me just now?"

"Rest assured, killing teammates in an instance causes unpredictable consequences. Most people won't do that."

In other words, if necessary, it was still possible?

"Phew, then I'm relieved." Yuki's expression relaxed, and he nodded as if he hadn't understood the subtext: "Thanks for just now. How should I address you?"

"Li Dan. Just call me Brother Li." He extended his hand. Yuki instinctively shook it, then raised an eyebrow slightly.

It was very subtle, but the moment he let go, Li Dan brushed against his palm in a somewhat 'lingering' manner, giving off the illusion of a gay vibe.

"Come over and gather first. The mission is about to start."

Li Dan didn't explain, leaving that sentence behind as he turned and walked away, appearing like a magnanimous older brother—at the very least, far more reliable than the loudmouthed Band Guy on the table.

Most people were either in a daze or harboring wishful thinking; regardless, no one responded to Thomas's trade, leaving him standing to the side, clearly displeased. As the crowd gathered from all corners of the hall toward the round table, they appeared one by one in Yuki's eyes under the dim light of the crystal chandelier.

They're all very young. That makes sense. If the newbie guidance content is the same for everyone, the old, weak, sick, and disabled would have long since been scared to death by that Head-Blossoming Monster and never would have made it here.

Their intelligence should also be above average. If there were any idiots, they would be wandering outside the door by now.

Yuki nodded imperceptibly. Just as he had guessed, that newbie guidance was also a filtering process. At least there wouldn't be any cliché drama where someone thought they were dreaming and got thrown out to make an example of.

That would be a waste of time and unnecessary, at least saving the veteran players the time of explaining.

His gaze swept across the crowd, lingering for a moment on Mai Sakurajima before jumping to the girl to her left, his pupils slightly stalling.

"Know someone?" Li Dan, standing beside him, asked casually.

"No, just thought that schoolgirl was quite pretty."

Li Dan turned his head to follow his gaze and saw a blonde girl with a single ponytail across the round table. She wore light makeup, had beautiful nails, and was dressed in a high school uniform; both her figure and appearance were top-tier.

Looks like a gyaru? Why didn't a woman like that ask for Thomas's protection just now?

He didn't think too much about it and said earnestly: "Don't let your imagination run wild in the instance, and definitely don't do anything stupid like playing the hero to save a beauty. This game is more dangerous than you think; I don't even have the confidence to survive. If you really want to pick up girls, talk about it after you get out. Players can share information with each other."

"Thanks for the reminder, Brother Li. My life is indeed more important."

"Don't be so stiff. At least in this instance, we're all brothers." Li Dan adjusted his glasses and stepped onto the round table, failing to notice the flickering gaze of the youth behind him.

He seems very concerned about me. Did he notice those micro-expressions?

Yuki gained some more information. He didn't look at Li Dan, who was stepping onto the table to rally the crowd, but turned his head back, just in time to meet the other's gaze.

Unlike Mai Sakurajima, the blonde schoolgirl smiled and waved at him, looking as if she didn't understand the cruel reality.

It's actually Hayasaka Ai. But if it's her, it's no surprise she passed the newbie guidance.

Having already seen the bunny girl senior, adding another 'acquaintance' didn't mean much. Or rather, this all-around maid was never simple; she hid her emotions well. If he didn't know her background, he really would have thought she was just a simple-minded gyaru.

Wait a minute. I know their backgrounds and personalities.

Yuki suddenly grasped an inspiration. Upon discovering that the game hadn't disabled friendly fire, he had realized the hidden danger.

General Principle Three: Players are more terrifying than instance monsters.

Not to mention that Band Guy, even Li Dan, with his persona of a caring older brother, was untrustworthy. God knows when he might stab someone in the back. To put it bluntly, both sides were strangers with no time to build trust.

But Mai Sakurajima and Hayasaka Ai were new players, and Yuki had never changed the direction of the world line all these years. In other words, their life trajectories and personalities were no different from what he remembered.

I don't know their current strength, but I know their backgrounds?

Yuki subconsciously curled his lips. If Li Dan on the table knew this, he would be furious. He was going to great lengths to emphasize "pulling together in times of trouble," while a new player below had already categorized most people as potential enemies.

"This game is a bit like a horror or thriller movie. Logic and common sense don't apply. A moment of carelessness and you will die. Everyone must not let their guard down."

Li Dan finished speaking earnestly, repeatedly emphasizing the horror of the game. When his voice fell, there was no response; most people just stared at him blankly.

"Waste of effort. If you ask me, let two people die and they'll know how serious it is," Band Guy snorted with disdain, standing up and glancing at the few good-looking newcomers and the fat man covered in luxury goods. "I'm not a bleeding heart like him. You lot decide what to do about the previous offer."

Li Dan opened his mouth as if to rebuke him, but before he could speak, the 'click' of the minute hand sounded, and the clock on the wall pointed to twelve.

Dong, dong, dong.

The dull, ancient, and long bell tolled. Gazes filled with tension, fear, or confusion converged, making the cold, silent hall feel hair-raising.

Yuki felt his heartbeat accelerating. He opened his mouth, but felt unable to produce a sound; bizarre whispers had already filled his entire brain.

[Game Start]

[Standard Mission: Bloodthirsty Red Moon. Please survive until the third day.]

[Hint 1: You are currently being besieged by Bloodthirsty Living Corpses. They will devour your flesh and blood.]

[2: You cannot stay in any single location other than the Ancient Castle for more than two hours.]

[3: Time will pass incessantly, just like your lives and hopes.]

[4: At regular intervals, the Red Moon will send gifts.]

[5: Everyone has the right to bathe in the moonlight.]

[6: Please, do not walk alone.]

The content was more extensive than before, and the strange voices made one clench their fists. His brain felt as if a knife had been shoved into it. Yuki reached out to steady himself against the back of a chair, his trembling eyes staring fixedly ahead.

Opposite the round table was a floor-to-ceiling window. Red light, as viscous as blood, filtered through the glass, causing the crystal chandelier to lose its luster.

And outside the window, the Red Moon hung high.

The game had officially begun.

When the scarlet moonlight appeared accompanied by the whispers, everyone froze, a massive influx of information flooding their brains. But soon, led by the two veteran Players, everyone rushed to the floor-to-ceiling window.

"What the hell are those things?"

"Do you even have to ask? That weird voice just said they're Living Corpses."

"Then we should be fine, right..."

"How would I know?"

The crowd surged, voices clamoring. After the beginner tutorial, no fool would think they were dreaming, but knowing that the horror-movie-like scenario was only the beginning—not everyone could accept that.

The game is only officially starting now? The monsters from before almost scared us to death.

Mai Sakurajima licked her dry lips. Through the window, she could see a vast ancient castle, and below, a garden blooming with flowers of various colors, with a towering city wall further out.

Beneath the wall, hazy figures wandered aimlessly, like a school of fish in a sea of fresh blood. But having experienced that Head-Blossoming Monster, she knew these were not people at all, but the 'Living Corpses' the strange voice had spoken of.

They will devour your flesh and blood.

This sentence lingered in her mind like a curse, making her clench her fists instinctively. Just as her heart was in turmoil, a female voice suddenly sounded by her ear.

"Miss Mai, do you think we're filming in some studio?"

Amidst the heavy breathing, a voice suddenly rang out. Mai Sakurajima turned her head sharply to see the blonde girl standing behind her, blinking her blue eyes innocently.

"You know me?"

"You're a big star, surely many people in Japan know you."

This wasn't a lie; Mai Sakurajima had debuted as an idol at the age of six. Being of similar age and from the same place allowed her to let out a soft sigh of relief, and the heart that had been hanging since joining the game finally found some stability.

"Of course it's not filming, though I wish it were a prank show where a host would suddenly jump out from a hidden door." Mai Sakurajima curled her lips, though her smile was somewhat bitter. "Aren't you afraid? Everything is like a nightmare."

"I am, but fear is useless. We have to find a way back." The blonde girl spread her hands, lowered her voice, and feigned ease. "We definitely won't make it if we're just stumbling around in the dark. Like Li Dan said, we have to stick together. Surviving is more important than anything else~~"

It was a simple, brutal logic, but very realistic. Now that the last shred of wishful thinking was gone, if it hadn't been so dark outside, many would have been ready to jump out the window.

But now, who would dare to test those wandering Living Corpses?

Mai Sakurajima turned her head to look at Li Dan, who was clapping his hands vigorously, making the bewildered new Players introduce themselves one by one, as if that could distract them.

"Hmm, Li Dan is more reliable than that Red-Haired Guy. After all, he's a veteran Player and has been especially friendly to the newcomers from the start."

"Red-Haired Guy?"

"That Thomas. In plot tropes, this type of character is the easiest to die."

"Haha, I didn't expect Miss Mai to be so humorous. You're quite different from the artists I've imagined."

"One must adjust their mood before facing a challenge. Just like you, you're completely different from the Shuchiin students I've imagined." Mai Sakurajima took a careful look at the other girl's open collar and reached out her hand. "Just call me Mai, or add 'classmate' if you like."

"I'm Hayasaka. Please take care of me~ Mai-classmate~" The blonde girl grasped her hand and shook it enthusiastically, though her blue eyes remained calm.

As expected of a well-traveled artist, she possessed a maturity beyond her years and was very composed; she should be useful.

She let go of her hand and quietly turned her neck to look at the black-haired boy standing not far away, peering out the window on his tiptoes.

And this person, he's very strange.

Yuki did not know that a certain maid was quietly observing him. He had sensed something unusual in her gaze from the moment they first met, and he also saw that he was uninterested in the newcomers' self-introductions.

He stood at the very back, listening to the introductions while his brain raced, re-reading every word of the six hints he had just received multiple times.

[Living Corpses], [Three Days], [Ancient Castle], [Do not walk alone].

No points, no rewards, no penalties, no phased objectives...

The Reincarnation Game really is damn unreasonable.

Yuki frowned instinctively. He hadn't done many practice problems like this; it was clearly different from typical infinite-style games.

Clues must be sought within the hints, and as for the difficulty level, it remains unknown; it all depends on the solution the Player chooses.

The challenge is immense.

He took a light breath. Given the problems he had drilled over the years, his survival rate would be quite high if he were dropped into a dungeon like Resident Evil, but for this game, his confidence was much lower.

Just as Li Dan said, do logic and common sense not apply here?

Yuki was capable of multitasking; while lost in thought, he also finished listening to the team's self-introductions.

Setting aside the two veteran players for the moment, Hayasaka Ai was indeed using the alias "Hayasaka," and Mai Sakurajima only gave the name "Mai." The players came from all over the world and did not recognize this idol who had paused her entertainment career several years ago.

It seems they have also analyzed that players might meet in reality and are trying their best to hide their identities. Their psychological fortitude truly exceeds that of ordinary people.

Yuki praised this composure in his heart, though he had no interest in remembering the names of the others, merely taking note of their respective professions.

Excluding these four and himself, there were four other new players in the dungeon: a slightly chubby man who made no effort to hide his wealth, who could be called Rich Brother; a young woman dressed in office attire who was a Financial Analyst; and a woman with a dangerous hairstyle who was quietly coughing, who was a Housewife.

These three had already stood by Band Brother's side, clearly agreeing to the terms of protection, while the latter was spreading his hands to knead the plump buttocks of the office lady. To still have desires at a time like this, Yuki had to praise him as a real man.

Aside from these two women and one man, there remained a delicate-looking college student who seemed at a loss, and a fairly sturdy Black Brother who was wary of everyone.

Rich Brother, office lady, housewife, white college student, Black Brother, Mai Sakurajima, Hayasaka Ai, plus myself—that makes eight new players. With Li Dan and Thomas as the two veterans, the ratio of new to old is quite large.

Yuki ran through the list in his mind before finally looking up, as all eyes had gathered on him.

"Hey, it's your turn. Are you a moron, just standing there like a blockhead?" Thomas cursed viciously, and the others also looked on with dissatisfaction.

This black-haired youth, whose clothes were disheveled and stained with quite a bit of blood, was too dull. He had arrived last, had the lowest presence, and often spaced out like an autistic patient.

"Sorry, sorry, I haven't quite come to my senses yet." Yuki offered an innocuous smile and cleared his throat. "My name is Yuki, eighteen years old, I'm a college student. Uh, is there something wrong with that?"

After he finished his introduction, the group continued to stare at him. The chubby Rich Brother said impatiently, "That's it? What about your specialties?"

"Uh, I'm a medical student. I know first aid."