Trying to Leave Without Clearing the Dungeon?

Yes, that's also not a lie, because it is indeed a very special relationship.

Just as Gu Mo has always had a doubt in his heart, if this Dungeon corresponds to a real Parallel World, then why is Hidechiyo precisely the Hidechiyo he is familiar with, and not some other appearance?

He doesn't really believe it's a pure coincidence. Therefore, he firmly believes there must be some special connection, just as the girl's existence is special to him.

"So that's how it is..."

Tokichiro nodded, seemingly understanding something, and also feeling a little envious. He also desperately wished he could have friends he could trust completely, friends to back him up. Unfortunately, after all these years traveling north and south, there were plenty of people who would stab him in the back.

Taking a deep breath, Tokichiro considered things carefully one last time, then straightened his face, no longer showing that trademark expression of his—grinning, shifty-eyed, looking very slick and cunning—instead showing a touch more sincerity. He spoke very seriously:

"It's like this, I have an idea, I wonder if you two would be willing..."

"Oh, you mean that thing from before, wanting us to join you and build something together?"

Gu Mo casually glanced at the relatively thin, middle-aged man with the face of an uncle in front of him and calmly interrupted him. He didn't need knowledge of the Script for this; Tokichiro had already mentioned it when they were still on the mountain.

At that time, the Monkey was following him, circling around and trying to please him, expressing his concern and asking about Hidechiyo's condition...

After figuring out the situation, he immediately patted his chest and said that thanks to the protection of his Guardian Spirit, he had the ability to utilize the power of Spirit Stones, that by seizing opportunities he could transform Aragami into Wa-Spirits, and that if the girl lost control and underwent Yokai Transformation again, he could help...

At the same time, his words, both direct and indirect, conveyed the same meaning—

That is, he felt that people with such abilities shouldn't be playing professionally...ah, no, that they shouldn't be staying in such a small, obscure place instead of making a great name for themselves in this Warring States Period. He didn't quite approve of it, so he enthusiastically encouraged Gu Mo and the other to venture into this chaotic era with him.

However, it was very clear that Gu Mo had no interest in listening to the Monkey at that time. His entire attention was focused on the unconscious black-haired girl. His replies were very perfunctory, and he probably didn't even think carefully about what the Monkey was saying.

Tokichiro was also very astute. He immediately stopped the conversation and instead volunteered to tell Gu Mo that he was more familiar with the village and could take them to a clean place to rest and recuperate for a while. After that, he also voluntarily took on the task of cleaning up the "battlefield" and scavenging for supplies.

He knew very well that to achieve his goal, he needed to show his sincerity and present bargaining chips that could impress the other party, and definitely not rely on endless, irritating chatter, which would only be counterproductive.

"Ahem, yes, that's it—"

Tokichiro had just built up the emotions and momentum, wanting to strike while the iron was hot and show his determination and sincerity to impress the other party, but he was interrupted just as he started, which left him feeling a bit stifled. However, he quickly adjusted, still maintaining a wide smile.

"Listen to me, my brother Gu Mo, this is a rare opportunity. I don't think you two are willing to live a lifetime of mediocrity in this small place. I know, I understand, because I am actually the same. I was born the son of a farmer..."

He carefully chose his words, using a familiar, casual tone. His strategy was to try and empathize, expressing his true feelings from his own perspective to resonate emotionally with the two people opposite him.

But again, he had only just started when Gu Mo interrupted him—

"Ah, actually, you don't need to say so much, because my opinion isn't important. This mainly depends on what Axiu thinks. If Axiu agrees, then it's fine."

He said this slowly and deliberately. After all, that's how it was; he was just an extra, and Axiu was the real focus.

And most importantly, he couldn't stay in this Script for long, because time was almost up, and he was about to leave this world... Although Gu Mo really wanted to team up and conquer the world, participating in the ultimate group Dungeon, otherwise he wouldn't be trying to play both sides—

Why was he misleading Hidechiyo after misleading her, and now misleading Tokichiro? Naturally, it was to give his sudden appearance a plausible identity. Making the people here think he was from there, and the people there think he was from here, was better than being alone with no faction to rely on at all.

Especially in this world, if he had no help, even if he were ten times stronger, it would be difficult to solo those increasingly absurd scenarios.

But all of this was preparation for the future; the premise was that he might be able to enter this Dungeon again later and continue to conquer this world.

Yes, it was preparation for the future, based on long-term considerations. After all, he would be leaving soon. His main goal was also to create an insurance plan before leaving, to induce both sides...

After all, Hidechiyo couldn't speak and couldn't express too many complex meanings. This was the most important part for the plan to succeed. Therefore, Tokichiro probably wouldn't suddenly have the idea to specifically ask the girl to verify his identity... So as long as he gave a relatively reasonable reason before leaving, they might all believe that was the case.

This way, when he had the chance to come in again next time, no matter what, he would at least gain some convenience.

—Anyway, success is naturally the best outcome, and there's no loss if it fails. That's what prompted him to do this.

"Ah? Oh, oh, oh..."

Tokichiro didn't know what calculations the young man in front of him was pondering. His thoughts had simply been interrupted twice in a row, his carefully built-up emotions broken. He had just expressed his true feelings and was immediately forced back to reality. His eyes were a bit blank, feeling a little out of sync.

It took him several seconds to react, and at the same time, he gained a deeper understanding of the relationship between these two.

So, while hurriedly responding, he quickly looked at the black-haired girl behind the other person and spoke decisively: "Then Axiu... is it okay for me to call you Axiu? You heard what we said. What do you think?"

Since the girl's opinion was the most important, he had to successfully persuade her. But if she also disagreed... The Monkey thought this, already racking his brain for what he should say to persuade this girl to agree to his proposal.

It felt a bit troublesome. This pair seemed to have no interest in material things at all...

Tokichiro was uncharacteristically worried. What should he use to persuade them? Should he just talk about some grand, empty dreams and shout a few slogans?

And while Tokichiro was uncontrollably letting his thoughts wander—

Gu Mo's expression slowly froze. His entire body stiffened slightly.

Wait, wait! What did this Monkey just say? Hidechiyo was awake, and she heard what they were saying? How much did she hear? What did he just say? And! From where did she start listening...?

At this moment, thoughts surged in, almost overwhelming his brain. His thinking seemed to have suddenly frozen, and under the influence of some particularly awkward emotion, his brain seemed unable to function normally.

He wanted to die...

Maybe he should just stop playing this Dungeon for this lifetime...

He slowly turned his head and saw the black-haired girl on the straw pile behind him had woken up at some point and sat up, tilting her head, staring at him with a very strange look in her eyes.

Ahahahahaha, the weather today... is really nice.

Completely unsure of what to say, Gu Mo didn't even know what expression was on his face at this moment. Was it polite but awkward, or just plain awkward? His mind was a blank, and he felt like all he could see were the girl's eyes, as beautiful as rubies, the color of rose red.

It's over, it's over...

Gu Mo opened his mouth, really wanting to ask the girl how much she had heard and where she started listening from, but in the end, he couldn't muster the courage. He didn't have that thick of a skin.

"..."

"..."

Time passed silently, just like that.

The air, too, gradually grew still in the silent staring contest. It wasn't clear how long passed before someone finally broke the silence.

It was Tokichiro. As he thought, he suddenly realized his mind had wandered in his distress. But after such a long time without an answer, he feared the response was the expected refusal... Of course, he wasn't willing to give up just yet, so he looked up, revealing a somewhat fawning, somewhat ingratiating smile.

"Miss Axiu, what do you think?"

The black-haired girl finally shifted her attention to him. At the same time, she lightly bit her lip and furrowed her delicate, beautiful brows.

She hadn't considered this at all, so she had no thoughts on it for now, nor had she thought about agreeing... After all, she had always lived well and had no particular needs. Why should she suddenly go out and make something of herself now?

That wasn't her idea, nor was it her ambition.

"Ahem, don't be in a hurry. Axiu, for some reason, can't speak and can't directly answer your question..."

No longer being stared at by the girl with that strange look, as if finally freed from suffocation, Gu Mo let out a long sigh of relief. At the same time, to further ease the solidified atmosphere, he forced himself to speak as if nothing was wrong.

It was too awkward. He felt like he could dig enough with his toes to build a two-bedroom apartment...

But at least he got through it. And his mindset had developed a subtle hint of recklessness. Since he had already been so embarrassed, how much worse could things get? Besides, as the person involved, Axiu hadn't said anything, right? Hahahahahahaha...

"Huh? C-can't speak?" Tokichiro was stunned, suddenly feeling at a loss.

He suddenly felt like he understood. Was this a repeated refusal?

At first, the other party seemed uninterested; the second time he spoke, the other party deflected, saying the black-haired girl's opinion was important, and his words weren't; and now, this time, he was told the black-haired girl couldn't actually speak...

As the short man thought about this, a bitter smile involuntarily appeared on his face, and the hopeful light in his eyes dimmed.

Sure enough, he should have known, should have understood immediately. With his humble background, lacking any outstanding qualities, how could truly capable people look favorably upon him? It was a pity he was unwilling to give up, unable to grasp his own position, always feeling that the other party's subtle refusal still held hope.

"First, tell us your thoughts, Tokichiro. If we really join you, what do you plan to do?"

Trying hard not to look at the girl, Gu Mo continued to act as if nothing was wrong, speaking with a sense of recklessness. "You at least need to tell us your thoughts and plans, so we can see if you're truly worth investing in before we can make a judgment."

"I..." Tokichiro was stunned. "My idea is that we can first seek refuge with the ruler of Mino Province, Lord Saito Dosan. I've bought Spirit Stones for him many times before and have had some dealings with him, and he's willing to give me a chance..."

Taking a breath, he began to elaborate on his thoughts and considerations. He was a bit nervous at first, but he became more fluent as he spoke, and everything sounded very detailed, not some wild fantasy. It seemed like a plan he had pondered for a long time, just waiting for an opportunity to put it into action.

Just like that, it wasn't clear how much time had passed. After the sun outside the window had risen significantly, the short man finally stopped, smacking his lips with a sense of unfinished business. Then, he looked at the two people opposite him with hope, his eyes full of the light of unwillingness to be ordinary.

"...What do you think?"

"..."

"..."

Hidechiyo subtly furrowed her brow again. She didn't know how to evaluate the man's ideas and his strong vision, but she still had no particular thoughts. Subconsciously, she looked at the strange person beside her.

Had her arrival disrupted the trajectory of fate? She actually didn't want to go out?

After some time, Gu Mo, who had calmed down a bit, exchanged a glance with her and immediately turned his head away. He had a plan in mind and spoke somewhat dryly, "I think, Axiu, you can actually consider going to Mino Province..."

Saito Dosan was Hidechiyo's father...

It was already a bit tragic that they only recognized each other as father and daughter just before his death. If, because of his intrusion, even that couldn't be fulfilled, it would truly be a sin...

Hidechiyo blinked. Why should she go to Mino Province? Was there a special reason?

"Ahaha, that's what I was thinking..." Gu Mo said with a dry laugh, still not daring to look into the girl's eyes. He raised a finger to scratch his cheek, just as he was about to fabricate a reason.

In his mind, there was the familiar sensation of electricity coursing through his nerves, and fragmented, noisy sounds echoed in his consciousness.

The next moment, the Black Screen arrived unexpectedly.

His last remaining consciousness was filled with astonishment. According to his estimation, there should still be some time left. How could it be so... Wait! He seemed to have repeated this night. He had wasted a considerable amount of time during the first run.

It was just that after failing, he experienced the "Black Screen" and woke up again to find himself lying in bed...

So, although the "save point" in the real world had rewound to midnight, the activity time he had spent before was still being counted? And he had subconsciously started counting from midnight after the second awakening, but in reality, there wasn't even eight hours left?

Thoughts connected like streaks of lightning, sparking and making him realize something.

Immediately after, he lost all sensation and consciousness.