Chapter 81

Natsuki suddenly spoke up, "It's time to go."

"Huh?" Chika looked over, confused. "Where are we headed, Natsuki?"

The other players turned to look at him too.

As Natsuki started walking, he said, "We're going to the midpoint of the mountain. Where we first woke up."

"Why there?" Chika followed, thinking out loud. "...Did something fall halfway up the mountain or something?"

Natsuki nodded. "Bingo. You got it in one."

"Oh, come on." Chika puffed out her cheeks. "You could at least pretend to be a little impressed."

Natsuki thought to himself, "I know I'm being dismissive, but why ask if you know that? We all came into this world with nothing. How could anything have fallen on a mountain?"

Despite her complaints, Chika stuck close to Natsuki without hesitation.

In their little "crime-fighting" duo, Chika and Natsuki were inseparable.

Kaguya, of course, moved with them, always in step.

Yukino followed quietly, a thoughtful expression on her face.

As for Rikka, well, she just needed to find the right person to cling to and follow closely.

The other four players exchanged glances. They followed too, but their faces showed clear uncertainty.

"Um, can I ask why we're leaving?" one of the female players asked hesitantly.

Natsuki replied evenly, "If you want an explanation, I'll give you the full rundown after the game's over."

"Oh?" The girl blinked, then nodded rapidly. "O-okay, I get it."

She thought to herself, "We'll talk after the game... Looks like this guy's figured out how to beat it. Better just follow along and keep quiet."

Natsuki walked up to the castle gate and pushed it open. A biting cold wind howled in, carrying swirling snowflakes.

"It's freezing!"

"The snow hasn't let up at all."

"Why does it feel like it's coming down even harder now?"

All the players shivered in the blizzard, huddling closer together as they stepped out into the harsh weather.

As Natsuki stepped out of the castle, his foot immediately sank into the snow. A blast of icy wind hit him, making him shiver.

"Guys, look!" someone cried out in surprise. "The countdown's going way faster!"

Everyone quickly checked their task panels. Sure enough, the death countdown was ticking down at double speed.

Seeing this, some of the group started to back away.

"Maybe we should head back inside?"

"It's pretty scary out here..."

Natsuki took a couple more steps, the snow now up to his ankles. Walking was a real challenge. After a moment's thought, he suddenly said:

"Let's go back to the castle."

"Huh?"

Kaguya looked over, surprised. Natsuki wasn't the type to change his mind on a whim. He must have a plan.

'What's he up to?' she wondered.

As Natsuki retreated, the others followed him back inside.

"Human, what are you doing back here?" Miss Wolf, still downstairs, looked shocked to see Natsuki return.

Natsuki spoke sincerely: "I was very rude to you earlier, Miss Wolf. I'm sorry."

Miss Wolf raised her chin and snorted proudly. "Hmph, glad you realize it."

Natsuki continued: "Words alone can't make up for what I did. Before we leave, I'd like to give you a gift."

"A gift?" Miss Wolf's ears perked up. She couldn't help but ask, "What kind of gift?"

Realizing she sounded too eager, she quickly turned away and sniffed: "Human, offer me one of your arms, and I might consider forgiving you."

Natsuki hid his right hand behind his back. Under Kaguya's shocked gaze, he walked up to Miss Wolf and said seriously:

"Lean down, and I'll put the gift on you."

"Human, what gift do you have for me?" Miss Wolf's curiosity got the better of her, and she leaned down to peek behind Natsuki.

Pop.

Natsuki gently pressed on Miss Wolf's shoulder.

The "crime-fighting duo" skill hadn't switched targets yet. Miss Wolf's name was still Zhang San, and she'd been "arrested" with 100% success.

"Human, what are you up to?" Miss Wolf glared at Natsuki, realizing he was up to no good.

Natsuki said nothing and revealed his right hand from behind his back.

In it was the black collar he'd just removed from Kaguya's neck.

Click.

The collar snapped on easily.

"What's Natsuki doing?" Rikka asked, looking confused.

"No clue," Chika shook her head, then whispered to Kaguya, "Hey, what's he up to?"

Kaguya just stayed silent. It was obvious Natsuki was messing with the werewolf.

"Human, what is this?" Miss Wolf touched the collar, wrinkling her nose. "It smells like another woman. You're giving me someone else's hand-me-downs as a gift?"

"It's not unwanted," Natsuki corrected. "Just... surplus."

"Same difference," she grumbled.

Suddenly, someone blurted out, "Wait, I know what that is... it's a pet collar!"

The room went dead silent. Everyone turned to stare at the player who'd spoken.

Terrified, he covered his mouth and bowed, face pale. "I-I'm so sorry!"

"Pet... collar?!" Miss Wolf's voice dropped dangerously low. Her mouth stretched into a snarl, baring her fangs as her anger spiked.

"You didn't even bring a real gift, you came back to insult me?!"

"No, no, that's not it. Let me explain," Natsuki quickly denied. "Collars these days are just fashion accessories. They've got nothing to do with pets."

"That's right!" Chika jumped in to help. "Collars are super common. Some people love wearing them. Without a leash, it's not a pet thing at all."

Click.

As soon as Chika finished speaking, a rope fell from Natsuki's body.

"..."

Everyone stared at the rope on the ground. Miss Wolf exploded, swiping her claws at Natsuki. "Human, I'm going to eat you!"

Pop.

The 100% capture skill triggered again.

Realizing she couldn't hurt Natsuki, Miss Wolf quickly changed targets, glaring at Kaguya. "You like that girl, right? I'll eat her instead!"

"L-Like..."

Kaguya covered her chest, her face turning bright red. She seemed to have short-circuited, lost in some daydream.

Hey, snap out of it! This isn't the time!

Natsuki pulled out the remote and pressed it.

"Ugh... Aaaaaah!"

Miss Wolf's body suddenly convulsed. She clutched at her neck, crying out in pain.

"Whoa, what's happening?" Chika quickly pulled Kaguya back, eyes wide with shock.

Its electric shock therapy, Kaguya realized, her mind clearing. No wonder he wasn't worried. Even a big werewolf couldn't handle that kind of jolt.

"Damn human, take this thing off!"

The werewolf girl dropped to one knee, her body shaking as she clawed at the collar. But it was no use - whatever that collar was made of, it was tough.

"It's too snowy outside, makes traveling hard," Natsuki said calmly. "Just take us halfway up the mountain, and I promise I'll remove the collar."