Chapter 27

Natsuki glanced out the window as the sun began to set, casting a dim glow over the evening sky. "That's enough for today, Kaguya," he said, picking up his schoolbag. "I'm heading home."

Kaguya took a deep breath to compose herself, then looked directly at Natsuki. "Come back tomorrow," she said, her voice tinged with determination.

Chika piped up, "Kaguya, what's the reward for the mission?"

Kaguya frowned slightly as a miniature bow materialized in her hand. "This is it," she said, presenting the weapon.

[Name: Miko's Sharpshooter]

[Type: Weapon]

[Passive ability: Seal the demon. When an arrow hits a vengeful spirit, it will cause a small amount of damage and there is a certain chance to seal it. The worse the vengeful spirit's condition, the higher the success rate.]

[Note: This equipment has been bound and can only be used by the player Kaguya]

[Note: ADC must die, you will be the first to attract hatred, please be mentally prepared at all times]

Natsuki considered the weapon. "Well, at least it can hurt evil spirits," he said. "That's better than a suspicious pack of tissues."

Chika puffed out her cheeks in annoyance. "Natsuki, stop bringing up that tissue thing!"

"Okay, okay," Natsuki conceded.

"But it does attract hatred first, so it seems really dangerous," Chika said worriedly. "Kaguya, you can't just shoot it around randomly."

"I know," Kaguya assured her with a nod.

Chika tapped her chin thoughtfully. "It's kind of like Pokémon - you have to defeat them before you can capture them with the Master Ball."

Natsuki sighed. "So the question is, how do we defeat those evil spirits?"

The three exchanged a heavy silence, unable to come up with an answer.

After a moment, Natsuki bid the girls goodbye and headed home, the evening passing in quiet contemplation.

.....

The next morning, Natsuki went through his usual routine of waking up, getting ready, and heading to school. When he entered the classroom, Kaguya and Chika were already there.

"Good morning, Natsuki," Chika said, looking distraught. "That long-haired evil spirit is back by my bed, staring at me all night. I wish I could just sleep with you instead."

"Sorry, but guys and girls can't do that," Natsuki replied.

Chika's face fell. "Aw, I'm being rejected."

Kaguya gently rubbed her temples, dark circles visible under her eyes. "Let's open the blindboxes. Some classmates will be coming in soon."

Chika's blindbox contained an ordinary item - Farmer's Three Punch Mineral Water.

"At least it's not a weird tissue," Chika said, relieved. "I used up all my luck yesterday, so I'm not expecting much today."

Next, it was Kaguya's turn. Her blindbox only held a worn-out pencil, much to her disappointment.

Finally, it was Natsuki's blindbox...

Natsuki's eyes widened as he looked at the skill revealed in his blindbox.

[Skill: Crime Buster]

[Outlaw Zhang San, you are under arrest!]

[Introduction: As long as you make physical contact with the lawless criminal Zhang San, he will be 100% surrendered.]

"Huh? Outlaw Zhang San?" Chika exclaimed, her eyes going wide. "That name sounds familiar."

Kaguya reminded her, "You gained that skill a couple days ago, remember?"

Chika's face lit up with realization as she slapped her forehead. "Oh right! I can change someone's name to Outlaw Zhang San. Do you think we could use the skills together?"

Natsuki glanced at Kaguya. "Guess you'll have to try it to find out."

Chika eagerly looked to Kaguya. "Kaguya, shall we give it a shot?"

"I refuse," Kaguya said firmly, her eyelashes fluttering slightly. There was no way she was surrendering to a boy.

Natsuki was about to speak when his expression suddenly turned serious. A deep, raspy voice echoed in his mind.

[The game will start in five minutes, please be ready]

[Game loading completed]

[Current scene: Qingshan Hospital]

Natsuki opened his eyes and looked around the dilapidated hospital ward. The flickering lights above cast an eerie glow, and he realized he was alone.

"Huh? Where are Fujiwara and Kaguya?" he murmured, feeling the chill in the air.

Natsuki's eyes landed on the game panel that had appeared.

[You have obtained the main task, please click to view]

"So it's a virtual screen, but I can't actually click it," Natsuki muttered, staring at it for a moment before the task details materialized.

[Main Mission: Survive for 24 hours. Nurses will randomly check on you every hour. During this time, please do not stay in the corridor.]

[Tips: There are side quests to complete in this scene, please explore on your own]

[Warm Tips: This scene contains a hidden world view, and you will get rich rewards after cracking it]

[Warm Tips: Please maintain a good relationship with your roommates to ensure your own safety]

Natsuki raised an eyebrow at the last tip. "Roommates? But I'm alone here..."

Suddenly, the old TV in the corner flickered to life, electricity crackling through the speakers. Natsuki turned to see an image slowly appearing - a dilapidated old well deep in a forest, surrounded by fallen leaves.

Natsuki watched in horror as a pale, bloodied hand emerged from the old well on the TV, followed by a woman with long, obscuring hair crawling out. His heart raced as he recognized this as the terrifying figure of Sadako.

"No way, Sadako as my roommate?!" Natsuki whispered, aghast. He quickly moved to flee the ward, but stopped when he saw the pitch black corridor outside, warning him not to enter.

Natsuki reluctantly closed the door and turned his attention back to the TV. Sadako had crawled all the way out and was now standing before him, her bloodstained clothes and long, unkempt hair creating an unsettling atmosphere.

Natsuki's eyes involuntarily drifted downward, and he was surprised to see that Sadako's figure was more... bountiful than the legends suggested. "Wait, in the original story she was supposed to be-"

Suddenly, an information prompt appeared before him.

[Name: Sadako]

[Company: Himura Dairy]

[Age: unknown]

[Milk volume: Unspeakable]

[Through your secret observation, you successfully discovered two weaknesses of Miss Sadako]

[Ms. Sadako has developed severe social phobia because she has lived alone for too long]

[Hint: Look into Miss Sadako's eyes with deep affection]

Natsuki's brow furrowed as he read the peculiar details. "Seriously? Her weaknesses are...that? And I'm supposed to look at her with affection?" He shook his head, unsettled by the whole situation. This was certainly not how he expected his day to go.

...............

[Current Power Stones: 133]

For every 15 Power Stones, 1 Bonus Chapter will be uploaded on the same day.

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