Why is my Isekai in the Slice of Life anime was become a Horror Story?

Chapter 45: The Beginning of the Third-Floor Exploration with Kaguya

"So, the first-round exploration of the third floor will be conducted by me and Shinomiya-san."

In the living room of Room 206, Takahashi Takakai sat at the table and lightly tapped it, announcing the group's discussion outcome in a calm tone.

"Alright then, let's go with that decision. The planned departure time is in ten minutes; how does that sound?"

Sitting on the opposite side, Kaguya nodded slightly and replied in an equally composed tone.

"That sounds fine. I'll stay behind to watch over things, acting as the trump card in case of an emergency. Be careful, you two. That place is far from safe."

Shijo Maki, resting her head on one hand, chimed in, her eyes filled with seriousness.

The task of exploring the final area of the Shirakawa apartment complex—the third floor—was thus begun.

Although Takahashi Takakai personally preferred to team up with Shijo Maki, given their mutual understanding, Maki opposed the idea. She subtly implied that Kaguya was uneasy about the current situation and suggested it would be better for Takakai to partner with her this round. This would ensure that Kaguya gained a certain level of understanding of Takakai. Considering the complex structure of the third floor, as Takakai had described, Kaguya's quick reflexes and strong physical abilities could prove to be invaluable.

Takakai suspected that Maki might be hesitant to be alone with him due to their hallway conversation earlier, but her reasoning made sense. He accepted the suggestion.

As for Kaguya, she did not object. After witnessing the coordinated effort between Takahashi Takakai and Shijo Maki to take down two veteran players at the start of the game, the proud and talented girl had been somewhat shaken. Now, having the chance to act independently could help ease her anxieties.

Sun Dajun continued his role from the previous round, repairing the two doors in Room 204. This time, however, he had the assistance of Green and Mamair, who would protect him. This arrangement allowed for a quicker response to any dangerous situations.

Green's inclusion was predictable, but Mamair turned out to be a more valuable teammate than Takakai had initially expected. He willingly followed the group's instructions, refrained from arguments, and even showed some adventurous spirit in wanting to take on the exploration task. Moreover, his mental resilience was notable. When wearing the badge, he could maintain self-control for about a minute, during which he could voluntarily remove the badge himself.

If Green alone had been tasked with protecting Sun Dajun, Takakai would have been uneasy. He might have considered taking Mamair along otherwise.

Incidentally, Takakai learned more about Mamair during their conversations. Mamair was a server and creative chef at a Chinese restaurant in the U.S., with specialties like meat buns and Mapo Tofu Pizza. Recently, he had been experimenting with making buns stuffed with sashimi, puzzling over how to cook the bun while keeping the fish raw.

Mamair seemed like a cheerful person, but sadly, in the previous two rounds, he had been sacrificed by opportunists like Old Guo. It was unfortunate.

Shijo Maki and Maeda Miwa stayed in the same room, with Maeda Miwa tasked with adjusting the clock. The agreed return time for Takakai and Kaguya was three hours. If they failed to return to the second floor within that period, Shijo Maki would instruct Maeda Miwa to reverse time.

Ensuring a smooth return from the third floor relied on one of Old Guo's other Obsession items: a blood key capable of opening any door.

This Obsession item had initially eluded Takakai's group. The key had fallen from Room 210 during a confrontation between Old Guo and the headless man's corpse, and as a result, the group hadn't found it.

However, having experienced the previous round, Takakai knew Old Guo possessed the key. After checking their loot, he spent considerable time searching for it and eventually entered Room 210. Using the Blood Puppet to restrain the headless man's corpse, he retrieved the key.

The door that this key opens has the potential to lead the user to the desired destination, or it may lure dangers toward the person who opens it. It is a double-edged sword, requiring great caution when using it. However, for Takakai and Kaguya, who are about to explore the third floor, this is their only opportunity to return safely. Given the complexity of the entire third floor, finding a way back to the second floor is incredibly difficult.

"Don't die up there, Kai-kun, and take care of Oba-sama too."

Before setting off, Shijo Maki waved her hand, her tone somewhat impolite.

"Don't worry, I value my life," Takakai said, giving Shijo Maki a thumbs-up.

"I hope so," Shijo Maki replied, not looking him in the eye and simply letting out a small huff.

Reaching the stairwell on the edge of the second floor, Kaguya reached up to adjust her long black hair. Her cold gaze briefly swept over Takakai beside her before looking toward Shijo Maki, who hadn't yet returned to the nearby room. Her lips parted slightly, but she ultimately said nothing.

The relationship between these two was very good.

From their tone and facial expressions during their interactions, the atmosphere between them clearly indicated a close relationship.

The Shijo family is a branch of the Shinomiya family, so Kaguya was very familiar with Maki. Kaguya was sure that, in Maki's everyday life, she would never have any dealings with Takakai.

Considering that both Takakai and Shijo Maki had mentioned the wall clock that could reverse time, it seemed likely that they had been living in the Shirakawa apartment for quite a while. However, in the end, everyone else failed to survive, and they could not find a way to escape. So, they had decided to use the time-reversing clock to start over.

At least, based on their consistent tone when discussing it, it seemed like this was indeed the case.

But Kaguya felt that things might not be as simple as they appeared. Although she had no concrete evidence, merely going with her instincts, Kaguya believed that Takakai and Shijo Maki were definitely hiding a secret from everyone.

It was a detail worth paying attention to, but... the current issue wasn't that. How to escape the Shirakawa apartment, how to leave this place, that was the most important thing to focus on.

"Takahashi-san."

Before entering the stairwell, Kaguya turned back to look at Takakai and spoke seriously.

"I don't care why Maki-san trusts you, but now we must act together. I hope you can demonstrate your worth and capabilities."

"If this is really a dangerous game that could lead to death, then each person must give their all. Only by doing so can we achieve the final victory."

"I hope you don't disappoint me, making me doubt Maki-san's judgment."

One couldn't deny, Kaguya's way of speaking was truly not at all cute. Compared to Shijo Maki, who was like an angel, Kaguya was a stark contrast.

Of course, for Takakai, who understood the storyline, he knew this wasn't Kaguya's fault. After all, the Shinomiya family, as created by the author Akasaka, was a "mental asylum" that attracted all kinds of people. Kaguya, raised in such an environment, was fortunate to have only an unpleasant tone and a cold personality among the many unfortunate traits.

Although he understood, Takakai wasn't going to be polite with her. He was well aware that with someone as arrogant as her, if he lowered himself, it would only make Kaguya look down on him more.

"How can you be so sure I'll disappoint you, little flower in the greenhouse? If this whole operation ends early because of you, then I'll truly have to look down on you."

Takakai lifted his head, striking a clear and provocative pose.

"Hmph, at least you didn't disappoint me in terms of rudeness. Let's go. According to you, whether we go up or down, it all eventually leads to the third floor, right? Then let's get moving and see how dangerous the third floor really is."

Kaguya furrowed her brows a little more, stepping forward confidently.

Takakai followed behind, with the two of them walking into the hallway, one in front and one behind.

...

There was a slight chill in the air.

Darkness enveloped everything.

As they walked, Takakai couldn't tell whether they were going up, down, or just walking straight ahead. It felt as if direction and height lost all meaning in this darkness, and there was no longer any clear sense of orientation.

However, this strange feeling didn't last long. Very soon, Takakai's vision cleared up, and the chaotic third floor appeared before him once again.

The difference from before was that, perhaps because it was now daytime, this chaotic space was no longer in darkness, but illuminated by light from various sources. The twisted hallways and distorted furniture around them were now lit up.

"I can't believe there's really a place like this…"

Kaguya beside him spoke with some hesitation in her voice. Although she had seen countless corpses summoned by Blood Puppet, compared to those, the bizarre and nightmarish chaotic space was clearly far more overwhelming than she had imagined.

Though shocked, Kaguya quickly adjusted her emotions, returning to her usual calm demeanor.

She wasn't here for sightseeing but to cooperate with the mysterious man beside her, uncover the hidden secrets in this chaotic land, and search for a chance to escape, for a glimmer of hope to survive.

"Let's go."

Takakai began moving forward.

"Mm..."

Kaguya nodded lightly, saying no more. She carefully walked beside Takakai, passing through the twisted hallway and heading forward.

Next, would something bizarre be waiting for her ahead?

The thought crossed her mind, but before she could ponder further...

"Ah..."

Her hair got caught in a gap in the warped wooden wall, and she suddenly stopped in place.

Takakai quickly noticed Kaguya's situation, halting and helping her free her hair from the crevice.

"The terrain here is too complicated. If you leave your hair loose like that, it's easy for it to get caught. Tie it up."

Takakai said, scanning around for something useful but finding nothing suitable. He tore a strip of fabric from his t-shirt and handed it to Kaguya.

"...Thank you."

Unexpectedly, Kaguya had encountered an unexpected problem right at the beginning. She felt a little embarrassed, muttering her thanks softly. She took the fabric and, without minding the red and white stains on it, immediately tied her hair up, making sure it wouldn't interfere with their next actions.

"It's nothing."

Only when Kaguya took the fabric did Takakai notice the stains, but by then, he didn't have time to say anything more. He simply answered coldly and quietly.

Suddenly, Takakai couldn't help but feel like he was wrapping his brain around Kaguya... Wait, that's a strange way to think about it. Never mind, don't think too much about it.

"Sorry for the trouble, it's fine now."

Before long, Kaguya finished tying her hair and calmly spoke to Takakai.

However, at this moment, she noticed that his gaze wasn't directed at her, but at something ahead in the hallway.

Kaguya followed his gaze, and she saw several small figures, about a meter tall, resembling child dolls. They were giggling softly as they approached, their footsteps dragging along the ground without making any sound.

"What the hell is that? Let's go!"

Takakai lowered his voice, lightly tapping Kaguya's shoulder, then quickly turned and ran. It was only then that Kaguya realized the situation was serious and hurried to follow. Soon after, the giggles of the children behind them grew louder, rapidly approaching at an inhuman speed.

The sound... Children...

No... that's wrong, they aren't children, what is this... is it affecting my thoughts?

In the end, Takakai and Kaguya managed to climb up onto a tall cupboard in time, evading the strange figures. Despite their childlike appearance and sound, they were a mental contamination.

Being forced to stay close to someone of the opposite sex on top of the cupboard wasn't a pleasant experience, but facing these bizarre entities, Kaguya could only endure, trying to maintain an emotionless expression and pretend to not care.

As for Takakai, he wasn't thinking much. He was carefully watching for the "children," not concerned about the body contact between him and Kaguya, staying vigilant for any other monsters that might emerge from other areas, fully prepared to retreat or reverse time at any moment.

It seemed her body was definitely sturdier and more resilient than Maki's, wasn't it?

Takakai thought about the subtle differences in the bodies of the two girls he'd ever come into contact with.

A few minutes later, the strange entities gradually moved away, and the two of them were able to climb down from the cupboard.

"Is this really the third floor of the Shirakawa apartment building?"

Recalling the vague, uncontrollable mental reaction she had upon hearing the voices of those strange entities, Kaguya couldn't help but frown and mutter.

"This is just the beginning."

Takakai, whose expression hadn't changed throughout, calmly replied, then continued walking forward.

Before them lay a dim corridor, the distorted structure of the building leading to an unknown destination.

The only thing that could be confirmed at that moment was that they had to keep moving, not stop or stand still.