News of horror echoed from the television screen:
"The serial killer remains at large. Police are urging citizens, especially women, not to travel alone at night. The criminal appears to target solitary female victims..."
Nozomi's brow furrowed as he listened. This sort of news wasn't just background noise to him—not anymore. With the bizarre and often absurd mechanics of the Game Life System that governed his world, events like this weren't just coincidental. No, they were narrative triggers. Plot devices. And the plot always unfolded around the protagonist.
And who was that protagonist? Nozomi knew the answer all too well: himself.
"Tch... figures."
He glanced around Sakurasou. Thankfully, Frieren and Fern had returned, reinforcing the dorm's safety. Still, this killer could target any of the girls he was connected to. That included those outside the dorm—friends, acquaintances... maybe even the beautiful girl he'd just met.
Without hesitation, he sought out Frieren. "I need a few of those protective magic cards," he said.
With her usual deadpan elegance, Frieren handed them over. "Planning to start your own card shop?"
"Just being careful," Nozomi replied.
One by one, he distributed the cards to the girls he knew and trusted: Yumiko, Ebina Hina, and others. They accepted the charms with mild confusion, but Nozomi's firm expression left no room for argument.
Now, it was just a waiting game. If the Game Life System was guiding this world like a story, then the killer would cross his path soon enough. The system thrived on drama, on conflict—on forced encounters between fate-bound characters.
The serial killer... A new event arc. A new opportunity.
But for who? And at what cost?
Evening fell. Nozomi's phone rang.
"Kosaka Daisuke...?" he muttered, surprised.
He answered. "Uncle Daisuke, what's up?"
They had met on a plane months ago. Kosaka had insisted Nozomi call him 'uncle', a playful show of familiarity. But his voice now was grave.
"Nozomi, are you free? I need your help with something serious."
"Yeah, I'm free."
"Good. I'll pick you up now."
Minutes later, a police car pulled up, lights off, but the presence unmistakable. To any onlooker, it looked like Nozomi was getting arrested.
He quickly texted the girls back at Sakurasou.
Mahiru blinked as she saw the message. "He's going out with Detective Kosaka? Weird..."
Yuki Suo snorted. "He's probably going monster hunting. My brother always finds the weirdest ways to spend his free time."
She waved it off. "Don't worry. He'll be fine."
Though... she did remember something awkward.
"Should I tell him my maid is going to live with us? Wait... isn't that his maid too? Is this weird? Ugh..."
.......
In the car, Kosaka Daisuke glanced at Nozomi through the rearview mirror.
"We ran into something weird. We need your help."
Nozomi raised an eyebrow. "You want help from a high school student to deal with a police case? That doesn't sound very professional."
Kosaka chuckled dryly. "Not just any high school student. I did a little digging, Masachika Suo. Son of the Suo family, 'The Son of God'... Sound familiar?"
Nozomi blinked. His old identity.
"You were near Councillor Takayama when that whole... incident happened too, right?"
"Uncle, you know a bit too much."
"Don't worry. I keep secrets better than your average detective. I just... ran out of options. This case, it's not normal. Not something we humans can solve. But you? Maybe you can."
"I'm just a normal student," Nozomi said with a flat look.
"Yeah, sure. Normal. Just humor me and look at the footage."
"Alright."
Then, Nozomi gave a sly grin. "By the way, what's Kirino-chan up to these days?"
Kosaka nearly crashed the car. "Why are you asking about my daughter again?! She's in middle school! That's illegal, you criminal!"
"But some kids start dating in middle school. Isn't that society's fault, not mine?"
"School rules and criminal code are different! And you're a high schooler, you gremlin!"
"Alright, alright. I'll wait until she's in high school."
Kosaka sighed in defeat. "This is why I didn't want to call you..."
But deep down, he knew this was their best shot.
They arrived at the station.
Several officers glanced at Nozomi as if a celebrity had just walked in.
"Alright, people. Clear the room. This is our... paranormal consultant."
"Yes, sir!"
Kosaka pulled up the surveillance footage.
"Watch this."
Nozomi leaned forward, eyes narrowing.
A woman, likely in her early thirties, walked alone under the dim glow of streetlights, carrying a shopping bag. Just as she neared an alleyway—
A sudden shriek tore through the silence.
An invisible force seized her by the hair, slamming her to the ground and dragging her across the asphalt with unnatural strength. Her body convulsed, twitching unnaturally—then, with a chilling crack, her head spun a full 360 degrees.
Her face, now twisted and pale, stared directly into the camera, lips curled into a grotesque smile.
Blood pooled beneath her, the crimson stark against the monochrome footage.
The screen went black.
Kosaka Daisuke wiped sweat from his brow and sighed. "That's what we're dealing with."
"We're trained to believe in evidence, in logic. But when logic breaks down... we have to admit there are things outside our understanding."
Nozomi folded his arms, gaze thoughtful. "Confirmed. It's a spiritual manifestation. Not just any ghost—this one has intent. Intelligence. And worst of all... malice."
He tapped the desk. "That smile wasn't random. It knew the camera was there. It wanted to be seen. It's taunting us."
Daisuke's jaw tightened. "Yeah. And we're powerless. It's completely invisible. Our weapons don't work. We can't touch it, track it, or fight it."
"So apart from this footage, nothing else?" Nozomi asked.
"We've got a few patterns," Daisuke replied grimly. "All victims were housewives, alone at night. All within the same five-block radius. Ten cases total."
"News warnings are out, but what if it starts invading homes? There's nothing we can do if that happens."
Nozomi raised a brow. "Didn't you try hiring a priest?"
Daisuke's expression turned darker. He pulled a photograph from a folder and handed it over.
Nozomi took one look—and grimaced.
The photo showed a man twisted like a broken marionette, limbs bent in unnatural angles, head fully rotated, expression frozen in a rictus grin.
"Who's this?"
"A priest."
"…So you did hire one. And he ended up like this?"
"Yeah. He walked in all calm and chanting sutras. Fifteen minutes later, he was dead. Right in front of us."
Nozomi let out a slow whistle. "You're lucky I haven't run for the hills yet. Aren't you worried I'll end up like priest number two?"
Kosaka shrugged, half-smiling. "I'm putting my trust in my instincts. And my gut tells me you're not ordinary."
Nozomi rolled his eyes dramatically. "You just want me to clean up this mess for free, don't you?"
"And maybe date your daughter while I'm at it."
"Over my dead body," Daisuke muttered under his breath.
Nozomi chuckled. "Relax, I'll think about sparing your daughter. But after this is done, you're treating me to dinner. At your place."
"…Fine. But hands off Kirino."
"No promises."