What the hell is going on?
Shijou Maki frowned, carefully observing her surroundings.
This was nothing like the scenarios outlined in their plans.
She hadn't woken up in a classroom or a military camp—but in a shabby dormitory bed, surrounded by peeling walls and the scent of mildew.
Four beds filled the room. Across from her, Shinomiya Kaguya sat upright, eyes sharp with caution.
The other two beds held blurred figures—non-human, her Blessing confirmed.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
Neither the Slacker Alliance nor Crimson Knot, veterans of the School Horror Tales dungeon, had ever reported dormitory spawns. This was new.
...But not entirely unexpected.
Takakai had warned them. Unlike with the other factions, he hadn't hidden the truth from her—she knew about KP, the jester lurking behind the scenes.
Power comes with curses, huh?
A quiet sigh escaped her.
Then, she activated the mental link only she and Takakai shared.
[Shijou Maki: Takakai, status?]
[Takakai: Room 212. Alone, three ghost roommates. They're ignoring me—seems passive for now. Act normal, and we're fine.]
[Shijou Maki: Understood. No room number yet, but Kaguya's with me. Two other 'roommates'—also ignoring us. Low threat per Blessing.]
[Takakai: Found rules on the hallway wall. Too normal. Suspect real rules are hidden. Regroup first, then plan.]
[Shijou Maki: Be careful.]
No wasted words. Just efficiency.
Maki rose from bed, noting her clothes had changed—her tactical gear replaced by bunny pajamas. A sailor uniform hung nearby, alongside...
Purple lingerie. Black garter belt.
The latter was a recent "research experiment" by Takakai. She'd refused at first, but after relentless pestering, she'd caved—only to find it oddly comfortable.
So the dungeon manifests based on personal preferences?
Earlier, she'd sensed the environment shifting—Shuchi'in Academy, then Suimei Art High, then schools from different eras...
Is my consciousness merging with the dungeon?
Is that why I keep thinking, "I'm a first-year at Yoruyama Academy"?
No answers yet. But sitting still wasn't an option.
A glance at Kaguya—now hastily covering herself with a blanket—revealed she'd spawned naked. Maki tossed her the spare uniform, and they dressed quickly.
The two non-human roommates moved mechanically, tidying beds before vanishing into the washroom.
Sunlight filtered through the window. Birds chirped. Dew clung to the air.
It'd be peaceful... if this weren't a death trap.
Fujiwara Chika was already in the hallway, scanning door numbers.
Room 511.
A bulletin board on the wall held the "Yoruyama Academy Dormitory Rules"—eight mundane clauses about schedules, cleanliness, and curfews.
Too normal.
Chika's brow furrowed. Compared to the Fujika Academy rules Takakai had described, this was... boring.
"Why'd you rush out? This isn't a game."
Nanami emerged behind her, exasperated.
"Newbies these days..."
Soon, others appeared:
Hayashibe Kenta and Katabuta (Room 203).Takakai (already scouting the second floor).Gotou Hitori (Room 604), who was—calmly poking her ghost roommates.
Unlike her usual nervous self, Hitori was focused, analytical.
"Mechanized remnants of the dead. No malice. Just... hollow."
She even smiled.
Easier than humans.
Room 508 was an anomaly—all four occupants were players:
Kumami (Slacker Alliance leader, "blind" but perceptive).Aoyama Nanami (team mom).Hayasaka (Shinomiya's shadow).Yotsuya Miko (golden-eyed observer).
"Comms are down, but at least we're clustered," Kumami muttered, eyeing the gathering players.
"This place is nothing like intel. Takakai's fault?" Nanami grimaced, tugging at her sailor uniform. "Ugh. I'm too old for this."
"Priorities," Kumami snorted, marching toward the stairs.
As they moved, faceless students began filling the halls, silent as ghosts.
Miko lingered, staring at the bulletin board.
To others, it showed mundane rules.
To her golden eyes, the text warped:
[Yoruyama Academy Dormitory Survival Rules]
[If you see this, tell no one...]