A night without words... not exactly.
More than half an hour later, the small boat slowly docked.
Amamiya Natsuki was the first to jump off the boat, picked up the mooring rope, and tied the small boat to the shore. Looking at the Spy Maid who walked out of the cabin, he quickly said softly:
"Don't move, I'll carry you down."
"You don't need to carry me."
The blush on Hayasaka Ai's pretty face had not yet faded. Although she said she didn't need to be carried, her arms were already obediently open.
No choice, she was indeed incapacitated now.
Amamiya Natsuki reached out and scooped Hayasaka into his arms in a princess carry, then leaped onto the shore.
"Idiot President, slow down." It seemed to have pulled at a wound, and Hayasaka Ai's delicate brows couldn't help but furrow slightly. She bit her silver teeth, clenched her small fist, and, unable to contain her anger, began to hit Amamiya Natsuki's chest. "I told you to stop and let me rest for a while, but you wouldn't stop."
Amamiya Natsuki was very innocent and said in a low voice:
"It would be strange if I could stop, wouldn't it?"
"Pah!"
Hayasaka Ai's pretty face was flushed, and she couldn't help but spit softly.
Seeing the Maid-chan's charming appearance with her eyes darting about, Amamiya Natsuki couldn't contain his affection. He lowered his head and kissed the girl's soft, moist lips.
"Hmm..."
Hayasaka Ai's originally weak and powerless hitting quickly ceased. Her arms wrapped around Amamiya Natsuki's neck, and she closed her eyes, responding.
After a night without words, their relationship officially broke through to a brand new realm.
If it weren't for the dungeon being important, they would even want to stick together twenty-four hours a day.
"O-okay..."
Only when Hayasaka Ai's breathing became rapid and she was almost out of breath did Amamiya Natsuki put her down.
Hayasaka Ai took a deep breath and cautiously stepped forward. After walking for a while, her steps gradually returned to normal, with only a slight abnormality remaining.
Most players have good physical fitness, and their recovery and self-healing abilities are, of course, far superior to ordinary people.
"President, Hanamori-chan, you're back?" Fujiwara Chika opened the door to greet them. "Why didn't you send a message for so long?"
Because they were completely busy and had no time to reply to messages.
Amamiya Natsuki replied calmly:
"There's no signal inside the cave system, and it's very complex, so it took a bit more time."
Hayasaka Ai also looked normal. She nonchalantly stretched and walked towards the bathroom, saying:
"It's so hot, I'm going to take a shower first. You can ask Senpai about the reconnaissance."
Fujiwara Chika nodded upon hearing this:
"Hanamori-chan, hurry up. Being sticky with sweat is super uncomfortable."
Hayasaka Ai's steps paused slightly. She was indeed sticky, but it wasn't necessarily sweat...
"The location of the cave system's natural entrance has been determined," Amamiya Natsuki sat on the sofa, took the cold drink handed to him by Marin, took two sips, and then said, "The location is quite remote and inconspicuous. Hanamori and I went in to investigate and even saw Shadows guarding it."
Shinomiya Kaguya said softly:
"It seems Yote's countermeasure is a turtle strategy."
Hiruko no Kami chose to feed today because there would be many tourists visiting during the summer festival, providing ample food. However, it wouldn't be a problem if it didn't get enough to eat today; it could wait until next year's summer festival without issue.
However, players' missions have time limits, so they definitely can't stay that long.
Therefore, it can be largely confirmed that Hiruko no Kami will be kept in the cave system by Yote, and there will be no more summer festival massacres in this cycle.
When Hayasaka Ai came out after her shower, everyone began to eat dinner together.
After dinner, it was naturally time to rest.
Of course, it was still unclear whether Yote's turtle strategy was a feint, so some people were still on guard.
And Hayasaka Ai had performed well on the outing, so now she only needed to rest.
The Spy Maid sat on the sofa, hugging a pillow, absentmindedly watching TV, but her mind couldn't help but recall what happened on the boat.
She couldn't forget it.
Such an important thing could never be forgotten in a lifetime.
However... why did it seem a bit different from the experience in the little essay she wrote?
Hayasaka Ai was puzzled.
Because she had no memory of the previous cycle, Hayasaka Ai couldn't specifically say what was different, so she could only temporarily set it aside. Then she thought of another thing.
She wasn't sure if she could clear this cycle. It would be best if she could, but if not... should she write another little essay for her next cycle self?
Once this thought arose, Hayasaka Ai found that she couldn't stop.
She was not a conventional person to begin with; to be precise, she leaned more towards a mischievous personality. The thought of digging a pit for herself made her quite happy.
Decided!
I'll write it now.
That guy from the previous cycle tricked me. It was super painful at first, not fun at all. It's okay for me to trick my next cycle self, right?
"Eh, wait...!"
Hayasaka Ai suddenly widened her eyes.
My previous cycle self is still me. If it's just for mischievous fun... no, no way?
Impossible!
I wouldn't trick myself!
Hayasaka Ai quickly shook her head, dispelling the thoughts in her mind, and secretly began to write her little essay.
In a blink of an eye, it was 8:30 PM.
Hayasaka Ai had just finished writing when she saw Amamiya Natsuki stand up and say:
"To be safe, I think it's still necessary to go up the mountain, lest Yote pretend to do one thing and actually do another."
"President is right," Shinomiya Kaguya nodded lightly. "It is indeed necessary to go up the mountain and take a look."
Fujiwara Chika stood up and said:
"Then let's all go play?"
"Too many people going would be too conspicuous." Amamiya Natsuki shook his head, "It's just a simple reconnaissance. The possibility of Yote leaving the turtle cave is not high, so Hanamori and I can go alone."
Only Hayasaka Ai had the transformation skill, so it was logical and perfectly fine for him and Hayasaka to conduct the reconnaissance together.
Facing Amamiya Natsuki's proposal, no one suspected a thing; only one person knew his true intention…
"Lecherous senpai!!"
Hayasaka Ai's heart raced, and her pretty face quickly flushed red.
Reconnaissance of the enemy situation is just an excuse. You clearly want to do something bad, don't you?
It must be!
Amamiya Natsuki turned to look at Hayasaka, and said seriously:
"Without further ado, change your clothes, and we can set off."
"…Damn it!"
Because it was a legitimate reconnaissance of the enemy, Hayasaka Ai had no reason to refuse. She could only secretly grit her teeth, change her clothes, and then, under everyone's admonition to be careful, walked out the door with Amamiya Natsuki.
"Lecherous senpai, what do you mean?"
After leaving the forest villa, Hayasaka Ai couldn't help but question him in a low voice.
Amamiya Natsuki's expression was innocent: "I don't mean anything."
Hayasaka Ai's eyes showed disdain: "Whether you mean anything or not, you know it yourself!"
Amamiya Natsuki held the Spy Maid's right hand and smiled:
"Originally, I didn't mean anything, but if you put it that way, I'll be embarrassed."
"Bah!"
"…"
Amamiya Natsuki did not immediately take advantage of the maid. Reconnaissance of the enemy situation on the mountain was the top priority.
The two, disguised as tourists, held hands and mingled in the Summer Festival, like an ordinary couple, starting to eat, drink, and play.
In a blink of an eye, it was nine o'clock in the evening.
Tourists were like weaving, and pedestrians were noisy. The shadow massacre from the previous few cycles did not happen.
Another ten minutes passed.
The shadows still did not appear.
"It seems those shadows won't leave the grotto…" Hayasaka Ai took a bite of her candied apple and whispered, "The reconnaissance ends here, lecherous president, shall we go back?"
"We can indeed go back."
Amamiya Natsuki nodded, holding Hayasaka's hand, and walked down the mountain.
"Eh?"
Hayasaka Ai was slightly stunned.
You said you'd go back, and you're really going back?
Impossible.
He must be harboring ill intentions!
Hayasaka Ai let out a soft hum, preparing to see what tricks Amamiya Natsuki would play.
In a blink of an eye, they reached the foot of the mountain.
Seeing Amamiya Natsuki really leading her towards the villa, Hayasaka Ai was genuinely surprised.
He's actually going back honestly?
The lecherous president is actually so honest, it's unbelievable!
However… there's still the final battle at midnight. It's normal to conserve energy now.
However, after walking for a short while, Hayasaka Ai discovered that Amamiya Natsuki's feet had deviated from the path.
"Wait." Hayasaka Ai straightened her pretty face, "Did the president go the wrong way?"
Amamiya Natsuki looked around, a puzzled expression on his face, and then said:
"It seems I've gone the wrong way… Now, I can only admit it, I'm actually directionally challenged."
"Bah!"
Hayasaka Ai's pretty face flushed, and she lightly spat.
An excuse!
You weren't directionally challenged before, but now you suddenly are. It's embarrassing to expose you!
"I'm probably lost." Amamiya Natsuki said seriously, "Don't worry, let's find our way back first."
Hayasaka Ai retorted:
"I'm not lost. Lecherous senpai, you can slowly find your way alone."
Despite saying no, the Spy Maid's body was very honest. She didn't struggle out of Amamiya Natsuki's hand at all, letting him lead her forward.
"No." Amamiya Natsuki said seriously, "We came out together, so of course we have to go back together."
Hayasaka Ai only felt her pretty face burning, and her heart rate involuntarily quickened. Of course, she knew what Amamiya Natsuki wanted to do, and she turned her pretty face away, saying:
"If we go back too late, Kaguya will definitely be suspicious."
Amamiya Natsuki said:
"The Summer Festival usually lasts until eleven o'clock. We can go back before then."
"E-eleven o'clock?"
Hayasaka Ai couldn't help but widen her beautiful eyes.
It's only half past nine now, and you want to go back at eleven? Don't even think about it! I won't let you mess around for so long!
"So tired, can't walk anymore." Amamiya Natsuki pointed, "Shall we go to the park to rest for a while?"
Hayasaka Ai bit her silver teeth, her right hand couldn't help but reach for Amamiya Natsuki's waist, pinching hard. She glared at him, both shy and angry, and whispered:
"Perverted president! Don't push your luck!"
On the boat was one thing, but now he even wants to go to the park, pervert! Too perverted!
"Hiss~ gently." Amamiya Natsuki took a breath, "It's really a proper rest."
"Bah! Perverted president, go rest by yourself!" Hayasaka Ai's pretty face was flushed, "Anyway, I won't go to that kind of place now!"
Amamiya Natsuki lowered his voice and said:
"Not now… but maybe later?"
Hayasaka Ai immediately turned her head and denied: "I didn't say that, don't talk nonsense!"
"…"
Nothing to say for the day.
By half past ten in the evening, Amamiya Natsuki and Hayasaka finally stopped being lost and returned to the forest villa.
No need to say more about rest time.
In a blink of an eye, it was half past eleven at night, and the island had quietly become silent without anyone noticing.
"President, shall we set off?"
Fujiwara Chika clenched her pink fists, full of vigor.
"We can indeed set off." Amamiya Natsuki stood up, looked around at the girls in the villa, and said seriously, "This time, we're all going."
Kitagawa Marin put her right hand on her hip and said in a clear voice:
"Of course we have to act together. We're all ready."
The senpai stood up and said softly:
"Let's work hard together and clear the dungeon."
Yukinoshita Haruno's eyes were bright, and she smiled: "That sounds very interesting."
The final showdown was about to arrive.
Yukinoshita Haruno was not nervous at all; instead, she felt an extraordinary sense of pleasure.
If she were an ordinary person, her life trajectory would almost be set: becoming a tool for family political marriage, marrying and having children with a man she didn't love at all, under her parents' orders.
Such a life wasn't bad, but it lacked enjoyment.
At this moment, Yukinoshita Haruno finally realized that she was actually someone who enjoyed watching chaos.
"Sister, don't be careless." Yukinoshita Yukino whispered, "You listen to me when the time comes."
"…"
The group got ready, left the forest villa, and headed straight for the sea.
Late at night, all was quiet.
A full moon hung high in the night sky, casting a watery glow.
the sea was already devoid of fishermen and tourists, with only the gentle lapping of waves on the sand.
"Wait for me."
Amamiya Natsuki waved, signaling the girls to stop, and his figure quickly disappeared into the night.
After a short while, when he returned, he had a large bunch of keys in his hand—when he rented a boat with Hayasaka Ai in the evening, he had already asked the old man for his home address. He had just snuck into the house and obtained the keys effortlessly.
"The keys have numbers on them." Amamiya Natsuki distributed the keys, "Two people per motorboat."
Kitagawa Marin whispered:
"Natsuki, how do you drive the boat?"
"It's actually very simple…"
Amamiya Natsuki explained the boating skills in detail. Once no one had any questions, he waved and said:
"Get on the boat."
The girls boarded the boats one after another.
A moment later.
Several motorboats left the shore, swaying unsteadily as they headed into the sea under the night sky.
Half an hour later.
A cliff located by the sea appeared before everyone's eyes.
"The entrance has arrived."
Amamiya Natsuki was the first to jump off the boat and tie the mooring rope.
Kaguya and the others followed, getting off the small boat one after another.
"Is this it?" Fujiwara Chika curiously peered inside, "It's so dark, I can't see anything."
Shinomiya Kaguya gently exhaled, avoiding the hermit crab crawling at her feet, and said softly:
"Everyone, drink a Witch Potion."
The final battle was approaching, and compared to the importance of vision, side effects were naturally nothing.
Amamiya Natsuki nodded and said:
"We really need to drink a potion."
Immediately, the sounds of gulping down potions rang out one after another.
After drinking the potion, as an indescribably cool sensation surged into their eyes, everyone gained night vision.
"Let's go in."
Amamiya Natsuki stepped forward first, leading the way into the grotto.
The raw and confined atmosphere instantly made it difficult to breathe.
"Juju, what time is it now?" Amamiya Natsuki asked in a low voice.
Juju glanced at her watch and whispered:
"It's already eleven fifty-nine."
"Only one minute left."
Amamiya Natsuki extended his right hand, and a card glowing with purple light appeared at his fingertips. The card floated in mid-air, gently spinning, clearly not an ordinary item.
"Yukino, what is that?"
Yukinoshita Haruno asked in a low voice.
"It should be a Rule Card..." Yukino answered softly, "I've never seen one before either."
"Eh, Yukino is too slow. Everyone else seems to know," Yukinoshita Haruno raised her hand to cover her mouth, her eyes curving into crescents, "Since that's the case, I won't hold back."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "..."
A minute passed in the blink of an eye.
As the time reached midnight, the Rule Card in Amamiya Natsuki's hand quietly changed shape, transforming into a pumpkin lantern burning with a magnificent purple flame.
"Activate the Theater..." Amamiya Natsuki took a deep breath, muttering to himself, "Set the rule... Prohibit Time Reset."