"My fellow inhabitants of the Dark Realm
Even if I am submerged in the Abyss and sealed within a cold stone coffin, I will still cry out with my decaying voice!
This game is truly amazing!"
Early in the morning, Chiba's Fallen Saint Black Cat suddenly appeared in the group chat.
The dramatic declaration instantly woke several long-silent lurkers.
[Blank]: "Damn it! You almost ruined my winning streak! Do you even know what time it is?"
[The Demonic Hero]: "March 29, 2022. Around 4 a.m. By the way, Blank, did you stay up all night again?"
[Blank]: "That kind of thing doesn't matter to a shut-in."
[Kotoko Iwanaga]: "Wow, you guys are living in the sunlight now?"
[Shadow]: "Inexperienced. The sunrise in Sakura City at four o'clock is beautiful."
[The Sadistic Hero]: "Haha, I see it every day. Don't see what's so beautiful about it."
[Blank]: "Sunrise? That thing just burns my skin and blinds me."
[Shadow]: "Hmph. Foolish passerby."
Shadow muted the chat.
A new day began with a ten-kilometer run.
[Kotoko Iwanaga]: "Am I the only one still working overtime? By the way, @Chiba's Fallen Saint Black Cat how's the game?"
As the sun rose above the horizon, Kotoko Iwanaga, dark circles under her eyes, walked along a deserted path. Since most yokai hid deep in the mountains and forests, her daily routine was far from normal.
Her eyes remained glued to her phone.
What exactly is that vanished visitor planning…?
After a short while, another member appeared.
[Thunder Hammer User]:
"Lunch was delicious! The elf's ears are super soft, but her temper is awful. The catgirl's ears are even softer—perfect for rubbing!
And the Mad Moon Thunder Hammer is insanely cool!
It's just way too heavy to lift…"
[The Demonic Hero]: "Nani?! Catgirl?!"
[Blank]: "What?! An elf?!"
[Yotsuya Miko]: "What game?"
[Chiba's Fallen Saint Black Cat]: "The one the group admin posted before. A full-dive stealth game that surpasses SAO.
Also, looks like another night owl has appeared."
[Yotsuya Miko]: "Um… can I say I didn't sleep all night?"
An Apartment in Hehe County
Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, Yotsuya Miko stared blankly at her reflection. Dark circles framed her lifeless eyes.
Since school ended yesterday, she had been seeing strange things.
At night, those things even crawled onto her bed.
Too terrified to sleep, she could only close her eyes and pretend. But the restless movement around her made real sleep impossible.
When her phone chimed, she pretended she'd just woken up and slipped into the bathroom, hiding as she checked the group chat.
How did the world end up like this…?
[Chiba's Fallen Saint Black Cat]: "Can't sleep?"
[Chiba's Fallen Saint Black Cat]: "Then you should try applying for a spot with the group admin."
[Yotsuya Miko]: "What do you mean?"
In front of the mirror, Miko stared at her phone, her expression empty.
Behind her, a face without pupils loomed silently.
A rotten stench filled the air.
You can see it, right?
You can see it…
Cold sweat soaked her back.
She forced herself to keep chatting.
[Chiba's Fallen Saint Black Cat]:
"The most amazing thing about this game is that it can replace sleep.
I played from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., but afterward it felt like I'd taken a long nap."
"Otherwise, how could a being slumbering in the eternal abyss listen to prayers here?"
[Thunder Hammer User]:
"Ah naruhodo, Death! No wonder I feel so energetic today even after gaming all night!"
[Chiba's Fallen Saint Black Cat]:
"One warning: in parallel worlds, you can't sense your physical body.
If you don't want to lose half your existence and fall into eternal darkness, open the Gate of the World in the Sea of Tranquility."
Meanwhile, the black cat herself stood in front of a mirror, staring silently at a turtle whose face had been scribbled over in black marker.
…No need to guess.
Definitely her sister's doing.
They probably noticed she didn't respond when they called her and decided to prank her.
"Damn it, Hyuga!" she muttered, instantly locking onto the culprits.
She continued typing.
[Chiba's Fallen Saint Black Cat]:
"Aside from that, offerings to the Night Demon Queen in this parallel world are fairly acceptable.
If not for angelic interference, I would have left behind an eternal idol for worship."
[Kotoko Iwanaga]: "Enough! Who picked these two chuunibyou as the first test subjects? Can someone explain properly?"
Kotoko summarized calmly.
[Kotoko Iwanaga]:
"In short, the game induces a hypnotic state similar to a brain-in-a-vat.
Users lose full control of their bodies."
"Also the food sounds great, but there's no way to verify it. No screenshots."
She frowned slightly.
This tech surpasses any known neural infiltration device…
Could a yokai really achieve this?
[Yotsuya Miko]: "…That's amazing. Um, can I try?"
[Kotoko Iwanaga]: "Hey! Didn't you hear me? That thing is dangerous!"
Miko's heart raced.
Surprised yet relieved.
If she could remain fully submerged, those things wouldn't bother her anymore.
As long as I pretend I don't know anything… everything will be fine.
Clinging to that fragile hope, she tidied her clothes, pretended she'd arranged a morning jog, and left the room.
Elsewhere
Lying on the floor, Shiro glanced at the chat and suddenly shot upright.
"Nii!! Look!"
"Huh?"
While controlling his character, Sora glanced at the tablet.
"You can play while sleeping…?" Sora froze. "Who invented this black technology?!"
Shiro gave a thumbs-up. "Lack of sleep is a woman's greatest enemy!"
Sora rubbed his dark circles. "The group admin… wasn't it The Descendant? He invited us before."
Shiro nodded. "Yep."
Sora's eyes gleamed. He finished his match at lightning speed, grabbed the tablet, and declared:
"Then let's not waste time. We're talking to him today.
Next slot, I'm getting in."
Another place
Kotoko Iwanaga rubbed her temples and sighed.
"Honestly, we're getting zero useful information."
Then she called out, "Samurai."
A ghostly samurai appeared, a katana lodged through his skull.
"Your command, Princess."
"How are the two targets I asked you to observe?" Kotoko asked calmly.
The undead warrior hesitated.
"…Your Highness," he said slowly, "it may be better if you see for yourself."
"Oh?" Kotoko raised an eyebrow, her mechanical eye glinting in the morning light.
Something's happening…