Event Story – House of Mystery: They Know All! ch.2

[kozvme]

Ren: ......

Gray: Kh...

Akira: ... It really happened.

Ren: ... Unfortunately, it seems like it's too late now.



Ren: The weapon is this knife... A single stab to the abdomen, I guess...

Akira: So, this makes it the third victim—
Wait? Since it's a time loop, should I say it's the third time instead?

Gray: Yes, that's probably the case...

Ren: The master of the mansion seemed like any normal person just moments ago, but as soon as he got stabbed, he turned into a lifeless doll, not even a drop of blood is coming out...

Gray: It's like the rating is actually being followed...

Akira: Rating?

Gray: Oh, the rating refers to the age-based content restrictions in games, where they tone down violence and horror to suit the target age group, like no blood for kids, you know...

Akira: ???

Gray: I just feel like there might be some kind of regulations in this mansion too...

Ren: ... It's true that the same thing has happened before, but it still feels a bit unreal. Plus—
we're stuck in this mansion until we solve this case, it seems.



Brad: ーNonetheless, the situation has turned dangerous.

Victor: Indeed. Their situation is completely beyond our understanding.
But, do we really need to fret that much?
I believe that Ren, Akira, and Gray are capable of collecting it.

Brad: Absolutely, when considering individual skills and experiences, the balance isn't bad, and if they align well, they should be able to work together well.
However, there is one concern that weighs on my mind.

Victor: What would that be?

Brad: Deciding on things might lead to issues.

Victor: Ah, I understand.
When you think about Akira and Ren's usual interactions and Gray's personality, it really does seem very likely.
Had either Oscar or Sage been able to join them, things could have turned out differently.

Brad: Unfortunately, the two showed up a tad late.
Therefore, we can only count on Nico to take on that role.



Nico: You called?

Brad: ... I would appreciate it if you could knock before entering.

Victor: Fufu, we've been waiting for you.

Nico: I heard you were in a hurry.
I'm so hungry... Is it cool if I eat a baguette while we talk?

Brad: That's fine. We were the ones who reached out to you out of the blue, after all.

Victor: Make sure to consume enough calories.

Nico: ...? Okay.

Brad: Thank you for stepping up to our sudden request.
How much have you heard from the captain of the anti-Eclipse unit?

Nico: *Munch, munch*...  Just that I'm needed for a mission. And that I had to ask you for the details.

Brad: I'll break it down for you in order, then.
Yesterday, 3 13th gen rookies, Akira, Ren, and Gray, entered an old mansion in South Sector to retrieve a substance, and they have since gone missing.

Nico: They're missing...?

Brad: Perhaps it's more fitting to say they've been locked away in the mansion, without any way to communicate.
While on patrol, Sage and Oscar, who happened to be close by, rushed to the scene, only to find that all the entryways to the mansion were securely locked.

Nico: Heh... *Chew, chew*... Why not just break in?

Brad: We made several attempts, yet they proved pointless.

Nico: Pointless...?

Victor: Yes. While investigating the mansion, the research department found that due to the influence of a substance, the inside and outside of the building are not connected.
So, no matter the damage, getting in is not an option.

Nico: Hmm. What's its effect?

Victor: There are several types of substances that interfere with space, but the one we're discussing appears to create a world with its own distinct rules in the affected area.
The most straightforward recovery method involves identifying the cause of that world’s creation and swiftly addressing the anomalies that are occurring internally.

Nico: Seems pretty annoying...

Victor: The other solution would be to counteract the substance's effects from outside, however... this could take some time.

Brad: In other words, the only way to resolve this issue quickly is for Akira and the others who are trapped inside to find a solution.

Nico: I see... *Munch, munch*...
So, why do you need my ability? I don't think I can get in with it.

Victor: Yes. There is no way you could sneak in with your teleportation ability.
However, if the space between the outside and inside connects for just a moment, it could lead to a different outcome.

Nico: *Chew*...

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