Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Blockade, Exchange (1)
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You've worked hard surviving in this world of horror tales.
First off, congratulations on making it out alive.
This is a world overrun by horror tales where you can use a system called the "Status Window."
Say "Status Window" out loud or in your mind, and a translucent window will appear before your eyes.
At the bottom, you'll see a field labeled "Input."
Enter "GY-82" there, and you'll connect to the community where survivors gather.
Once connected, please check the notice board first.
The notice contains the most basic rules you must follow here.
However, here are a few additional precautions not listed in the notice.
First. Do not carelessly send private messages to others in the community.
If the person you message turns out not to be human, we can't predict what harm the monster receiving it might inflict on you.
The most reliable way to check if someone is human is to look at the comment count on their posts.
Comments from non-human entities are not included in the total comment count.
Do not try to guess usable English combinations in the input field.
If you enter unrecognized combinations more than 3 times a day, you'll be permanently locked out of the Status Window.
Additionally, some input codes can lead to our deaths.
The death here doesn't mean instant death.
Third. This place has concepts of "Blockade" and "Exchange."
During Blockade time, the outside locks the doors, so we can't go out.
However, don't force your way out just because you're feeling cooped up.
You can only go outside during Exchange time, which varies but happens about once a week.
The currency here is called "Dolls." Enter DL in the Status Window's input to check your balance.
You can sell Sanity at 1 Doll per 1 point.
Your total Sanity doesn't decrease, so no worries.
Sometimes, your DL screen will offer to lend Dolls.
But absolutely do not borrow any.
Sometimes, someone will knock outside asking to open the door.
Ignore them.
The monsters here can mimic our voices.
Sixth. This world is infested with Neapolitan horror tale dungeons.
During Exchange time, you can attempt to clear dungeons.
From here on are precautions for when you're inside a dungeon.
When entering a horror tale dungeon,
take photos of every part of the interior as much as possible.
Share them in the community so that even if you fail, the next person can succeed.
Pressing the "Return" button in the Status Window brings you back here.
But after using Return, do not press it again.
The "Return" button is not for the brink of death. It has a delay, so use it immediately when you think you're about to die.
Even if this place has game-like systems, your life is only one.
Always keep your Sanity at maximum.
Higher Sanity gives better resistance to mental attacks from monsters.
Sanity recovers through rest and food, but decreases faster the more anomalies or mental attacks you're exposed to.
Low Sanity makes you see things you shouldn't.
Never let Sanity hit 0.
At 0, you lose access to the Status Window and can't resist any mental attacks.
Twelfth. Once more: This is not a game.
This is reality.
Above all, value your life the most.
Thanks for reading this long message.
Finally: Never share this content in the community.
If you do, the moderators will delete it immediately, but if a monster sees it, they'll start finding new ways to attack us.
The next page explains additional input commands you can use.
GY-82: Community. Communicate with others.
CA: Camera. Take photos via Status Window. Interface like a phone.
PE: Photo Gallery. Stores all your photos.
DL: Check funds. Reminder: Never borrow money. (Sending/receiving from others is fine.)
FY: Order food. Check menu, hit "Delivery," and food arrives at your location.
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Grrrrowl...
'Ah... I'm starving...'
When I finished reading all the papers here,
I whipped my head around at the growl from my stomach, scanning the surroundings.
Staying like this felt like I'd really starve to death, so I checked for anything edible.
'What do I do...'
Nothing looked edible, so while pondering what to eat,
I recalled the food delivery option and decided to check my funds first.
'DL... go.'
With that, I entered DL into the Status Window.
--
I could see a new screen pop up.
'Is 14,500 a lot?'
I had no idea if it was a large amount, but for now, to order food, I quickly entered FY.
--
A Set (15 Doll) [ ]
B Set (30 Doll) [ ]
C Set (80 Doll) [ ]
D Set (150 Doll) [ ]
E Set (350 Doll) [ ]
F Set (800 Doll) [ ]
[Delivery]
'There's a ton of stuff.'
It looked like there were a lot of expensive food options, so I decided to check the community notice for the delivery menu breakdown.
'Yeah... no reason to go for the pricy stuff right away.'
After confirming from the notice that Set A was great value,
--
A Set (15 Doll) [ ✓ ]
B Set (30 Doll) [ ]
C Set (80 Doll) [ ]
D Set (150 Doll) [ ]
E Set (350 Doll) [ ]
F Set (800 Doll) [ ]
[Delivery]
I checked Set A and hit delivery.
'Yeah, as long as it's balanced carbs, protein, and fat.'
Not sure if I had a lot or little money,
the prices seemed cheap anyway, no need for the most expensive.
After ordering the cheapest Set A, I looked around a bit...
Knock knock knock
'...Huh? Isn't it Blockade time right now?'
Sensing it was a monster from the door knock, I held my breath—
Creeeak—
"...!"
No time to prepare, something opened the door...
Thud...
"...?"
It left behind Set A, just like in the community notice photo, and left.
"Whoa... delivery's super fast...?"
What delivery's this quick?
I thought the Status Window conjured food or something.
Turns out it's an actual delivery system?
'...But isn't it Blockade time now...?'
But... isn't it Blockade time right now...?
'...Who delivered it...?'
I silently stared down at the delivered Set A.
It's definitely Blockade time when people can't go out...
Yet someone casually walked up, opened the door, and delivered inside...
'...A monster?'
Does that mean the food seller... is a monster...?
'...Is there a friendly monster here too...?'
Thinking this place had friendly monsters like in Bellierd Library, and starving, I went to eat...
"Huh? My Set A didn't come with this."
There was an extra loaf of bread on the tray.
Thinking maybe a first-customer event from the monster...
But under the bread slice was a note that left my jaw on the floor.
--
:
>
"Bellierd???"
--
[Whoa this is crazy I found a massive fact]
(Photo)
Check this out, ordered Set A and there's a note underneath.
Curious, I check the note?!
A familiar emoticon was written on it??
This emoticon is the one the monster in Bellierd Library that made my bento box used??
No way, does that mean all the food here is actually sold from Bellierd Library??
This shitpost, Big Whale seduced him first!! Put it down!!!
Whoa whoa, calm down.
?? Why?
Look at this~ Big Whale. Typical newbie stench lol, reeks of horniness lololol wtf?!?!?! This is basically begging to get eaten???
...Why? What did I do to deserve this from everyone...?
lololololol no one cares about Big Whale's return lolololol
Hey Big Whale, mind sending a selfie via PM? Need some side dish.
You're not interested either lolololol
Big Whale's pretending not to know while seducing me right now!!!!!!!!!!!
Fr this one's on Big Whale.
Big Whale messed up, so share Big Whale's big sturdy tool with everyone.
...You're talking about items, right?
Nope?
Kyahaha!! Seeing this is so reassuring. Big Whale's just a clueless newbie after all~
Fr thought he was some mega toxic tetromino dude but turns out he's a trap?!?! This is peak cuisine lolol
Dude.
Dude.
Dude.
Dude.
Please hold your breath for 30 minutes
Wtf you guys all piled on and now it's just me???
[Comments - 22]
While eating, I shared my discovery with everyone...
People frantically cracking jokes about my newbie vibe.
'...What? Why's everyone reacting like that...?'
I genuinely thought this was a huge find...
But seeing them brush it off, I felt a bit puzzled.
'Whatever, I'll do what I need to.'
After nearly 4 days, seeing the Bellierd Library bento monster again filled me with joy.
On the note with that emoticon, I added how glad I was to see it again.
'Maybe it'll take tips too.'
I'd been usefully using item crafting from Bellierd Library.
As thanks, I withdrew 8 Dolls—half of Set A's price—placed it on the tray, and neatly set the empty dishes by the door.
'It said it'd pick up after 30 minutes.'
Soon the dishes would be collected automatically, so now I had one thing left to do.
'Wonder what item got made.'
Check the item from the Mannequin Monster.
I opened my inventory right away.
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[■] [■] [■] [■] [■] [■] [■] [■] [■] [■] [] []
When I tapped the very last full slot,
I saw it.
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[Helmet Made from Outer Skin]
Protective gear made from outer skin.
Reduces user's maximum Sanity by 30.
"...Are there crafting failures too...?"
An item that seemed utterly useless...
'...Well, I do need a helmet, but no reason to wear one that drops Sanity by 30...'
"Sigh..."
I let out a deep breath, took out the helmet, and tried it on.
My Sanity max had dropped from 195 to 165, so I decided to equip it only when Sanity fell to 165.
I took off the helmet again...
Sanity max returned to 195... wait a sec?
I put the helmet back on.
🧠 Sanity:164/165
Took it off.
🧠 Sanity:194/195
Entered DL and put 30 in Sell.
🧠 Sanity:164/195
Sanity dropped by 30, but my Dolls went from what should have been 14,506 to 14,536.
Confirming the Dolls deposited correctly, I put the helmet back on.
🧠 Sanity:164/165
To test my hypothesis, I finally took off the helmet...
🧠 Sanity:194/195
"...Huh?"
I accidentally discovered a duplication bug.