As they entered the final facility, the surroundings grew darker again.
Though the previous stages were also dimly lit, there had at least been faint lights illuminating the paths. However, in this last challenge, even that small mercy was stripped away.
Now, Kanade Natsukawa and Kaguya Shinomiya had only their weak flashlight to light the way ahead.
Fortunately, as their eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness, they could make out some of their surroundings.
At the end of the steps was a spacious hall. When they stepped inside, faint lights flickered to life around them. Upon closer inspection, the light came from old-fashioned bulbs mounted on the walls. Though dim and flickering, the glow provided a small measure of comfort.
In the center of the hall stood an old wooden table. At its heart was a sunken metallic compass, with four differently shaped slots and a protruding bead-like feature in the middle.
Kanade reached out and moved it experimentally, but nothing happened. His gaze shifted to the room around him.
The hall had five pathways leading away from it. One led to a closed door directly opposite him, while the other four stretched into pitch-black corridors with no apparent obstacles—only endless darkness.
"..."
After a brief consideration, Kanade deduced the mechanics of the stage:
It was similar to the previous challenges. They likely needed to explore the four open pathways, find items that fit the compass's slots, and return them to unlock the central door and clear the level.
Kanade set Kaguya down on the table and let her sit while he shared his thoughts.
"I think I understand how to clear this stage," he began.
After explaining his reasoning, he sought her opinion.
"This seems to be a sort of 'safe point' or 'safe house,' and from what I've learned from the previous staff, there are no surveillance cameras in these facilities. That means even if we split up, we wouldn't fail for not holding hands. Most importantly, staying here alone should be safe."
Kanade paused. He wanted to add that splitting up would make things more efficient, but he worried it might sound like he was trying to ditch her. Misunderstandings were the last thing he needed.
Kaguya clearly wanted to see the whole thing through, even if it meant pushing through her injury. She had been so stubborn about not quitting that she even triggered her alternate personality. Kanade was acutely aware of how delicate the situation was.
"Your thoughts, Kaguya? Do you want to stay here and wait for me, or do you want to come along?"
"Of course, I'm coming with you!" Kaguya responded instantly. "What's there to think about? We've done fine this whole time, haven't we? Let's just go! Hurry up and carry me, President!"
"...Alright." Kanade sighed in resignation.
Clearly, trying to reason with "Child Kaguya" was futile. She was only interested in charging forward and didn't care about anything else.
Well, at least he had her approval.
He hoisted her onto his back again and headed for the nearest corridor.
As they progressed, the environment began to change. The previously empty walls were now covered with strange graffiti and streaked with what looked like dried blood—or some other fluid.
The air grew misty, carrying a faint but pungent odor. Occasionally, a chilling draft would sweep past, sending shivers down their spines.
"If the smell gets too strong, try lowering your head or covering your nose with your sleeve," Kanade suggested.
"Got it," Kaguya replied, lowering her head further.
Her warm breath against his neck made Kanade's skin tingle, and he reflexively shrank his shoulders.
"..."
He didn't have time to dwell on the sensation, though, as faint sounds ahead caught his attention.
Slowing his pace, Kanade crept toward the source of the noise.
It turned out to be nothing more than an empty wheelchair lightly bumping against a wall in a corner.
Kanade let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Thank goodness it wasn't another chase sequence, he thought.
Jump scares were fine; he could handle those. But if he had to endure another high-energy chase, he wasn't sure he'd survive.
As he swept his flashlight around, Kanade noticed a closed door to the right. The walls nearby were plastered with disturbing medical charts, and not far from the door lay a heap of skeletons in patient gowns.
"..."
Frowning, Kanade approached the door cautiously. He peered through the crack and froze.
The room's centerpiece was a shaky hanging lamp above an autopsy table. Standing with his back to them was a figure in a white lab coat, holding a blood-stained scalpel. The person wore a crow mask, obscuring their face, and appeared to be performing some kind of procedure.
On a nearby operating table lay a corpse, its head facing toward the door. Its lifeless eyes seemed to stare directly at them.
Kanade's expression darkened. He assumed he had triggered some kind of event and was about to react when Kaguya whispered from behind:
"President, what do you see? Let me take a look."
Though she spoke quietly, her voice cut through the stillness of the room, drawing the figure's attention immediately.
"!"
Kanade motioned urgently for her to be silent, but it was too late.
The figure inside the room turned, scalpel in hand, and began stepping toward the door.