Much like the earlier mini-challenges, the final two tests also followed the formula of a classic horror game antagonist paired with a matching eerie setting. As expected, sound served as the main trigger for initiating a chase sequence.
However, thanks to Kanade Natsukawa's stealthy maneuvers, the game's dynamic shifted entirely. What was supposed to be a tense game of cat and mouse turned into a surreal experience for the actors playing the "monsters," leaving them spooked by the inexplicable "hauntings" they were inadvertently part of.
By the time Kanade escaped the clutches of the "Chainsaw Man" impersonator, he had circled back to where Kaguya Shinomiya was waiting.
This time, Kaguya had truly outdone herself. Despite being left on her own, she had managed to locate the required task item without getting caught by the area's "boss." She was, at last, proving herself to be a worthy teammate.
Initially, Kanade had worried that splitting up might negatively affect their score, but it seemed that as long as no one saw them apart, they wouldn't technically fail the "must hold hands" clause of the challenge.
Besides, proof or it didn't happen, right?
With all the required items collected, Kanade and Kaguya returned to the central hall. One by one, they placed the objects into the corresponding indents on the metal compass.
With a low, mechanical groan, the large door at the far end of the hall slowly creaked open.
Kanade was suitably impressed. Theatrics aside, the execution was undeniably cool.
"Alright, let's finish this," Kanade muttered as he hoisted Kaguya onto his back again.
The two stepped through the open doorway into what they expected would be the final area.
Instead of the challenge organizer waiting to offer them congratulations—or a well-earned prize—Kanade and Kaguya found themselves face-to-face with another surprise "boss."
"I... hate... EVERYTHING!"
A pale, lanky figure draped in a flowing white gown floated into view, wailing dramatically. Long, unkempt black hair completely obscured her face. From her curvaceous figure, though, it was easy to tell that she was a woman.
Kanade, however, was far too exhausted to appreciate—or even notice—her theatrics. If this was another chase sequence, he was done.
"So, uh, what's the challenge here?" Kanade asked, his voice flat. "You're not seriously expecting me to race you down this death corridor, are you?"
The hallway ahead was long and narrow, with no apparent exits. While the space was wide enough to maneuver, trying to outrun someone—especially someone who was clearly rigged up with some kind of roller system for a smooth gliding effect—was a no-go. Not with Kaguya on his back.
But the "ghost woman" wasn't ready to break character just yet.
"You... you're not afraid of me?" she asked, her eerie wailing slightly undercut by an edge of uncertainty.
Kanade shrugged. "What's there to be afraid of? It's not like you're actually going to hurt me."
Honestly, her act wasn't even that spooky. Sure, she had the standard creepy look down, but her outfit seemed more suited to a horror-comedy sketch. Between the over-the-top entrance and her exaggerated proportions, Kanade's mind wandered to less-than-scary cultural memes about Sadako-like characters.
Before he could stop himself, he glanced back at Kaguya, who had popped her head over his shoulder to get a better look.
"Oh, cool! A Sadako cosplay!" she said brightly, her tone filled with curiosity rather than fear.
The "ghost" faltered, her wails turning into a strangled squeak.
"I... I am a ghost!" she howled, though her petulant tone sounded more like a sulking child than a menacing spirit.
"Right, right. And you're a very cute ghost," Kanade said, his deadpan delivery almost too much for Kaguya to stifle a laugh. "But you seem to have some unresolved issues. Want to talk about it?"
"C-Cute?!" The ghost visibly flinched, her posture faltering for a moment. But, to her credit, she quickly recovered and resumed her act.
"You dare mock me?!" she shrieked. "But... wait. Did you say you could help me resolve my... issues?"
"Of course. Helping lost spirits fulfill their lingering regrets is practically standard procedure, isn't it?" Kanade replied, feigning sincerity.
The ghost hesitated, floating closer. Her long hair swayed slightly, giving the impression that she was eyeing them both through the strands.
"...Well, if you insist," she began, her voice taking on a more wistful tone.
"I had an arranged fiancé back when I was alive... My parents sent me through years of bride training so I wouldn't disgrace the family. But then... he broke off the engagement."
Her voice quivered. "My father, distraught, left home to confront the fiancé's family. He never came back. My mother, overcome with grief, fell ill and passed away soon after."
Kanade grimaced. The story was hitting all the classic tragic beats. He braced himself for the inevitable—most likely a gruesome tale of violence or betrayal.
"...And then I starved to death," she finished matter-of-factly.
"...Excuse me?" Kanade blinked, certain he'd misheard her.
"I, uh... starved to death," the ghost repeated, sounding sheepish. "I didn't sell the family's belongings because I thought my father might need them when he came back, so I set out with just a bit of food. Turns out, it wasn't enough. I... kind of died halfway there."
Her hair obscured her face, but Kanade could feel the embarrassment radiating off her.
Kanade buried his face in his hands. "You seriously expect me to believe you were part of a noble family and no one ever taught you basic survival skills?"
"Well, that's what the script says!" she shot back defensively.
"Fine. Fine. Let's just move on. What's your 'heart's desire' that's keeping you here?"
The ghost hesitated. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she said, "...I want someone to compliment my cooking."
Kanade nearly tripped over his own feet.
Good grief. This was going to be a long night.