Xia You: "I'm not sure what has happened to you, but since you're trapped on this Portal, you must have encountered some small trouble that you can't solve on your own."
If she could solve it herself, Tokisaki Kurumi would have broken free from the Flower Vines long ago.
Otherwise, why stay hanging if she could break free? Did she simply enjoy it?
Tokisaki Kurumi did not refute this. Her exquisite face showed a hint of approval, and she praised him in a delicate, soft voice, "Xia You-kun's observational skills are quite sharp."
"Thank you for the compliment."
Xia You said mildly, "It's inconvenient for you to move right now, while we are free."
"I believe you also want to leave this place and return to where you belong."
"We can certainly cooperate. You provide us with help, and we will find a way home or help you escape. When the time comes, everyone leaves together, and everyone is happy."
Yukinoshita Yukino looked with surprise at the eloquently speaking Xia You.
He was actually inviting someone who looked dangerously suspicious to join their small group.
Yukinoshita Yukino admired Xia You's boldness. At the same time, she felt that Xia You's recruitment tactics were quite reasonable and had a high probability of success.
This leadership talent and sharp insight into human nature seemed as excellent as her sister Haruno...
Tokisaki Kurumi smiled slightly. "Xia You-kun's words make a lot of sense."
"But I don't believe you have the Ability to escape this place. Even for things I cannot achieve, even if you are lucky enough to reach the end, you will still lose to the Final Boss."
Final Boss?
Xia You's heart skipped a beat. Tokisaki Kurumi indeed knew a lot.
It was even highly likely that she had reached the final step of leaving this world, only to be defeated by the Final Boss and trapped upon this Gorgeous Door.
Needless to say, she was a true Veteran!
Then he simply had to get the Veteran to Drop loot and let her guide the Newbie.
Xia You's gentle voice carried a convincing confidence. "One must always try, right?"
"Perhaps we can't defeat the Final Boss you spoke of, but if we don't try, we truly will never defeat it—there wouldn't even be a one-in-ten-thousand chance."
"We are all people willing to try. Back home, there are people and things waiting for us. We have reasons why we must go back."
"I believe it's the same for you."
Tokisaki Kurumi was a classic obsession-driven beautiful madwoman.
To kill her enemy, she was willing to reincarnate through time countless times.
Now that she was trapped here, she certainly wouldn't be resigned. She would seize even the slightest chance.
Tokisaki Kurumi tilted her head, thinking for a moment as she stared at Xia You. "Your words make sense."
Xia You struck while the iron was hot, continuing, "Besides, even if you don't trust us, you should at least trust yourself, right? Once you're free, you'll have another chance to challenge the Final Boss. That's better than being trapped here forever."
"Hahaha, quite bold, Xia You-kun~"
Tokisaki Kurumi let out a laugh that didn't match her elegant appearance—sounding more like an evil villain. Hanging in mid-air, she looked down at Xia You from above:
"Aren't you afraid that after I'm free, I'll kill you all?"
"In my eyes, you are all very delicious Food~"
Xia You spread his hands and said nonchalantly, "That's something to worry about later. Right now, I care more about the present. Obtaining the information you share to protect myself and my friends from getting hurt due to a lack of intel is the correct way to act."
"Xia You-kun, you've convinced me."
Tokisaki Kurumi's smile was beautiful, carrying a Charm that made one sink into it:
"I can engage in limited cooperation with you."
"But you must also provide the things I need."
Xia You felt relieved; the Veteran was willing to Drop loot.
"Go on."
Tokisaki Kurumi pursed her tender lips, thought for a bit, and gave an elegant smile. "First, I'll give Xia You-kun two pieces of information."
"One: this world has already been eroded by Shadow Power. Shadow Monsters can be seen everywhere."
"Once the sun sets and the Shadow Power loses its suppression, the whole world will turn into a dance of demons. You and your partners must find a strong enough Light Source, otherwise, you will be swallowed by endless Shadow Monsters."
Yukinoshita Yukino's eyes widened slightly.
This world?
Could it be that this is already an Other World?!
What kind of hellhole is this...!
Fortunately, Xia You successfully convinced this mysterious woman to cooperate. Otherwise, if they faced the arrival of a terrifying night without any information, they would likely be wiped out immediately.
Thinking of this, Yukinoshita Yukino looked at Xia You again and saw his calm expression. She covertly pursed her lips.
Xia You really is outstanding.
Yukinoshita Yukino was a proud person. Originally, she had some thoughts of competing with Xia You, but now a sense of loss rose in her heart.
However, a sense of security compensated for this.
As an excellent person, even if Yukinoshita Yukino believed she wouldn't rely on a comrade, Xia You's existence as a partner was indeed very reassuring.
Xia You raised an eyebrow slightly.
Night, Shadow Creatures... it felt a lot like the setting of one of the big three sandbox games, Don't Starve.
In the Don't Starve World, once night falls without a Light Source, one is killed by Queen Charlie.
Tokisaki Kurumi continued, "Some powerful Shadow Monsters will destroy Light Sources. You need to collect many materials to possibly survive the night."
"Second: you had better find some things to eat before Nightfall."
"Here, Food contains a certain power that can help you recover your status. If you fall into hunger, all your stats will decrease until death."
"But be careful, not everything is edible, okay?"
Xia You nodded and asked softly, "I roughly understand. Thank you for the information. So we need to collect a large amount of Wood and some Food to safely pass through tonight."
Collecting Wood was easy; he could just chop trees once he crafted an Axe.
Food was a bit troublesome, as they had to discern what was inedible. He hoped Tokisaki Kurumi would be willing to provide information.
"It's not like that."
Tokisaki Kurumi gave a cruel negation in a gentle, delicate voice:
"Ordinary Light Sources can only drive away ordinary Shadow Monsters. If you encounter higher-level Shadow Monsters, your light will be brutally destroyed by them."
Xia You found this tricky as well. He looked at Tokisaki Kurumi and directly sought the Veteran's help:
"Since you're willing to cooperate with us, you must have a way to keep us alive. Otherwise, there's no basis for cooperation."
"Please tell me what the method is."
Tokisaki Kurumi was satisfied, her beautiful eyes shimmering with laughter. "Ara ara, I'm starting to like the clever Xia You-kun more and more~"
"I want you to bring me a Life to 'eat.' In return, tonight, I will drive away the Shadow Monsters for you."
"It must be a living being."
Tokisaki Kurumi looked at Xia You with a gentle gaze, one filled with kindness.
Xia You felt that it wasn't necessarily kindness—it might be the affection a hungry person has for a gourmet meal.
Perhaps Tokisaki Kurumi wanted to eat Xia You.
But since Tokisaki Kurumi didn't kill good people, the idea of her eating Xia You seemed unlikely.