Natsuyu: "I am not clear on what has happened to you, but since you are trapped on this doorway, you must have encountered some small troubles that you cannot resolve on your own."
If she could have resolved it herself, Tokisaki Kurumi would have broken free from the constraints of the Flower Vines long ago.
Otherwise, why would she remain hanging if she could escape? Does she simply enjoy it?
Tokisaki Kurumi did not refute this point. Her exquisite face showed a few hints of approval, and she praised him in a tender, delicate voice, "Natsuyu-kun's powers of observation are very sharp."
"Thank you for the compliment."
Natsuyu said mildly, "It is currently inconvenient for you to move, whereas we are free."
"I believe you also wish to leave this place and return to where you belong."
"We can certainly cooperate. You provide us with assistance, 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 at the eloquent Natsuyu in surprise.
He was actually inviting a person who looked dangerous and suspicious to join their small group.
Yukinoshita Yukino admired Natsuyu's boldness, and at the same time, she actually thought in her heart that Natsuyu's recruitment tactics were quite reasonable and had a high probability of success.
This leadership talent and sharp insight into human nature seemed to be as excellent as her sister Haruno's...
Tokisaki Kurumi smiled slightly. "Natsuyu-kun's words are very reasonable indeed."
"But I do not believe that you have the ability to escape this place. Even for things I cannot achieve, even if you are lucky enough to reach the very end, you will still lose to the Final Boss."
Final Boss?
Natsuyu's heart stirred. Tokisaki Kurumi indeed knew many things.
It was even highly probable that she had charged all the way to the final step of leaving this world, only to fall at the hands of the Final Boss and be imprisoned upon this Gorgeous Door.
Needless to say, she was a true veteran!
In that case, he had to squeeze the veteran for information and let her guide the newcomers.
Natsuyu's gentle voice carried a convincing confidence. "One must always try, mustn't they?"
"Perhaps we cannot defeat the Final Boss you speak of, but if we do not try, then we truly will never defeat it—there wouldn't even be a one-in-ten-thousand chance."
"We are all people willing to make an attempt. Back home, there are people and things waiting for us; we have reasons why we must return."
"I believe the same is true for you."
Tokisaki Kurumi was a classic obsession-driven, crazed beauty.
To kill her enemy, she was willing to reincarnate countless times within time.
Now that she was trapped here, she certainly would not be resigned to her fate; even if there were only a sliver of a chance, she would be willing to grasp it tightly.
Tokisaki Kurumi tilted her head, pondering for a moment as she stared at Natsuyu. "Your words are very reasonable."
Natsuyu struck while the iron was hot and continued, "Furthermore, even if you do not trust us, you should at least trust yourself, right? As long as you can break free, you will have the chance to challenge the Final Boss again. That is better than being trapped in this place forever."
"Hahaha, how bold, Natsuyu-kun~."
Tokisaki Kurumi let out a laugh that was inconsistent with her elegant appearance, sounding like an evil villain. Hanging in mid-air, she looked down at Natsuyu from above:
"Are you not afraid that after I break free, I will kill you all?"
"In my eyes, you are all very delicious food, you know~"
Natsuyu spread his hands and said nonchalantly, "That is something to consider for the future; I care more about the present. Obtaining the intelligence you share and protecting myself and my friends from getting hurt due to lack of information is the correct course of action."
"Natsuyu-kun, you have convinced me."
Tokisaki Kurumi's smile was beautiful, possessing a Charm that could make one lose themselves:
"I can engage in limited cooperation with you."
"But you must also pay with the things I require."
Natsuyu felt a sense of relief in his heart; the veteran was willing to share the wealth.
"Speak."
Tokisaki Kurumi pursed her tender lips, pondered for a moment, and said with an elegant smile, "First, I will give Natsuyu-kun two pieces of intelligence."
"One: this world has already been eroded by Shadow Power; Shadow Monsters can be seen everywhere."
"As long as the sun sets and the Shadow Power loses its suppression, the entire world will be overrun by demons and monsters. You and your partners must find a sufficiently powerful Light Source, otherwise, you will be swallowed by the endless Shadow Monsters."
Yukinoshita Yukino's eyes widened slightly.
This world?
Could it be that this is already a Different World?!
What kind of hellhole is this...!
Fortunately, Natsuyu successfully persuaded this mysterious woman to start cooperating. Otherwise, without any intelligence, they would likely be wiped out immediately once the terrifying night arrived.
Thinking of this, Yukinoshita Yukino looked at Natsuyu again and noticed his calm expression, causing her to secretly purse her lips.
Natsuyu was truly outstanding.
Yukinoshita Yukino was a proud person. Originally, she had a few thoughts of competing with Natsuyu, but now a sense of loss rose in her heart.
However, there was also a sense of security that compensated for this.
As an excellent individual, even if Yukinoshita Yukino believed she would not rely on her companions, as a companion, Natsuyu's presence was indeed very reassuring.
Natsuyu raised an eyebrow slightly.
Night, shadow monsters—it felt somewhat like the setting of one of the "Big Three" sandbox games: Don't Starve.
In the world of Don't Starve, once it becomes night and there is no 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 a night."
"The second point: you had best find something to eat before it gets dark."
"Here, food contains a certain power that can help you recover your status. If you fall into hunger, all your stats will decrease until you die."
"But take note, not everything is edible, you know?"
Natsuyu nodded and inquired softly, "I think I understand; thank you for the intelligence. So we need to collect a large amount of Logs, as well as some food, to safely pass tonight."
Collecting Logs was simple; he could just cut down trees after crafting an axe.
Food was a bit more troublesome, as he also had to discern what was inedible. He hoped Tokisaki Kurumi was willing to provide that information.
"It is not like that, you know."
Tokisaki Kurumi gave a cruel denial in a gentle, delicate voice:
"Ordinary light sources can only drive away ordinary Shadow Monsters. If you encounter higher-level Shadow Monsters, the light will be brutally destroyed by them."
Natsuyu felt that things were becoming tricky now. He looked at Tokisaki Kurumi and directly sought the veteran's help:
"Since you are willing to cooperate with us, you must have a way for us to survive, otherwise, cooperation would be out of the question."
"Please tell me what the method is."
Tokisaki Kurumi was satisfied, her beautiful eyes brimming with a smile. "Ara ara, I am becoming more and more fond of the clever Natsuyu-kun~"
"I want you to bring me a life for me to 'eat.' In return, tonight, I will drive away the Shadow Monsters for you."
"It must be a living being."
Tokisaki Kurumi looked at Natsuyu with a gentle gaze, full of kindness.
Natsuyu felt that it might not be kindness, but rather the affection a hungry person has for delicious food.
Tokisaki Kurumi might want to eat Natsuyu.
But Tokisaki Kurumi does not kill good people, so wanting to eat Natsuyu was quite unlikely.