Outside the Fujimi High School infirmary—
Chen Hai stood in the corridor below, gazing at the distant scenery across the playground.
Since his transmigration, Chen Hai had either lived on the 'Abyss Floor' or resided in 'Orario', so it had been a while since he had been in contact with modern society.
He wondered if this world had the game consoles and high-scoring games he used to play.
If they existed, he might even play them.
Thinking idly, Chen Hai suddenly heard a question beside him.
The questioner was Asuna, who had just noticed Shizuka Marikawa's 'thunder'.
"Chen Hai-san, is bigger really better?"
"This is the second time you've asked, isn't it? Are you very concerned about this, or do you have someone you like?"
Asuna shook her head.
Denying the guess, she explained, "I don't have anyone I like, and I don't really understand that kind of emotion; right now, the only thing I want to do is to become stronger than before under Chen Hai-kun's guidance."
Ais Wallenstein would not be influenced by superfluous emotions.
At least, not right now.
"And after coming to this world, I finally understood why Chen Hai-kun seriously discussed those topics before; if the plane linked by the Dungeon wasn't here, but a plane even crazier and more chaotic than Orario, it would definitely cause a lot of trouble."
She asked curiously, "Can Chen Hai-kun not control the specific plane that links?"
"I haven't researched that aspect yet. My main task right now is to find a way to raise my level and make myself stronger; that way, even if we connect to a high-intensity plane, I won't have to worry about an invasion."
"To the people of Orario, Chen Hai-kun is already the highest existence."
"I believe I'm still some distance from the gods."
"Meaning… Chen Hai-kun plans to surpass the gods?"
"Gods are strong, but they also have weaknesses."
This statement piqued Asuna's interest.
"Specifically…"
"Their lower and upper limits are already fixed. Even if they live for thousands or billions of years, they probably won't have much of a breakthrough."
'Gods' themselves are synonymous with power.
To break through their limits, they would have to stop being gods.
"However, unlike the gods, I can still grow."
"A Chen Hai-kun stronger than he is now is hard to imagine."
In Asuna's eyes, Chen Hai, as the Dungeon Master, possessed absolutely formidable strength and subordinates.
This power, perhaps, was already on par with the gods.
As the two chatted, the door to the infirmary opened again.
Shizuka Marikawa had put on the clothes she had just taken off, and also treated the wounds of Saeko Busujima, Rei Miyamoto, and Saya Takagi.
Arriving in the hallway, Saya Takagi said with a shocked expression, "It's my first time seeing such a big bra…"
"Classmate Takagi, didn't I say not to talk about that topic anymore?"
Shizuka Marikawa, blushing, stood with her hands on her hips, pouting and glaring at Saya Takagi.
"It's mainly that memories of that are hard to erase."
"Then don't discuss it in front of a male!"
"Teacher Marikawa, what did she eat to grow up like that?"
"I have milk every day, and some honey too~"
"There are also girls in our class who drink milk every day, but they're just flat-chested."
"You shouldn't speak ill of people."
"Maybe they stopped being human a long time ago."
After Saya Takagi finished speaking, Shizuka Marikawa said sternly, "Even that's not allowed!"
"I understand…"
"Good girl."
"Don't treat me like a child!"
Saya Takagi, whose head was being patted, quickly dodged away.
Rei Miyamoto, with a bandage on her arm, then brought the conversation back on track.
"What should we do next? There are no rescue teams, the airport is in chaos, and it feels like everywhere is dangerous except for the school that Chen Hai-kun cleaned up."
Saeko Busujima, with a bandage wrapped around her left wrist, nodded.
She looked out beyond the school building.
Over the land stretching out from the intersection, the concrete jungle built by humans was in chaos.
Especially a tall building in the distance.
Flames burned at its top, and thick smoke billowed, making it clear how dangerous it was even from several kilometers away.
"This city will eventually come to a complete standstill."
Saya Takagi took out her phone; the signal, just like before, was intermittent.
"We must find a suitable base. Water and food are very important."
This was the first thing Saeko Busujima considered.
At this point in the conversation, Saya Takagi walked up to Chen Hai.
"Um… Chen Hai-kun, could I ask you for a favor?"
"Tell me."
"Actually, I just called my mother in the infirmary. She's at home right now. If possible… could you please save her?!"
After saying this, Saya Takagi lowered her head.
Since Chen Hai didn't immediately agree, the twin-tailed girl added, "I'll do anything!"
"Count me in!"
Shizuka Marikawa, who had been standing to the side, also ran to her student's side and bowed her head with Saya Takagi, pleading.
"Teacher Marikawa…"
"Now is not the time to save face. If what you two told me in the infirmary just now is true, then Chen Hai-kun can definitely save your mother!"
Facing their pleas, Chen Hai still hadn't made a decision.
He turned to Rei Miyamoto and Saeko Busujima on the other side.
"My parents are abroad."
"As for me… my father and the others must have already evacuated, so there's probably no need to worry."
The situations of the two girls' families were completely different from Saya Takagi's.
Asuna stepped forward at this moment.
"I can help."
She didn't intend to abandon Saya Takagi's mother to her fate.
Chen Hai hadn't thought of refusing either, so he nodded, "Let's go find your mother and bring her with us."
"Really?!"
"Of course."
"Thank you! Chen Hai-kun!"
Knowing her mother was saved, Saya Takagi smiled happily and also let out a sigh of relief.
"My mother raised me alone. If Chen Hai-kun wasn't willing, I would have gone myself; it's really great that you agreed in the end… I'll tell my mother now!"
Saya Takagi started making a call.
Chen Hai glanced at the girl's back, analyzed the previous conversation, and concluded 'setting change'.
Saya Takagi's mother did not have a husband.
Had she become an adopted daughter?
Without thinking further, Chen Hai turned his gaze towards the city.
"Let's go take a look now."
— — — —
— — — —
The car engine roared.
Shizuka Marikawa skillfully stepped on the clutch, shifted gears, and accelerated, driving Chen Hai and the others in the car towards the Takagi residence.
Although there were Corpses blocking the way, they were all incinerated by flames the moment before they touched the car.
"Whoa! It's really magic!"
"Teacher! Look ahead! Look ahead! There's a speed bump not far away! Don't get distracted!"
"Sorry, sorry."
After passing the speed bump, the car began to shake.
Asuna felt no discomfort, and her usually expressionless face even showed some excitement.
"It's completely different from a carriage… this moving iron box is amazing."
"We're almost there."
Saya Takagi, picking up from Asuna's comment, opened the car window and pointed to the residential area not far away, which was their destination—the Takagi residence.