[113] Bewilderment

"So..." Reinhard paused for a moment, "Where am I now?"

Facing this question from the black-haired youth, which had an obvious answer, the doctor's expression slowly became serious.

"Psychiatric Health Control Center."

So, it's really a mental hospital?

Reinhard nodded, not surprised by this revelation.

In fact, ever since he saw his talents, he had mentally prepared himself for the possibility of ending up here. Asking was just to confirm his suspicion.

"Don't worry, I'm very clear-headed. I am not sick.

"I know very well that I am not Zhang Jue.

"You can call me... Reinhard."

Reinhard?

Oh no, another one has appeared!

The man in the white coat's hand trembled slightly as he held the pen.

How long has it been? The condition has worsened several times already. Just how many personalities does he have in his head...

"Sorry, who is Reinhard? Your friend from other countries?"

"It's my name. Not my friend from other countries."

"Reinhard... Isn't that a foreigner's name..."

The man in the white coat sighed in relief, trying to nip this new personality in the bud.

"However... your medical record clearly states your name: Zhang Jue, 24 years old, a student."

"Who writes medical records seriously anyway?"

"It seems you still have a sense of humor. Zhang Jue, this personality of yours is quite rational."

A bitter smile appeared on the doctor's face. He was silent for a moment, then shook his head and sighed again, pushing a thick medical record book on the table towards Reinhard, though he did not release the restraints on him.

"Do you need me to help you flip through it, Zhang Jue?"

"Please just pass it to my hands."

Sitting in the restraining chair, Reinhard placed the medical record book on his lap, and with his barely mobile wrists, he laboriously opened the first page.

As he looked at the detailed information about Zhang Jue... personal details, home address, various diagnoses... a barely noticeable smirk appeared on Reinhard's lips.

"I don't recall my family living in this address. How can someone like me live there?"

Heh... Trying to deceive me?

At least make the fake identity a bit more believable. Just because he's currently simulating as an easterner doesn't mean you can use it as a basis.

Reinhard was now certain that this so-called mental hospital was merely a projection of his hallucinations.

After all, he had never disclosed his home address to anyone... such details had to be fabricated.

If Chaos is only this level, it's still too basic. Just give up now. I'm a tough guy, you won't win against me.

Unlike a certain person who has the same talents as him, Reinhard was very clear... this reality was certainly not real.

When his perspective had suddenly began to switch back and forth between reality and hallucinations.

Undoubtedly, this was a side effect caused by his talent.

Perhaps it even involved contributions from Nurgle and Tzeentch... after all, the Counter Force had already been partially eroded by chaos, and these hallucinations felt very much like something Tzeentch would enjoy.

The empire setting Reinhard was in was already halfway into Nurgle's domain, so it made sense that he would be targeted.

After all, this time, he has the Pure Heart

The so-called Pure Heart, according to Reinhard's understanding, was essentially a reality-warping ability that made one's desires come true.

As long as he sincerely believed in something, no matter how illogical or unreasonable, it would change reality according to his will.

Reinhard clearly remembered that when he saw the miserable plight of the refugees in the rain, he intensely and desperately wanted to change the weather.

So, responding to his will... the rain in the entire city suddenly cleared up.

It sounds like an incredibly powerful cheat, able to command the world with words alone. Of course, If you don't consider the madness, his talents this time are indeed very strong.

Unfortunately, the ability to activate Pure Heart seems to require extremely strong emotions and apparently consumes a lot of his magical and mental energy, so it's not something he can activate just by thinking about it.

In other words, it's a very difficult-to-control power, somewhere between active and passive.

For example, it's like an advanced version of a certain green-skinned orc power, shouting "Waaagh!" and conjuring a Gundam out of scrap metal.

Unfortunately, the cost of having this talent, as described in the talent, is that it makes one susceptible to perceiving bizarre and incomprehensible things.

In other words, this talent easily falls into bewilderment.

Reinhard now understood what bewilderment meant.

Its specific manifestation was simply these hallucinations, switching perspectives between reality and hallucination.

They thought this would drive him mad?

Huh! His heart had long been unwavering... he could distinguish between reality and illusion.

Therefore, no further explanation was needed.

This so-called mental hospital in reality was just another hallucination... he hadn't actually been traveling back and forth but had fallen into an illusion called reality.

After all, how could everything he had fought for in the Clock Tower, his struggles in Britain, his hell battles in Greece…

His witch and everyone he cherished, how could they possibly be false?

Thinking you could break me just because I'm sick? Chaos, you overestimated yourselves!

With that in mind, Reinhard pondered for a moment. Recalling the old steward's position from his memories, he turned his head and spoke to an empty spot beside him.

"Sorry, I'm feeling a bit tired. Could you please escort me back home and help me to my room? I'll take a short nap now."

"..."

With that, Reinhard closed his eyes, sitting quietly in the restraining chair. He relaxed, closed his eyes, and waited for the hallucination to dissipate, even shaking his leg slightly in contentment.

Seeing this unyielding behavior, the doctor sighed softly. He lifted his hand and began typing rapidly on the laptop in front of him.

"Following seizures, hysteria, and bipolar disorder, the patient now exhibits symptoms of amnesia and dissociative identity disorder. His condition is becoming increasingly severe."

Listening to the doctor's muttering, Reinhard found it amusing.

Typing is one thing, but why read it out loud? Are your tendons acting up? Using voice recognition, are we?

If you're using voice recognition, then read out your password! Go on, say it!

Reinhard had made up his mind.

No matter what, he decided to ignore the hallucination entirely.

Unlike a certain person who has talents like him who had his mother and girlfriend to care about, Reinhard had no such attachments here. If he could return to his home in this way, he would have long since taken his wifes and left, partying every day.

The Counter Force had already shattered humanity and pledged allegiance to Chaos... if even the leader has rebelled, why would anyone think they could play the savior?

Saving the world? Let whoever wants to do it take over. I'm the antagonist here! Not pushing people is already me being kind!

If there was no escape, if the hope from the Second Magic was cut off, who would willingly interact with magus and these lowlifes?

Reinhard... he simply didn't care. No hallucination could break him, and if he died in the simulation, so be it.

If this simulation ends in failure, Reinhard decided, he would touch every relic in the museum, throw massive parties across various eras, and turn human order into a chaotic mess, painting it in his color.

Nurgle, if you're shameless, don't blame me for using my larger account.

As everyone knows, whether it's Khorne, Nurgle, or Tzeentch, all contain elements of Slaanesh because killing, sustaining, and seeking knowledge are all forms of desire.

Seeing the doctor list the conditions aloud, the black-haired youth showed no reaction.

The man in the white coat couldn't sit still anymore.

"Zhang Jue, while you're still clear-headed, why not cooperate with the treatment instead of resisting? What good does it do you...

"Think about your family, your friends... I've told you, you absolutely must not sink into illness. It's all false, a hallucination, fictional!"

"I've said it before, my name is not Zhang Jue. It's Reinhard."

The black-haired youth opened his deep ink-colored eyes slightly, his gaze penetrating.

"Doctor, I know you are a hallucination created by Chaos, but I have always respected those who heal the sick and save lives, so I'm willing to speak with you, even if you're an illusion.

"If I am truly ill, then you are my illness. Understand?"

Reinhard felt a certain premonition deep inside.

He must never admit in this hallucination that he was Zhang Jue. He had to be absolutely certain that he was Reinhard.

The last time he had been manipulated, he had already been tricked once. If he lost himself in the hallucination again, he sensed he would lose something very important.

In fact, the name Reinhard was his anchor.

Like a ship's anchor firmly embedded in the seabed, keeping it stable on the surface, not swaying with the currents.

Zhang Jue was merely a mask for Reinhard.

"So, Doctor, I'll make this clear.

"Say whatever you want to Zhang Jue's friends and family. Even if they stand before me, it doesn't matter... because I am not Zhang Jue. I don't care. I don't know them."

Reinhard slowly smiled, his grin radiant.

"Speak, are you Nurgle or Tzeentch?

"What other tricks do you have? Show them all. If I even flinch, then I'm not worthy of dealing with you lot.

"I know you're anxious, but your anxiety is pointless. After all, this time I have very powerful talents. When I fully develop, just by thinking about it I can erase you from the entire timeline.

"Look at this vast inner sea of the planet, so tantalizing but you can't reach that. Must be frustrating, right?"

"…"

Had enough of this madness.

The doctor raised his hand, rubbing his swollen forehead. The world of a mentally ill patient is beyond ordinary comprehension, they have their own worldview, often profoundly distorted.

In truth, if this patient's condition weren't so challenging, it wouldn't have fallen into the hands of a newly promoted deputy chief doctor like himself.

The chief doctor and the director had personally examined him due to the intense public attention, but they had all failed, leaving him in a semi-abandoned state of care.

Even so, the man in the white coat felt a sense of duty as a doctor, so he took on this notorious patient.

The doctor pursed his lips and raised his eyes, staring intensely at the black-haired youth.

"Zhang Jue, do you know?

"Reinhard is actually your fourth name.

"While you are still somewhat rational, I must warn you... continuing down this path of dissociation is very dangerous. It could lead to amnesia, depression, dissociation, and personality disintegration…"

Hearing this, Reinhard's eyes flickered, but he remained silent.

He could already guess the first three names.

"Alvin, Kratos, Zhang Jiao…"

The doctor counted them off on his fingers.

"Dark Souls, God of War, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty…

"I may not have played them, but I've heard of them. Talented young people like you, even in gaming, would undoubtedly excel. It's normal to immerse yourself as a form of relaxation…

"That's why, in your fantasies, you incorporate settings from various series and express a highly coherent logic.

"So, unlike other patients with chaotic thoughts, you merely confuse reality with fiction. I believe you have a significant chance for treatment.

"But… to treat you, you must first acknowledge you're ill, because only the ill need treatment, right?

"I know it's hard to accept... a talented individual like you, suddenly stricken with such a severe illness, your bright future ruined. It's a great misfortune and sorrow. Your mind chooses to escape, which is actually a self-protection mechanism.

"But, there's still great hope for you…"

The doctor coaxed gently.

This patient highly valued logic, so he aimed to guide him logically towards accepting treatment.

"I'm not ill." 

The man in the white coat slowly smiled.

Resistance is fine.

Willingness to talk is a good sign.

"Do you know? The human brain is a remarkably precise system, even a slight error can cause significant anomalies."

The doctor tapped his temple.

"Before you were sent here, Zhang Jue, our neurologists reviewed your oncology records.

"Very typical... due to brain nerve damage, resulting in complications.

"Your benign brain tumor was fortunately removed successfully, but unfortunately, it had already pressed on parts of your brain, leading to your current inability to distinguish between reality and illusion.

"Brain nerves can gradually regenerate and repair, but you need to work hard to guide them... this is a form of rehabilitation, do you understand?

"If you remain trapped in hallucinations, you might never return to normal society. Think of your mentors, your family, your friends… do they want to see you in such a deranged state?"

A brain tumor?

No… he was sure he never had a brain tumor. It was merely the sudden awakening and mutation of magic circuits in his brain.

With this thought, Reinhard was momentarily stunned.

Why… why did he awaken magic circuits in his original world before isekai'd to the moonlit world?

Magic circuits were clearly a supernatural setting.

Reinhard had once believed that his original world was a mundane world within the moonlit world, and thus sought to return through the Second Magic.

But, on closer thought, there was an incongruous detail...

If his original world was a mundane world within the moonlit world, then how could there be anime, games, and novels about the moonlit world?

And what about Dark Souls, Bloodborne, God of War, Stellaris, Devil May Cry, Warhammer 40K…

Reinhard furrowed his brows, deep in thought, confusion reflecting in his deep eyes.

"What's the point of telling me all this? I don't even know Zhang Jue's friends and family."

"Right, right… I apologize. You currently believe you are Reinhard, not Zhang Jue."

The doctor sighed, shaking his head gently.

"So, you don't remember anything about Zhang Jue? You say you don't recognize your friends and family, but do you even remember your parents' names?"

"My father is William, my mother is Jesia. I don't need you to remind me."

"It seems like even your pronunciation is affected by your illness... although your pronunciation is incorrect, your mother is indeed named Ye Xia, but your father should be Zhang Lin."

The doctor slowly smiled.

"See, even though you're ill, you still remember your parents' names. For those most important memories, your heart just can't let go. You still care about your family."

Hearing this, Reinhard frowned, as if a thought had flickered in his mind. He spoke directly.

"Doctor, could you get me a mirror?"

"A mirror? What do you need a mirror for?"

"I want to see what I look like now."

The attending doctor was taken aback for a moment. Then, he pulled out his phone, turned on the selfie mode, and held it up to Reinhard's face.

"Well... no need for a mirror. Take a look."

Through the front camera of the phone, Reinhard saw a face with black hair, dark eyes, heavy dark circles, and a somewhat tired and weary expression, belonging to a young man in his twenties.

Heh... isn't this my own face?

Just looking rather drained, as if a certain witch had drained him ten times over.

Zhang Jue and Reinhard clearly weren't the same person. You claim me to be Zhang Jue, but in this hallucination, you've reshaped me to look like Reinhard. Isn't that a blatant flaw?

Wait... Zhang Jue is only nine years old now.

What did he look like when he was in his twenties?

Reinhard wanted to stroke his chin in contemplation, but with his hands bound, he couldn't move.

"So, did it remind you of anything?"

"Yes, I am Reinhard." 

The attending doctor scratched his head, looking worried.

Every conversation with this patient felt like an assault on his sanity, a true test of endurance. He had seen madness, but nothing like this.

"Sigh... let's call it a day, Zhang Jue.

"This week, you seem relatively stable, without any aggressive behavior. So, I'll write an order to move you from the acute ward to the recovery ward this afternoon.

"Interacting with others can help stabilize your condition. Whether you're Alvin, Kratos, Reinhard or Zhang Jue, staying rational is good. Keep it up! We'll take it slow...

"Remember, no more pulling out imaginary coiled swords or summoning Aatrox to attack people. You broke the chair leg last time. And don't try anything like Blasted Tree, touching live wires will actually shock you. If you don't want to be locked up again, don't go crazy..."

Listening to the man in the white coat's earnest advice, Reinhard couldn't help but smile.

He must say, this hallucination is quite entertaining, even incorporating his previous experiences.

"Does a PhD look that foolish?"

"...Glad you know."

...

After being wheeled back to his room and having the restraints removed by the burly nurses, Reinhard lay on his bed, staring blankly at the empty ceiling.

Damn, when will this hallucination end?

They say mental patients have a lot of fun, with some even learning secret techniques in the asylum. Yet here he is, in a room with nothing but a bed, a sink, and a toilet, not even a roommate to share the misery.

He's not that certain emperor, and this toilet isn't made of gold. The life of a patient isn't exactly a luxury experience.

Wait, he was just wheeled from the restraint chair to the ward and now he's lying in bed... so in reality, he should be in his residence, resting in his room.

Thinking this way, Reinhard felt much more at ease.

"System!"

[Oh my~ What do you want~ ]

Seeing the dialogue box of the simulation assistant, Reinhard was now more convinced that this hallucination was fake.

He must admit, seeing the system gave him a slight sense of relief.

But of course, the proud Reinhard would never admit that.

"Come on, System, I'm bored out of my mind. When will this damn hallucination end?"

[Standard answer: I don't know.]

"...Can't you be a little more useful?"

[Maybe it's you who doesn't know how to use me. I'm in your brain, so I know exactly as much as you do.]

"Tch, then at least give me some advice?"

[Use your magnetic field to rotate a million horses' power and blast through the roof!]

"Damn it, I can't even sense my energy..."

Reinhard had already noticed... his body in this hallucination was incredibly weak, as if it had been crushed by his witch and Tiamama 24/7. He couldn't even break free from the chair restraints, let alone rotate any magnetic fields.

Wait, I passed out in reality because I activated the simulation, and knowing Morgan and Tiamama's habits, I might really be getting drained!

[I have a plan. Just negotiate with the Chaos Gods, pledge allegiance to them, and snuff out the Counter Force. Protect your world, and let the rest be damned. This way, you might become the Chosen of the Chaos Gods, spending your days in Nurgle's garden, and making kids with Slaanesh.]

"Good strategy, but I'd like to make a slight modification... let's call the Emperor of Mankind. Wake him up from his golden toilet, and let him capture Slaanesh as a slave, while making me his Regent."

[Heh, I was joking, host.]

"So was I."

[...I told you, I'll always be here to help you distinguish the truth. So whenever you call, I'll do my best to respond.]

"Tch... that's a bit touching, actually."

Reinhard pretended to wipe away non-existent tears.

He continued chatting aimlessly with the system. It was hard to tell how much time passed before there was a knock at the door.

"Zhang Jue, it's mealtime."

...

"Stir-fried shredded chicken with green peppers, braised spare ribs, stir-fried lettuce, and corn soup"

"To be honest, the food in this psychiatric hospital isn't bad. They really nailed the nutrition part."

While he was complaining to the system about the food, the dialogue box remained silent.

Left with no one to talk to, the black-haired youth, dressed in his striped hospital gown, muttered to himself as he found a secluded spot in the rehabilitation area to observe his fellow patients.

Now classified as a mild case, Reinhard no longer had to eat in his room. He could walk around and enjoy a bit of freedom in the rehab area.

However, being discharged was out of the question... he wasn't an idiot.

He could only consider escaping.

But then again, this was a hallucination. With food and shelter provided, why is he escaping?

The rehab area was equipped with tables and chairs, bookshelves, chessboards, various simple toys, and even a television. The decor was similar to a community center for the elderly.

But the interesting part was the patients.

Reinhard had passed by the severe cases area, where he saw a dark-skinned fat man snoring loudly in the hallway who didn't seem to wake up no matter how much noise there was around him. There was also a black-haired woman in a Pikachu robe, sitting motionless in her room with a look as if someone owed her millions.

In the hallway, a robot vacuum cleaner wandered aimlessly, its path erratic as it constantly bumped into the doors.

Walking from the cafeteria through the ward, Reinhard noticed that among the patients, there were quite a few pretty girls. Such a waste to see them so young and already suffering from mental illnesses.

"So, this must be a hallucination. After all, what psychiatric hospital has so many beautiful girls? And with such colorful hair... it's like a nerd's fantasy come to life."

He scoffed inwardly, but the system remained unresponsive.

Ever since he left his room, the system's dialogue box hadn't appeared.

Sitting down to eat his dishes, Reinhard observed the bizarre behaviors of the patients in the rehab area.

A voluptuous woman with green braided hair mixed all her food together on her plate, poured the soup over it, and began stirring it frantically with a spoon.

Reinhard figured she must be a fan of Indian cuisine, maybe liking the curry flavor, but then she tossed the spoon aside and started shoveling the mush into her mouth with her hands.

"Are you kidding me... I'm going to throw up."

Suddenly, his dishes didn't seem so appetizing. He glanced at the nurses, hoping they would intervene.

"Isn't she wasting food? Aren't you going to do something about it?"

"Wasting food?" The nurse laughed dismissively. "That patient will eat it all, licking her fingers and the plate clean. Not a crumb will be left."

"She gets mad if anyone stops her from eating, but she's quite docile otherwise. Trust us, we've seen it all."

Seemingly noticing Reinhard's gaze, the green-haired woman turned her head slowly, her face and hands covered in food, and smiled warmly and affectionately.

"Hey you kid, would you like to try my cooking?"

Reinhard's mouth twitched. He clutched his plate and turned away from her sight, trying to erase that memory from his mind.

As he turned, a smiling, blue-haired girl appeared right in front of him, startling him.

"Want to buy a book, my bro? You look quite remarkable. I have many books here suitable for you!"

The blue-haired girl, with a mysterious smile and a monocle, pushed her thin hospital gown aside, revealing another layer of clothing... and a plethora of books somehow stuffed inside.

[Quick Guide to Criminal Law], [The Crowd], [Psychic Training], [Brain Upgrade], [The Black Emperor Series: From Gate to Void], [How to Trigger a Warp Storm Bare-Handed]...

Reinhard glanced at the titles, finding them utterly nonsensical.

"Sorry, I'm not interested."

"Buy something~ There's a twenty percent discount now!"

"I don't have any money here."

"I don't want money, I just want your..."

She reached out, poking Reinhard's forehead, licking her lips with a hungry look.

"...brain."

What the hell? You must be some kind of zombie!

The patients here were all so strange, though they were undeniably good-looking.

Reinhard took another look at the mysterious blue-haired girl with the monocle and decided to keep his distance.

But...

A hand suddenly reached over from behind the blue-haired girl, snatching the book from her hand and tearing it apart, throwing the pieces to the floor.

"All you do is peddle your useless books. Who the hell wants to read them? This guy should be learning painting from me!"

A red-haired girl quickly stripped all the books from the blue-haired girl and tossed them into the trash.

Reinhard noticed that the red-haired girl had streaks of crimson paint on her face and body... probably an artist with a fiery temper?

After bullying the blue-haired girl, the red-haired girl walked over to Reinhard with a triumphant smile, her hair curl swaying.

"Hey, newbie. Interested in learning how to paint with me?"

She raised her hand, pointing to a corner of the room where the painting area was located.

Several canvases were haphazardly propped on wooden easels, all splattered with various shades of red. The colors were chaotic, and the wet paint dripped like blood, adding to the unsettling atmosphere.

Reinhard scratched his head and gave his blunt critique.

"...Can this really be called painting?"

"Damn, are you looking down on my painting skills? I'll make you into high-quality paint!"

The petite girl grabbed Reinhard's collar, but she was too short to lift him.

Undeterred, she jumped onto the table, her small frame surprisingly strong as she hoisted Reinhard up by his collar. Her fierce gaze bore into him, and her sharp shark-like teeth ground together menacingly.

"Learn! To! Paint! With! Me!"

"Stop fighting!"

A smiling, seductive purple-haired woman approached, gently pulling the red-haired girl's hand away. Her enchanting eyes glinted mischievously as she looked at Reinhard.

"I don't think this young man is interested in children's toys."

Though she wore the standard hospital gown, this purple-haired woman made it look incredibly alluring, her curves highlighted provocatively.

She seemed to be feeling warm, slightly parting her gown to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of creamy skin, causing an intense reaction in Reinhard.

"Why not come and learn some... adult things with onee-chan?"

The purple-haired woman licked her lips seductively, her slender fingers tracing circles on Reinhard's chest, the air around them heavy with suggestive tension.

"Waaah...T_T"

The blue-haired girl selling books burst into tears, crouching on the floor with tears streaming down her cheeks and blood trickling down her face.

Hearing the sobbing, Reinhard quickly pushed the purple-haired woman's hand away and walked over to the blue-haired girl, crouching down beside her.

"...Are you okay?"

He glanced at the scratch on her face, then shot a reproachful look at the hot-tempered red-haired girl.

"How can you hit a little girl like this?"

"I didn't hurt her! That scratch is self-inflicted! This girl is as cunning as a fox!"

"My bro, it's okay... It's not her fault. I fell accidentally..."

The blue-haired girl's eyes sparkled with a cunning light.

She took Reinhard's hand, slowly standing up with his help, while her other hand discreetly flipped off the other two women.

Crack.

The red-haired girl's molars ground audibly.

"Oh..."

The purple-haired woman covered her lips, exhaling a hot, steamy breath.

"Read storybooks with me, okay?"

The blue-haired girl gently tugged on Reinhard's sleeve, her big, pleading eyes blinking at him.

Reading a storybook didn't seem like a bad idea. But just as he was about to agree, he felt a pair of warm arms wrap around his neck from behind. The purple-haired woman's breathy voice whispered in his ear.

"You can only agree to one person."

Reinhard was momentarily stunned.

...What does that mean?

Before he could ponder further, the green-haired voluptuous woman, having finished her disgusting meal and licking her fingers clean, also stood up.

"Come and learn how to cook with me."

"No, my bro should read with me!"

"He's going to learn painting with me! We already agreed!"

"I think it's best to let him decide."

The purple-haired woman adjusted her collar, releasing a hot mist with her breath.

"Young man, what do you say? Onee-chan can show you the endless wonders of adulthood."

Green, blue, red, purple.

Four beautiful women, each with their unique charms, surrounded the lone black-haired youth.

The nurses ignored the scene, seemingly accustomed to such occurrences.

Upon seeing the hair color and behavior of these four strange women, Reinhard felt a strange uneasiness.

It felt like he was on the brink of recalling something significant, yet nothing came to mind. A disconcerting, perplexing feeling rose from within, blocking all coherent thoughts.

"Make your choice."

"Choose anyone, but you should choose me. Don't you want to survive? I can help you and your family with my cooking."

"Color! Color! Color! Bright red is the color of loyalty! Anything you don't like, I'll paint it with the color of loyalty!"

"Too barbaric, too crude. Thinking is the eternal truth of this world. Any question you have, I can answer it."

"So what if you survive? What if you gain loyalty? Thinking is exhausting... It's better to immerse yourself in pleasure~"

"Choose someone, anyone you like, and take them to your room... "

Amid the cacophony of overlapping whispers, Reinhard covered his ears.

Yet, the voices of these women didn't stop. They seeped into his mind like slithering snakes, smooth and unrelenting.

It was like water filling his ears in the shower, mixing with the dirt and grime, creating a slimy fluid that swirled incessantly against his eardrums. The chaotic whispers seemed to cling to his brain, intertwining with his thoughts.

Blood seeped from his eyes, and his head felt like it was about to explode.

When the layers of hoarse whispers in his ears, he sensed a cool, soothing sensation touched his hand, bringing a moment of clarity to his overstrained nerves.

The women surrounding Reinhard stopped their noisy quarrels, turning their icy gazes towards the unexpected guest.

A blonde girl, with a strange, deep keyhole mark on her forehead, smiled at the four quarreling women. She held the black-haired youth's hand, pulling him out of the chaotic warmth.

"What do you mean, Miss Bubble?"

The blue-haired girl narrowed her eyes playfully.

"Aren't we friends?"

"Nothing much. I just think you all are too noisy. You shouldn't be in this room."

"And you should be?"

"I am gate and key, there's no place I can't go."

The red-haired girl smirked, running her hand slowly across her neck.

"Oh... someone wants to be turned into red paint."

"You are not worthy."

The blonde girl stuck out her tongue teasingly and started walking towards the exit, pulling the black-haired youth along.

"Who are you...?"

With blood streaming from his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth, Reinhard looked up dazedly.

"Shh... when you're outside your room, you must... don't look, don't listen, don't ask, and don't think... stay confused to avoid breaking down.

"Right now, you're not strong enough to handle the simultaneous influence of all four of them. Next time you encounter them, seek help from the black-haired woman you saw sitting motionless earlier."

Seeing their prey being taken away, the four women exchanged glances, sneers playing on their lips, and slowly moved forward in unison.

They may hate each other, but when it comes to dividing the spoils, enemies can become temporary friends.

But, suddenly, a seductive woman in a traditional dress appeared in their path.

Her alluring curves were accentuated by the tight-fitting purple traditional dress, slit high up to reveal her pale skin. Her deep purple eyes were highlighted by crimson eye makeup, and she held an ornate folding fan, partially obscuring her face.

In a corner of the room, a pregnant woman holding a baby also stood up, moving to stand beside the woman in the traditional dress.

Feeling the predatory gazes of the four women behind her, like wolves ready to devour her whole, the blonde girl with the keyhole mark on her forehead led Reinhard by the hand through the hallway to his room, navigating the path as if she knew it well.

With a gentle smile on her face, she pushed him towards the door of his room.

"We can't always help you... you will keep coming back. The more you use your reality-warping ability, the more you attract their attention, pulling you into this place.

"Quickly, anchor your existence.

"This is the realm of consciousness, so remember... don't think too deeply about what they are, don't investigate any strange phenomena, and act like an ordinary person.

"Stay confused, and don't think.

"That way, they can't do anything to you."