Chapter 257: A Trip to the Haunted House
Because the distance was fairly far, Franklin directly expanded his domain to probe the location of the next stop. While in a vacuum, the sensation hadn't been particularly vivid,
but now that he was standing on Blue Star, everything within a six-hundred-kilometer radius was completely under his control. Looking at the holographic projection within his consciousness,
Franklin locked onto all of Tokisaki Kurumi's clones within Tengu City and the surrounding six-hundred-kilometer area in just a single second.
There was even one clone hiding in the darkness not far from them, and another near their home. As for the main body, Franklin did not find it.
Feeling that everything—above ground and below, within a six-hundred-kilometer radius—could be turned upside down with a single thought, that he could even alter everyone's perceptions and thoughts in a single second,
Franklin finally experienced firsthand what it meant to be a god within one's domain. Ascending to godhood—ascending to godhood—wasn't this exactly turning a mortal into a god?
Suppressing the thought deep in his heart of "I don't eat beef," Franklin instantly teleported himself and the five girls to the entrance of the amusement park.
"We're here. The largest and most luxurious amusement park within a six-hundred-kilometer radius."
There was no need for Franklin to explain. After clearly seeing everything in front of them, Tohka and Yoshino, along with Yoshinon, were already staring in shock with their mouths wide open.
Kotori and Origami activated the holographic projections on their wrists to check their current location. After confirming that they were already several hundred kilometers away from Tengu City, both of them also opened their mouths in astonishment.
"Big brother, did your abilities get stronger again?"
Faced with Kotori's question and the curious gazes of the girls, Franklin only smiled without answering. He directly manipulated the ticket clerk into selling them six admission tickets without verification, then led the girls into the amusement park.
"Why worry about so much? The stronger I am, the safer you are. And even like this, I still feel an extreme lack of security."
At this moment, Tohka, Yoshino, and Yoshinon all recalled the phantom they encountered with Franklin the previous night. The image of Franklin being so shocked that he didn't dare make a move was still vivid in their minds.
Kotori and Origami's first reaction was surprise, but after seeing the reactions of the Spirits, both of them looked at Franklin with curiosity.
A strange atmosphere spread among the group. Noticing this, Franklin cleared his throat lightly, dispelling the mood.
"Don't overthink it. Today is a date. Eat, drink, and have fun—we're not even close to being satisfied yet. Why think about so much?"
Seeing Franklin's bright, sunshine-filled smile, Yoshinon was the first to react. She directly pulled Yoshino and hurried toward the interior of the amusement park.
"Lin, you don't need to worry about the two of us. When it's almost time to leave, just teleport us back to the entrance."
Kotori thought for a moment, then revealed a sly smile and quickly followed after them.
"I'll go watch over them. They're still just kids—it'd be dangerous without an adult."
By the time Franklin wanted to stop her, it was already too late.
"Seriously… she's the real kid herself, yet she plays the adult so convincingly every day."
Shaking his head helplessly, Franklin looked at the two people beside him.
"Is there anything you want to play? Or anything you want to experience one by one—"
Before he could finish speaking, Origami's finger was already pointing at what looked like a long-abandoned hospital building.
"That place should be fun…"
Looking at the haunted-house design inside the amusement park, Franklin decisively shook his head.
"No. It's too scary inside. Tohka can't go there. If her mental state becomes unstable, her spiritual power will flow back, and the consequences would be very serious."
Origami ignored Franklin and directly looked at Tohka.
"If you always make Lin worry, you'll never be able to stand on your own. Over time, Lin will get tired of it."
Franklin was about to speak when Tohka suddenly pressed right up in front of Origami.
"I believe Lin will never get tired of me. But now I also want to prove that I can stand on my own too. Who's afraid of who?"
Hearing this, Franklin tried to stop her, but Tohka had already turned back and looked at him seriously.
"Lin, I want to prove that I can control my emotions. Please don't stop me."
With things having reached this point, Franklin could only give a bitter smile and nod. He could only be more careful later not to hurt the staff.
Tohka tightly hugged his arm, and Origami was not to be outdone, each clinging to one side of Franklin and continuously showering him with benefits.
"Let go."
"No, you let go."
Amid their argument, they arrived outside the haunted house entrance. Listening to the occasional screams coming from inside, Franklin looked at the two beside him once more.
"Are you sure you want to go in? You can still back out now."
Tohka, who had been brimming with confidence, hesitated for a moment upon hearing the girls' screams from inside the haunted house.
Origami raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at Tohka with a provocative gaze.
"Give up. I'll just go in with Lin. You can wait outside—it'll only take us a little while to come out."
Seeing that provocative look, Tohka immediately got angry. "No way. I'm not scared. You're the one who shouldn't force yourself."
Franklin didn't try to persuade them further and instead looked at the haunted house staff. "Three people. About how long until we can go in?"
Several staff members glanced at Franklin with strange expressions. "You can go in right now, but please remember a few things.
"It's very scary inside. Make sure you don't get lost—follow the signs. Also, please do not harm the NPCs, and do not engage in overly intimate behavior with your companions.
"There are surveillance cameras in every corner. If you can't hold on anymore, ask the cameras for help, and an NPC will guide you out."
Under the staff's peculiar gazes, Franklin was escorted into the haunted house by Tohka and Origami, one on each side.
"Attention, a scumbag is going in with two beautiful girls. Teach that scumbag a good lesson. One isn't enough for him—he actually brought two. Seriously… so shameless… so enviable…"
"Received… received… we definitely won't let him have an easy time."
Keeping his domain expanded at all times to suppress Tohka, Franklin listened to the staff's conversation and felt utterly helpless.
Maybe this was fine too. If they all focused on scaring him, and if Tohka didn't know what ghosts were supposed to be, she probably wouldn't be scared.
Just as he was thinking this, they triggered a mechanism the moment they stepped inside. A shattered silicone mannequin with a blood-covered face suddenly dropped from the ceiling.
Franklin, who had been on guard against Tohka attacking, instead saw Origami kick out with her foot. Fortunately, Franklin reacted in time and phased the silicone mannequin, preventing the scene where they'd be kicked out immediately after entering.
"Origami, please be careful. Even if you're scared, don't damage the props. We'll be thrown out by the staff."
Tohka leaned her head toward Origami with a smile full of mockery in her eyes.
"Was it scary? You got frightened so quickly? Want to go outside and wait while Lin and I continue?"
To prevent another argument, Franklin grabbed both of their hands and quickly led them deeper into the haunted house.