In a rules-based horror game, the most crucial element is, without a doubt, the rules themselves.
The [Alice Game]'s rules had been malicious and cryptic, offering little room for analysis. But this [Student Ranking System] was different—detailed, systematic, and utterly twisted. Among all the rules Takakai had encountered, this one took the crown for sheer depravity. If not for their dire situation, he would've cursed aloud.
However…
These rules were exceptionally well-hidden.
No mention of them existed on the Player Forum, despite their critical nature.
Was it because knowing them came with a risk?
Like Core Obsessions, did this rulebook corrupt those who learned it?
Miko had been reluctant to recite it, after all.
Takakai's thoughts raced.
The First Problem: Violation Penalties
The rules stated that breaking them resulted in a [Warning Punishment], except for [Bad Students], where disobedience meant death.
But so far, neither he nor Miko had suffered any immediate consequences for their violations.
That led to a terrifying possibility:
The rules only truly "activate" once you become a [Bad Student].
Until then, players wouldn't even realize they were accumulating Warnings.
And once they hit the limit…
The next infraction would kill them instantly.
If true, this system wasn't just cruel—it was designed to be undetectable.
Current Status
Takakai: 5 Warnings ([Problem Student], one away from [Bad Student]).
Miko: 2 Warnings ([Average Student]).
But then Miko pointed out:
"Our clothes are covered in blood. Does that count as a violation?"
Takakai paused.
"Only [Outstanding], [Good], and [Average Students] have uniform standards. If bloodstains count as 'disheveled'… then you'd have 3 Warnings now. Meaning we're both [Problem Students]."
He tried to lighten the mood with a joke, but Miko didn't laugh.
"Then… what do we do?" she asked nervously.
The Solution: A New Identity
In dungeon survival, identity was everything.
In [Shirakawa Apartments], players were fixed as [2nd-Floor Tenants].
In [Red Nut Cave], identities could be swapped.
Here, they were likely locked as [Students], bound by the hidden ranking system.
But [Fujika Middle School] had never been cleared. No player had ever retrieved its Core Obsession.
To survive, they needed to change their identity.
Two options:
Become a [Teacher]:
The faculty all had animal heads. If they could find a matching mask…
Become an [Outstanding Student]:
Required obtaining the special badge mentioned in the rules.
The Plan
For now, they'd stick to the 5th floor—the only area they'd mapped.
Teacher's Offices (3 locations):
Highest chance of finding a [Teacher] identity, but risky—no behavioral guidelines existed for faculty.
Class 2-001 (Isolated at the far end of the hallway):
Likely housed [Outstanding Students], but as [Problem Students], they'd be vulnerable to their commands.
Takakai finalized the strategy:
"Once the lights go out, we'll head for the nearest Teacher's Office. If that fails, we try Class 2-001."
Miko nodded quickly, trusting his judgment completely.
A Moment of Respite
With some time before the next [Blackout], the two took a rare chance to rest.
Miko studied Takakai—the only person she could rely on in this nightmare.
Without him, I'd be dead already… like Kyōko-chan.
She shuddered, recalling how her classmate had morphed into a mannequin simply for lagging behind.
But Takakai-san… he's really amazing.
Despite his calm demeanor, he admitted:
"Of course I'm scared. After being boiled alive, crushed in rock crevices, and tortured in every way imaginable… I never want to face those things again."
Miko blinked.
"That's… horrifying. I can't even imagine what you've been through."
Takakai chuckled dryly. "You're the impressive one. Staying composed as a normal high school girl? That's not easy."
The two fell into casual conversation—strange, given their circumstances, but necessary for their frayed nerves.
Casual Conversation
"So you're an only child?" Takakai asked curiously.
Miko nodded. "Mom wanted another child, but Dad passed away early. It's just the two of us now."
Interesting. In this world, Miko doesn't have a little brother like in the original series.
Takakai smirked at the thought.
"Um… Takakai-san, is it true you have two girlfriends?"
Miko's question came out awkwardly, her tone a mix of disbelief and morbid curiosity.
"Yeah. For players, traditional relationships are… complicated. We either avoid romance entirely or cling to whoever can share the burden. I'm not proud of it, but we need each other. Don't follow my example, though—you seem like a good kid."
He answered bluntly, without shame, even using himself as a cautionary tale.
Miko's face flushed.
"I-I would never—! Ugh, I can't believe I'm talking to a real-life harem protagonist…"
Her mental image of Takakai fractured slightly—less of a noble protector, more of a… well, that kind of man.
Dating multiple girls… no, from how he described it, it's a full physical and emotional relationship! Ugh, why am I thinking about this?!
She smacked her cheeks lightly, as if to physically dispel the thoughts.
Takakai, oblivious to her internal crisis, frowned at the ceiling lights.
"Time's up."
The cheerful school bell chimed.
Lights snapped off.
Darkness swallowed the hallway—save for two flickering candle flames in the restroom.
And the headless students surrounding them, white chrysanthemums protruding from their necks.