Darkness still enveloped the decaying building.
When the lights were on, the school appeared pristine—everything looked new. But once the lights went out, everything reverted to its true state: a crumbling ruin, abandoned for who knows how long.
As if the light concealed reality, and darkness revealed the truth.
Tap— Tap—
Soft footsteps echoed in the hallway.
The ram-headed figure moved cautiously forward.
Beside it, Miko followed step by step.
Cracks ran along the walls and ceiling. The floor was littered with rubble, dust, and unidentifiable debris.
The disturbed dust made Miko cough lightly, covering her nose.
The ram-headed figure carried a candle in one hand and the black umbrella in the other, advancing in silence.
The Path to Class 2-001
They had left Office No. 3 and entered the adjacent corridor.
Reaching Class 2-001 required traversing five winding hallways—a bizarre layout even in this distorted school.
Given its isolation and the significance of the number "1", Takakai had deduced this might be where the [Outstanding Students] were.
"Mmm…"
Miko rubbed her temples.
For some reason, she felt dizzy, her vision slightly blurred.
Like sleep deprivation, but… I wasn't like this earlier.
Strange… but not important right now.
No, it's fine. Focus on what's ahead.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
The ram-headed figure turned, its bulging eyes locking onto her.
"…Just tired, I think."
She shook her head and kept walking.
The next hallway was windowless, pitch-black, and oppressively silent.
Only their footsteps echoed in the darkness.
Was it always this quiet?
I feel like… it wasn't like this before.
Miko rubbed her eyes, yawned, and pressed on.
The Forbidden Corridor
At the end of the hallway stood an unmarked door—wide open, revealing a path beyond.
But this corridor was different.
Carpeted floors.
Ornate paintings and plaques on the walls.
Crystal chandeliers instead of fluorescent lights.
Just standing at the threshold, Miko felt an instinctive resistance.
I shouldn't go in.
I'm not allowed.
"I… I don't think I should enter."
She stopped, hesitating.
The ram-headed figure paused.
"Why?"
"Because… I just know I can't. This place… isn't for me."
She couldn't explain it, but the conviction was bone-deep.
Only [Outstanding Students] are allowed here.
If I go in, I'll be breaking the rules.
I'll be punished.
[It's fine. I permit you. Follow me.]
The ram-headed figure's voice was calm, authoritative.
Miko hesitated, then almost stepped forward—but stopped again, her face twisting in fear.
She glanced around, as if afraid of being watched, judged.
[Don't be afraid. You only need to listen to me now.]
The ram-headed figure stepped closer.
[Ignore all other rules. Ignore all other voices.]
[Only my words matter.]
[If you disobey… you'll become a [Bad Child].]
Slowly, Miko's fear faded.
That's right.
The teacher is allowing me.
So I'm not breaking any rules.
"I understand."
She stepped inside.
The Hall of Arrogance
The further they walked, the more opulent—yet decayed—the corridor became.
Shattered chandeliers littered the floor.
Faded plaques hung crookedly on the walls.
A few were still legible:
[We are special. We are superior. We are not like the rest.]
—A flamboyant calligraphy piece, strokes wild and unrestrained.
[We are entitled to everything. Nothing is beyond our reach.]
—This one made Miko's skin crawl.
[The world is ours to take. It is our right—for we are the chosen ones.]
[Nothing can stop us. We are perfection. We will reshape the world.]
[All else is inferior. All else is ours for the taking. We are the future.]
Each proclamation dripped with arrogance, contempt, and something deeply twisted.
What kind of place is this?
What kind of monsters were raised here?
Miko shuddered.
Did any of them leave this school?
Are they still out there… living among us?
Her grip on her sleeve tightened.
[Of course you'll make it out. Don't worry~]
A hand patted her shoulder.
"R-Really? But I'm so weak… I can't protect myself at all. Without others, I'd die immediately."
Her voice was small, trembling.
[That's not your fault! You've been so helpful! Without you, your friend wouldn't have survived this long, right?]
The voice was cheerful, reassuring.
"Have I… really helped?"
Miko's eyes wavered.
I lied to him.
I saw the person placing flowers… but I didn't tell him.
Why didn't I say anything?
[Because if you told him, he'd die! You were protecting him!]
A hand gently ruffled her hair.
"I… was protecting him?"
[Yes! You did nothing wrong!]
The voice hugged her, warm and encouraging.
"I did nothing wrong… I was right… I was…"
Her brows furrowed.
Something felt off.
Who… am I talking to?
[Don't overthink it! Just trust your teacher!]
The voice laughed, patting her again.
[You're safe as long as you obey!]
Miko's lips curled into a smile.
[Thank you… Alice.]
She waved.
Class 2-001
The ram-headed figure stopped.
Before them stood a dark-red door, labeled [Class 2-001].
Creak—
The door swung open, revealing the carnage inside.
Shattered windows, curtains tangled in their frames.
Overturned desks, a bloodstained sledgehammer resting atop them.
Knives, cleavers, and bullet casings scattered among textbooks.
A blood-red "1" painted on the blackboard, glistening wetly.
And the bodies—dressed in fine uniforms, mutilated, still clutching weapons.
[Why did they end up like this?]
Miko tilted her head, curious.
[Doesn't matter. Losers don't deserve our attention.]
The ram-headed figure stepped inside.
[They failed. They weren't worthy of being [Outstanding Students].]
Ding-dong-ding—
A shrill bell blared through the speakers.
The classroom lit up instantly, fluorescent lights buzzing to life.
And the corpses—
—lifted their heads, their hollow eyes locking onto the three figures at the doorway.