Casualties and Replacements
Out of the four girls Takakai had led out of the classroom, one had vanished without a trace.
A living, breathing girl just minutes ago—now reduced to a gutted corpse hanging from a meat hook, blood pooling beneath her.
The three survivors were understandably shaken. Miko and Rika managed to stay composed, though their bodies trembled. Shinda Ai, however, retched violently—though with nothing left in her stomach, it was just dry heaving.
Takakai stood silently nearby, periodically checking if the rescue team member was still locking [Alice] in place. He offered no comfort to the girls.
Shigeno Rika's judgment isn't great, huh?
Shinda Ai had collapsed, clearly unfit to continue.
Takakai couldn't help but feel disappointed. He knew expecting too much from these students was unfair, but Shinda's performance had been lackluster.
If this loop fails, I won't let Rika pick next time.
As for Ogawa Kyoko—her death was regrettable, but the dead couldn't be saved.
First loop: killed by the Anatomical Model. Second loop: butchered by an ayakashi. And this time, it was even messier. Is she just unlucky, or does she have a talent for attracting horrors?
His gaze shifted to the motionless ghost student nearby.
Earlier, it had shown signs of attacking Miko and the others—only to freeze when Takakai barked, "Stop."
Clearly, the Teacher's authority still held sway.
But then why had Ogawa died?
Time to check the classroom.
If the command's effect had a time limit, things might have escalated in his absence.
"Why… why is this happening…? I want to go home…"
Shinda Ai's muffled sobs snapped him back to reality.
She had broken down completely.
"It's okay… we'll be okay…"
Rika crouched beside her, whispering reassurances. Miko, unable to bear looking at Ogawa's corpse any longer, turned to Takakai—
Just in time to see him slot a blood-red key into the door and twist.
Creak—
The classroom door swung open.
Inside, the students—previously scattered—scrambled back to their seats under Takakai's gaze. Not one dared meet his eyes.
Hilda's Blessing confirmed they were all still human.
No issues here. So Ogawa's death wasn't due to a time-limited command. Then what caused it?
And… two more are missing.
A quick headcount revealed the discrepancy.
They tried something while I was gone.
"Where are the other two?"
He rapped a girl's desk, his tone icy.
"E-eh?! I-I-I—"
Perhaps due to the ram mask's deepening influence—or simply because these girls hadn't spent much time with him—the entire class radiated sheer terror.
It didn't take long to piece together the missing students' fates:
One tried climbing out the window—only to be dragged into the darkness by something unseen.
The other slipped past the ghost students in the hall… until laughter signaled her disappearance.
Their deaths had cowed the rest into obedience.
"Even now, there are still idiots testing their luck. What's the phrase? Ah, whatever. Shinda Ai, right? Go rest in the classroom. You're useless in this state. Rika—pick two more. Make sure they'recompetentthis time."
Takakai felt no pity for the dead girls. If anything, their deaths had provided valuable intel.
"Eh? M-me again…?"
Rika's brief relief at Shinda's reprieve vanished at the new task.
I'm really the villain now…
Shinda had already resented her for the first selection. Now, whoever she chose would hate her too—especially after seeing the horrors outside.
But she had no choice.
Assuming Takakai relied on her as class vice president to identify capable candidates, she couldn't afford another failure like Shinda.
If I pick poorly again, he might decide we're all dead weight.
(Unbeknownst to her, Takakai had always viewed them as expendable. At worst, he'd just leave them in the classroom.)
Steeling herself, Rika scanned the room.
Just like before, every face pleaded silently: Don't pick me.
"N-not me…"
"Rika, we're friends, right? Please…"
"D-don't look at me…"
The whispered begs and terrified expressions weighed heavily on her. But under Takakai's stare, she hardened her heart.
"Kinoshita-san… you're calm under pressure. You're the best choice."
The selected girl—Kinoshita Yuka—looked utterly betrayed.
"Why…? We're friends…"
"I'm sorry," Rika muttered, bracing for the venom in her friend's glare.
"You… bitch…"
Kinoshita's hatred couldn't be directed at Takakai, so Rika bore the brunt.
Just as Rika prepared to pick a second victim—
"Can I volunteer?"
A hand rose.
Rika recognized her—Kobayashi Ringo, president of the Occult Research Club. A quiet girl obsessed with supernatural phenomena, and one of the first to play Alice's Game.
"Kobayashi-san, are you sure?"
"Might as well. Staying here is just waiting to die. At least outside, I'll know what kind of hell this is."
With that, the new squad was set:
Shigeno Rika (vice president, de facto leader)
Kobayashi Ringo (occult enthusiast, volunteer)
Kinoshita Yuka (reluctant recruit)
Current Status:
Time Elapsed: ~1 hour
Casualties: 3 dead, 1 disabled (Shinda Ai)
Remaining Replacements: 16 "reserves"
"One rule: Obey. Do that, and I'll protect you when I can. Disobey, and your survival is up to fate."
Takakai's tone brooked no argument.
"U-understood…"
"I'll listen, I promise…"
Kinoshita was on the verge of tears, while Kobayashi—though nervous—nodded firmly.
Good. Students shouldobeytheir teacher. Disobedient ones are useless. Only the compliant deserve to live.
A smile tugged at Takakai's lips—warped grotesquely by the ram mask, startling both girls.
Hmm. The mask's influence is growing.
Even with the rescue badge's power maxed out, the corruption seeped in.
Noting the odd surge of satisfaction, Takakai said nothing.
He simply led the group back through the door, locking it behind them, and returned to the art room.
[Alice] remained frozen at the threshold.
While the stasis seemed stable, Takakai wasn't taking chances. Instead of passing it, he slammed through the wall, bursting into the hallway.
"Let's move."
Ignoring the girls' stunned expressions, he strode forward.
The New Formation
Miko fell in beside Takakai, now accustomed to his pace.
Rika and Kobayashi took the middle—Rika vigilant, Kobayashi curiously scanning their surroundings.
Kinoshita lagged at the rear, fearful but too scared to fall behind.
Their footsteps faded down the hall.
Behind them, in the art room—
Drip. Drip.
Something wet slithered out of the supply closet.
Ogawa Kyoko's mutilated corpse dragged itself forward, inch by inch, leaving a smeared trail of blood.