Chapter 1

Ha-Yeon's PoV:

I rested my head on the desk, eyes half-closed, letting the teacher's droning voice fade into background noise. Peaceful. For about five seconds.

"Ha-Yeon! That is disrespectful. Sit up straight and show some respect!"

Miss Yan-Shi's sharp voice cut through the room like a whip.

I straightened up slowly, forcing my expression neutral.

"I apologize, Miss Yan-Shi, for my disrespectful attitude," I said, voice flat and polite.

'Bitch. Half the class is literally asleep or scrolling on their phones, but you zero in on me every time...'I thought

Whispers rippled around me like poison gas.

"Ew, what a loser..."

.

"What a fool."

.

"Haha..."

I ignored them, twirling my pen between my fingers—click, click, click—like it was the only thing keeping me grounded.

My grades were top-tier, but apparently that just made me an easier target.

Then a soft voice broke through from the seat next to me.

"Ignore them, Ha-Yeon... They're just jealous you're smart!"

Chung-hee leaned over, giving me that bright, encouraging smile she always had.

I glanced at her.

She was one of the few who didn't join the whispers. Actually talked to me like a human.

"Um, fine, Chung-hee. I don't mind," I replied, polite but distant. Truth was, I did mind. A little. But caring too much was exhausting.

The bell would ring soon. Another day survived. Or so I thought.

The bell was about to ring—freedom so close I could taste it.

Then the ground shook. Hard.

Not like a normal tremor; it felt wrong, violent, like the whole building was being rattled by something massive.

"What the heck is going on?!" Juk-yii shouted, jumping to his feet, furious.

"Students, stay calm! It must be an earthquake—" Miss Yan-Shi started, voice steady at first.

She never finished.

Something appeared above us—floating, grotesque, grinning.

A Arbiter

"WHAT THE FVCK ARE YOU?!" Jun-Yung exploded, pointing up with wide eyes.

"'Teehee~'" it giggled, high-pitched and mocking.

A translucent blue window materialized in front of everyone's eyes.

[Scene 1]

[Main Scenario – Find the Valuable Item]

[Difficulty: Medium]

[Time Limit: 10 minutes]

[Reward: 500 Stellar Coins]

[Punishment: Death]

"What the fvck— just what the hell are you?!" Kun-hae demanded, voice cracking a little but still holding that brave edge.

The thing tilted its head, fluffy fur shifting, claws tapping together like it was amused.

"'How stupid... You've all been living such comfortable little lives. How about we spice things up a bit?'" it said, voice dripping with fake sweetness while its smile stretched too wide.

Chaos erupted—screams, chairs scraping, people scrambling back.

But I just stared.

'Wait...a... Arbiter?.. '

My heart slammed against my ribs. The supervisor from the novel.

The one who announced scenarios, judged performance, and laughed while people died.

This wasn't a dream.

The novel I'd read alone for Years... was real.

And I was the only one who knew the rules.

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