Chapter 2

A new window shimmered into existence, larger than the scenario one, glowing with an eerie silver light.

[The Eidolons have entered the Entertainment]

Arbiter's fluffy form spun in mid-air, claws clapping together like an excited kid.

"'Ohhh~ Seems like my lovely Eidolons have entered my Channel!'" it squealed, voice pitching higher with glee. Its too-wide smile stretched even further, eyes glinting.

"'Welcome, welcome~! Grab your snacks, the show's just getting started!'"

'Tch... Eidolons. Disgusting parasites who watch people die for fun. But at least some of them are... nice?' I thought, grimacing inwardly.

'If "nice" means throwing coins at the interesting ones before they inevitably screw us over.'

I forced my breathing steady and scanned the classroom.

Chaos was spreading fast.

"Punishable by DEATH?! Are you crazy?!" Ji-Hoon roared, slamming his fist on his desk so hard the wood cracked.

"This must be a test... It has to be! Haha... I'm gonna go insane..." Cha-Lee muttered to herself, rocking slightly in her seat. Her laugh was hollow, eyes wide and unfocused. I heard every word even over the rising screams.

Chung-hee gripped the edge of her desk, knuckles white, glancing at me like she was hoping I'd have answers.

The timer on the main scenario window ticked down.

[Time Remaining: 9:47]

Supper floated lazily above us, tail swishing.

"'Tick-tock, little humans~ The Valuable Item is somewhere in this cozy little room. Find it, or... well... you know~'"

It giggled again—that high, grating "Teehee~" that made my skin crawl.

I stayed quiet. Observing. Thinking.

In the novel, the first scenario's item was always hidden in plain sight.

Something overlooked. Something valuable only if you knew its worth.

My eyes flicked to

the teacher's desk...

the clock on the wall...

the scattered notebooks...

'Come on, brain. You read every chapter. Remember.'

I was still thinking—hard—trying to piece together the exact spot from the novel.

The Valuable Item had to be here somewhere…

Then Miss Yan-Shi’s voice rang out again, sharp but shaking this time.

“You—You! Enough of this!” She marched forward, arms outlike she could shield the whole class.

“This isn’t a game! My students are scared—”

Arbiter’s fluffy body jerked with laughter.

“‘Ha… Ahahahahaha! YOU STUPID OLD WOMAN!’”

It snapped its claws.

The sound was clean. Too clean.

Miss Yan-Shi’s arms fell away at the shoulders—like they were never attached.

Blood sprayed in thick, hot arcs, splattering desks, the floor, my uniform sleeve.

The copper smell slammed into me instantly. Her body swayed, eyes huge with shock, mouth opening in a silent gasp.

She collapsed forward onto the tiles with a wet thud.

Blood pooled fast under her, dark and spreading.

“MISS YAN-SHI!” Hilyung shouted, lunging forward without thinking.

He dropped to his knees beside her, hands hovering like he didn’t know where to start.

“Miss— Miss Yan-Shi, hold on—!”

Arbiter tilted its head, grinning wider.

“‘Teehee~ Brave little puppy. But too late~’"

A thin spark of energy crackled from its claw—just a warning shot.

It grazed Hilyung’s shoulder, burning a black line across his shirt.

He yelped, jerked back, clutching the spot. Smoke curled up, the smell of singed fabric mixing with blood.

He wasn’t dead—just hurt, breathing hard, eyes wide with terror.

Miss Yan-Shi didn’t move again.

She was gone.

The classroom went silent for one horrible second.

Then the screams started—Cha-Lee sliding down the wall, Ji-Hoon cursing under his breath, Chung-hee covering her mouth with both hands.

I stared at the body. At the red pen that had rolled out of her pocket, now half-submerged in the blood pool.

That’s it.

The Valuable Item.

But all I could think was:

'Ha… Miss…'

Guilt twisted sharp in my chest. She’d scolded me this morning like I was nothing.

But she’d still tried to protect us. Stepped up when no one else would.

And I just watched. Knowing what was coming.

Doing nothing.

[The Eidolon ‘The Azure Fire’ has acknowledged the brave teacher. She only wanted to protect her students.]

A quiet window appeared.

[Eidolon ‘The Azure Fire’ has donated 500 Stellar Coins to the channel in her memory.]

Arbiter clapped its claws slowly.

“‘Aww, sentimental~ But tears won’t find the item, will they? Tick-tock, babies. 4:32 left~’”

Hilyung crawled back a little, still clutching his burned shoulder, tears streaking his face.

“She… she’s really…”

The timer kept ticking.

[Time Remaining: 4:15]

I forced my legs to move

Stepped toward the pen—through the edge of the blood pool.

My shoe left a red print.

I had to grab it. Before the timer hit zero.

Before someone else died because I hesitated again.

...ANNOUNCEMENT ...

Hi everyone!

I won’t be posting much right now because it’s finals week and school is still ongoing. I’ll still try to update when I can though!

During school days, I’ll post 1–2 chapters per week. When summer break starts, I’ll try to post 3–4 chapters every week.

If I ever get sick or very busy, there might be times when I can’t post.

Thank you for reading and supporting the story!

AND one more thing! I think I need to change the MC'S name because some people might imagine Ha-Yeon a s a girl- His a guy BTW!

New name:Ryung Won Ha

Bye-bye! :D

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