STAGE ONE Complete.

Yumin decided to stop searching for news about missing persons. Even if there were articles related to disappearances, there was nothing he could do about it. Instead of wasting time on useless articles like that, he figured he'd look for more substantial news.

Yumin reviewed the major events that had occurred since he arrived here. Over four months had passed—not a short time at all. There were quite a few incidents that caught his interest.

Time flew by so quickly. He'd only been absorbed in the internet for a moment, but an hour had already passed. At this rate, he'd burn through 10 points a day in no time. Yumin hurried out of the lounge.

He needed to check out other places besides the lounge. Next, Yumin headed to the library.

The entry method was the same as the lounge.

Using the library only cost 1 point per day. Yumin briefly thought it seemed too cheap compared to the lounge's points, but upon reflection, it wasn't necessarily so. For him, with his privileges, a full day felt long, but for other Paradise participants, "a day" meant just the 3 hours when the square was open.

The lounge offered TV and internet-connected PCs for 1 point per hour, while the library gave 3 hours for 1 point. If forced to choose, most modern people would probably lean toward the electronic options, right?

In any case, Yumin clicked YES and entered the library.

Compared to the relatively cramped lounge, the library was quite spacious. It was stocked with everything from general novels and comics to specialized textbooks. There were PCs for searching the collection, along with tables and sofas for comfortable reading.

Yumin browsed the shelves and picked out ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the next volume of a novel he enjoyed. He settled into a sofa and started reading.

He spent the entire time in the library until the square opened, learning a few more things in the process. First, "daily ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠library use" was truly calculated per calendar day—even if he left for meals and re-entered his personal room, there was no extra point cost.

Using the bracelet's clock function, Yumin was also able to pinpoint Paradise's schedule with exact times, which he'd only roughly known before: breakfast at 8:00 AM, lunch at 1:00 PM, dinner at 6:00 PM, square open from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. Lights-out no longer existed, so he couldn't confirm the old curfew time. Adding what he'd learned after missions resumed, missions started at 3:00 PM.

The clock function from the bracelet's level-1 upgrade even included an alarm. Thanks to it, Yumin could leisurely read in the library and return to his room right on time for meals.

When square opening time arrived, the group gathered as usual, their eyes still hungrily fixed on the vending machine's displayed snacks and items. The excitement from the vending machines opening after Stage 1 hadn't fully died down yet.

Amid the group, one person seemed relatively relaxed: Gayeong. Maybe because she'd gotten the chocolate she'd desperately wanted, her skin even glowed with vitality. Please ration it out... Yumin worried a bit that she might have devoured all the snacks he'd bought her that day. How long would it take to save enough points to buy more? Even if he did, snacks couldn't be the top priority, so there was no telling.

"How much of the daily necessities you all got before are left?" Yumin casually joined the conversation to gauge their situations. If anyone was truly desperate, he'd reveal some of his privileges if needed to help, just like he had with Gayeong.

"I'm using them as sparingly as possible. Just a fingernail's worth a day."

"I went through them too fast at first, so now I only use them before missions." Suji answered first, followed by Minseo.

Minseo blushed as she spoke, glancing at Yumin. She'd only done missions with him so far. Everyone understood what she meant by "only before missions"—shampoo, body wash, and such. Sure enough, catching the implication, Yumin felt embarrassed along with her. And strangely, he felt a slight heaviness down below.

Back in his personal room, Yumin picked up the document envelope on the bed. He sat down and pulled out the papers to read.

Woohyeok had caused another incident, it seemed. Nam Sangmi was the homeroom teacher for 3rd year Class 3, and Woohyeok was one of her students. She'd taken hush ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠money from his connections and scurried around to smooth things over quietly. The victim girl would soon transfer, and like always, it'd blow over without issue.

Still, Sangmi figured she should at least warn Woohyeok personally to be careful. She called him to a quiet private counseling room. Before he arrived, she slipped off her panties and tucked them into her handbag. She hiked her skirt up as high as possible without fully exposing herself.

"You called for me, Teacher?" Woohyeok soon entered the counseling room.

Sangmi liked innocent, cute young boys who knew nothing about women, but she also liked handsome, tall guys like Woohyeok who seemed like they could satisfy one. Especially since he was the eldest son of one of Korea's top chaebol families—it made him even more appealing. Truly, what makes a man hot is the fat wallet in his pocket and the massive cock hidden in his pants.

"Woohyeok, you're here. Sit right here."

"Yes."

Sangmi had pulled a chair right up to hers beforehand. With his long legs, as soon as tall Woohyeok sat, their knees brushed lightly.

"You caused another mess. Raped Suyeon, they say. I told you before—avoid doing stuff at school...."

"It wasn't rape. Suyeon was moaning and loving it.... And she wouldn't meet me outside even when I asked, so I had no choice."

"Yeah, I bet. What girl wouldn't like it with you? Still, you gotta be careful. You're not some average high schooler. You can't let little things like this stain your future career."

"Yes...."

"CSAT's right around the corner, right? You'll be in college soon. Girls are everywhere there. Got it? But if it's really tough to hold back...."

As they talked, Sangmi subtly parted her legs, watching Woohyeok's reaction. He glanced at her exposed crotch in mild surprise but didn't react further. She'd done this every time he screwed up and called him here, so he'd probably gotten used to it. Sangmi felt a pang of disappointment.

His hand was close enough that a slight stretch would touch her. She'd gladly give herself to him then. Of course, she knew a hot young stud like Woohyeok wouldn't fall for her thirty-something body that wasn't pretty or fit. Still, it wasn't zero payoff—exposing her hidden parts to him like this thrilled her plenty. Her pussy gradually grew wet. Her legs spread wider from the arousal, opening nearly 45 degrees to blatantly show Woohyeok her dripping slit.

"...Yes. Got it. I'll be careful from now on. Anything else, or can I go?"

"Yeah, go ahead. Remember what I said."

"Yes...."

Woohyeok left without a backward glance. Watching his back, Sangmi sighed in regret.

"Sigh.... Stay a bit longer. It was just getting good...."

Sangmi shoved fingers into her soaked pussy and started thrusting. She couldn't see Woohyeok's directly, but imagining that probably huge cock pounding her, she moved her fingers faster.

A few days later, after dinner during a lull before evening self-study, Sangmi got a summons from the principal and headed to his office. She straightened her clothes outside the door. She'd stopped by the bathroom beforehand to remove her panties and wipe her crotch spotless with wet wipes, so she paid extra attention to her skirt. Then she knocked lightly.

"Come in."

The principal's voice boomed. He was short but stocky with a big gut, matching his heavy tone.

Sangmi entered. The principal, who had been reading documents at his desk, confirmed it was her and moved to the sofa area.

"Sit here."

"Yes."

Sangmi sat right next to him, not across. He flinched slightly but proceeded, explaining why he'd called her.

"There was another incident in Class 3, right?"

"Yes. I've handled it quietly—no worries for you, Principal."

"Jang Woohyeok's incidents are too frequent. Surely the rumors aren't true—that he actually raped Jeong Suyeon?"

"Who's spreading that nonsense? Absolutely not. You know Woohyeok isn't the type, Principal."

Of course, the principal knew Woohyeok was an excellent student. Since enrolling, he'd received heavy backing from his grandfather, the chairman of top chaebol Sasung Group. Woohyeok's personal reputation was stellar too. From what Sangmi had told him, his grades were top-notch, and he did plenty of volunteer work—a model student. But the incidents kept piling up. Mostly misunderstandings or the other's fault, but the principal wished he'd act with a bit more restraint.

Sangmi gently took the principal's hand and guided it toward her thigh. She placed it there and lightly covered it with her own.

"Woohyeok and Suyeon were already dating. They were studying late, eyes met, and... well."

"Even so, high schoolers doing that at school...."

"Of course. I scolded Woohyeok thoroughly so he'd get it."

"Were they really in that kind of relationship?"

"Yes. This time, Suyeon couldn't hold back and seduced him, it seems. You know as a man, Principal—when a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠woman tempts you with her body, it's hard to resist...."

As they spoke, Sangmi used his hand to slowly stroke her thigh, gradually drawing it between her legs.

"Hmph.... I understand what you're saying. Still, if word gets out about something like this in our school, our image tanks. Daemyeong High is the top academic district in Gangnam—keep that in mind."

"Of course. Woohyeok swore he'll be really careful now—no more incidents."