Chapter 9: The Second Ghost Story - The Smiling Woman (5)

The classroom returned once more to the morning routine. Sitting quietly, sorting through my thoughts, the door soon swung open. In came the homeroom teacher, chuckling his signature "hol hot hol," carrying a box stuffed with slips of paper.

"Alright, everyone~ Come up one by one and draw a slip."

Lost in thought, I grabbed one at random and moved to the assigned seat. Shockingly, it was the same spot as before, with Oh Deok-hoon plopped down next to me. That was a bit odd. Because this time, I'd drawn it with zero strategy, purely preoccupied with how to confront that smiling woman.

Double-checking the number—26, identical to the last two times.

···Coincidence? What the hell.

It was eerie, but dealing with the smiling woman took priority. Shoving aside the nagging doubts, I settled into my seat.

Soon, first period's seat assignment wrapped up, and break time hit. Normally, I'd have gone over to greet Yoon Seon-ah, but right now, I was too busy plotting how to handle that woman if we crossed paths. Glancing her way mid-deliberation, I spotted In Ha-yoon calmly reading her book as always. And Yoon Seon-ah, fidgeting uncomfortably, unable to chat with her new deskmate.

Break ended, and English class began. Students stood one by one, introducing themselves in English.

"Uh... I am Yoon Seon-ah... Uh... I like... ice cream..."

Even as class dragged on, my mind was fixated on the Manual Ghost Story. Spotting a ghost like that woman and pretending not to see her—acting completely natural. How the hell do I pull that off...?

The very next break, she'd climb the snack shop roof from outside and slip into the school. My plan: confront her one-on-one outside before that happens. Beat everyone else to it by bolting over the wall the second the bell rings—easy if I time it right.

The real issue? The acting. Facing a towering basketball-player-sized psycho with a deathly pale face, beaming like a maniac while rattling a cutter knife. Could I really stay cool? Instincts would kick in—flinch, shaky eyes, hesitant movements. There had to be a limit.

A way to stare her straight in the face, eyes wide open, and still perfectly ignore her. I needed to figure that out.

Is there even a method like that...?

Wracking my brain in disbelief, time slipped away ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠relentlessly.

Ten minutes before class ended. The English teacher, Jang Hwa-eun, was wrapping up, explaining the upcoming curriculum in her chipper way.

Don't end it, fuck... I wish this English class would last forever... Facing that terrifying bitch one-on-one? Why the hell do I have to... If I could avoid it, I would. Aaaah, fuck my life... Why me, why this shit...?

Glancing at the clock again—five minutes to go. Five whole minutes had vanished!

You crazy ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠clock bitch!

I cursed the innocent clock, limbs trembling uncontrollably.

Break time arrived indifferently, inescapably.

I stood, panting heavily. Deep down, I didn't want to go at all. My head raced for escape routes, but my resolve had hardened: I had no choice but to face it.

Run again, and the anomalies swallow the school, the area gets sealed, family moves away... Three years later, die to some massive monster, regress to the entrance ceremony... No more of that.

Right here, right now—the first button. The first stand against this insane system and its ghost stories.

Huff... huff... haaah... haaah...

As I shakily headed for the door, a voice stopped me.

"Um, Joon-ah..."

Turning, Yoon Seon-ah stood there.

"The snack shop... wanna go together...?"

···Thump. Her words shook me instantly. Yeah, I didn't want to face that monster alone. If someone—just someone—came with me...

My weak side made my hands tremble.

"Um, if it's a hassle, I can go alone..."

No reply, so she flustered, waving her hands.

I shook my head.

"No. Let's... go together."

She let out a soft "Ah," smiling faintly.

Together. Together... please come with me...

I'd done it. Dragging her to danger.

...But realistically, I'd piss myself alone for sure.

If anything, I was grateful she suggested it at this perfect moment.

Wait, rethink: Seon-ah doesn't have to face the woman directly!

While I hop the wall and confront her outside, Seon-ah stands guard behind it. Someone watching my back. Not shouldering it solo. That alone would give me huge mental boost.

That's not bad, right? Just a little help. Not tricking or using her.

How'd she time it so perfectly, though?

Normally, I'd greet her first during break, but I sat quiet this time. Maybe the awkwardness with her deskmate drove her to me...?

Lost in thoughts, we reached the snack shop area, swarming with students.

"Seon-ah, this way."

I veered toward the deserted wall. She tilted her head, following.

At the wall, I gauged the height. About my size—tough, but plenty of brick gaps for footing. Climbable.

Last time, her head poked over from here. Over two meters tall?

Steeling myself, I said,

"Seon-ah, wait here a sec? Got something to do. Be right back."

Alone? No way. But with someone behind me... I felt I could muster the courage.

"Seon-ah?"

Her round eyes stared blankly instead of answering.

"Seon-ah? Can you wait here...?"

Wait, dragged her here in a rush without thinking. This looks bad—like asking a friend to stand watch while I sneak a smoke.

Yeah. Only thing a student sneaks over the wall for during break is a cigarette. Bad-boy Lee Joon luring a naive girl he met yesterday at orientation to cover while he smokes.

Seon-ah stared silently.

"Look, not doing anything bad. Just ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠checking something..."

I started excusing, then stopped. No time—the woman was coming.

"Sorry, Seon-ah. Just stay here a bit. We'll hit the shop next time—I’ll buy. Sorry."

She nodded slowly, expressionless. Confirmed, I scrambled over the wall.

Beyond: school backwoods. Far off, through the trees, a hazy figure approached. Obscured by branches and brush, but definitely her.

Already? Shit.

No solid plan yet.

What do I do, what the fuck...?

She emerged gradually. Seconds from crossing paths.

Crazy auntie flashing a gleaming grin, face smeared deathly white.

As she flickered into view, my street-smart, lightning-quick brain—honed surviving school life—exploded into overdrive.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Fuck, find it. Must find a way!!

Memories since this cursed game started flashed by.

'Welcome to Nakseong High, full of mysteries and secrets.'

'I'm naturally slow to act...'

Duality—yeah, that trait spun schemes well, but... 'Act naturally until passing the smiling woman without acknowledging her...'

'Never act like you know her...'Chuckle chuckle.

My brain supercharged by survival instinct, churning scenarios. Amid the flood, one subconscious snag: last night, mumbling on my bed.

Crap, nothing useful.

Flash—UI? Yes! This could work!

Thud thud. She reached the tree line ahead.

I deliberately avoided looking, eyes down. Staring that monstrosity head-on? No composure.

Main screen.

I acted on the idea instantly.

Thud thud. She noticed me, gaze lingering.

Don't look, don't look... 4. Settings.

Whoosh—she charged, shoving her face right in mine.

I cranked graphics brightness to max.

Shhhhk—vision bleached white, world drowned in pure white.

I lifted my head, eyes wide, facing her directly.

Nothing visible. But I was undoubtedly staring her down, eyes ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠open.

She wasn't hidden by closed lids or averted gaze. The system transcended perception, reality, time—everything. I faced her squarely while the system blanked her from sight.

[Uh... this... way...]

Her choking voice gurgled.

Shit!

I slashed audio volume too.

Bzzzz—now, blind and deaf. Pure white void, white noise. Serene. Like meditation.

Sight and sound sealed. With Seon-ah's psychological safety net behind me, panic evaporated into calm.

Huuuh~ Hoo, huuuh~ hoo.

Breathe in, out. In, out. Steadying.

Waited. No reaction.

...Did she pass by?

Too quiet—dialed brightness down a notch. Blurry face-shape inches away. Jerked it max again.

This fucker... sniffing reactions up close?

Petty bitch. Peering into my eyes to test if I truly ignored her. Even acting pros would flinch at that grinning freak in their face. Pure performance? Unwinnable.

But system exploit? I'm golden.

Shove your mug in? Fuckin' psycho auntie.

Bring it, bitch. Stare at my pupils all day. I legit can't see you.

Huuuh~ hoo. Huuuh~ hoo.

Mind tranquil. World at peace.

Well? Still checking my eyes?

You're screwed.

I even started enjoying it. Safe. Utterly safe. First time punking this ghost bullshit!

"Eeeh~ heh heh~ eh heh~"

Hummed casually. Inspect away~ Can't see or hear ya~

"Mm~ hmm hmm hmm~ mm hmm~"

Yeah, can't hear~ Can't see~

Swish. Fabric brushed my hand.

Right—touch still worked.

This asshole's baiting reactions.

Startled flinch yanked my hand back—then flowed into a smooth dance wave.

Natural. Totally natural.

Right hand recoiled into wave, rippling to left. Back again. Then rage boiled over—I swung full-force at her with the momentum.

Thwack—

"Crazy bitch, why keep fuckin' around!"

How many deaths and loops has this one caused me and Seon-ah! Not content, now dancing jittery to play along. Enraged, I wound up another haymaker—then paused.

Calm. Calm... Pretend not to notice. Ignore.

Shadowboxing time.

"Shwick~ shiiiick~ shwick shwick. Shwick shiiiick~"

Punching white void, thinking: I sense you're there? Nah. I'm a hobbyist sneaking backwoods shadowboxing. You just got unlucky in my swing path. Got it? I didn't notice you. Can't see you.

For real!

Doubt me? Check my gaze!

Pupils normal, right?

Not blind, eyes uncovered. Wide-eyed perfect ignore!

Thud- Thud- Thud thud- Thud_ Thud -

Shadowboxed air, then fuck it—straight-up wailed openly.

"Fuck! Fuck! Cut the shit!"

Thud- Thud- Thud thud- Thud- Thud -

Her sackcloth hid steel-hard muscles. Fists ached on impact.

Tanking this blatant beating without reaction? Method works.

Just ignore perfectly, per the rules?

Thud- Thud- Thud thud- Thud- Thud-

"Why crash a school and fuck around! Students study here—get lost, psycho!"

Pummeled gleefully, then worry hit.

Am I beating Seon-ah...?

Blind and deaf—could be pummeling her by mistake. She worries, approaches, no answer, gets clocked.

Unsettled, needed check.

Quick peek.

Eased settings. Towering two-meter shadow bellowing ahead.

Definitely not Seon-ah.

Thud thud- Thud _ Thud - Thud _ Thud _ Thud thud- Thud thud¬ Thud _ Thud _ Pow pow - Pow - Pow一

Relieved, resumed thrashing.

Thud_ Thud_ Thud- Thud- Thud_ Thud_ Thud- Thud_

Movie roundhouse. TV boxer stances, sloppy steps, punches. Weird "Achoo!" effects for game ultimate moves. Kicked too.

Sweating buckets wailing away, a notification popped.

Full-white vision, yet alert floated crisp black-blue.

Separate from game screen, huh.

Fireworks burst, another window.

···Ooh! Unexpected bonus!

Situation over!

Reset graphics and audio to normal.

Vision cleared, sounds returned.

Looked around—no woman. Just green brush and trees. Peaceful back hills.

Drove her off!