Dinner Rush and the Banging Door
I shouldn't get too absorbed in the Gallery before my shift starts. It makes you forget your duties.
I'd just finished up some work and hadn't even realized how hungry I was. According to the Guard Rules Booklet, dinner time ended at 8:00. It was 7:40 now. I didn't know what happened if you broke the time limit, but it was obvious there'd be some penalty. That was my vague guess, but then I remembered I had the Gallery. Why not just ask here?
A little late and they let it slide? I'm working alone here anyway.
Fired probably meant dead. I'd have to be careful not to let them accumulate. That meant inhaling my dinner in 20 minutes. Of course, my Gallery session had already shaved it down to 18.
I opened the fridge. Unlike before, when it only had a single water bottle, now there was a meal tray and a spoon. Just like a school, they even served food on a tray. Inside was white rice, bean sprout soup, kimchi, and a stir-fry of sausage and veggies. Clearly no human had prepared this, so how did they nail such a perfect combo? I savored each bite. Perfect seasoning with umami to boot. This was top-tier school lunch level.
Curious about what others got, I posted a question. Replies rolled in with their menus—mostly standard stuff. Yeah, how special could cafeteria food really get?
Of course, there were exceptions. My post earned me pity and envy in equal measure.
I finished eating, put the tray back in the fridge, and closed it. When I reopened it, the tray was gone, leaving just the water bottle. I opened the wardrobe and changed into my uniform. From this moment, I became Choi Kyung-bi. No dramatic transformation came with the clothes, of course. Stuffed from dinner, I had about 10 minutes till shift time.
I mentally organized my pre-shift Gallery questions. Lots of curiosities, but I narrowed it to two priorities. First, I asked if there was anything extra I needed to know for patrol.
The replies were surprisingly generic. I'd hoped for specific tips, but everyone just spouted basics.
Everyone turned into rulebook zealots. I didn't doubt it myself, but the explanations felt a bit lacking. Like, if it wasn't listed as forbidden, was it fair game? Not that I'd try anything reckless. My one life was precious.
Come to think of it, in stories like this, you usually awaken some regression power. It sounded dumb, but I asked if anyone had superpowers.
I'd wasted time on pointless stuff. As I went to post my real question, an eye-catching reply popped up.
Escape. I was too busy surviving my first shift to think about it yet, but I couldn't scroll past that.
PyeonSuni explained: Someone had posted consistently about aiming for escape. They'd pull off bold moves, survive by the skin of their teeth, and share thrilling tales that had the Gallery buzzing with awe, worry, hype—pure dopamine fuel. But one day, posts stopped. Everyone assumed death, but something was off. Normally, death summons a successor to that spot via the otherworld kidnapping to the Gallery. Days passed with no newbie there. Theories flew, but most settled on escape.
I zoned out listening, then snapped to. Two minutes till 8:00. The story was too gripping; time flew by unnoticed. I hurriedly posted my last question.
Some kid left on the 3rd floor says he's gonna mess with me. Quick advice pls.
The rulebook chants were frustrating, but I was out of time. I stood and headed for the guard room door. One last glance at the Gallery, praying for useful replies.
Prayer answered—with this.
Answered my prayer, but dashed my hopes.
I stepped into the hallway just before 8:00. Still dead quiet and dark. Patrol mode activated, so a bit of leisure should be fine. Per the rules, 1st floor hallway was safe now. I stood still, organizing my thoughts.
This building—the Main Building—had five floors. No need to worry about the Annex Building. I was about to lock its door, and the rules said stay out. Lock Annex, then head to floors 2, 3, 4. Skip 5—no classrooms there; 3rd years were on 4.
My job: Lock any unlocked doors. Simple. People survived years here, right? Buck up. I'm Choi Kyung-bi now. Clean sweep, then hole up in the guard room scrolling Gallery. With that grand plan in mind, I headed to the Annex.
Straight from Admin Office hits a fork. Right: stairs to 2F. Left: outdoor door—ten steps out to Annex entrance. I cautiously opened it. Door ajar. Inside: pitch black, nothing visible.
Whoa, easy peasy.
What'd Gallery say? Trust the rulebook. Rulebook said? Don't enter Annex. Deep breath, slow approach. Annex stayed void-dark, sucking in light. Reached the door. It swung inward, of course. A tiny step in to close it? Had to. One careful foot into the dark.
Nothing happened. Grabbed the door, pulled slowly. Screeeeech—rusty hinges split the air. Unexpected noise made me grit my teeth in panic. Yanked it shut fast. Screeeeeeak. Keys. Annex key. Jangled the bundle, found it quick—memorized the shape. Slid it in, turned. Locked solid.
"Phew..."
All good. Rulebook adherence = safety guaranteed. Sure, I stepped in a tad, but backed out right away. Keep it like this from now on.
Turning to head back—
BAM!
Breath caught. Something slammed the Annex door, thunderous roar. Chill crawled up my spine. Froze solid. No option to look back. Careful step toward Main Building.
BAM! Again.
BAM! Not moving, but it came.
BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM!
Limit hit. Couldn't stay calm. Bolted for Main Building, face twisted in terror. Sounds swelled. Clapped hands over ears. Still, eardrum-shattering booms drilled in.
BOOM!
Last one. Into Main Building—no more noise. Gasping, clutched chest till breathing steadied. Calmed a bit, glanced at Annex. Far off, door covered in bloody handprints.