Camping with the Demon (2)
Thud. Clatter.
The plastic bag fell limply to the floor, its contents jostling inside with faint noises.
The unlit room was dim, bathed only in the fading glow of sunset.
Hyein stared coldly at the bag sprawled on the floor. Then she blinked a few times.
"...Huh?"
Her expression shifted to one of confusion, as if she had no idea what was going on.
"Why'd I turn off the lights and just... stand here?"
Click. She flicked the switch, squinting reflexively at the sudden brightness.
"It's already this late...? How long was I spacing out?"
She couldn't even remember when she'd gotten home. She recalled shopping at the store, but... had she run into someone?
"Ugh..."
Her memories were hazy, shrouded in fog.
Hyein shook her head. I'm just tired, I guess.
It happened often lately. She'd zone out in class, snap back during break time. She'd eat her meal, look up to find her tray empty. She'd get home with no recollection of the trip.
...She chalked it up to fatigue. Everyone forgot what they were doing sometimes when their mind wandered.
Hyein picked up the bag from the floor and set it on her desk. Inside were her purchases from the store: a mess kit, utensils set, flashlight.
As she unpacked and sorted them, she froze. Something pitch-black was wedged under her fingernail.
"...Dirt?"
She hadn't touched any dirt at the store.
"Maybe from handling the gear—got some dust on me?"
She headed to the bathroom and turned on the faucet. The dirt washed away in the stream.
Her reflection stared back from the mirror.
"?"
For a moment, her own face looked utterly unfamiliar. She tilted her head side to side, inspecting it.
"What? Did I lose weight or something...?"
Hyein brushed it off and dried her hands with a towel.
"Yawwwn...!"
Shopping had worn her out. It was early evening still, but she should turn in early tonight.
Click. The door shut.
Morning at the academy.
The school gate area was busier than usual today. Class A's students stood outside, laden with gear.
A massive tour bus loomed in front of them.
"Load your stuff in the trunk, quick roll call, then board. No fussing inside."
Baek Sian called attendance in his usual languid tone.
The students buzzed excitedly with their groupmates.
Group 1 was no different.
"Hope there aren't too many bugs."
"Brought the insect-repellent barrier, so we're good."
As Isol and Harin chatted, Seha approached Dahong.
"I'm really looking forward to camping, Dahong."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. I've never done anything like it."
Seha's face lit up with childlike anticipation, like a kid on a field trip. The other students were the same—top academy or not, they were still seventeen-year-old kids.
Dahong didn't reply, her gaze fixed on the trunk.
Students loaded their bags one by one: backpacks, sleeping bags, food crates. Standard camp fare.
But...
Dahong's eyes narrowed.
The Group 2 leader was stowing a greatsword, case and all. Harin's battle axe and Jinho's shield were already inside. The others had brought their full armaments too.
Dahong shifted her gaze. Baek Sian stood by the bus, checking items, one hand in his pocket, yawning.
So that's the game.
Dahong got it—the hidden purpose of this camp.
Seha tilted his head at Dahong's silent stare at the luggage.
"Dahong? What's up?"
"Nothing."
"Oh, and I'm super excited for the BBQ. Harin marinated some ribs."
"Yeah."
"Jinho brought marshmallows too. We can roast 'em—like in cartoons and movies."
Dahong looked down at Seha, his face brimming with excitement.
Should she tell him? Nah. No point.
And honestly? Watching that hope shatter might be more fun.
Baek Sian finished checking and addressed the students.
"Alright, luggage loaded? Board. No fighting over seats."
"Yes, sir~."
The students piled on, and the bus rolled out.
It started rowdy.
"Ah, I need my motion sickness pills!"
"Switch seats if you're gonna puke."
"Can I open the window?"
"Who didn't put their snacks in the trunk?"
"Ariella, try this. Shrimp crackers!"
"...Shrimp?"
Pure field-trip vibes.
Dahong took a window seat. Ruby hopped up to peer outside—apparently, bus sightseeing was a novel thrill.
As they left the city, the scenery shifted fast. Buildings thinned, fields appeared. Then mountain roads.
After an hour, chatter died down. By two hours, the bus was silent.
Isol and Ariella leaned on each other, asleep. Harin had her head down, eyes closed. Jinho slumped against the window, mouth agape.
Dahong glanced down at her right side.
Seha's head rested on her shoulder.
"......"
She didn't shove him off.
She turned to the window. Trees whipped by. The mountains grew deeper.
The bus stopped.
Students stirred as the engine cut off.
"Mmm..."
"We here?"
"Yaaawn."
Stretching sounds echoed.
Baek Sian stood.
"Everyone off and line up. Wake any sleepers next to you."
Stepping off the bus, the air hit different. Cool, crisp wind. A scent Seoul never had—earth and grass everywhere. Birdsong from all sides.
"Whoa..."
"Air's amazing!"
"This the training ground?"
Dahong surveyed the forest from the parking lot. Not bad energy. Faint mana, natural, from the earth itself.
Baek Sian addressed the group in front of the bus.
"Leave the gear—we'll grab it later. Light hike around the whole site first."
"Leave it?"
"We'll loop back. Why lug it?"
The students exchanged looks, then nodded. No point unpacking snacks early anyway.
"Follow me from the front."
Baek Sian led casually. They hiked forest paths for about an hour. He paused now and then for pointers.
"That's the water source. Secure, but boil it—raw will give you the runs."
"Flat spot there looks tent-friendly? But check—rain pools here. See the marks?"
"Pitch on the uphill slope. Dew flows down even without rain."
"This grass is edible if you're starving. Looks like that one, but check the leaf veins."
Survival basics.
But the students? Meh.
"Yeees~."
Half-listening, eyes on the scenery.
"Whoa, squirrel!"
"Where?"
"Photo time!"
Only a few actually paid attention.
Baek Sian glanced at them, then kept walking.
In that instant, Dahong caught it—his gaze flicking to Hyein.
Back at the parking lot after the tour. It was nearing 1 p.m.
"Finally."
"Tent first."
"Food! Starving."
Students rushed for their stuff.
And froze.
"...?"
The bus was gone.
In its place: group-sorted tents, sleeping bags. Water jugs, one bottled water each. Lighters, survival kits.
Food crates. Mess kits. Burners. Backpacks.
All vanished.
Students stood dazed.
"...Where's our stuff?"
"The bus?"
"My bag!?"
Murmurs rose.
Harin eyed the empty cooler spot—just dampness left.
"Seasoned ribs."
Her voice was low.
"Where are my seasoned ribs."
She'd prepped them since last night. Prime Hanwoo—not cheap.
Baek Sian sauntered up from behind.
"Listen up."
Heads turned.
"Group survival training starts now. Two nights, three days."
"...Pardon?"
"What you see is what you get: tents, bags, jugs, kits, and your combat gear."
He scratched his head.
"Food's on you."
Outrage erupted.
"Wait, isn't this camp?!"
"It is. Sleeping outside."
"No heads-up?!"
"Your assumption."
"No food?!"
"You wanted BBQ? Hunt and grill."
Students gawked, speechless against his logic.
Harin stepped forward, face dark.
"Teacher. Where's my seasoned ribs."
"Oh, that."
Baek Sian grinned slyly.
"Teaching's not bad. Already reaping perks. I'll enjoy 'em."
"......"
Isol grabbed Harin quick—her eyes were rolling back.
"Kyah! My ribs!!"
"Harin, calm! He's the teacher!"
"Let go!!"
Isol flailed in Harin's grip.
Baek Sian ignored the chaos, pulling fabric bundles from his pocket—flags.
"Anyway, this'd be boring otherwise."
"?"
He handed one to each leader.
"This...?"
"Think food vouchers. One flag per reclaimed ingredient."
The air shifted.
Outcries hushed instantly.
"Rules, though."
Baek Sian raised a finger.
"One: Steal from other groups."
Tension crackled. Groups eyed each other, gauging strength, edging apart.
"Two: More flags hidden around. Find 'em, they're yours."
Murmurs.
"Reclaimed food can be anyone's."
Baek Sian smirked unpleasantly.
"......"
Harin's eyes twitched. Gulps echoed. Prime ribs were prime target.
Students eyed each other—faces they'd laughed with moments ago. Subtle strain hung.
"Teacher."
"What, Han Isol."
Class pres Isol stepped up.
"This is wrong. Pitting students against each other?"
Baek Sian snorted.
"Head in the clouds. Gates aren't just beasts—people are dangerous too. Prep for that."
"......"
He pointed at the ground.
"Flag exchange tomorrow, same time, same spot. How many you collect decides if you get your dream camp next day."
Yawn.
He stretched lazily, scanning them.
"What? Dawdle and it'll be dark—no tents."
Students snapped to, rushing their gear.