Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: The Seed in the Heart
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On sports festival day, I ended up going to school without crossing paths with Inha for the first time in a while. Inha had to compete in an important event today, so she got up even earlier than usual and headed to school ahead of me.
For the record, I wasn't participating in any events. I had been invited a few times, but I turned them all down with an apology. Team events were one thing, but they were only picking the best kids for the individual ones anyway. I stubbornly refused.
And that led to my little victory.
The school on sports festival day was dazzling. People set up stalls selling food, and they decorated the place with balloons and flags to heighten the excitement befitting the occasion. Come to think of it, there was a free-for-all treasure hunt based on first-come-first-served this time. Maybe I should try that one.
I wandered around, taking in the school’s unusually festive atmosphere. Keeping my senses open in case something interesting caught my eye, I spotted something like a dimensional rift near a tree. I hesitated for a moment but soon stepped toward it. Using my dream senses, I felt the distortion in space. After a few steps, it felt like I’d walked into fog, and when I came to, I was at the main sports field where the festival was underway. Whoa, a shortcut? I muttered in admiration without thinking.
From the top of the tiered benches, I looked down. Even though it was early, quite a few students had already gathered. I was about to head down to where my grade’s kids were when someone grabbed my shoulder from behind. Turning around, I saw a welcome face.
“Oh, Yujeong Sister.”
Inho Brother was with her. I beamed.
The two of them had become middle schoolers this year. That made it a bit harder to meet up. Memories from a few years ago, when we took classes at the same level, came flooding back. We used to hang out all the time back then. Looking back now, those days had become cherished memories. I murmured happily.
“You two are still always together….”
My offhand comment made Inho Brother blush unexpectedly. Oops. I clicked my tongue. Yujeong Sister, meanwhile, just smiled kindly.
“And what brings you here alone, Eunha? Where’s Inha or the others?”
“Oh, Inha went ahead today. You know that escape game in the middle of the festival? She’s in that one.”
“What? Really? Heh, so Inha’s representing the elementary division. But isn’t that a two-person event? You’re obviously not joining, so is she teaming up with one of those three?”
“Nope. Hansu and Minhee are busy as president and vice president. The one teaming with Inha is… this girl named Ardell. She has strong attack magic like Inha.”
“Oh, I remember. That rare foreign transfer student, right? The pretty one with the curly blonde hair.”
“Yeah, that’s her.”
Ardell was quite pretty, in my opinion too. Sure, she might pale next to Inha, but standing side by side, her looks held their own without fading.
I leaned against the railing that ran around the benches. Inho Brother looked at me and asked.
“No events for you, Eunha?”
“Nope, none. Watching is fun, but I don’t really want to join in. Maybe I’ll do the treasure hunt this time.”
As I gazed out at the field, Yujeong Sister grinned.
“We have to mess with the Final Sky Relay. It’s a chance to see how much our magic has grown.”
“Hmm…”
I rested my chin on my hand and tilted my head.
“Is it?”
Now that she mentioned it, the last time we sabotaged that race was two years ago, I think. I hadn’t bothered since it got annoying. After a moment’s thought, I nodded. Yujeong Sister brightened.
“Perfect. We’re curious how much you’ve grown too. Last year’s showing was the most recent. You were on the blue team, right, Eunha?”
“Yeah. You and Inho Brother are on the white team?”
“That’s right. Inha and Hansu are red team, and Minhee and Hyunho were on blue with you? It might put us at a disadvantage if you go all out, but we want to see it anyway. Show us what you’ve got. Who knows? You might play a decisive role.”
“No way.”
Even if I had talent, there was at least a four-year gap between me and the high school seniors. No way. Four years wasn’t something you could bridge easily. Especially between middle and high school, when mana growth peaks. Even comparing raw numbers, the growth rate over three middle school years was explosively higher than over six elementary years—about 1:7? That was a massive difference.
We chatted and laughed for a bit before heading to our seats. Soon after, Minhee and Hyunho plopped down next to me. Unlike me, they were in their uniforms.
“Why uniforms?”
“Wahhh, they said we have to wear them for the opening speech.”
“Oh yeah?”
I patted Minhee’s head as she fake-cried. She grinned broadly.
“Where’s Hansu? Even if he’s on another team, shouldn’t he stick with us for the speech?”
“Huh? He’s with Inha and Ardell.”
“Oh? Do Inha and Ardell get along?”
“If you were worried, you should’ve come watch their practice.”
“But they told me to just wait and see, so I couldn’t help it.”
“Gu rang gu rang.”
This time, Minhee patted my head. We played around like that until all the kids gathered.
A little later, our classmates filled the seats around us, and the teachers approached to herd the kids. Around then, Minhee left Hyunho behind and headed down.
Only the elementary, middle, and high school presidents and vice presidents gave the opening speech. Teacher Min naturally came to sit by me, so my seat was Hyunho on the left, Teacher Min on the right. Teacher Junhwi was handling another section, so unfortunately, he wasn’t with Teacher Min this time.
I scanned the stands as they began filling up. Both my parents and Inha’s were coming today. Wonder where they’d sit.
“So you’re really not joining anything, Eunha.”
“Yeah. These things feel awkward to me…”
“Man, you’re missing out on school life. You’ve gotta try everything at least once.”
I glanced at Teacher Min with a bored look. She wasn’t wrong. But,
“That’s not something you should say, Teacher Min.”
I cut off Teacher Min as she started to respond.
“Considering your school days… if it weren’t for Teacher Junhwi…”
“Wak wak! You little!”
“Ah, but maybe that counts as a school memory? Black history?”
“Eunha, you!”
Teacher Min laughed awkwardly and covered my mouth, though she looked pretty amused. Hyunho, who didn’t know the truth, just looked confused beside us.
“Black history? Teacher Min’s? What, what is it?”
“It’s something kids shouldn’t know.”
Teacher Min wagged her finger firmly. I nodded solemnly.
“Something kids shouldn’t know.”
“…”
“…”
“…Teacher, whatever it is, you did something bad.”
Hyunho muttered with a dubious expression. Teacher Min clutched her forehead.
No, but seriously, it was stuff kids shouldn’t know: thug antics, gang fights, fistfights, and harmful things like cigarettes and booze. And finally, romance that was a bit too mature for kids!
For the record, that last one might sound like fujoshi thinking, but it wasn’t entirely wrong. You hear stories where things get steamy midway. Skipping parts thinking kids won’t get it? Big mistake. Yeah, yeah.
In other words, sometimes it’s stuff unsuitable for minors under 15. Obviously not for kids.
‘Hmm… probably.’
I felt like I was overthinking nonsense. I brushed it off quickly.
As we bantered pointlessly, the opening ceremony began. Noisy voices rose from below, and we turned our attention there. The first-graders, fresh to the elementary division, stood together.
The kids tossed mana orbs, bursting a giant ball. I watched their innocent display with fond eyes.
Magic powder rained down from the burst, turning into lights that scattered around. In the center of the stage below, familiar faces appeared.
The student council presidents and vice presidents from elementary, middle, and high school. Minhee stood there beaming in her uniform.
The lively Minhee and the deadpan Hansu. Inha and Hansu were a unique pair, but these two matched scarily well too. I felt a subtle twinge and raised an eyebrow slightly. Minhee spoke first, all bright and cheerful.
“Hello! This is the Daehyeon School Student Council!”
The middle and high school reps followed.
“Then now,”
“The student council presents, made together by all the students!”
“The Daehyeon Joint Sports Festival!”
““Begins!!””
At that moment, the six unleashed their magic. Spells flew far to cover the entire field—their signature ones.
Minhee scattered sparkling mana bullets in every color, while Hansu sent out anemone flower winds. The middle and high school reps added theirs too. Normally, elementary magic should be weakest and high school strongest, but it wasn’t the case here. Hansu and Minhee’s shone as brightly as the high schoolers’, drawing admiration from the seniors.
Mana spread out, and suddenly the six vanished atop it. Flowers rained across the sky, signaling the start of the festival.
I skimmed the magics casually. I didn’t care to participate, but watching wasn’t bad. Colors overlapped, creating new sensations. Every year, with new freshmen, growing students, and graduating seniors, the magic evolved bit by bit.
Cheering sporadically for our team with Minhee and Hyunho, seeing them off when they stood for events, I sat quietly until the stands suddenly grew rowdy. As I turned curiously, a voice echoed in my head.
「Eunha, we’re here!」
I whipped around at the familiar voice. Amid the commotion, Auntie Seona and Mom waved and smiled at me.
Whoa? That explained the sudden fuss. And it wasn’t just them—Hansu’s parents were there too.
I waved back first. Minhee and Hyunho looked over and gaped.
“Oh, your mom’s here? Wow. Hansu’s got both parents!”
“Wow… what a luxury lineup. Three mages in the world top 500 are at this school right now.”
Teacher Min, watching our parents with us, let out an impressed groan. The ripple effect spread; nearby kids whispered and stared.
“That’s Kim Seona.”
“Inha’s mom? Here for Inha!”
“And that’s Lee Yeoyoung, right? Hansu’s mom.”
Add the chairman, and three top-500 world rankers were in the school. A miraculous lineup. Talk about Daehyeon School’s luck.
Soon, Inha and Hansu approached their parents. Kids gasped enviously. The buzz died down eventually, but they still snuck glances at Auntie Seona and Hansu’s mom.
Not long after, the awaited event started: the morning’s final match for Inha, the elementary-middle-high joint escape game!
“Hee hee hee. Good thing you and Teacher Mina teamed up.”
“Right? I wrote the whole scenario, so you better be grateful.”
“Yeah yeah! Thanks!”
“Especially the ghost’s backstory.”
Only then did Minhee’s eyes widen, mid-laugh.
“What? Backstory? It’s a haunted castle, isn’t it?”
“I put effort into a setup that’ll make ‘em cry.”
“What? Hey, seriously, Eunha~! What’re you doing!”
I proudly flashed a thumbs-up, and Minhee pouted, thumping my back lightly. I brushed it off playfully.
“Don’t worry. It won’t trigger unless they befriend the ghost or something.”
“Ugh…”
Minhee looked worried. She knew I specialized in touching, sad stories. And that I’d used it to write scenarios that made tons of people cry. But I wasn’t concerned. Sure, if that story triggered, the mood would tank, but it was the true ending—nearly impossible without skill. No way they’d clear the conditions blind on the first try.
Meanwhile, the stage formed.
A barrier went up, and a towering castle rose within. Giant monitor projections floated around.
Virtual reality system—overlaying virtual on real. Teacher made the game; I added the plot consistency.
[Here we are! The debut escape game this year: Escape the Haunted Castle! Provided by world-renowned game meister Jeong Mina! And the scenario’s penned by Set Eunbyeol, soaring in fame for captivating storytelling!]
Ugh… I blushed at the announcement. Didn’t expect my pen name there! Damn it! Outsiders wouldn’t know it’s me, but still embarrassing. I hid my face. The three who knew snickered. The explanation continued.
[Since it’s joint elementary-middle-high, no team points! Pure fun event! But the division contributing most to the escape gets a prize! And luxurious goodies for participants, of course! Here come our reps!]
Six figures appeared before the castle gates: two each from elementary, middle, high. Elementary reps were Inha and Ardell, naturally.
A gloomy forest backdrop, ancient castle looming. Inha and the others stood right before it.
[Wow, elementary sent two girls… and they’re super cute!!]
Lolicon! Don’t swallow hard! Boos rang out. Inha ignored it, keeping her prim expression. Great, more Inha fans incoming?
[The stage: castle interior swarming with mystery monsters and ghosts! Prologue: six lost travelers stumble on the castle! Game start!]
The gates creaked open as the announcer finished. The six entered.
Opening text scrolled over the castle with a voiceover.
『Six travelers lost in the woods during a trip chance upon an old castle. As dusk falls, they discuss staying the night. They agree to ask the owner or servants. Then, the gates open on their own.』
『Inside was decrepit and dark. No sign of human care. Swallowing at the eerie vibe, they entered.』
Footsteps echoed. The six entered the mansion, chatted briefly, then split up. Close-ups on three faces. Wow… that elementary girl is insanely pretty, someone whispered. I smiled proudly, then refocused.
Horror games shine in exploration. They split to search the castle. First, checking for others per the story. Many locked doors. They regrouped soon. Game time flew; it was designed short. Compressing the plot was tough.
Following the scenario, they sought sleeping spots. Hesitant about strangers’ home, they found three unlockable rooms nearby and split by team.
Inha and Ardell entered one. They searched every corner: books, diaries, drawers. A key emerged from a creaking drawer.
The castle turns demonic at night. Time sped to nightfall. As they prepared to sleep, banging shook the door. A grotesque monster lunged from the opened door. (Graphics toned for kids; the artist struggled.)
[Ugh…!]
[Kyaaak!]
Inha and Ardell cast without hesitation. Horror fans know: zombies and ghosts weak to fire. Non-ghost magic doesn’t work here.
Fwoosh!
Kieeeek!
The zombie-like thing burned instantly. Someone gasped.
“Wow, elementary kids’ magic is that strong now?”
“Such power.”
Inha’s light held scorching heat—fire if willed. Ardell’s was pure fire, orange flames.
Meanwhile, middle and high reps struggled—their mains weren’t fire.
[W-what’s that monster! Why won’t magic work?!]
“Why don’t the seniors’ spells work?”
“Dunno…”
Ice or slashing magic would too, but theirs didn’t match. Horror basics unknown? Magic world thing. I scratched my head.
The game progressed. Dodging revealed zombies’ fire weakness. They burned them one by one. Baby zombie crying “Mooom…” tugged hearts—was I the only one? Really?
Per scenario, they tried smashing windows to escape. Doors stayed shut; escape spells melted away.
[So immersive!]
[Who made this?]
[Dunno!]
…Me and Teacher. Sorry.
Monsters pursued relentlessly. They fled. Some ignored fire. They hid eventually. Event time.
…I love knowing the story ahead. Predicting’s fun. Replay type.
[Unexpected. Humans here.]
They barricaded, peeking out. Then, clunk clunk—eerie movement. All spun around startled. I propped my chin. But is this sports fest appropriate? Feels like a funhouse. Why horror at a sports day? Better for school trip guts test.
[Doll…?]
A small doll creaked to life. Eerie French doll: curly blonde, blue eyes, marquis attire—classic horror foreign doll. Even in gothic lolita.
Perfect castle ally(?).
[This is a castle where time stopped. Cursed castle. Foolish humans… fell for my lure.]
I watched my scripted lines unfold with interest.
[Once in, it’s over. Can’t leave. Eaten alive by monsters. Or possessed by one like me… uhuhuhuhu.]
The doll laughed theatrically. Everyone riveted—felt odd.
[…We’re escaping. How?]
[Dunno.]
I worked hard to balance skill levels. Proudly crossed legs.
[But hey, those zombies annoy me too. Here’s a hint: simple. Open a door and leave.]
[How?!]
[Or lift the curse. Uhuhuhu… try if you can.]
The doll stopped, collapsing lifeless.
Soul fled.
Choices appeared.
『Before the real escape begins, choose:
1. Split up to find exit.
2. Search together.』
Branch time!
Players don’t know: splitting means never reuniting. Castle’s time axis bent. Seems stopped but flows—monsters move. Actually warped axis, curved space. Split, and you’re lost forever. Detached from time.
They split for efficiency. Wrong choice.
Full escape true ending needs scenario-breaking magic. Even escape isn’t happy without more.
“Ah, I see the future~.”
“What what? What happens?”
“Short, so probably fine.”
Two ways out: find gate key, or end curse.
Or force magic escape (not standard).
Only Inha noticed the subtle branch vibe.
[Weird.]
[What?]
[…I know this game’s scenario writer.]
[So?]
I smiled subtly watching them. Inha normal, but Ardell? Totally different. I knew her as bright, sociable, shy. Now: cool, sharp, confident. Heard she’d been through tough stuff before transferring—not normal. Curious look.
[…Feeling’s off.]
[Hmm… Whatever, do you know how to escape?]
[Quickest: smash somewhere.]
[Yeah.]
[But happy ending? Doubt it. That writer’s style.]
I flinched. Inha knows me well. Minhee poked my side. Right—smashing opens otherworld, endless dark wandering. Or time warp to far future. Bad for non-space experts.
[It said open door. Horror staple: search. Find key.]
Yes! Inside cheer.
[And without full story/backstory? No happy ending.]
Heh, correct…
[Bet keys hidden unless you know.]
Spot on…
She nailed every point. Joy turned hollow; clutched chest. Inha really… knows me too well… ehehehe.
They searched thoroughly. Burned approaching zombies; dodged spirit ghosts.
Middle/high reps avoided smashing first—search, then destroy if needed.
Warped time: unseen actions affected each other. Mistook for ghosts.
Inha/Ardell excelled. Ardell seemed teacher-picked danger-kid: experienced, handled foes smoothly. Real combat mage.
Clues emerged as game went.
『Wanted to live forever.』
『Steal people’s time.』
『Need many lives…』
『Lure them? Offer eternal life together.』
[Yeah. That’s why I died.]
[Dad, real parent! But he killed me for that!!]
[So I cursed them all.]
[Magic failed; castle became incomplete undead space. Time twisted, bodies rot undying.]
Middle/high followed steadily. Middle hit bad end midway—retired. High sensed time warp, prepped array. Time magic! I ‘memorized’ it.
[Go. But your friends stay trapped forever! Uhuhuhu…]
Doll’s final sad tone.
[Bye-bye.]
First true escape: Inha/Ardell. 20 real minutes.
High reps aligned time track, found gap, escaped—different timeline.
Game over.
“Wow!”
“Ending at last!!”
“Pretty fun!!”
Students rose chattering. Lunchtime arrived.