Assistant Manager Eun Haje’s feelings were incredibly complicated.
‘If I was going to leave, I wanted to go out peacefully.’
I guess that was a hopeless wish.
“Hey! Get back! You think I don’t know you already got one right?”
“Agh! Get back! I haven’t even gotten one right yet!”
‘These trolls….’
It was utter pandemonium.
Even just a moment ago, while everyone was fending for themselves, acting like they were watching a sports match wasn't a great look, but seeing them scream and monitor each other out of spite was even worse.
Survival and Points.
With two objectives, the conflict doubled.
It was like watching a wheel that couldn't move due to friction and was just overheating….
‘Roe really is something else….’
It had been a long time since she’d seen such masterful political maneuvering.
‘I’m just glad he’s a good kid.’
Looking at that mess, it seemed he might easily stall for over an hour just to buy time.
‘Has it been 20 minutes now?’
_ _ T R A _ _ R
Looking at how only one blank had been filled, it seemed so.
[Here is the hint for the 6th letter!]
[Whose obituary was the phone call that caused Assistant Manager Eun Haje’s airplane trauma?]
“Assistant Manager Eun, who died—”
“Shut up and get lost.”
But what was the point of delaying time?
‘Won’t I end up dead after all my personal business is aired anyway?’
It wasn't like she had any reputation left to protect at this point… but it was true that the longer it dragged on, the more bitter and exhausted she felt.
Moreover, she felt dizzy every time she tried to guess what her two Hubae were planning.
‘I think they’re going to do something crazy.’
Assistant Manager Eun Haje recalled the whisper she had heard from Roe earlier.
—When you are being executed, please keep this in mind….
“…….”
It was a notification, as if he wouldn't even listen to a persuasion.
However.
If they were truly determined to do it, wasn't it only right that she also try her best to survive?
…Of course, she didn't know if those Hubae would still feel the same way in a moment.
‘Let’s wait.’
Assistant Manager Eun Haje conceptually crossed her arms.
And then 20 minutes,
30 minutes,
40 minutes….
“Score! That’s it! B for Believe!”
[That is correct!]
B _ T R A Y _ R
The word was nearing completion.
And by this point, some people were starting to catch on.
“Wait a minute.”
“Huh?”
To the identity of the word.
“This word is….”
“Roe, look.”
I raised my head.
1 hour and 8 minutes had passed.
……The letters were complete.
B E T R A Y E R
Betrayer.
“…….”
[The word that best describes Teacher Eun Haje is ‘Betrayer’!]
What?
[Four years ago, while working as a journalist, Teacher Eun Haje betrayed her long-time boss and team to try and get a scoop alone, but failed and had her story stolen.]
[And in the process, a false report was made, and she left the informants to die while they were suffering so much mentally!]
“…….”
[What is the lesson of this story?]
[The answer is ‘A person who betrays their workplace will be punished’!]
Ha.
[Hangman is such a wonderful mock game that teaches the lesson of poetic justice to our students at ■■ Kindergarten.]
“Really… I’ve never regretted not being able to curse as much as I do now.”
“…….”
“Roe.”
The supervisor grabbed my shoulder.
“If you just hear this, Seonbae might seem like a very strange person, but….”
“In reality, we won’t know until we hear it from her personally.”
“……!”
“Because this is that kind of Darkness.”
Inflicting psychological pain, isolating the victim.
Controlling the behavior of the remaining explorers by threatening them with penalties.
“I think it won’t be too late to talk after we all get out alive together.”
The supervisor’s face brightened.
“Right! As expected of Roe! So…… ah.”
Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump…
I turned my head.
“…They’re coming.”
Beyond the open playroom door, Human Figures were walking in slowly and smoothly, their footsteps in sync.
There were no melting black substances or screams.
Dressed in neat pastel tones with smiles on their faces. And aprons and name tags.
Branding marks on their foreheads.
[Sun Class ■■■]
[Chick Class ■■■]
[Dream Tree Class ■■■]
“……They’re people who were caught here after being completely Contaminated. No, they’re monsters that used to be human……. Don’t make eye contact.”
“…….”
“If you get scared, you might be affected for no reason.”
I looked away from those Human Figures as much as possible.
[The play is over!]
[Then, finally, let’s hang the Hangman!]
“It’s time.”
“…….”
I recalled the conversation we had while preparing just moments ago.
—Supervisor, if it’s too much of a burden for you….
—You want me to dump it on you?
—Pardon?
—Aey, don’t say that. It’s my Exclusive Equipment. You couldn’t use it in the first place!
‘I really wasn't saying I would do it, but um, thank you….’
And now, in the supervisor’s hand was literally his own Exclusive Equipment.
Camouflage cloth.
‘I think he called it the Camouflage cloth.’
Anyway, his appearance was no different from when I received help at the exhibition, but there was a difference.
“It’s really damp?”
It was soaked with moisture.
It was because I had poured out all the drinks from the <Alice Picnic Set> I had left.
The very thing I had used to double the effect of the Smile Stickers during the Tuesday Quiz Show.
‘I soaked that muffler in it without reservation.’
Since it would be a penalty if the floor was made too dirty with foreign substances, I had laid my suit jacket on the floor, practically discarding it.
And if those drinks worked….
‘The camouflage equipment will have an enormous effect, even if it’s just one-time.’
Until the moisture dried, that is.
And since we had to do a time attack anyway, it was perfect.
“Then, I’ll try using it.”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
The supervisor glanced at the kindergarten teachers who were starting to climb onto the platform, then quietly pulled the muffler over his face.
And….
He became perfectly one of them.
[Sprout Class ■■■]
“……!”
—Ah, wonderful. It’s a decent disguise. I don’t think it will last long, though….
‘It only needs to last for a very short time.’
About 3 minutes.
And I had to move too.
I waited for a moment for the supervisor to blend in with the teachers, then started moving with a time delay.
‘Now.’
I had to get as close to the platform as possible so Braun could use his ability.
And it would be even better if I could draw some attention to make Supervisor Park Minseong’s movements among those monsters easier.
‘Start now….’
And it was the moment I raised my head.
“…….”
‘Ah.’
I had forgotten something crucial.
That I’m a coward.
Teacher Kim Soleum, listen.
I’ve read the entire Educational Manual!
Then it's perfect I'm a perfect teacher everyone is safe happy there are never any accidents no one has jumped off it's a perfect and safe kindergarten everyone follows the rules while providing childcare a perfect teacher everyone follows the rules and continues endlessly here if you read the entire Educational Manual if you attend our ■■ Affiliated Kindergarten Teacher Kim Soleum will soon become like me now read the Educational Manual quickly
On the platform.
Countless ■■ Affiliated Kindergarten teachers are standing there smiling they are absolutely not human they were absolutely not human.
My instinct to say that approaching that would be a disaster grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and almost made me scream. I have to read the Educational Manual too
I knew it in my head. The more I feel fear, the worse the mental pollution becomes I just have to endure.
And the fact that I had to stand close and take their gazes was nothing compared to Supervisor Park Minseong, who actually had to blend in among them.
But….
Did I hold back my scream?
This, what on earth is this.
They said if you feel fear, you get contaminated, right?
Is my fear drawing in the contamination?
I have to draw their attention? I, their attention
“…….”
Drip.
Cold sweat fell from my chin.
I barely managed to put my left foot forward and moved ahead.
One step.
T-t-t-t-tap
Their gazes pierce through me.
I t’ s a n e w t e a c h e r !
‘St-sticker.’
Tattoo Sticker! I have to use it. I have to use it now. I don't think I can endure……
No, wait. I can't use it now.
This is a panic right now. This is the timing when I need reason, not courage…. No, I’ll use…….
—Mr. Roe Deer.
“….”
—I am curious about what fruit Mr. Roe Deer likes.
“…….”
—Mr. Roe Deer, a humble audience member named Braun is waiting for your answer!
The question is….
—I’m talking about your favorite fruit!
…….
“Grapes.”
—Ah! Wonderful. A symbol of abundance and ripening. Worshipped as a sacred fruit in ancient Egypt, and wasn't it the ultimate socio-cultural beverage in Greece?
—Shall we go into more detail? Let’s move forward….
I slowly moved my footsteps.
New teacher Eun Haje will be hung from a rope and her neck will snap and she will die!
That’s what Hangman play is!
Looking at the floor, I move forward.
—How about wine, perhaps? A beverage that has evolved alongside human civilization. From the grape variety, harvest time, to the aging process.
—Refined over thousands of years, the desires of the producer and consumer became their will, maintaining its methods and results….
One step.
One step…….
“…….”
Soon, the edge of the platform caught my vision.
I had arrived right below the platform.
—Mr. Roe Deer, your footsteps are the same.
I raised my head.
—Anyone can be bold in a show. If they aren’t, they disappear.
—And Mr. Roe Deer. You were a participant who wouldn't disappear. Ah, now the memory returns. Yes…. You were the MVP.
—Let’s follow your desire and will this time as well.
Braun said cheerfully.
—And shall we perform our assigned roles splendidly?
…….
Right.
‘Thanks.’
—Encouraging the crew is always my specialty!
Truly, I was grateful.
I took a deep breath.
The gazes of the smiling teachers pierced through me again, but it was a bit better.
It meant that I wasn't so paralyzed by fear that the whispers or phrases were digging into my brain enough to contaminate me.
‘Let’s not be overwhelmed by fear.’
I can do it.
I took my place and stood there, looking up at those teachers who were standing densely on the platform.
[New teacher Eun Haje, please come up to the platform~]
The hanging has begun.
The kindergarten teachers stood crowded on the colorful, fresh, and beautiful platform. It looked as if an event was about to take place at any moment….
But what they surrounded was an execution platform.
A black gallows for hanging. Also known as the scaffold.
And a straight black line formed leading up to that scaffold.
At the end of the line were the assembled body parts.
Both legs, both arms, thighs, waist, chest, neck.
And finally, the head.
The moment it appeared on the platform, all the parts merged, and Assistant Manager Eun Haje let out a breath.
And she gritted her teeth, looking at the teachers packed closely around her.
G o o d b y e !
The teachers politely clapped with smiling faces.
Assistant Manager Eun Haje, who was likely holding back a torrent of curses, moved her feet with a pale face.
It wasn't of her own will. Her limbs were forced to move by a black hologram rope, heading toward the scaffold through the gap between the teachers.
And….
‘This is the timing.’
Do you know this?
Naturally, contact with the teacher selected as the Hangman was a penalty.
Direct rescue attempts, or even a final handshake or exchange of goods, were forbidden.
It was impossible even if one tried to do it while risking a penalty. Because the act would be blocked just before the attempt.
So, the attempt we could make was only one….
[It’s the sight of the Hangman climbing the scaffold! This is what happens when you get the answer right.]
The moment Assistant Manager Eun Haje was manifested on the platform and climbed the scaffold.
The moment when the Assistant Manager passed right by the ‘teachers.’
Tap.
A teacher giving something.
“…….”
In the form of a perfect teacher, Supervisor Park Minseong ‘handed’ something to Assistant Manager Eun Haje.
For reference, she couldn't use her arms or legs because they were all bound by ropes. Only small parts could move.
For example….
‘The mouth.’
The ‘something’ handed over in a flash disappeared into Assistant Manager Eun Haje’s mouth.
As if nothing had happened.
And Assistant Manager Eun Haje continued to walk with an expressionless face, finally climbing onto the scaffold.
Here comes the second timing.
[Then, we shall begin the hanging.]
‘Braun!’
Now!
—Excellent.
—Meet your mask in a different way! It’s about seeing the familiar in a new light….
I hurriedly looked up at Assistant Manager Eun Haje.
There was no change.
Thud.
The black hologram hanging around her neck gained shape and texture.
[Hangman~!]
And it pulled her upward.
‘Damn it.’
I really wanted to look away, but I watched the scene as if I were unperturbed.
An uncanny amount of force was put into the rope….
Eventually.
Snap.
Roll, roll, roll….
“…….”
A headless body fell below the platform.
Thump.
I caught the body that fell right in front of me.
There were no signs of life in the limp, dangling body.
And soon it grew faint and disappeared….
“…….”
[The game is over!]
[New teachers, please wait a moment for the evaluation!]
“Ah, it’s finally over.”
“Supervisor Roe Deer, your side won. No, how do you manage to stop us from getting it right twice?”
The staff members approached from behind, letting out sighs of relief and grumbles.
Just before the execution began, they had been waiting in the back due to the kindergarten’s instruction: ‘New teachers, now come to the playroom and watch the conclusion of the Hangman.’
“…….”
“Ah, is it your first time seeing a team member die?”
“Eun Haje, her personality wasn't one that was going to live long anyway.”
And then they patted my shoulder.
“Well… there’s no need to be so shocked. About her dying.”
“…….”
I laughed.
“…?!”
“Why are you laugh—”
“She didn't die.”
“Wh-what?”
“Hah.”
The staff members looked at me as if they were looking at a crazy person.
But just then.
“Ugh, what is this?!”
The people who looked up at the platform screamed.
It wasn't because they saw Assistant Manager Eun Haje’s severed head.
Rather….
“This, this!”
It was because they saw something else instead.
A staff member pointed at the platform with a trembling voice.
“Why… is it a hand?”
Indeed.
“I-it was definitely a head!?”
I laughed, looking at Assistant Manager Eun Haje’s left hand lying on the platform.
I didn't expect a day would come when I would laugh at a severed body part, but I couldn't help it.
‘It worked!’
—Ah, whoever’s handiwork this was, it is remarkable!
—And it was quite an interesting idea. Swapping the hand and the head.
Right.
I had tried to make Assistant Manager Eun Haje’s head and hand ‘appear swapped.’
So that when she was executed, one of her hands would be severed instead of her head!
—Utilizing a hand or foot as if it were another body part is one of the classic show tricks.
Braun, who was grumbling that he was only doing this for a friend and not for a non-guest, couldn't have been more endearing!
‘Of course, this isn't the end.’
Because the Hangman must absolutely die and become a corpse to leave.
If Assistant Manager Eun Haje had remained alive even after the execution, they would have certainly noticed the anomaly and done something else to uphold the rules.
So….
—I just need to put this plum-sized apple in the Assistant Manager’s mouth?
That’s why Supervisor Park Minseong was necessary.
What the supervisor had delivered into Assistant Manager Eun Haje’s mouth in an instant while disguised as a teacher earlier.
It was the Snowy Mountain Mini-Apple.
The Item I had that caused ‘Death-like Sleep.’
‘It was a stroke of luck that a storage space appeared on my wrist so I could carry an apple that hadn't been ground into juice.’
That’s why I could say this.
—Assistant Manager, when you climb onto the scaffold and an apple enters your mouth, swallow the last piece just before your wrist is severed.
—What?
—That situation will occur. …That is all.
Assistant Manager Eun Haje had precisely followed those words.
In the end, at the moment her wrist—which everyone mistook for her neck—was severed, Assistant Manager Eun Haje swallowed the last piece of the apple.
In doing so, she entered a state identical to death.
That corpse-like body was judged as ‘executed as the Hangman’ and successfully exited the ghost story.
Yes.
Outside of that situation, there were no other possible outcomes…!
……It was a success.
“Ha…!”
I pressed my face hard.
Still, I wanted to get out quickly and confirm her survival.
‘Someone might mistake her for a corpse and transport her.’
It felt a bit early to feel catharsis or relief, so I wanted to get out quickly, but….
[The evaluation is out!]
Fortunately, the closing sign appeared on the TV.
Soon, it would be announced that those who did not contribute to completing the Hangman word would receive a penalty, and those who did would pass.
But looking at the atmosphere, it seemed that there was no one who wouldn't be able to escape due to contamination.
“Roe!”
And the moment the teachers came down from the podium and vanished, Supervisor Park Minseong finally jumped down as well.
“I-it worked, right!”
“Yes.”
“Uaaaah!”
The supervisor slumped to the floor in joy and relief.
“It was worth squeezing in there...”
Supervisor Park Minseong’s face had turned pale, but he gave a genuine grin and only then deactivated his camouflage equipment.
“Supervisor, you couldn't match the alphabet, so another penalty will stack...”
“Ah, I can handle up to the second one.”
As they had discussed earlier, the supervisor nodded as if he were willing to endure it.
“To be honest, it doesn't feel great... but well, getting hit with Contamination once for failing to get the right answer is better than the Assistant manager dying! Since there won't be a third time, it’s fine—”
[Oh dear, wrong!]
“…….”
“…….”
Huh?
[The new teacher was supposed to stand below the podium! You must not set foot on the podium.]
[As a penalty, please read the training manual aloud for 10 minutes!]
Supervisor Park Minseong looked up at the spot he had just stepped down from.
“Ah.”
The podium.
“I’ve been caught...”
And then he was dragged inside.
Discussion