I waited until Supervisor Park had blended in with the teachers and then started moving, slightly delayed to stagger the timing.
‘Now.’
I had to get as close to the stage as possible for Braun to use his ability.
And if I could draw some attention away, it would make it easier for Supervisor Park Minseong to maneuver unnoticed among the monsters.
‘Let’s begin…’
But as I raised my head, I froze.
‘Oh.’
I had forgotten something critical.
That I was a coward.
Teacher Kim Soleum, listen to me.
I finished reading the handbook!
1- ■■ Kindergarten is eternal.
2- I follow the rules.
Everything is perfect. I am a perfect teacher. Everyone is safe, happy, and there are no accidents, no one jumps. Our ■■ Kindergarten is a perfect and safe haven where everyone follows the rules and educates endlessly. Once you finish reading the handbook, Teacher Kim Soleum, you’ll be like me. Now just read the handbook quickly.
On the platform.
Countless ■■ Kindergarten teachers stood, smiling. They were not human. They had never been human.
Just looking at them sent an instinctive warning down my spine, that I would X if I were to approach, that I would be grabbed by the back of my neck, that I’d be left with nothing else to do but scream
I knew it already. The more I was afraid, the worse the mental contamination would get. I just had to endure.
And I knew I had to stand close to them, attracting their attention. Compared to Supervisor Park Minseong, who had to fully blend into their midst, what I had to do wasn’t even that difficult. ṙ
But…
Did I hold back a scream?
What… what on earth is this?
They said feeling fear leads to contamination, right?
Is my fear drawing the contamination toward me?
I’m supposed to draw their attention? I’m supposed to draw their atten—
Drip.
Cold sweat dripped from my chin.
I barely managed to move my left foot forward, taking a single step.
Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da
Their gazes locked onto me.
N E W T E A C H E R !
‘S-Sticker.’
The tattoo sticker! I need to use it. I need to use it now. There’s no way I can endure—
No, hold on. I can’t use them now.
This is panic talking. What I need isn’t courage. It’s rationality… No, maybe I should—
– Mr. Roe Deer.
– Mr. Roe Deer, I’m curious. What’s your favorite fruit?
– Mr. Roe Deer, a humble admirer named Braun is eagerly awaiting your answer!
A question…?
– Your favorite fruit, please!
……
“Grapes.”
– Ah! Excellent choice. A symbol of abundance and nourishment. In ancient Egypt, they were revered as sacred fruit, and in Greece, they were celebrated as a cultural beverage.
– Shall we delve deeper? Let’s move forward…
I slowly took another step.
New Teacher Eun Haje will dangle by her neck and die!
That’s what the Hangman game is about!
Staring at the ground, I moved forward.
– How about wine? It’s a beverage that has evolved alongside human civilization, shaped by the grape variety, harvest timing, and aging methods.
– Over millennia, it has been refined, driven by the desires and determination of producers and consumers to perfect its methods and results…
One step.
Another step…
Soon, the edge of the stage came into view.
I had reached just below the platform.
– Mr. Roe Deer, your steps are no different.
I lifted my head.
– In this show, boldness is essential. Without it, you vanish.
– And Mr. Roe Deer, you’ve proven to be a participant who won’t vanish. Ah, it’s all coming back to me now. Yes… you were the MVP.
– This time too, let’s follow your desires and determination.
Braun spoke cheerfully.
– Now, let’s play our assigned roles brilliantly, shall we?
……
Right.
‘Thank you.’
– Encouraging my crew is my specialty!
I was genuinely grateful.
I took a deep breath.
Though the smiling teachers’ gazes landed on me again, it felt more bearable.
The whispers and phrases didn’t burrow into my brain enough to overwhelm me with fear or contamination.
‘Don’t let fear consume me.’
I can do this.
I steadied myself and stood, looking up at the teachers crowded on the platform.
[New Teacher Eun Haje, please step onto the platform~]
The execution had begun.