Chapter 14: Human Body Model
7eOqYeqThe back of the painting had a built-in mirror. The one on the other side, in Dayeon’s library, did too. She was staring at her reflection, dazed.QJINl
vUmvbHa“Who is this beauty?”BTkmh
lA0gD“…It’s you.”39SYXD
FZBY00“Oh, thanks.”82UakKT
gUuC“Stop with the nonsense and hang it on the wall.”nPOW
JlP4eFI hung the mirror on the wall, and Dayeon placed hers in the same spot as mine. It seemed like everything was finally symmetrical.C2lIZ
HftBut the door didn’t open.v8wqb
7WGT“What’s wrong now?”Qd7
mG5o0k“Because it’s not symmetrical.”QBw
pHv“But we made the room symmetrical.”1tP95p
g6UxTi“There must be something off. It’s not perfectly symmetrical.”JF4UQH
399Perfect symmetry? The rooms were clearly aligned in parallel. The only difference was Dayeon and me, each on one side.f6s
Sy3hi“Does the symmetry include people too?”Gyo
quam“Then we’d just have to split ourselves in two and put one half on each side.”55PR
pRel“We’re not King Solomon, that makes no sense.”rkK
EES9REven if I wanted to balance the symmetry, like Dayeon said, we couldn’t exactly split a person in two. I looked for another option.ImUs
Vafh‘The mirror must be there for a reason.’w8sWUE
7a53uI looked again at the mirror hanging on the wall. It was full-length. I stood in front of it. It reflected my entire figure.LoCC
G6P‘In games, this is where a ghost usually pops up.’3ld05z
IQ7A59SLuckily, nothing happened. As I stared, I remembered something from the paper.Yh0
sB0W[Look at each other.]B5BNQkJ
lBhVoXmIf that message implied more than just making the rooms symmetrical, maybe it had to be taken literally.vuqw
t1JpI“…So that was it.”cJh225
9afS1I slightly moved the mirror to the side and stood next to it.MqSpBU
DAj“Stand next to your mirror too.”OskO
piE6X“Mmm, should I or not?”X6ChB
zYZDayeon, lounging in a chair, was swinging one leg in the air arrogantly. Her pale, slender legs were fully exposed. Without realizing, I gave a furtive glance.wSp33
ayLiva“You better come quick…”QUf
WxlxII turned my head quickly, but Dayeon had already noticed. She pressed down hard on her skirt to cover herself, frowning in disgust.zz0
hn7“Pervert.”z6cpLD
XFLPJ“…Seriously.”L767P
tsITI hadn’t even seen anything. After hurling that furious accusation, she finally stood up. Dayeon positioned herself next to her mirror.kpTwC36
UhXJuThe mirror in my library reflected Dayeon. And hers reflected me.30j8ynx
tOZoZemIt looked like we were standing side by side in each room. Finally, symmetry had been achieved.UkKB2
5CY–ClackVO0fh
4fOYZThe sound of a door unlocking echoed from somewhere. It was the entrance to the secret library.bKX88
TGSR8“We finally solved it…”An98vD
ho9yAI sighed in relief. But at that moment, the mirror on the other side changed in a horrifying way.bdd
YcqsYZ“Holy crap, that scared me!”q2oSB
IIMEaXcMy reflection in the mirror started bleeding from the eyes. It had an expression of agony, like it wanted to die.hs4
KeJLWIts body was covered in grotesque wounds, torn flesh, and blood. Even though it was my reflection, it gave me chills to look at it.47Hq3M
lJdfB“What a sick joke.”Hqje
F5aQsLsI turned away, shuddering. Meanwhile, Dayeon was staring closely at her reflection. Like mine, it had turned hideous.k5q
jMiYhDayeon’s image was hanging by a rope around the neck, suspended in the air, bleeding from every hole on her face.kOontR
SRF“Ugh.”3vIokFl
zRQ6The sight was so repulsive it made me gag. But she kept looking at her image calmly, as if fascinated.vWuRY
q0Vrw8“What the hell do you find so interesting about that?”uhIb0R
ejDkslj“I don’t know. It looks… happy.”lDJvBs
ra4MkHappy?0Ez6nbk
XtFDayeon mumbled something incomprehensible.vjlW
kYlmKa“Happiness, my ass. It looks like suffering.”LJKGcsj
k4zmO2e“But the me in the mirror is at peace, isn’t she?”Tue
Bdsj“You can even interpret it that way?”r5gE
c2HgflMaybe because her reflection, unlike herself who couldn’t die, was hanging and dead.6iM
AETLrqShe seemed to feel some envy, however faint. Dayeon’s idea of happiness was clearly far from the common definition.9EZM
BMRIQZC“Stop the nonsense and get out.”Rc3osJz
G7UAVI turned the mirror around so she couldn’t keep staring at it. Dayeon let out a disappointed “ah,” but soon snapped back to normal.RUoYF3
88o“But I don’t see the key for the next class. Do you have it?”T5Prho
rKZveX“No, I don’t.”jBHf
bXKfDayeon shook her head. Grammatically there was nothing wrong with her answer, but for some reason it annoyed me.twxj
2uDoGxh‘More importantly, where’s the reward for solving this puzzle?’SQi12Et
r5yTUsually, solving a puzzle opens the path to the next area, but this time, only the secret archive’s door had opened.tm42BU
aHI‘Did I miss something?’BR9q
qEtVOI decided to think about it later and opened the door. Then, an unexpected scene unfolded before my eyes.OUekAM
VOi5KThe library, which had been completely silent before, was now a total mess.wMXuRoL
sGQ3Bookshelves broken or knocked over, books scattered everywhere. While we were solving the puzzle inside the secret archive, someone had broken into the library.yDTev7e
kgePPy“What is this…?”I4GV3NI
tGnE5CzI was so stunned I was about to mutter aloud when Dayeon placed a finger on my lips. And whispered softly.3eN2
W4qCTrJ“Shh.”uekdNq9
hSEDayeon’s slender finger touched my lips. It felt strange. Suddenly, we could sense a presence in the library. And it wasn’t a friendly one.oKJH
1sm8s2P“Follow me.”aKWASq
Jxz3zWDayeon whispered just loud enough for me to hear, and we carefully hid behind a bookshelf, avoiding the presence.4K7M
OHTFkm1“Let’s wait here until it leaves.”Vty
b0WE7x“What just came in…?”IxiAoeW
BTHZ“If you’re curious, take a look. I’m sure you know it.”3VScxGp
0KUNIMh“You mean I know it? Don’t tell me…”hox7
ReswKjA bad hunch crept up on me. No, impossible…46xWmG
LkRSRepeating it in my mind, I carefully peeked out. I silently observed the library.C34ik
NN8oiStep step step step.DrNIT
WCDJXfFootsteps that, more than fear, now provoked irritation. A guy in a familiar uniform wandered aimlessly through the center of the library.3MVk8
LOdK7Just as I feared—it was the guard.1OGR69m
31PO‘Why the hell is this guy showing up again…?’Pzn14d3
bGoAs soon as I saw him, an automatic mental curse slipped out. That’s how deep the bad blood ran between him and me.W0J
4DGq7zUStep step step.oOB6t0u
ESA3n6The footsteps came closer. It felt like he was heading straight toward us.nkoI2EO
ANaZqY“What if he finds us?”PT6
kCEM“Then we’ll have to hide deeper inside.”tC0vyM
zxGIf he discovered us, he’d probably blow my head off. Amid the tense moment, Dayeon rubbed her eyes with a long yawn.PJqF3
MEqzba“I’m sleepy.”6GfYm7
CcZxasz“Do you really think this is the time for that?”ZSBG
9szFUUQThe guard was already inside the library. I saw a small space under a fallen bookshelf.zrz
bWitB6x“We can hide there.”FmL
fN6c0Dayeon crouched and slipped in. Then she motioned for me to follow.2Ia
MDrVB“That looks way too tight.”dE7e
QxJ“If you try properly, you’ll fit.”iIe7IEE
DWFLmcThe gap was big enough for one person. But for two, it looked cramped.MYp
sKRI wanted to move, but my legs wouldn’t respond. As I hesitated, the footsteps drew dangerously close.dpYTY
ZQWp“Come on, hurry.”nRgx
oXDhyUq“…I’m coming.”hlb
GuZI had no choice but to crawl underneath. The space was so tight that it was hard to get in.fYUD
dnQYN“Having trouble? Let me help.”XfINts
jjyj3nDayeon gently placed her hand on my waist and pulled me in carefully. With much effort, I managed to squeeze all the way in.oFr
utl7v3uBut the situation wasn’t good at all. The space under the bookshelf was far narrower than it looked.CcTp
lPvOkXgWe were completely pressed against each other.82UBSS
dyy“Aren’t we a little too close? Do you like me that much?”vOZFp01
wN6fe“Don’t be ridiculous. That’s not it.”rQT7p2s
JFQuSjJDayeon’s face was right in front of mine. I wanted to look away, but in that cramped space, I couldn’t move an inch.YAq
7iz6HlI could even feel her breath. Not knowing what to do, I decided to just close my eyes.yrb
enepTX“Oh, are you asleep?”6xARS
O4G588“I’m not sleeping.”WmzEtRm
3qQYnTT“Then I’m going to sleep.”rbUWFu
vCZbsomDayeon lifted my arm and placed it under her head like a pillow. She rested her head on my left arm.GYCrNl
vO6PbR“What are you doing?”YUUNwG
I2rE“Lying down without support is uncomfortable.”TileE
wnRNeFor me, the whole situation was uncomfortable. If I had known, I would have run off and hidden in the cleaning closet.yqO4W
j1nDayeon’s breath felt heavier than years of accumulated dust. Maybe my face showed it, because she tilted her head.On2A09
NRDwUwl“Don’t you like being with me?”xA5
yCnE6Even as she spoke, her breath hit me directly because of how close we were. And to make it worse, the guard’s footsteps were already near our area.DayCTAC
OUtEven whispering could give us away. Best to ignore Dayeon completely.sZt
guAo“Hey, hey.”YAay
jJ6g“…”6K5O3
U6I3“Did you really fall asleep?”bMSmTu
iNe4tJB“…”XWg5rp
unzxZSv“Wow, looks like you did…”vCeggQh
Gkwua3My act worked, and Dayeon stopped bothering me. Just when I thought everything would finally quiet down—FPAkO
jY2vI felt her breath on my face. Since my eyes were closed, I couldn’t predict what she’d do.TC4m
4iCCAAnd then, a soft sensation brushed my cheek. I jolted awake.6ZVLm
RjYYI opened my eyes in shock.Mfu
BgCwjobDayeon was looking at me, dumbfounded.IeC812
EwBeA3“Did you sleep well?”xF3Uh
pGtUXho“…”PNT8pPY
ENrI wanted to say something, but my tongue was tied. And just then, the guard’s footsteps stopped right in front of us, so I didn’t say another word.jsExBn
IfznRStep, step, step.LqC5
YAtRtsThrough the other side of the shelf, I could just see the guard’s feet. I inhaled involuntarily. We kept silent until he was gone.0jTuIbw
ah2The guard passed by without finding us under the shelf. After wandering around for quite a while, he finally left the library.SXnA
1RuTxHis footsteps faded away. Even then, we didn’t get up right away. It wasn’t out of fear.ayYNcNt
fRQ“What are you doing? Aren’t you getting out? I think he’s gone.”JpkFwY
LVv“…What did you do to me just now?”yxMS
EoKxZ5“Hmm? Oh, that.”4NkuO3G
69hIBGDayeon brought two fingers to my cheek. I felt that soft sensation again.h1c
Dpk9cCV“It was just this.”5Yh4
SOVCLdA“…”tbPUNI3
hHTkhJThe sensation I’d felt earlier had just been her fingers.zt3
USH“Don’t lie.”N9zj6h
CUBI1C4“What, did you think I did something weird to you?”MJr8r
Xgx0aDNI was about to snap back, but held it in. Arguing with Dayeon only ever led to defeat. A waste of time.zSBJhG
zZfI crawled out from under the shelf without another word.9o1
5W4i“You too, get out already.”acc
7b6A5v“Help me. I can’t do it alone.”lfEv6m
pRNDayeon extended both hands and waved them gently. With a sigh, I grabbed them and pulled her out.OPrYbq5
fJOalCMaybe it was because she’s a girl—she was lighter than I expected. I pulled her out easily.8tFOOX
oVCi“What a mess.”30Rm
eBVqh“What is?”1KitmXr
wwR“The library, what else?”PoD
jOjlI looked around the library, now on the verge of collapse. The guard had made such a mess that not a single bookshelf was left standing.cbzp
mAP8C0d“Oh, this book was good… it’s torn.”Q1WSDhh
lbXvHm“Pick up the pages and tape them together.”rO02
s5QML“You think so?”H2q4y
oLeXqShe glanced over the messy floor. Something shiny caught her eye. She quickly moved closer and rummaged through the books.3MY
vttHx[You have obtained ink.]tRYeFOB
NNu‘Oh.’qVMYx
2iEjESWe had two bottles of ink. I could use one now and keep the other as a spare.DfsE
Qiu6uzS[You have recorded your progress so far.]YAx
PgMyH0aI carefully stored the spare ink and continued searching the area.qJ2eQU
mnAwd‘Places like this usually hide items…’8kZ3dU
iWUXnSomething was shining near some footprints, where the guard had passed.sAxp
J9DO21It probably fell from him.cFJY
0E9w4iU[You have obtained the Laboratory Key.]J4D64
fPuA7e7‘Found it.’9JCcMUk
qp4DQ[🔑 Laboratory Key]Goi
eDME【Used to open the laboratory door.】2J7i
dbuFHC“Did you find the key?”bBlL
qnDM“Yeah, the laboratory one.”QZ26wPl
7nGThe laboratory. Luckily, it was one of the classrooms on the fourth floor. We didn’t have to take a long detour.Qay
ktu“Then let’s go.”XtMkG2d
lr5EBpsWe headed straight for the laboratory, our next destination. It was only two rooms away from the library, so we got there quickly.tGY1d3
tofdWm“What kind of crap will it be this time?”MLc
kBNe“Whatever it is, it’s gonna suck.”ZA9xf
L6y[You have used the Laboratory Key.]eM7nyY
wZOfAaCClick.mSjJ
WIecw5NWe carefully entered the laboratory.sYYrQlr
bkJcHUThud.yT3
uulAs soon as we stepped in, something the size of a person collapsed toward me.pGEb
wqg2“…Holy crap!”YWEVRhN
zuNJI nearly passed out from the scare. It was a miracle I didn’t scream. If I had, Dayeon would’ve teased me for the rest of the year.Pv0
SzgY2‘Whew…’2cpyASw
e45vI clutched my chest and checked what had fallen.frgACk
1GYIt was a human figure with exposed organs. Not a corpse, but one of those anatomical models common in labs.x27jz
wBS7V“An anatomical model?”LT5xq
OPvRIt looked like it had been leaning against the door and fell as I opened it.qRO0
aTQ“…It’s weird.”9ZTlB
1QkcLThe state of the model was odd. The organs—lungs, liver, heart—were absurdly realistic.EHw
Pg7IAs if they were real human organs.e2xH252
SD7nWLLAnd then—7q1lD4
WNWuq“Cough!”5Tjhc
EhdU4UKA violent cough suddenly shook me.yAEDA2
wu64e4u“Cough, cough!”CSiMy
uUSeiIt was uncontrollable, and thick blood spurted from my mouth. It didn’t just flow—it gushed out as if being torn from me.hG5
3yfy“Urgh…”GBliuTr
3hbKLike something out of an arcade game, the blood sprayed out like a fountain.lmiw
isGYXN‘What the hell is happening?’OPv
PH5VjThe moment I stepped into the lab, my body started to collapse.b7e9Jl
fFtWHWithout understanding anything, I staggered and fell in front of the anatomical model.lbkGo
tHMsmMy consciousness was fading. In that mental fog, the model became visible through the haze.uhCybwC
EvSk…Somehow, it was watching me with a terrifying smile.Clj2m5g
8ZW[You have died.]XLe4i
EFTG[Restarting from checkpoint.]OR9r8
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