A black holographic book descended over Supervisor Park Minseong’s head.
The hologram clung to him like tar, seeping over his body as he clawed at the ground, struggling in vain. Behind his writhing figure, the TV’s cheerful voice resumed.
[Now, let’s reveal the new teachers who failed to actively participate in the Hangman game.]
Similar scenes began to unfold across the room.
The issue, the real issue, was...
[New Teacher Park Minseong, you didn’t guess a single letter correctly!]
One penalty had already been accumulated.
Stepping onto the stage added another.
And now...
Not guessing a letter resulted in a third.
Thus.
[Three penalties accumulated.]
The TV declared its verdict.
[New Teacher Park Minseong is designated as a permanent trainee.]
[You will remain here forever, receiving training and preparing to become a perfect ■■ Kindergarten teacher.]
The black holographic books covering the faces of those who failed to guess letters remained, but only Park Minseong’s turned a fiery red and spread across his entire body.
“■!!”
His scream warped into something unnatural.
“N, ■— ■ ple—
His body twisted and thrashed on the floor in grotesque contortions. Incomprehensible excerpts from the handbook were read aloud, overlapping with his sobs and screams.
Yet no one around paid attention.
A few glanced over, only to quickly step away as if avoiding any connection, waiting for the next stage outlined in the manual.
Finally...
[Thank you for your efforts in today’s dry run! Goodbye, new teachers!]
Clearance confirmed.
“Finally, it’s over!”
“Move it!”
As soon as the game ended, everyone realized they were free to curse and run, and a flood of participants surged out of the playroom.
Even those who had just finished their 10-minute penalty, coughing up the tar-like hologram and clutching their heads in pain, staggered upright and limped or ran out, bumping into me along the way.
“Huh?”
“Wh, what the—”
“The door only stays open for 30 minutes! If you don’t get out now, you’ll be treated as a permanent trainee too! Damn it!”
They brushed past me and kept running.
And so I was left alone.
Alone, except for the ‘contaminated’ Park Minseong writhing on the floor.
– Oh dear, my friend is being mistaken as a volunteer in such an outdated place! Let’s leave immediately, Mr. Roe Deer!
“...No.”
– Mr. Roe Deer?
The game was over.
That meant...
The rules of this ghost story had also ended.
In the worst case, I can run out on my own in ten minutes and make it through the door.
But.
“I... I have to at least try to take the supervisor with me.”
I could endure this.
0.
The tar-like red substance surrounding Supervisor Park Minseong disappeared.
Slowly, he stood up.
His appearance had transformed completely into that of a kindergarten teacher.
The black suit he had worn was replaced with soft beige pants, a white shirt, and a light green apron.
In one hand, he held a brown folder with a red title.
<■■ Kindergarten Handbook>
His mask had completely melted away, revealing his face.
And on his forehead, clear and vivid, was the brand of his assigned class.
Sprout Class
A gentle smile spread across Supervisor Park Minseong’s fully exposed face.
“Teacher Soleum!”
Shit.
“Did you wait for me to finish reading the handbook? Thank you so much.”
“...Of course, I had to wait.”
Don’t let it show. Don’t panic. Showing anything now would be disastrous.
“How are you feeling?”
“Great! Never better!”
Supervisor Park smiled softly, nodding.
“...That’s good to hear. Shall we head out now?”
“Head out? Oh... You mean leaving?”
“Yes, let’s go together.”
“Oh, I don’t have a quitting time! I’m not just a new teacher anymore. I finished reading the handbook!”
“But you can still leave...”
“That’s not possible though?”
“Hmm, it’s time for me to head to the Sprout Class and help prepare for opening...”
Then, with a bright expression, Supervisor Park exclaimed:
“Oh, right! Teacher Soleum, want to come with me?”
A chill ran down my spine.
“Teacher Soleum, you don’t know which class you’ll be assigned to yet, do you? You haven’t read the handbook yet. If you read it, you’ll find out—your assigned class!”
Supervisor Park extended his hand to me.
“What do you think? It’d be great if we were in the Sprout Class together. We used to be on the same squad, after all.”
Shit.
Shit!
I naturally stepped back, making sure that I looked like I was considering his suggestion.
His outstretched hand swiped through empty air.
“Oh...”
“Thank you for the offer, but I need to drop this outside the exit first.”
I lifted the briefcase.
“I borrowed some things, and I think I need to return them within the time limit.”
“Teacher Soleum, all those interesting items you carry around were borrowed?”
“Yes.”
Please don’t notice.
‘Please.’