Chapter 4

The monster roughly tossed me onto the floor. Freed from its grip, I gasped for air. I didn't die! Thank goodness, I actually survived!

Blair was even more shocked, pressing herself against the glass. "Kira! You really *are* a monster! Even that terrifying thing knows you! What are you pretending to be normal for?!"

"Tell me! Did you bring these monsters?! You filthy bitch, you—ARGH!!!"

Before she could finish, her tongue was instantly sliced in two. Blood splattered across the dorm. Chloe, who had just woken up, fainted again at the sight.

"Noisy." The monster frowned in displeasure, then its gaze returned to me. Its voice now held a hint of expectation. "Where did you get that bracelet?"

I dared not lie to it. "I designed it myself."

It frowned, shaking its head frantically. "But... but *that person* also had one on their hand."

I suddenly realized something. In the horror game, you could design small accessories for your character, and I had added this bracelet. Could it have recognized me through it? That shouldn't be possible. I was a weak player, a total noob who couldn't even crack the bottom of the rankings. How would it remember me?

The figure in front of me suddenly slapped its head. "Are you the one who used to say 'the old man next door's socks smell better than his cologne'?"

...Did it really have to say that out loud?

I nodded awkwardly. "Y-yes... that's me..."

The woman, who moments ago had been full of murderous intent, instantly leaped three feet into the air with excitement. "Excellent! I finally found you! Come with me, quickly!"

She grabbed me, ready to bolt outside, scaring me so much I clung tightly to the bed frame. "Wait, wait, wait! Where are we going?!"

Blair grew frantic. "Are you stupid?! If she wants to go, just go with her! What if she changes her mind and decides to stay? What then?!"

I snapped back. "Isn't my life worth anything?!"

Blair glared at me viciously. "A life like yours? Who cares if it's gone! My parents are waiting for me at home!"

To flaunt parental affection in front of someone who had been deprived of family warmth since childhood was practically asking for death.

As her words faded, so did her head. With a casual wave of its hand, the monster used a ribbon to twist Blair's head a full 360 degrees. It rolled to the floor like a perfectly round ball. Blair's terrified scream was abruptly cut off in her throat; she died without ever understanding what she had done wrong.

The monster then turned to me, a radiant smile on its face. "Are you happy she's dead?"

I clenched my fists, wanting to say something, but finally just sighed. I wasn't a saint. Blair had constantly tried to harm me, so her death was a consequence of her own actions. Seeing my silence, the monster seemed to take it as approval, smiling even more brightly. "Then, when we see *that person*, could you put in a good word for me?"

I was a bit confused. "What person?"

"Just... the one! We can't say his name, but he said you'll understand everything when you see him!" With that, it dragged me outside.

I felt like I was going to throw up my guts from running before it finally stopped. It frowned, looking at a group of people ahead. I recognized Derek, my childhood best friend, at the forefront, and quickly waved to him. "Derek! I'm here!"

But he looked at me like I was a fly. "You're still alive?"

"Perfect. Our team needs bait to attract fire, and someone as naive as you is just right."

I pointed at myself, incredulous. "Me? Bait?"

Derek sneered. "What else? You've been stupid since childhood. I say a few nice words, give you a few scraps, and you treat me like your best friend, saying you'd repay me. Well, now's your chance."

A monster with its head split open had already spotted us from the roadside. It roared and charged. Derek immediately grabbed my collar and shoved me towards the monster. "Kira! This is your fate!"

"No!!!"

I squeezed my eyes shut, awaiting death.

But the next second, I fell into a warm embrace.

"Who permitted you to harm her?"