DNLYHS Chapter 4 (Part 2)

[Day 2 Code of Conduct]

[1. If the door has opened, the janitor has made an incorrect judgment. Do not leave. Use all the furniture in the infirmary to create a barricade. Build a sturdy barrier until you are certain even you yourself cannot leave. This is necessary for survival.]

[2. You still cannot create medicine. If you are injured, take the painkillers in the drawer. However, you cannot make more painkillers, so judge carefully.]

[Day 3 Code of Conduct]

[1. If the door has opened, you may go to the cafeteria. You can obtain food and water.]

[2. Do not confront those who pass their injuries onto you. They simply took risks for the sake of their roles. You are less capable than they are and have no real intention of working toward escape.]

[3. If the door has not opened, wait. Endure by drinking from the water dispenser.]

It was a Code of Conduct that bordered on rude. If Yeonseo’s and the broadcasting adviser’s Codes had at least tried to sound polite, this one was so lazy and indifferent that it was questionable whether whoever wrote it even cared to give the school nurse instructions at all.

No… worse, it openly mocked the nurse as incompetent. Was this really acceptable for someone who had taken others’ wounds upon himself? Yeonseo was left speechless.

Still, if he wanted information, he had to keep reading. He took a breath and lowered his gaze to the bottom of the page.

[Day 4 Code of Conduct]

[1. If the door has not opened, close your eyes and count to ten.]

[2. If no one is able to read this Code of Conduct, close your eyes and count to ten.]

[3. If someone other than you is reading this Code of Conduct]

At that exact point, the page ended. But the moment he moved his eyes to the next page, Yeonseo doubted what he was seeing.

The handwriting had changed.

The printed, uniform letters, so steady they looked machine-made, had shifted into handwriting that seemed hurriedly written by a person.

[You must be the librarian. Pay the price. It is what you must do. Aside from the school nurse, you are currently the most incapable. It is unfortunate, but you must endure it.]

[Open the cabinet, and you will find a machine resembling a safe. Create the medicine and administer it to the school nurse. Instructions are written on the surface of the machine. It will require resolve, but it is not difficult.]

[The school nurse must remain alive. For the sake of everyone else.]

It felt as if the message were directly addressing Yeonseo. As if someone had anticipated that he would peek at another person’s Code of Conduct.

“What on earth is this supposed to be? Whoever wrote this, calling someone incompetent, demanding they endure payment….”

Beside him, reading along, Yeongwon muttered with clear irritation. Honestly, Yeonseo was annoyed too, but getting angry at a flimsy notebook wouldn’t solve anything. At least the tone toward him was much gentler than the disdain shown toward the school nurse, and more importantly…

“At least we found out how to make the medicine. If a price is required, then we’ll just have to pay it.”

Yeonseo glanced at the school nurse lying limp on the bed. The Code of Conduct had described him as incompetent, but this man had taken both the cook’s and Yeonseo’s injuries onto his own body.

Yeonseo’s injuries hadn’t been a big deal, but the cook’s were. If the nurse hadn’t taken them, the cook wouldn’t have been able to gather ingredients. He would have been devoured each night by the monsters, and eventually, everyone in the school would have starved.

This man had sacrificed himself in his own way for everyone. There was no way they could abandon him to die.

“…All right. Let’s see what they want as payment.”

Yeongwon stood and immediately opened the cabinet door.

Among countless medicine bottles whose labels they didn’t recognize, there sat a machine that indeed resembled a small safe.

The difference between this machine and a normal safe was the slot on the surface. It looked like something meant for inserting a credit card or a ticket, and above and below the slot were written instructions.

[Insert one memory you currently consider important.]

[The completion of the medicine will depend on the importance of the memory and whether it is shared with others.]

Beside the machine were neatly stacked papers sized to fit the slot. They likely had to write something on one of those sheets and insert it. While Yeonseo fiddled with a paper, Yeongwon grimaced.

“Memories? They’re telling us memories are ingredients for medicine? That sounds suspicious.”

“This school has more than one suspicious thing…. Honestly, I’m almost relieved. If it were something vague like ripping off shadows again, like the first day, we wouldn’t even know what might happen!”

Yeonseo raised his voice in exaggerated bravado, but the truth was he was scared.

He didn’t remember who he was or what kind of person he had been before coming here. Losing any memory he had gained in just three days would be dangerous no matter which one he chose…

Besides, the school nurse was on the verge of death. What kind of memory could possibly be worthy enough to heal injuries like that?

Taking a shadow would be better. At least then he would remember that something had been taken from him. But if he lost an important memory and couldn’t even recall that it had been taken… all kinds of thoughts churned in Yeonseo’s head.

Watching him quietly, Yeongwon spoke carefully.

“…Yes, I suppose it is easy to understand. So, Mr. Yeonseo.”

“Yes?”

“You don’t have to do this. You don’t need to force yourself just because it’s written in the Code of Conduct.”

He placed his hand over Yeonseo’s. The warmth was comforting for a brief moment until Yeonseo processed what he had just said, and he jerked in shock.

“If a price must be paid, it’s better for me to do it. Saving people is my role to begin with.”

“Wait, you’re saying you want to pay with your memory?”

“Why not? It doesn’t seem to matter whose memory it is. The Code said you should do it because you’re incompetent, but think about it, it should be the opposite, shouldn’t it? The more important the person, the stronger the medicine should be.”

He spoke with an almost cold tone, but the way he stroked the back of Yeonseo’s hand was painfully gentle.

It took Yeonseo a moment to realize his own hand was trembling. He didn’t want to admit it, but he was deeply relieved by the offer.

“It’s not that simple. And why ignore the Code of Conduct? Right now, it’s one of the few things we can rely on.”

“Do you seriously think that thing is a proper Code of Conduct? Even the handwriting is different. It’s not the nurse’s; it’s not the same as mine. What if someone snuck in here and wrote it on purpose? To trap you.”

“It is suspicious, yes… but that doesn’t mean you should fall into the trap instead. You must have important memories too.”

At those words, Yeongwon’s eyes wavered. He was clearly just as afraid as Yeonseo. He didn’t want to give up his memories, either. He had only offered because he didn’t want Yeonseo to be scared.

Which is exactly why Yeonseo couldn’t accept it. Besides, the man had never been injured. He hadn’t passedon any wounds to the nurse.

But before he could voice that thought, Yeongwon adjusted his expression and immediately countered.

“But this is my responsibility.”

“Your responsibility?”

“Think about it. The marks on his neck are ultimately my doing. So I bear the responsibility.”

“That happened because something strange occurred in the broadcasting room. It was such a bizarre situation, your memories got scrambled….”

“If I hadn’t been so fixated on opening the door and forgotten to cover my ears, none of that would’ve happened. So listen. This time, I should be the one to pay the price. It’s also a way of taking responsibility for almost strangling you to death.”

There was more than fear in his expression; there was resolve. Seeing that emotion in his eyes, Yeonseo realized just how much guilt this man still carried from yesterday. Maybe that was why he had been acting so oddly gentle the whole time. Realizing that made Yeonseo’s chest tighten a little.

But that was exactly why he could steel his own resolve.

“…Take responsibility in another way.”

“What?”

“You still have a lot to do. Between the two of us, who has more useful survival information? You or me? We don’t know what will happen after we make the medicine, and at midnight, there’ll be that broadcast we know nothing about. You need to protect me when that happens.”

The Code’s “incompetent” remark was insulting, but not entirely untrue. In the end, there was far more that Yeongwon could do than Yeonseo.

For example, if they had to run from danger, it was realistic for Yeongwon to carry Yeonseo. The opposite was unthinkable. And when a crisis came, the odds of Yeongwon correctly using his Code of Conduct to get them out were much higher.

His eyes were still wavering, but Yeonseo held his gaze firmly. This man always rushed forward to solve problems himself, driven by a desperate need to keep everyone safe. Even if that was his role, he didn’t need to shoulder everything alone.

“You told me yesterday, didn’t you? That you would protect me. You can’t break that promise.”

He was about to sacrifice a memory, and the school nurse was on the verge of death. What kind of memory could possibly be a fair price to heal injuries that severe?

Taking a shadow would be better. At least then he would remember that something had been taken. But if he lost an important memory and couldn’t even realize that anything had been stolen… countless thoughts churned in Yeonseo’s mind.

Watching him quietly, Yeongwon spoke gently.

“…Yes, I suppose it’s easier to understand that way. So, Mr. Yeonseo.”

“Yes?”

“You don’t have to be the one to do this. You don’t have to follow the Code of Conduct so literally.”

He placed his hand over Yeonseo’s. The warmth briefly comforted him until he properly registered the words, and his eyes flew wide.

“If a price must be paid, it’s better for me to do it. My role is saving people to begin with.”

“Wait, you’re saying you’ll pay with your memory?”

“Why not? It doesn’t seem to matter whose memory it is. The Code said you had to do it because you’re incompetent, but think about it. Shouldn’t the opposite be true? The more important the person, the stronger the medicine should be.”

His tone sounded calm, but the way he brushed the back of Yeonseo’s hand was unbearably gentle.

Only then did Yeonseo notice his own hand trembling. He didn’t want to admit it, but he had been deeply relieved by the offer.

“It’s not that simple. And why ignore the Code of Conduct? Right now, it’s one of the few reliable sources of information we have.”

“Do you really think that’s a proper Code of Conduct? Even the handwriting is different. It’s not the nurse’s, and it’s not the same as the writing in my notebook, either. What if someone sneaked in here and wrote it to trap you?”

“It is suspicious… but that doesn’t mean you should be the one to fall into the trap. You must have important memories too.”

At that, Yeongwon’s eyes shook. He was just as scared as Yeonseo. He didn’t want to offer his memory, either. He was only trying to lighten the burden on someone already terrified.

Which is exactly why Yeonseo could not accept it. Besides, Yeongwon wasn’t even injured. He hadn’t pushed any wounds onto the nurse.

But before he could say it aloud, Yeongwon straightened his expression and countered right away.

“But this is my responsibility.”

“Your responsibility?”

“Think about it. The marks on his neck came from me. That makes it my responsibility.”

“That happened because something strange occurred in the broadcasting room. It was such a bizarre situation, your memories were scrambled….”

“If I hadn’t been fixated on opening the door and remembered to cover my ears, none of that would have happened. So listen to me. This time, I should be the one to pay the price. It’s also my responsibility for nearly choking you to death.”

His eyes were filled with more than fear; there was determination. Seeing that emotion, Yeonseo realized how deeply guilty he still felt about yesterday. Maybe his strangely gentle behavior since then came from that same guilt. Realizing it made something warm and heavy stir in Yeonseo’s chest.

But that was exactly why he could solidify his own resolve.

“…Take responsibility in a different way.”

“What?”

“You still have a lot to do. Between the two of us, who has more important survival information? You or me? We don’t know what will happen after making the medicine, and at midnight, there will be a broadcast we know nothing about. You need to protect me then.”

The “incompetent” remark in the Code was insulting, but partly true. In practice, there was far more Yeongwon could do.

In a dangerous situation, it was realistic for Yeongwon to carry him and escape. The opposite was impossible. And in an emergency, the chances of correctly using the Code of Conduct to navigate danger were higher for Yeongwon as well.

His eyes trembled, but Yeonseo held the gaze firmly. This man always rushed ahead when something happened, desperate to solve everything himself. Even if that was his role, he didn’t need to shoulder every burden alone.

“You told me yesterday, didn’t you? That you’d protect me. You can’t break that promise.”

Whether it was the right thing to say to the man who had strangled him yesterday, he didn’t know, but he trusted that promise anyway. Maybe there was no logic to it. Maybe he simply trusted the warmth of the man who had brushed aside his hair and held his hand…

“…You really are reckless. All right.”

“Step back a little, please. If you see what I write, the value of the memory might drop.”

Eventually, following Yeonseo’s request, Yeongwon hesitantly stepped away. Yeonseo held the permanent marker cap and stared at the machine.

It was decided whose memory to use. The question was which memory. Preferably something that wouldn’t damage his identity, but if he chose something too trivial, the medicine might not work properly.

The nurse was on the brink of death. The medicine needed to be strong. So what memory could serve as a suitable ingredient?

‘If it has to be important… that’s the one that comes to mind first.’

The fact that he wrote something behind the flower pot.

Objectively, who knew how important it was? But subjectively, it was something he absolutely didn’t want to forget.

“Mr. Yeongwon.”

“Yes?”

“Later, would you remind me to thoroughly check the third-floor hallway?”

He spoke vaguely on purpose. If he were too specific, the medicine’s effect might weaken. He could only hope his future self would hear the reminder and find the record behind the flower pot. Whether his future self would be smart enough was another question.

He uncapped the permanent marker and wrote as neatly as he could. His hand still trembled, but recording was his role.

When he slid the paper into the slot with the words [The record I left behind the third-floor flower pot yesterday], the sheet disappeared inside.

A ripping sound came from within the machine.

In that moment.

— Someone like me is easy to forget, teacher.

— Did you forget that I’m the librarian? If you’re afraid of forgetting something, then write it down. And even if you forget where you wrote it, you can just find it again.

As his vision turned pitch black, Yeonseo lost consciousness.

A memory flickered and vanished in his mind. It felt like a conversation with someone, not the memory he had intended to sacrifice, yet it still felt like something important he should not have forgotten.

* * *

[Hello, and congratulations to all our staff members who have faithfully carried out their duties through half of the week.]

[Of course, when I say “staff members,” I include you as well, the ever-kind broadcasting club adviser reading this script.]

From far beneath the surface of consciousness, an all-too-familiar voice echoed. Yeonseo realized he was lying in something like a bed. Much softer and warmer than the gym storage mattress from the second day, with a blanket over him.

Was this the infirmary? There had been one extra empty bed, he remembered. While he pieced things together, the broadcasting adviser’s voice continued overhead.

[Your daily efforts contribute greatly to the maintenance and development of our school. Thank you sincerely.]

[Although your time with us lasts only two weeks, and though a quarter of that time has already passed… we hope you will continue to do your best alongside the students.]

So this was the midday broadcast. Even half-asleep, Yeonseo recognized it. But based on what he had heard so far, it didn’t seem particularly important. It sounded like a routine message acknowledging their “hard work” and encouraging them to continue.

‘I do feel uneasy about something… no, no. When does the real announcement start?’

Just as he tried to examine that unease, long, delicate fingers brushed his hair aside. Realizing it was Yeongwon’s hand, he let the unease go for now. Something in him insisted this wasn’t the time to worry.

Then the next words made him freeze.

[We hope you obtain what you came here for. That way, you won’t regret choosing to work here.]

…Obtain what they wanted? Choose?

Those were the most important words he had heard so far. Did that mean they hadn’t been kidnapped? That they had come here of their own free will, to obtain something?

For people without memories, there was hardly any information more crucial than that. What had he come here to gain? Like every other memory, nothing came to mind….

[This concludes the midday broadcast. Please understand that it only plays once, without repetition….]

[Ah, right! And this part is something I was asked to announce personally by the broadcasting adviser! If anyone out there needs help, please leave a mark or signal in any way you can.]

[If you can leave it somewhere visible, like a door or a hallway, that’s best! But even if not, knocking repeatedly or doing anything to show your presence is fine! There are people walking around the school trying their best to help you, so someone will notice! We’re all in the same situation, so let’s work together and escape this place!]

It seemed that was all the information there would be. After the brief addition of the message he and Yeongwon had requested earlier, the broadcast ended with a cheerful chime.

“……”

Thanks to the broadcast, he woke up faintly, but it took some time for his mind to fully clear.

He barely managed to stop himself from sinking back into deep sleep. Pouring all his strength into his body, Yeonseo finally forced his eyes open. He needed to figure out what was happening, what had happened to the medicine and the school nurse. He hoped both Yeongwon and the nurse were safe without any incidents…

In a certain sense, that wish had come true.

For a shouting match to happen, the people fighting needed to be alive and well enough to yell.

“Look at this! You’re the most suspicious one here! What the hell are you? According to your story, everyone else in this place is a staff member, so why are you the only student? Huh?”

“How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t know why! What would I gain from lying? It’s written in my Code of Conduct, how is that my fault?”

Even before Yeonseo sat up, raised voices filled the room. On the bed beside him, two men were arguing loudly. One was Yeongwon, and the other was the man who had been lying gravely injured only moments ago. Judging by the fact that he had not a single wound left, he must have successfully received the medicine.

But fighting? They were basically each other’s saviors, weren’t they? Even as Yeonseo gaped, the man grabbed Yeongwon by the collar and shouted right into his face.

“If you’re the mastermind behind all this, you’d be able to fake some scrap of paper like that whenever you want, right? In movies, the villain hides among the participants and watches the chaos unfold! So aren’t you that kind of villain?”

“Use your common sense. If I were the mastermind, would I take such an easily exposed role on purpose? Besides, you don’t even believe what you’re saying. If you really thought I was that kind of person, you should at least be cautious around me.”

“You brat…!”

“Watch your mouth. You think I don’t see that you’re just looking for excuses to lash out? You’re annoyed and scared and confused, so you’re taking it out on me! And I’m supposed to calmly listen to that? After I saved your life?”

Why did this feel like déjà vu? Yeonseo realized both of them were so emotional that they were on the edge of losing control. It was like reliving the argument between the broadcasting adviser and Yeongwon.

The difference was that back then, it was Yeongwon who had been suspicious. Now, it was the school nurse who was accusing him. Even if he thought he had reasons, the validity of those reasons didn’t matter. He was just venting his fear.