DNLYHS Chapter 4 (Part 3)

They couldn’t let this continue.

While Yeonseo was racking his brain for a way to stop them…

“I don’t care! I’m not trusting someone who strangles people! You did that to him, didn’t you!”

The moment he heard that, Yeonseo shot upright without thinking. Both men immediately turned toward him.

“S–Sorry, but please don’t say things like that!”

“Huh? Uh…?”

“That was basically an accident. He didn’t do it on purpose!”

The nurse froze, flustered. Moments ago, he’d been grabbing Yeongwon’s collar and screaming, but he couldn’t raise his voice at Yeonseo, probably because he knew the medicine had been created at someone’s expense.

Yeongwon stared at Yeonseo in a daze, as if he couldn’t understand why Yeonseo would side with him. Didn’t it make sense? The incident in the broadcasting room, yes, his memories of it were fuzzy in places, but it was definitely not either of their faults.

“I understand that you were hurting because you took on someone else’s injuries, but please know that it couldn’t be helped.”

“……”

“And this isn’t the time for us to fight. We’ve been through all kinds of things outside. This school keeps trying to make us argue and suspect each other. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if that broadcast was part of that scheme too…”

Actually, the point the nurse raised earlier was something even Yeonseo found odd. Of the seven people in this school, six had staff roles revealed so far. The only one labeled a “student” was Yeongwon. If the last remaining person turned out to be staff as well, it was only a matter of time before everyone regarded him as an outsider.

But Yeonseo didn’t want to doubt him. They had helped each other until now, and they still needed to cooperate for nearly ten more days. If he let suspicion get in the way, he wouldn’t survive.

Besides, as Yeongwon said earlier, it was all too “obvious.” It felt like someone had tossed that clue out on purpose to make everyone distrust him, and that made it less believable.

So Yeonseo decided to interpret the broadcast in a different, more helpful way. One that let him keep trusting Yeongwon.

“And also, didn’t the broadcast say something like this? ‘Please continue doing your best along with the students.’”

“You… weren’t you unconscious? Were you pretending to faint while listening to all that?”

“I wasn’t pretending. I woke up because of the broadcast…. Anyway, if the ‘student’ they mentioned is Mr. Yeongwon, then working with him is the right thing to do. Even if his role is a little unusual.”

The nurse trembled and lowered his head. His expression showed he knew arguing further would cost him more than he could gain. He didn’t seem convinced, but he clearly didn’t think he could win a two-against-one argument.

“…Shit.”

“……”

“What is this. What the hell, why… why isn’t this a dream?”

“Um, sir… school nurse….”

“If what you’re saying is true, this is going to keep happening, right? What the hell did I do wrong to get trapped in a lunatic school like this and suffer through all this? While I’m stuck here, you’re going to dump every injury you get onto me, and run around poking into weird places outside, right? Am I wrong? Why do I have to endure this kind of suffering!”

He screamed and collapsed onto the spot, curling up. After days of having his flesh sliced and his throat strangled, his nerves were razor-sharp. Yeonseo understood his feelings, but had no idea how to comfort him. Maybe the man hadn’t been cooperative to begin with…

As Yeonseo watched, Yeongwon sighed and stood up. He grabbed one of the lunchboxes on the floor and slammed it onto the table with a sharp sound.

“You’re the only one who would know that answer. According to the broadcast earlier, you chose to come here, didn’t you?”

“……!”

“How you take today’s events and how you take our presence is up to you. For now, we’ll be going.”

“Huh? Mr. Yeongwon, we’re leaving already?”

“We delivered the lunchbox and administered the medicine. We’ve done what we can. Calming down is something he has to do himself.”

He wasn’t wrong. They couldn’t babysit him forever, and talking more wouldn’t change anything. It was better to leave him space to cool his head.

As Yeonseo climbed down from the bed, Yeongwon explained one last thing to the nurse.

“If you want, we’ll bring another lunchbox tomorrow. Oh, right. Based on your Code of Conduct, it doesn’t seem like you’re completely trapped here, so if you want to eat with everyone, come to the cafeteria as soon as the morning broadcast starts. Don’t forget to get a temporary student ID from the teachers’ office before that. Fill out the application form with your personal information, then close your eyes and count to nine. Understood?”

“Wh–what? You want me to cross a hallway full of monsters just to get to the cafeteria?”

“If you carry a mirror, it won’t be much of a problem most of the time. And this is for your own sake. Spending time with others is better for your mental health than staying isolated.”

The nurse only groaned in response. Yeongwon gestured for Yeonseo to follow, and they slipped carefully toward the door.

Before leaving, Yeonseo turned back and spoke gently.

“…I know the situation is overwhelming, but we’ll try our best to help you. And I’m really sorry you had to take on our injuries. Um… see you tomorrow.”

“Whatever. Thanks for the medicine.”

He didn’t seem like someone with a bad personality, just someone crushed by anxiety…

As Yeonseo thought that, Yeongwon closed the infirmary door and immediately began walking. They continued down the dark hallway in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

* * *

After leaving the infirmary, they searched the hallways thoroughly, but found nothing else that day.

“There’s no sign of any new marks anywhere… I thought the last person besides the janitor might have left something.”

“They may be completely unable to communicate. We still have time, so let’s not panic.”

As soon as the end-of-day broadcast sounded, they headed for the first-floor storage room. Getting past the eye monsters had become second nature by now. A part of Yeonseo wondered if they might find the janitor by wandering the halls at night, but fear won out in the end.

‘If we get hurt now, the risk is too high. We know now that passing injuries to the nurse isn’t free…’

Surely the school hadn’t designed things so they could only meet the janitor by breaking the Code. Trying to calm his anxiety, Yeonseo let Yeongwon enter first.

By now, Yeongwon seemed to realize that Yeonseo had to do something alone once a day, so he didn’t question anything and stepped inside the storage room. Yeonseo found a spot on the wall that wouldn’t be easily noticed and wrote a message.

Hypothesis: Maybe the librarian is needed because memories are constantly consumed.

Would this kind of speculative sentence count as a “record”? It was half a gamble, but fortunately, a familiar sense of relief washed over him.

Whatever force recognized this “record,” it seemed satisfied, and the storage room door soon opened. Their job completion seemed unhindered.

‘Maybe even if it’s not factual information, a plausible hypothesis counts as a record.’

Honestly, it was more of a hopeful wish. His role felt useless most of the time; something like this was the only meaning he could give it. If someone got hurt in a dangerous situation, memories would be consumed. And to recall what he had forgotten, he would have to leave written notes. Maybe that was the essence of a “librarian.”

Although phrases like “you must not reveal what you record to anyone” and “this information is preserved for the next cycle” were unsettling… but he didn’t know. Whether he was incompetent or some kind of trump card, all he could do now was fulfill his role. With that thought, Yeonseo stepped fully inside.

“Did you do what you needed to do?”

“Yes, for now….”

As soon as they broke the door lock and settled down to sleep, both of them collapsed onto the gym mats, completely exhausted. Both Yeongwon and Yeonseo were mentally drained. They opened their notebooks out of habit, but didn’t look for long. As announced the previous day, there was no new Code of Conduct.

There wasn’t much to talk about, either. Tomorrow’s tasks would be almost identical to today’s. Deliver food to the broadcasting adviser and, if necessary, to the school nurse. Search the school for signs of the others. It was better to save their strength and sleep rather than talk pointlessly…

But while lying back-to-back with Yeonseo, Yeongwon suddenly spoke.

“You know, Mr. Yeonseo.”

“Yes?”

“Why did you take my side earlier?”

What was he talking about now? Yeonseo, baffled, turned to face him. Yeongwon still had his back turned and didn’t look at him.

“Why bring that up out of nowhere?”

“Don’t you think I’m suspicious too? Six people’s roles have been revealed, and I’m the only student.”

Yeonseo hesitated. Disciplinary Committee Member, Librarian, Cook, Janitor, Broadcasting Adviser, School Nurse. Five staff members and one student. To say it wasn’t suspicious would be a lie.

“T-That’s why I mentioned it. About the broadcast, hoping you’d ‘work together with the students….”

“You think I didn’t notice? That was just something you came up with on the spot to smooth things over. You could have doubted me as much as you wanted.”

So he noticed. Feeling a bit embarrassed, Yeonseo closed his mouth.

In truth, it was unclear whether the “students” in the broadcast meant Yeongwon, or those black, shadowy students they’d seen in the kitchen. And even if it meant him, the fact remained that the staff and the student occupied very different positions. Staff were “those whose contracts would eventually end,” while students…

“I could be here to sabotage your escape. Aren’t you afraid of that?”

If the students were trapped here forever, unable to die or leave, then of course they wouldn’t quietly allow others to escape. In that sense, the nurse’s emotional reaction wasn’t entirely irrational.

But…

“I’m not scared at all.”

“What?”

“I’m lying. I am scared. But trusting you scares me less than not trusting you.”

“And what kind of logic is that?”

“Since I woke up in this school without any memories, you’re the only one who’s been by my side. Isn’t it natural that I’d want to trust you?”

It was a flimsy reason. He didn’t trust Yeongwon because of solid logic or strong evidence; he trusted him because he wanted to. Because ignoring that desire would leave him with nothing.

And honestly, there was a cowardly motive behind it, too.

If he chose not to trust Yeongwon, he would have no one. The cook and the broadcasting adviser were tied to their respective areas. The school nurse was timid and safer staying put. The janitor only appeared after the end-of-day broadcast, so timing didn’t match. And the last person, he didn’t even know who they were or whether they’d ever accept someone as “useless” as him.

In this situation, the only person he could rely on was Yeongwon. He was the one who had protected him for the past four days.

So yes, it was a selfish and calculated choice… or so Yeonseo believed.

“…You’re being ridiculous.”

Yet Yeongwon spoke curtly, making a face. Embarrassed, Yeonseo laughed awkwardly.

“Even if it’s ridiculous, doesn’t it benefit you?”

“How does that benefit me? You’re saying you’re trusting me for no reason, which means you could also stop trusting me for no reason.”

“Well, couldn’t you phrase it a little nicer? Saying ‘I’ll trust you no matter what’ sounds better than ‘I trust you for no reason,’ doesn’t it?”

“What’s the difference? Trusting without a reason means you could stop trusting without a reason.”

When put like that, there was no counterargument. But still, couldn’t he accept someone’s trust a bit more warmly?

While staring at the back of his head, something suddenly came to mind, and Yeonseo spoke.

“It’s completely different. Because it means I like you.”

“…What?”

“And feelings like that aren’t easily overturned. Not over a couple of trivial doubts, unless you give me a real reason to hate you.”

What he wanted to say was simple: he wanted to trust someone he liked.

Not because of some great incident or deep bond. Even if it started as a small fondness, once he got to know the person and experienced their kindness, trust naturally built on that foundation.

There might come a moment when that trust wavers. No one in the world is perfectly trustworthy from one to ten. Everyone has at least one or two secrets they can’t share. So rather than fixating on those secrets, wouldn’t it be better to focus on the small, consistent kindnesses the person had shown so far?

“…Ha.”

Yeongwon let out a small sigh and then stayed silent for a while. As if he had heard something he really shouldn’t have. Wanting to see his expression, Yeonseo quietly sat up, but Yeongwon curled up irritably and covered his face with both arms.

“Stop talking nonsense and go to sleep.”

“What, are you unhappy even when someone says they like you?”

“Did I ever ask you to say something like that? Enough already, it’s embarrassing.”

“You’re seriously the worst. Did you forget I said my feelings could flip if you act like a jerk?”

“Let them flip or not, do whatever you want. At least now I know one thing. You’re far simpler and more foolish than I thought.”

“…Well excuse me!”

He had gathered his courage to say those things, yet it felt like he got nothing in return. Sulking, Yeonseo snapped back and curled up with his back turned. Maybe he shouldn’t have defended this man in front of the school nurse. No, even if he went back a few hours, he wouldn’t suddenly change his stance, but still… feelings are feelings.

“Fine, do whatever you want. Keep acting awful and get hated by everyone for all I care!”

Muttering to himself, Yeonseo squeezed his eyes shut.

He thought anger and hurt would keep him awake, yet surprisingly, only a short time passed before he slipped into a deep sleep. The day’s exhaustion washed over his mind like darkness.

And after several dozen minutes…

“…Unbelievable.”

Having pretended to sleep curled up the whole time, Yeongwon opened his eyes with a face full of irritation and quietly turned over. He pinched Yeonseo’s cheek carefully, confirming whether this young man was really asleep or not…

“I can’t do this.”

He cautiously wrapped an arm around the sleeping Yeonseo’s waist and buried his face in his nape. After staying like that for a few minutes, he suddenly flinched for no reason, panicked at himself, and quickly turned his back again.

* * *

Drifting lazily through the moonlit hallway, the janitor fell into a daze.

‘I feel like I heard something in my sleep.’

He remembered it was a voice coming from the speakers that announced the morning and evening broadcasts.

He knew the speaker man was talking about something, but he never paid attention to what. During the day, the janitor was asleep, and even if he woke up, outside sounds reached him as muffled and distorted as noises heard underwater.

But the janitor instinctively sensed that the broadcast he had just heard contained something important. He wanted to ask someone what it was about.

The clearest voice belonged to the person behind the locked passageway on the third floor, but he didn’t like that person’s presence and didn’t want to talk to them. So the next possible conversation partner was…

‘There.’

He floated toward the cafeteria passage at the far end of the first-floor east hallway. Inside, a man was struggling against a swarm of eye-covered monsters. The man noticed the janitor approaching and frowned.

“So, you finally feel like talking to me?”

He couldn’t clearly hear what the middle-aged man was saying. The janitor also realized that even if he spoke, his own voice likely would not reach the other person. He wondered how he could manage a clearer conversation, even slightly.

Meanwhile, the man continued asking questions.

“You’re the janitor, right? Did you happen to hear that broadcast earlier?”

“…….”

“To escape this bizarre school, all of us need to cooperate. I’d like you to join us, too. What do you think?”

He couldn’t understand the words well. But judging from how earnest the man sounded, he didn’t seem hostile. His expression also didn’t give off a bad feeling. If so, maybe he should try guessing from facial expressions or gestures. With that thought, the janitor stared at him.

“If you’re willing to join us, or if you want to, but something is preventing you… I’d like you to leave some kind of mark in a place where we can find it.”

A mark? The janitor barely understood that one word. Leave a mark somewhere. That seemed to be what the man wanted to say.

Why leave a mark? What would happen once it was left? The janitor wanted to ask, but for some reason, his voice wouldn’t come out. As if his throat had cracked dry from not drinking water for far too long…

As he bit his dried lips unconsciously, hesitating, the man added something. And what he said was:

“I don’t know if you’re human or not… but if you are, you look dangerously unwell.”

“…….”

“You look pale. Are you even eating or drinking anything?”

“……!”

He must not listen to this.

Struck by a sudden instinctive fear, the janitor turned around without a moment’s hesitation and left the cafeteria.

Hey, wait a second! The middle-aged man shouted behind him, but the janitor decided not to listen anymore. A deep instinct told him it was dangerous.

Turning his body and almost sprinting down the hallway, he numbly read the Code of Conduct in his notebook.

[Day 5 Code of Conduct]

[1. It’s all right. Even in your current state, you can endure until Day 7. Until then, do not forget to open the door every day.]

[2. If you can last until then, you will theoretically be able to obtain what you want. Prioritize opening the door above all else.]

[3. You anticipated this situation. Do not deny it. You simply forgot.]

[4. And if you still have desire left]

Even reading the entries grew increasingly difficult. It felt as if his mind no longer had enough energy to function. The words seemed to say he was “fine,” but he knew the truth. He was anything but fine.

A mark.

He needed to leave a mark somewhere.

Instinctively realizing this, the woman moved in a frantic hurry. She needed to find a way to survive without violating the role assigned to her in the Code of Conduct.