Ghost Story Club

 

Soon, a delivery man arrived, carrying the food directly to the clubroom.

 

Perhaps because everyone had left school and the school was empty, they were able to enter the main building without being noticed by the security guard.

 

“Thanks for the food, Detective~”

 

“Thank you!”

 

“It’s fine, enjoy the meal. I have a feeling that I will continue interacting with you all in the future.”

 

The table was soon piled up with black bean sauce noodles, grilled dumplings, sweet and sour pork, and Kkanpunggi.

 

“Joon, come sit with us. You can explain everything while eating.”

 

“It looks delicious. I should just sit down and eat.”

 

Since the detective urged me, I also stopped explaining and sat down before picking up my chopsticks.

 

“Should have ordered spicy seafood noodles. The whole table is full with black bean noodles.”

 

The detective’s eyebrows scrunched at Jinhee’s grumbling.

 

“Do you smoke, Jinhee?”

 

As if her great secret had been revealed, Jinhee flinched.

 

“I can tell by the way you pick up your chopsticks, dear. So eat quietly.”

 

After our late meal, I explained everything else that I had experienced up till then.

 

From the first broadcasting announcement ghost story to the laughing girl, the fake mother, and the countless dreams ghost story, everything.

 

“I’m glad I didn’t hear it before lunch.”

 

Gyeongwon’s face turned pale as he heard the cruel contents.

 

“There is also something called ‘Ghost Story Points’. You can use them to do and purchase a lot of things.”

 

After a brief biography of my previous life along with my current one, I explained the operation of the system as best as I could.

 

I also explained all the various abilities that I could attain from the system by fighting ghost stories and acquiring ghost story points. By the time my explanation of the system ended, I looked the time through the Status Window and it was already 5 o’clock.

 

“So Prez had lived three more years than us…”

 

Gyeongwon muttered in contemplation.

 

I didn’t think it was something to contemplate so hard about but I guessed it was important for them.

 

We had been getting along quite well so far, but perhaps knowing that I was actually 20 years old, it bothered them somewhat.

 

“….Well, I hope you don’t feel burdened to treat me like someone older than you because of my age. I would be grateful if you treat me as comfortably as you have so far.”

 

“No, it’s not something like that… I think it’s unfair that you took the college entrance examination so you know all the answers.”

 

Hayoon, who was sitting next to him, pinched Gyeongwon’s thigh at the unnecessary remark.

 

I nodded quietly.

 

“Don’t think like that, take it realistically. In three years, the Demon King will be resurrected and the world will be destroyed. College entrance examination is something that is a more insignificant matter than that.”

 

“I agree. We must protect the world first.”

 

Dukhun nodded his head strongly. He behaved as if it was his priority to save the world.

 

However, I felt like he was having fun being able to partake in it. Perhaps because it made him feel like he was an anime character.

 

[Your understanding of the character Oh Dukhun has increased by 10.]

 

“So, the reason this sofa suddenly appeared just now was because you used those points?”

 

“Yes. That’s right.”

 

I nodded to the detective.

 

“But these points can be used in much more necessary situations. It would be a waste to use them for something as insignificant as this.”

 

“Is the sofa very expensive?”

 

“We could buy it with real money. It was a waste because many surreal things can be done with the points that you can’t do with money.”

 

“Then it certainly is wasteful.”

 

“Acquiring abilities, expanding the club’s functions…”

 

The detective looked at the whiteboard with a thoughtful expression as I was explaining the prospective usage of the points and then asked with curiosity.

 

“What is this Causality Rate?”

 

Causality Rate.

 

Thinking about it, I also couldn’t help but wonder, what is it actually?

 

“I’m curious too, Prez. It’s written over there in the Status Window that you drew on the board, but you haven’t mentioned it even once since you began explaining.”

 

“…Well, actually, I don’t know.”

 

“You don’t know?”

 

“Hmm. Well, every time a ghost story is solved, it just goes up bit by bit…”

 

“Hmm.”

 

The members all tilted their heads as they pondered while looking at the Status Window which I had drawn on the whiteboard.

 

“Does anything come to your mind, Dukhun?”

 

As I asked Dukhun, who was also wondering what the Causality Rate could mean, he scratched his chin.

 

When it comes to game system elements, he was probably the only one who could think of something faster than all the other members.

 

“Causality, causality… Hmm.”

 

Dukhun showed a thoughtful look.

 

“If the number increases as the game progresses, the only thing that comes to mind immediately is the percentage of completion or progress of the game by completing each level…”

 

“Completion? Progress?”

 

“Usually in games where there is only one player, a percentage level like that is displayed to show how much progress is left until reaching the ending. If you’re halfway through the game, it will show you’ve completed 50 percent of the game.”

 

“But in this case, the ending period is definitely set. It’s February 2022, the date when the Demon King is resurrected.”

 

“…Well, if that’s the case. Then…”

 

Dukhun looked worried.

 

What I said was right.

 

The point at which this life-like game would end is clearly set.

 

February 15, 2022.

 

The graduation day.

 

On that day, whether or not the resurrection of the Demon King could be prevented would be the only deciding factor in the ending.

 

“Perhaps we should think outside of the games’ scenario and rather think about it through the concept of the word itself?”

 

This time, Gyeongwon, who was well-versed in general knowledge among everyone present, voiced his opinion.

 

“Through the concept of the word?”

 

“Mmhm.”

 

Gyeongwon shone his glasses as he nodded.

 

“Can I use the whiteboard?”

 

“Do whatever you want but hurry up.”

 

Getting up from his seat, Gyeongwon approached me with steady steps. He took the marker from my hand before starting writing something on the whiteboard.

 

Causality Rate.

 

Cause and effect (因果律).

 

“…What is this?”

 

“I have written the word Causality Rate in Chinese characters. The character Yin (因) means cause, Guǒ (果) means result or consequence, and Lǜ means (律) law.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

“If you divide the word character by character, it simply means ‘The law of cause and effect’. It is originally a word used mostly in physics or philosophy.”

 

“…This is my first time hearing it.”

 

“It’s not a word that people use considerably in everyday life.”

 

At those words, the detective who was quietly watching opened his mouth.

 

“I believe it would be better if you explain in detail what the concept is about and continue with the explanation.”

 

“…All right.”

 

Perhaps his momentum was hindered which made him embarrassed, Gyeongwon cleared his throat and started explaining.

 

“Do you all know the saying, ‘There is no smoke without fire’?”

 

“We do.”

 

“The concept that I’m talking about is similar to that. There must always be a cause or reason for everything. The concept of cause and effect are expressed in one word which is called causality.”

 

“Why is such a difficult word used to express the concept?

 

At Sunah’s innocent question, Gyeongwon looked troubled.

 

“I think the person who first used the word just wanted to appear knowledgeable. It’s a word that’s rarely used in everyday conversation, so I hope you understand that it’s just a concept. What’s more important than that right now is…”

 

As he trailed off, Gyeongwon erased what he wrote on the whiteboard and added some new characters there before continuing his explanation.

 

“The Causality Rate that appears in Prez’s Status Window, I believe it’s more of a proportional rate (率), not the law of cause and effect (律).”

 

[T/N: Chinese language has many words with the same character or pronunciation but with different meanings. (率) is Lǜ which means ‘ratio’ or ‘proportional rate’. (律) has also similar pronunciation, Lǜ, but it means ‘the law’.]

 

“Proportional rate?”

 

“The increasing number next to the Causality Rate in the Status Window. It’s being displayed as a percentage.”

 

He began to write down the meaning under the newly written Chinese characters as he explained.

 

Proportional rate of cause and effect (因果率).

 

Cause (因).

 

Result or consequence (果).

 

Proportional rate (率).

 

“Although the word I’ve written doesn’t exist originally, I just guessed that the Causality Rate shown in the Status Window could be similar to this. When we break down the word character by character, it means, ‘Proportional rate of cause and effect’.”

 

Proportion… that certainly seemed so.

 

This thing called Causality Rate shown in the Status Window.

 

I couldn’t comprehend what it represented, however, I could guess that it was definitely showing a ratio of something in percentage.

 

So Gyeongwon just used a different word and tried to express the law (律) of cause and effect into the proportional rate (率) between the two terms?

 

“However, I hope you all understand that this is just my own interpretation. The actions of Prez so far must have been working as a trigger for some outcome, and that is steadily building up, which is being shown through the Status Window as Causality Rate.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“In other words, the results of certain causes are gradually accumulating toward one particular result. Currently, the causality rate is 12%, so we can say that results about 12 out of 100 causes have been accumulated.”

 

“…Could you give me an example?”

 

Seeing the confused look on Sunah’s face, I couldn’t help but ask Gyeongwon again.

 

“Hmm. For example, Prez.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“If you were to jump out of the window right now, what would be your chances of survival?”

 

“…Well.”

 

We were on the 5th floor.

 

If I were to jump from such a height, it was guaranteed to result in at least half of my body being crippled. However, since the height wasn’t enough to kill a person instantly, the chances of my death weren’t 100%.

 

“…Do you think you can survive with a chance of 20%?”

 

“What if we put a mattress on the ground before you jump?”

 

“However, it must still be dangerous because we’re 5 stories high. Hmm.”

 

While I was pondering about different methods to increase the chances of my survival, the detective voiced out a possible problem in my stead.

 

“Even if a mattress is prepared before you jump down, you still have a 90% chance of survival. Unless you land on your head and break your neck.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Gyeongwon nodded his head as he proposed another method.

 

“So what if we not only put a mattress on the ground but also give you a parachute before you jump?”

 

“…Then there is a 99% chance that I will survive.”

 

“Exactly.”

 

Gyeongwon nodded with certainty as he flashed his glasses.

 

“The proportional rate is that if you jump from the 5th floor to the bare ground without any protective measures, you have a high probability of dying. However, if you change the conditions even a bit, such as changing the bare ground with a mattress or jumping down while carrying a parachute, the probability changes.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“This concept is what I call the proportional rate of cause and effect. I suppose that Causality Rate might be such a concept. To put it simply, it’s based on probability. The probability that a certain outcome, which is set to occur, will occur anyhow.”

 

After Gyeongwon’s example, the concept seemed clearer than before.

 

Probability was perhaps just a slightly different way to express the same thing.

 

“The most important thing is, Prez.”

 

Gyeongwon flashed his glasses as he called me.

 

“The percentage shown in your Status Window, the ‘Causality Rate’, what incident’s causality rate is it expressing?”

 

“What, incident’s, causality…”

 

“What is certain is that something is bound to happen if it reaches 100 percent. Not to mention, it’s being accumulated separately from the revival of the Demon King.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

The Demon King who would be resurrected when the right time approaches.

 

However, regardless of that time, the Causality Rate is being accumulated every time a ghost story is exterminated.

 

What consequence is it leading me by accumulating the results of the causes?

 

“I think I have roughly explained everything to you that I knew.”

 

“Can you explain a bit more?”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Gyeongwon showed a thoughtful look, however, shook his head in the end.

 

“I don’t think I know anything more than what I’ve shared.”

 

“Okay.”

 

“…Nevertheless, there’s a few things I also want to ask you all about.”

 

The members tilted their heads at the sudden curiosity.

 

I also had a few things I wanted to ask someone for advice about these incomprehensible situations, but I couldn’t get the chance to do so because of the explanation I’ve been doing up till now.

 

“What is it! Ask me anything you want, President!”

 

Dukhun banged his fat arms on the desk as he let out a loud proclamation.

 

The other members also listened with serious expressions on their faces.

 

“Okay. First of all, the word ‘Number of Attempts’, what do you think it is about?”

 

“Hoo…”

 

Since we went back to games’ elements, Dukhun was the first to open his mouth.

 

“It seems it’s indicating the number of times you’re trying to play the game. Usually, in video games, it is shown as ‘2nd round’ when the player reaches the ending once and attempts to play it again to reach a better outcome.”

 

“So it refers to the number of times I’ve started from the beginning.”

 

“… Yes? I guess that could be possible, too?”

 

Although it was an answer I had heard before, thinking about it again, I still felt astonished.

 

Wouldn’t it be boring to play a game that follows the same story every time from the very beginning instead of competing against other people?

 

“It is said that among single-player games such as Dark Souls, or Roguelike, it is common for some enthusiasts to intentionally start over from the beginning after watching the ending. Sometimes they do it just for fun, and sometimes they do it to see the true ending.”

 

…For someone like me who had only played LOL or PUBG, this was something I never knew or understood.

 

“How many times did it appear in your previous life?”

 

“In my previous life…”

 

Even after pondering over it hard, I still couldn’t remember it.

 

Thinking about it, in my previous life, I couldn’t even open the Status Window after running away from the Quest Tutorial and reaching a bad ending.

 

“….I never checked the Status Window in my previous life. I just lived an ordinary life before dying.”

 

“A Status Window popped up in front of you and you lead an ordinary life? Oi oi, even jokes are better-”

 

“It’s not like I wanted to do that either. After I ran away from school, the Quest Tutorial that popped up didn’t work, and the Status Window turned gray as if locked. That’s why I don’t know.”

 

“So a death ending.”

 

In response to my answer, Dukhun quietly grabbed his chin and pondered.

 

“If the Status Window says this is your 2nd attempt to hinder the revival of the Demon King, it’s confirmed that your previous life must be the 1st attempt. Since you reached the ending once and started everything from the beginning for the 2nd time, the number of attempts has increased… However, since you couldn’t confirm if it truly was your 1st time in your previous life then, hmm.”

 

Dukhun frowned as he kept mumbling.

 

“I cannot be sure whether this 2nd attempt shown in the Status Window has the same meaning as the term used in games. Not to mention, the terms Causality Rate and Ghost Story Points are not something that are used in regular games.”

 

The elements of the system seemed to have the sensibility of single-player games at first glance. However, it has many different aspects, so it was quite impossible for anyone to be sure about its elements.

 

“In addition to simply meaning that this is your 2nd attempt at trying to reach a good ending, it can also be used to mean that you have inherited the baton from someone in a situation where you had no choice. And It seems you can attempt to reach a good ending at least a few times…”

 

“…I think these are the terms I’ve heard people using in relay games.”

 

“Anyway, it still looks like the indication of what it can be is unknown as to what it actually means. Let’s think about that for another time and move on to the next topic.”

 

“Okay.”

 

After summarizing the concept of Number of Attempts as best as I could, I moved on to the next topic.

 

“Well. Then the next thing I was curious about was what happened during the time when I fought the Laughing Girl.”

 

“It happened a few weeks ago.”

 

The reason why I mentioned the Laughing Girl ghost story wasn’t because of the ghost story itself, but rather what happened before that. The seat assignment that happened that day when I was trying to repel the ghost story of the Laughing Girl in the manual ghost story was what bothered me the most.

 

Up till now, I had always been curious about why even when I randomly selected a number, and that was also several times, I was still seated next to Dukhun every time.

 

“You damn Otaku, you didn’t do something shady, did you? So that you could sit together with him.”

 

“Masaka!”

 

When Jinhee mocked Dukhun, he showed an angry expression.

 

“Didn’t I clearly say I’m not interested in BL elements!”

 

“Maybe the homeroom teacher did something…”

 

Sunah tilted her head and also expressed her opinion.

 

“Hmm, homeroom teacher?”

 

It was a possibility.

 

After all, it was the homeroom teacher who ordered the drawing of cards to allocate seats to the students.

 

“…But even so, I don’t understand what the homeroom teacher’s intention was in having me seated beside Dukhun. What good is there for him by having me seated with this guy?”

 

“That’s right. Wheeze, wheeze.”

 

Dukhun nodded in agreement.

 

“Besides, I was the one who chose the card in the end. There couldn’t be any way for him to manipulate the incident.”

 

“Prez, maybe…”

 

Gyeongwon opened his mouth with wide eyes as if something just clicked in his head.

 

“If you think about the connection of your sitting arrangement with the word Causality Rate… I think what happened back then was something like the opposite of the Butterfly Effect…”

 

“Butterfly Effect?”

 

I’ve heard of this term.

 

I think I had also seen it a few times on the Internet.

 

“The concept of Butterfly Effect is that even the flapping of a butterfly’s wings on the other side of the world can cause a storm here.”

 

The members tilted their heads in curiosity at Gyeongwon’s explanation.

 

“Is that possible?”

 

“It’s just a metaphor, a metaphor. It could be interpreted as a very small action can start and lead to unexpected results.”

 

“Hmm, I see. Then if you’re talking about the opposite; The opposite concept of the Butterfly Effect should be the Causality Rate shown in the President’s Status Window.”

 

The concept of the Butterfly Effect, in which trivial actions can lead to completely unpredictable chaos.

 

And the opposite concept to that is the Causality Rate, which means, ‘what is bound to happen will definitely happen’.

 

“….That’s right. They seem the exact opposite concept of each other.”

 

“Yes.”

 

If the Butterfly Effect is a theory where it says how a small change in choice can bring about enormous, unpredictable results, then Causality Rate is the opposite concept that states that a certain result will definitely occur even if certain conditions are exceeded or/and excluded.

 

“Even when Prez drew the seat assignment card randomly without thinking, you still ended up being assigned to the same seat as the first time. Whether you talked to Sunah or not, the two of you still ended up going to the cafeteria together before you even knew it.”

 

Gyeongwon adjusted his glasses and pointed out the main causes of what happened that day.

 

“It’s not just that. I remembered it while listening carefully to Prez’s story. Similar things happened during the incident with Fourincess and even what happened just now.”

 

“….What? During Fourincess?”

 

Was there something that I forgot?

 

“During the incident with Fourincess, when Prez returned back in time, a similar situation to the time of that cursed song was recreated in the music room. A male student played a new song on his phone and the music teacher became angry because of that.”

 

“….That’s right. Although the music teacher couldn’t hear the song, the same mistake was made immediately after I returned back to the past.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Gyeongwon nodded.

 

“The same goes for the incident that happened just now. No matter how many times you came back in time, Sunah asked you if your preparations for the exam were going well. At least once, she should have noticed something was wrong with your expression and reacted differently.”

 

“…That’s also true.”

 

As Gyeongwon accurately pointed out the parts that I had overlooked without notice using logic, things began to make a bit more sense.

 

“I think that the situations around you are ultimately related to the Causality Rate. Sunah had already thought and decided in her mind that she had to ask you that. To make it simpler, we could say that ‘the causality rate of Sunah asking you about your exam preparations’ was 100%.”

 

“Causality rate…”

 

Certainly, as Gyeongwon mentioned, there were many times when people’s behavior patterns were quite similar no matter what they did.

 

“Maybe, Prez. This world itself is driven by ‘Causality Rate’ rather than ‘Butterfly Effect’. No matter how many times you choose something different or small actions of yours change, what is bound to happen will happen in the end. And it’s not only about this school. The world itself.”

 

“Oh!”

 

This whole concept was not only complex but also enormous.

 

The story about the order of this world, which we deduced from the game-like system.

 

“…Even so.”

 

After thinking about it carefully for a while, a question arose in my mind.

 

“This whole concept seems like a pretty complex thing, but… How will it benefit me knowing about this now?”

 

Yes. The concept of Causality Rate is, what is bound to happen will happen in the end.

 

Although it seemed important, how and why would it actually benefit me?

 

“It means a lot, kid.”

 

The detective, who had been sitting quietly until now, spoke up.

 

“Tell me who will be the new President by March 2022.”

 

President!

 

The sudden turn of question made me startled for a moment.

 

“Things at the national level, such as the presidential election, are events of such great consequence that they do not change even if you, a student, act a little differently. You can probably interpret it like that the chances of the future president being the same person as your previous life is 100%.”

 

“Yes, that’s right. I guess that will happen.”

 

“Joon died in February…”

 

Sunah’s mumbling was suddenly heard.

 

The election for the new president is in March, but I died in February.

 

“Even if you died before that, you probably know the political atmosphere of that time, right?”

 

The detective began urging me to answer.

 

I recalled the memory carefully before opening my mouth.

 

“First of all, the election for the new president was held early in 2021, not in 2022. It took place when I was in my third year of high school.”

 

“…What? Elections occur every 5 years. Why on earth it was a year early-”

 

“It was an emergency election. The current president got involved in an accident and went missing.”

 

Detective’s expression turned serious in an instant.

 

“So who will become the new president?”

 

“As long as I remember, it is an old man with gray hair. There has been a lot of talk about him being the leader of some cult. He took advantage of the chaotic time and somehow managed to get elected.”

 

“What is his name, and also the name of the cult?”

 

The detective tilted his head when I told him the name of the cult and the name of the president.

 

“Dogma of Void and Tai Sheng… This is my first time hearing both the name of the person and the cult. As a detective, I have been in charge of a lot of important cases, so I have regular contact with the political world…”

 

[T/N: Tai Shang Lao Jun is known by many names and holds many respected titles. He is one of the Three Pure Ones (三清 sān qīng) and is believed to be the founder of Daoism. In order to bring his teachings to earth, he is said to have been reincarnated many times across history. Source: Wikipedia]

 

“That was the first time I heard it too. In fact, there was a lot of controversy regarding his position, but he was elected in the end. Everything was as usual after the election till the revival of the Demon King in February 2022.”

 

“…I see.”

 

As the explanation was coming to an end, everyone began asking questions about many things.

 

“Oi, are you kidding me! You haven’t heard of Death Stranding produced by Hideo Kojima!?”

 

[T/N: Death stranding is a video game which later has been adapted into an anime.]

 

“I don’t know, man. I’ll try playing later.”

 

“Has the Clover Corporation released their new folding phone? Did you buy any folding phone?”

 

“….I… Only two days left before the next exam. I have to go home and study.”

 

“Write down everything you remember about serial murders or homicide cases before you leave.”

 

“I’m human too! I just want to go home!”

 

“Fuck you, what will the minimum salary be next year?”

 

As the detective asked me about incidents and topics related to criminal cases and political news, Dukhun only asked about Japanese games and animation.

 

Jinhee asked me which lottery number will win in the future, but since I didn’t know it myself, I couldn’t answer. Hayoon just listened to their blabbering with a curious look on her face.

 

However, I was more concerned that Sunah’s expression was turning paler as time passed. Since we managed to finish the explanation by early evening, we just exchanged some opinions before leaving the clubroom.

 

We left the main building and walked to the playground.

 

“So. Three years later, a strange being called the Demon King will be resurrected and this world will be destroyed. Until then, we need to grow stronger by fighting as many ghost stories as possible.”

 

“….Prez. You lied to me when you said you created the club to help me get a better score in the college entrance exam.”

 

Gyeongwon muttered in a regretful tone.

 

“…Sorry. I didn’t mean to arbitrarily drag you in. It’s not that I have any choice either.”

 

“Well, I guess that’s true too…”

 

Under the evening sun that began to tilt in the far west, I slowly began to reveal the truth, hoping they would accept it.

 

“At first, I just thought about running away. I did though, but… It didn’t work out like the way I wanted. I ran away from the curse of the system for three years, but eventually, I was dragged back here. Now, even if I run away like there’s no tomorrow, I know I’ll always be brought back.”

 

“I was pushed and driven harshly, so I had no choice but to start anew… Now that so much time has passed, I started thinking a little differently.”

 

As the sun completely set, the school became dark.

 

The members of our Ghost Story Club gathered in the middle of the playground.

 

I clenched my fist and held it out to my members as I delivered my passionate speech.

 

“This is not something we should do because it is just or moral. We are doing this because there is no other way for us to survive. I have to do it, even if I don’t want to. I’m sorry that I dragged you all into it without asking you. How many times have I watched you guys dying? Even so… will you guys help me?”

 

“….Joon.”

 

“I could never do it alone. I can’t even think about doing it alone. If you guys are with me… I think I can act brave and take the lead.”

 

“…. Prez.”

 

“I will work harder. I’ll carry a little more burden than all of you. So will you help me out? Would you like to join in my endeavours of defeating the Demon King?”

 

Someone’s soft hand was gently placed on the back of my hand, which I quietly held out.

 

“Joon, there’s no reason for which you should have to deal with something like this alone…”

 

“….Sunah.”

 

Sunah smiled softly as she encouraged me.

 

“Let’s do this together. I will help you.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Soon, Gyeongwon also shook his head and held out his hand as if he couldn’t help it.

 

“Although I think it is unreasonable, I guess it can’t be helped now that I’m already dragged into it. Well, it would be useless to ask you why you did this. You’re not even the one who did this.”

 

“Gyeongwon…”

 

“I will help you. There is no way after all. Let’s do this.”

 

A slender woman’s hand with transparent skin was placed on top of Gyeongwon’s hand.

 

“….Hayoon. Are you sure?”

 

The mysterious but pretty girl let out a slight smile.

 

“You’re curious how I will get through everything in the future?”

 

[Your understanding of the character In Hayoon has increased by 5.]

 

So she’s serious.

 

I gave her a toothy grin.

 

“Okay. Feel free to watch.”

 

Dukhun’s thick hands came up next.

 

“Oi, let’s save the world.”

 

“Pfft, okay, we will see.”

 

A brief silence followed, and Jinhee finally couldn’t hold our gazes and placed her hand, adorned with many minor scars, on top of Hayoon.

 

“You guys are too childish…”

 

“Thank you. For joining me in this childish adventure.”

 

As the six members of the Ghost Story Club joined hands, a message appeared before my eyes.

 

Pop.

 

[You have received a quest.]

 

A Quest.

 

It was a word I hadn’t seen in a long time.

 

『Congratulations! You’ve finally managed to share your secret with your teammates! Your journey to prevent the resurrection of the Demon King has finally started. Therefore, strong camaraderie in the party is essential. Starting today, you begin to try to understand more about your members.』

[You have received a quest.]

《Quest – Camaraderie》

《Raise the understanding of one member of your club from 0 to 100.

Reward: Education Competency Ability unlocked.》

 

“Let’s go, let’s go, ghost story club, fighting!”

 

“Fighting!”

 

In the middle of the dark playground, we stood in a circle, joined our hands and shouted.

 

Suddenly, Jinhee jumped into the center of the circle and began screaming.

 

“Ahhhh, fuck! It’s as cringy as dog shit!”

 

“Hahaha.”

 

“Pfft.”

 

“Don’t spit on me!”

 

Jinhee slapped Gyeongwon, who was laughing heartily, on the head and ran towards the front gate.

 

“Fuck, this so so fucking childish!”

 

“Oi oi! Where are you going! We must protect the Earth!”

 

“I’m going home, fuck you!”

 

As if Dukhun had finally discovered her weakness, he began chasing after Jinhee, singing a cheesy animation theme song.

 

“Members of the ghost story club! Let’s save the world! Victory is always ours~♬”

 

“Huhaha.”

 

We couldn’t help but laugh seeing that.

 

Between the laughter, I could hear the detective muttering from behind as he lit a cigarette and laughed along with us.

 

“Are you filming a children’s movie? You guys are really…”

 

Puffing out a ring of smoke, he muttered as he watched us racing towards the main gate.

 

“Makes me remember when I was young.”

 

 

 

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