Deputy Manager Eun Hajae's feelings were rather complicated.

‘I wanted to leave this place in peace, at least…’

It seemed like that was too much to hope for.

"Hey! Get to the back! You think I don’t know it was you who got it right once?"

"Ugh! Just move back already! I haven’t even gotten one right yet!"

'These trolling bastards…'

It was pure chaos.

Even though the scene of everyone fending for themselves moments ago—like spectators at a sporting event—hadn’t been particularly pleasant, this new scene of them screaming at each other, keeping watch, and competing was far worse.

Survival and points.

With two objectives, conflicts doubled.

It felt like watching a cart stuck in place due to friction, generating nothing but heat.

'Roe, that brat, isn’t just some ordinary guy…'

It had been a while since Eun had seen such an impressive display of manipulation.

'Thankfully, he’s a good person.'

From the looks of it, Roe might actually manage to stall for over an hour, just as he claimed.

‘Has it been 20 minutes now?’

_ _ T R A _ _ R

And yet, despite that, only one letter had been completed.

[Here’s a hint for the 6th blank letter!]

[Who’s death notice caused Deputy Manager Eun Hajae’s plane trauma?]

"Deputy Eun, who died—"

"Shut it."

But what was the point of buying more time?

'In the end, everything about me will be exposed, and I’ll die just the same.'

While there wasn’t much left to protect her honor, dragging things out like this only made her mouth dry and the fatigue unbearable.

Moreover, every time she guessed what the two juniors were trying to do, she felt a chill down her spine.

'Those two are planning something crazy, aren’t they?'

Eun Hajae recalled Roe’s whispered words from earlier.

– While you’re hanging, remember this…

“…”

That statement hadn’t been an invitation for persuasion. It was a declaration.

But if they were truly going to go through with it, wasn’t it only fair for her to do her utmost to survive too?

…Though, who knows if their resolve would still hold a little later.

'Let’s wait and see.'

Eun Hajae folded her arms contemplatively.

20 minutes,

30 minutes,

40 minutes…

"Yes! Nailed it! It’s the ‘B’ from ‘Believe’!"

[Correct!]

B T R A Y R

The word was coming together.

And by this point, there were always those who would catch on.

"Wait a second."

"Huh?"

The meaning of the word.

"This word is…"

* * *

"Roe, over here."

I looked up.

One hour and eight minutes had passed.

The word was complete.

B E T R A Y E R

Betrayer.

“……”

[The word that best describes Deputy Manager Eun Hajae is ‘Betrayer’!]

What?

[Four years ago, back when Deputy Eun was a journalist, she betrayed her long-time superior and her team in an attempt to score an exclusive story alone, but she failed and lost the scoop.]

[In the process, there was a false report, which left the informants emotionally devastated and even led to some of their deaths.]

“…”

[What’s the moral of the story?]

[The answer is, ‘Those who betray their workplace will be punished!’]

Hah.

[Hangman is an excellent mock play that teaches our ■■Kindergarten students the virtues of morality and justice!]

"Damn… I’ve never been so frustrated that I can’t swear."

“…”

"Roe."

The supervisor placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Just hearing that makes it sound like the senior’s a terrible person, but…"

"People won’t know the full story unless they hear it from her directly."

"…!"

"That’s the kind of darkness this is."

Psychological torment, isolating victims, and intimidating the remaining participants to enforce control.

"We can hear her story after we all get out alive."

The Supervisor’s face brightened.

"Right? That’s my Roe! So… ah."

Step, step, step, step, step, step…

I turned my head.

They were coming.

Beyond the open door to the playroom, figures slowly entered in synchronized steps.

There was no black sludge melting off them or screams echoing in their wake.

They were dressed neatly in pastel-toned outfits, smiling faces, aprons, and nametags.

Burn marks on their foreheads.

[Sunshine Class ■■■]

[Chick Class ■■■]

[Dream Sap Class ■■■]

"…Those aren’t people anymore. They’re monsters who were trapped here and fully contaminated. Don’t make eye contact with them."

“…”

"If you get scared, you might end up affected."

I avoided looking directly at the figures.

[The game is over!]

[Now, let’s hang the hangman!]

"It’s time."

“…”

I recalled a conversation from earlier during our preparations.

– Supervisor, if it’s too much for you…

– You want me to push it onto you?

– What?

– Hey, that’s not very nice. This is my custom equipment. You can’t even use it!

'I wasn’t saying I wanted to do it, but, uh… thanks, I guess.'

And now, the Supervisor was holding his very own, quite literal, custom equipment.

Camouflage Cloth.

‘Wasn’t it called the Mimic Muffler?’

In any case, its appearance was no different from when he used to help me at the exhibition, but there was one distinct difference.

“It’s soaking wet, huh?”

It was drenched with moisture.

That’s because I had poured the soda from the <Alice’s Picnic Set> I had left over, right onto it.

The very same thing I used during the <Tuesday Quiz Show> to amplify the effect of the Smiley Sticker twofold.

‘I soaked that muffler without hesitation.’

To avoid dirtying the floor too much with foreign substances—which would also incur a penalty—I laid my suit jacket on the floor and sacrificed it.

And if the soda worked as intended...

‘The camouflage gear should have an incredible, albeit one-time, effect.’

At least until the moisture dried up.

And since we were racing against the time anyway, it was perfect.

“Alright, I’ll use it now.”

“Yes.”

I nodded.

The Supervisor glanced at the kindergarten teachers starting to ascend the platform, then quietly pulled the muffler over his face.

And then…

He became one of them perfectly.

[Sprout Class ■■■]

“…!”

“– Ah, excellent. A fine disguise. Though it probably won’t hold up for long…”

‘We only need it to hold up for a very short time.’

About three minutes.

And I had to move too.

I waited just a moment to let the Supervisor blend in with the teachers, then began moving with a slight delay.

‘Now’s the time.’

I had to get as close as possible to the platform so Braun could use his ability.

And if I could draw a little attention to make Supervisor Park Minseong’s movements easier among those monsters, that would be even better.

‘Starting now…’

And at that moment, I lifted my head.

“…”

‘Ah.’

I had forgotten something crucial.

That I was a coward.

Teacher Kim Sol-eum, listen.

I’ve read the educational manual!

1- The ■■ kindergarten is eternal.

2- I follow the rules. 

Then, I’m perfect. I’m the perfect teacher. Everyone is safe and happy. There will never be accidents, no one will jump off, and it’s the perfect and safe kindergarten. Everyone follows the rules, and I take care of them perfectly. Everyone will follow the rules, and as I read all the educational books, those who attend the ■■ kindergarten will soon become teachers like me. Now, just read the education manual quickly.

On the stage.

Numerous ■■ kindergarten teachers stood smiling. They are definitely not human. They were never human.

Just looking at them would make your instinct grab your nape and scream in terror.

I knew it in my head. The more I’m scared, the more the mental corruption worsens. I just have to endure it.

And I also knew that compared to Supervisor Park Minseong, who had to blend in with them directly, my task was not that significant.

But…

I am the perfect teacher!I am the perfect teacher!I am the perfect teacher!I am the perfect teacher!I am the perfect teacher!I am the perfect teacher!I am the perfect teacher!I am the perfect teacher!I am the perfect teacher!I am the perfect teacher!I am the perfect teacher!

Because I won’t break the rules!

Did I hold back a scream?

What is this, what the hell is this?

I was told that if I feel fear, I’ll become contaminated, right? 

Is my fear drawing in contamination?

I’m supposed to attract their attention? I need to attract their ga—?

You’re going to die, you’re going to die, you’re going to die.I’m not, I’m not, I’m not.I’m so relieved, so relieved, so perfect, so perfect, so perfect.You’re going to die, you’re going to die, you’re going to die.I’m not, I’m not, I’m not.I’m so relieved, so relieved, so perfect, so perfect, so perfect.You’re going to die, you’re going to die, you’re going to die.I’m not, I’m not, I’m not.I’m so relieved, so relieved, so perfect, so perfect, so perfect.

I’M SO PERFECT BECAUSE I READ THE EDUCATIONAL MANUAL!

"..."

Drip.

Cold sweat dripped from my chin.

I barely stepped forward with my left foot.

One step.

DA-DA-DA-DA-DA-DA-DA-DA-DA-DAA

Their gazes hit me.

I T’ S   T H E   N E W T E A C H E R!

‘Sticker.’

The Tattoo sticker! 

I need to use it now. I don’t think I can hold out…

No, hold on. I shouldn’t use it now.

This is panic, not courage. I need to be rational... No, I need to use it...

“– Roe Deer.”

"..."

“– I’m curious about your favorite fruit, Roe Deer.”

"..."

“– Roe Deer, a humble admirer named Braun is waiting for your answer!”

Question… Answer?

“– What is your favorite fruit?”

"...Grapes."

“– Ah! Nice. A symbol of abundance and glory. In ancient Egypt, it was worshipped as a sacred fruit, and in Greece, it was a highly social and cultural beverage, wasn’t it?”

“– Shall we dive deeper into it? Let’s go forward…”

I slowly took another step.

NEW TEACHER EUN HAJAE WILL HANG BY HER NECK AND DIE!

THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT HANGMAN IS ABOUT!

I looked down as I walked forward.

“– What about wine? It’s a drink that evolved with human civilization. The varieties of grapes, harvest times, and aging methods.”

“– For thousands of years, it has been refined, with the desires of producers and consumers becoming the driving force to maintain its methods and outcomes…”

 One step.

Another step…

"......"

Soon, I reached the edge of the stage.

Just below the platform.

“– Roe Deer, your steps are just the same.”

I raised my head.

“– Courage is extremely essential in the show, people with none, disappear.”

“– And Roe Deer, you’re a participant who wouldn’t disappear. Ah, now I remember. Yes... you were the MVP.”

“– Let’s follow your desire and will.”

Braun said cheerfully.

“– And let’s play our fixed roles beautifully.”

…

Right.

‘Thank you.’

“– Encouragement for the crew is always my specialty!”

I really did appreciate it.

I took a deep breath.

It was a bit better now, though the smiling teachers’ gazes were on me.

This meant that I hadn’t been overwhelmed by fear to the point where whispers or words didn’t carve into my brain.

‘Don’t be overwhelmed by fear.’

I can do this.

I settled into place, stood tall, and looked up at the teachers packed onto the stage.

[New Teacher Eun Hajae, please come up to the stage~]

The hanging began.

On the colorful, vibrant, and pretty stage stood many kindergarten teachers. 

It looked like an event was about to begin, but…

What surrounded them was the gallows.

A black gallows for hanging. Also known as the execution stage.

And a black line appeared in a straight line to the gallows.

At the end of the line were assembled body parts.

Two legs, two arms, thighs, waist, chest, neck.

And lastly, the head.

The moment it appeared on the stage, all the parts merged, and Deputy Manager Eun Hajae exhaled deeply.

Then, gritting her teeth, she looked at the teachers packed around her.

G O O D B Y E!

The teachers clapped quietly with smiling faces.

Eun Hajae, who would probably be cursing under her breath, walked with a pale face.

It wasn’t her choice. Her limbs were forced to move by the black hologram rope, and she was dragged toward the gallows between the teachers.

And…

‘At this timing.’

Do you know?

Of course, touching the teacher selected as Hangman resulted in a penalty.

Attempts to help or even a handshake or exchange of items were strictly forbidden.

It was a rule that was blocked right before you even tried.

So…

We had only one attempt…

[This is the Hangman’s climb to the gallows! This is what happens when you guess the answers correctly.]

As Deputy Manager Eun Hajae climbed the stage to the gallows,

Exactly when she passed next to the teachers.

Thud.

One teacher gave her something.

"..."

Supervisor Park Minseong, disguised as the perfect teacher, quickly ‘handed over’ something to Deputy Eun Hajae.

Since all limbs were bound by ropes, she couldn’t use them. The only thing she could move was small parts.

For example... ‘The mouth.’

The ‘something’ quickly disappeared into Eun Hajae’s mouth.

Without a trace, as if nothing had happened.

Then Eun Hajae continued walking without expression and finally reached the gallows.

Then, the second critical moment arrived.

[Now, let the hanging begin.]

‘Braun!’

Now!

“– Alright.”

“– Let’s meet your mask in a new way! It’s about seeing the familiar in a new light…”

I urgently looked up at Deputy Manager Eun Hajae.

There was no change.

Thud.

The black rope around his neck began to form shape and texture.

[Hangman~!]

And she was lifted.

‘Damn it.’

I wanted to avoid looking at it, but I kept my composure and watched the scene.

The rope held strange, immense power…

Eventually…

Thud.

The headless body fell beneath the stage.

Thud.

I caught the body that fell right in front of me.

The lifeless body showed no signs of life.

It soon faded and vanished…

"......"

[The game is over!]

[New teachers, please wait for evaluation!]

"Ah, it’s finally over."

"Supervisor Roe Deer, you won. But why weren’t we able to guess the answer twice?"

Employees sighed in relief and grumbled as they approached from behind.

Just before the hanging started, the kindergarten had instructed the new teachers to come to the amusement room to see the end of the Hangman game, so they were waiting behind.

"..."

"Ah, it’s your first time seeing a team member die?"

"That Eun Hajae was never the type to live long."

Then, someone patted my shoulder.

"Well... there’s no need to be too shocked, right? She’s dead anyway."

"..."

I laughed.

"...?!"

"Why are you laughing…?"

"She did not die."

"What?!"

"Huh?"

Everyone looked at me like I was crazy.

But then…

"Ugh, what is this?"

The people looking at the stage screamed.

It wasn’t because they saw Eun Hajae’s decapitated head.

Instead…

"Th-This!"

One of them trembled as they pointed to the stage.

"Why... is it a hand?"

Yes.

"Surely it was the head!?"

I laughed as I looked at Eun Hajae’s left hand, which had fallen on the stage.

I never thought I’d laugh at a dismembered body, but I couldn’t help it.

‘It worked!’

“– Oh, what a meticulous craftsmanship!”

“– And an interesting thought—Switching the head and hand.”

Yes.

The goal was to switch the head with the hand without anyone noticing. So that during the hanging, it’s the hand that would be severed instead of the head!

“– Using hands or feet as other body parts is one of the classic show tricks.”

I was really impressed with Braun for doing this for someone who wasn’t even a guest!

‘Of course, this isn’t the end.’

The Hangman always has to ‘die’ to leave.

If Deputy Eun Hajae had survived after the hanging, the ghost story would have realized something was wrong and done something to adhere to the rules.

So...

“– All we needed was to put the apple the size of a plum into Eun Hajae’s mouth.”

That’s why Supervisor Park Minseong had to act earlier.

The apple that had been quickly delivered to Deputy Eun Hajae’s mouth was a ‘death-like sleep-inducing’ item, the Snow White’s Mini Apple.

‘I’m really lucky I now have wrist storage space to carry an apple that hasn’t been juiced!’

So I was able to say this.

– When you climb up to the gallows, if an apple is put in your mouth, swallow the last piece just before your wrist gets cut off.

– What?

– That situation will happen...This is the plan.

Deputy Manager Eun Hajae followed the instructions exactly.

In the end, as everyone mistook the neck for the wrist, when Eun Hajae’s wrist was cut off, she swallowed the last piece of the apple.

That was when, her body, nothing more than a mere ‘corpse,’ was designated as ‘Executed by the hangman’ and was ejected from the ghost story.

Right.

There was no other way out but that...!

...

I succeeded.

"Haa...!"

I pressed my face tightly.

I still wanted to hurry and confirm her survival.

‘Someone might mistake her for a corpse and transport her away.’

It still felt a little too early to feel catharsis or relief, but I wanted to get out quickly...

[The evaluation has come out!]

Fortunately, the final sign was displayed on the TV.

Soon, those who didn’t contribute to completing the Hangman Word would be penalized, and those who did would pass.

However, judging by the signs, it seemed that no one would be contaminated enough to not escape.

"Roe!"

Just as the teachers left the podium and disappeared, Park Minseong also jumped down.

"We... We did it, right!"

"Yes."

"Waaahhh!"

The Supervisor collapsed to the ground in joy and relief.

"I’m glad I slipped in during that gap..."

Although Supervisor Park Minseong’s face was pale, he finally removed his disguise equipment and smiled genuinely.

"Supervisor, you’ll get another penalty because you didn’t guess an alphabet correctly..."

"Ah, I can handle up to the second one."

As discussed earlier, the supervisor nodded, as if to say he would endure it willingly.

"Honestly, it doesn’t feel good... but well, taking on contamination once for not guessing the answer is better than having the deputy manager die! There won’t be a third time, so it’s fine..."

[Oh no, wrong!]

"...?"

"...?"

Huh?

[New teachers are supposed to stay under the stage! You must not step onto the stage!]

[As a penalty, please read the educational manual for 10 minutes!]

Supervisor Park Minseong looked up at the spot he had just come from.

"Ah."

The stage.

"I got caught..."

And he was dragged away.