I Became A Ghost In A Horror Game-Chapter 22: Raid

It was midnight.

I heard the sound of something being swung from the end of the hallway and thought it might be an intruder, so I went to check.

There, I found Soo-ho swinging his shield.

"What are you doing at this hour?"

"Hm? Oh, it’s you, Ella."

Now, I don’t even surprise him when I approach from behind.

Soo-ho was drenched in sweat, as though he had been swinging for quite a while.

I asked him what he was working so hard on.

"I just wanted to get better at handling my shield, so I was practicing."

That’s admirable. But being alone like this is dangerous.

That’s why I’ve been sprinkling purification salt around the classroom and clubroom.

"It’s dangerous to be wandering around alone, you know? Don’t you have any sense of caution?"

Soo-ho scratched his head at my words, and I noticed him smiling slightly. I felt a bit annoyed by his smile and asked what was so funny.

"Looking at you like this, it seems like you really care about us."

"...I’m just keeping my promise. I know you want to protect everyone, but it’s not good to be by yourself."

Soo-ho’s expression turned a little downcast. Seeing that, I felt a bit sorry for him and added,

"...If you’re practicing, I’ll stay here to watch over you."

He looked at me in surprise, like he wasn’t expecting me to say that. I avoided his gaze. But I suppose it would be unexpected.

After all, I’m supposed to be a vengeful spirit. Saying I’m here to protect you sounds like a reasonable excuse, but this was clearly an act of kindness.

"I’ll stay for just a little while. Once you’re done, go to sleep."

"Ah... okay."

After that, Soo-ho silently continued swinging his shield.

He seemed to be focusing on his balance, aware that, with his smaller frame, he might be thrown off by the weight of the shield.

I saw him adopt an angle in his attacks that suggested a good level of technique. Looking at him, Ha-rim, Kyung-min, and Soo-ho all seemed to have sharp minds.

As for Eun-jung? Well, she doesn’t like to move and often comes off as a bit clumsy...

It felt awkward just watching, so I wondered if I should say something.

Usually, kids with a tendency to protect others often have someone they’ve been protecting since birth.

Remembering that, I casually asked ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) Soo-ho.

"You have a younger sibling, right?"

"Huh? How did you know? I have a younger sister."

"Just a hunch."

"So, why do you ask about my sister?"

Soo-ho stopped practicing and turned to continue the conversation. He seemed pretty close with his younger sister. I’ve always been an only child, so I wondered what it would be like to have a sibling.

"What’s it like, having a younger sister?"

"Hmm... It’s annoying. Sometimes she throws tantrums and is always messing around with my computer. I wish she’d stop."

"..."

"But, I’m the older brother, so I want to protect her."

So that’s what it’s like. If I had an older brother—or even a sibling—would they want to look out for me? Though, thinking about it, they’d probably try to kick me out like Mom does... hard to understand when I think about it.

"It’s hard to understand."

When I muttered to myself, Soo-ho looked a bit sad. Is it really something to be so upset about?

"You don’t have to be blood-related to want to protect someone. Like, for example, friends like Eun-jung, who are physically weak. The more you care about someone, the stronger that desire grows. What about you, Ella?"

"Well... since you guys are weaker than me, I want to protect you..."

Wait, I’m saying some pretty cheesy stuff, huh? What is this guy making me say?

As I looked back, I noticed Soo-ho’s smirk growing. Is he messing with me on purpose?

"You’re teasing me, aren’t you?"

When I narrowed my eyes, Soo-ho flailed his hands in panic.

"What? No! I’m just happy you’re thinking about us!"

"...Remember the time you tickled me? You better watch out."

"Ahaha... I was just caught up in the mood back then. Did you really hate it that much?"

"It wasn’t just a little hate! You guys tortured me so mercilessly!"

Honestly, I almost cried.

"But Ella, you teased me first with that ghost stuff. It was so embarrassing, but I guess it was deserved!"

The little guy... talking back?!

He’s really grown up! I can’t believe this!

Hmph...

Well, what’s the point of arguing with a kid?

It’s nice to feel at ease, but I didn’t expect to be teased in return.

Somehow, I don’t mind that much.

"Alright, it’s getting late. You should go to bed soon."

"Got it."

Soo-ho washed himself off with a towel hanging in the bathroom and cleaned up with soap. As I watched, he gave me a glance as if asking me not to stare.

I quietly moved to another nearby mirror. After Soo-ho finished and entered the clubroom, I continued my patrol.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

It must be outside.

"..."

No, stop it. You've already accepted it. This is an old concern. You're not a kid anymore!

I splashed some cold water on my face to shake off my thoughts. Might as well get some fresh air outside too.

The moment I slipped out of the mirror, I saw a white beast’s front paw appear in my field of vision.

"Ugh?!"

The power of the creature, too strong for my light frame to resist, sent me flying through the air. As I soared, I quickly took stock of the situation. White fur, a form like a tiger. Is it [Jangsanbeom]?

Why is it here?

And that thing came out of the mirror.

It must have appeared right when I did!

This situation isn’t looking good.

Even though I’m flying, I’m heading straight for a wall. Using the momentum, I kicked off the wall to crash into the creature.

[Ding Dong!]

I bent my legs to land against the wall, but the expected impact never came.

There was no wall. What just happened?

Before I could understand anything, I was shoved into a space that replaced the wall.

"An elevator?"

I instinctively sensed the danger, but before I could even brace myself, the elevator doors closed.

[Ding Dong! 666th floor.]

"Open it! Open it!!"

I pounded the door with my fists, but nothing happened. This must be some kind of ‘gimmick’—physical interference was futile here.

[Ding Dong!]

When I regained my senses, I found myself in a dark space. The elevator that had carried me was nowhere to be found.

I couldn’t move to the mirror.

Damn...

-----

Tweet tweet tweet tweet...

The sound of birds chirping.

A symbol of morning.

Ha-rim and the kids slowly woke up. As expected, the moon hanging in the sky greeted us.

Ah, good morning!

Ha-rim shook Eun-jung, who was still groggy, and fixed her clothes.

[Alright, kids, time for class.]

The teacher spoke. Vacation was already over.

Trying to calm my disappointment, I asked Kyung-min.

"What’s the first class?"

"Math!"

Eun-jung groaned.

"Eww... I hate math."

Yet she rummaged through her bag, looking for her textbook... but it wasn’t there?

I searched my bag as well, and found nothing but strange odds and ends.

There were plenty of bouncy balls that looked like frog eggs. Still, we needed to bring our books since it’s school.

I slung my bag over my shoulder and said,

"I don’t have the textbook, teacher."

I spoke honestly to the teacher, who was outside the clubroom.

But why hasn’t she come in yet?

[The teacher will give you a spare. Please come out.]

We all stood up at the same time, lining up to head out the door.

My head was hurting. Why? Did I choose something too salty from the convenience store?

No, something’s off. Something...

"Ha-rim, what’s wrong?"

Soo-ho asked.

"I just feel like I forgot something. Come to think of it, didn’t you forget your shield, Soo-ho?"

"Oh, right. I completely forgot about it."

Kyung-min and Eun-jung also realized they’d forgotten things and went to grab them.

"Alright, let’s go."

Soo-ho started walking, and one by one, the rest of us followed, with me at the back. We opened the door and took one step, then another.

Going outside is a normal thing, but why does it feel so awkward?

My head is pounding. It’s as if something is trying to invade my mind.

This is weird.

So weird!

[Survival]

The moment I stepped outside the classroom, my necklace began to glow.

Immediately, I launched myself toward the kids in front of me.

My body hit them, knocking them over one by one.

"Ugh?!"

A white beast’s paw streaked past my head as I collapsed. The blow was so strong, it could have shattered our skulls if it had landed.

Before I could even raise my head, I grabbed the fire extinguisher beside me, yanked the pin, and blocked the assailant’s line of sight.

"Ha-rim, what are you doing!!!"

"Stop mimicking the teacher!"

Our precious teacher, who listens seriously to even the simplest of consultations!

Bang!

Once again, the creature’s front paw swung at the spot I had just been. It missed, likely because it attacked based on the sound of my voice.

I grabbed Eun-jung and shook her hard to snap her out of it.

Eun-jung rang the bell with a dazed expression.

Ding

Suddenly, clarity returned, and the members, noticing the anomaly, immediately assumed fighting stances.

Soo-ho raised his shield, and Kyung-min unfolded his red notebook.

As the powder from the fire extinguisher slowly dissipated, the creature that attacked us emerged.

White fur and red eyes, a creature shaped like a tiger. I knew exactly what this was.

Jangsanbeom

A beast that mimics human voices to lure people in. Its nature is often described as cruel, aggressive, and bloodthirsty.

Facing danger, the thought of Ella immediately came to mind. Where is she? Please, she’s not the one who got attacked, right?!

Considering it couldn’t attack us while we were asleep, the salt that had been sprinkled in front of the door must have worked!

We had to get back inside, I thought.

"!!!"

However, there was no door—only an elevator, its mouth wide open, revealing the space inside. The door had clearly been inside the salted area.

This was the flaw in the "physical" intrusion defense Ella had mentioned.

Before I could fully assess the situation, the Jangsanbeom puffed up its body. Kyung-min quickly spotted it and warned us.

"Watch out! It’s going to charge!"

Hearing that, Soo-ho moved forward. As expected, the Jangsanbeom leaped at us, aiming to crush us with its jump. Soo-ho’s shield collided with the beast.

"Ugh!"

It wouldn’t have been strange if Soo-ho had been knocked down, but thanks to the shield’s ability, he was only pushed back.

"Doesn't the teacher's words make any sense?!"

Before I could ask if he was okay, the Jangsanbeom prepared its next attack.

It seemed better to dodge this time than try to block it.

After one block, the second attack would likely be harder to stop.

"Eun-jung!"

I only called her name, and Eun-jung rang the bell again.

Ding

I felt my body lighten. Soo-ho, having read my thoughts, began retreating, handling the incoming attacks by deflecting them instead of blocking directly.

Though my body felt lighter, that beast was still too fast.

I threw the used fire extinguisher at it, but the creature didn’t flinch, still charging toward us.

Even if we ran, it was faster than us!

Then Kyung-min muttered something while looking at the red notebook in his hands.

Like a sorcerer performing a ritual, he waved his hand and sprinkled red powder onto the Jangsanbeom.

"Cough! Cough! Who’s throwing chalk?!"

The Jangsanbeom’s movements slowed! Now, we might be able to outrun it!

"We have no way to fight it! We need to run!"

Without Ella, who had been the force behind our defense, all we could do was retreat.

"We need to pull back," I said, turning my body.

At that moment, Eun-jung grabbed my arm. It seemed like she was saying something felt off.

Could it be...?

"Am I pretty?"

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A woman with a red mask was approaching from the other hallway.

I wanted to scream.

But I couldn’t. In this critical moment, I couldn’t communicate a strategy. Even Soo-ho was being pushed back by the Jangsanbeom.

I had to take action, even if it meant taking one person with me.

Without thinking, I sprinted straight at the Jangsanbeom.

"Soo-ho, block it!"

"You’re being reckless again!"

Soo-ho said that but still stepped in front of me, using his shield to block the attack. I struck the Jangsanbeom intentionally and ran away.

"Oh my, Ha-rim, did you just hit me? Are you trying to die?"

Now it’s even mimicking Ella’s tone. It’s really annoying.

"I’ll take care of the Jangsanbeom! You guys handle that woman and look for a chance to escape!"

I ran toward the stairs on the upper floor. The Jangsanbeom, though slower, was still matching my pace. I rummaged through my bag.

Among the frog-egg-like balls, I found a tile. How did I use this again?

(Ella, how do I use this?)

(It’s a paper tile. Just tear it.)

The school had a winding staircase. Once I reached the first step, the second set of stairs turned, and as the Jangsanbeom lost sight of me, I tore the tile.

A strange energy seemed to envelop my body.

I realized I had become invisible!

I held my breath and pressed against the wall.

"......"

Luckily, the Jangsanbeom passed by, heading upstairs.

Was I safe for now?

I tried to calm my racing heart and organized my thoughts.

There were three creatures that had invaded the school: the elevator beast, the red-masked woman, and the Jangsanbeom.

What could I do now?

I carefully climbed the rest of the stairs and considered how to deal with the Jangsanbeom.

If I used the spoils I had gathered earlier outside...

"Hahaha! Hee-hee-hee!"

A laugh interrupted my thoughts.

I pressed my body back against the wall and surveyed the situation.

Children my age were laughing and walking toward me.

They flickered like mirages rather than people.

But the dangerous weapons in their hands scraped against the walls and floor.

Thankfully, since I was still invisible, they didn’t notice me, but if I was chased by both the Jangsanbeom and those creatures, I wouldn’t stand a chance.

What is going on?

Where in the world is Ella?!