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“That’s right. For now, let’s just leave this classroom.”
Jiang Rou’s suggestion quickly gained support from most participants. Although the sky was extremely overcast and the wind howled all around, it wasn’t fully dark yet, so presumably they were still within the story’s safe period.
But as soon as they stepped out of the classroom, the girl walking at the very front let out a soft gasp.
In their field of vision, the dim corridor stretched ahead. On one side were rows of classrooms lined up in order, while on the other side was a sealed fence, like a giant iron cage enveloping the entire teaching building. It looked less like a school and more like a prison.
This unexpected sight clearly startled the girl from Group Nine.
“It seems Shizhu Middle School enforces very strict management over its students,” Zhong Qing said with a calm smile, turning back. “Didn’t you know? In some schools, due to intense competitive pressure, students occasionally jump off buildings to commit suicide. To prevent such incidents, they install iron cages on the corridors and rooftops. That way, doesn’t it stop suicides from happening?”
“Oh, I see…” The earlier girl, probably feeling she had overreacted, showed a slightly embarrassed expression. “But still, doesn’t that make it just like a prison?”
Zhong Qing nodded but didn’t respond. Inwardly, though, she thought this might be another hint from the story. The immense academic pressure on students at this school, and the iron cages on the corridors and rooftops, could be telling the participants that a student had once jumped to their death here.
Soon, the sixteen of them had walked out of the teaching building. Throughout this process, like the beginning of any other story, nothing unexpected happened. However, just as they were leaving the building, that same girl unconsciously glanced back, and her face turned pale as she let out another gasp.
Hearing her cry, everyone immediately turned around. They all saw it: outside the fourth-floor classroom where they had just been, a shadowy figure holding a flashlight slowly walked past the room they had occupied.
“Let’s go! Get out of here!”
Since all sixteen were present, the figure with the flashlight was undoubtedly one of “those things” lurking on campus. Without hesitation, everyone quickened their pace and headed out. After crossing the playground, a very obvious iron gate came into view.
Without a doubt, this was the school’s exit. But at that moment, the gate was tightly shut. Dai Minghan walked over and pushed hard, finding it immovable. Next to the gate, however, he noticed a piece of paper stuck to the wall.
“I see. Even though the task doesn’t limit how long we can stay, leaving this school won’t be so easy,” he said, tearing the paper off and handing it to Chen Mo.
It read:
Shizhu Middle School Entry and Exit Management Regulation One Opening Time: 7:00 Closing Time: 7:00
“It looks like we just missed the dismissal time…”
It was now 7:10 PM. Running at full speed from the teaching building to the school gate would take less than three minutes. After putting down the paper, Chen Mo’s face showed a hint of frustration.
“This story is really playing a big joke on us.”
If they hadn’t had that discussion in the classroom and had rushed to the gate as soon as they received the task, there might have been a slim chance of leaving before the gate closed. But how could they have known that information before seeing this note?
“That radio station is such a twisted jerk.”
Zhong Qing put down the paper with some annoyance, a trace of anger showing on her face. Deliberately leaving loopholes in the story, only to have participants miss them inadvertently—this wasn’t the first time that wretched radio station had used such tricks to mess with everyone.
Since they had already missed the time to leave, everyone could only curse inwardly. But Lin Tianheng walked to the side, looking up and surveying the surroundings.
Around the school gate was a wall, not very high, which could be easily climbed over.
“No, we can’t use that method,” Chen Mo immediately stopped him when he saw Lin Tianheng’s eager expression.
“Don’t forget, our current identity is students. And from what we’ve seen, Shizhu Middle School clearly has very strict rules. Even though the task doesn’t specify how to leave, given our student status, I think there’s at least one bottom line: the way we leave absolutely cannot violate school rules!”
“Well said.” Zhong Qing glanced at Chen Mo with some curiosity and nodded. “I share the same view on this.”
“So, does that mean the hidden condition of this task is that we have to stay in this school for a full twelve hours?”
“No, not necessarily. Look, there’s another piece of paper here.”
At that moment, Dai Minghan walked over to another gate and tore down another sheet of paper. After a quick read, he handed it to Chen Mo.
It read:
Shizhu Middle School Entry and Exit Management Regulation Two Emergency Handling Procedure: After the gate is closed, a spare key is stored in the principal’s office. In case of an emergency requiring entry or exit, go there to retrieve it.
“So that’s it!” Lin Tianheng seemed a bit excited. “That means we don’t have to wait here until dawn.”
“Don’t get too happy too soon,” Zhong Qing shook her head. “Even though this paper is a hint for us, it probably won’t be that easy to accomplish. First of all, we don’t even know where the principal’s office is.”
“But since the hint has been given, and we have no better options now, we might as well try to find the principal’s office first.”
“I guess that’s the only way,” Jiang Rou nodded.
“Hold on.” At that moment, Pan Long’s voice suddenly rang out from behind the crowd. Chen Mo turned around and saw three others standing beside Pan Long, all four of them unmoving.
“Our Group Four just discussed it and decided it’s better to act separately.”
“Why?” Jiang Rou looked surprised. “Wouldn’t it be better to stick together with more people?”
“Come on, you’ve been in horror stories from the spirit world before, haven’t you? How haven’t you figured this out yet?” Pan Long shook his head. “When has any task ever been solved by outnumbering the enemy? Just because there are more of us, does that mean the ghosts won’t attack? Numbers don’t mean much in these stories. In fact, one person triggering a killing move could drag others into trouble. I don’t want to be caught in that mess.”
“Alright then.” Jiang Rou’s face showed a hint of resignation.
“Chen Mo, why do you think Pan Long wants to take Group Four and act alone?” Lin Tianheng asked, a strange expression on his face as he watched the four walk away.
Chen Mo thought for a moment.
“If I had to guess, they must have found some clue just now that the rest of us haven’t noticed yet.”
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