Classmate Reunion in a Horror Game

"Welcome to the horror instance dungeon."Attention, players! The clearance condition is to survive for seven days. You are all the most honored guests of this village. Finally, we hope you have a pleasant day."One second ago, I had just clicked on a link someone had posted in our class group chat. A second later, a cold mechanical voice rang out in my ear.In a daze, I opened my eyes, only to find myself standing at the entrance of a village. Fog churned thickly in front of me, so dense that I could barely see anything. I could only hear a few panicked but familiar voices."What is this place? I don't want to be here. I want to go home. I want to go home!""I was just one minute away from clocking in. I've just lost this month's perfect attendance award!"Then, an ice-cold voice cut through the crowd. "All of you, shut up."At the same moment, the fog slowly dissipated, and the scene before us gradually came into focus.Standing there was my university's graduating class—all

"Hey, handsome. What a coincidence," I chirped.The giant snake, which was now in human form, was dressed in flowing black robes with long white hair cascading over his shoulders like moonlight, giving him the air of a charming, old-world gentleman.The slight flush on the tips of his ears added a touch of vivid beauty to his otherwise cold and severe features."30 survivors left."The icy mechanical voice interrupted my thoughts. In just half a day, a quarter of us were already dead.Seeing the increasingly dangerous look in the man's eyes, I instinctively wrapped my arms around his strong waist and pulled him closer. There was no avoiding each other—the space between us was impossibly tight.Suddenly, a pair of enormous wings sprouted from the man's back, and the scales on his body seemed sharper than ever. There was even a faint, eerie shimmer about them.At the same time, a wave of drowsiness hit me, almost causing me to fall asleep instantly. In my groggy state, I could sti

I turned a deaf ear to their cruel words.Could eloping with a poor student really be the key plot point?I stared at the paper, both surprised and doubtful, but I had already made up my mind. Whatever happened, I had to go and see for myself.When night fell, I followed the address written on the piece of paper and arrived at the rendezvous point. Immediately, I spotted the black-haired male student—currently being role-played by the snake-man—standing with his hands behind his back."Hey, is eloping the key plot point?"I wasn't afraid. Compared to all the half-human, half-demon creatures lurking in the dark, this snake demon, who looked more human than not, actually seemed safer."Elias Vaughn," he said, turning his head slightly.Under the pale moonlight, his usually sharp, deep features seemed exceptionally gentle. The sight of this spectacular, god-like beauty stunned me, and it took me a long while before I realized he'd been telling me his name.After a few seconds, I a

I rolled up my sleeves and strode over, grabbing one of the kids by the scruff of his neck."Do you even have any manners at all? What did your parents teach—"Before I could finish, I caught a clear glimpse of the little kid's face. I jumped back in shock, clutching Elias' arm as if I were holding on for dear life.The kid's face was a mangled ruin with no discernible features, just a gaping mouth lined with razor-sharp teeth. Crimson blood spilled from the corners of his lips as he gnawed on a thigh—a human thigh.The other kids were cradling other body parts in their arms, too, and one of the kids to the side was stuffing a human heart into his mouth. Thick, foul-smelling fluid smeared across his lips as he started crawling toward me with the heart in hand.But when I held my breath and stayed perfectly silent, they stopped munching as well. Any slightest sound, though, they'd start crawling toward me again. It was a scene straight out of a horror movie."Yes, they track by so

In the car, "Mom" jabbered endlessly, rambling about everything under the sun—from babies to the dying elderly—but I could tell that what she really wanted was for me to go back to school."If someone's bullying you at school, you can just tell the teachers. Besides, it takes two to tango. If you don't provoke them, why would they only target you?"Listening to her self-righteous words, I suddenly understood the rooftop suicide scene a bit more. I took Elias' hand, smiled, and said, "Sure. Let's go now. I'll still be in time for the evening study hall.""Mom's" expression finally softened, then she started lecturing again. "Look at Cecille's daughter—top three in her grade…"I simply put my hands over my ears. Instant mute function.Elias came with me to the classroom. When we appeared in the doorway, everyone's eyes fell on us. However, I could sense that the looks aimed at me were full of disdain, while the ones on Elias were looks of appreciation.When I took my seat, the buzz