Don't Feed the Professor! - Chapter 81

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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-You said you didn’t like standing out, didn’t you?
“Well, it’s not about liking or disliking. It’s just work.”
-You actually want to do it, don’t you?
“Maybe I do. They say the camera loves a face like mine, after all.”
I spoke lightly, and Mallo chuckled softly through the phone.
He still seemed unhappy about my decision to accept the shoot with Morrison.
Not that I was eager to model for some sketchy magazine—but I couldn’t take it back now.
I’d drifted between odd jobs my whole life, but once I took on work, I saw it through to the end. It was something I took pride in, though it felt foolish to say aloud.
“Wait just a moment.”
I greeted the dormitory supervisor and stepped inside.
‘What’s this…?’
-Lee Yuri?
“Nothing’s wrong. I just came back to the Dormitory—”
-What is it?
“It’s just… quieter than usual.”
I climbed to the second floor. After Friya left, the hallway had been empty.
When I reached the third floor, I found Momo’s door standing open.
I’d been starting to worry, but it looked like she’d finally come back to school.
‘This works out well. I had questions for her anyway.’
I’d planned to ask about the “Cart Collector” and “48” from the Hot Line.
If Momo had ever seen them in person, I could eliminate them as suspects.
And I needed to hand over the belongings I’d found at the hotel before too much time passed.
I’d had shameful thoughts back then, but still—Momo was something like my first friend.
Thinking things I couldn’t tell anyone, I hurried forward.
“Momo, I need to tell you—!”
…What?
I stopped dead in front of the door.
Momo’s room was empty. Not a single piece of furniture, not a speck of dust—completely bare.
“What the—”
Did she really leave? Just like this?
‘Of course she did.’
Momo had probably gone back to her family. To the people who loved her, like her grandmother who’d left behind those belongings.
When I’d found Momo’s Grandmother’s letter before, I’d realized something: I’d been feeling a sense of kinship with Momo.
I’d thought our situations were quite similar, but once I learned they weren’t, I couldn’t feel pure joy about her situation anymore.
‘I’m pathetic.’
I mocked myself.
Still thirsty for such meager affection, envying a girl I’d called a friend.
‘…God, I’m depressed again.’
It’s fine. I’ll just crawl back to my room and under my blankets.
I’ll feel better in ten minutes.
That was when—
-Lee Yuri.
I flinched. I’d completely forgotten I was still on the phone with Mallo.
I was scrambling to think of an excuse.
-Want to go shooting?
“…Sorry?”
-Come with me.
And the call ended.
Bewildered, I just stared at my phone before looking down out the hallway window on a hunch.
A Black Sedan I’d never seen before caught my eye in the Parking Lot behind the Dormitory.
What is that respectable-looking car doing here?
Ding.
[You going to jump out the window again?]
“…?”
Looking back out, I saw Mallo’s face in the driver’s seat, smiling up at me.
I quickly typed a response.
[But there’s no class today]
Ding.
[What would make you come out?]
I giggled and typed another message.
[Maybe if you asked nicely]
The reply came quickly.
[Please come out]
And then, another ding.
[You’re on academic probation]
I finally laughed and closed the window. I bounded down the stairs with light steps.
* * *
[WARNING]
[Warning]
This area is a Military Control Zone under the Military Base and Military Facility Protection Law.
Civilian access is strictly prohibited.
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Please evacuate immediately upon reading this notice.
1. Do not respond to undesignated signals.
2. Only designated weapons may be used. Violation will result in
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immediate eviction, and no refund of deposits.
3. Do not respond to sounds coming from the forest. Under no circumstances
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to confirm targets shall you
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approach.
4. Do not stray more than a set distance from your group. If companions disappear from view, do not recount your group members
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.
5. Exit is only permitted after sunset. All belongings must be disposed of
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.
No errors found
Commander, 701st Unit
(Closed ○/○/○○○○)
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It was an old Outdoor Shooting Range surrounded by forest.
Stepping out of the Wooden Cabin, I found a rectangular clearing. On the far end of the clearing, human-shaped targets were spaced out in a row.
Mallo, who’d said he’d follow soon, was nowhere to be seen.
I paused and looked around. At first, the endless dark forest had felt ominous, but from this vantage point, it seemed quite peaceful.
‘No information on the shooting range in my head…’
I closed the index in my mind. If it had been dangerous, Mallo wouldn’t have left me alone like this.
As I loitered near the Shooting Line, I spotted a small wooden mailbox standing at the edge of the forest.
‘Why would there be a mailbox out here?’
I approached and opened the small door.
Inside was a single note.
This note is hidden in the second fire extinguisher in the passageway connecting to Seongsim Hall.
Read it only after confirming no one is nearby.
‘Seongsim Hall…?’
I’d heard that name somewhere before.
I looked up and glanced around. Still no sign of anyone.
I continued reading the handwritten note.
These few words are for those visiting for the first time.
If you are an agent or civil servant from The Agency who has infiltrated this place,
forget all instructions about the fire extinguisher.
The trick has been exposed and it is no longer
valid.
If you do not adapt, survival is
impossible.
So erase any thoughts of
swift escape from your mind now.
Even if you encounter someone you know or a
public figure here, never acknowledge them.
If possible, erase that from your memory too. You have nothing to gain from each other.
Especially do not make eye contact with the children.
They’re here for a different purpose than you are.
I wish I could help them, but unfortunately that’s impossible. Do not approach the Dormitory. Especially during Roll Call Time, pretend not to hear anything, no matter what sounds come out.
Once you’ve finished reading, check your surroundings. A hand mirror and a medicine bottle are placed inside the fire extinguisher.
Use the mirror to check behind you, and if someone is watching, immediately break the medicine bottle and
swallow the pill.
It will cause a seizure within thirty seconds. Don’t worry.
There won’t be any permanent damage.
If no one is nearby, return the note to its place.
And remember.
You have no allies here.
I peered inside the mailbox. If the Hand Mirror and Medicine Bottle had actually been there, I would have felt awful, but thankfully it was empty.
I’d just put the note back and turned around when—
“Here.”
Mallo stood behind me, holding large Ear Protectors and Safety Glasses.
“You scared me!”
My heart was pounding, but Mallo just laughed. I looked at the Safety Glasses and asked.
“Do we really need all this?”
I knew the safety rules, of course. They were written on the door.
But it felt strange to worry about shell casings flying around in such a suspicious place.
“You should learn properly the first time.”
Mallo placed the Ear Protectors on my head as he spoke.
Even though he was clearly planning to shove them in, I lowered my gaze and muttered quietly.
Mallo said something in response, but I couldn’t hear him through the Ear Protectors.
“What was that?”
I tried to take off the Ear Protectors, but Mallo caught my arm. He shook his head, still smiling.
Then he led me straight to the Shooting Line.
A round wooden target came into view. I picked up the Practice Automatic Pistol and stood with my feet shoulder-width apart, just as I’d heard earlier.
Oh, right.
I looked up.
“Shouldn’t I take off the Ear Protectors? For the class registration, they mentioned ears—”
A hand slipped around my arm, and I fell silent.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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