Ring-ring-ring~
Some time later, the long break ended, and the preparatory bell rang again, signaling everyone to return to their classrooms. The 'students' followed their respective classes, returning in neat, orderly lines.
This long break had essentially served as a "rules explanation" session. Everyone stood on the sports field while the 'Principal' stood at the front, relentlessly reciting the 'School Rules' for over twenty minutes.
Most of these rules were similar to those found in ordinary schools: no running in the hallways, no unauthorized visits to other classrooms, and no littering.
However, there were also some rather peculiar rules, such as no bathroom breaks during the break between the third and fourth classes, no lingering in the cafeteria for more than twenty minutes, and no leaving the dormitory after lights-out.
The most outrageous part was that Invincible Bro, using his ability, could discern that most of these rules were genuine—obeying them would ensure safety. Yet, hidden among them were deliberately misleading rules; following them might actually trigger danger.
"That's just overflowing with malice..." Invincible Bro muttered under his breath as he followed the group, taking a long detour to reach the door of his own classroom. Suddenly, he noticed that the giant blocking the hallway had shifted slightly.
"?" He naturally wore a puzzled expression, but the mere fact that the corpse had moved offered no useful clues.
Lost in thought, he followed the Dark Shadow Teacher ahead back to First-Year Class Three. As soon as he entered, he froze.
Four desks had been pushed together to form a single large table. Firefly, Soup Dumpling, and Lü Heng were seated around it, heads bowed as they studied a stack of cards on the surface. At first glance, it looked like they were playing Scum.
Then, a low, sinister chuckle emanated from the Dark Shadow Teacher beside him. Clearly, entering a class other than one's own was a violation of the School Rules, and any such transgression allowed the monsters to act.
"Watch out..." Invincible Bro managed to utter only two words before the Dark Shadow Teacher lunged toward the trio. Its body rapidly expanded, as if intent on enveloping them whole and devouring them in one gulp.
The next instant, a cyan sword light flashed. Lü Heng thought he heard a faint pop, like a balloon bursting.
Staring at the dumbfounded Invincible Bro in the doorway, Lü Heng muttered under his breath, "Why does this scene feel so familiar?"
Firefly stood up and strode toward the entrance. "What were you two doing? Why didn't you keep your appointment? And move aside already."
Invincible Bro and Shu Cat quickly scrambled out of the way, clearing the doorway for Firefly. Her next move was simple: she raised her right hand, extended her sword, and mechanically swung it from side to side.
After the Dark Shadow Teacher's death, the mannequins from its class had gone berserk, charging toward Firefly. But they were trapped outside the classroom, while she remained inside. The narrow doorway could only accommodate a limited number of mannequins at a time.
The scene now resembled a classic last stand, with a twist: instead of a valiant warrior holding the line, it was a beautiful young girl, yawning between sword swings.
There was nothing else to be done. The monsters were simply too stupid. Firefly could just swing her sword left and right, and they would swarm toward her, throwing themselves onto her blade. Slaughtering them in this situation gave her none of the satisfaction of mowing grass, only boredom.
Soon, all the "students" of First-Year Class Three were dead, their corpses nearly blocking the entire front entrance. Witnessing this, Invincible Bro finally understood. "No wonder I didn't see Class Two during the Principal's speech during Long Break..."
So, they just wiped out the entire class, huh?
"You were actually at Long Break?" Soup Dumpling exclaimed in surprise. "No wonder I couldn't find you at the meeting point."
After Invincible Bro and Soup Dumpling exchanged accounts of their recent experiences, they were both left speechless.
I thought you guys were dead when you didn't show up at the meeting point. Who could have imagined you were forcibly dragged to listen to the Principal drone on about the rules?
I thought you guys were dead when I didn't see you on the field. Who could have guessed you'd slaughtered your entire class?
Just then, Firefly returned to their makeshift "table." Overhearing their conversation, she turned to Invincible Bro and asked, "So, after enduring the Principal's endless speech, did you actually learn anything useful?"
"Well... I think there used to be one here, but it's probably gone now." Invincible Bro glanced around, unable to find the Dark Shadow Teacher's corpse, and reluctantly gave up. "Based on my deduction, one way to clear this Dimensional Rift might be to become model students—follow all the School Rules, survive here for five days, and then leave during the weekend break."
"But now that all the teachers and students in the class are dead, that method probably won't work anymore."
Without teachers to guide them, the group had no idea what the normal routine would be. Take Firefly's First-Year Class Two, for example—they hadn't even known about the Long Break.
And there were bound to be other similar activities later, like special classes in different classrooms, meals in the cafeteria, or returning to the dormitory after school.
Hearing this, Firefly averted her gaze awkwardly, twirling a strand of hair near her ear with her index finger. "It's not my fault! We didn't know where you two had gone. Plus, the desks and chairs in First-Year Class Two were piled up in such a mess. We just thought we'd come to your classroom to regroup and see if we could wait for you here."
Just as the group arrived, so did a monster. The Dark Shadow had already launched its attack, leaving Firefly no choice but to reluctantly defend herself. With a casual swing of her weapon, she swiftly dispatched it.
As for why the three of them were here, it all started shortly after they defeated the female ghost. Firefly suddenly felt a faint warmth in her pocket and remembered she was carrying a deck of Tarot cards.
It instantly occurred to her that the ghost's slowed movements were likely due to the cards' effect.
On a whim, she suggested, "Since we're clueless about how to clear this Instance, why don't we try a Tarot reading?" They then made their way to the First-Year Class Three classroom to wait for the others while "playing cards."
However, upon reaching their destination, Firefly realized she had no idea how to actually perform a Tarot reading.
Meanwhile, outside the Dimensional Rift, Robin was still frantically searching online for Tarot card tutorials.