At that moment, a light pierced through the thick fog in the distance. A bus slowly emerged, its dark shape gliding closer until it stopped with a groan at the bus stop.
The door creaked open.
Everyone fell silent. Even Yoon Seo-rin, who had been smiling faintly, lifted her head to watch.
The bus was painted a dark, blood-red, reeking of something foul and metallic. Inside glowed an eerie green light. At the wheel sat a driver with a stiff, expressionless face, as empty as a puppet's mask.
"Everyone, get on." Professor Lee Sang-woo set the example, stepping up first.
The others, terrified though they were, treated him as their anchor. Since he dared to board, they reluctantly followed.
The instant they stepped inside, a chill ran through them. The bus's interior was grotesque—
The seats were made of bones.The floor was covered in something soft and black, like hair.From the ceiling hung countless eyes, rolling restlessly, gazing at the passengers with greedy madness.Even the windows looked like they were made from stretched human skin.
A shiver spread through the group.
Han Ji-hye's scalp prickled. She clung tightly to Jang Min-ho's arm, her voice trembling. "Do we really have to ride this? This… this is too scary…"
"We're still novice players. This bus is safe. It can't harm us." Professor Lee's steady voice reassured them.
Seo-rin heard his words as she entered. She glanced around at the grotesque décor, but unlike the others, her expression stayed calm, almost curious. She slipped into a seat with practiced ease.
There were eight players in total.
Four men, four women.
Besides the couple clinging to each other, no one else seemed familiar.
Most huddled near Professor Lee. Only Seo-rin and Kang Do-hyun chose isolation—Seo-rin sat just behind the driver, while Do-hyun claimed a seat near the back, looming like a watchful predator.
The bus rumbled forward into the fog.
The horrific decorations twitched now and then, but remained docile—unable to harm players under the novice protection period.
Once reassured, the group resumed murmuring to Professor Lee.
Seo-rin ignored them. Her eyes lingered on the driver, her body leaning forward now and then as if tempted to drag him from the cab.
Would he vanish? Would the bus stop? Could she take the wheel herself?
Her lips curved faintly at the thought—But no. For once, she had companions. Better not ruin it so soon.
Half an hour later, the bus slowed and stopped.
Seo-rin was first to step off, her black coat slicing through the thinning mist. At her presence, the fog seemed to recoil, slowly revealing an iron gate ahead.
She tilted her head back. The gray sky spilled haze into her dark eyes, but could not smother the joy brimming within them.
Ah… fresh air.New grass, new flowers.Everything felt alive.
Her laugh rang softly in the mist.
When Professor Lee descended with the others, they saw her laughing again. Their faces tightened, silently edging away.
Do-hyun was last off. As soon as his feet touched the ground, the bus shuddered and vanished into the fog, as if fleeing this cursed place.
He shoved another player aside with a grunt, striding forward without apology. No one dared object. His eyes flicked to Seo-rin, then away again, his face twisting oddly before he settled far to the side.
This girl… weird brain.
"Creak—"
The iron gate groaned open.
Out stepped a nurse in a pink uniform, smiling sweetly. Her complexion was flawless, her face beautiful, almost ordinary—yet something about her eyes glimmered wrong.
She scanned the group, then greeted them in a honeyed tone:
"Welcome to Perfect Life Sanatorium. We'll provide you with the finest service. I hope you'll all enjoy your stay… and embrace your new life with the best attitude."
The gate itself was warped and rusted, swaying like it might collapse at any moment. Above it, corroded letters read: Perfect Life Sanatorium.
Silence.
Unbothered, the nurse pulled out a folded paper, checked each face against it, then tucked it away.
"Now that everyone is here, follow me inside."
The players hesitated, looking instinctively to Professor Lee. He gave them a reassuring nod.
Seo-rin, expression returning to cold neutrality, wasted no time. She strode forward after the nurse. Depending on others to survive was foolish.
Do-hyun followed right behind her.
Professor Lee lingered to encourage the rest. "Let's go together."
The group stepped through the gate.
At once, the mist surged back, sealing itself outside.
Inside stretched three aged buildings forming a U-shape, a sprawling garden between them.
Patients in striped gowns wandered the paths—some strolling, some chatting, others staring blankly into nothing.
It looked… normal. Peaceful.
When they reached the first building on the left, the nurse stopped.
"This is our Examination Building. All checkups will be done here. If you feel unwell, please report immediately."
She pointed ahead. "That is the Inpatient Department. You'll be staying there."
Then to the right. "That's the cafeteria. But… don't enter after 10 p.m."
Seo-rin slipped beside her, eyes curious. "Why not?"
The nurse's smile didn't falter. "Because night is for resting."
Seo-rin tilted her head. "But what if I want a midnight snack?"