Part 1My Study Buddy is the Dungeon Boss

I transmigrated into a horror survival game set in a high school. Unfortunately, I landed head-first and promptly lost my memory.

Thinking I was still a struggling student in the real world, I threw myself into my studies.

When I got stuck on a difficult problem, I poked my pale, gloomy desk mate and humbly asked:

"This question is killer. Do you know how to solve it?"

"How do you pronounce this obscure word?"

"I'm screwed. If the teacher calls on me later, whisper the answer, okay?"

My desk mate went from cold indifference to confusion, and finally, to obedient nodding.

"Mhm."

"Okay."

"Whatever you say."

From that day on, the dungeon mission changed from [Find the Origin Heart] to [Rank in the Top 10 of the Class].

The other players, completely in the dark, had a mental breakdown:

"Senior year! Top 10?! Just kill me now!"

* * *

[Congratulations! You have successfully entered the dungeon instance.]

[Dungeon Name: Inferno High]

[Description: Players must explore on their own.]

[Player Count: 15]

[Difficulty Warning! Energy instability detected. Current Difficulty: A-Rank.]

[Identity: You are an ordinary Senior student. (Shhh... don't let them find out you don't belong.)]

[Objective: Find the 'Origin Heart' of Inferno High.]

[Penalty for Failure: Vitality -50. (Manifests as terminal illness in the real world.)]

[BEEP! User consciousness not detected. System link malfunctioning...]

"You're awake? Any discomfort?"

My head was buzzing like a broken radio. I thought I heard a weird robotic voice, but it was cut off by a gentle, concerned female voice.

I opened my eyes. White coat. Blue curtains. The smell of antiseptic.

Hospital?

Wait, when did I get sick?

My head felt heavy and swollen. I looked up, confused. "Where am I..."

The doctor leaned in. She was stunningly beautiful, but she stared at me with a tilted head for a few seconds too long.

Suddenly, her bright red lips stretched into an exaggerated, almost unnatural smile.

"The nurse's office. You fell down the stairs and landed on the back of your head."

"Luckily, another student broke your fall, so you didn't crack your skull open. Do you feel dizzy or nauseous?"

I fell?

I touched the back of my head.

"Ow!" A sharp pain shot through my skull.

I looked down at the school uniform I was wearing. "Not dizzy, just hurts. But... Nurse? Am I..."

Why does this feel wrong?

I have a vague memory of wearing a waitress uniform and working a shift... Was I working part-time after school?

"What is it?"

The nurse shoved her hands into her pockets, her smile widening just a fraction more. It looked... predatory.

I stared at her pretty face, swallowed my doubts, and shook my head.

"Nothing. Do I need to go back to class?"

Let's not ask stupid questions. Maybe I'm just dreaming.

She seemed almost disappointed she didn't get to say more.

"Yes. Your homeroom teacher will be here shortly to pick you up."

"Be careful on the stairs next time. You might not be so lucky."

I tugged awkwardly at my uniform and gave a shy smile. "Okay. Thanks."