Surviving in a School of Ghost Stories-Chapter 82

"By the way, shouldn't you have come in your cat form today?"

"I didn't think it would be necessary today."

I almost tripped while listening to his answer, not looking down. He caught my arm to steady me.

"Melody, be careful."

I'm particularly clumsy today. I don’t even know why I’m acting like this.

Maybe it's because I'm distracted by the thought of meeting Raven.

Because of my awkward reaction, Noah stepped away from me slightly.

For a moment, he looked down at his hand and fidgeted with it. I couldn't tell what he was thinking, but there was a strange atmosphere in the air.

"What are you two doing?"

It was Dante who broke the tension. freeweɓnøvel.com

"Everyone, come over here."

At that moment, we heard Eastern's voice coming from the direction of the basement.

We followed Eastern down a half-flight of stairs and approached the basement door.

"I think something happened here."

The basement door was open, and we saw a strange sight inside.

Geometric patterns were drawn in white chalk, with a goat's head in the center, and the floor was covered in bloodstains.

"A goat's head represents a demon. Normally, this kind of thing is used when summoning a demon."

I heard Noah muttering, and I furrowed my brow.

"Are you saying they performed a demon summoning ritual here?"

"Rather than a demon, maybe it was a 'king'? Isn't a king closer to that kind of being? That thing, like the other evil spirits, is probably sealed on this island."

I immediately recalled hearing the story about Sister Gloria sealing evil spirits on this island 100 years ago, so I went to the library and read through related historical books.

Sister Gloria supposedly sealed the 'King of Evil Spirits' here, along with various lesser demons.

A being more demonic than any demon.

The end of darkness.

The Evil King from 100 years ago was called that by the people.

[The evil spirits worshipped him while also avoiding him. The spirits and lesser beings feared him and trembled at the very thought of stepping on his shadow.]

As I remembered the contents written in the history book, I suddenly turned to look at the Student Council President.

‘It’s similar.’

The evil spirits wanted to avoid Noah. And the spirits were afraid of him.

Even now, the ghosts hovering around me were looking at me faintly outside the cabin, watching Noah with caution.

‘What’s the connection with the Evil King?’

What exactly is Noah’s existence?

He said he didn’t know anything. But is it really true that he knows nothing?

At that moment, Dante, who had no idea what we were talking about, tilted his head in confusion.

"I get it now, there are ghosts in this world, and strange things are happening because of them."

Dante looked at us with a face that showed he couldn’t understand.

"But demons, kings, evil spirits... isn't that taking things too far?"

Dante’s reaction was very realistic. People who encounter ghost stories generally fall into two categories:

Those who believe in ghosts and actively accept them, and those who believe in ghosts but don’t accept them. Dante belonged to the latter.

And I think most people would probably be like Dante.

Anyway, neither Eastern nor Noah answered Dante’s question.

They both avoided his gaze, clearly not wanting to answer.

Reluctantly, I responded.

"Whether you believe it or not, that's up to you."

Dante had nothing to say to that, and quietly closed his mouth.

He must have thought this cabin was strange too, as he looked uncomfortable.

"If this is some sort of summoning ritual, whether for a king or a demon, do you think the dean and the head of the academic affairs department are involved?"

At my question, Dante suddenly snapped his fingers as if something came to him.

"That's right. It wasn’t the dean who came to the after-party, it was the head of academic «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» affairs. They told us it was a party opened by the dean, but the dean never showed his face."

Isn't that strange?

The head of academic affairs who dropped the key to the strange mountain lodge. The strange summoning ritual inscribed in the lodge's basement. And Dante, who attended the party, now haunted by a ghost.

"Definitely suspicious."

"Let’s take a look around a bit more."

In response to Eastern's reply, Noah nodded.

So, we decided to check out the second floor of the cabin.

We walked around, checking every corner, but contrary to our tense expectations, we didn’t encounter any ghosts.

No other evidence came to light either.

"President, I don't think there’s anything else here."

"We should go down for now. It looks like the sun is setting soon."

Both Eastern and Dante agreed with Noah and me.

In the end, we had to leave the mountain without any further findings, apart from the summoning ritual.

"I need to check on the other members to see if they’re okay. I just have this uneasy feeling."

After saying that, Dante hurriedly disappeared towards the boys’ dorm.

"I have an appointment with Raven."

I pulled out my pocket watch to check the time and said.

At that moment, the Student Council President grabbed my wrist as I was about to leave.

"Don’t you have anything else to say to me?"

I was confused by the question. Why would he ask that?

"No."

The Student Council President stared at me silently before nodding.

"Alright."

What was that about? I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but something felt off.

‘For now, I’ll go meet Raven.’

I headed towards the lounge in the rest area.

I had decided to have a cup of tea with Raven and talk.

There weren’t many people in the lounge.

It was exam period, so most people had returned to their dorm rooms or stayed in the library or classrooms to study.

Raven was sitting at a table. We ordered orange juice and silently looked at each other.

"I’m sorry for running away all this time, sis."

After a long silence, Raven was the first to apologize.

"You could have done that. It’s fine. I’m just so happy that I can talk to you now."

I meant it. Raven hadn’t changed. He was still the Raven I knew.

He didn’t look unhappy, nor was he feeling down.

He was alive, breathing in front of me, and looking healthy.

Suddenly, I remembered the time I had heard about Raven's death.

"Raven Hastings has had an accident at school."

"He passed away before they could administer first aid."

"His body is now at the Saint Gloria Affiliated Hospital. You should check his condition there."

I know what it feels like when the sky seems to collapse. The feeling when someone who seemed like they would be by your side forever suddenly leaves you.

"I’m just thankful for you."

For being alive. For breathing in front of me.