"So, you guys broke into the Army Class 1 restricted area?" Serenya's voice was a whip crack in the tense silence of the hallway, her tone sharp and leaving absolutely no room for excuses.
One of the boys, a lanky kid named Yaman with wide, frightened eyes, stammered, his gaze darting nervously around the group. "Well… we didn't really think…"
"I don't want to hear any excuses," Serenya cut him off, her boots thudding softly as she walked toward them with a firm, deliberate step. The air around her grew heavy with her authority. "I assume this was done by a dare or something recklessly foolish. This is the kind of stunt that gets people expelled, or worse." Her gaze, sharp and unforgiving, pierced each of the boys, making them shrink back. They were all too familiar with the strict rules of the academy, and the gravity of their transgression was now settling in.
Unauthorized entry into that area was a serious offense, one that the military and the school's administration punished severely. The restricted zone wasn't just a simple "keep out" sign; it was a line drawn in the sand, meant to protect both the students and whatever lay beyond.
"So what about Young?" a second boy, taller and more muscular, finally managed to ask, his voice trembling despite his size. The mention of their friend's name brought the full weight of their actions crashing down on them.
Serenya's expression hardened, her jaw clenching. She looked away for a moment, then back at them. "He's most likely been captured by a Slayer or the army unit assigned to that sector. If they haven't found him yet, they will."
"No way! Can't you do something about it? You have to help him!" Yaman pleaded, desperation and fear creeping into his voice. He grabbed Serenya's arm, but she gently shook him off.
She shook her head solemnly, the pity in her eyes a stark contrast to her earlier anger. "I can't. The moment he crossed that line, he was no longer under the school's protection. He might even face the death penalty, depending on what the authorities find or what he was carrying. This isn't a game, and the military doesn't tolerate recklessness in these zones."
The two boys exchanged glances, the weight of her words sinking in. The fear in their eyes was no longer about getting caught, but about the very real possibility of losing their friend. They had no retort; the reality of the situation was too overwhelming.
"It'd be best if you just gave up on him and pretended none of this happened," Serenya's tone was final as she turned on her heel and walked away, her form disappearing around a corner, leaving the boys alone with their guilt and terror.
Later, in a quieter part of the school, Yurrelian couldn't help but ask, "Hey Serenya, what exactly is this Forbidden Zone all about?"
Serenya giggled softly, an almost mischievous glint in her eyes. It was a surprising change from her earlier demeanor. "Haven't you heard about the seven mysteries of the school? There's the piano that plays itself in the music room, the living statue in the courtyard, and of course, the Forbidden Zone. It's a place where even the most seasoned Slayers hesitate to cross."
Yurrelian let out a long, theatrical yawn, clearly unimpressed. He leaned back in his chair, putting his feet up on an empty desk. "Seven mysteries? Sounds like some schoolyard legend to me. Probably just another restricted area managed by the army or a Slayer. They always make up stories to scare people away."
"Well, Young went in there, and now he's stuck inside," Yoran added grimly, his voice low. He was sitting ramrod straight, his nerves clearly frayed from the earlier encounter.
Serenya nodded seriously, her expression turning somber once more. "I believe that zone contains a chamber used as a training facility for members of the Demon Extermination Unit. It's a space filled with dormant demonic energy and cursed artifacts. The area is meant to test the resolve of the Extermination Unit members."
"If inexperienced personnel enter, they might become haunted… or worse, possessed by a demon," she added with a quiet tone that sent a chill down Yoran's spine. The idea of a demon being so close, so real, was terrifying.
"A demon? Seriously?" Yurrelian scoffed, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes a mix of disbelief and morbid curiosity.
"I told you before, right? Your training for the Extermination Unit has already begun. The first stage was all about learning to survive. Now, we're moving on to the next stage. Please, follow me." Serenya's voice left no room for refusal. She stood and walked toward the classroom door.
"Nah, I told you already I'm leaving," Yurrelian grumbled, trying to back away from her. He was still trying to maintain his nonchalant facade, but the mention of demons had gotten under his skin.
"Hey, Yurrelian, please, come with me," Yoran urged, stepping between him and the exit. He knew that Serenya's "request" was really a command, and he didn't want to see what happened if Yurrelian refused.
Yurrelian tried to escape Yoran's grasp, but his friend held him tightly, his grip surprisingly strong. For five minutes, they struggled in a silent, comical battle of wills.
Sighing in defeat, Yurrelian finally relented. He knew Yoran was more stubborn than he was. "Fine, let's go. But I'm not happy about this."
They followed Serenya down a secluded hallway, away from the main student traffic. She led them toward a door concealed behind an overgrown patch of ivy. It was old, wooden, and heavy, seemingly out of place in the modern, sleek school building.
"An underground shrine?" Yurrelian blinked in surprise, running his hand over the weathered wood. "What would that even be doing beneath a school? This world is insane."
Serenya shrugged, a faint smile on her lips. "We just call it a shrine. It was a place of worship long ago, but it serves a different purpose now."
With a low creak, she opened the door, revealing a narrow passageway. A cold, eerie breeze blew out, carrying the scent of damp earth and old stone, sending a shiver down their spines as they stepped inside.
"Long ago, there was a vast space underneath this school, built to prevent flooding during the city's construction," Serenya explained as they descended deeper into the darkness. "The Demon Extermination Unit decided to repurpose it as a training ground. They built a facility down here to test potential Slayers."
"Actually," Yoran piped up, "the whole school is basically a large-scale training facility for the unit. The curriculum, the tests, everything is designed to identify and train potential Slayers."
Serenya nodded, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "The unit holds a demon underground here, trapped and contained. Those unaffected by its evil energy are considered worthy of being trained and recruited."
Yoran swallowed hard, trying to steady his nerves. He could already feel a sense of dread creeping into his bones.
"To put it simply," Serenya continued, her eyes reflecting the dim light of the passage, "this school is more of a human experiment than anything else. You are all subjects, being tested for your potential."
Yoran gulped audibly. "Do you really think a normal school could operate in a world like ours? Where demons roam and Slayers are a necessity?"
They reached a heavy, metal door marked with bold red letters:
DO NOT ENTER. DO NOT ENTER. DO NOT ENTER. DO NOT ENTER. DO NOT ENTER. DO NOT ENTER.
The repetition of the warning was chilling, a stark reminder of the danger that lay beyond.
"From this point on, only those chosen by the Demon Extermination Unit or a demon itself are permitted beyond this zone," Serenya said quietly, her hand resting on the cold metal.
Yoran's voice trembled. "So, Young might… He might be in there?"
"We haven't heard from him, nor was he caught. The demon must have already devoured his heart by now. Young was foolish, and his recklessness has cost him dearly."
Yoran's eyes widened in terror. The thought of his friend, once a boisterous and lively boy, now a hollowed-out shell, was unbearable.
"What happens if his heart gets devoured by the Demon?" Yurrelian cut in, his voice surprisingly steady. His casual tone masked the intense curiosity and fear he felt.
Serenya's voice grew serious, all traces of mischief gone. "If that happens, he'll become something worse than a Demonic Human. A mindless, bloodthirsty demon, a puppet controlled by the master demon here. He will lose his memories, his identity, everything that made him human."
Yoran shivered uncontrollably, the words painting a horrifying picture in his mind. "That's why training is so important… especially when it comes to matters of the heart. To fight a demon, you must first master yourself."
Serenya turned to Yurrelian, her focus shifting entirely to him. "I wanted to show you both just how potent a cursed weapon is. They are the only things that can harm a demon, and the only things that can save someone whose heart has been devoured."
Yurrelian's POV
A demon is behind that door… The thought sent a jolt of electricity through me. I'd love to see one, to see what it takes to fight it. But won't I get corrupted if I go inside? I don't show it, but deep down, I want revenge for my family, for the lives taken by these monsters. I really need to get new skills from the system, like Sung Jin-Woo in Solo Leveling. No cheat codes for me, just a path of strength carved out by my own hands.
Still, curiosity, a dangerous and irresistible force, pulled me forward. It was a morbid fascination, a need to face the thing that took everything from me.
I stepped closer to the door, my hand reaching for the latch.
"Hey! Don't just open it and walk in!" Serenya shouted, her voice echoing in the small passage. Her eyes were wide with a mix of surprise and alarm.
But I was already inside, the heavy metal door swinging shut behind me with a loud clang.
The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from a massive magic circle etched into the stone floor, its symbols glowing with an ancient, sinister energy. A lone figure sat in the center of the circle, surrounded by weapons of all kinds swords, battle axes, spears beach glowing faintly with a cursed energy.
"Just observe," Serenya said confidently from the doorway, her voice now a strained whisper. "And don't try anything funny. My eyes are on you."
"Who do you think I am? I'm not stupid," I added, knowing the Demon Extermination Unit would be here soon to rescue whoever was trapped down there. I was just here for a quick look.
Suddenly, the lights flickered on, flooding the room with a harsh, sterile light.
We both turned, eyes locking on Yoran, who was sheepishly pressing a glowing button on the wall. He had somehow stumbled into a control panel.
"Ha! My hand just slipped and touched the button," he explained, his face a mask of mortification.
Before we could react, the possessed students inside the chamber slowly turned toward us, their eyes glowing ominously in the sudden light. They were once like us, but now they were just puppets, their faces devoid of emotion.
"We're screwed," I muttered.