I let out a deep sigh.
I didn't expect Luna to have that dream. No—actually, it wasn't a dream. It was a memory. A memory from Loop 56, when I tried to save her.
I still remember the way she screamed. The way her blood stained my hands.
Loop 56 wasn't just a failure—it broke me.
I went through thirty loops trying to save Luna.
My hand began to tremble.
I was stabbed, drowned, beaten—
Even when I came close to winning, it never changed a thing.
It was all useless. The world would still reset... unless it was Theo who saved Luna.
Well... at the very least, Luna is finally starting to remember those memories. That means there's a chance she can break free from the chains of this scripted world.
But even so, I'm still worried about her condition. Remembering something that terrifying must've really shaken her up.
But for now...
I pulled a phone out of my pocket and opened a tracking app. A small red dot blinked on the screen, constantly moving.
A smirk formed on my lips.
Can't believe it actually worked. When I was talking with Luna earlier, I scratched my head—pretending it was nothing. But really, I was removing a hidden GPS tracker from my hair.
I placed it on Luna's shoulder, near the collar of her shirt. Hopefully, Theo or Ivansia won't notice. I mean, the device is even smaller than a peanut.
Not that I'm some creepy stalker or anything, okay? I just want to keep an eye on her—just in case something goes wrong.
The world's different now. I can finally act freely. That means the plot has already gone off-script. Who knows? Maybe Luna will be kidnapped in the afternoon this time instead of tonight.
Anyway... what's my next move?
If I can prevent Luna's kidnapping, then the next major event would be... the burning of Ivansia's house.
That conflict is going to be tough to handle. I'll definitely need Theo's help for that one.
But how?
I've already screwed things up with both him and Ivansia. What should I do to make Theo willing to help me?
Damn it! I'm really starting to regret what I did in class earlier. I should've just kept my mouth shut and stayed out of their business...
Maybe I should apologize to Theo. Yeah! That could work.
I quickly left the rooftop, walking fast toward the classroom.
Thud.
I bumped into someone without even noticing.
Crap! Who did I just bump into?
I turned to my side, ready to apologize.
"Ah, sorry—" I froze when I saw who it was.
It was our class president, Mia Tiara.
Her hair was as white as freshly fallen snow, every strand shining softly under the light.
Against her pale, milk-white skin, her face looked flawless—yet her eyes... they were sunken, as if hiding something deep and painful. Like she's seen too much.
Around her neck hung a necklace—simple, but impossible to ignore.
It was made of dark metal, and at the end of the chain was a small whistle. Its texture looked strange, like it was made from polished bone.
That whistle wasn't just for decoration. She called it the Death Whistle. I had no idea where it came from or what it was used for.
The papers she was carrying scattered all over the floor. She calmly crouched down and started picking them up one by one.
"This hallway isn't a racetrack, you know?" Mia said, jabbing a finger into my chest.
"...Ah, sorry, Class Prez. I was just in a bit of a hurry," I replied, bowing my head slightly.
"Alright then. Just be more careful next time—"
Then—her sentence glitched.
Like a scratched tape or a corrupted file.
"Ca▅▃▄▂" she smiled
My whole body froze.
Even without a real face, I felt it go stiff—like my whole identity froze.
She turned around and started walking away, heading off to continue whatever she was doing.
W-what?! Did I just mishear that?!
N-no... there's no way... she just said my real name!
How the hell does she know that?!
Wait, wait. I have to ask her right now!
I ran up to her and grabbed her shoulder, spinning her around so she'd face me.
"H-hey! How do you know my name?!" I shouted.
Mia raised one eyebrow, like she was confused by my question.
"Didn't you tell me yourself?"
"WHEN?!"
"You forgot? Anyway, let go. I have something important to take care of," she said, brushing my hand off her shoulder.
She started to walk away... but then suddenly turned back again.
She looked at me and smiled before saying in a whisper:
"Be careful around Neil Arkes."
My whole body shivered.
Cold sweat trickled down the back of my neck.
Neil Arkes?! Luna's fiancé?!
That freaking psycho who forced me into hundreds of loops?! The insane bastard who kept ruining all my plans with his unpredictable actions?!
He's the one orchestrating the kidnapping tonight. The bastard who's pulled the strings from the shadows—again and again.
He's obsessed with Luna and wants her all to himself.
My fist clenched without me realizing it. Just thinking about that lunatic makes my blood boil.
Damn it... even if you didn't warn me, I was already on high alert around that guy.
Mia had already disappeared down the hall. I didn't even get the chance to ask her more questions.
In the previous loops, Mia was always a mystery. She'd show up right at the end, when the world was about to collapse.
Honestly, I've always been curious about that necklace of hers. That creepy whistle shaped like a skull—it makes me feel uneasy every time I look at it.
Anyway, I headed to class.
Once I reached the classroom door, I paused for a moment to prepare myself. I was going to apologize to Theo and Ivansia.
But the second I stepped inside—
I could feel it.
A sharp glare pierced through me like a blade.
Ivansia was staring at me—eyes full of rage and hate.
Damn it! This girl really loves Theo, huh...
Theo looked at me too. His gaze was cold and distant. Still angry at me, it seemed.
And then there was Luna, sitting beside him. She narrowed her eyes at me, clearly still suspicious after our rooftop talk.
I noticed the GPS tracker was still on her shoulder.
I let out another long sigh.
Looks like I'm still not in a position to say sorry yet.
I quietly walked to my desk and reached into my bag, pulling out an old notebook.
I flipped to a page where I had written the names of all the important characters.
And on that page, I saw a sketch of a girl wearing a whistle necklace.
Mia Tiara.
Beneath her description, I had written something in big, bold letters:
"DO NOT TRUST THOSE WHO CARRY DEATH."
The Death Whistle—a cursed item said to summon the spirits of the dead.
But deep down...
I knew it wasn't the dead I should be afraid of.
It was something else.
Something far worse.