I Became the Childhood Friend Who Commits Suicide

Chapter 32

Our assigned area was Zone H.

This was also different from the original story.

“What the—? Is this the inside of the gate?”

The scenery looked similar to the outside world, with dense trees blocking the view.

“It was a mountain outside, but now it’s a forest.”

“Same difference.”

The students split into groups and headed toward their designated exploration zones. Watching them, Sophie spoke up.

“Shouldn’t we decide on a group leader first?”

“Do we really need to?”

“It’s better to have someone who can quickly respond in case of an emergency…”

“Then you should be the leader,” Hong Yeonhwa suggested.

“Me? I don’t think I can… Can’t someone else do it?”

“Then Curly should do it.”

I was about to refuse but then paused. Being the group leader might actually be beneficial for the plan.

“Alright. I’ll do it.”

“Oh, what’s with the sudden change?” Hong Yeonhwa commented, surprised.

“Alright then, let’s all check our emergency escape devices first.”

The emergency escape device is one of the main features of a training gate. As soon as it’s activated, it allows immediate escape from the gate.

It supposedly works using magic stones and special abilities, but the exact mechanism wasn’t explained in the original story.

This device can only be used in training gates, not in regular ones. It only allows a one-way escape, and it doesn’t work in reverse. Also, each device is one-time use and incompatible with other gates.

In other words, once you use it, it’s done.

Since this device is crucial to my plan today, it has to work perfectly.

“How do we check it? It’s a one-time use.”

“The teacher said earlier that if the signal light is blue, it’s in working condition.”

“Yeah, I guess he did say that.”

After confirming that all four devices were functioning properly, we moved toward Zone H.

Then, we stopped.

“A monster.”

Our first encounter with a monster.

Hong Yeonhwa grinned confidently.

“So that’s a real monster? Alright.”

It looked familiar. It was small and not particularly strong. There wouldn’t be anything too dangerous in a D-grade gate. Plus, the assistants patrolled and managed the gate strictly.

“What’s the plan?”

“Huh?”

“As the leader, you need to come up with a strategy. Why are you spacing out?”

“Uh… Hong Yeonhwa, attack!”

“What am I, a Pokémon? …Well, it’s not a bad idea!”

Fire burst from Hong Yeonhwa’s hands, the red flames engulfing and scorching the monster.

“Wow…”

Sophie watched the scene in awe. I likely had a similar reaction.

In terms of sheer firepower, Hong Yeonhwa was probably among the strongest, not just in Class A but in the entire second grade.

When the flames subsided, the monster was charred and smoldering.

“Too easy.”

She seemed disappointed by how weak the monster was. I couldn’t understand her enthusiasm for battle. Would I feel the same if I had a powerful ability?

We encountered several more monsters, but each encounter ended the same way, with Hong Yeonhwa’s flames incinerating them.

At this rate, our exploration would end without incident.

Unless something unexpected happens.

But something will happen.

And I plan to use that incident for my own purpose.

—

“Wandering around like this is a drag. How much is left?”

“About 40%.”

“Still so much left?”

After over an hour of exploration, we had only covered a little more than half of our area. I wonder how the other groups are doing.

“Let’s take a break. Fighting monsters isn’t as fun as I thought.”

“Alright. Let’s rest here.”

We found a spot and took a break. Hong Yeonhwa lay down on a flat rock, and Sophie wandered around nearby.

Naturally, it ended up with just me and Kim Si woo alone.

For the first time, he approached me and spoke.

“Hana…”

“Yes?”

He hesitated.

What could he be trying to say that’s making him hesitate this much? It was getting more than a little frustrating.

“Did Sophie… do anything to you?”

“Do anything? What exactly?”

“Well…”

Just as he furrowed his brow to continue, Sophie approached.

“What are you two talking about?”

“…Nothing. It’s nothing.”

Kim Si woo immediately stopped and feigned indifference.

Now it was just me and Sophie.

Unable to contain my frustration, I asked her directly.

“Sophie.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know why Si woo’s acting like that?”

After a brief silence, Sophie smiled enigmatically.

“If you wait a little longer, you’ll find out.”

“…What?”

“You’ll find out eventually.”

What does she mean? That I’ll find out later? About what?

Even if I asked more, I doubted she’d answer. Maybe I should ask when we get back.

Anyway, it seems like it’s almost time to start.

I don’t know the exact timing of the incident, which is a bit frustrating.

And right then, the long-awaited signal blared.

[Emergency!]

[Emergency!]

“W-What’s going on?”

A voice echoed through the speakers across the gate.

[A trespasser has been detected inside the gate. Please stop training immediately and evacuate.]

“A trespasser?”

It’s finally happening.

The intruder is a demonic being.

They infiltrate the gate to steal hidden treasures, but when discovered by an assistant, they destroy the magic stone core at the center.

When the core is destroyed, the gate closes.

Once closed, the gate cannot be reopened. Everyone inside becomes trapped. The emergency escape devices also become useless.

The fortunate part is that the gate doesn’t vanish the moment the core is destroyed. It slowly collapses and takes about 10 minutes to fully close.

If you evacuate within those 10 minutes, you can survive.

“Let’s get out of here quickly.”

“Yes, Hana. We need to get out.”

“…Yeah. Let’s use the escape devices.”

This is different from the original story.

Since our assigned area changed, maybe it’s to be expected?

In the original, as the main group was about to escape, they encountered the fleeing demonic being.

Using the escape device takes time, and they mustn’t be interrupted.

In other words, as long as an enemy is present, the escape device cannot be used.

Thus, a battle begins.

Though they barely manage to defeat the enemy, during the fight, Kim Si woo’s escape device breaks.

The three heroines who were in the same group can’t leave him behind, and ultimately, the four of them are trapped inside the gate.

The heroines fall into despair, but Kim Si woo doesn’t lose hope.

A closed gate can never be reopened, but there is an escape route.

The treasure the demonic is seeking.

It takes four days to use, but it allows transportation to any desired location.

In the end, the four safely escape, and the heroines fall even more in love with Kim Si woo.

That’s the original story’s incident. I plan to use it.

—

My plan is simple.

Inside the sealed gate, I’ll end my life.

Then, three days later, I’ll resurrect and use the treasure to return to the academy.

All the conditions for my resurrection will be met.

When the core is destroyed and the gate closes, no more monsters will spawn.

No creature will damage my body.

And in the sealed gate, there will be no one to witness my resurrection.

I already know where the treasure is.

If the demonic being doesn’t encounter the main group, it will quietly flee. Destroying the core was just to buy time for escape.

Demonic beings are closer to monsters than humans, so they cannot use emergency escape devices.

“Come on, let’s escape quickly.”

The others used their escape devices without any suspicion. Immediately, they were enveloped in blue light.

I only pretended to press my device.

Seeing that I wasn’t surrounded by the blue light, Hong Yeonhwa shouted.

“Hey! Why aren’t you doing it already?!”

“I’m pressing it.”

“You idiot!”

Hong Yeonhwa desperately tried to press my device, but once activated, there’s no cancellation. The three of them will be transported outside the gate.

Kim Si woo reacted similarly.

“Hana! Wait a moment! I…”

“It seems my device isn’t working. I’ll go on foot.”

“You can’t walk out! Damn it! Why isn’t this working?!”

I can’t let them suspect anything. I want it to seem like I went missing, not that I ended my life.

That would be the better ending, wouldn’t it?

“Hana!”

I met Kim Si woo’s panicked gaze.

With a light poke to his forehead, I smiled, this time sincerely, not as an act.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be back.”

Definitely.

I’ll come back.

The blue light gradually filled the space until it completely blocked my view.

In the end, no one was left.

“Phew…”

I let out a long sigh.

It’s too early to relax yet.

It’s not over—it’s just beginning.

For now, I need to hide.

An assistant might come looking for any missing students.

If they’re doing their job, everyone should have already evacuated.

The chance of the three returning inside the gate?

None.

The teachers and assistants outside will be controlling the gate and won’t let anyone back in.

I picked up the handgun and loaded it.

As a powerless individual, this is my only weapon.

Technically, it’s not for self-defense but for ending my life.

The loud warning alarm eventually stopped.

Now, there was no sound.

Of course—since the gate is closed.

In this vast forest, I’m all alone.

With the gate shut, no more monsters will appear.

There’s no need to hesitate further.

I can end it now, and in three days, I’ll wake up again.

But I couldn’t bring myself to point the gun at my head.

“Hana, you’re so relaxed.”

“…?”

A voice I shouldn’t have heard came from behind.

Why?

“If you stay so calm, things could get dangerous.”

“…I saw you press the device. How?”

I was sure of it.

I had seen Sophie enveloped in the same blue light as the others.

“You know, I don’t think that’s important right now.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“You can’t end your life. At least, not now.”

Those cold eyes weren’t the Sophie I knew.

TL Note: Rate us on NOVEL UPDATES