"I curse every bastard to suffer endlessly! May they meet a horrible end!"
In class, I woke up startled by that curse.
It felt like I was drowning. My chest heaved violently, I was gasping, and sweat drenched my forehead.
The sudden shout also made the people around me jump in surprise.
"Rowe? What's wrong with you?"
My female classmate at my desk looked at me with concern. "Are you okay?"
I stared at the classmates I knew, then glanced around the classroom I was familiar with. I froze for a moment.
I… hadn't died?
I was still alive??
I quickly checked my chest. My white shirt was clean and tidy, not a drop of blood.
Yet I clearly remembered Helena's tentacle piercing my heart.
I looked up again, my eyes scanning the room in panic.
The girl whose boyfriend had left her was still wiping her tears. Friends who had just been comforting her while cursing that bastard were now staring at me in confusion because of my reaction.
Not only had I not died… I was back in this classroom, where it all started.
Time had reversed…?
While I was still bewildered, a familiar game interface suddenly appeared before my eyes:
[Version 2.0 Update Completed]
[Chapter One: Ghosts of Carlen University]
[Investigate the disappearance of students from Saint Carlen Royal Magical Science Academy and find the real culprit]
[Mission Reward: +10 to any attribute; Random item reward]
[Affection System unlocked]
[Potion/Alchemy System unlocked]
[Save point updated]
[Remaining loads: 4/5]
[Reminder: This game cannot be restarted from the beginning. For your safety, use your saves carefully.]
I stared blankly at the floating hologram. It meant I still had to face Helena soon.
And if I died five more times…
I'd really die for good.
Damn it!
Why is this system update so slow?! Why didn't it appear earlier?!
But complaining is useless. I knew this was my only hope to survive.
I immediately studied the system.
Version 2.0 was similar to the one I played before, only the chapters were completely different.
But I didn't care about the "missing campus students" case right now. I was busy surviving—no time to play detective!
Just moments ago, I had been surrounded by the shadow of death.
A twisted, crazy smile. The effect of Mental Corruption making my brain feel like it was shattering. Invisible tentacles that kill…
I never expected Helena to become like that.
A terrifying, twisted creature.
Even now, I could clearly feel the pain of my heart being pierced.
Unbearable pain.
Even though I could reload, I never wanted to feel that again.
I clenched my fists tightly.
Nothing like that should ever happen again.
Before I could think further, a male friend called out—
"Rowe, your girlfriend's here!"
Here she was.
The classroom went silent, all eyes on the door.
Even though I was mentally prepared, my heart still raced.
I forced myself to stay calm and slowly turned to the girl standing in the sunlight.
"Excuse me—"
"Big brother, you're here?"
She stood there gently, just like before.
A beautiful, pure girl, like a fairy, making all the boys stare and the girls whisper.
But no one would expect that behind this angelic face hid a heart as cruel as a monster.
"Big brother! I finally found you!"
Her sky-blue eyes locked on me as she ran closer.
But this time, I didn't welcome her.
I released my fists and took a deep breath.
Priority: stay alive. Not the time to explode emotionally.
I looked at her and gave a soft smile, the kind of smile a good older brother would give.
"Helena."
She reached me, the gaze of the others making her a bit nervous.
She lowered her head shyly.
"Big brother, let's go home… Helena has been waiting for you a long time…"
I stayed silent, staring at her.
If I had never died even once, anyone would think this girl only looked sweet and pitiful.
But if you make her angry, if she thinks you've betrayed her, or care for someone else…
She would attack and kill you.
I couldn't, absolutely couldn't, say the wrong thing.
A brief silence.
Maybe because I wasn't too enthusiastic, Helena lifted her head hesitantly.
"Big brother?"
"Hm?"
She fiddled with her hair nervously. "Did Helena do something wrong…?"
"No." I gave her a thin smile. "It's just… Helena is so different now I almost didn't recognize you."
"I see…" She looked down again, like a child feeling guilty.
Maybe sensing something strange, my female desk mate asked curiously:
"Rowe, is this your little sister?"
I nodded. "Yes. We haven't met for a few years."
Hearing she wasn't my girlfriend but my sister, my desk mate looked relieved, thinking she had a chance after all.
She winked at me mischievously. "As a big brother, don't be cold to your sister! See, you scared her!"
"Come here, sweetie~" she said, reaching for Helena's hand.
But I moved first, holding Helena's hand.
"Eh?" My desk mate blinked.
I stood, blocking their view.
"My little sister doesn't like to be touched by others," I said, giving my desk mate a meaningful look.
The classmates here were still naive. For now, it was better Helena didn't get too close to ordinary people.
"If nothing else, we'll go home first. Bye."
My desk mate could only gape at my face and nod.
"Uh… okay. Bye…"
"Rowe! The teacher's looking for you! He wants to see you in the office after class!"
"I'll go tomorrow."
I held Helena's hand and left the classroom without looking back.
---
On the way home, Helena lowered her head, feeling guilty.
"If Big Brother doesn't like me coming to your school…"
"Then Helena won't do it again…"
I shook my head at her words.
"Really? I was just worried you wouldn't get along with strangers."
She looked at me, surprised.
"Really? So Big Brother isn't disgusted with me?"
"Of course not." I gently stroked her pale hair. "How could I hate you?"
Hearing that, Helena's eyes curved like a crescent moon, like a happy little child.
"So Big Brother really cares about me!"
"You're the best!"
"In that case…"
She looked at me and finally asked the two questions.
"Can Big Brother quit school?"
"Helena wants Big Brother to stay home with me!"
My face remained neutral, still with a thin smile.
But inside, I panicked.
These two questions were exactly what had killed me last time.
I couldn't answer wrong.
Looking into Helena's hopeful blue eyes, I didn't hesitate anymore.
"Yes."
"Really!!" Her eyes widened.
"Of course." I stayed calm.
Life was a play, and survival depended on the act.
At that moment, I even felt like I was playing for the first time, juggling multiple heroines at once.
All lies.
But this time, with this face, the effect was stronger.
I looked at Helena, smiling as warmly as the sun, and said in the most sincere tone:
"Big Brother loves little Helena the most. How could Big Brother not want to be with you every day?"
The effect was instant. Helena froze.
She stared at that magical smile up close, her eyes full of obsession.
"Big Brother…"
"Likes Helena…"
"Helena likes Big Brother too…"
Then, to my shock, she began trembling violently.
Sometimes whispering, sometimes smiling strangely.
Big Brother…
This gentle Big Brother, this smile…
She was mine… only mine…
"Helena!?"
Suddenly I felt a strong grip on my hand, dragging me home.
"Big Brother is only for me…"
"No one can take you away…"
Helena glanced around suspiciously, eyes sharp at everyone passing by as if they wanted to take me.
Her expression grew darker by the second.
My fake peace began to crack.
I started to get scared.
No, wait. Why is it like this when I already answered correctly??
I just realized I might have gone too far.
I didn't consider that Helena's mind was unstable right now, and even the slightest provocation could trigger an explosion…
With a loud sound, the house door slammed shut behind us.
We were home.
Helena turned to me, struggling to hide her excitement.
"Helena cooked dinner for Big Brother! Helena wants to go out for a bit!"
"It's been four years! Helena's been practicing cooking all this time!"
"Big Brother must wait at home for your sweetie!"
Hearing she was going out, I reflexively sighed in relief.
But suddenly, a shadow moved quickly. In an instant, Helena appeared behind me.
My arm ached.
"Helena! You…"
The sharp sound of metal echoed in the quiet house.
I felt something cold on my wrist. Heavy metal handcuffs bound my hands.
I stared at her in shock.
Helena looked at me, her smile darker and deeper than ever.
"Big Brother must wait at home and don't mess around~"
"Because if Helena finds out, she could get angry~"
[TO BE CONTINUED]