Part 1

 

            "Someone died again?" Ron's eyes remained fixed on the monitor as his fingers tapped away on a game controller.

 

            "Yeah, it's Sola," replied Hans, the large teddy bear seated nearby on a monobloc chair. His plush fur looked worn, as if it had seen too much stress. "He was killed last week."

 

            "Oh, the kid whose lunch money always gets stolen," Ron recalled casually, his attention divided between the game and the conversation. He wore his lab coat loosely, as if it was a costume rather than attire for work. "Well, he'll pop back sooner or later."

 

            "Dong, he's been dead for five days now!" Hans's voice rose in frustration. His eyes seemed to glisten with worry. "He should have returned by now."

 

            "Maybe he was killed again, and then his lunch money was stolen," Ron suggested absentmindedly, still engrossed in his game. His controller clicked furiously, almost rhythmically.

 

            Hans shook his head in disbelief. "No, you don't get it. He hasn't been alive since he was killed last week. He's dead dead!"

 

            Ron paused in his game, finally registering Hans's words. He turned to face the teddy bear, his expression serious for the first time. "Like, for real for real dead?"

 

            "For real for real dead," Hans confirmed with a nod. He adjusted his fluffy ears, a nervous gesture in contrast to his usual calm demeanor.

 

            "Hmm. That's strange," the nurse remarked, bringing his attention back to the game, swaying with his character's movements. "Any suspects? Knowing our school, it's probably one of those eldritch weirdos or the stab-happy student."

 

            "Well, here's the thing. It was worse than just a stabbing," Hans explained further. "They found the body with the head already chopped off."

 

            The nurse's fingers froze, and he turned to his colleague with wide eyes. "Decapitated? That's going too far just for lunch money!"

 

            Sola's lunch money being stolen was a common occurrence, and usually, the thieves didn't resort to killing him. If they did, it wouldn’t have ended with decapitation. The fact that someone went that far was unnecessary and unusual.

 

            "I know, but what’s even worse was the state of his bottom," Hans added with a grimace.

 

            Ron gave him a puzzled look. "What about his ass?"

 

            With a serious expression, Hans leaned forward, resting his left arm on his lap. "It was hollowed out. Like something was forcefully dug out of it."

 

            "What the fuck?!" These were the only words that escaped the nurse’s mouth. Forget about chopping the victim’s head off; digging out the poor guy’s butt seemed like the work of a complete psychopath. Not even the most powerful students in SHHS would go that far, or so he thought.

 

            "How come I was never told about this? Isn’t this serious?"

 

            "Dong, how the hell do you not know?" Hans threw the question back. "You're the nurse of this school!"

 

            Ran, now in her female form, pouted. "It's not like I go outside of my office all the time. Who knows what accidents and nut-feelings I might miss out on if I leave this place for a few minutes?"

 

            Hans shrugged. "Sounds like a you problem."

 

            "Shut it. I like holing up in my manwoman cave."

 

            Suddenly, the room was filled with the sound of Ran's character being mauled to death in the game. It was then that the nurse remembered what she should be paying attention to.

 

            "Oh, shit, I got distracted!"

 

            In a panic, she frantically pressed a button to dodge, hoping to save her character. But it was too late. The "You died" message appeared on the screen, mocking her failure in glaring red letters. Her breath was caught in her throat as a wave of defeat washed over her. She sank onto her spinning chair, her arms hanging limp at her sides, and her feet sliding under the table. The weight of failure pressed down on her like a heavy paperweight. It was as if all her energy had been drained, leaving her hollow and empty.

           

            “No way… I was already at its second phase…” she cried, her expression still lifeless even though her character was already alive and kicking, standing next to a bonfire.

 

            “I’ve noticed you’ve been playing that game for a while now. What’s that?” asked Hans, taking a sip of blehmonade from his mug.

 

            Ran got to her feet, wiped her butt with both hands, then plopped back onto her spinning chair. “It’s called Dark Balls. It’s one of those games. You know, the ones with high difficulty…”

 

            The teacher raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Didn’t know you’re into soulslike games.”

 

            “Well, not really. I’m not even good at it,” she let out an awkward laugh, scratching her cheek with her right index finger. Then she brightened up. “But I decided to give it a try anyway since I’ve never played this kind of game before. Plus, I got it cheap!

 

            “Oh? Where did you buy it?” Hans leaned forward, feigning interest in the game, though his mind was elsewhere.

 

            “I bought it from a local game store,” Ran replied, her gaze drifting upwards as she recalled the encounter. “The seller wore a suit and a top hat. He looked slick, although I can’t understand why the top of his hat was filled with water.”

 

            “Maybe someone accidentally poured water on him?” Hans speculated, trying to make sense of the odd detail.

 

            “Eh, maybe,” Ran crossed her arms, her brows furrowing as she pondered about the peculiar seller. “It’s just odd that the water never spilled. Maybe he's using some funny magic to keep it from spilling?”

 

            She twirled a lock of hair around her finger absentmindedly as she spoke.

 

            “Anyway, the point was the gentleman offered me this game at a very low price that it was almost a steal, and he even gave me a freebie!” Her face lit up with excitement as she leaned forward, her hands gesturing animatedly.

 

            “And I assume the freebie is that sword above your table?” Hans pointed at a huge sword resting on a rack mounted above the nurse’s computer table. The blade was broad and long, coated in black lacquer except for its edges. The guard was designed to look like horns, and the handle had twisted ridge patterns.

 

            “Yep, that's the one.” Ran looked up at the weapon, then stood up and gently tapped on the blade twice. “It’s called the Ebenholz Greatsword. This bad boy is apparently the most powerful in-game weapon as it scales with all your stats, dealing massive damage. But what really sets it apart is its skill - it has a unique ability that completely nullifies any form of power, regardless of logic or lack of it. It’s basically a massive middle finger to any bullshit your enemies throw at you, and it's easy to incorporate into your build too! With this sword, you can practically one-shot anyone!”

 

            Hans stood up; his eyes fixed on the sword. He took a step closer, his gaze tracing the attention to details into the blade. “The craftsmanship is good,” he said, his voice filled with awe. He reached out, his paw hovering just inches from the blade. “You mind if I touc--”

 

            “NO!” The nurse's sudden shout startled Hans, and he recoiled slightly. Her mood shifted abruptly, her tone turning belligerent as if she had been deeply offended by his request. Hans was taken aback by her reaction, his confusion evident on his face.

 

            He stepped back, his hands across his chest, admiring the sword from a respectful distance. “Whoa there. I wasn’t going to do anything with it. Sorry, I was just curious. That’s all.”

 

            Realizing how she reacted, Ran’s face went red, and she quickly bowed in apology. “Oh no, I’m sorry if I shouted! I don’t know what came to me!”

 

            “It’s fine,” Hans reassured her, his tone gentle. He gestured for her to raise her head, offering her a comforting smile. “I understand. I wouldn’t just let anyone touch my belongings too, especially my collectibles, see?”

 

            “Yeah, sorry. I’m kinda overprotective when it comes to these things,” she explained, her voice tinged with embarrassment. She glanced up at Hans, still looking ashamed of her actions.

 

            Not wanting to prolong the awkward atmosphere, Hans posed a question.

 

            “In any case, have you obtained that weapon in the game yet?”

 

            “Ah…” she looked drained, her shoulders slumping in defeat. Her voice carried a hint of frustration as she answered. “That’s… actually what I’m trying to do right now.”

 

            “Err… was the drop rate low?”

 

            “Lower than my skill level. If I want to get it, I need to roll it.”

 

            “You need to roll it?!” His eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Are you telling me?”

 

            “Yes…” Her face grew even paler. “It has a gacha system.”

 

            Hans’s jaw fell. On top of having a high level of difficulty, this game had the audacity to include a gacha system.

 

            “What kind of sadist develops a soulslike game with gacha mechanics?! Is that why you bought it?”

 

            “Ah… Well… Bleh?” Ran’s attempt at a cute pose to deny the true reason behind her purchase fell flat only adding to the teacher’s annoyance.

 

            “You’re a gambling addict,” Hans said, his tone filled with concern. He could see through Ran's facade.

 

            “It’s fine!” she insisted, her fists tightly clenched, her voice filled with determination as she tried to convince him. “You don’t have to fork over real cash to roll the gacha here! You simply farm it!”

 

            The teacher kept his mouth shut, his cold gaze enough for the woman to understand his doubt.

 

            She sighed, frustration evident in her tone. “Let me explain. In order to roll the gacha, I simply need to kill a lot of enemies and collect ‘shirikodama’, the game’s gacha currency. These things come as item drops and have varying drop rates depending on the enemy slain. When I have enough, I can then roll for new weapons and equipment. That’s it! See? I didn’t use real money for it!”

 

            Despite his doubts lingering, Hans resigned himself to Ran's justification, even though it sounded more like an excuse to him. Hans sighed heavily and shook his head. “Well, as long as you’re not squandering your hard-earned money. Anyway, I've already filled you in on Sola’s murder, so I’m heading back to the faculty room. The student council has taken charge, but they’re still investigating.”

 

            Ran nodded in agreement. “Let’s hope they catch the culprit soon.”

 

            “Yeah, whoever or whatever did it,” Hans agreed, his brow furrowed with worry, before adding, “Anyway, I think I’ve taken up enough of your time. See you later!”

 

            “Sure thing. See you later!”

 

            As the teacher left the clinic, the door clicked shut behind him. Ran slumped back into her spinning chair and reached for the controller.

 

            “Okay, time for another attempt,” she murmured to herself. “If I beat this boss today, I should get enough shirikodama for ten pulls.”

 

Part 2

 

            A week had passed, and Ran found herself once again secluded in her clinic, perched on the spinning chair in a cross-legged position. Her fingers danced across the controller as her character battled for survival. But a single misstep allowed her foe to land a devastating blow, draining her HP bar in one fell swoop. Her character crumpled to the ground, and the dreaded "You died" message flashed across the screen.

 

            “Ahh… Damn. I got greedy there,” she muttered, her gaze fixed on the screen. After a moment, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her grip on the controller tightening.

 

            “Alright, let’s try this again! Beating this boss should give me another ten pull--”

 

            Her focus was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door. Turning her attention to it, she saw the door slide open and the substitute teacher, Arcadia Blade, enter the clinic.

 

            “Ah, sorry. Did I come at the wrong time?” he asked anxiously.

 

            “Not really. I’m just playing anyway,” replied Ron, now back in his male form. “Need something?”

 

            “Ah yes, I was asked to get the autopsy report you did earlier,” Arcadia said.

 

            “Ah, that one!” Ron pulled a drawer on his left and retrieved a brown folder with a couple of papers clipped inside. He stood up from his seat and handed it over to Arcadia. “Here you go. Sorry for the trouble.”

 

            “It’s no trouble at all! I’m aware that you don’t often leave the clinic anyway,” Arcadia replied, taking the folder from the nurse. His face turned into a worried look. “Still… Another victim, huh?”

 

            “Yeah…” Ron shared the sentiment. “This time it’s the student council vice president Ellie. Torso was separated from her lower body. It was a clean cut. But most importantly... and the most disturbing of all…”

 

            Arcadia gulped, sweat trickling down his forehead. Brutal murders didn't usually disturb him, but he didn’t like where this case was heading.

 

            “So, is it as the student council initially inferred?” he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

 

            “Uhuh…” Ron nodded gravely. “Just like Sola, the poor girl’s bottom was also left with a gaping hole. We have a serial killer prowling around.”

 

            Arcadia hoped it wasn’t true, but the harsh reality stared him in the face. He could only sigh at the thought of more bad luck coming his way. “And just when I thought the school was already chaotic enough.”

 

            “Normally, we’d just brush off killings like this as another student misbehaving, thinking it’s cool,” the nurse scratched his head, “but these cases bother me. There's something odd about them.”

 

            Arcadia slightly tilted his head. “What do you mean?”

           

            “See, it’s not the deaths that concern me. It’s the fact that they're not coming back to life,” he said, placing his right fist to his lips in contemplation. “It’s like the suspect activated a permadeath system in our school. And then there's the bizarre obsession with digging into the victim’s butt…”

 

            Deaths in SHHS had become commonplace among the students and the staff. Everyone came back to life anyway, like being in an endless cycle of life and death. Not to mention that most students were absurdly powerful beings, sounding like they came out of someone’s power fantasy wet dream, making them almost impossible to kill. But if even these individuals were being permanently killed, then there was definitely something unusual going on.

 

            “I hope this case is solved soon before the body count increases,” Arcadia said, clearly worried after hearing Ron's theory.

 

            “Why the long face?” asked the nurse, tapping the substitute teacher on the left shoulder. “Stay positive! Trust in the student council and your fellow staff! We’ll solve this problem in no time!”

 

            Arcadia smiled, mustering the courage to stay positive, though his worry lingered beneath the surface. “Y-yeah! We'll catch this serial killer.”

 

            “That’s the spirit!” Ron happily nodded, satisfied. “Anyway, you've got the autopsy report now. Is there anything else you need? Want some booze? I haven’t touched any bottles since I started playing that game.”

 

            He pointed at his PC, which still had the game’s window active.

 

            Arcadia blinked twice. “Did I hear that right? You’ve been sober?”

 

            “Mmhm! For like two weeks now!” He proudly declared, sticking out his right index and middle finger. “I’ve decided that I will not drink a single drop until I beat Dark Balls!”

 

            “S-seriously?” It didn’t show in his face, but the substitute teacher found this declaration surprising and admirable. This nurse, who usually had more empty bottles than examined students, had taken it upon himself to control his alcoholism just to beat a video game. If a student heard this, they’d probably just laugh and doubt its credibility, but Arcadia was witnessing it. His face wasn’t red, his breath didn’t stink, and he was standing and talking straight. Somewhat, his respect for the nurse slightly grew.

 

            “Yes! Ever since I stopped drinking, I've felt more alive and stronger! I guess abstaining helps, huh?” He shyly rubbed the back of his head. “Or maybe I just got too engrossed with the game to bother opening my stash.”

 

            Arcadia shook his head. “I don’t think it’s that. I mean, you locked your booze stash.”

 

            Not far from the computer table, he pointed at the cabinet where the bottles of alcoholic drinks were stored could be seen tightly shut with a large chain and a couple of steel locks. It was an unbelievable sight if one knew how much of a drunkard this genderbending, balls-crazy nurse was.

 

            “So, don’t discredit yourself like that. It’s great that you still have self-control.”

 

            “Is that so?” Ron rubbed his cheek with his finger. “Thanks, I guess. Hearing that makes me feel like all my efforts in this game are worth it.”

 

            “You sure are hooked by that game, though,” Arcadia remarked. For a moment, the substitute teacher weighed the possibility that Ron's addiction might now switch to video games, but he didn't entertain the thought.

 

            “Actually, I was about to refund it the other day,” replied Ron, much to Arcadia’s surprise.

 

            “Really? Why?”

 

            “Well, it was more difficult than I thought. I’ve already accepted that I suffer from skill issues and I can never ‘git gud’ like what the vendor advised me. But then he convinced me to persevere and gave me another freebie. See this scarf?”

 

            Ron gestured towards the long golden fabric wrapped around his neck. Its two ends were adorned with sharp claw-like ornaments, hanging behind him like tails.

 

            “Oh, I didn’t notice it until now!” Arcadia admired the luster of the fabric. “That looks well-made. Is this also a replica like that greatsword over there?”

 

            “It is!” Ron excitedly elaborated. “It’s the latest high rarity equipment I pulled from the game’s gacha. It’s called the Thunder Veil Goldenglow! This scarf gives its wearer a high luck stat, longer I-frames when dodging, a permanent lightning element-based shield, and the ability to fire large bolts of electricity at enemies! It’s strong!”

 

            "Indeed, it's quite a powerful item," Arcadia acknowledged. "So, because you got it for free, you decided to keep the game?"

 

            "Yeah... and the seller promised me that every time I get an SSR item, he'll give me a replica. I started thinking about how cool it would be to display all my gacha pulls," Ron explained with excitement.

 

            "Well, if you ask me, you have every right to show them off," said Arcadia, giving a wry smile to the starry-eyed nurse. “So, go and pursue your goal?”

 

            Ron grinned and made finger gun gestures at the substitute teacher. "You can count on it!"

 

            “Ah, well, at least he’s occupied with something other than drinking,” thought Arcadia. He sighed and looked at the highly enthusiastic man with a smile. “Anyway, I’ve got the report, so I won’t take up any more of your time. I should head out now.”

 

            “Oh, sure.” Ron waved his hand casually. “Just be careful out there. We have a serial killer lurking around our school.”

 

            “I suggest you take extra precautions. I can transform into a weapon to defend myself, but I'm worried about how you'll protect yourself.”

 

            "Don’t worry! If anyone tries to attack me, I can just grab the Ebenholz Greatsword over there!” He gestured with his left thumb towards the displayed weapon above his computer table. Though it might be a replica, the sword was still a formidable weapon forged in fire. With its size, even a serial killer would hesitate to make a move against this nurse’s butt.

 

            “That’s good to know. Well then, I’ll be on my way now! Good luck clearing that game, but most importantly, please have fun!”

 

            Arcadia turned his back on Ron and made his way to the door. As the clinic door slid closed again, Ron returned to his spinning chair and grabbed the controller. Before taking his character back to the boss arena, he started mumbling to himself.

 

            “Gotta make sure I get a new SSR equipment as soon as possible… Should I farm now and roll before attempting that boss again? How close am I to another ten pulls? Which area should I farm in? Which enemies had the higher drop rates again? How many do I need to kill?”

 

            Meanwhile, in the hallway, Arcadia wondered, feeling a sense of unease.

 

            “Is it just me, or did I lose my power back there?”

 

Part 3

 

            The following week arrived. Corty, the student council president, briskly made her way towards the clinic, clutching a piece of paper. Upon reaching the room, she knocked twice to signal her presence before sliding the door open, only to be greeted by an unexpected sight.

 

            “Whoa! Sensei, what are you doing?!” She raised both her arms in surprise, accidentally letting go of the paper, which gently fell to the floor. Before her stood Ran, now wearing a gas mask in addition to the scarf from last week. In her right hand, she held a pistol aimed at the bewildered student. Her bloodshot eyes and trembling body hinted at the caffeine's effects.

 

            “Hand it over! That thing! Your dark ball! For my gacha funds!” she shouted.

 

            “What the hell are you talking about?! Are you sleep-deprived? It’s me, Corty!”

 

            “Cor—Oh!” Upon hearing the name, Ran put down the gun, then her gaze wandered, seeming to be in a trance. When she met eyes with Corty, she snapped back to reality.

 

            “Oh! Sheesh, it’s you… I ugh… thought it was someone hostile,” Ran let out an awkward laugh, the pistol dangling on her finger. “Sorry about that.”

 

            “Are you okay?” Corty asked, noting Ran's exhausted appearance. “You look like you haven’t slept.”

           

            “Y-yeah…” under the gas mask, the nurse yawned, unintentionally pointing the gun’s barrel towards it, making the student nervous. The exhaustion in her voice was palpable, echoing through the muffled filter of the mask. “I was grinding for two days straight…”

 

            “You should take a break from that game! I get that you like it a lot, but don’t sacrifice your health for it!” Corty’s concern was evident as she glanced at the nurse, her eyes flicking nervously to the pistol in her hand. “Also, what’s with the gas mask and the gun? It's a bit... intense.”

 

            Watching a student scolding a school staff would probably be an entertaining sight. Fortunately for them, they were alone all this time, so the nurse’s dignity was somewhat preserved. Not that she ever cared about that. The fact that she reveled in alcohol and ball-touching was already shameful enough.

 

            “Y-yeah, I… uhh… will… Thanks for your concern and... sorry for the trouble…” Ran's head bobbed as she struggled to speak coherently. “As for… this gun… and the gas mask, I got lucky... I pulled them in a single ten pulls... Then, that game store’s vendor gifted me these… replicas…”

 

            With a slow and deliberate motion, she raised her right hand, presenting the weapon to the student. “This here… is called… The Executor.”     

 

            She paused for a few seconds, remaining perfectly still. Corty found it unnerving, her heart racing with anticipation. She jumped when Ran started speaking again, the suddenness of it catching her off guard.

 

            “This pistol boasts the highest damage output among ranged weapons in the game. Plus, it inflicts an unremovable bleed debuff. And did I mention how easy it is to reload? It simply consumes a portion of the souls of the enemies it hits and converts them into bullets. Pretty cool, right?”

           

            The sudden stream of words from the nurse's mouth left the student feeling even more afraid and confused. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as the nurse continued to speak. After taking a few deep breaths, Ran used the barrel of the gun to gesture at her gas mask. Corty's eyes widened in alarm, and she instinctively stepped back, almost letting out a yelp before regaining her composure.

 

            “And this badass-looking gas mask? It’s called the Mask of Silence. It grants the wearer full debuff immunity and lifesteal. A solid choice for defense and sustain!”

 

            “Sensei, what on earth are you talking about?” she stammered, her voice trembled with confusion and fear as she spoke, her eyes darting between Ran's unsettling gaze and the gun pointed at the gas mask.

 

            Ran's expression remained unreadable behind the gas mask as she lowered the gun, but there was a glint of mischief in her eyes. Corty couldn't shake off the sense of unease that lingered in the air.

           

            “Ah…”

 

            Realization set in for the nurse as she glanced at the frightened student, and her back slouched. She rubbed her temples, clearly struggling with fatigue. “Sorry for my rambling… Pulling consecutive all-nighters… did a number on my mind and body. Anyway… what can I do for you?”

 

            Finally back to the task at hand, Corty picked up the fallen piece of paper, her hand shivering slightly, and handed it over to the nurse, who stood like a zombie.

 

            “I need you to sign this document for us. It’s the petition for the night patrol in the school premises. We will begin as soon as tonight.”

 

            Ran blinked slowly, her gaze unfocused as if struggling to process what was happening. Corty waited anxiously, until finally, the nurse seemed to shake herself out of her daze and accepted the paper with a nod.

 

            “Thank you,” Ran murmured, her voice hoarse.

             “As you already know,” Corty said, her voice serious, “we got two more victims the other day and we’ve already deduced that the killer only attacks at night.”

 

            “Right… Reina and Matcha… The former had a large horizontal stab wound in the chest, causing blood loss while the latter’s head was crushed and his crotch ruptured. But they shared the same thing with the first two victims. Their butts were… violently probed.”

 

            “And they are still dead to this day…” Corty cringed, her voice filled with a mixture of horror and disgust.

 

            “Yeah…” Ran mulled for a moment, her brow furrowing. The gruesome details lingered in her mind. Then, she posed a strange question on the student. “I wonder if they dropped anything?”

 

            Corty, taken aback by the sudden change in conversation, knit her brows and cocked her head to the left in confusion. “Umm… What do you mean?”

 

            “Like… You know…?” Ran paused, her tone trailing off momentarily. Then, she quickly continued, “Things that can lead us to the killer.”

 

            “Ah…” Corty's disappointment was noticeable in her expression as she spoke. “Sadly, we didn’t find anything. This killer left no trace of evidence at all. They're incredibly efficient.”

 

            “I… see… That is unfortunate…” Ran said sympathetically, her tiredness more evident in her voice.

 

            Ran’s eyelids began to droop, and she was about to doze off if it wasn’t for the sound of the student’s finger snaps. Before she could fall asleep again, she lethargically shuffled her way back to her computer table. Picking up a pen resting near the keyboard, she sluggishly scrawled her signature in mere seconds and handed the paper back to the waiting student. Satisfied with receiving the signature, Corty slightly bowed as a sign of gratitude.

 

            “Thank you very much. I’ll take my leave now. Please make sure you get enough sleep and stay safe, sensei.”

 

            “Mmmhmmm… You be careful too, girl.” Ran's voice was barely audible, already drifting back into drowsiness.

 

            With everything settled, the student council president took her leave. Now in male form, Ron idly waved at her as she exited the clinic, bowing again before the door slid closed. Placing the gun next to the mouse, he then made his way to the nearby bed and laid down. Within seconds, his eyes closed, and he drifted off to sleep.

 

            However, even in his sleep, his mouth remained open, spouting words like a broken faucet.

 

            “Gotta grind some more… How much more for another ten times pull? Need to beat that boss soon for more funds too. More enemies to fight. Gotta keep farming. Gotta keep rolling! I want more strong equipment!! I WANT MORE REPLICAS TO DISPLAY!!!”

 

            His eyes snapped open, red veins coursing through his sclera.

 

            “MUST. KILL. MORE. ENEMIES.”

 

Part 4

 

            Four days passed, and now Ron had fully recovered from his sleep deprivation. He was brimming with energy and motivation. As soon as he finished breakfast, he immediately put on his equipment and hopped into the game. Though the idea of another all-nighter lingered at the back of his mind, he remembered how awful he felt days ago and decided against it. He would keep playing as long as he could roll that gacha, but he would prioritize his health. After all, it would set a bad example if the school nurse neglected his own well-being. Nevertheless, it was time for another long session of Dark Balls.

 

            After several hours passed, the hour hand pointed to twelve. He could hear the bell ringing for lunchtime but ignored it, too busy and focused on the game. Losing focus meant imminent death, and he’d rather not redo the entire fight again. But as fate would have it, the door to his clinic slid open, and the janitor Mac entered with a plastic bag in hand, diverting Ron’s attention. In that short timeframe, he heard the sound of steel striking his character with a lethal blow. The ghastly “You died” message appeared on the computer’s monitor once again.

 

            “Aaaahhhhhhhh god! I was so close!!”

 

            He almost wanted to throw the controller out of frustration but managed to stop himself in time. Despite the intense urge, he prided himself on his ability to keep his composure. Meanwhile, the culprit behind his defeat looked at him with visible scorn.

 

            “Dude—Erm… I mean woman… You are way too addicted to that game!”

 

            Ran, now back to being her female self, shot him a glare. “What do you want?”

 

            He raised the plastic bag, containing a boxed lunch and a bottle of orange juice. “Brought lunch.”

 

            “Ohhh thanks as always for doing this!” She took the plastic bag from the janitor, her stomach grumbling as she fished out the bento box. “And sorry for the trouble. I always forget the time when playing this game.”

 

            “You’re unbelievable,” Mac commented. “First, you neglect sleeping, and now you’re skipping meals. That game’s eating away at your life.”

 

            “Please stop worrying about me so much. I’m fine.”

 

            Mac sighed, leaning against the wall beside her. “You say that, but I can see the bags under your eyes from here.”

 

            “Yeah, yeah,” she waved him off, already opening the bento box. She took off the gas mask, placing it next to her keyboard, then took a big bite of the rice ball. “I’ll sleep earlier tonight, promise.”

 

            He shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

 

            “Oh, but I am glad you’re worried about me~” the nurse grinned.

 

            “Shut up! I am not!” denied Mac, looking away as if to hide his face.

 

            Ignoring his bashfulness, Ran lifted her legs onto the spinning chair, sitting like an owl. “Thanks for the help!”

 

            Mac rolled his eyes. "You're welcome, I guess."

 

            This was when he noticed the knee-high leather boots she wore. “Are those another replica you got from that game store?”

 

            She glanced at the janitor and then down at her boots. "Oh, these? They're called Omertosa Boots. They boost movement and attack speed, reduce stamina use, and let me dash every five seconds. They're the best for mobility in the game!"

 

            “You could have just said yes, you know? I didn’t ask for the infodump.”

 

            “But I want to flex my gacha pulls~” Ran replied with a mischievous grin, wiggling her eyebrows.

 

            A vein pulsated on Mac’s head as he gritted his teeth looking at the smug woman. “This bitch…”

 

            With the greatsword hanging on his wall, the pistol resting on his table, and all the equipment she wore, she was already showing off both in the video game and in real life. And rightly so, as she had worked hard to obtain all of them, except for the greatsword she still hadn't managed to get.

 

            After polishing off her lunch, Ran took a long gulp from the bottle of orange juice, letting out a satisfied sigh as the refreshing citrus flavor washed over her. She leaned back in her chair, feeling a sense of contentment. She brought her attention back to the janitor.

 

            "So, anything else you need?" she asked with a playful smirk. "Hehe… want a checkup?"

 

            “No! I’m leaving now!” Mac exclaimed, storming to the door and slamming it shut as loudly as possible. There was a moment of silence before the door slid open again.

 

            “Also, take care of yourself! The damn serial killer still hasn’t been caught!” Mac shouted, shoving the door closed once more. Angry footsteps could be heard outside, slowly fading as he walked further away from the clinic.

 

            “Funny guy,” she muttered to herself, a fond smile tugging at her lips as she shook her head.

           

            After a brief moment of reflection, she returned her attention to the game, eager to dive back into Dark Balls. Fifteen minutes later, she was back to playing, her fingers moving deftly across the controller as she focused on her next objective.

 

            “Now then… I suppose I need an armor next, though I would really like to pull that greatsword soon… I hope it comes out in my next ten pulls! Okay, now we grind!!!”

 

Part 5

 

            Night fell, and still, the nurse remained seated, consumed by the game. Whether she had even taken a break for a toilet visit, an afternoon snack, or dinner was unknown. All that mattered to her now was rolling the gacha again and again, seeking that elusive sword.

 

            After yet another failed gacha pull, her hands trembled, gripping the controller tightly. Small cracks marred the surface of the controller's handle, and the prints on the buttons were fading. Her eyes were heavy and strained, the whites tinged with red, evidence of the long hours she had spent playing without pause. Her body shook uncontrollably, teeth clenched in frustration or perhaps addiction.

 

            “Shit… Trash pulls again…” Ron’s voice echoed frustration. “Must grind again…”

 

            After several hours, the aggravating “You died” message appeared once again on the screen. His exasperation boiled over as he suffered yet another defeat in the brutal boss fight.

 

            “This is the twentieth attempt now… Ffuuuu…” Back to being Ran, bitterness welled up inside her. “Do I try to fight this boss again… or do I grind more and hope for better pulls?”

 

            Ron switched back, his gaze shifting to his left. “Maybe we should grind more first?”

 

            Ran switched, rising from the chair and glancing to her right. “But we were so close to beating that boss!”

 

            Ron snapped back. “But its second phase keeps killing us!”

 

            Ran swapped, irritation creeping into her voice. “HOW MANY MORE ENEMIES AM I SUPPOSED TO KILL BEFORE I PULL THE WEAPON I WANT?!”

 

            Ron returned, his tone turning angry. “WE’RE NOT KILLING ENOUGH!!! WE NEED TO DEFEAT BIGGER MONSTERS! THE STRONGER THEY ARE, THE BETTER THE DROP RATE!!!”

 

            Ran appeared once more. “THEN WHAT THE HELL DO WE DO?! HOW THE FUCK ARE WE SUPPOSED TO FARM MORE SHIRIKODAMA IF WE CAN’T GET TO THE AREA PAST THIS DAMN BOSS!!! THE BETTER DROPS SHOULD BE THERE!!!”

 

            Ron argued. “WE’LL JUST HAVE TO MAKE DO WITH WHAT AREAS WE’VE UNLOCKED SO FAR AND GRIND AWAY THE NIGHT!!! NOW HOW DO WE GO ABOUT IT?”

 

            The nurse changed to her female form and paused, deep in thought. She paced back and forth, trying to devise the most efficient farming strategy to acquire more gacha funds.

 

            And then she stopped in her tracks, her eyes wandering until they found an object: Something that had been carefully watching her slow progress through the game. Something that had been leading her these past weeks. Something that had always been with her and him ever since she started playing Dark Balls.

 

            Something that always told her what to do during her episodes of distress.

 

            The transparent edge of the Ebenholz Greatsword resting on the wall-mounted rack lit up, casting a moonlight-like glow upon the nurse. She walked towards it, grabbed it by the handle, and lifted it before her.

 

            “Aah, you were at my side all along. My true mentor... My guiding moonlight...”

 

            As she gripped the sword with her left hand, she picked up the pistol, adjusted her gas mask, tapped the heels of her boots, and ensured the scarf was tightly wrapped around her neck. Then, she turned to face the door, closed to any patients or visitors.

 

            “That reminds me, didn’t this area have good drop rate? And the seller always gave me masterfully crafted replicas for it…” Her eyes flickered with a sinister glint. “Maybe we’ll get lucky this time.”

 

            With a chilling resolve, she made her way to the exit of her clinic.

 

Part 6

 

            It was late in the evening, Ssemouy, flashlight in hand, walked the dark hallway alone as part of the student council’s patrol team. The dead silence weighed heavily, suffocating any hint of noise. Yet, for her, the darkness held no fear. As an evil minion, she relished in the shadows, reveling in the eerie atmosphere. Cool villains should not cower in the face of the unknown.

 

            “Good evening~”

 

            Ssemouy shrieked, her heart rapidly beating. Every nerve in her body tingled with fear at the soft, feminine voice that whispered behind her. But she must maintain her facade of bravery, for she was a loyal evil minion. She turned around, steeling herself for the encounter, only to find the unexpected figure standing before her.

 

            “Everything fine?” Ran, the nurse, stood before her, her posture slouched forward, giving her a relaxed yet somehow menacing aura.

 

            “What the hell. You scared me, sensei…” Ssemouy breathed a sigh of relief, though unease still lingered in the air. “For a moment, I thought I was about to encounter that serial killer!”

 

            “Don’t worry!” reassured the nurse. Her voice was calm, but a glint of determination flickered in her eyes. “If it comes here, I’m ready to fight!”

 

            She brandished the Ebenholz in her left hand and the Executor in her right. To Ssemouy, it might have seemed like a mere cosplay of the nurse’s in-game character, but Ran was dead serious. She was prepared to face whatever threat lurked in the shadows. And for this student, the presence of the nurse provided a false sense of security, masking the true horrors that awaited in the night.

 

            “Well, that’s good to know,” Ssemouy smiled warmly, then gave the staff a respectful bow. “Thank you for your hard work. Well then, I’ll be on my way. There are still other places I need to check before the night ends. Please be careful!”

 

            The student waved goodbye, her hand trembling slightly, as she walked away from the nurse. Ran, in a trance, simply watched Ssemouy fade into the darkness, her figure becoming smaller and smaller. Silence enveloped the hallway, broken only by the soft hum of the wind.

 

            Then, Ran spoke, her voice carrying a sinister undertone that sent shivers down Ssemouy's spine.

 

            “I see that you’re a friendly NPC, but… friendly NPCs can be killed in this game, right?”

 

            Ssemouy's steps stopped, a nagging feeling of unease settled in the pit of her stomach as she turned to face the nurse.

 

            “W-what was that? Did you say someth--”

 

     “YEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!!!”

 

            *crack*

 

            *splat*

...

...

POV of the most recent victim: