Chapter 3: Into the Unknown

  The auditorium was a cacophony of fear and tension. Kylie stood at the edge of the room, her back to the huddled mass of teachers and children, her eyes locked on the goblins clawing at the barrier. Their glowing eyes burned with malice, their snarls echoing through the room like a macabre symphony. The holographic system interface flickered in her vision, a constant reminder of the new reality they were trapped in. She clenched her fists, her mind racing through the practicalities, uncertainties, and harsh truths of their situation.

  Serena’s right, Kylie thought, her gaze shifting to the hologram displaying the goblin’s status. We can’t just sit here and wait. But what if I’m wrong? What if I’m leading us all to our deaths?

  Her heart ached as she thought of her parents—her aged mother and partially disabled father—alone at home, unaware of the chaos unfolding across the city. She had to get back to them. She had to. But first, she had a duty to the children under her care. The system had given her an individual quest: deliver her ten students to their parents. It was a daunting task, but if the system allowed her to level up and grow stronger, she would use it to survive. She would game the system to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves.

  Kylie’s priority was clear: complete the individual quest and the group quest. But to do that, she needed to act. And that meant going against the wishes of the other teachers and Vice Principal Lim.

  “You’re out of your mind, Kylie!” Mrs. Wong hissed, her voice trembling with fear and anger. “You’re going to get us all killed!”

  The other teachers murmured in agreement, their faces pale and drawn. Vice Principal Lim stepped forward, his usual calm demeanor cracking under the weight of the situation. “Kylie, I understand your concern, but we must wait for help. Venturing out there is suicide.”

  Kylie met his gaze, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging inside her. “With all due respect, Vice Principal, we don’t know if help is coming. The longer we wait, the more danger we’re in. I’m not suggesting we all leave. I’m volunteering to scout the building—to see if we can find a way to reunite the children with their parents.”

  Serena stepped forward, her arms crossed and her expression unyielding. “I’m with Kylie. We can’t just sit here and do nothing. If there’s a chance to protect the kids, we have to take it.”

  The room erupted into protests. “You’re going to get us all killed!” Mr. Lee shouted, his voice rising above the others. “That goblin you killed—what if it attracts more of them? What if the barrier breaks because of you?”

  Kylie’s jaw tightened. She understood their fear, but she couldn’t let it paralyze her. “I’m not asking for permission,” she said firmly. “I’m going. If you want to stay here, that’s your choice. But I won’t abandon these children.”

  The teachers stared at her, their faces a mix of fear, anger, and disbelief. Vice Principal Lim sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “If you’re determined to do this, at least take precautions. But know this: if you endanger the children, the responsibility falls on you.”

  Kylie nodded, her resolve unwavering. She turned to Serena. “Let’s get ready.”

  Kylie swiveled on her heel and strode toward the storage room, her mind already racing through the logistics of what they would need. She didn’t care what the others said—this was her decision, and she would see it through. As she passed the huddled group of children, she paused and crouched down to address her students.

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  “Listen up, everyone,” she said, her voice calm but firm. “I’m going to bring your daddies and mummies to you. I promise. But I need you to be brave and stay here with Teacher Ruz. Can you do that for me?”

  The children nodded, their wide eyes filled with a mix of fear and hope. Mei-Li clutched her stuffed bunny tightly, her small voice trembling as she asked, “Teacher Kylie, will you come back?”

  Kylie smiled, though her heart ached at the question. “Of course, I will. I’ll be back before you know it.”

  She stood and made her way to Teacher Ruz, a friendly colleague she trusted implicitly. “Ruz, I need you to look after the kids while I’m gone. Keep them calm and safe. I’ll bring their parents back as soon as I can.”

  Teacher Ruz nodded, her expression serious. “I’ll take care of them, Kylie. Just… be careful out there”, her tanned forehead crinkled with worry.

  Kylie gave her a grateful smile before turning to Serena. “Let’s get equipped.”

  The preschool’s storage room was a treasure trove of makeshift weapons. Kylie and Serena rummaged through the shelves, grabbing bleach, disinfectants, and pesticide sprays. They tied brooms and mops to their bodies using straps fashioned from materials in the dramatic corner, creating crude but functional weapons. Kylie tested the weight of a metal-legged chair in her hands, her grip tightening as she imagined swinging it at a goblin’s skull.

  “You sure about this?” Serena asked, her voice low as she adjusted the strap of her makeshift weapon.

  Kylie hesitated, then nodded. “We don’t have a choice. If we want to survive, we have to fight.”

  Serena smirked, her eyes gleaming with determination. “Good. Because I’ve been itching to punch something since this whole mess started.”

  The corridor outside the preschool unit was a nightmare come to life. Goblins prowled the hallway, their glowing eyes fixed on the barrier. Kylie and Serena stepped out, their makeshift weapons at the ready. The goblins turned, their snarls growing louder as they lunged toward the duo.

  Kylie swung the metal-legged chair with all her strength, the impact sending a shockwave up her arms. The goblin crumpled to the ground, its skull caved in. A notification pinged in her vision:

  [Goblin Scout defeated!]

  +20 EXP

  Loot: Goblin Tooth x2, 10 Gold Coins

  Serena was a whirlwind of motion, her MMA training evident in every strike. She jabbed a broom handle into a goblin’s throat, then followed up with a brutal kick to its chest. Another goblin fell, and Serena glanced at Kylie. “How many more?”

  “Too many,” Kylie muttered, her eyes scanning the corridor. “But we can’t stop now.”

  They moved methodically, clearing the hallway one goblin at a time. The adults and children watching from the preschool unit gasped and cried out, some vomiting or breaking into panic attacks at the sight of the carnage. Blood pooled on the floor, and the stench of death filled the air.

  Kylie’s notifications kept pinging:

  [Goblin Scout defeated!]

  +20 EXP

  Loot: Goblin Skin x1, 12 Gold Coins

  [Goblin Scout defeated!]

  +20 EXP

  Loot: Goblin’s Smelly Underwear x1, 15 Gold Coins

  After the fourth goblin fell, a new notification appeared:

  [Level Up!]

  You are now Level 2!

  +3 Stat Points

  +1 Skill Points

  [Title Achievement Unlocked: Furniture Fury]

  Effect: +2 ATK bonus, +15% damage with furniture-type weapons, and a 50% chance to stun upon contact.

  When the going gets tough, the tough get sitting—or swinging. Either way, nobody won’t see it coming.

  Kylie blinked at the notification, her nose wrinkling in distaste.

  Furniture Fury? Really? She grimaced at the mental image of herself as some kind of deranged interior decorator turned berserker. But before she could dwell on the absurdity, a wave of energy surged through her body, muscles tingling with newfound strength. The system didn't care about dignity - it only cared about results.

  Beside her, Serena paused mid-swing, her eyes widening as she felt the same surge. "What just happened?" she asked, flexing her fingers around her broom handle

  “You leveled up,” Kylie said, a small smile tugging at her lips. “You’re Level 2 now.”

  Serena grinned, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. “About time.”

  They pressed on, killing eight more goblins each until they reached the emergency exit. The green “EXIT” sign loomed above the swing doors, a beacon of hope and danger. Behind them, the screeches of more goblins echoed through the corridor.

  Kylie glanced at Serena, her black braids frazzled and streaked with dried goblin blood. Serena’s high ponytail had drooped, stray hairs plastered to her sweaty forehead. They were battered and bloody, but their determination burned brighter than ever.

  “First stop,” Kylie said, her voice steady. “Level 11. Yuichi and Yui’s mother from Satchi Interior Designs, Unit 4. We need to go two floors up.”

  Serena nodded, her grip tightening on her weapon, brown eyes flashing. “Let’s roll.”

  Together, they pushed the emergency exit doors open and stepped into the unknown.