Season 3: Chapter 5: You Had a Plan (2)
At the same time, Bubblegum was frowning with his group of ten students.
"Ah, damn it..."
They followed another group with their heads bowed down. That group was Class 5.
— Hey Gum, you've been kidnapped.
— Getting caught like this, LOL.
— Hard carry (reverse), wow.
— Bro, please try harder, please...
From the scolding in the chat, it seemed something had gone seriously wrong.
"Hey, you guys." The person leading Class 5 turned around and said, "From now on, you're Class 5. Got it?"
His club was covered in bright red bloodstains and some of Bubblegum’s classmates had bruises all over them. Yes, they had been defeated by Class 5.
Bubblegum had led the kids to the back door of the main building. The Class 5 group had just occupied that area. It would have been nice if things went smoothly.
However, Class 5 forced them to join their group. Bubblegum’s group initially refused, but the numerical difference was overwhelming. Unable to escape, they had no choice but to join before suffering greater damage.
“Ah, now I see why Class 5's numbers increased and Class 3’s has decreased! Bubblegum’s group has been absorbed by Class 5!”
The broadcast camera showed the current situation. It was clear from the numbers that something had happened.
“They joined them? Is that possible?”
“Yes. If mutual agreement is reached, they are considered to have joined that side!”
“Ah... was there an agreement? They don't look like they agreed at all!”
— Mutual agreement (physical), LOL.
— Who agreed under the threat of a knife? // ??? : Yes!
— Seems like they'll just be used as cannon fodder…
“But I wonder how Class 5 did this so easily... It must affect the morale of the children.”
“Ah, each class has its own characteristics, even the NPCs.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Even during my school days, some classes were known for being good at soccer or having many playful kids.”
“Ah, so Class 5 is…”
“You could say it's a class with many warrior-like members.”
— Is this Planet Saiyan, LOL?
— The class itself is full of bullies, LOL.
— Ah... isn't that too much of an advantage???
— It was a game of luck after all.
“Ah, a class with many aggressive kids?”
“Yes, so they might have an advantage in getting ahead early in the game.”
The Zombie School multiplayer mode wasn't exactly a fair situation. Each class had a bit of luck with certain characteristics. Effectively using what was given was also part of player skill.
“So what is better about Class 3 now that they've joined Class 5? From what I've seen, they don't seem very combative.”
“Ah, yes. In terms of aggression, they're just average students. The kids are nice? They have unity? That's how you should see it.”
— The kids are nice... LOL.
— What the hell is that? LOL
— Are they garbage?
— Ball possession! Organization! Spirit!
— That’s good for morale, LOL.
Simply put, Bubblegum's Class 3 had no chance if they directly confronted Class 5.
'What should we do?'
Bubblegum felt worried, but his fans were thrilled to see him lose.
— Gum bro hard carry again (reverse).
— "Broadcast genius."
— Is he carrying almonds and still coming last? LOL.
— LOL, this is so Gum.
"Ah... these kids..."
As Bubblegum read the chat, he felt miserable. The more the chat talked, the higher his chances of losing.
'But there's no law saying I must die.'
Of course, he didn't think he was completely without hope.
'These guys think I'm an NPC.'
"Ah, damn it..."
He thought a player was among them, but Class 5 seemed unaware. Listening to the Class 5 guys talking in the lead made it clear.
"Wow. We’re lucky. We got all the kids from Class 3 too."
"Exactly."
"If it's like this, it's not just about saving our class members, is it?"
"Right. I wonder how many the other teams have saved."
"Hmm. Since it's on another server, who knows?"
Another server? Indeed, they still misunderstood the meaning of multiplayer mode. Zombie School’s Multiplayer Mode was not just about cooperation among players, but also competing against other teams.
'I'm in a good position.'
Their misunderstanding extended Bubblegum's life.
Bubblegum quietly pulled out a box cutter, tore off his name tag, and threw it on the ground.
'I'll get caught right away named Bubblegum.'
His name was well known to any streamer. If he said his NPC name was Bubblegum, the players from Class 5 would immediately notice.
Conversely, he wouldn't be caught for a while if he hid his name well. If the kids just didn't call him by name...
"Hey. Bubblegum...!"
Damn it. The owner of the voice was Oh Ji-Hoon, the guy who went to the store with Almond. That guy became an ardent fan after getting bread from Bubblegum.
"Hey. Bub... Oops?!"
Clack!
Bubblegum covered Oh Ji-Hoon's mouth.
"Quiet. Shush. Don't call out names."
"What, what? Why? You don't want to be friends?"
"Ah. It's not that... but why did you suddenly call out?"
— You don't want to be friends? LOL.
— Cute LOL.
— What's with that lost-country expression?
"Ah, I was just curious."
"About what?"
"Can we just keep following them?"
‘What is this guy saying? Is he dumber than me?’
"No. You idiot. How could we?"
"Why, why?"
"Because they won't treat us as their own."
"What? Why? Aren't we Class 5 now?"
— Shaking my head LOL.
— Is this a Bubblegum mirror match?
— Little Bubblegum Oh Ji-Hoon
Bubblegum put his hand on his shoulder and explained it straightforwardly, "Hey. Oh Ji-Hoon, would you treat a rolling stone well? They'd give us food last and use us as human shields when in danger."
Actually, that was just Bubblegum's opinion. They didn’t know yet whether Class 5 would do so.
"Human shields...? I see. Damn it. Bastards...!" the simple-minded Oh Ji-Hoon immediately cursed.
— MC LOL.
— Class 5 is getting cursed for something they haven't even done LOL.
— Instant persuasion LOL.
— But it's not entirely wrong.
Bubblegum whispered gravely since it already came to this, "So, Ji-Hoon. You tell the kids. Hold on tight to your senses. At any moment, if I give the signal, we strike from behind. Got it?"
"Yeah. We’re loyal Class 3, aren’t we? I'll be ready, Bubblegum."
"Ah, don't say my name. Tell the kids not to mention my name either."
"Why, why exactly?"
"That's the situation. Don't call me until the rebellion succeeds."
"Then, what should I call you?"
"From now on, call me..."
What should he say?
— Didn't you think about it? LOL.
— Introduce me as The Joker? Ha ha ha.
— Lol just tell him not to call you.
"Hey!"
“Gasp.”
Bubblegum interrupted himself with a sharp gasp.
"What were you mumbling about? Huh?"
A rather delinquent-looking NPC turned his head and scowled at them. He was one of the Class 5 students.
"Why are you talking so much?"
"Ah... I didn't say anything..." Bubblegum inadvertently lowered his gaze and mumbled.
Then—
"Hey, you kids from Class 3."
Beep~
He pushed Bubblegum's forehead away.
"We saved you and you don't even appreciate it."
Beep~!
He pushed Bubblegum again like a bobblehead.
"Just babbling, huh? Want to be thrown to the zombies?"
A young kid who was so green...
[Dizzy]
Bubblegum was displaying a state of dizziness. However, he couldn't escape the dozens of students from Class 5.
"Sorry..."
Bubblegum checked the name tag of the one who had humiliated him while trembling.
"I'll remember you, Kim Jin-Hyeokk" he whispered into a channel that only the viewers could hear.
— If you remember... does something change?
— LOL
— Like a true nerd, getting beaten up at school and then going home to simulate an 18 to 1 duel.
— You just memorized the name, right? haha
That was when it happened.
"Shh!"
The group in the lead raised a fist to silence everyone.
"There's a zombie. Around the corner, in the bathroom."
The hallway became as quiet as a mouse in an instant.
“Grooooaarrr…”
The faint sound of a zombie could be heard.
“A zombie?”
“Gosh, it's real.”
“Why are there so many?”
“Gulp.”
The silence was so profound that the sound of someone swallowing could be heard.
The whisper of the player in the lead reached them, "It's right in front of the bathroom. Just our luck."
"There's quite a number of them."
"We need to secure the bathroom."
"We need more weapons."
They pointed to an empty classroom next to them.
"We can't go to the bathroom. Let's make weapons in there and then go."
The one in the lead quietly opened the door to the empty classroom, but—
"?!"
Crash!
Something fell with a loud noise.
"Kyaaaaaa!?"
It was a plant pot that seemed to have been leaning against the door.
"What are you doing!? Fuck, open it quickly!!"
It was too late now. The leader forcefully pulled the door.
The sound of glass and metal splitting echoed around.
Creeeeak...!
"Kyaaaaaaaaaa!"
"Kraaaaa!"
A few of the zombies that had been lurking in front of the bathroom started to react. Some limped toward them. However…
"Fuck, they're running!"
Tatatatatatatat!
Others ran at a human-like speed or perhaps even faster than a human.
— ????
— Fuck, what is this??
— So scary
"There's one running!!!"
Bang!
As the students screamed, they began to push and shove into the door.
"Move, move!"
"Class 3 brats! You guys enter last!"
"Class 5 goes first!"
"What, what the hell!? Aren't we Class 5 too!"
Thud!
Members of Class 5 kicked and pushed Bubblegum aside.
"Stop the bullshit!"
Bubblegum didn’t get pushed easily. He clung on and struggled.
It was chaotic with the narrow entrance and many kids. The noise kept growing...
— MC LOL
— Bad guys LOL
— This is the sorrow of losing a country
The running zombies had already closed the distance.
"Kyaaaaaaa!"
They were close enough to count their teeth.
"Uh, ughaaaa!"
"Go quickly! Get inside!!"
Bubblegum was desperate. Eventually, he was pushed and pushed...
'This might...'
Class 3 was the last to enter. He was at the front of Class 3, but what about the ones behind?
"Kyaaaaaaa! Save—" a girl from Class 3 screamed.
'This is the end.'
A zombie had grabbed her.
Screeeeech.
Her skirt was stretched to the point of tearing.
"Tear it off!"
Thud!
A boy ran up and kicked the zombie. The zombie staggered back, but there was more than just one zombie.
"Kraaaaa!"
Snap!
The girl who had fallen back was grabbed again. Her long hair was seized. She screamed and flailed, but…
Crack!
Another zombie that rushed in bit her.
"Close it! Hurry up and get inside!"
The boy, trying to save the girl, entered the classroom with a look of despair.
Rrrrrrrring!
Once again, the sound of glass and metal echoed as the sliding door closed.
Bang!
"... It's closed."
The zombies charged into the door with their momentum.
Thud. Thud.
The glass windows began to get smeared with blood.
“Grooooan...!”
“Caaah…”
Between the noise inside and outside, a deafening silence fell.
The students, relieved of the tension, slumped to the ground.
"Ha... Ha..."
"Are we... did she just die?"
The students of Class 3 stared blankly outside, their eyes wide open. They had lost a friend so senselessly.
Then, a threatening voice spoke out, "Hey. You there."
It was Kim Jin-Hyeok from Class 5, who had silenced Bubblegum earlier.
"You. Come here."
"... Me, me?"
He was pointing directly at Bubblegum.
"Yeah. You. This bastard. Why don't you have a name tag? What's this bastard's name?"
“Gasp,” Bubblegum inadvertently gasped.
***
[Beginner's Tip: Even just a small single room can become a society of its own if cut off from the outside.]