“The Calm Before the Storm”

She couldn't afford to believe this was just a dream.

If the past truly repeated itself, then she had a chance to manipulate it.

She clenched her fists under the desk. The smallest details could confirm whether things were playing out the same way.

Then—a test.

A simple one.

She shifted her gaze toward the front of the room.

Any second now—

"Alright, everyone, settle down," their homeroom teacher called out. "I have an announcement before we begin today's lesson."

Right on time.

Her grip on her pen tightened.

"Next, he's going to talk about a student transfer… and then—"

"First, a quick notice," the teacher continued. "The student council has organized an emergency drill tomorrow morning. Be prepared."

She exhaled sharply.

Exactly as before.

That drill had never happened.

By tomorrow morning, the world would already be a battlefield.

She leaned back in her seat. The patterns were still the same.

Which meant—she could plan around them.

She couldn't outright stockpile weapons or scream about an impending apocalypse.

Instead, she focused on small but crucial preparations.

First aid kit. During lunch, she slipped into the infirmary and pocketed some bandages and antiseptics.

Food & water. The school vending machine had non-perishable snacks. She bought extras and stored them in her bag.

Escape routes. She memorized the school's layout—places that had helped her survive in the first round.

One by one, she recreated the little advantages she had found the hard way.

Even in the first round, some people had lasted longer than others.

She scanned the classroom, her gaze locking onto three individuals.

The Class Representative – A Natural Leader

He had rallied survivors in the first round.

Unfortunately, his lack of ruthlessness got him killed.

If she could subtly guide his decisions, she could keep more people alive.

The Quiet Girl – A Hidden Genius

In the first round, everyone underestimated her.

But she had cracked the system's mechanics faster than anyone else.

She died early due to betrayal—but if saved, she could be a powerful asset.

Him – The Boy Who Saved Her

Her gaze lingered.

She had spent an entire lifetime watching him die for her.

This time, she wouldn't let him.

The day passed without incident.

Too normal. Too quiet.

It was unsettling.

Because she knew what came next.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, she walked home, glancing up at the darkening sky.

The air was thick with something unnatural.

The city continued as if tomorrow wouldn't bring death and destruction.

As if the world wasn't about to change forever.

But she knew better.

She clutched the straps of her bag. She was ready.

That night, the first error message appeared.

> [System Sync: 99% Complete.]

[Welcome, Players.]

Her blood ran cold.

She bolted upright in bed, just in time to see the air shatter.

The world collapsed.

And then, a voice echoed across reality.

> "Welcome to the Great Survival Game."