…If only I hadn't handed May the book, then—
Maybe… maybe I could do it…
Chrono's grip on the bedsheet loosened as he slowly sat up, letting out a sigh of defeat.
He stared at the phone for a solid four minutes, weighing if it was even worth picking up. He still hadn't confirmed if pressing the link would come with a punishment—or worse.
He forced himself off the bed, dragging his feet toward the phone one last time.
He stopped above it, staring down at the blank screen before finally picking it up.
He just stood there, staring. Minutes slipped by.
His hand began to tremble again, breath ragged, sweat running down his face like he'd stepped into a sauna.
He pressed the power button—the soft glow of the screen washed over his uneasy face. He stared at the webpage, a mix of fear and uncertainty tightening his chest.
The translation to the symbols could be in there. Or it could be a trap, some punishment, a twisted trick from the figure to make him believe reverse image searching was the answer.
Chrono stared a moment longer. Then, with a defeated sigh, he set the phone back down and switched it off.
No… not yet.
He thought, glaring up at the ceiling, jaw clenched.
There's something I want to confirm before pressing this.
Still… it doesn't change the fact that I'm terrified.
But there's no other way to find out.
I have to drop my fear—just once. I can't stay like this if I really want to beat this challenge.
He let out a softer sigh—less from relief at avoiding it, more from finally deciding to face it soon.
He pulled out the chair at his desk and sat down, leaning forward slightly to boot up his computer.
Propping his elbow on the desk, he rested his cheek in his palm, eyes locked on the blank screen.
If it really exists, there should be records online.
If not, then maybe it really is bait.
Then again… maybe it's just too obscure to show up at all.
Chrono leaned back in his chair, only to snap forward again when the screen lit up.
"Vael'Zul, was it?"
He muttered under his breath as his fingers tapped the keyboard.
He hit Enter.
In a split second, pages of results loaded. Chrono started scrolling.
He scrolled, and scrolled—clicking link after link. Nothing confirmed Vael'Zul. If the word appeared at all, it had nothing to do with a language. The words were never paired together in any way that made sense.
Chrono exhaled sharply, powering down the computer.
He stared at the blank screen for a moment, then stood, slipping his phone into his pocket.
He walked to his door, pulled it open, and stepped into the hallway.
This isn't good.
So, from this… I can guess Vael'Zul is the language of the symbols—but there's no record of it online.
Or it's bait. And pressing that link is the punishment.
The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth as he paused at the bathroom door, hand on the knob.
None of those pages were titled just 'Vael'Zul', either.
I still don't get it.
Am I just being paranoid?
Should I just press it?
Should I get someone else to press it?
No. I can't drag someone else into this.
He shook his head as his thoughts spiraled, stepping into the bathroom.
He walked up to the basin, placing both hands on it, staring at his own troubled reflection.
Then he paused, hand sliding under his chin.
What's wrong with me?
Why am I so scared?
What exactly am I afraid of?
His gaze drifted from the mirror to the faucet, blank and unfocused.
I wanted to confirm if Vael'Zul shows up online.
It didn't.
So the next step is simple—press the link.
I already made up my mind.
So why am I scared?
For what?
Chrono's eyes narrowed, brows pinched together as his teeth clenched in frustration.
Look at it this way—
Let's say… pressing the link does kill me.
I'd just loop again, since I'm not out of loops.
I'd confirm it's taboo and avoid it next time.
There's no real consequence.
His shoulders dropped. He stood up straight, turned on the faucet, and picked up his toothbrush, wetting it under the stream.
It's good that I'm cautious—thinking before I act.
But—
He paused, staring at the water still running over the bristles.
I let that caution turn into fear.
That's my biggest mistake.
He shut off the faucet, squeezed toothpaste onto the brush, and stuck it in his mouth, the repetitive motion grounding him as he brushed his teeth.
I can't let fear overpower logic.
If I do…
I might as well write my will now.
He scoffed, shaking his head at the thought.
After a few minutes of brushing, he turned on the faucet, rinsing away the residue of the toothpaste he'd spat out.
He walked to the door, opened it, stepped out, and closed it behind him. He made his way to his bedroom, opened the door, and closed that too.
He walked over to his chair, pulled it out, and sat down. He took his phone from his pocket and turned it on. A sigh slipped out.
Here goes nothing…
He stared at the link a moment longer, heart pounding in his chest, breath ragged, hand trembling.
But this time, it was different.
Chrono's finger touched the screen. He pressed the link.
Suddenly—
The same bright light that came from the book now poured from his phone screen.
What the hell?
Chrono instinctively got up and stepped back, shielding his eyes from the violet-azure glow.
The light was so bright it lit up his entire room.
Damn it.
What the hell is going on?
Chrono tried to step closer to the phone, but his body suddenly felt ten times heavier, dragging him to his knees.
He looked up at the glowing screen, eyes squinted, sweat rolling down his face, heart hammering as he struggled to get up.
Frick… I'm dead, aren't I?
He stared into the light helplessly.
But for some reason—
He didn't feel fear.
He felt calm, like a weight had lifted from his chest, despite what was happening.
Relief settled in. He'd finally faced his fear. Whatever happened, he'd be satisfied.
A soft smile crossed his lips as he slowly closed his eyes, accepting his fate for the loop.
But suddenly—
The light began to dim. The crushing weight on his body lifted. He slowly got up, blinking in confusion.
Huh?
I'm surprised. I'm alive.
He stretched his limbs, making sure the heaviness was really gone.
Then he looked at his phone—
And his eyes widened.
There they were. The symbols. Right on his phone.
Chrono rushed over and stared down at the screen, disbelief and excitement mixing all at once.
No way…
His eyes widened even more, a smirk tugging at his lips.
The symbols were there—and beside each one were letters from the English alphabet.
That means…
Chrono flipped the book open to the third page, grabbed a pencil from his desk, and slid his phone beside the book.
Each one of these symbols is a letter from our alphabet. If I can match the ones in the book to the ones on my phone, then…
I can figure out what the challenge is.
Chrono's smirk widened.
He began writing in the book, eyes flicking from page to phone.
He wrote—
And wrote—
And wrote—
And wrote—
And wrote.
Until he stopped.
His eyes widened—not because he'd translated the challenge, but because…
This… this doesn't make any sense.
What he'd written out was:
"ehcmue anmhu oewlyu aevb eendm deewro yhtrwo fro eth ilrat fo eth wnoknnu ehclnaor venseodlf ormF siht yad nda eht txen xis syad dsowran ouy llwi eb gnipoo lgohset syad tub ni odrer ot esgrop s ot eht txen yad uyo sumt etpocelm a eeglcalhn ot evom no luafier ot etpocelm siht egnellahc lliw tesrul ni ruoy esidem rof eht tsrif pool rouy egnellahc si ot encvocni eno dnasuoht elpoep hatt eryou oiplgn if yhet od ton evebile ouy yhet lliw ton pool htiw oyu fi uyo cceivonn meht er'ouy gnipool ythe lliw osla trats gnipo olhtwi eht yad htiw oyu litnu uyo etelpomc eht egnellahc ro ide fi oyu lfia tsum eb etedelpcom ni ytnewt eerht spool."
Chrono slammed his desk, grabbing his hair with both hands as he dropped his head.
What the hell is this!?
This is gibberish.
Damn it, bro.
He glared down at what he'd written, disbelief and frustration bubbling up.
And just when I thought…
Just when I thought I'd finally figured it out, this crap happens.
He sighed heavily, letting go of his hair, leaning back in his chair, slouching.
Great. Now do I gotta translate this crap to English?
He picked up the book, lifted it into the air, tilting his chin to look up at it.
Another sigh of defeat.
He stared at the words blankly—like someone staring at an exam they hadn't studied for.
Hold on a second.
His eyes widened as he lowered the book into his lap.
Is this scrambled? Because "ytnewt eerht spool" is twenty-three loops.
Is that how many loops I have?
His eyes widened more, a grin tugging at both corners of his mouth. He pressed a hand to his chin.
That's it! I'm supposed to unscramble this.
And when I do—I'll know what the challenge is.
He paused, eyes locked on the page like it might unlock everything.
That means I have twenty-two loops left, huh? Must be one lengthy ass challenge.
Chrono's eyes darted up to the ceiling as he rocked back in his chair, arms folded across his chest.
Then he stopped, gaze dropping to his feet.
So this is it… this is how I get the translation, huh?
But what did that figure mean by "make use of libraries"?
That doesn't add up.
Chrono tilted his head, brow furrowing.
Maybe the libraries have a direct translation… or maybe they're supposed to help with the challenge itself, not the decoding. Or maybe—
Maybe it was a red herring?
He let out a short breath through his nose.
Either way, the path's clearer now. I just have to unscramble this.
He lifted his head, eyes locking onto the book. He uncrossed his arms.
I'll figure it out this loop—then next loop, I plan how to actually beat the challenge.
A different thought slipped in—
There's something I wanna do first, though… or rather, someone I wanna talk to.
A smirk tugged at his mouth as he stood up, snapped the book shut, and pushed in his chair.
---
A few minutes later, Chrono was standing at the school gate. He was a bit later than he was in the original loop—Hands in his pockets, he scanned the sea of students pouring in. His eyes flicked through the crowd, searching.
There you are.
He weaved through the chatter and uniforms until he was close enough to tap them on the shoulder.
"Well if it isn't my favorite redhead."
Chrono's smirk was sly, his tone more alive than usual.
The boy turned—Xander. His eyes widened, a grin spreading across his face.
"Oh? What's up, Zeph? You're unusually chipper today."
Xander turned fully to face him, bumping his fist into Chrono's. Chrono's fist met his with a quiet smack.
Chrono shrugged, a glint in his eye. "Let's just say I hit the jackpot."
"The jackpot? Oh! Are you playing that gacha game Chris is addicted to?"
"Huh? Hell no, dude." Chrono recoiled at the thought, pulling a face.
Xander laughed, voice rising loud enough to draw a few curious looks. Chrono ignored them, exhaling.
"I was thinking…" Chrono started, tone shifting low.
Xander tilted his head. "Yeah? Wassup?"
"You wanna skip school today?"
Xander blinked. "Huh?"