Chapter 73: All Teachers and Students, Beware of Any Snakes Inside and Outside the School

Chapter 73: All Faculty and Students Must Remain Vigilant Against Any Snakes Found On or Off Campus

The teachers' office was arranged for six people, with wooden desks lined up in two rows, each corner stacked with textbooks for different subjects.

While Xiao Feng had been growing inside the satchel, he had idly listened to some of the lessons and remembered that the "Teacher Zheng" he was now impersonating was a Chinese literature teacher.

So, with just a glance, Yi Fengchu quickly located the desk based on the subject materials. He naturally walked over and sat down, arousing no suspicion from the colleagues around him.

A class schedule for Teacher Zheng was pasted on the desk. To better familiarize himself with his current persona, Yi Fengchu deliberately took a look.

Since this was a constructed scenario rather than a complete, normal world, Teacher Zheng’s schedule was completely blank, with only one class for Fifth grade each day.

How easy. Did that mean he could already call it a day?

Bored, Yi Fengchu propped his chin on his hand, considering skipping work to wander around the school, when the office door was pushed open again.

Behind it stood a female figure covered entirely in eyes. None of them had eyelashes—just pupils and whites, like smooth, shimmering mercury orbs, oozing greasily up and down as they gazed in all directions.

From the reactions of the other teachers, Yi Fengchu learned that this was the third grade dean of studies.

The dean’s face was also covered in black-and-white eyeballs, making her expression unreadable, but her stern tone was unmistakable: "Are all the teachers from our grade here? There’s an emergency meeting."

The English teacher at the desk next to Yi Fengchu trembled as she raised her hand. "I—I was just about to go to class..."

Dozens of eyes swiveled toward her in unison, making the English teacher shudder. The dean’s order allowed no argument: "Have the students independent study first. You can make up the class later."

The weight of all those stares was overwhelming. The English teacher nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Witnessing their interactions, Yi Fengchu realized that in the "home" scenario, due to the limited number of monsters present, it had only been clear that "Father" held higher authority than "Mother."

But in the school, there were far more NPCs, making the hierarchy among them much more distinct.

For example, it seemed that teachers outranked students, while the dean outranked teachers.

He wondered if there were even higher-ranking monsters, such as school administrators or the principal...

Once the English teacher had arranged for the students to independent study, the dean locked the door tightly, drew the curtains, turned on the lights, and spoke in a solemn tone:

"The principal has issued an emergency notice, instructing all faculty and students to remain vigilant against any snakes found on or off campus."

"Even if you spot a shadow, a single scale, or a shed snakeskin, you must report it immediately. As long as the information is verified, the informant will receive a substantial reward."

"Not only must you keep this in mind, but you must also stress it repeatedly in class to ensure the students comply."

"Snakes?"

The teachers exchanged puzzled glances, completely confused, and began discussing—

"Since when have there been snakes in our school? Did they come in from another scenario?"

"If the principal is emphasizing it this much, it must be serious."

"Then it definitely can’t be just ordinary snakes in the literal sense. If even the principal is this concerned, their strength must be considerable."

"Strange. Didn’t the mighty Cursed Nightmare Father establish the rule that no being may cross scenarios? Did something find a loophole, or is the rule possibly failing?"

Yi Fengchu maintained a smile, quietly listening as they discussed how to find and deal with him.

*‘I’m already right in front of you.’*

He thought silently.

Xiao Feng, curled around his shoulder, curled the tip of his tail slightly, as if somewhat smugly.

The dean said sternly, "You don’t need to know the origins or identity of these snakes. Just follow the principal’s instructions."

Then, she moved on to another topic. "To increase the class mortality rates, let’s now proceed with this week’s faculty meeting."

"All teachers are to suggest and debate methods for luring students into triggering the rules..."

Yi Fengchu: "..."

They were really holding a faculty meeting?

Wait—was this seminar even legitimate? Were they seriously comparing notes on how to kill people?

For the rest of the meeting, Yi Fengchu simply threw in a few agreeing comments during pauses in the other teachers’ speeches.

He appeared to be participating, but in truth, he wasn’t contributing any genuine input.

Meanwhile, Yi Fengchu pondered another question: If the Cursed Nightmare Father was also in this scenario, what role would he have assigned himself?

By logic, an arrogant True Deity, within his created world, would naturally choose the highest position, unwilling to tolerate anything—whether in reality or title—standing above him.

And in this school, the principal, who could issue orders to the entire faculty and student body, was undoubtedly the most likely role for the Cursed Nightmare Father to assume.

But...

Yi Fengchu thought of the numerous strict rules governing the NPCs and became doubtful again.

Would a pseudo-deity as paranoid and meticulous as the Cursed Nightmare Father really be willing to sit in such a conspicuous position?

"Regarding these questions," the phone spoke in his mind, "perhaps you could ask Fate itself."

"Flip a coin, roll a die, even toss a stick—as long as you ask, Fate will naturally provide an answer."

Yi Fengchu considered this thoughtfully.

Right. Being a denizen of the Domain of Fate, with abilities encompassing past, present, and future possibilities, he hadn’t even truly tried "divination" yet.

So while the other teachers were speaking, Yi Fengchu casually picked up a relatively evenly shaped eraser. The front bore a brand logo, while the back was printed with rows of tiny English print.

He temporarily decided that logo side up meant "yes," while text side up meant "no," then idly gave it a toss.

Flicking it into the air, he watched as the eraser spun and landed, mentally asking:

*‘Is the Cursed Nightmare Father in this scenario?’*

The eraser landed on the desk, logo side up—*Yes.*

After pondering, Yi Fengchu tossed it again:

*‘Is the Cursed Nightmare Father in the residential zone scenario?’*

This time, the eraser landed on its side—*Both yes and no.*

*‘Is the Cursed Nightmare Father in the school setting?’*

—*Both yes and no.*

"Is the Father of Nightmare Curses the principal?"

"Yes, and no."

Yi Fengchu slightly frowned, then realized something and rephrased the question:

"Is the principal the Father of Nightmare Curses?"

After three consecutive attempts failed to yield a clear answer, the eraser finally landed right-side up—yes.

Seeing these results, Yi Fengchu couldn't help but speculate: Could it be that the Father of Nightmare Curses, like him, had also split into multiple entities?

Otherwise, how could he be simultaneously present at the school and "home," yet not entirely in either location?

Lost in thought, Yi Fengchu suddenly noticed the Head Teacher's eyeballs sliding around like loaches crammed into a narrow bucket—slimy and nauseating.

It turned toward Yi Fengchu, seemingly puzzled. "Teacher Zheng, why have you spoken so little today?"

Of course, even the occasional tone of speech had become slightly different from before.

In the Head Teacher's memory, Teacher Zheng was a timid, fawning little thing who cowered in its presence.

During every teaching seminar, Teacher Zheng would meticulously prepare, stumbling through his script in an attempt to gain approval from the Head Teacher.

Thus, it had never seen Teacher Zheng so calm and collected before.

For a while, the Head Teacher even had the illusion that it wasn't the teachers' superior—rather, it was Teacher Zheng, sitting beside it with a subtle smile, nodding and occasionally offering insights, who held the real authority.

It made the Head Teacher look like nothing more than a secretary running the meeting.

Facing the Head Teacher's question, Yi Fengchu remained expressionless. "I just finished class and couldn't catch any students misbehaving, so I'm a bit tired."

"Is that so?" The Head Teacher nodded, but its cluster of eyeballs remained fixed on Yi Fengchu. "And what about your neck?"

"It itched, so I scratched it without realizing. Is that an issue?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, the other teachers gaped at "Teacher Zheng" as if they'd seen a ghost, their expressions complicated.

Had Zheng… always been this bold?

Daring to question the Head Teacher like this?

Instantly, the office fell so silent you could hear a pin drop. Every teacher held their breath, watching the confrontation between "Teacher Zheng" and the Head Teacher.

The Head Teacher fell silent for a moment, its eyeballs scanning up and down as it scrutinized Yi Fengchu. It found no further abnormalities—his appearance, voice, and physique were unchanged; even the burn scar on "Teacher Zheng's" right hand was identical. There was no possibility of impersonation.

—Perhaps it was overthinking. How could the "snake" the principal warned them about disguise itself as a human so flawlessly?

With that thought, the Head Teacher let its guard down and resumed its long-winded speech, concluding: "...The principal has high expectations of us. We must not betray this trust. Let's strive to raise the death rates in each class."

Pausing, it bared its fangs, its blood-red tongue licking its lips. "Especially that player…"

"She's the only true living human. Her taste must be exquisite."

With that, the Head Teacher and several teachers grinned.

From the corners of these monsters' mouths, the faint metallic tang of blood could almost be smelled.

The Head Teacher glanced at the clock and, seeing that time was up, hastily tossed out a few flyers, instructing the teachers to post them on the floor bulletin boards.

"Oh, and don't forget to deliver one to the broadcasting room. Per the principal's orders, this announcement will be broadcast morning, noon, and night from now on—to drive the message home to the faculty and students."

Before leaving, the Head Teacher added a few more reminders, then hurried off.

The remaining teachers were left staring at the notices in dismay.

Even in this situation, no one wanted extra work.

"I…" The English teacher was the first to find an excuse. "I have to go back and give my students extra help!"

The math teacher stood up, following the English teacher. "Perfect timing—I need to assign homework to the class representatives. I'll go with you."

After they left, only four teachers remained. Some frowned with arms crossed, others wore polite, forced smiles—the atmosphere instantly grew tense.

Just then, Yi Fengchu spoke up, breaking the stalemate with an accommodating smile. "I'll handle it. My classes are over for the day anyway."

A nearby colleague blinked, reflexively thanking him. "Ah, good, good. Thank you, Teacher Zheng."

Yi Fengchu left with the notices in hand. Watching his retreating figure, the colleague slowly came to his senses, scratching his head in confusion. "Strange… Has Teacher Zheng always had such a presence?"

For a moment, it had felt like the person standing before him wasn't a peer but a monster on the Head Teacher's level—no, given the inexplicable pressure, perhaps even stronger…

It had reduced him to complete submission, not daring to even breathe loudly.

A sense of dissonance flickered through the teachers' minds, but "Fate" reduced the likelihood of them having sudden realizations. Thus, despite Yi Fengchu hardly trying to act the part, they simply couldn't notice anything amiss.

All doubts and suspicions were like bubbles breaking the ocean's surface, quickly swallowed by the waves and disappearing without a trace into the depths of their minds.

"Must've imagined it… Yeah, just my imagination," another teacher muttered.

His voice was low, as if trying to convince others—or perhaps unconsciously persuading himself—

Don't look too closely.

You might die.