Chapter 50: The Plan That Defied Death
Mr. Samit's words were like a spark that reignited the dying flame of hope within Ms. Selena.
Only moments ago, her eyes had been filled with fear and helplessness.
Now, they reflected the unwavering determination of a teacher who refused to abandon her students.
She took a deep breath...
Brushed the loose strands of hair behind her ear...
Then suddenly rose firmly from her chair.
The moment she stood, everyone's attention in the broadcasting room shifted toward her.
Her gaze swept across each face.
One person stood in silence...
Another tightened their grip on their weapon...
While someone else instinctively glanced at the door every time the terrifying growls echoed from outside.
After a brief silence, Ms. Selena spoke with unwavering determination.
"Everyone... listen to me carefully."
The room fell completely silent.
"We're done waiting."
Her voice was stronger than ever.
"No matter what happens... we have to help every survivor on the third and fourth floors."
Her words ignited a fresh wave of courage within everyone present.
But...
At that moment, Mr. Samit slowly raised his hand.
The seriousness had returned to his face.
"You're absolutely right..."
He gestured quietly toward the broadcasting room door.
"...But there's one problem."
Everyone instinctively turned to look at the door.
Beyond it, the growls of zombies echoed through the corridor.
Sometimes the sound of dragging footsteps...
Sometimes violent bangs against the walls...
Sometimes the chilling scrape of nails scratching across the surface.
It felt as though death itself was standing only a few feet away.
Mr. Samit spoke softly.
"How are we supposed to get out of this broadcasting room?"
"There are dozens of zombies waiting right outside."
"If we open that door..."
He left the sentence unfinished.
He didn't need to say the rest.
Everyone already knew what opening that door could mean.
For a few moments, silence once again settled over the room.
Then...
A faint smile appeared on Ms. Selena's face.
It was the kind of smile that only appeared when an extraordinary idea was born.
She quietly said,
"What if..."
"...we lure the zombies away from here ourselves?"
The room fell into stunned silence.
Everyone exchanged confused glances.
Jun frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Instead of answering immediately, Ms. Selena turned her eyes toward the broadcasting room's sound control system.
The very same system she had used only moments earlier to broadcast her announcement throughout the school.
A spark of inspiration shone in her eyes.
"I have an excellent plan..."
she said calmly, yet confidently.
"But to make it work..."
"...I'll need every single one of you."
The moment she finished speaking, Yaram immediately stood up from the chair in the corner.
Jackson stepped forward beside him without hesitation.
Yaram spoke first.
"Miss, we're ready."
"Just give the order."
Jackson continued firmly,
"If this plan can save even one life..."
"...then we're willing to risk everything."
Ms. Selena nodded with satisfaction.
"Good."
"Then everyone... come closer."
Lena and Mary, who had been standing quietly against the wall, immediately walked over.
Jun also got up from the sofa blocking the door and joined the group.
Now all seven of them stood together in a small circle.
The broadcasting room was so silent that they could hear one another's breathing.
Ms. Selena began explaining her strategy.
Step by step...
She carefully described every detail.
Who would open the door...
Who would step outside first...
Which direction each person would move...
And how they would lure the zombies into the classrooms before locking every door from the outside.
As the plan unfolded...
The uncertainty in everyone's eyes gradually turned into confidence.
Finally, when Ms. Selena finished speaking, silence filled the room once again.
Then...
A smile appeared on Jun's face.
Jackson clenched his fist with renewed determination.
Lena nodded confidently.
Mary took a deep, steady breath.
Yaram glanced at the sound control panel and smiled.
It seemed as though every one of them was thinking the same thing.
"This plan... might actually work."
Only...
One face told a completely different story.
Mr. Samit's.
He nervously licked his dry lips before muttering under his breath,
"When I said we should help..."
"...I definitely didn't mean risking my own life."
He had barely finished speaking when Jun quietly leaned close to his ear.
Struggling to hold back his laughter, he whispered,
"No use regretting it now... the birds have already eaten the crops."
With that, Jun casually walked away toward Yaram and Jackson, wearing the most innocent expression imaginable.
Mr. Samit watched him leave through gritted teeth.
The veins in his neck visibly tensed.
He muttered quietly,
"Jun..."
"...if we survive today..."
"...you're the first person I'm settling the score with."
Watching Mr. Samit's helpless expression, Jun could no longer suppress his laughter.
For a brief moment, smiles spread across the broadcasting room once again.
But...
The very next second...
Ms. Selena's serious voice echoed through the room once more.
"Everyone..."
"Pick up your weapons."
And in an instant...
The atmosphere inside the broadcasting room transformed into a battlefield once again.