Chapter 76: The Third Floor Chase

The air on the third floor was heavier, almost suffocating. The dimly lit corridor stretched ahead, its cracked walls and flickering lights only adding to the unease.

"Finally!" Furina huffed, holding up the third key triumphantly. "With this, we should be able to open the last classroom!"

"Then let’s hurry up and get out of here," Aether muttered, his grip tightening on Lumine’s wrist. He’d been keeping her close ever since Scaramouche’s antics earlier, much to the latter’s amusement.

Hu Tao tilted her head, frowning. "Hold on… do you guys hear that?"

For a second, everyone froze.

Then—

THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.

Heavy, earth-shaking footsteps echoed down the hall, each one growing faster, closer.

"Oh, not again—" Lumine started, but before she could finish, a massive shadow loomed at the end of the corridor.

The giant monster.

"RUN!" Heizou shouted.

The creature roared, its enormous frame barreling toward them at a terrifying speed. The floor trembled beneath their feet as they turned and sprinted down the hall, their hearts pounding wildly.

"WHERE’S THE CLASSROOM?!" Hu Tao yelled.

"Over there!" Furina pointed at a door at the far end of the hallway.

"Heizou, the key!" Aether barked, practically dragging Lumine along.

Heizou fumbled for the key as they ran, gripping it tightly. "I’m on it!"

The monster was closing in, its massive hands reaching out. Its grotesque face was barely visible in the dim lighting, but the sheer size of it was enough to send a chill down everyone’s spine.

"It’s gaining on us!" Lumine gasped, trying to keep up.

"Move faster, princess, or should I carry you again?" Scaramouche teased breathlessly, despite the fact that he was sprinting alongside her.

"Shut up and RUN!" she snapped.

Heizou slammed into the classroom door, shoving the key into the lock with shaky hands. The others were right behind him, practically pushing him forward.

"Hurry, hurry, hurry—!" Furina urged, glancing back.

The monster was almost on them. Its footsteps were like thunder, shaking the walls as it lunged—

CLICK!

"IT’S OPEN!"

Heizou threw the door open, and everyone shoved their way inside. Heizou was the last one in, immediately turning and slamming the door shut just as the monster’s clawed hand nearly grabbed him.

BANG!

The impact shook the entire room, but the door held.

Panting, everyone stumbled backward, hearts racing.

"Holy crap," Hu Tao wheezed, collapsing onto the floor. "I think I almost died."

"Same," Furina muttered, placing a hand over her chest as she caught her breath.

Aether was still gripping Lumine’s wrist, and only after a few seconds did he let go. "You okay?"

"Yeah," she breathed, still shaken.

Scaramouche, as usual, didn’t seem nearly as fazed. He leaned against the door, smirking despite the near-death experience. "Well, that was fun."

Lumine shot him a glare. "Are you seriously enjoying this?"

"Hey, it’s not every day we get chased by a giant monster. Besides—" Scaramouche suddenly grabbed Lumine’s waist, pulling her close. "—at least I get to have you in my arms again, princess."

Lumine’s face went bright red. "LET GO OF ME, YOU IDIOT!"

Aether’s eyes twitched. "*Scaramouche.**"

Scaramouche grinned, still holding onto Lumine. "What? Didn’t I save her back there? I should be rewarded."

"Your reward is getting punched," Lumine growled, raising her fist.

"Oho? Fiery as ever, I see." Scaramouche smirked, not letting go. "But you know, princess, we really should celebrate. After all, we survived—"

SMACK!

Lumine punched his arm.

"Ow—!"

"Stop messing around!" she snapped, finally pulling away from his grasp.

Hu Tao, watching the whole scene unfold, burst out laughing. "You two are ridiculous."

Furina sighed. "Can’t you two stop flirting for one minute?"

"WE’RE NOT FLIRTING!" Lumine shouted, glaring at Scaramouche.

Scaramouche smirked again. "If you say so, princess."

Aether, still glaring, cracked his knuckles. "Scaramouche, I swear—"

"Alright, alright, break it up," Heizou interrupted, waving his hands. "Can we please focus? We’re still trapped in this haunted school, remember?"

Lumine sighed, rubbing her temples. "Right. Let’s check this room for the last butterfly and get out of here."

With that, the group finally turned their attention to the dimly lit classroom. The monster outside was still lurking, but for now, they were safe.

At least, until something else found them.