episode_0052

“Tasty.”

“Hehe! Really? I’m glad you liked it, Yujin.”

“Yeah! It’s really delicious, Yeonghee.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Yeonghee’s reaction was polar opposite.

With a dry response, Cheolsu scraped the remaining soup with a bitter smile and ate it.

Although aware of the act, he couldn’t help but be concerned.

No, recently, it felt less like an act and more like…

“No, what am I thinking?”

Everything Yeonghee does to impress Yujin seems like an act to cater to Yujin’s taste.

Knowing this and still having such thoughts…

He feels narrow-minded himself.

“Oh, Captain. Have some of this. Wizards need concentration. You should eat something sweet.”

Cheolsu handed strawberries to the absent-minded captain.

The captain snapped out of it and accepted them.

“Oh, um, thank you, Cheolsu.”

Lately, the captain seemed troubled.

Especially since arriving on this island.

“Is this also because of Kim Yujin?”

It’s certain that Kim Yujin pulled some strings with the captain.

Otherwise, the captain wouldn’t bother helping someone like Kim Yujin.

Even if repaying kindness helps, Kim Yujin must have had a hand in turning it into a result that aids training.

“What is he really aiming for?”

Although the captain said he was fine, his expression and recent attitude indicated otherwise.

I may not know what it is, but it seems necessary to be cautious.

“I should keep an eye on the captain for a while.”

Yujin generally doesn’t pay much attention unless he thinks someone is under him.

Just look at Yeonghee; he’s just eating without much interest.

During their time on the island, it seems essential to be aware of the captain’s concerns.

“Oh, I’ll eat this.”

“Yes, yes? Are you going to eat th-”

As Yujin suddenly grabbed fruit to eat, Yeonghee looked bewildered.

He seemed at a loss, as if something had gone wrong.

“Um, is it because it’s fruit from the island? There’s a lot.”

Yeonghee’s face briefly turned pale blue.

After glancing between Cheolsu and Yujin, he soon lowered his head deeply.

As if realizing a mistake.

Cheolsu found the sight somewhat odd but lost interest.

As long as Yeonghee or the captain weren’t harmed, it wasn’t a big deal to him.

Their meal on the island ended without them knowing each other’s intentions.

****

Second day of survival.

“Kieeeek!”

The last Lizardman fell after being hit by the captain’s ice spear.

Cheolsu confirmed there were no more monsters and sheathed his sword.

From the second day onwards, they engaged in hunting quite seriously, unlike the first day.

Contrary to fears, no significant issues arose.

Wiping the blood off his cheek, Cheolsu quietly surveyed the surroundings.

“I hate to admit it.”

Over 30 Lizardmen lay defeated around them.

Even for a decent B-grade hero party, handling this many would not be easy.

Yet, they dispatched them quite easily.

Moreover, none of them seemed particularly tired.

“This team is the most perfect one I’ve seen.”

Cheolsu took a moment to scrutinize each face.

Yujin, capable of taking down high-level monsters alone.

The captain, possessing top-tier magical skills and knowledge even within the Academy.

Yeonghee, with excellent healing, buffs, and formidable combat prowess with her whip.

And himself, skilled with the Sky Piercer Sword.

Their combination displayed remarkable teamwork and skill even within the Academy.

“With this party, we might be able to tackle the island’s boss.”

In truth, the hunting style of this party was simple.

Upon spotting a monster, Yujin and Cheolsu would engage in melee combat upfront.

The captain would support from behind with magic for control and firepower.

Yeonghee blocks the monsters approaching the class president with a whip and assists allies in battle with healing and buffs.

Apart from excluding Kim Yujin’s extraordinary combat power beyond the norm, it is a well-structured formation that could even be considered orthodox. “Hence, they are sturdy and strong.”

Everyone performs their roles excellently without any significant variables arising. Even if variables do occur, everyone possesses the skill and confidence to deal with them promptly. This overwhelming result is the key point.

【Currently, Team A has 26,000 points, ranking first.】This amount of points is overwhelmingly higher compared to the second-place team.

Initially, Cheolsu estimated his two-day point acquisition to be around 15,000 points. That figure was what he anticipated Kim Yujin would cooperatively contribute. However, they surpassed this estimate by over 10,000 points, truly an insane pace.

“Yet none of the top players show signs of fatigue.” With this level of performance, reaching 100,000 points before the task ends will be easily achievable. With such a score, not only securing first place but also setting an academy record is possible. Perhaps they might even be able to defeat the island’s boss duo, the ‘Twin Executioners’…

“Oh, Cheolsu, you have a wound on your arm.” At the president’s words, Cheolsu looked at his arm. There was indeed a small scratch, not from a monster’s attack but accidentally grazed by Yeonghee’s whip. Well, Yeonghee certainly didn’t do it on purpose. It was his fault for missing the monster retreating behind him.

“It’s okay. I’ll be fine even if you leave it alone.” “Still, just in case, let me heal it, Yeonghee.” The president called out to Yeonghee. With Yeonghee’s healing abilities, a minor wound like that would disappear in a second. However, Yeonghee’s reaction was unusual. “Cheolsu…wound…mission…must protect…”

“Yeonghee!” “Eek!” When the president called out sharply, Yeonghee jumped in surprise. Suppressing a smile at his adorable reaction, the president looked at Yeonghee. “What are you doing?” “Oh, nothing. I just…thought I should do better…I keep making mistakes.”

“Ah, you’re doing more than fine. How many healers contribute as much to battles as you do?” Yujin nodded in agreement. “Yes, President…I mean, Yeonghee contributes a lot to the team.” Hearing this, the three except Yujin all flinched simultaneously, reacting strangely sensitive. Yujin, feeling more confused by their odd reactions, thought, ‘…What did I say wrong? Ugh! Was mistakenly almost calling Yeonghee the president that shocking?!’ It was just a simple slip of the tongue!

Yujin’s timid heart became even more flustered. “Anyway, about the treatment, right? How about we move to a safe place first before doing it?” “Yes, I think that’s a good idea. Other monsters might come following the scent.” After mutual agreement, they walked away, each carrying complex thoughts.

“Kim Yujin…is she targeting not only Yeonghee but also the president?” “Why did she mention Yeonghee instead of correcting herself when calling me? Does Yujin consider Yeonghee more…useful than me?” “Cheolsu…wound…ugh! My head has been hurting strangely since earlier…my memory is fuzzy…” “Wow, this is awkward. Was mispronouncing a name such a big deal? Shouldn’t I just shut up like an idiot?”

With their individual concerns, the four successfully completed their first hunt.

*****

As night fell, Team A took turns standing guard. They decided to start with Yujin, considering the president’s advice that being on the front line consumes a lot of stamina. Honestly, Yujin felt a bit uncomfortable about it. “Hmm, even though we’ve become close, it seems incomparable to the bond between real friends.”

As far as Yujin knew, Cheolsu, Yeonghee, and the president had been close for a long time. Of course, she had also grown somewhat close to them.

Indeed, the wall of time is an insurmountable barrier.

The three seemed to be contemplating something in common.

The only one without any thoughts was himself.

“Ah~ The stars are beautiful, the air is nice, and there’s something comforting about it just being me.”

Did they fall short on points because they hunted too easily?

Nevertheless, they did their best in their own way.

Perhaps the three aiming for first place felt a bit disappointed.

They might have to hunt even harder.

“Shall we have a hearty meal with the fish we catch tomorrow morning?”

It was when Yujin muttered those words.

-Can’t even grasp the situation properly but has good fortune?

Suddenly saying that, Lime popped out.

Yujin’s eyes widened.

“Why are you out here all of a sudden?”

“…What? Am I not supposed to come out?”

The manifested Lime pouted discontentedly.

A slight smile crept onto Yujin’s face at the cute sight.

Yujin reached out and lightly flicked Lime’s cheek.

“Pfft! What, what are you doing?!”

“Just. Because it’s squishy, I wanted to poke it once.”

“…Am I angry right now?”

Even if the petite girl feigned anger in her underpants-clad attire, it didn’t evoke any feelings.

Rather, it made one worry if she might feel cold.

“So, why did you come out, Lime? There must be a reason for you to come out like this.”

As Yujin spoke, she helped Lime take off her coat.

Then she tapped her own seat with her hand.

“Still, seeing your face makes me happy. It’s a long night, want to sit together and chat?”

Upon hearing this, Lime put on a stiff expression but sat down abruptly.

In front of Yujin, precisely on her knees.

“…Miss Lime? I did ask you to sit beside me, didn’t I?”

“It’s warmest here. Surely you wouldn’t ask a girl to sit on a cold tree, would you?”

Responding like that, Lime smirked in triumph.

Well, it’s true, so there’s nothing much to say.

Lime is light, so it’s not a big deal.

“I appreciate your leniency.”

“What are you being lenient about?”

“For a few days, due to these tests, I haven’t had a chance to talk to you. Contrary to appearances, I’m a slime with strong possessiveness.”

“You can tell just by looking at that sadistic expression. Please don’t pull my cheek.”

For a moment, Lime, who was pulling her cheek with a slightly angry expression, suddenly sighed.

She opened her mouth with a truly annoying expression.

“I came out to warn you.”

“Warn?”

There’s nothing particularly dangerous, so what warning is she talking about?

With a very serious expression, Lime cautiously opened her mouth.

“It seems that woman named Yeonghee has her eye on you.”

Yujin’s face contorted even more.

What? Who’s eyeing whom?