episode_0054

With a clang, Yeonghee dropped the kitchen knife she had been holding in her hand.

She couldn’t understand why she was holding it.

She had simply woken up from a nap.

Yet somehow, the kitchen knife was gripped in her hand.

“Oh, no! It’s a misunderstanding,” Yeonghee hurriedly explained.

What exactly was misunderstood?

She didn’t even know what she was justifying.

Nevertheless, it seemed necessary.

“No, that’s not it. It’s not like that…”

Without a word, Yujin picked up the fallen knife.

Brushing off the dirt on it,

she placed her hand on Yeonghee’s shoulder.

“It’s okay, I understand.”

“…What?”

Yeonghee blinked in confusion.

Did she understand what was going on?

No, did she understand her?

Even though Yeonghee herself didn’t know why she was like this?

“H-how…?”

“I know everything about your situation. I understand that it’s difficult to talk about. But if it’s gotten to this point, it seems serious.”

Yujin glanced down at the knife for a moment.

After contemplating for a while in that state, she spoke.

“How about if it’s just you? I’ll talk to the others so you can stop the test here.”

“Oh, no!” Yeonghee quickly knelt down.

Crawling forward, she grabbed Yujin’s thigh and pleaded.

“Please, please let me continue with the test!”

She had something to do.

She didn’t know what it was.

She didn’t know why she had to do it.

But she felt strongly that she must complete that mission.

“Whatever it is, I’ll do it! I won’t interfere! So please, let me continue with the test.”

Yujin silently looked at Yeonghee.

Unintentionally, Yeonghee released the hand that had been clutching Yujin’s pants.

Realizing belatedly that she had opposed someone’s opinion.

After a moment of contemplation, Yujin finally nodded.

“Alright.”

“R-really?”

“Yes, but I’ll keep an eye on you. Understand?”

“Yes, yes!”

Yeonghee nodded without understanding Yujin’s words.

As long as she could only do ‘what needed to be done,’ it was probably fine.

“For now, go inside and rest. You also need to take turns keeping watch. Don’t do anything strange.”

Happily nodding, Yeonghee hurried into the tent.

As she entered, she suddenly saw Cheolsu’s sleeping face.

At that sight, her face grew cold, and her heart chilled.

“…I don’t like this.”

Without knowing the reason, she thought such a thing.

Yeonghee lay back in her sleeping bag, unlike before, her eyes devoid of any vitality.

****

The third day of survival.

The leader glanced somewhat discontentedly behind him.

“Aren’t they sticking too close together?”

Yeonghee and Yujin had been inseparable since the start of their journey.

Not knowing how to separate, it was almost suspicious if they weren’t lovers.

“…But I can’t suggest changing the lineup.”

Currently, in Team A, the order of clearing the path was Cheolsu leading, followed by the leader, Yeonghee, and then Yujin.

Prioritizing the healer’s safety is fundamental in every party.

And it’s common knowledge that the front and back are the most dangerous positions when advancing.

Therefore, usually the vanguard and rearguard are handled by the frontliners,

with magicians and healers placed in between, both front and back.

From this perspective, having Cheolsu at the front and Yujin at the back is considered standard.

However, whether that suited him was a different story.

“To be honest, I never really thought about Yeonghee and Yujin’s relationship…”

Glancing back, he observed.

As usual, Yeonghee was pouting towards Yujin.

Until yesterday, Yujin would have likely ignored it.

Today, however, it was evident that Yujin was concerned about Yeonghee.

The leader couldn’t help but find that irritating.

Perhaps yesterday’s words from Yujin had an impact.

-Yeah, Banjang… No, Yeonghee is a great help to the team.

There isn’t any significant meaning behind it, I know.

It was just correcting a slip of the tongue.

But even trivial words like that can bother you if it’s someone you like.

That’s just how a girl’s heart works.

“…Does Cheolsu not care about that?”

Of course, I know Yeonghee’s actions are an act, but still…

To see Cheolsu endure it so calmly bothers me so much.

I can’t help but admire how he handles it so nonchalantly.

“…..Banjang, there’s a bug on your shoulder. It’s poisonous, so let me get it off.”

“Oh, yeah. Thanks.”

Even in moments like this, he faithfully fulfills his role as a vanguard.

I even start to wonder if I’m feeling jealous of Yeonghee…

I don’t know the details of what will happen among the three of them.

But I have a general idea of how things stand.

Yujin, who Yeonghee likes, used various means to separate Yeonghee from Cheolsu.

Cheolsu is still trying to win back Yeonghee.

“…Why does it have to be Yeonghee?”

Of course, Banjang also knows how remarkable Yeonghee’s abilities are.

Yeonghee is one of the most beautiful girls at the academy.

Fragile yet elegant, a lovely figure you’d want to protect.

Her shy smile could captivate anyone, even other girls.

She was flustered when she cut her long hair, but she pulled off the short style with grace.

Is it all about appearance?

Her healing ability is top-notch at the academy.

Her buff skills rival those of other students.

Her kind personality makes her popular with everyone.

Despite coming from an orphanage, she never shows signs of struggle and always puts others first.

Even with Cheolsu around, before Yujin appeared, she would receive confessions almost weekly.

Truly a flower among flowers.

Like a heroine straight out of a romance comic.

“…So it’s only natural she’s so popular.”

Thinking that way made me suddenly feel inadequate.

Of course, when it comes to studying, I’m not behind Yeonghee.

And my style… well, it’s decent enough.

Yeonghee used to envy my mature, glamorous figure.

But being the daughter of a hero, I grew up comfortably, and even my unique growth ability was deemed useless by Yujin.

“No, there’s someone who can replace me, so it’s a bit different.”

Anyway, it’s true that I’m currently unnecessary to Yujin.

On that point, Banjang felt both dissatisfied and fearful.

If I graduate from the academy, I might never see Yujin again.

Or even before that, if we get split into different halves, the chances are extremely slim.

At least while we’re still in the same class, I need to prove my worth.

There’s less than a year left, including the vacation.

If I don’t seize Yujin’s attention within that time frame?

I may never get another chance.

I’m getting anxious.

Impatience keeps growing inside me.

“…If I were in Yeonghee’s shoes, I’d be thrilled.”

At that thought, Banjang shook his head vigorously.

Feeling envious despite knowing Yeonghee and Cheolsu’s situation.

Even if you lack conscience, there should be limits.

“Banjang, are you okay? You’ve seemed worried since earlier.”

“Oh, yeah! I’m fine! I guess the forest path feels a bit strange.”

“Okay, just a little further, and we’ll reach a resting place. Hang in there until then.”

Banjang forced a smile and nodded.

Yes, having such a caring friend and having such thoughts is unacceptable.

Even if it means betraying a friend due to romantic feelings,

there’s surely a line that shouldn’t be crossed.

“Phew, alright. I should make sure that even Cheolsu and Yeonghee can get good scores. Let’s reflect on this.”

The class president nodded firmly, determined.

“Yeah, let’s take the test seriously for now. If we focus on strange things, we won’t be able to pay attention even if a monster appears.”

Perhaps it was because of that kind of thinking.

Suddenly, a monster sprang out from the bushes.

However, that monster was a bit peculiar.

No, more precisely, it was not peculiar but—

“That snake has two heads?”

Yujin’s words were clear in meaning.

The monster known as the island’s boss-level creature, ‘Double-Headed Serpent.’

That monster had truly appeared.

“We let our guard down!”

Was it because the party’s skills were too exceptional?

They hadn’t predicted such a dangerous situation would arise.

This negligence and complacency created an opening.

“Of all things, we encounter a boss-level monster…”

The Double-Headed Serpent is a boss-level monster.

Moreover, it belongs to the large-sized category of monsters.

Generally, boss-level creatures are three times harder to defeat than regular monsters.

And if it’s large-sized, one should consider it a level higher.

The strongest being on this island, of course, and not an opponent they could easily defeat.

Even if a decent guild were to attempt an attack, it’s uncertain if they would succeed.

However, encountering such a creature wasn’t common.

Honestly, they only knew it existed on the island.

They thought they would never come across it.

But sometimes luck can be cruel.

Indeed, this survival test seemed peculiar.

“Everyone, prepare for battle—”

Before Cheolsu, who was at the front, could finish his sentence,

Two snakes opened their mouths wide.

Did they mistakenly think they were dragons?

In that moment, flames flickered.

Soon after, massive fire spewed out from the heads of the two snakes.