Simon's timing for crossing to the center was exquisite.As day broke and students fully resumed their activities, the four bridges leading to the central Kera Island transformed into brutal battlegrounds.Students who had their own methods of crossing the river could avoid conflict, but otherwise, they absolutely had to cross a bridge.For just 50 points, we'll take you across!Especially on the western island, a faction formed around Special Case #7 freshman Elisa and her Class E students had seized control of a bridge. They used the Tongpad's point transfer function to collect points as a toll.Thanks to this, students who started on the western island were temporarily stuck there.Eventually, a large-scale alliance formed on the western island with the goal of overthrowing Elisa's faction, and Elisa quickly retreated from the bridge.While the battle across the island unfolded without a moment's rest, Simon, who had arrived early at the central Kera Island, was leisurely concentrating on searching for Bikrum.In a way, finding and contracting Bikrum was more important to Simon than ranking high in the Island Survival.Whew, but it's hard to find any traces, Pier.Simon said, pushing through the bushes.[It can't be helped. He's not the type to leave traces anyway.]Pier's sub-body, hanging from his uniform, responded.[Still, once Kizen students start fighting on the central island, the probability of Bikrum appearing, stimulated by the conflict, will naturally increase!]I'll have to hope for that.According to Pier's information, Bikrum normally appears as small as a mushroom growing on the roadside.However, the more it is threatened or angered, the larger its body grows, easily exceeding 20 meters in length when fully grown.If that happens, it will definitely stand out, so Simon thought it would be better to wait in a conflict zone for Bikrum to appear rather than aimlessly searching for traces.As he walked towards the center, a vast canyon appeared in the distance.Looking down at Kera Island from above, the center is like a towering mountain, and the slope gradually increases, rising sharply from this point.It's certainly high.To reach the 'Unbreakable Mansion', the final destination of this Survival Island, they absolutely had to cross this canyon.Climbing the canyon directly is difficult unless one has related abilities. There's also the problem that it's too conspicuous, making one vulnerable to long-range attacks from the ground.Of course, there isn't no ordinary route to climb.As Simon continued to walk along the canyon, he came across a terrain where hills were formed in layers like stairs. It was a place reminiscent of terraced fields in high altitudes, with crude tents and dugouts clustered together.And in those dugouts, small, dwarf-like creatures were swarming.......Oh, there are so many.2nd-grade monster, the Kera Tribe.This was why the island was called Kera Island.The Kera Tribe looks similar to 'Goblins' found anywhere on the continent, but they are smaller and scrawnier, appearing frail. Even as adults, they are said to be the size of a human 6-9 year old.Nevertheless, like monsters, they have an enormous reproductive capacity, and with the advantage of being able to wield weapons and their excellent cooperation, they are the entities that practically dominate this island.It was precisely the Kera Tribe's monster settlement that was spread out on the best path to climb the canyon.I purposely came late, thinking maybe other kids had cleared it out.......There were signs of burnt and damaged dugouts here and there.But considering the overall scale of this large settlement, it was just a drop in the bucket. In the end, he had to break through this place with his own strength.Rustle.While Simon was momentarily distracted by the settlement, he heard a presence from the bushes behind him.Simon quickly turned around, drawing up his Jet Black. The skeletons also rattled, on alert.Wait! I don't intend to attack.A male student in a Kizen uniform emerged from the bushes, raising both arms submissively. He was a gray-haired man with his forehead neatly exposed.Who?I'm Vincent Werley from Class C.Vincent smiled gently and continued.You're also thinking of crossing that Kera Tribe stronghold, aren't you?......Yeah, I am.Then let's team up! Honestly, I don't think it's possible to break through that scale alone.Us?Vincent subtly smiled and pointed behind him.I didn't bring them because I thought you might be wary, but there are eight more people behind me.Eight people.Simon thought it was impressive how he managed to gather so many people and said,I'm going alone.......Are you serious? That's clearly a course designed to test teamwork! Going alone is crazy.He wasn't wrong. Vincent's proposal to join forces also seemed reasonable.However.I have another method in mind. I'm sorry.Simon left those words and turned his back, disappearing into the forest.In the end, Vincent trudged back to his teammates alone. His teammates were sitting in a suitable spot, chatting and laughing.What did he say?Vincent shrugged at his teammate's question.He said he's going up alone.Pfft!Look at him bluffing. He hasn't had his head bashed in enough yet.Vincent's team had a lively atmosphere. Moreover, since they had entered Kera Island on the second day, it was safe to say that each of them possessed considerable skill.Should we follow him and bring him back?One teammate said. Vincent shook his head.No, it's a waste of time. Let's just focus on our own work.Later, if he begs to be let in, we'll just beat him up and take his points.Hahaha!Vincent's team moved in a harmonious atmosphere.It didn't take long to reach the front of the Kera Tribe stronghold. They could see the dwarf-like Kera Tribe members wandering around on the terraced hills.Alright, this is a speed battle.Vincent drew his teammates' attention and said.It's more important to climb one step higher than to catch monsters. We Kizen students won't be defeated by the Kera Tribe, but if we get tired and our speed slows down, we might have to face all the monsters in the stronghold.Everyone nodded with serious faces.Then let's get into the positions we discussed before and start right away.Okay!Yeah.They immediately took up a breakthrough formation. Two Martial Arts majors stood at the front, followed by Jet Black Mechanics, Curse Studies, and Hemomancy majors.Vincent, the leader, stood exactly in the middle of the formation.Let's go!The eight teammates simultaneously began to climb the hill.Kereuk!Keruruk!The surrounding Kera Tribe members also discovered them and rushed forward. Perhaps because the emergency alert hadn't been triggered yet, they were only starting to rush out of their dugouts one by one.The Kera Tribe is nothing.The Martial Arts majors at the front gathered Jet Black in their fists and swung.Crack!The Kera Tribe members were sent flying dozens of meters with their heads twisted from a single light punch. The firepower from the students in the rear poured down, completely devastating the surroundings.This way! This is the fastest way up!Vincent led his teammates, and everyone, united, broke through with terrifying momentum. The monsters now actively swarmed them, and the group struggled to climb halfway up the slope.We're halfway there! Just a little more to go!Vincent clapped, encouraging his teammates. The students, drenched in sweat, belatedly realized that something wasn't quite right.W-we're only halfway there?Climbing a hill while fighting consumed a lot more stamina than it looked.Moreover, hunting fast monsters whose bodies were only about half their lower body size was not easy in itself.But there was no other option because monsters kept swarming from behind. Everyone gritted their teeth and ran.Aaaah!During their forced breakthrough, a problem finally occurred.One of the teammates, running in a hurry, seemed to have twisted his ankle and was rolling on the ground, clutching his leg.Everyone was startled and looked back.What's wrong?Ugh! M-my ankle!Vincent was the first to rush over and support his shoulder.We can't leave him like this! Hang in there!......Th-thanks.With an injured person, their already slow speed was cut by almost half.The Martial Arts student at the front felt uneasy even as he knocked down monsters.Am I trash? If I insist on taking an injured person with me here, the rest of us will be wiped out because of one person.They weren't actually going to die anyway; if their barrier gauge reached 0%, an emergency shield would activate, and they would be immediately teleported to a safe location.Even with everyone healthy now, there was no guarantee they could break through the stronghold.He felt there was no need to take an injured person with a leg injury.The other students felt the same; although they couldn't say it to his face due to the good team atmosphere, they had similar feelings.Ten more in front!They keep coming!The slower their breakthrough speed, the more monsters they had to face.Now, both their stamina and Jet Black were at their limit. Just as everyone was feeling their limits and about to give up.Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!Suddenly, a thunderous roar that shook the ground echoed.Everyone's gaze turned. There was a monster simply walking through the densely packed terrain of countless Kera Tribe members, like an ant colony.G-Golem! Is that a Golem?Someone's riding on top!Simon, riding on the Mud Golem, was smiling, enjoying the cool headwind. Below him, Pier's sub-body let out a booming laugh.[Kwahahahaha! Go! Keep going!]To the small Kera Tribe members, the Golem was truly a giant.No other means of attack were needed. Countless Kera Tribe members were trampled and crushed to death just by the Golem running.Could there be any other way to break through a monster's encampment so brutally?But it was incredibly effective. The aggressive Kera Tribe members were now busy fleeing. The Golem was like a wolf entering a flock of sheep.That boy who said he was going up alone earlier, that's him, right?Crazy, wow, he's really going to make it to the top solo.Vincent's teammates looked at Simon with a mix of admiration and envy.Although it felt a bit hypocritical since they had just laughed at him, some students held out hope that he might save them. But Simon and the Golem seemed not to have seen them and just passed by.It was then.Kereuk! (What's going on?)Hearing the commotion, a Kera Tribe member adorned with elaborate decorations emerged from a dugout.Kereuk! Kerururuk! (Humans have invaded!)Keruruk! (Leave it to me!)He was the chief of the Kera Tribe.Just the appearance of the chief significantly boosted the Kera Tribe's morale. The surrounding Kera Tribe members began to cheer, raising their arms.Whoosh!As the chief raised the staff in his hand, flames began to form rapidly, blazing.He was none other than the only Kera Tribe member who could use magic!Just as he aimed his staff and was about to cast a spell.Squish!He was instantly killed, run over by the Golem's foot as it ran.Simon didn't notice at all, looking elsewhere.Huh, what was that? Did something hit me?Just that much of a reaction.However, the repercussions of Simon eliminating the boss were significant.The Kera, who had suddenly lost their leader and commander, fell into confusion and began to flounder.What? Why aren't they attacking?Vincent's teammates also noticed the change. Vincent alone bit his lip with a hardened face and stepped forward.It seems the situation has changed! Everyone, catch your breath first.......Kereuk!Keruruk!But suddenly, some of the surrounding Kera Tribe members began to kneel on one knee towards Vincent.Vincent stumbled backward in surprise, but suddenly a sword was pointed at his neck.Gasp! W-what are you doing?!I thought it was strange.The male student who had pointed the sword at Vincent said in a cold voice.Don't you know that only your barrier gauge is 100%? Why aren't you being attacked by the monsters?......!100%? Really?The other students also realized something was wrong and began to murmur.You deliberately led us around to strange places to drain our stamina, and you even brought an injured person to create a melodrama and slow us down. It's clear what's going on. You, surely.......The male student snatched the necklace from Vincent's neck.Vincent gasped and reached out his arm, but the male student stopped his action by holding the sword closer to his neck and carefully examined the necklace's appearance.It looks similar to what those Kera Tribe members are wearing. This is an artifact from a 'supply drop', isn't it?Supply drops from the sky contain not only food but also various artifacts that are helpful in this Island Survival.This was probably an item that made the Kera think of him as an ally and not attack him, or a necklace that earned him respect.He threw the necklace he held in his hand to the female student next to him. The female student put on the necklace herself and then approached the Kera Tribe.The surrounding Kera Tribe members flinched and retreated, then eventually knelt on one knee towards her.The female student made an exasperated expression.You fooled us beautifully, Vincent?N-no! Everyone, calm down! Listen to me!The atmosphere instantly turned chilling.It was a trick to collect points after we all got defeated.No wonder he had so many points.Are there other victims besides us?Once the suspicion arose, it grew uncontrollably. The female student wearing the necklace gestured as if giving a signal.No need to say more. Goodbye.The sword pointed at Vincent's neck was drawn across.
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