The Salted Fish's Philosophy of Survival and the Genius's Remaining Value

The tactical review ended, and the blackboard covered in names was wiped clean, leaving only a trace of white chalk dust dancing in the light.

Sawamura Daichi clapped his hands, pulling everyone's attention back from the heavy atmosphere of "So we're facing the Avengers."

"Alright, that's the general situation," Sawamura's voice was steady and powerful, echoing in the somewhat empty old classroom. "Even though the opponents have some 'personal grudges' with Kageyama, and even with Lu Ren, this is, in the end, Karasuno's first match after regrouping."

He scanned the room, his gaze lingering on each face for a moment.

"Aoba Johsai is the strong school in the western part of the prefecture, a truly powerful school. This Saturday's match is both practice and a test of our synergy. I don't expect you to defeat them immediately, but I hope everyone can bring out the results of their training during this period. Don't let them look down on us."

"Yes!!!"

The crowd's response made the glass windows tremble slightly. Hinata Shoyo's cheeks were flushed with excitement, as if he were about to rush out and spike the ball at any second.

As soon as the command to dismiss was given, this group of over-energetic beings immediately began their usual routine.

"Kageyama! Give me a few more sets! I need to get a better feel for that quick attack from just now!" Hinata hugged the ball, bouncing around Kageyama like a tireless perpetual motion machine.

Kageyama Tobio was pulling up his knee pads when he heard this. He merely shot Hinata a cold glance, but his eyes clearly conveyed, "Exactly what I wanted." He picked up his water bottle and took a gulp, "Before that, let's do two sets of receiving. Your receiving is trash."

"Shut up! I'll get it!"

On the other side, Tanaka Ryūnosuke also took off his shirt, waving his arms. "Then I'll join in for practice too! As a Senior, how can I lose to a first-year brat!"

Sugawara Kōshi shook his head with a smile and walked onto the court. "Then I'll help out too."

The entire gymnasium instantly became lively again, filled with the sounds of hitting and the squealing of shoes on the floor.

Lu Ren stood by the sidelines, watching this scene, and felt a faint tremor in his calves.

Today's training volume had already seriously exceeded the limit. Especially after being forced by Mashiba to do several sets of high-intensity passing drills to simulate Oikawa Tōru's playstyle, his stamina bar was probably down to its last sliver, flashing a red warning.

"If we keep training, my durability will drop," Lu Ren muttered softly, and decisively turned to grab his backpack. In this world full of "stamina monsters," as an ordinary player, one had to learn to scientifically manage their sanity and stamina.

As he reached the doorway, he saw a tall, thin figure walking out with a backpack.

Blonde short hair, black-rimmed glasses, and an aura that screamed "stay away" even from the back.

Tsukishima Kei.

Lu Ren raised an eyebrow and quickened his pace to catch up. "Yo, leaving already? Not gonna stick around to grind some experience points?"

Tsukishima stopped and turned his head. The eyes hidden behind his glasses held an indifferent gaze that seemed to see through everything, even a hint of faint mockery.

"You mean like those single-celled organisms inside, pointlessly wasting stamina?" Tsukishima draped his headphones around his neck, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold smile. "This is just club activities. If you're not aiming for the national team or a professional career later, why push yourself so hard?"

Lu Ren was taken aback for a moment. In a world like a hot-blooded manga, such remarks were like an NPC suddenly awakening self-awareness and questioning the logic of the game script.

"And besides..." Tsukishima glanced at Hinata leaping high inside the gym and Kageyama's precise set. "With those two geniuses around, aren't they enough? That shorty who can jump that high purely on instinct, and that setter known as the 'King'."

He paused, his tone becoming even more sarcastic. "Since monsters like them exist, can't the team just rely on them? Us ordinary folks just need to not be a burden and get through it safely. Why would we go out of our way to suffer and try to outwork geniuses?"

After speaking, he didn't wait for Lu Ren's response, put his headphones back on, shoved his hands in his pockets, and strode out into the night with his long legs.

Lu Ren stood in place, watching Tsukishima's disappearing back, his brows furrowed into the shape of the Chinese character "川" (chuan).

What he said... was so logical it was infuriating.

Although Lu Ren himself was a "slacker player" who often talked about it, his was for maximizing efficiency in clearing the game. But Tsukishima's attitude seemed more like a... self-preservation mechanism? Because he believed he couldn't win, he decided not to even get on the track?

"What? Got annoyed by that sharp-tongued guy with glasses?"

Kiyosawa Mashiba appeared out of nowhere, holding two cans of freshly bought iced marble soda. She pressed one of the cans against Lu Ren's cheek.

"Hiss—Cold!" Lu Ren flinched and took the soda. "Not really annoyed. I just find it strange how all the NPCs in this game have such twisted personalities. He has the best physical model, yet he's a slacker."