"Stop them!" Ryuen recovered quickly, but it was too late.
Tang Yu and Ichinose slipped into the warehouse and locked the door behind them. It was packed with supplies—emergency food, medical kits, communications equipment, and even several generators.
"This is amazing!" Ichinose cried with delight. "This is enough to earn points for both our classes!"
Tang Yu quickly checked the supplies and found a box labeled "For Class D Only." Inside was a note and a small electronic device.
The note read: "Congratulations on finding the hidden task. Take the device back to your camp and connect it to a computer to unlock a special reward. —Chabashira Sae"
"Looks like our homeroom teacher had this planned from the start." Tang Yu pocketed the device and note. "Let's take what we can carry first. We'll mark the location of the rest and notify the School Administration."
Just as the two were about to leave, the warehouse door was suddenly slammed from outside. Ryuen's furious voice rang out: "Get out here! I know you're in there!"
"The back door!" Tang Yu pointed to a small door at the other end of the warehouse.
The two slipped out the back door with as many supplies as they could carry and met up with Sudo and Shibata's group. When Ryuen realized he'd been tricked, he flew into a rage, but there was nothing he could do.
[Task Complete Reward: Intelligence +0.5 (Current: 11/12)]
[+500 Rage from Ryuen Kakeru]
[+300 Frustration from Class C members]
[Current Emotion Points: 21450/30000]
On the way back to camp, Tang Yu was in high spirits. Not only had he completed the task, but he'd also collected a large number of Emotion Points. More importantly, he'd confirmed how useful Emotion Manipulation was. It could only last a few seconds for now, but that was enough to turn the tide at a crucial moment.
When their classmates saw the supplies they'd brought back, they burst into cheers. Even the usually aloof Ayanokoji gave a slight nod of approval.
"Well done." Hirata patted Tang Yu on the shoulder. "That should secure Class D's score."
Tang Yu connected Chabashira-sensei's special device to a computer, and a video immediately appeared on the screen. In it, Chabashira announced without a change in expression:
"Class D has completed the hidden task and earned 200 Class Points. In addition, each member of the Leadership Group will receive 500,000 Private Points."
The good news set off another round of cheers. Private Points were like cash at the school and could be used to buy all kinds of goods and services. 500,000 was a considerable fortune.
"That's strange," Ayanokoji said suddenly. "How did Chabashira-sensei know that the 'Leadership Group,' rather than the 'strike team,' completed the task?"
Tang Yu's heart tightened. The way the reward was distributed was indeed far too precise, as if Chabashira had known from the start who would be involved in making decisions.
"Maybe she meant that all the members of the Leadership Group contributed together," Hirata tried to explain.
Ayanokoji remained noncommittal, but Tang Yu's Emotion Perception picked up on his suspicions. Chabashira-sensei seemed far more interested in Class D than was normal.
That evening, the School Administration announced the special test was over and that all classes would return the following day. Class D had taken the lead by a narrow margin, largely thanks to their excellent performance on the warehouse task.
Tang Yu sat alone on the beach, reflecting on the past two days. Unlocking the System Store had greatly expanded his options, but it had also brought new risks. Redeeming items might arouse suspicion, especially from an opponent as observant as Ayanokoji.
"What are you thinking about?" Horikita Suzune's voice came from behind him. She leaned on a crutch, her right leg still in a cast, but she was already able to walk short distances.
"You're back?" Tang Yu turned around in surprise.
"The infirmary cleared me to rejoin you, but I still can't do anything strenuous." Horikita sat down beside him. "I heard you all did a great job."
"It was a team effort," Tang Yu said modestly.
Horikita was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Thank you... for saving me that night."
It was the second time she'd thanked him, and her tone was more sincere than during their video call. Tang Yu activated Emotion Perception and saw a rare softness in Horikita's Emotion Cloud—trust and gratitude intertwined.
"You're welcome." Tang Yu smiled. "Class D needs you."
"I used to be too stubborn." Horikita gazed out at the distant horizon. "I refused to cooperate, refused to acknowledge other people's worth... especially yours."
Tang Yu was a little surprised. "What changed your mind?"
"That night... in the flood, I thought I was going to die." Horikita's voice was soft. "Then you appeared. At that moment, I understood that true strength isn't about fighting alone. It's about knowing when to accept help and when to offer it."
Her words warmed Tang Yu's heart. He activated Emotional Link, wanting to understand Horikita's transformation more deeply.
In an instant, he sensed the changes deep within her: her release from her brother's shadow, a new understanding of the strength of teamwork, and... a growing respect and trust in him.
When the link ended, Tang Yu said softly, "Welcome to the team."
The two watched the sun sink beneath the horizon in silence, a new understanding taking shape between them.
After night fell, Tang Yu decided to try the System Store again. This time, he chose Information Acquisition and spent 2,000 points to learn the identity of the person behind Ryuen Kakeru.
The System Interface flickered a few times, then displayed a blurry photo. Ryuen was talking to someone in a hood, and a school crest was faintly visible in the corner. Tang Yu enlarged the image, his heart jolting. It was the Student Council's emblem!
Even more shocking, when he zoomed in further, he recognized the hand passing over a bottle of medicine: long fingers, a distinctive bracelet on the wrist... Kiriyama Ikiteru!
"The Student Council Vice President..." Tang Yu murmured. "No wonder Ryuen knew where the warehouse was."
This discovery explained a lot. Kiriyama had used Ryuen to target Class D, but what was his goal? Was he after Tang Yu, the abnormal transfer student, or...?
Tang Yu's thoughts were interrupted by a commotion. At the edge of camp, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was talking to an unfamiliar figure. Tang Yu activated Night Vision, which he'd redeemed earlier, and saw that the person wore a Class A uniform. But they had their back to him, so he couldn't make out who it was.
"Things are getting more complicated." Tang Yu closed the System Interface and decided to wait and see for now.
The Deserted Island Test was almost over, but the real game seemed to be just beginning. The Student Council, Class A, Class C... the forces were all intertwined, and he, with his system, was at the heart of the maelstrom.
[Special Reminder: Increased activity detected among multiple factions]
[Student Council Threat Level: 50%]
[Class A Threat Level: 30%]
[Class C Threat Level: 70%]
[Suggestion: Increase your strength and proceed with caution]
Tang Yu gazed up at the starry sky, a resolute smile tugging at his lips. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he was ready.
The potential of the Emotion System had only just begun to unfold, and he had already found his own path in this school where strength came first.
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