Deserted Island Gambit (3)

The sea breeze before dawn carried a bone-chilling cold. Tang Yu stood on the observation deck, watching the eastern horizon turn a pale, fish-belly white. The night-long vigil had left his eyes sore, but the abnormal movements of Katsuragi Kohei from Class A kept him from relaxing even for a moment.

"Shift change." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's voice came from below. He had woken up at some point, his gray eyes appearing exceptionally indifferent in the morning light.

Tang Yu climbed down from the observation deck and stretched his stiff shoulders: "Katsuragi was observing us from the woods to the northeast for two hours."

"As expected." Ayanokoji handed Tang Yu a cup of hot water. "Class A has a habit of gathering complete intelligence before taking action."

The hot water slid down his throat, bringing a trace of warmth. Tang Yu looked toward the waking camp: "We must capture the Central Hill mission point today."

"Ryuen Kakeru will think the same." Ayanokoji reminded him.

"That's why we have to be fast." Tang Yu set down the cup. "I'll lead the team; you stay at the camp to guard against sneak attacks."

Ayanokoji did not respond immediately. He stared at the distant horizon, where dark clouds were gathering: "The weather is going to change."

Tang Yu followed his gaze, his brows furrowing slightly. Severe weather would double the difficulty of surviving on the Deserted Island; they had to complete the mission before that happened.

An hour later, the squad led by Tang Yu had already set off toward the center of the island. The team included Horikita Suzune, Sudo Ken, and three other boys with good stamina. Everyone carried simple equipment on their backs—ropes, water bottles, and food wrapped in banana leaves.

"Why aren't we bringing more people?" Sudo Ken asked, puzzled, during the trek. "What if we run into those bastards from Class C..."

"More people means slower movement." Horikita explained calmly. "Besides, the camp needs defensive forces."

Tang Yu walked at the very front, his ears catching every sound in the forest. His Emotion Perception ability was fully active; any emotional fluctuations within a fifty-meter radius could not escape his detection.

"Stop." He suddenly raised his hand to signal, and the squad immediately crouched behind the bushes.

In the clearing thirty meters ahead, a three-person squad from Class A was resting. The leader was none other than Katsuragi Kohei. His square face was filled with caution as he studied a map with two other members.

[Fatigue from Class A members +30]

[Vigilance from Katsuragi Kohei +50]

Tang Yu carefully observed Class A's equipment—they carried professional climbing ropes and binoculars, clearly also aiming for the Central Hill mission point.

"What do we do? Should we go around?" Sudo asked in a low voice.

Tang Yu shook his head, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth: "No, we're going to play a game with them."

He signaled for the squad to retreat, then took several brightly colored pieces of cloth and a long rope from his backpack. Horikita immediately understood his intention: "A decoy trap?"

"Exactly." Tang Yu set it up quickly. "Sudo, take this and circle around to their front, then make some noise. Remember, don't expose yourself."

Although Sudo didn't understand the logic, he took the simple noise-making device Tang Yu handed him—several empty cans strung together—and quietly crept forward.

Five minutes later, an abrupt "clatter" broke the silence of the forest. The Class A squad immediately became alert.

"What was that sound?" Katsuragi stood up, looking around vigilantly.

"Maybe an animal..." one member said uncertainly.

Just then, Tang Yu pulled the rope, and the colored cloth they had just set up flashed through the bushes to the left of Class A.

"Someone's over there!" a Class A student shouted.

Katsuragi hesitated for a second before making a decision: "Pursue! But be careful, it might be a diversion."

After the three members of Class A chased after the false target, Tang Yu's squad quickly crossed the clearing and continued toward the hill.

"That was amazing!" one boy said with admiration. "How did you know they would chase?"

Tang Yu quickened his pace: "Katsuragi's personality is cautious, but excessive caution becomes a weakness. He would rather waste time confirming a false target than risk ignoring a potential threat."

Horikita looked at Tang Yu thoughtfully: "You know the leaders of the other classes quite well."

"Just basic homework." Tang Yu replied nonchalantly, while secretly feeling pleased—the little scheme just now not only shook off Class A but also earned him admiration points from his squad members.

As the altitude increased, the vegetation gradually thinned, and the terrain became steeper. Tang Yu signaled the squad to slow down, remaining alert for potential ambushes.

"Look, the summit!" Sudo pointed upward.

Through the gaps in the treetops, one could see a flag standing on the platform at the summit, with a metal box next to it—the mission point.

Just as the squad prepared for the final sprint, Tang Yu's Emotion Perception suddenly caught a surge of intense malice. He grabbed Sudo, who was charging in front, and pulled him back: "Stop!"

Almost simultaneously, a rock the size of a fist flew from above, grazing the tip of Sudo's nose before smashing into the ground.

"Not bad reflexes, you losers from Class D." An arrogant voice came from above.

Ryuen Kakeru walked out from behind the rocks with Nishino and other Class C students, looking down at Tang Yu's squad from a superior position. They held various "weapons"—sharpened wooden sticks, nets filled with stones, and even simple slingshots.

[Triumph from Ryuen Kakeru +120]

[Aggressive intent from Class C members +200]

"Knew you'd come, kid from China." Ryuen grinned, revealing beast-like canines. "Too bad the summit has already been occupied by us."

Tang Yu calmly assessed the situation: the terrain was unfavorable, they were outnumbered, and their equipment was inferior to the opponent's. A frontal conflict had almost no chance of success.

But he noticed a trace of unease hidden in Ryuen's Emotion Cloud—this person, who was accustomed to solving problems with violence, was actually not good at dealing with unexpected situations.

"Occupied?" Tang Yu laughed deliberately. "You call this occupied?"

Ryuen frowned: "What are you laughing at?"

"I'm laughing at your stupidity." Tang Yu stepped forward, his voice full of confidence. "Do you think the School Administration would allow students to get hurt during a test? Look around you."

The Class C students looked around subconsciously, and Tang Yu took the opportunity to continue applying pressure: "There are at least three hidden cameras on this hill; your every move is being recorded."

"Using a weapon to attack another student? That's enough to cost Class C all of their Class Points."

[Hesitation from Class C members +150]

Ryuen Kakeru's expression darkened: "Bluffing! Even with cameras, 'accidents' in the middle of the wilderness are unavoidable."

"Is that so?" Tang Yu pulled his phone from his pocket. The screen displayed a video—the exact moment the stone flew toward Sudo. "Real-time transmission to the cloud, isn't technology amazing?"

This was a complete bluff; there was no signal on the island at all. But Ryuen Kakeru couldn't confirm that, and his Emotion Cloud churned violently—anger, suspicion, and a sliver of fear intertwined.

[Instability from Ryuen Kakeru +180]

Tang Yu seized the opportunity and activated his newly unlocked Deep Emotion Resonance ability, directly sensing the emotions deep within Ryuen Kakeru's heart.

In an instant, a torrent of violent and chaotic emotions flooded his consciousness—arrogance and violence on the surface, but hidden deep within were surprising feelings of inferiority and fear... Ryuen Kakeru was afraid of losing control, afraid of having his bluff seen through.

The ability lasted only a few short seconds, but for Tang Yu, it was enough. He withdrew the ability and stared straight into Ryuen Kakeru's eyes: "You don't want to gamble, do you, Ryuen Kakeru? If this video reaches Chabashira?"

Ryuen Kakeru's fists crunched, but he finally let them go: "Hmph, you're lucky today. But don't think this is over." He waved his hand at his subordinates. "Let's go!"

The Class C students followed Ryuen Kakeru away reluctantly. Before leaving, Ryuen Kakeru glared viciously at Tang Yu: "Next time, there won't be a camera to save you."

Once the figures of Class C had completely vanished, Sudo let out a long sigh: "That was too close! Did we really record a video?"

Tang Yu put his phone away: "Of course not. There's no signal on the island."

"Then you..." Horikita's eyes widened in surprise.

"Just a psychological game." Tang Yu walked toward the mountaintop. "Ryuen Kakeru is used to solving problems with violence, but precisely because of that, he fears punishment within the rules more. I bet he wouldn't dare take the risk."

[Emotion Points exceeded 10,000!]

[Unlocked "Deep Emotion Resonance" ability]

[Can briefly experience the target's deep psychological state]

This notification invigorated Tang Yu. The new ability could not only read surface emotions but also briefly enter the target's deep psyche to obtain more critical information.

The team successfully reached the mountaintop. The Mission Box next to the flag contained seven cards, each with a coordinate written on it.

"What does this mean?" Sudo picked up a card and flipped it over.

Horikita checked the other cards: "Seven coordinates... they should be the locations of the hidden supply points on the island."

Tang Yu quickly memorized all the coordinates: "These are strategic supplies, more valuable than simple food or tools. We'll only take one and put the rest back."

"Why not take them all?" Sudo asked, confused.

"Because that way, other classes will continue to fight over the remaining cards, draining their energy." Horikita explained for Tang Yu, her tone carrying a hint of admiration.

Tang Yu nodded and chose the card with the coordinate closest to the coastline—that was likely the location of a lifeboat or communication equipment, holding the highest strategic value.