"Stop them! Ryuen recovered quickly, but it was too late."
Tang Yu and Ichinose slipped into the warehouse and locked the door behind them. The warehouse was packed with supplies-emergency food, medical kits, communications equipment, and even several generators.
"This is amazing! Ichinose was overjoyed. There's enough here to earn points for both classes!"
Tang Yu quickly checked the supplies and found a crate labeled "For Class D Only." Inside was a note and a small electronic device.
The note read: "Congratulations on finding the hidden mission. Bring the device back to camp and connect it to a computer to unlock a special reward. -Chabashira Sae"
"It looks like our homeroom teacher had this planned all along." Tang Yu put away the device and note. "Let's carry out what we can first. We'll mark the location of the rest and notify the School Administration."
Just as the two were about to leave, the warehouse's main doors were suddenly struck with great force. Ryuen's furious voice came from outside. "Get out here! I know you're in there!"
"The back door!" Tang Yu pointed to the 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 team. When Ryuen realized he'd been tricked, he flew into a rage, but there was nothing he could do.
[Mission Completion Reward: Intelligence +0.5 (Current: 11/12)] [Anger from Ryuen Kakeru: +500] [Frustration from Class C members: +300] [Current Emotion Points: 21450/30000]
On the way back to camp, Tang Yu was in high spirits. Not only had he completed the mission, he'd also collected a large number of Emotion Points. More importantly, he'd verified how useful Emotion Manipulation was. Although it could only last a few seconds for now, that was enough to turn the tide at a critical moment.
When their classmates at camp saw the supplies they'd brought back, they erupted in cheers. Even Ayanokoji, who was usually indifferent, gave a slight nod of approval.
"Good work." Hirata patted Tang Yu on the shoulder. "Now Class D's score is secure."
Tang Yu connected Chabashira-sensei's special device to a computer, and a video immediately appeared on the screen. In it, Chabashira announced without expression:
"Class D has completed the hidden mission and earned 200 Class Points. In addition, each member of the Leadership Group will receive 500,000 Private Points."
The good news prompted a round of cheers. Private Points were equivalent to cash at the school, and could be used to purchase all kinds of goods and services. Five hundred thousand was no small fortune.
"That's strange." Ayanokoji suddenly spoke. "How did Chabashira-sensei know it was the 'Leadership Group' and not the 'Strike Team' that completed the mission?"
Tang Yu's heart tightened. It was true-the way the rewards were distributed was far too precise, as if Chabashira had known in advance who would be involved in making decisions.
"Maybe it refers to the collective contribution of all Leadership Group members." Hirata tried to explain.
Ayanokoji remained noncommittal, but Tang Yu's Emotion Perception picked up on his suspicion. Chabashira-sensei's attention to Class D seemed to go beyond the normal range.
By evening, the School Administration announced that the Special Exam was over and that the classes should prepare to return the next day. Class D was narrowly in the lead, largely thanks to their outstanding performance on the warehouse mission.
Tang Yu sat alone on the beach, reflecting on the past two days. Unlocking the System Store had greatly expanded his possibilities, but it had also brought new risks. Redeemed items could arouse suspicion, especially among opponents as observant as Ayanokoji.
"What are you thinking about?" Horikita Suzune's voice came from behind him. She was leaning on crutches, her right leg still in a cast, but she could already walk short distances.
"You're back?" Tang Yu turned around in surprise.
"The infirmary approved my return, but I still can't take part in strenuous activity." Horikita sat down beside him. "I heard you all did very well."
"It was the result of teamwork," Tang Yu said modestly.
Horikita fell silent for a while, then suddenly said, "Thank you... for saving me that night."
This was the second time she had thanked him, and her tone was more sincere than it had been during the video call. Tang Yu activated Emotion Perception and saw that Horikita's Emotion Cloud had taken on a rare, gentle hue, with trust and gratitude intertwined.
"You're welcome." Tang Yu smiled. "Class D needs you."
"I used to be too stubborn." Horikita looked toward the distant horizon. "I refused to cooperate and 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 quiet. "Then you appeared. In that moment, I understood that true strength isn't fighting alone, but 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 change more deeply.
In an instant, he felt the changes deep within Horikita: her release from her brother's shadow, her newfound understanding of the power of teamwork, and... her growing respect and trust in him personally.
After the link broke, Tang Yu said softly, "Welcome to the team."
The two quietly watched the sunset sink below the horizon, a new understanding taking shape between them in the silence.
After night fell, Tang Yu decided to try the Store feature again. This time, he chose Information Acquisition and spent 2,000 points to redeem "the identity of the person behind Ryuen Kakeru."
The System Interface flickered several times, then displayed a blurry photo: Ryuen talking to someone in a hood, with a school emblem faintly visible in the corner. Tang Yu enlarged the picture, and his heart jolted. It was the Student Council's insignia!
Even more shocking, when the picture was enlarged further, he recognized the hand passing over the bottle of medicine: long, slender fingers and a distinctive bracelet around 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 purpose? Was he targeting Tang Yu, the abnormal Transfer Student, or...
A commotion interrupted Tang Yu's thoughts. At the edge of the camp, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was talking to an unfamiliar figure. Tang Yu activated Night Vision, which he had redeemed earlier, and saw that the person was wearing a Class A uniform, but he couldn't make out their face because they had their back to him.
"Things are getting more and more complicated." Tang Yu closed the System Interface and decided to wait and see for now.
The Deserted Island Test was about to end, but the real game seemed to be just beginning. The Student Council, Class A, Class C... all the various forces were intertwined, and he, with his system, was right at the center of the whirlpool.
[Special Reminder: Activity from multiple factions has increased] [Student Council Threat Level: 50%] [Class A Threat Level: 30%] [Class C Threat Level: 70%] [Recommendation: Improve your strength and proceed with caution]
Tang Yu gazed at the star-filled night sky, a determined smile tugging at his lips. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he was ready.
The potential of the Emotion System had only just begun to be explored, and he had already found his own path in this school where strength came first.