Blockade and Conspiracy

"Are you an idiot? Don't forget that scanning isn't always effective. GPS scanning can't detect the teachers' locations or students who aren't wearing watches. What if some second-grade students have tampered with their watches and are lying in ambush nearby? They'd probably just be waiting for us to make the first move, wouldn't they?"

After retorting to Sankogi, Kiriyama ignored the other's flushed face and began issuing orders to the students around him.

"According to the original plan, we should move out when Kouenji has finished packing and is ready to start moving. If we encounter first- or second-year students along the way, or if we are about to encounter a teacher who will be setting a topic, we should immediately keep a distance of more than two meters from Kouenji."

After all, they were in the wild and didn't know where the teacher would appear, so Kiriyama chose to proceed cautiously for the time being. Of course, this was all part of the plan.

After saying that, Kiriyama glanced at Mikoto over there, hoping that the guy wouldn't disappoint him.

Around seven o'clock, Koenji finally came out of the tent, humming a song as he began to pack it up.

With Koenji's practiced movements, it didn't take much time at all to complete everything. Then, Koenji took out the food and began to eat slowly.

"Let's go, we can't wait any longer."

Following Kiriyama's order, the third-year students went directly to a place not far from Koenji and surrounded it.

Although it was said to be surrounded, there were still gaps between people; after all, appearances still had to be maintained.

Otherwise, it would be bad if other students filmed their behavior and gave it to the teacher, or if staff or teachers saw it.

After all, their actions were clearly obstructive, and once confirmed, they would be immediately removed from the scene.

To avoid this situation, the third-grade students formed a circle, but there was still a distance of several meters between each adjacent student.

Surrounded by more than a dozen boys, Koenji seemed oblivious to anything amiss, leisurely humming music while eating and checking the time on his watch.

"Kouenji, could I possibly waste a little of your time?"

Although Kouenji's name was called, he didn't raise his head. He simply swallowed what was in his mouth and spoke casually.

"What do you need me for?"

Despite Koenji's arrogant attitude, Kiriyama was not angry. Instead, he went straight to the point and stated his purpose.

After all, he had heard of this person, or rather, there was a replica of Koenji in his class, and even a normal conversation with that person could drive him crazy.

That's why he didn't want to waste time talking to Koenji.

"Let me be frank, Koenji, you've scored too many points, they're getting in the way, so I'll have you stay here for the rest of the day."

"You mean... you won't let me earn points?"

Koenji raised an eyebrow and stopped humming the little tune.

"That's right," Kiriyama answered readily.

"That's really asking the impossible. Although I don't know who you are, just a little thought tells me that your request is completely unreasonable. And you've brought such a large group of people... Does that mean you'll stop me if I don't obey?"

You can understand it that way.

As Kiriyama said this, he muttered to himself, "Why hasn't that bastard Ryuen sent anyone over yet?"

"I'm so sorry, I have to go now, goodbye."

After uttering a cold sentence, Koenji instantly accelerated and broke through the encirclement under the watchful eyes of Kiriyama and the others, leaving without stopping for a moment.

"What... Hey!"

"Quick, after them!"

Before Kiriyama could even speak, Mikitani, a classmate, blurted it out.

But in just a moment, Kouenji's figure had already disappeared into the depths of the forest, leaving no trace.

"Hateful!"

Mikoki took out his tablet and immediately located Koenji.

"He's over there, hurry and chase after him!"

Well done, Sangumu! You truly lived up to my expectations!

Seeing Mikoto's actions and commands, Kiriyama almost burst out laughing, but he didn't slow down his speech at all.

"Don't panic, don't let Kouenji's rhythm affect you."

"Is this a time for leisure?! He escaped!"

"Even if he gets the arrival order reward, it doesn't matter. If Kouenji chooses to run away, he won't be able to participate in the time-consuming tasks. On the other hand, if he comes out to participate in the tasks openly and honestly, we can interfere with him later."

Kiriyama's plan can be considered very correct, because in a contest of physical strength, they are no match for Koenji. However, if Koenji only gets 44 points of achievement bonus each day, they don't need to worry.

Since Nagumo will get more points, all we need to do is prevent Koenji from participating in the project.

Just like what Ryuen did to Nagumo's team before.

This time, however, Kiriyama plans to go even further: he will directly seize the research topic, preventing Koenji from even having the chance to apply.

Of course, he knew this wouldn't work because...

"Hey, third-year seniors, where are you all headed in this group?"

Appearing before Kiriyama was a group of lower-grade students, about ten in total, led by Akito Miyake from Class 2-A and Daichi Ishizaki from Class 2-D.

Upon seeing this group of people, Sangu Mu's expression turned ugly, and Kiriyama's expression was similar, except that the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

Finally, my ally has arrived.

What do you want?

Upon seeing the second-year and first-year students blocking his way, Sangu Mu immediately stepped forward and angrily rebuked them.

"Heh, I'd like to know what the third-year students are doing. Are you deliberately trying to interfere with our class's Koenji's exam? How despicable!"

"Is this how you talk to your senior?" Migu Mu stepped forward angrily and accused him.

"Yes, is there a problem?"

Akito Miyake stepped forward, his face full of disdain, showing absolutely no respect for these third-year seniors.

"Calm down, Sangumu!"

"We'll continue with our plan. They can't do anything, just like us. If they dare to obstruct us, we'll report them for interfering with our exam."

The third-year students who were with them began to advise Mikoki that what had hindered them in dealing with Koenji would now become a hindrance for the lower-year students to deal with them, but Kiriyama did not think so.

"Hahaha, don't make me laugh. Are we in your way?" Ishizaki finally seized the opportunity and said to the third-year students with a mocking tone, "We've been walking on the designated route the whole time, you know. You guys might not be so sure."

That's right. The group that Ishizaki and Miyake brought were all on the same schedule as Koenji. Even if a conflict occurred between them, the third-year students would bear more responsibility.

Because they are almost never where they should be, if a conflict arises and the school determines responsibility, they are likely to be punished for passively taking the exam.

For a time, Kiriyama and his group, who were trying to stop Koenji, found themselves in a predicament.

Chapter 322 Encirclement, Conspiracy

Ishizaki and Miyake didn't stop Kiriyama and his group for long, as they were just passing by and only came to say hello.

Their task is to assist Kouenji in completing the project. After all, no matter how strong Kouenji is or how lucky he is, it's impossible for the project to start every time he joins.

Ishizaki and his group's goal was to immediately register participants after Kouenji joined the project, bringing the number of participants to the maximum so the project could start right away. After all, the waiting time was quite long, and it was best to save as much time as possible.

After Ishizaki and the others left, Mikoki looked at Kiriyama, who was standing to the side.

"What do we do? Who knows when these guys will jump out and get in our way again!"

"Proceed according to the original plan." Kiriyama said coldly, "We haven't achieved any results. The one who should be most anxious isn't us, but Nagumo."

Kiriyama was right. After watching the morning pass, Kouenji's scoring speed showed no signs of slowing down, and Nagumo's expression turned somewhat gloomy.

"One-third of the people should come with me; the rest of you, keep racking up points."

Faced with Nagumo's order, the third-year students looked at each other in bewilderment, and then a group of them followed, most of whom were from Class A.

The remaining students continued to follow the original plan, rushing to complete assignments to improve their scores.

After Nagumo began his operation, Kiriyama and his group, who had been using GPS, also discovered the news.

"Nagumo has led the students of Class A away from the school of fish."

Sangu Mu couldn't help but feel anxious when he saw this, because he felt that this was a sign that Nagumo no longer trusted him.

Kiriyama wasn't in a good mood either, because he didn't know if Kouenji had the ability to shake off Nagumo, but he didn't intend to betray Kouenji here to help him.

For him, regardless of whether Nagumo wins or loses, he has a chance to graduate from Class A.

Around noon, at approximately 1 p. m., Nagumo's group and Kiriyama's group approached the location of Kouenji almost simultaneously.

Where is Kouenji located now?

Kiriyama looked at the three ancient trees over there with a serious expression.

"The location of Kouenji hasn't changed for an hour, and three scans have been performed during that time, all showing the same result. It shouldn't be a malfunction."

Upon hearing Mikoki's words, Kiriyama frowned, then opened his tablet.

According to Mikoki, Kouenji is currently in the center of the E6 region, but there are no projects nearby. What is he doing?

"That bastard isn't really giving up, is he?" Kiriyama asked anxiously.

"This is a golden opportunity! We must surround him properly this time!"

Unlike Kiriyama, Mikoki was extremely excited to see the motionless Kouenji, as if the opportunity to get rid of this guy was right in front of him.

There was nothing they could do. Although they didn't know what Kouenji was up to, Kiriyama had no choice but to lead his men ahead to investigate.

Meanwhile, Nagumo also led his men to Kouenji.

"Nagumo, Kouenji hasn't moved for an hour. What's he up to?"

After checking the GPS several times, Mizoe reported back to Nagumo.

"It's simple. No matter how powerful that guy is, he's still human. And all humans get tired. The fact that he's not moving means he's resting."

Compared to Kiriyama, Nagumo was more quick-witted, so he immediately guessed Kouenji's purpose.

To be honest, when I came to this conclusion, Nagumo secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

If Kouenji really is like that tireless machine, then things will be really difficult.

After both groups arrived at the location of Kouenji following the GPS directions, they were both dumbfounded by what they saw.

Because Kouenji was indeed lying in the shade, sleeping.

"Kouenji, you actually have time to take a nap here? You're really taking it easy. Or is it that you're tired from running around like this for the past ten days or so, and just can't help but sleep?"

Seeing that Kouenji was indeed resting, Nagumo breathed a sigh of relief, after all, fighting humans and fighting monsters are two different things.

Upon hearing Nagumo's words, Kouenji, who was lying on the ground, slowly opened his eyes, glanced at his watch, and smiled.

"Of course, right? I'm human just like you."

"Really? It seems you've accumulated a lot of fatigue. In that case, why don't you rest for a couple more days? This is a kind suggestion from your senior."

Upon hearing Nagumo's words, Kouenji's face showed a surprised expression.

"You're telling me to rest for a couple more days? You're really saying something strange. I'm aiming for first place in this exam, and besides, I've already rested enough."

As he spoke, he even struck a pose with a strong, protruding stance.

The third-year student who came with them, San Gu Mu, immediately revealed a cold smile.

"Don't push yourself. If a little rest could eliminate fatigue, then everyone wouldn't have to work so hard."

Nagumo and Kiriyama, who initially thought Kouenji was exaggerating, subconsciously considered a possibility after Mikoki said that.

People who can eliminate fatigue with just a short rest do exist in reality; they are medically known as short sleepers!

These people often play both the roles of night owl and early bird. They tend to go to bed late at night and get up a few hours later, keeping themselves fully wound up all day without needing to catch up on sleep or consume large amounts of caffeine.

The average person needs at least 7 hours of sleep each night to ensure they have energy the next day, but short sleepers only need about 4 hours of sleep each night to get sufficient rest.

One reason for this situation is a mutation in the genes that control sleep and wakefulness, allowing them to sleep less and do more like superhumans. This type of person accounts for only 1%-3% of the total population.

"Hey, hey, hey, really?"

After considering this possibility, Kiriyama muttered to himself, somewhat dumbfounded.

Nagumo's face also began to darken.

If we compare this exam to a game, then the student's stamina is like HP, and the student's ability is related to HP; the longer the HP bar, the stronger the ability.

However, as the game progresses, the students' HP will gradually decrease. Although they can recover HP by eating and resting, the efficiency will be very low.

As for restoring HP to its maximum, it's even more difficult; the long journey is essentially a temporary reduction in HP's maximum capacity.

This is the typical state of a player.