Alert

"Beasts, poisonous plants, and..." Ayanokoji paused, "scouts from other classes."

With that, the two left the camp and headed upstream along the creek.

The jungle was quiet, save for the chirping of birds and the sound of flowing water. But Ayanokoji's [Insight (Basic)] remained on high alert—he could sense someone watching from the shadows.

"Ten o'clock, behind a tree about thirty meters away," he suddenly whispered.

Horikita's body tensed instantly, but she didn't turn her head, merely glancing toward that direction with her peripheral vision.

"One person, about 1.75 meters tall, weighing around seventy kilograms, moving with very light footsteps," Ayanokoji continued his low-voiced analysis. "Not someone from Class C—students from Class C have heavier footsteps because they train their muscles frequently. It's likely a scout from Class B."

"Should we catch him?"

"No, let him watch," Ayanokoji said. "We need the other classes to know that Class D has a certain level of survival capability; that way, they won't view us as the easiest target."

The two continued walking as if they hadn't noticed the stalker.

After another ten minutes of walking, Ayanokoji suddenly stopped.

"Look here."

On the ground was a clear set of tracks—not human. The prints were in two rows with short spacing, each showing four toe marks.

"Wild boars," Horikita judged immediately. "And more than one."

"Moving along the creek means they need a water source, too," Ayanokoji crouched down to observe closely. "The tracks are still fresh, less than two hours old. This means..."

"This means there is a pack of wild boars in this area," Horikita's expression turned grave. "Wild boars are aggressive, especially if there are piglets."

"We need to set up a perimeter," Ayanokoji stood up. "But more importantly, this is also a resource."

"A resource?"

"Food," Ayanokoji said. "If we can catch a wild boar, our meat supply for the next few days will be secured. Plus, boar hide can be made into simple shelters, and the bones can be sharpened into tools."

Horikita looked at him, her eyes complex: "You really... know a lot."

"I've just read a few more books," Ayanokoji brushed it off lightly. "Let's head back; the camp should be about ready."

When the two returned to the camp, the frame for the canopy had already been erected. Ken Sudo was dragging a large bundle of palm leaves over, preparing to make a roof.

"These leaves are great for waterproofing!" Sudo said, wiping away sweat. "I saw it on TV!"

"Well done," Ayanokoji nodded in approval. "Hirata, is the stove built?"

"It is, we've already started boiling water," Hirata pointed to the small, steaming stove. "But the firewood is being consumed faster than expected; we need to collect more."

"We'll split into groups this afternoon," Ayanokoji said. "For now, let's eat lunch, then begin the second wave of personnel transfers."

Lunch consisted of issued compressed biscuits and energy bars; although they tasted terrible, they provided sufficient calories.

Just as everyone was eating in silence, a scream suddenly echoed from deep within the jungle.

It was a girl's voice.

Everyone stopped what they were doing.

"The sound came from... the direction of the beach?" Yosuke Hirata stood up, his face pale.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had already bolted.

Beach, temporary camp.

When Ayanokoji and the others rushed back, they were met with chaos.

Several girls were huddled together, with Satsuki Shinohara crouching in the middle, crying. There was a visible scrape on her arm that was bleeding.

"What happened?" Hirata immediately stepped forward to ask.

"It, it was people from Class C..." a girl named Sakura said, trembling. "They suddenly appeared and snatched a box of our supplies. Shinohara tried to stop them and was pushed down..."

"Snatched supplies?" Ayanokoji's eyes turned cold. "When did this happen?"

"About fifteen minutes ago," Kei Karuizawa walked over, her expression icy. "There were three of them; they were fast, grabbed the stuff, and ran. I tried to track them, but they disappeared into the jungle quickly."

"That bastard Ryuen..." Ken Sudo clenched his fists. "I'm going to get our stuff back!"

"Wait," Ayanokoji blocked him. "Since they dared to do this, they definitely have a backup plan. If we chase them now, we'll likely fall into a trap."

"Then what? Just let it go?"

"Of course not." Ayanokoji looked at Karuizawa. "Did you see which direction they went?"

"Northeast, along the coastline."

Ayanokoji thought for a few seconds, then made a decision: "Hirata, take the injured student to treat her wounds, and the rest of you strengthen the camp's perimeter. Karuizawa, Sudo, Horikita, the three of you come with me."

"You're going to chase them?" Horikita asked.

"Not chase, but give them a warning." Ayanokoji's voice was calm, but the coldness contained within made everyone around him feel a chill.

The four moved northeast along the coastline. Along the way, Ayanokoji carefully observed the footprints on the sand.

"Three people; one of them is heavier, likely Daichi Ishizaki. The other two have lighter footsteps... possibly Mio Ibuki and Oda."

"How do you know?" Sudo asked, surprised.

"The depth and spacing of the footprints reveal a lot of information," Ayanokoji didn't explain further. "They aren't far ahead."

Sure enough, after rounding a pile of reefs, they saw three figures—it was Daichi Ishizaki, Mio Ibuki, and another boy, Takumi Oda, from Class C. They were gathered around an open crate of supplies, which contained Class D's spare tents and tools.

"Yo, you got here pretty fast," Daichi Ishizaki said, standing up with a grin. "But you're too late; these things belong to us now."

Mio Ibuki said nothing, merely staring coldly at Ayanokoji, her hand resting on the machete at her waist.

"According to the rules, stealing supplies from other classes is a violation," Suzune Horikita said, stepping forward. "If we report this to the school—"

"Report it?" Ishizaki laughed loudly. "Do you have any proof? There are no cameras here, no witnesses; who can prove we were the ones who took it?"

It was true; on the Uninhabited Island, the school's ability to monitor was limited. Unless a serious incident occurred, it was difficult to determine right from wrong.

"I don't need proof," Ayanokoji Kiyotaka said calmly. "I just need you to understand one thing—Class D is not a target you can bully at will."

He took a step forward, his gaze sweeping over the three of them: "Return the supplies and leave. I can pretend nothing happened this time."

"And if I say no?" Ishizaki provoked.

"Then," Ayanokoji's voice remained calm, "I will have to retrieve them myself."

The atmosphere instantly turned tense.

Mio Ibuki drew her machete, the blade glinting coldly in the sunlight. Daichi Ishizaki assumed a fighting stance, while Takumi Oda pulled a wooden club from his backpack.

Three against four, but Class C had the weapons.