Alert

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

Then the two of them left camp and followed the stream upstream.

The jungle was quiet, with only birdsong and the sound of running water. But Ayanokoji's [Insight (Beginner)] remained on high alert—he could sense someone watching them from the shadows.

"Behind the tree at ten o'clock, about thirty meters away," he said suddenly in a low voice.

Horikita's body tensed at once, but she didn't turn her head. She only glanced in that direction from the corner of her eye.

"One person, about 175 centimeters tall and around seventy kilograms. Their footsteps are very light when they move," Ayanokoji continued, analyzing in a low voice. "They're not from Class C—their students tread more heavily because they work out a lot. Could be a scout from Class B."

"Should we catch them?"

"No, let them watch," Ayanokoji said. "We need the other classes to know that Class D has some ability to survive, so they won't see us as the easiest target."

The two continued onward, pretending they hadn't noticed their pursuer.

After walking for about ten minutes, Ayanokoji suddenly stopped.

"Look here."

A clear trail of footprints lay on the ground—not human ones. The prints formed two rows, spaced close together, and each had marks from four toes.

"Wild boars," Horikita concluded at once. "And more than one."

"They're moving along the stream, which means they need a water source too." Ayanokoji crouched and examined the prints closely. "They're still fresh, less than two hours old. That means..."

"That means a herd of wild boars is roaming this area." Horikita's expression grew serious. "Wild boars are aggressive, especially when they have piglets."

"We need to set up a watch," Ayanokoji said, getting to his feet. "But more importantly, this is also a resource."

"A resource?"

"Food," Ayanokoji said. "If we can catch a wild boar, we'll have meat for the next few days. And we can use the hide to make a simple shelter, while the bones can be fashioned into tools."

Horikita looked at him, her expression complicated. "You really... know a lot."

"I've just read a few books." Ayanokoji brushed it off. "Let's head back. The camp should be about ready."

By the time they returned to camp, the framework of the rain shelter had been put up. Ken Sudō was dragging over a large bundle of palm leaves to make the roof.

"These leaves are pretty good at keeping out water!" Sudō said, wiping away sweat. "I saw it on TV!"

"Good work." Ayanokoji nodded approvingly. "Hirata, is the stove ready?"

"It is. We've already started boiling water." Hirata pointed to the small stove, where steam was rising. "But we're using up firewood faster than expected. We need to gather more."

"We'll split into groups this afternoon," Ayanokoji said. "For now, let's have lunch, then start moving the second group."

Lunch consisted of the issued compressed biscuits and energy bars. They tasted awful, but provided enough calories.

Just as everyone was eating in silence, a sudden scream rang out from deep in the jungle.

It was a girl's voice.

Everyone froze.

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

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had already dashed off.

The beach. The temporary camp.

When Ayanokoji and the others hurried back, they found chaos.

Several girls were gathered around Satsuki Shinohara, who was crouched on the ground, crying. A conspicuous scrape on her arm 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 showed up and stole a box of our supplies. Shinohara tried to stop them, but they pushed her down..."

"They stole our supplies?" Ayanokoji's expression turned cold. "When did this happen?"

"About fifteen minutes ago." Kei Karuizawa walked over, her expression icy. "Three of them came. They moved fast, grabbed the supplies, and ran. I tried to follow them, but they disappeared into the jungle."

"That bastard Ryuen..." Ken Sudō clenched his fists. "I'll go get our stuff back!"

"Wait." Ayanokoji stopped him. "If they dared to do this, they must have a backup plan. If we chase them now, we could fall into a trap."

"Then what are we supposed to do? Just let it go?"

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

"Northeast, along the coast."

Ayanokoji thought for a few seconds, then made his decision. "Hirata, take the injured student to get her wound treated. Everyone else, tighten security around the camp. Karuizawa, Sudō, Horikita—you three, come with me."

"You're going after them?" Horikita asked.

"No. But we're going to give them a warning." Ayanokoji's voice was calm, but the chill in it made everyone nearby shiver.

The four of them headed northeast along the coast. As they went, Ayanokoji carefully studied the footprints in the sand.

"Three people. One is heavier, probably Daichi Ishizaki. The other two left shallower prints... possibly Mio Ibuki and Oda."

"How can you tell?" Sudō asked in surprise.

"The depth and spacing of footprints can tell you a lot." Ayanokoji didn't explain further. "They're not far ahead."

Sure enough, after they rounded a cluster of rocks, they spotted three figures—Daichi Ishizaki, Mio Ibuki, and another boy, Takumi Oda, all from Class C. They were gathered around an open box of supplies containing Class D's spare tent and tools.

"Hey, you got here pretty fast." Ishizaki stood up with a grin. "But you're too late. These things are ours now."

Ibuki said nothing. She only stared coldly at Ayanokoji, her hand resting on the machete at her waist.

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

"Report it?" Ishizaki laughed. "Do you have any proof? There are no cameras or witnesses here. Who can prove we stole them?"

It was true. The school's ability to supervise the students on the uninhabited island was limited. Unless something serious happened, it would be difficult to determine who was in the wrong.

"We don't need proof," Ayanokoji Kiyotaka said calmly. "I just need you to understand one thing—Class D isn't someone you can bully whenever you please."

He stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the three of them. "Return the supplies and leave. I can pretend none of this happened."

"And what if I say no?" Ishizaki challenged him.

"Then," Ayanokoji said, his voice still calm, "I'll have to take them back myself."

The atmosphere turned tense in an instant.

Ibuki drew her machete, its blade glinting in the sunlight. Daichi Ishizaki also assumed a fighting stance, while Takumi Oda took a wooden stick out of his backpack.

Three against four, but Class C had weapons.