Counterattack

At the same time, on the plateau.

Ayanokoji and the other two returned with water and food. Seeing what they had brought back, the people in the camp let out sighs of relief.

"Water! It's water!"

"And food!"

Everyone crowded around; although the quantity was small, it at least temporarily resolved the crisis.

Ayanokoji pulled Hirata aside. "We caught the four people Class C sent to fetch water and tied them to a tree by the waterfall. I left a note for Ryuen to trade supplies for them."

"A trade?" Hirata was stunned. "Will he agree?"

"He has to." Ayanokoji said. "One of those four is quite badly injured. If he isn't treated in time, there could be trouble. No matter how ruthless Ryuen is, he wouldn't dare let something major happen."

"Then... are we really going to go through with the trade?"

"Of course." Ayanokoji nodded. "We are short on supplies, and Class C has more than we do. Trading four people for enough food and water to last two days is a good deal."

Hirata thought for a moment and agreed. "But how do we ensure they won't pull any tricks?"

"That's why we need a mediator." Ayanokoji looked toward the other side of the plateau. "Honami Ichinose, could you do us a favor?"

Honami Ichinose stepped out from the shadows; she had been observing the situation the entire time. "You want Class B to act as the mediator?"

"Yes. Your class hasn't burned bridges with either side, making you the most suitable for this role."

Ichinose pondered for a few seconds and smiled. "I can do that. But in return, Class D will owe Class B a favor."

"Deal."

Six o'clock in the morning, the sky was just beginning to brighten.

The exchange point was set in the clearing between the waterfall and both camps. Five students from Class B acted as mediators, responsible for overseeing the transaction.

Six people from Class C arrived, with Ryuen leading the team himself. They brought two crates of supplies—food, water, medicine, and some tools.

On the Class D side, Ayanokoji, Hirata, and Sudo stood guard over the four captives.

The two sides stood in a standoff, twenty meters apart.

"We brought the people," Ayanokoji said. "Where are the supplies?"

Ryuen signaled, and Daichi Ishizaki pushed the two crates into the middle.

Honami Ichinose and her Class B team inspected the supplies, confirmed everything was in order, and nodded to both sides.

"Release them at the same time," she said.

The captives' ropes were untied, and they walked slowly toward the Class C side. The people from Class C also pushed the supplies over to Class D.

The transaction went smoothly, without any accidents.

Just as the last person returned to the Class C camp, Ryuen suddenly spoke up. "Ayanokoji."

"Something you need?"

"You won this time." Ryuen's expression was calm, but his eyes were as sharp as blades. "But the game isn't over yet. You won't be able to hold the twenty-four-hour guard duty."

"We'll see."

"I'll make sure of it." Ryuen turned around. "After sunrise, I'll let you know why Class C stands above Class D."

The people from Class C departed.

Ichinose walked over, her expression filled with concern. "Ryuen won't just let it go. He must be planning something."

"I know." Ayanokoji looked at the two crates of supplies. "But at least for now, we have the capital to keep fighting."

Ten o'clock in the morning, the plateau guard duty entered its tenth hour.

The students from Class D and Class B took turns resting, maintaining constant vigilance.

There was still no movement from Class A, but Kohei Katsuragi had been observing the whole time, seemingly waiting for the perfect opportunity.

The Class C camp looked quiet, but everyone knew this was the calm before the storm.

At ten in the morning, a change occurred.

It didn't come from Class C, but from outside the island.

The roar of a helicopter echoed through the sky. A chopper swept low over the island and began to circle above the central clearing.

"Is that... the school's helicopter?" Hirata looked up.

The helicopter didn't land; instead, it dropped a crate. The crate descended slowly on a parachute, landing in the clearing.

Then, a broadcast sounded: "Attention all students, a 'Special Supply Crate' has been deployed. The crate contains vital supplies and clues for an additional task. The location of the supply crate has been updated on your maps."

A special supply crate?

Everyone was stunned. This segment hadn't been mentioned in the rulebook at all.

"It's a hidden rule," Hiyori Shiina's voice came through the walkie-talkie. "The school often adds undisclosed segments to special exams to test adaptability."

"What could be in the crate?" Karuizawa asked.

"I'm not sure. But it's definitely something that will help with the exam."

The problem was this: the supply crate had landed in the clearing, not far from the camps of the four classes. Who would go to retrieve it?

The first to go would undoubtedly become the target of everyone else.

But the temptation of the supplies was too great, especially given the severe shortages in Class D.

"Ayanokoji," Hirata looked toward him, "should we go?"

Ayanokoji pondered. Going carried risks; not going meant potentially missing a crucial opportunity.

[Ding! New event detected, limited-time mission triggered: Seize the supply crate.]

[Mission Requirements: Seize the supply crate and transport it back safely before any other class obtains it.]

[Mission Rewards: Points and abilities corresponding to the value of the supplies within the crate.]

[Failure Penalty: None.]

[Note: This mission may trigger a multi-class skirmish; please evaluate the risks carefully.]

A limited-time mission with no penalty for failure. This meant the system was also suggesting he give it a try.

"We go," Ayanokoji decided. "But not all of us. Sudo, Horikita, you come with me. The rest of you, hold the high ground."

"Just three people?" Hirata asked, worried.

"Fewer people means more agility," Ayanokoji said. "Besides, the other classes won't necessarily send large forces either; they're also worried about their own camps being raided."

Indeed, in this situation of mutual restraint, sending a small squad was the more logical choice.

Once prepared, the three of them set off.

At the edge of the clearing.

When Ayanokoji and his group arrived, they found that others had already beaten them there.

It was Class A, four of them, led personally by Kohei Katsuragi.

Class C had arrived as well, five of them; Ryuen was not present, and the team was led by Daichi Ishizaki.

Class B... Honami Ichinose stood in another direction with three others.

All four classes had dispatched elite squads, surrounding the supply crate in the clearing, yet no one dared to make the first move.

"Quite the lively scene," Daichi Ishizaki grinned. "So many people fighting over a single box."

Kohei Katsuragi adjusted his glasses. "According to the rules, first come, first served. Class A arrived first."

"Bullshit!" Ishizaki retorted. "We all arrived at the same time!"

Honami Ichinose tried to mediate. "Everyone, calm down. Perhaps we can share this crate?"

"Share it?" Katsuragi shook his head. "The supply crate is clearly intended for one class; sharing is unrealistic."

The atmosphere grew tense once more.

Ayanokoji stood at the edge of the woods, not immediately joining the standoff. He was observing—observing everyone's positioning and the surrounding terrain.

The clearing was small, surrounded by woods on all sides. The crate sat in the dead center, red and highly conspicuous.

If they rushed out to grab it now, they would certainly become the target of concentrated fire.

He needed to wait—to wait for an opening.

Time ticked by, second by second. The four squads stared each other down, none daring to move first.

Suddenly, a bird call came from the direction of Class C. It wasn't a real bird; it was a whistle.

Upon hearing the whistle, Daichi Ishizaki's expression changed.

It was a signal—a signal sent by Ryuen.

But what did the signal mean?

While Ishizaki still hesitated, Class A made the first move.

Kohei Katsuragi suddenly gave the order: "Move!"

The four Class A students charged toward the supply crate simultaneously, their movements perfectly synchronized.

"Stop them!" Ishizaki shouted.

The members of Class C rushed forward as well.

Honami Ichinose of Class B hesitated for a moment before leading her team into the fray.

The clearing instantly descended into chaos. Students from the three classes grappled with one another, fighting over the red crate.

Only Ayanokoji and his two companions remained hidden in the woods, motionless.

"Aren't we going in?" Sudo grew anxious.

"Wait a little longer," Ayanokoji said calmly. "Let them wear each other out first."

The battle was intense. The discipline of Class A, the ferocity of Class C, and the coordination of Class B—three distinct styles collided.

A few minutes later, the crate had changed hands three times: first seized by Class A, then snatched away by Class C, and then interfered with by Class B.

All three sides were suffering losses.

Two people from Class A were injured, three from Class C, and one from Class B. The box had fallen to the ground, and no one could hold onto it steadily.

"Now," Ayanokoji said.

The three of them dashed out of the woods like cheetahs, lunging straight for the box.

"Class D!" someone shouted, spotting them.

But it was too late. Ayanokoji reached the box first, grabbed it, and took off running. Sudo and Horikita flanked him on the left and right, blocking those who gave chase.

"After them!"

The students from the three classes snapped to attention and immediately gave chase.

However, Ayanokoji and his team were fast, and they had pre-planned their route—instead of heading straight back to the highlands, they wove into the complex terrain of the forest.

The pursuers quickly scattered within the woods, losing their target.

Ten minutes later, Ayanokoji and his team shook off their pursuers and returned to the highlands with the box.

"We did it!" A cheer erupted from the camp.

The supply box was placed in the center, and everyone gathered around.

The box was locked and required a password.

What was the password?

Ayanokoji inspected the box and found a line of small text on the side: "The answer lies within the question."

"A riddle?" Hirata frowned.

Suzune Horikita examined the text closely and suddenly realized, "It's a math problem. Look here."

She pointed to the top of the box, where a math problem was engraved: "√(16+9)×(5²-4³÷2)=?"

"It needs to be calculated." Horikita took out paper and a pen, calculating rapidly.

A few seconds later, she arrived at the answer: "-20."

"Negative twenty? Is the password numerical?"

"Let's try it."

Ayanokoji entered "-20" into the combination lock.

With a "click," the lock opened.

The box contained three layers.

The first layer: high-energy food, water purification tablets, and medicine.

The second layer: binoculars, walkie-talkies (capable of cross-class frequencies), and night-vision goggles.

The third and bottom layer held a map and a note.

The map was a detailed topographical chart of the island, far more precise than the one previously issued. It marked several new points: hidden water sources, edible plant zones, and dangerous areas.

The note read:

"To the discoverer: You have obtained 'Observer Authority.' From now on, you may view real-time footage from three hidden cameras on the island. Channel frequency: 145.8MHz. Good luck."

Observer Authority? Hidden cameras?

Ayanokoji understood immediately. This was what Akane Tachibana had mentioned—the footage the Student Council could see.

He turned on the walkie-talkie's rear screen and tuned it to 145.8MHz.

Three images appeared on the screen:

The first image: the Class A camp, where Kohei Katsuragi was holding a meeting.

The second image: the Class C camp, where Kakeru Ryuen was laying out some kind of plan.

The third image... was the waterfall water source, currently empty.

"This is..." Hirata was stunned.

"An intelligence advantage," Ayanokoji said. "Now, we can know what the other classes are doing."

For Class D, this was a massive advantage.

But it also meant greater responsibility—if other classes found out they had this authority, they would undoubtedly become the target of everyone's ire.

"This information must stay between us," Ayanokoji said sternly. "It must never be leaked."

Everyone nodded.

Just then, the camera feed suddenly changed.

In the image of the Class C camp, Kakeru Ryuen stood up and said something to his subordinates.

Then, he turned toward the direction of the camera—though he couldn't know its exact location, his gaze seemed to pierce through the screen, staring directly at the viewers.

He smiled and mouthed a few words.

Ayanokoji read them clearly.

He said: "Found you."