Endings and New Beginnings

At exactly 8:00 PM, the broadcast sounded right on time.

"Notice: The special task 'Perch Dispute' has officially ended."

"Final occupying classes: A joint occupation by Class D and Class B."

"Duration of defense: Exactly twenty-four hours."

"Calculating task points..."

On the highland, everyone held their breath. Students from Class D and Class B stood together, waiting for that decisive number.

A few seconds later, the broadcast continued:

"Class D base occupation score: 100 points."

"Hourly defense bonus: 24 hours × 50 points = 1200 points."

"Total: 1300 points. According to the alliance agreement, Class D and Class B each receive 650 points."

"Special addition: Due to successfully repelling three or more attacks, an extra reward of 200 'Tenacity' points is granted, to be distributed by the alliance itself."

As the voice faded, cheers erupted on the highland.

"We won!"

"650 points! Plus the bonus!"

"Long live Class D! Long live Class B!"

Amidst the cheering, Yosuke Hirata and Honami Ichinose shook hands. Ken Sudo and several boys from Class B patted each other on the shoulders. Kei Karuizawa and the girls from Class B hugged one another.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stood at the edge of the crowd, watching it all.

[Ding! Main task "Uninhabited Island Trial" Phase 1 complete!]

[Task Rating: S (Perfect Completion)]

[Rewards issued: Personal points +5000, Class points +200 (already factored into total distribution), special ability "Tactical Deduction (Beginner)" unlocked.]

[Ding! Hidden task "Controller of Resources" complete!]

[Rating: Successfully controlled key water source until the end of the task.]

[Rewards issued: "Geographical Advantage" points +30, map marking privilege unlocked (can pre-mark three resource points).]

The system notifications came one after another. The rewards were generous, but Ayanokoji did not have much time to rejoice.

Because the end of the task meant that a new round of competition was about to begin.

At 8:30 PM, the classes began to evacuate the highland.

According to the rules, the next seven days were for normal survival; each class would return to their own base camp to continue completing other tasks and accumulating points.

While descending the mountain, Class D and Class B walked together. Honami Ichinose specifically walked over to Ayanokoji's side.

"What are your plans for what comes next?" she asked.

"Rest first," Ayanokoji said. "Everyone is tired today. We can discuss further cooperation tomorrow."

Ichinose nodded, but her expression was somewhat serious: "There is one thing I must remind you of. Today, we completely burned our bridges with Class A and Class C; they will likely target us from here on out."

"I know."

"Especially Ryuen," Ichinose lowered her voice. "Given his personality, he will absolutely not let this go. I suspect... he is already planning his revenge."

Ayanokoji looked ahead. The people from Class C were walking at the very front, and the back of Kakeru Ryuen looked exceptionally gloomy under the moonlight.

"I will be careful."

When they returned to the beach camp, the sky had already turned completely dark.

Class D's camp still bore the remnants of yesterday's fire. The charred tent frames stood there like some kind of warning.

Hirata organized everyone to clear the ruins and set up new shelters. Fortunately, there were spare tents among the supplies obtained from the supply box, and combined with those exchanged from Class C, they were barely enough.

Ayanokoji did not participate in this work. He sat at the edge of the camp and opened the system interface.

The description for the new ability, [Tactical Deduction (Beginner)], read: "Can simulate potential conflict scenarios within the next 24 hours in the mind, with an accuracy rate of 65%."

65% was not high, but it was enough for an early warning.

He closed his eyes and began to deduce.

First scenario: Night, Class C sneak attack. Target: Destroy the water source. Probability: 40%.

Second scenario: Class A sets a trap during tomorrow's small task. Probability: 30%.

Third scenario: Internal disagreement within Class B, cooperation collapses. Probability: 25%.

Fourth scenario: ...Unknown? Probability: 5%.

Unknown? Ayanokoji frowned. This meant there was a variable he had not anticipated at all.

What could it be?

"Ayanokoji." Suzune Horikita's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"What is it?"

"There is something strange," Horikita said, sitting down beside him. "Just now, while coming down the mountain, I noticed that the number of people in Class C was off."

"What do you mean?"

"There were fifteen of them when they went up the mountain, but when they came down... there were only fourteen."

One person missing?

Ayanokoji was immediately on alert. "Are you sure?"

"I am. I counted twice."

Someone had vanished. In the chaos immediately following the end of the task, it was easy for one person to go unnoticed.

Where had that person gone? Were they injured and carried away, or... did they have some other objective?

"Tell Hirata to strengthen the night watch," Ayanokoji said, standing up. "Tonight might not be peaceful."