Survival Test (7)
Treasure No. 19. 100% HP Recovery Voucher.
"A treasure not found in the original work."
Probably a new addition since Baek Ahyeong came to the academy.
"Feels like a spare life."
Well... I'll see if it'll really come in handy.
Alice was giving me the side-eye.
Honestly, I don't think I'll use it as a backup life. Maybe toss it into the mix tonight or tomorrow night in a cave like this.
"Let's get out for now. Doesn't seem like there's anything more to gain."
"Yeah."
We stepped outside. Around noon, a big helicopter cruised into the sky.
"That looks like a supply helicopter."
Now, things are getting interesting. While treasures and boss monsters are the kind of thing you stumble upon first by not knowing where they are, supply boxes literally rain down from the sky. That's why scuffles often kick off.
"Oh? That seems worth a look."
A supply crate landed not far from where we were. I've got my essentials, but supply boxes pack more than just food; they're loaded with stuff that comes in handy for survival.
You'll find useful bits like sleeping gear to dodge the rough nights, cooking tools for grub, special training gadgets exclusive to the survival test, and, most importantly, every time you zap the code inside the supply crate with a smartwatch, the survival test app gets updated.
You can scope out where people are hanging, spot monsters or treasures, and more.
"Alice, let's go check that out."
"Are you sure about this? It might turn into a student gathering hotspot."
"We're together; what's there to fret about."
Alice and I quickly moved our feet. It fell quite close, so we should see it soon...
"Oh, look at that."
I might as well cross my fingers for some sleeping gear. Sharing a tent with Alice will be awkward.
Taking the lead, Alice cracked open the supply box.
"There's nothing in it...?"
"What? Did someone beat us to it..."
Thump!
My Battle Sense tingled, warning me of danger. Without thinking, I conjured up Cotton Guard on my right.
Whoosh!
"No way, it's blocked! Wasn't it supposed to hide mana?"
"Check out our opponent. It's that guy."
"Alice and Lee Hoyeon teaming up? That's a serious balance breakdown."
"Not really~"
Four students popped out from the right bushes. Since I couldn't sense their mana, they probably obtained an artifact from the supply box to conceal themselves.
Most artifacts can't escape my Mana Sensitivity, but those exclusive to the survival test, though limited, pack quite a punch. Maybe they synced up with my smartwatch. Still, lucky I caught on in the end.
"Caught me off guard there."
"...Off guard? Really, how did you predict that?"
"Just a gut feeling."
Alice looked a bit sheepish for not detecting the ambush. I geared up for a fight.
"Ugh, talk about unlucky."
"Still, it's 4 against 2; we got this, right?"
The students who ambushed us are from Class A, familiar faces but not familiar names. Teaming up with four top-class students, they're probably pretty confident... but tough luck for them.
"Hey, I'm taking the artifact."
I had my eyes on the green veil the girl in the back was holding.
***
"Not too shabby."
Naturally, we took down the four and sent them on their way. Checking the loot, there was an artifact called Verdant Veil, something that can make you blend in. Surely, there's a use for that.
I tucked the artifact into my pocket and strolled toward the boss monster. It was the only one I knew the location of. Unlike treasures, monsters tend to roam, making them elusive. But in this cave, only the giant tarantula stays put.
"Alright, let's do this."
I was gearing up to boost the team spirit when Alice hit the brakes.
"Hey... I, I'm running low..."
"Oh, sure. Thanks."
Why did she suddenly become so formal?
She offered to stand guard herself, so I'm thankful. With Alice now outside, erasing her presence and hiding in the foliage, I can relax.
"Ahyeong, it's been a while. Right?"
"Yeah... I haven't seen you in a while..."
To be honest, three days isn't that long to go without seeing each other... We've been seeing each other so frequently until now.
"Why didn't you tell me about the survival test in advance? I could have prepared more comfortably." I teased her just for the fun of it.
"S-Sorry... I'm bound by the Mana Oath..."
"Enough with the excuses. Come over here."
"Hmph..."
★ Heroine Status Window
[Baek Ahyeong]
[Affection: 89] (+0.5)
[Lust: 80]
[Appetite: 30]
[Fatigue: 35]
Current Status: Didn't expect to see him this week... Hmm, I'm so happy.
I initially tried to take care of Ahyeong more since she was the only heroine outside the academy, but now she's become the person I meet the most. In the beginning, it was difficult to fit into her perverted antics, but now I feel like we've become one, and it's a bit scary.
I pulled a chair out of the pocket subspace and sat down, legs stretched out.
"Ahyeong, do you miss it? It's been ages..."
"Yes, darling..." Baek Ahyeong, kneeling down, unzipped my pants. She then stared intently at my somewhat erected penis and licked her lips.
I hope she's not thinking of calling my penis 'darling' instead of me...
***
Alice left Baek Ahyeong and Lee Hoyeon to their own devices in the cave and strolled outside. Activating her smartwatch, she used the communication voucher Lee Hoyeon had just handed her.
[Available for 1 person. Duration: 5 minutes. The academy assures no eavesdropping nor recording. However, severe punishment may be imposed if any actions that affect the test are revealed.]
A warning popped up as the contact window appeared, and Alice pressed the Sebastian button.
"Sebastian, can you hear me?"
[Miss?! Are you not in the middle of the survival test?]
Sebastian seemed bewildered by the sudden contact.
"Yeah. I got a chance to communicate outside, so sorry for interrupting your vacation."
While he probably would've enjoyed a week-long break, Alice felt a tad sorry, but urgent matters couldn't wait.
[No, it's alright. What happened that you're calling during the test?]
"Do you happen to keep any videos or photos while investigating Lee Hoyeon's relationships?" Alice asked cautiously, lowering her voice.
[Videos or photos...? I do have pictures of Lucy and Lumi with him in a café, and pictures of him and Saint Baek Ahyeong entering the infirmary, among others.]
"No, more specifically... any photos involving him, you know... having se-sex or intimate contact?"
Alice was so frustrated with Sebastian for the first time.
I don't need those photos! Why are you making me spell it out?
[Those don't exist. Direct videos or photos like those are too risky....]
"I've been in contact with him, and I need to find his weakness. Can you provide such photos? Oh, videos would be even better. The more explicit, the better."
[Um... that seems quite difficult. Firstly, Lee Hoyeon's barrier magic is high, and to capture a video, I'd need to be in the same location for a few minutes...]
"Oh, so it's beyond your abilities, huh... So be it. I'll find another way myself."
[Wait, I... I will do my best to figure something out.]
Alice smirked. She knew just how to nudge someone with a once-inflated pride.
"Alright. Don't push yourself too hard."
[No, I will ensure perfect preparation before you arrive.]
"Thanks, Sebastian."
Time was up, and the call ended.
It can't be over, right...?
With limited knowledge in intimate matters, Alice found it difficult to estimate the duration of the relationship between a man and a woman. She hastily unfolded the Verdant Veil to erase her presence and stealthily approached the cave wall, sneaking inside.
Gulp
Only the sound of swallowed saliva lingered outside the cave.