Chapter 30
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Rock Mountain
-----------------------------------------------------------------
'It's definitely different.'
Cash: 210,087 won
That was the thought that crossed my mind as I looked at the accumulated amount.
It was on a whole different level from running solo. Two's better than one, and three's better than two.
Thanks to that, cash farming was going smoothly.
'And the quest has moved on to the next one.'
[Survive on a Deserted Island 5]
Description: Catch threadfin bream over 20cm. (0/10)
Reward: 5 points
The main quest's difficulty had suddenly spiked. Now it wanted fish.
"Woojin, should we call it a day and move tomorrow?"
After running around earning money all day, darkness had already settled thickly around us.
"The kids next to you are dozing off too, Master."
The twins were nodding off as they walked, occasionally bumping into me with their heads.
I pondered for a brief moment.
In truth, moving at nightfall had its advantages. It wasn't as sweltering hot as midday.
But on the flip side, it was cool enough to sleep soundly.
'Pushing hard is important, but recovering fatigue with good rest is just as necessary.'
"Alright, we'll sleep and move tomorrow."
We settled in and lay down on the ground.
I gazed at the moon—so identical to Earth's—and quietly closed my eyes.
'This is just the beginning. No need to rush.'
I pulled the twins into my arms. They pressed their cheeks to my chest and drifted off with soft breaths.
"Master, are you sure this is the right way? I don't see any sign of a rock mountain—just palm trees everywhere."
We'd lightly filled our stomachs with a bunch of bananas bought early in the morning and followed the coastline.
Our destination was the rock mountain where the teachers and flight attendants had headed.
But no similar terrain appeared. Just endless white sand beaches greeting us.
"They didn't seem like they were lying. It'll show up eventually."
"But why go there specifically? Even if it's not that place, you can get water anywhere, right, Master?"
"Because it's a mountain."
"Huh?"
In the video footage, a mountain made of rocks had stood tall.
Think about it.
Everything else was flatland, but there was a mountain there?
Didn't that mean it was close to the island's center?
"We can overlook the whole island from up top. That's why we're heading there—to scout for a path up from around there."
"Ahh, yeah, you did say that was the reason. Still, we've walked a long way already and nothing's changed."
Pfft. Kim Yeonju let out a sigh.
I felt just as frustrated.
'If it weren't for that, I'd be focusing on clearing the quest.'
At least, since we were earning cash with the twins while moving, I consoled myself that it wasn't total time wasted.
Plip plip plip.
I patted Yuri's butt as a "good job" for bringing the clams.
For Yejin, I pinched and twisted her nipple a bit.
The twins retaliated by smacking my butt and tweaking my nipples before running off.
'Oh. They've gotten pretty good.'
After all that touching, their nipples were perky, poking through their swimsuits.
Just a bit more, and it'd be time.
I felt a swell of pride and anticipation—then Kim Yeonju pointed ahead and shouted.
"Master, look over there!"
Suddenly, the coastline—the line where sea met land—curved sharply inland.
In simple terms, it was an indented terrain, impossible to spot from afar.
'The tall palm trees hid it completely.'
At the end of the curving shoreline sat the rock mountain, squat and imposing.
Because palm trees grew 20-30 meters tall, we'd missed both the massive rock mountain and the indented waterway until now.
"Wow! Actual water flowing down?"
And from the rocks trickled a thin stream of water.
Thin rivulets flowed down the bedrock between massive boulders, trickling steadily.
'Looks like the teachers and flight attendants are doing fine.'
Four people were busy around the falling water.
They looked occupied, and since we were about 400 meters away, they hadn't noticed us yet.
I halted the group.
"You all wait here."
"We're not going together?"
"Nah, just me. I'm heading into the woods."
The cliff where the water fell looked sheer—no obvious path up.
So I planned to check the dense palm forest for a way up.
"It's dangerous. There are snakes in the forest!"
"Yeah, Woojin. Let's just give up on climbing up there."
I shook my head.
I had to check at least once. To get a sense of how this island we'd been roaming was shaped.
"How about going in at night then?"
"No. It's too dark; I'd get lost."
To scout terrain and find a path, I needed daylight—right now.
"Still..."
"Don't worry. I have a way to dodge the snakes."
No one else on this island would dare enter that forest, but I could.
"I'll be quick. Rest up while I'm gone."
[Danger Detection]
I cautiously entered the forest using the ability.
Reddish auras lurked everywhere, coiled and flicking tongues.
Rough count: hundreds at least.
'Still, not as dangerous as I thought. Manageable.'
At first, fear slowed me down, but as I kept moving, I realized it wasn't that bad.
At least for me, with [Danger Detection].
For a normal person, it'd be near impossible to survive.
'This way?'
I scanned the rock mountain cliff and snake positions constantly as I searched.
'Not this side.'
The rock mountain was sheer on all sides—no path visible.
'There has to be a gentler slope somewhere.'
I circled the towering rock mountain.
Gripping rocks for support, I meticulously checked for missed spots.
How far had I gone?
'Hm?'
Drenched in sweat, I spotted a narrow path between boulders.
It zigzagged but clearly led upward along the mountain.
'Found it. The way up.'
But I hesitated to step forward.
It looked natural at a glance, yet felt somehow man-made.
That incongruity nagged me, so I carefully examined the surrounding rocks.
And on one rock, I found writing—scrawled in Korean.
"...Don't let your guard down just because you've adapted to this island. What you see isn't everything. Prepare for the dangers to come."
Were there others besides us dropped into this world?
'Prepare for the dangers to come...'
I habitually touched my neck—an anxious habit.
The necklace was gone, so I clutched and released my shirt instead.
'Move first. Can't solve it by worrying now.'
I stepped into the massive boulder gap. The path zigzagged upward.
Shade, then light—repeated several times.
A cool breeze rustled my hair and clothes.
'Made it up.'
Atop the rock mountain, the surroundings unfolded dramatically.
Like green waves.
Palm fronds rose right to my feet, swaying in the wind from the mountain base far into the distance.
'Midway up the mountain?'
Looking back, the slope continued.
Flat for a stretch, then steepening gradually.
Couldn't see the whole island.
Just around me, part of the rear island, and the distant plane crash site.
To view the entire island, it'd take over 7 hours to the summit.
'Summit later.'
My goal wasn't the peak or even this island.
My goal lay beneath my feet already.
I surveyed the island, then retraced my steps.
"Just go back."
By the time I returned to the group, we had visitors.
The math teacher and male flight attendant were chatting animatedly with my group.
"Teacher Lee Sujung, come on, join us."
The math teacher poured out his plea to the homeroom teacher.
"Stranded in this wilderness—we need to band together."
He subtly took her hand.
'Right, the math teacher had a thing for her.'
He was one of many male staff who liked Teacher Lee Sujung.
The type to gossip crudely about her behind her back.
But I couldn't help smirking.
'Hey, you've got a wife and two kids. Get a grip.'
Not that I had room to talk, chasing married women. But think of your family?
"I get that Teacher Lee cares about Woojin, but for her student's safety, shouldn't she stay in a safe spot like that even more?"
"Is that so?"
"Exactly! Look—it's paradise, right?"
The math teacher turned to the flight attendant for agreement, who nodded vigorously.
"Absolutely. Nowhere better."
He beamed at the homeroom teacher.
"As you see, we have everything to survive here. Endless fresh water from above, and fish fully replace food."
That's what they'd been doing in the water—catching fish drawn to the falling stream.
Glancing at the waterway, it was half water, half fish—no joke.
Scoop with a net, and you'd haul at least a thousand. Sizes 20-30cm each.
'Conditions are solid.'
Best spot I'd seen yet.
Especially the stream flowing down the rocks caught my eye.
'Even if I buy water from the shop, the quantity's limited.'
Barely enough for drinking.
But humans use water for more than drinking—washing, for one.
'Seawater baths have limits. Skin itches after, and killing skin microbes drops immunity.'
Makes you vulnerable to disease.
Can't just skip washing, though.
Heard modern folks get swollen, infected hands after a week without washing in the wild.
Having freshwater for washing was a huge plus.
"So? Tempted?"
The math teacher asked expectantly.
"No."
The homeroom teacher's answer was firm. Kim Yeonju too.
"Hey, quit bothering us and leave already."
"Aw, come on. Try this. Smells amazing, right?"
Like showing off generosity, the math teacher offered skewer-smoked fish to my group.
The savory aroma was intense.
But my group's response was lukewarm.
"I'm good."
"Sujung too? Same here. Stomach's full from breakfast."
"Teacher Lee, it's delicious! A bit charred outside, but the taste is killer."
He started pushing harder.
Sensing her hesitation, he pressed her indecisiveness.
But she drew a firm line.
"I'm fine."
Kim Yeonju jumped in.
"Yeah, yeah. Eat up, teachers. Take ours too."
"Hey, butt out! Who asked you? Can't you see we're talking?"
The math teacher shoved Kim Yeonju aside and approached the homeroom teacher, but she was cold.
"Even hundreds wouldn't change my mind."
"Why obsess over him? What's he got that we don't?"
"A lot different. You wouldn't get it."
She and Kim Yeonju stared at the charred fish.
Kim Yeonju glanced at his crotch and shook her head.
The back-and-forth dragged on, but the result didn't change.
About an hour of persuasion, then the two gave up and left.
Wearing deeply disappointed faces.
'...Teacher Lee is pretty, though.'
Kim Yeonju was attractive too, but next to her, average.
The two men's focus on Teacher Lee alone proved it.
I quietly stroked my chin.
'Anyway, maybe time to make a move on her.'