Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Survival Event (2)
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Morning of the survival event day.
"Don't gooo..., sob, Ken, don't gooo...!"
After finishing breakfast, just as I was about to head out on time, Rafne blocked me right on cue, exactly as expected.
She wrapped her arms around my waist from behind and refused to let go.
"Ra, Rafne. I'll really come back. I promise."
"But, but..."
I heard her mumbling with her face buried in my back.
She had seemed down during breakfast but had accepted it by then.
I pried Rafne's hands loose and turned to face her.
"This is for lifting Rafne's curse too. Just wait a little longer. I'll definitely return in five days."
"Uuuh, sob, okay..."
Even as she tried to stop me like this, she surely knew I'd come back.
With that in mind, Rafne finally accepted it, her tear-streaked face opening wide as she spread her arms.
"...Hug me once."
"...Mm."
With no choice, I stepped into her open arms and draped mine over her shoulders.
Rafne's grip around my waist tightened.
As if she never wanted to let go, she buried her face in my chest and said,
"You'll definitely come back, right? No lies?"
"Really, truly. I promise."
It was just a five-day survival event, nothing like being conscripted into war.
Yet the guilt weighing on me felt exactly like heading off to battle.
I tenderly stroked the head of Rafne sniffling in my arms.
There was still a little time left, so I'd wait until she was satisfied.
"Sob, wuu, Keenn..."
"Al, alright, I'll really be going now."
After closing the door and descending the tower, Rafne's wails echoed from the upper floors.
How could I not come back after hearing that?
I had to wrap up this event as fast as possible and return.
I had no idea what state Rafne's mental health would be in over these five days.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
An open clearing surrounded by forest.
I claimed a decent spot in front of the central platform.
A ton of students had already gathered by the time I arrived at the designated location.
In the game, they showed up as enemies, so I'd figured as much.
But damn, there were really a lot of participants.
"Then, I'll explain the rules for this tournament."
The teacher who seemed to be in charge climbed onto the platform and laid out the rules.
This survival event was a sub-content event in the game—nothing too major.
So the rules weren't complicated.
Students entered the forest in sequence and survived for five days.
In the game, food and shelter weren't big deals, but basic rations were provided by the organizers.
Tents and survival gear were hidden all over the woods too.
Well, it was a world with magic, after all.
Fire, tents—you could manage without the hidden stuff easily enough.
The real key was what came next.
The factor deciding the winner.
Each participant got a badge.
The one with the most badges after five days won.
Three prizes total.
First place—with the most badges—picked their prize first, down to third getting whatever was left.
"Ken."
Toward the end of the explanation, Mary approached from the side.
"I'll be going all out in this tournament."
"I, I see."
Mary's face was her usual blank mask, but I caught a glimpse of steely resolve.
"So even if we run into each other, I won't hold back."
"Sure, no problem."
Truth was, Mary was one of the two people I was most on guard against right now.
This survival event was all about snatching badges through combat.
Mary was a top-tier talent at the academy—a major threat.
Wonder if I could take her in a straight fight.
But Mary's stern expression suddenly softened; she looked away, cheeks flushing.
"S-so... if I win a prize... will you come with me? ...To the restaurant."
Ah, right—she was the one I hadn't given a direct answer to yet.
She was nailing that down.
"Of course! Wouldn't miss it."
My reply turned her anxious look into a small smile.
Man, Emily was pushing it hard, and now Mary too—what made this restaurant so special?
I was getting kinda excited.
"Alright, my turn now. I'll head in first."
With a wave, Mary headed into the forest.
I waved her off with a fond smile.
"Ow?!"
Pain stabbed my side.
"Why the creepy grin? That thrilled?"
"E-Emily?"
Turning toward the pain, there was Emily, face full of pouty annoyance.
"Hey, I didn't get a straight answer either."
Flustered by her sulky expression—first time seeing it in a while—Emily jabbed my side again.
"...You'll go with me, right?"
Her upward gaze held a hint of caution.
Probably about the restaurant.
"Duh, of course. Why wouldn't I?"
"Yeah?"
She broke into a soft smile and stepped back.
Satisfied, she quit poking my side.
"Then I'll give it my all. You too, Ken."
Emily waved and left.
Her earlier grumpy face flashed in my mind, so I waved back with the biggest grin I could muster.
Everyone was dead serious.
"...Alright, my turn."
And so our personal little showdowns kicked off.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Deep in the quiet forest.
A tournament participant—Albert, a fellow student—moved cautiously, eyes scanning for threats.
Like most, his reason for joining?
The restaurant voucher.
This upscale spot was one of the city's top gems, with meals costing a fortune.
Lots of students—especially couples—entered solely for that prize.
Albert was no exception.
'Somehow... at least top three.'
With first pick going to number one, no guarantee the voucher would last to third.
But for his girlfriend waiting back home, he'd give it everything.
'I'll snag it for sure, so hang tight, Laura.'
His beloved's face in mind, Albert pressed on, alert and thorough.
Half a day in.
The morning start had blown past noon long ago.
Students had staked claims all over the woods by now.
So Albert scouted for his base first.
This wasn't a one-nighter.
Five-day survival meant prioritizing food and shelter.
Tournament rations were skimpy—might need to forage.
Best spot? Near water.
Base by a river.
That's what guided him now.
'......Who's that?'
A human shape flickered at vision's edge.
Forest shadows hid details; Albert tensed up instantly.
'Pl-please not Adrian...'
He'd heard Adrian Faraday was in and nearly bailed.
Anyone but him—he couldn't beat Adrian.
Cold sweat beading, heart pounding, he watched the figure approach.
Then...
It emerged.
"Huh? Hey there."
A pudgy guy.
Albert knew him—same year.
Ken Fine Stein.
Total weakling, not even on his threat radar.
"Hah, it's you? Talk about bad luck!"
Albert whipped out his sword.
No killing allowed, obviously.
Battle ended the moment surrender was declared.
Loser forked over the badge.
Albert didn't think it'd go that far.
Ken was the academy punchbag—the fat slob loser.
Pathetic tail tagging after powerhouse Mary Heidi.
A little intimidation, and he'd cough up the badge scared.
"Hand it over and beat it."
Sword tip trained on Ken.
No grudge, but it was dog-eat-dog.
Better bluff hard to skip the fight.
He expected panic—drop and dash.
Instead... Ken smiled.
"Uh... sorry. You know me, but I got no clue who you are."
"......What?"
Albert blinked.
Made sense—he was nobody.
Everyone knew infamous Ken, but Albert? Dime a dozen.
That wasn't the shock.
'Why isn't this punk scared...?'
Did he look soft?
Nah. Tournament combat or not, Albert had muscle to back his rep.
Trained physique screamed it.
"...Albert. ...Albert Kaiman."
"Ah, Mr. Albert! Got it..."
Why ask his name?
Buddying up to weasel out?
Waste of breath.
Not handing freebies for chit-chat.
Then Ken hit him with,
"So, Mr. Albert, sword guy, huh? ...Melee main?"
What the hell kind of question?
Albert's irritation spiked.
Just drop it already—stop needling him.
"Melee? And? Could trash you without spells."
Anger laced his tone.
But Ken? Just smirked wider.
Like he'd gotten the answer he wanted.
Not that nice-guy smile—a serpentine one.
"Then... unique skill's melee too?"
"......What?"
And Ken Fine Stein closed in slow.
"H-hold up... stop! Don't move!"
Albert froze, wary.
Why's a fat slob rattling me?
Questions swirled; then Ken's voice rang out in the silent woods.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡
Calorie Burn
Mana pulsed with the words; Albert couldn't believe his eyes.
That round, sloppy fatso body...
Shrinking before his eyes.
"...Ha?"
In moments—a ripped dude stood there.
"W-wait! Come any closer and...!"
Hands shaking for no reason.
How? Magic? Illusion?
Yeah—fake-out spell, probably.
Desperate bluff.
Albert bellowed to halt him.
But one blink...
Ken—gone.
"Gurhk!!"
Agonizing gut punch.
Ken Fine Stein's fist, owner nowhere moments ago.
'Wh-when did he...!'
Closing slow from afar...
Then bam—instant gap, fist buried deep.
"G-gweeeek━."
Worst: the raw power.
Another and he'd black out.
Vomiting breakfast amid tears and snot.
Stomach emptied, Albert looked up quaking.
A stranger smiled down—kindly, but eyes pitiless.
"Alright, Mr. Albert. All your food and badge. Hand 'em over."
Another smirk.
"Time's short."
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