Morning Chats and the Virtual Survival Test
Not a bait call. What then—a message? Who'd even message me? "The kids?" I tilted my head and checked my smartphone.
Yamato Chiyo (Vice President): Hello. This is Yamato Chiyo, vice president of the Providence Travel Club, Yeojeong. Looking forward to fun adventures with everyone...
Ah, the club group chat got created. I scanned the members. 62 people. Not too many, not too few.
Yamato Chiyo (Vice President): Club OT is scheduled for this coming Saturday. Attendance isn't mandatory, but it's a great chance to bond with your future travel companions...
The rest was just the announcement about the club OT this Saturday. Hmm, should I go? Nothing's on my schedule that day anyway.
"Ah."
Come to think of it, did the kids get in okay? Not too worried about Shaolin, but Tsuno Ume and Raichel Bernhardt have me a bit concerned. Ume's got a heart of gold, but his face is straight-up terrifying, like a weapon that makes your knees buckle. Raichel's got a sweet face, but her speech is cringey as hell, no different from a weapon itself.
Pushing down my worries, I scrolled through the group chat members. "Let's see..."
Social butterfly Shaolin made it in fine. Ah, there's Ume's name too. Guess he managed to chat up the interviewers somehow.
"Raichel... ah, there she is."
Raichel's account was unmistakable. Her profile pic was a selfie with one eye covered by her hand and an arrogant expression.
She must've had a rough time. Imagining her twisting and turning to get that pose just right for her profile pic had me chuckling involuntarily.
I pocketed my smartphone with a grin and finally turned the doorknob. Time to head out quick.
"Ah, Jeonghyeon. Good morning."
"Ah, yeah... good morning."
"Tired as usual today?"
Tsuno Ume plopped down next to me, where I'd been slumped over my desk, and asked.
"I'm not exactly light on my schedule, you know?"
I was tired on the regular, but today felt extra brutal. Blame it on waking up at dawn to channel the chef consciousness and whip up an ultra-deluxe bento. Oh, and I didn't skip my morning training either. No wonder my eyes kept drooping.
"Ah, I get it."
That's when Shaolin poked her head out from behind Ume and spoke up.
"Stuck practicing for a new holographic musical and running out of time?"
"Nah, no such schedule."
"Ehehe~ No need to say more. I already know without you telling me. You've gotta be under some secrecy NDA or something, right?"
No, really, there isn't. This girl's imagination is way too wild sometimes. Sure, I do sign similar contracts, but those are just NDAs about not spilling plot details or info on fellow cast members. Saying I'm practicing for a show is totally fine.
"Sigh, believe whatever you want."
"Eek! Ume! What do I do? I totally nailed it!"
"Wow~ You're amazing. You could be a detective."
Ume said it with his usual smile, just like always. I always think this, but his compliments somehow sound sarcastic. Though knowing Ume, he's not the type to mock anyone on purpose. Am I just too cynical?
Right then—
-Bzzz!
My smartphone vibrated.
"Hm? Mine?"
"Nah, mine."
I gave Shaolin a casual nod and checked my phone. One new text. Sender: Sandra Gurs?
"?"
What the—right now? I skimmed the message.
In short: How's Providence treating you? Casting for the next production—interested? Pay's double, adjusted for your fame. 200 million.
Huge sum, obviously. With all the spending on necessities and rent, my wallet's taken a hit, but this could cover it all in one go. Borrowing the actor consciousness means prep won't eat much time anyway. Plus, the shows are kinda fun. And the role Sandra Gurs pitched? An antagonist—the hero's nemesis. Playing the villain against the protagonist? Kinda cool, right?
No reason to turn it down. I fired off a positive reply.
"Why the goofy grin? Good news?"
"Eh, nothing big. Just got a role offer and said yes."
"Oh... Wait, that's huge! How are you so casual about it!?"
Just wanted to see your reaction. Shaolin's predictable, but her over-the-top responses are always entertaining.
"When? What's the show? I'm going this time! Long as it's not midterms. Ume, you come too!"
"Sounds fun."
Shaolin was bouncing with sparkling eyes, while Ume kept his steady smile. Not embarrassed if the kids come watch—heck, I've already shown my homeroom prof.
"Do whatever."
I brushed off their excitement casually—
-Creak!
The front door opened, and Eirin walked in. Ume straightened up to face forward; Shaolin scurried back to her seat.
"Time for roll call."
Every morning, Eirin calls names, we respond, and once done, she leaves with a "Work hard today." Same old routine, forever and always.
But today had a twist.
"I've got an announcement. The performance evaluation for next week just went public."
-Ooooh.
Excited murmurs rippled around the room. Performance evaluation—the one reliable way to boost rankings outside midterms and finals. No wonder the hype.
Of course, I already knew. Been a while since I played the game.
"It'll be in virtual reality. A massive island setting, where you'll survive for four days. Don't worry, you won't actually spend four days in the capsules—VR time is four days, but real time's just six hours."
VR survival for four days.
"You'll earn points by taking down beasts or erosion entities. More points, higher score. But this year, there's a new rule: Kill another student, and you snag 50% of their points instantly. Plus, the system shows everyone's points in real-time."
Player kills for 50% points. That's the fun part. Grind beasts safely, or risk it for big gains by hunting players? Two strategies, endless mind games between students.
"The top 1% point holders' locations are broadcast to everyone at all times. So use your head. Hoard too many points blindly, and you'll be target number one."
Eirin headed for the door as she continued.
"That's the announcement. Check the detailed notice on the homepage this afternoon. Now, work hard today."
With that, Eirin left the classroom.
-♪ ♫ ♬~
"That's it for today's lecture. Submit assignments online by next week."
"Thank you!"
The bell rang, signaling the end, and the classroom erupted in chatter.
"Lunch plans today?"
"Brought mine! Saw a shorts video yesterday and had to try it. Hehe, get ready for a treat?"
Shaolin proudly pulled her bento from her bag, set it on our desks, and popped the lid. Glossy, appetizing fried rice gleamed inside.
"Wow~ Looks great."
"Right? I can cook when I wanna! Yum haha!"
Shaolin puffed out her chest. Alright. Time to crush that smug shoulder in one blow.
"Brought mine too."
"Eh? You, Jeonghyeon? Didn't you say you can't cook? Too bad—today you get compared to me."
I ignored Shaolin stacking her own downfall and pulled out my bento.
"...Why's it so huge?"
"Got carried away making it."
I opened the lid. An indescribably fragrant aroma wafted up.
"What!? W-Wait! What is this?"
I glanced at Shaolin's stunned face and explained.
"Basil pesto pasta, rosemary potatoes. Caprese skewers to cut the richness. Egg slices and salad too."
"No way... You bought this! Can't accept it!"
"Harsh. Mine's way better than store-bought."
Chef consciousness plus mana infusion. Even I'm shocked by the scent.
"Jeonghyeon, you're a natural at cooking too? Impressive. Even my mom can't make stuff this good."
"Just messing around."
I basked a bit in Ume's praise. Shaolin looked half-soulless, utterly defeated. A sight for sore eyes.
"But... is there something you need?"
That's when Ume tilted his head at me.
Something I need?
"What're you on about?"
"Nothing much. Someone's behind you, Jeonghyeon."
Someone behind me? Hm. Think I know who.
I turned slowly.
There.
"......"
Serena Eldrain was staring blankly at my bento.