Outcast Talk: Gets Chatty on Familiar Ground
"Alright, everyone ready?"
"Yes~!"
Dr. Jekyll stood before the students, announcing with a smile. With his tall stature, handsome looks, hero-level skills, and medical knowledge, he'd gained massive popularity among the students in no time flat. Even now, they gazed at him with eyes full of trust.
"From this point on, you'll head to the island for a survival test. The overall class format is the same as the previous hunting assignment."
As he spoke, Jekyll lifted his wrist to show off the watch strapped there.
"Catch monsters on the island, and your points go up. The system ranks you based on total points. You can also check your own score—and others'—in real time during the test."
Yujin stared quietly at the watch on his own wrist. Honestly, he didn't have great memories tied to this thing. If he had to pick one, it was running into that ogre during class? He wouldn't exactly call that a fond memory, even if he survived.
"But this isn't a short hunt— you'll be staying on the island for several days. You've only got rations and water for one day. Think about survival strategies with the future in mind, yeah?"
No matter how elite a hero you were, you couldn't hunt nonstop for days without eating. Especially on an unfamiliar remote island. Skip sleep and food, and your stamina would hit rock bottom in no time. Pacing yourself was key. Viewed that way, the difficulty wasn't just a few extra days—it was several times harder.
"Of course, if the observing teacher deems it too dangerous, or if you request rescue via the watch, we'll come get you. But that'll mean disqualification from the test, so be careful. Especially since there's a boss-grade monster called the 'Two-Headed Serpent' on this island."
Yujin didn't take those words at face value. They hadn't come running during the ogre incident last time either. Sure, there'd been Heukcheon's schemes behind that, but he didn't know that part yet.
Whatever. Should be smooth sailing this time!
There was solid reason for outcast Yujin to feel this confident. For starters, thanks to his mentor, he was way stronger now than back then. Cheolsu had trained hard too, and the class president had top-tier academy scores. If anyone got hurt, healer Younghee could patch them up. Unless some crazy dangerous monster like last time showed up, they'd be fine. Hell, this team could probably handle dozens of ogres.
I hate fighting monsters, but the others care about their grades, so I gotta aim high to help out.
Slacking off and getting hated? No thanks. It was a test—might as well crush it. The others were going all-out for scholarships anyway. He'd do his best to help them score big.
Alright! Time to hustle!
…!
…!
…!
While Yujin mulled that over, Younghee stared blankly at Cheolsu from a short distance away.
Lately, looking at Cheolsu feels... weird.
Something tugged at her chest, like a loose thread snagging. Every word, every gesture grated on her. It hadn't been like this before. Just gazing at him used to make her happy.
Is it because I've been pretending to like Yujin? Did my feelings for Cheolsu really cool off?
Younghee shook her head. Cheolsu was still precious to her. Someone she had to protect. That's why she was playing Yujin's girlfriend.
I'll sort out my feelings for sure during this test.
With that resolve, she steadied her turbulent emotions.
Meanwhile, Cheolsu eyed the class president's back silhouette.
Why'd the president suddenly offer to help train with Kim Yujin?
He'd insisted to her that he was fine, but hearing she'd help Yujin had shocked him. Repaying the guy who saved him? Sure, that tracked—she was diligent like that. The problem was her partner: that Kim Yujin. A guy like him would twist it any way he could. Exploit her gratitude, gaslight her maybe. And with the assignment forcing them together for days? Perfect chance for him.
I gotta watch over the president during this test. Keep her safe.
Cheolsu nodded firmly, steeling himself.
As he did, the class president stole glances at Yujin's profile.
This is my chance.
She had to prove her worth to Yujin. Show him she was the one who belonged by his side. That only she could help with his training.
The issue? No good opening yet. He'd straight-up said he didn't need her help. Forcing it would look weird. But this class meant days stuck together—no escaping that. She'd prove her competence in that time. Make him see he needed her.
For that, I gotta show Yujin my best side, no matter what.
As the class president hardened her resolve, Yujin gazed ahead, lost in thought.
Hehe! Feels like camping with friends—super fun! Bet we can grill some meat too!
With such different thoughts swirling, the boat headed toward the island where they'd survive for days.
****
The students were dropped off in scattered spots. Made sense—if they all landed together, competition would skyrocket. The test aimed to build survival skills and teamwork, after all.
Thanks to that, even after walking quite a ways, they hadn't run into rivals. Or monsters, which was the real issue.
"Hmm, let's camp here for the night."
Yujin glanced at the sky and said so. The sun was dipping but the weather still clear.
"Hey, Yujin. If you're thinking of us, that's fine?"
The class president spoke up, but Yujin shook his head.
"It's still day one—no need to push. Better to set up now. Water's close by too."
A quick look around confirmed it: a small stream nearby. Had he noticed that too? Heukcheon's young master, factoring in stuff like this?
"Anyway, let's make camp here and forage food. Me and Cheolsu'll handle it—girls, mind the tents?"
"...Sure."
Cheolsu nodded quietly. He still hated Yujin, but it was a solid plan—no reason to nix it. Plus, it let him keep tabs on the guy. If Yujin hadn't suggested it, he'd have tagged along anyway.
As they walked, Cheolsu glanced at Yujin.
"...You're surprisingly cooperative."
"Am I?"
"Leading the team like this, being considerate."
Yujin pondered that, then realized something huge.
Wait, I've been communicating like a pro since we hit the island!
The outcast trait: clam up normally, but turn into a chatterbox on home turf! Since arriving, Yujin was living it. Who knew he'd chat so naturally with friends someday? Total outcast-loser-freak turnaround.
Yujin's a kid who can do it if he tries! Might as well grab extra food and make epic memories!
Oblivious to Yujin's thoughts, Cheolsu continued slowly.
"No complaints there. Strongest guy leads— that's normal."
Cheolsu spoke in a serious tone. Truth be told, he wanted to settle things with Yujin right now. Challenge accepted, win or lose. But...
If he's messing with the president too, that's even more reason to take him down.
Regrettably, they were mid-assignment. If it was just between them, fine. But fighting here would hurt Younghee and the president. He wasn't fighting to drag them down. Protecting them was the point—screwing their scores would defeat it.
"So for now, truce—at least temporarily. That's what you want too, right?"
"Huh?"
Whatever, Yujin scanned around, scooping up wild mushrooms and fruit rolling nearby.
Oh, these are the ones mentor said are edible.
He half-heard Cheolsu mumbling about duels or whatever and nodded vaguely. No interest in scrapping here either.
"Do whatever."
"But remember this."
Cheolsu suddenly slashed his sword sideways. The sword energy sliced clean through a wild boar's neck from afar. The beast, a short distance off, dropped dead.
"The second this assignment ends, I'm your challenger again."
"Hmm."
Yujin eyed the fallen boar and Cheolsu, face turning serious.
Is this guy chuuni too?
His speech, his actions—dude was deep in some intense roleplay. One chuuni like Suhyeon was plenty; tone it down.
Whatever, food secured—win-win!
First-day meat in this forest? Lucky break. Butcher it, eat some, smoke the rest—they'd be set on rations awhile. Real campfire vibes!
Yujin grinned wide and headed for the boar. Cheolsu followed silently, eyes wary.
And so, the first day on the island slipped by.