Outcast Nerd: NTR Player

〈Episode 52〉 AssaTalk: I Talk a Lot When I Know Stuff

“Alright, everyone ready?”

“Yeah~”

Jikil stood in front of the students and spoke.

With his towering height, good looks, heroic skills, and medical knowledge, Jikil quickly became very popular among the students.

Even now, the students were looking at him with eyes full of trust.

“Starting now, you’ll enter the island to carry out survival training. The overall format will be similar to the hunting assignment we did before.”

As he said this, Jikil lifted his wristwatch for everyone to see.

“You gain points by defeating monsters on this island. Your ranking will depend on the amount of points you collect. You can also check not only your own score but other students’ scores as well through the watch.”

Yujin stared silently at the watch on his wrist.

Honestly, he didn’t have many good memories associated with this thing.

Like that time during class when they encountered an Ogre?

He didn’t exactly want to call that a “good memory,” even if pressed.

“However, this time it’s not just about short-term hunting; you’ll have to stay on the island for several days. You’ll only have enough food and water for one day. So, you should consider appropriate survival methods while thinking ahead.”

No matter how great a hero someone might be, nobody can hunt endlessly without eating for several days.

Especially since the location is an unfamiliar remote island.

If you don’t sleep or eat, your stamina will drop instantly.

This means pace management is essential.

Thinking about it this way, the difficulty isn’t just extended by a few days—it’s multiplied several times over.

“Of course, if teachers observing deem it dangerous, or if you request rescue via the watch, we’ll come get you. But note that doing so will result in disqualification. Also, there’s reportedly a boss-level monster called ‘Two-Headed Serpent’ on this island.”

Yujin didn’t take those words at face value.

Didn’t the rescue team fail to arrive promptly during the Ogre incident last time?

True, it turned out later that Black Heaven had a scheme involved, but…

Yujin didn’t know all of that yet.

“Still, this time, I shouldn’t have anything to worry about, right?”

There was a reason why Yujin, who usually kept to himself, was feeling so confident.

First off, thanks to Senior, he’d become much stronger than before.

Chulsoo had been practicing hard too,

and the Class President was at the top of the Academy.

If anyone got hurt, Younghee, the healer, could patch them up.

As long as no super-dangerous monsters showed up like last time, everything should be fine.

Actually, with this team, they could probably handle dozens of Ogres without issue.

“I don’t really want to fight monsters, but the others will be focused on their grades, so I need to aim for high scores.”

He didn’t want to slack off and end up being disliked.

After all, this is still an exam.

The other students are putting everything into it to win scholarships.

If possible, he wanted to help everyone get good scores.

“Alright! Let’s give it my best!”

…

Meanwhile, as Yujin thought this,

Younghee was standing slightly apart, gazing blankly at Chulsoo.

“Lately, whenever I look at Chulsoo, I feel weird.”

It’s like something’s stuck in her chest, poking at her.

His tone and actions irritate her.

But it wasn’t always like this.

Just seeing Chulsoo used to make her happy.

Could pretending to like Yujin have made her actually lose feelings for Chulsoo?

Younghee shook her head side to side.

Chulsoo is still important to her.

He’s someone she needs to protect.

She’s only acting as Yujin’s girlfriend to safeguard that relationship.

“I’ll use this test to clear my mind.”

With that resolve, Younghee calmed her restless feelings.

At the same time, Chulsoo was quietly watching the back of the Class President.

“Why did the President suddenly decide to help Kim Yujin train?”

Though Chulsoo insisted he was fine when speaking to the President,

he was genuinely shocked by the news that she would help Kim Yujin.

Was it repayment for saving her life?

That’s certainly plausible given how diligent the President is.

The problem was that the recipient was *that* Kim Yujin.

There was a chance he’d exploit the situation somehow.

Maybe he’d gaslight the President by taking advantage of her gratitude.

And with the mandatory days of forced proximity due to the assignment,

there was no way Kim Yujin would pass up such a golden opportunity.

“I’ll have to keep an eye on the President during this assignment.”

Chulsoo nodded firmly, making his decision.

While Chulsoo was resolving this,

the Class President was glancing sideways at Yujin.

“This is my chance.”

The President needed to prove her strength to Yujin.

To show him that the person who belongs by his side is her.

That only she could assist with his training.

The problem was finding the right moment and opportunity.

After all, Yujin had already said he didn’t need her help with training.

Forcing the issue would seem strange.

But because of this assignment, they’d be stuck together for several days anyway.

During that time, she planned to demonstrate her competence.

Within these few days, the President intended to make Yujin realize he needed her.

“To achieve this, I need to show Yujin my best side.”

While the President resolved herself,

Yujin looked ahead, lost in thought.

“Heh-heh! It feels like going camping with friends—this is fun! We might even get to grill some meat!”

And so, each lost in their own thoughts,

the boat sailed toward the island where they’d survive for several days.

****

Students were scattered across various locations.

After all, dropping everyone in the same spot would lead to excessive competition, which made sense given the purpose of this test—to cultivate survival skills and cooperation.

Perhaps thanks to that arrangement,

they hadn’t encountered any competing students after walking quite a distance.

Though failing to meet any monsters could be considered a problem.

“Hmm… shall we camp here today?”

After briefly looking up at the sky, Yujin suggested.

The sun was setting but the weather remained bright.

“Hey, Yujin. Is worrying about us okay?”

At the President’s question, Yujin shook his head.

“It’s the first day, so there’s no need to push ourselves too hard. Better to prepare early. Besides, there’s water nearby.”

Looking around, sure enough, there was a small stream close by.

Did Yujin think of this beforehand?

How could the Black Heaven heir possibly care about such things?

“Anyway, let’s set up camp here and go find some food. Chulsoo and I will go, so ladies, please take care of the tent.”

“…Got it.”

Chulsoo nodded silently.

Though Yujin was still somewhat annoying,

since there was nothing wrong with the suggestion, there was no reason to refuse.

Besides, it gave him a chance to continue monitoring Yujin.

If Yujin hadn’t proposed it, Chulsoo would’ve dragged him along anyway.

As they walked,

Chulsoo glanced sideways at Yujin.

“…Surprisingly cooperative.”

“Huh?”

“You’re leading the team and showing consideration on your own.”

Upon hearing this, Yujin paused, then realized something important.

“Wow, now that I think about it, I’ve been communicating really well ever since we got here!”

The characteristic of socially awkward people talking more once they’re comfortable in their field!

Since arriving on the island, Yujin had been displaying that trait without reservation.

Who would’ve guessed he’d naturally converse with friends like this?

Assassin Jinjin shining bright!

“Yujin’s actually a capable kid! Let’s grab plenty of food and make this an unforgettable experience!”

Unaware of Yujin’s thoughts,

Chulsoo continued slowly.

“Well, I don’t have any complaints. It’s normal for the strongest person to lead the team.”

Chulsoo spoke seriously.

Truthfully, he wanted to settle things with Yujin right now, even knowing defeat was likely.

Challenging someone is different from winning.

“Since that guy has gotten involved with the President, I now have even more reason to take him down.”

Unfortunately, it was the middle of the assignment.

If it were just about himself, he wouldn’t care.

The problem was harming Younghee and the President if they fought here.

He wasn’t fighting to harm them—he was fighting to protect them.

If their grades suffered, it would defeat the purpose.

“So, let’s declare a temporary truce for now. You must want that too, right?”

“Huh?”

Regardless, Yujin scanned the surroundings, picking up rolling nuts and fruits enthusiastically.

“Oh, this is something the senior said was edible.”

Lost in gathering stuff, Yujin vaguely heard Chulsoo’s words and nodded absentmindedly.

He didn’t really care about duels or whatever Chulsoo was talking about.

Yujin didn’t feel like dealing with that stuff after coming all the way here.

“Fine, do what you want.”

“But remember this…”

Suddenly, Chulsoo drew his sword horizontally.

A beam of energy cleanly severed the neck of a wild boar nearby.

The boar collapsed instantly.

“The moment this assignment ends, I’ll be your challenger again.”

“Hmm…”

Staring alternately at the fallen boar and Chulsoo, Yujin suddenly adopted a serious expression.

“Is this guy also suffering from Middle-Curl Syndrome?”

The way he talked and acted…

He seemed completely absorbed in some intense concept.

One Suhyun suffering from Middle-Curl Syndrome was enough—this guy really needed to chill.

“Still, we got food, so everything’s good!”

Finding game on the first day in such a forest was lucky.

If they butchered it and smoked the leftovers, they’d have food for a while.

Most importantly, meat—it really gave it that campfire vibe!

Yujin grinned broadly as he approached the boar.

Chulsoo followed silently behind, still keeping a wary eye on him.

Their first day on the island flowed by like this.

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