In the Safe Zone, Jezel’s party quickly reviewed the gathered information while collecting and analyzing additional data.
“How about the Bug Shell Fried from the Bug Disaster Zone?”
“Rejected. Oknodie compromises on taste but not on hygiene. Exclude all ingredients that are grotesque.”
“Oh, Senpai! A senior from the Safe Zone pointed out a few places. They say the white petals growing in the field over here are edible?”
“The white cosmos petals grow outside the Student Dormitory Zone. Exclude any ingredients that may also be in the ingredients secured by the Foundation.”
Isabel’s and Son Ohchun’s information was all excluded.
Oknodie’s food collection status made it challenging to narrow down the destinations, as he had collected and consumed many things and stored more in his food bag, making it difficult for any ordinary ingredient to catch Oknodie’s attention.
“Despite looking like someone who eats anything, you’re surprisingly picky, kid.”
“Shut up. Narrow it down harder before I really cook something for you.”
“Haha! It’s easy not to eat!”
“If you don’t eat, I won’t cook for you again.”
“…What Isabel says doesn’t sound like a joke; it’s scary.”
With Isabel and Son Ohchun helping to gather information, even those anxious like Hestia and Lotto couldn’t demand to charge ahead recklessly.
They felt that moving blindly without Jezel’s information wouldn’t yield good results.
“Here. It’s information on a rare edible growing only in Mana Disaster areas.”
Holding back her anxious feelings, among those assisting was Jigoku, who handed over a piece of paper to Jezel. Upon noticing bloodstains on it, Jezel paused.
Acknowledging the “don’t ask for the source” look, Jezel nodded.
“This is a great help. I’ll evaluate the accessibility of the rare materials and identify the ones that Oknodie hasn’t approached yet but are definitely worth targeting.”
A rare ingredient [Pressure Herb] with a unique property that increases quality by being compacted under high pressure in a closed-off area filled with push traps.
Because of its unusual properties that are hard to find in natural environments, its rarity is somewhat high, but since it’s too early in the game, there’s a high chance Oknodie already got it.
A rare ingredient [Flame Herb] that grows in the Fire Disaster Zone, where fire rains down from the sky.
While it’s difficult to acquire and access, since it can also be sourced from outside, it’s highly probable that the Foundation already has it and it’s in their backpack.
A rare ingredient [Tasty Meat Cube] created by an ancient magician who felt pity for the animals sacrificed for meat.
It was reported that the famous meat cube, ranked in the upper tier of gourmet levels, bounces around somewhere in the [Ant Cave] section beyond the continuous disaster zones.
With a high acquisition difficulty and difficult for the Foundation to obtain, it’s located beyond their route, causing Jezel’s eyes to sparkle with excitement.
“This is it. If we rush to the Ant Cave section and acquire the Tasty Meat Cube first, we should be able to meet Oknodie.”
“We’re trailing behind the search party the most. What about the additional time spent on information gathering?”
“Someone has to catch up to the team led by Sing, who took a shortcut.”
That’s not an easy task.
Even as Sing and Mob had relied on the protective shield of the second years to navigate the chaotic shortcut, a first year alone would run the risk of having a limb broken.
“The shortcut was mainly air mobility. It’s not feasible for someone as heavy as me.”
“A fighter can’t use magic. It’s also impossible for me…”
Hestia and Lotto conceded.
Unless Jezel or Isabel were planning to rain items down from the sky, they couldn’t possibly manage with their heavy loads.
“The Thunderbolt Celestial Divine Church’s heavy armor is as heavy as Hestia’s.”
“Are you stupid? Who would go down a path where you can’t even set foot on the ground?”
Sister Nise from the Thunderbolt Celestial Divine Church and the monkey humanoid fighter Jezel neatly drew the line.
As everyone effectively displayed their refusal, only one person stepped forward.
“I’ll go.”
With Jigoku revealing her hidden talents, she was indeed capable of challenging the shortcut.
Just then, a furry hand pat Jezel’s shoulder, compelling her to reluctantly consider passing all the baggage to that one person.
“I’ll go too.”
“Son Ohchun?”
“What? Don’t you trust me?”
“It’s not a challenge you should take lightly.”
“I have confidence, so I’m accepting it.”
With the person volunteering to go, there was no reason to stop them.
Jezel let out a sigh and handed over a ring.
“It’s a ring of flight. This will save your life in case of emergencies.”
“Oh! This will be a big help. Were you hiding something this good all by yourself?”
As Jezel took off the rings she had worn and eagerly passed them along—whoosh—she handed them over, one after another.
“Next in order are the life-preserving ring, poison resistance ring, multicolor resistance ring, strength enhancement ring, swiftness ring, accuracy adjustment ring…”
“Wait, what? How am I supposed to memorize all this?”
The absurdly large number of rings were finally narrowed down to the most important few due to Son Ohchun’s intellect issues.
Everyone was stunned by Jezel’s wealth as they stared at her, but her gaze was solely on Son Ohchun’s departing silhouette.
“If you’re that worried, why didn’t you stop me at the very beginning?”
“This is what he chose to do for himself. I can’t undermine his determination to rescue a comrade. All I can do is lend him my expensive magical tools.”
“Hmmm… really?”
“Exactly.”
“By the way, may I ask something?”
“Go ahead.”
“Did you secretly wear those rings under your gloves since the entrance exam?”
Jezel’s eyes, which had been slightly agape, snapped shut like a lock.
“That’s a secret.”
Returning to her usual mysterious half-shut eyes, Jezel faced a suspicious Isabel’s questioning gaze before turning away.
*
“It’s too much for you. Don’t act foolish and give up.”
While Jigoku might say something like that in her fierce tone, she didn’t put Son Ohchun down.
“You, aren’t you faster without me?”
“Do you want to be discarded? Monkey. Move your legs instead of wasting time with nonsense.”
While running through the Mana Disaster, Jigoku suddenly spoke up.
“We had guys like you among the pirates.”
“Monkey humanoids?”
“Do you think so? It’s a rare sight. A hard worker.”
No matter how frustrated she was, there was a reason for her not to abandon Son Ohchun.
“Being a pirate is dirty, hard, and exhausting. A cursed 3D job. The country pays tributes and allows you to turn into a privateer, but the fact that it’s a lowly occupation never changes. Only those truly devoted to this filthy job remain after their bellies are full.”
“What kind of people are they?”
“Those blind with revenge. No matter how much treasure they possess, they can only see the treasure’s shine.”
“I like gold.”
Jigoku shot him an eye that seemed to curse him.
If this oblivious guy uttered another word, she’d just hit him and leave him behind.
“An early pirate who guided me down the path once said. Those who chase after things shinier than gold are all fools. She claims she never abandons such fools as her comrades.”
“Is that an invitation to join?”
“Even if you’re not a pirate, you’re one of the few I acknowledge. You probably know you lack skills but are still risking your life to chase after me right now.”
“…”
“Don’t fall behind. I don’t want to advance while leaving behind someone whose resolve is broken.”
“Haha! Who do you think I am? I’m Son Ohchun of Mount Rock, and I don’t know how to give up.”
With someone as amazing as you leading the way, how could my spirit ever falter?
That’s what Son Ohchun thought inwardly.
Jigoku stepped into the shortcut that Sing’s party had astonishingly breached without artifacts or shields.
[Pirate Mana Flow Technique]
[Pirate’s Step]
Even Jigoku, who was already struggling without the aid of artifacts, accepted the incredible speed as her bare body glided through.
Like dancing waves that tossed her around, she shook off all the impact and stepped firmly where she desired the moment it ended.
With her large cloak fully unfurled like a sail, she maintained her proud spirit.
‘This girl, after sustaining such serious injuries from that lecture with Oknodie, can wield this level of technique?’
Jigoku’s fighting spirit made Son Ohchun’s heart race.
‘This is how a true man should be!’
“Haha! You’re a good man!”
“Suddenly?”
“Shouldn’t I call you a great man to satisfy you?”
“Giggle! What dumb talk you’re having.”
Finally drawing a smile from Jigoku, they maintained their pace without slowing down and successfully caught up with Sing’s party.
“Hey, Sing! Jezel found a location where Oknodie is expected to be.”
“Good. Lead the way.”
“But where did all the second years go? Did they go ahead to scout?”
“They spent all their mana creating the protective barrier and fell behind, so I ditched them all.”
“…….”
Oknodie, blinded by rare ingredients vs. second years who ran out of mana looking for Oknodie—they had to worry more about the latter.
“Don’t get it twisted. I wouldn’t just abandon someone any time. I cut ties to avoid being tracked.”
“Tracked?”
“One of the unsanctioned individuals identified us and began pursuing.”
“Unsanctioned individuals?! Those are the super dangerous ones Jezel was talking about!”
Unlike Son Ohchun, who was taken aback by the mention of unsanctioned individuals, Jigoku glared at Sing fiercely.
“So you’re saying you ditched the second years to shake off the unsanctioned individual. Using the seniors who squeezed out their mana for you and throwing them away—do you think that’s what someone guarding Oknodie should do?”
“A single ally to help me take my revenge is enough. Oknodie is sufficient.”
“That damned filthy bastard. You don’t deserve to stand next to Oknodie. At least Oknodie wouldn’t throw away someone who supports him.”
“Then why are you here?”
“…”
“Given that you’re standing in front of me, you’ve lost your persuasive edge. A good kid who cares for his comrades—just an idea you want to believe in by yourself.”
Sing, who unnecessarily raised his insight in the Developing Insight course, exposed the parts Jigoku didn’t want to remember.
However, neither of them could continue the emotional tussle any longer.
“Everyone stop. I understand your feelings, but now isn’t the time for us to fight.”
“Who are you to talk when you agreed with Sing’s method, Mob!”
“Oh, you lovely juniors. Don’t fight. I’ve brought all the second years you left behind here.”
Jigoku, who had been furious just moments ago, turned her head toward a certain direction.
dragging sound
A senior approached, pulling along second years who were dragged along by their hair—not with a sack, but their heads as makeshift handles.
The sight of distressed second years made even Sing and Mob frown seriously at the scene.
“I left them alive because I guessed you’d be like this. If you’re so bonded by camaraderie, why not prove it yourself?”
“…What do you want?”
“One each. Hand over at least a treasure-grade artifact. If you refuse, I’ll kill you all and take all the [Lost Items] with me. Isn’t that a generous offer?”
Among the three unsanctioned individuals, the most notorious figure appeared.
Murderer Urgas had emerged.
‘That filthy vermin. What are you doing here? I hope you’re still alive…?’
Son Ohchun clenched his trembling hands, desperately hiding his fear.
*
At the Barrier at the entrance of the Student Dormitory Zone.
Professor El Draco, who was forcefully holding the barrier open, gaped in shock.
“What the hell, I sent someone to fetch them, where are they all, and you’re just out here by yourself?”
“Uh?”
At the same time, none of the Oknodie search party knew that Oknodie was proudly emerging from the Student Dormitory Zone, having finished his errand.
