Deserted Island Survival (2)

― KWA-A-A-AANG!!!

As the Barbarian and the boy collided head-on, a thunderous roar struck the deserted island’s beach.

“Keu, keuhuk!!”

Ian’s fist landed squarely on Kuga’s jaw.

― KUUUUNG!

Kuga’s massive figure floated momentarily in the air, then crashed into the sandy beach with a heavy thud.

“Uh, uhh…!?”

Kuga, sprawled on the sand, opened his eyes wide.

‘What kind of punching power is this…!?’

He had let his guard down because of Ian’s small frame.

He’d seen the punch coming, but figured a small fist like that couldn’t possibly hurt much and just took the hit.

Rather than dodging or blocking, he intended to endure it with his weight class and then pin Ian down to subdue him.

But—

“U, uweoh…!”

When he came to after being hit, he realized he was already lying on the ground.

Even now, his vision was spinning dizzily.

“K, keuhk!”

A blow so staggering, it was hard to believe it came from a boy’s fist.

Even if he’d been struck by a full-grown bull, he wouldn’t have been taken down so helplessly.

“Keeuuu…!”

However, Kuga was the most promising warrior of his tribe.

He was shocked by Ian’s heavy punch, but had no intention of surrendering just because he’d been hit once.

Kuga forced his wobbling limbs to move, struggling desperately to get up.

But—

“As expected, you’re getting back up.”

Ian had no intention of letting Kuga stand again.

“Typical Barbarians.”

― BAAAAK!!

Ian’s kick drove deep into Kuga’s face just as he barely managed to straighten his back.

“Keu, keuheok!”

Like being struck by a horse’s hoof, Kuga’s head snapped back hard.

But the opponent was a Barbarian gifted with monstrous strength—a natural-born physical genius, at that.

This much wasn’t enough to knock him out.

So—

― CHUK!

Ian-nimbly mounted Kuga as he fell.

A mount position.

“It, it’s not over yet…!”

Kuga, forcing strength into his blurring eyes, tried to push Ian off.

“Of course. Far from over, isn’t it?”

Ian pressed Kuga’s arms down with his knees, thoroughly blocking any chance of counterattack.

Barbarian warriors—especially ones like Kuga with tenacity and persistence—would keep coming endlessly unless killed outright or knocked unconscious.

Ian had fought this type countless times in his previous life, so he showed no mercy.

― BAK! BAK! BAK! BAK!

Ian’s sturdy fists pummeled Kuga’s jaw in rapid succession.

“Ugh! Uhak! Keok! Keukh!”

Kuga groaned in rhythm, as if being struck like a percussion instrument.

Kuga’s jaw was as hard as iron.

― BANG! KWANG! KWANG! BANG!

But Ian’s fists were relentless, like a blacksmith’s hammer.

“Keu! Keok! Wa, wait! Keuak!”

Even Kuga’s iron jaw began to crack under Ian’s seasoned fists.

“Uuueck…!”

― CHUWK!

Soon Kuga’s eyes rolled back completely as his body went limp.

“Whew.”

Ian’s fist stopped just under Kuga’s chin.

“You really are sturdy.”

Honestly, Ian hadn’t planned to hit him this much.

But since Kuga showed no signs of fainting, Ian had gradually increased his strength, bringing out more than half his full power before felling him.

If Kuga were an ordinary human, his jaw would’ve been shattered—his whole face would’ve become pulp.

Kuga’s bones and muscles were so sturdy that, despite taking so many punches, a few fractures were the worst of it.

Such injuries could be healed quickly by the healers waiting on the ship.

― FLASH!

At that moment, a jewel set in Kuga’s belt glowed red.

It was a biosignal detection device provided for this exam.

The red light meant he was unconscious.

An instructor nearby would soon come to recover Kuga.

“Well then…”

― ZZIIIK!

Ian gently detached Kuga’s name tag from his chest.

This secured him an extra 200 points.

He checked Kuga’s breathing and pulse, then stood up.

‘Did that take about five minutes?’

He’d thought it would be over in three, but Kuga was sturdier than expected, so it took a bit longer.

― TUK TUK!

Ian brushed the sand off his pants and walked into the forest.

Now it was time to find Sophia again.

* * *

A ship circling near the deserted island.

“Wha—Wh—My goodness…”

“He overwhelmed Cadet Kuga… so utterly…”

The instructors in the control room stared at the magic screen in awe.

On the magic screen, Kuga was shown collapsed on the beach.

The white waves constantly washed over his body under the blazing sun.

Ian had already disappeared into the forest and was out of sight.

“Cadet Ian did receive the Heavenly Blood Pill from the Heavenly Sword Lord, but still… like this…”

“This isn’t even a contest. Kuga couldn’t put up a fight.”

“Is Cadet Ian just that amazing, or is the Heavenly Blood Pill that amazing…?”

“Probably both.”

Kuga, in terms of sheer physical prowess, was a once-in-a-generation powerhouse, surpassing even Yuria’s natural-born talent.

At fourteen, he boasted physical ability greater than an adult Barbarian, and could crush rocks with his bare hands without aura.

This exam prohibited the use of aura, and sword spirits weren’t allowed either, so the instructors were sure Kuga would take first place.

This class’s children were, at most, fourteen to sixteen years old.

How could anyone, without aura or sword techniques, hope to defeat Kuga, who was stronger than an adult Barbarian?

So they had thought.

Yet Kuga was utterly defeated and thoroughly subdued by Ian in just five minutes.

“Was there any aura reaction from Cadet Ian?”

The cadet’s belts detected not only vital signs but aura usage as well.

If a cadet used aura, the control room would know immediately.

But there was no reaction showing on the panel next to the screen.

“No aura was detected whatsoever. Cadet Ian subdued Cadet Kuga with pure strength and technique.”

“Unbelievable… Among the Barbarians I’ve seen in my fifteen years, Kuga was top tier. You rarely see someone so naturally built, even among Barbarians.”

“Cadet Ian isn’t just one of the top contenders. He’s completely outside the realm of common sense.”

“Wow… to do that with such a small body… Is the effect of the Heavenly Blood Pill really that extreme?”

“No. Even before getting the Heavenly Blood Pill, cadet Ian already overwhelmed Lady Yuria. Defeating Kuga isn’t just about the pill.”

“That’s why the Heavenly Sword Lord is keeping an eye on him.”

“Haaa. Cadet Ian’s future is dazzling. I can see his bright future as plain as day.”

“Damn. I’m truly envious.”

The control room buzzed with the instructors’ admiration.

“Hmm…”

And, at the highest seat in the control room.

A woman sat on a luxurious, plush throne.

Aris Hisperion.

“Hoo…”

She, too, though not showing it outwardly, was quietly excited by Ian’s achievement, just as the instructors were.

‘He took down Kuga, even without aura… That alone is amazing. And yet, he makes it look like it’s nothing.’

Even though Ian once had a record of defeating Dellen, a early-stage Swordmaster, at that time he could use both aura and a sword.

Beating a Barbarian with overwhelming size and strength without either was an entirely different matter.

It was astonishing—a remarkable performance.

‘But this is only the beginning.’

Aris licked her lower lip, manipulating the personal screen on her desk.

The screen switched to show Ian making his way through the forest.

Expectation slowly deepened in her gaze.

‘I have plenty more presents prepared for you. I can’t wait to see what new tricks you’ll show me.’

Kuga was just an appetizer Aris had prepared.

Soon, he’d face Hector’s gang and put on another entertaining show.

“Hoho…”

How would Ian break through that?

What wild, ingenious moves would he show next?

Aris took full pleasure in every possibility Ian could reveal.

‘I’ll keep watching you and only you. Ian Greysel.’

* * *

― SHARAK! SHARARAK!

The sound of cadet uniforms brushing through thick grass.

“Aww… Did I take the wrong path?”

Sophia cautiously pushed through the dense greenery.

― CHIRP CHIRP!

Birdsong filled the air, and sunlight streamed through the leafy forest, which seemed peaceful and tranquil, but you never knew when danger would spring from anywhere.

“Huh?”

Then, something sparkling caught Sophia’s eye as she busily scanned her surroundings.

“Wow, this is…!”

She stopped walking and bent down.

There, between broad leaves, was a small flower emitting a gentle light.

A bud with a pale violet glow.

“It’s Purple Herb!”

Purple Herb.

It was an elixir she’d studied with Ian when learning about herbs.

The bigger the bud, the better the quality. This one was impressively large—a top-tier specimen among the best.

“Woo, Woo-hoo!”

Sophia couldn’t hold back her delight and let out an excited sound.

She knelt quickly and carefully uprooted the herb, roots and all.

The purple bud swayed in her palm.

Sophia beamed as she gazed at the Purple Herb.

“Lucky me!”

I’ll give this to Young Master Ian when I see him!

He’ll be so happy!

As she delighted in this pleasant thought, admiring the bud—

“…!”

Suddenly, a chill ran down her spine.

‘This is…!’

A vivid killing intent. The direction—right behind her.

“Hik!”

Her instincts screamed sharply in warning.

Sophia reflexively rolled her body.

― SHWEAAAACK!!

Almost simultaneously, a wooden club tore through the air, narrowly grazing the back of her head.

“W-What!?”

Rolling on the dirt left her quickly covered in dust.

Gathering herself, Sophia glared at the person who’d swung the club.

“Well… You managed to dodge that?”

A languid voice, and then a tall boy emerged from the shadows.

Sharp eyes. A sneering, wicked grin at his lips.

He was Jacob, Hector’s gang’s number two.

“Your reflexes are quicker than I thought.”

“No kidding.”

The surrounding vegetation rustled as others began to appear, one by one.

All of them gripped heavy clubs and sharp stones.

Their eyes glittered like predators hunting prey.

“Wh-What…!”

Sophia got to her feet in a hurry, unconsciously stepping backward.

But Hector’s gang closed in from all sides.

She might have stood a chance one-on-one, but there was no way she could handle all of them alone.

If possible, her best bet was to run immediately…

But they’d already surrounded her completely…

Could she escape?

“Ugh…”

She kept retreating, feeling more and more helpless.

A few more steps back and something tapped her back.

“Oops.”

A cruel, sneering voice came from right behind her.

She whipped around in alarm.

“Watch where you’re walking, Sophia Marygold. Because of you, my clothes got dirty.”

There stood Hector, bearing a vicious smile.

“Uh, uhh…!”

Sophia hastily tried to put distance between them.

But she couldn’t get far.

Hector’s gang had blocked every escape route.

Like a rabbit caught hopelessly in a trap.

“Wh-What are you going to do!?”

Sophia forced out the words.

But Hector and his gang only closed in, not bothering to answer.

What shone in their eyes was not simple competitiveness.

It was a deeper malice. And a base desire.

“U-uhh…!”

Feeling the chilling malice, every hair on Sophia’s body stood on end.

Surrounded in an instant by a pack of wolves—

The Purple Herb clutched tightly in her hand trembled faintly.

————-= Clacky’s Corner ————-=

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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