"Dumbass. That's what you get."

Scratching the back of his head with his body lying on top of the lianas, Kuzan slowly came back to his senses after hearing my words.

The fall from the top of the tree could've been the equivalent of lethal, but I did catch him in the process.

And then dropped him on top of the lianas again.

"Master, uuuuh! Why'd drop me like that?!"

"Oh fuck off, Kuzan. What sort of man holds a guy like a princess for even a split second?!"

And besides, it was his own fault for climbing that high while using fragile vertical lianas. Although their durability and flexibility might trick one into thinking that they are fit for climbing purposes.

Even if they are rooted in the ground, they can still break half-way thus causing lethal damage onto the one that was stupid enough to try such feat.

Climbing a tree is the essence of high risk; especially if the climbing begins to show frail states in early stages.

However, to someone who enjoys taking high risks and to someone who is adjoined with a sense of recklessness at all times, the above segments are barely relevant, if they are relevant at all, that is.

Kuzan is exactly the type of person who doesn't mind taking high risks.

"Get up, Kuzan. It was just a fall."

"Yeah, yeah... Agh, by the way, Master, have you seen anyone else on this island so far? Or is it just the two of us so far?"

As Kuzan got up from his previous resting position and dusted the dirt off his clothes, I took his words into account.

Kuzan just asked me if I have seen anyone else on this island. Anyone else is excluding the two of us yet I had to make sure of something before progressing with this.

"Kuzan, by that, are you implying that you've only encountered me thus far on this island?"

"Mhm? Well, yeah! What else could I be implying with that, Master?"

Kuzan doesn't think much in general yet I had to make sure that his version of 'anyone else' didn't differ far too much from the common margin.

Now, instead of actually addressing the situation as it stands, the scenario creation will begin. Firstly, an image must be set.

"I see. No, I have not. You are the first one I have encountered, Kuzan."

"Oh, I thought so! I was climbing the tree up high just to see the helicopters above!"

Naturally, Kuzan doesn't realize that I have just lied to him. I already have encountered Kan.

Also, something worth mentioning is that there are no cameras around here.

It would be far too obvious and no warnings were given regarding that.

Are they not going to rely on vigilance? No, they have to rely on vigilance. Therefore, they will most likely use a different method of vigilance that doesn't revolve around the utilization of technological devices such as security cameras.

However, that can come later. The island is still far too long and just by taking a small glance at the map while holding onto the compass, our position still remains south.

"Kuzan, did you receive it as well?"

"'The'."

"I see. Your word is 'The'."

There was no ultimate need to question what Kuzan had just said because he presented me with the same envelope that was stuffed inside his bag.

Words.

Way.

And now...

The.

Words way the. Way words the. The words way. The way words.

That last one would seem the most likely to fit the bill, but this is pointless to think about.

"Um, what word did you get, Master?"

"Kuzan, keep this is a secret. Do not share it with anyone else that isn't a part of the Hideout. Others aren't trustworthy."

Relatively, I will have to treat my own members with undying loyalty as they will do the same to me as well.

The contract's conditions remain; in every special exam, I will aid my own members with my wisdom and they will pass the exam, therefore.

"I got it!"

"Alright. It's 'Words'. And yes, in case you haven't realized yet, by finding the rest, we will most likely find the rest of the words along the process."

"I see! We should find the rest of the Hideout members too! Rayazaki, Akihiko, and Aniki!"

As we started to walk into the jungle once again, going forth, otherwise labeled as walking towards north direction, I interrupted Kuzan's wishful way of thinking whilst dodging the upcoming wave of jagged lianas in front.

"Daniel is not a Hideout member. Therefore, he's not a priority. Rayazaki and Akihiko are."

Plus, I don't think Daniel is reliable now. I've been observing his behavior the past days and chose to remain silent about it.

He's not emotionally unstable; he's simply unavailable.

In other words, he's useless. He might've scored well during the last exam, but in this one, he is done for.

If he's no use, then there is no point in persisting with him any longer.

"Also, Kuzan. If you find Daniel, don't trust him. Only trust the Hideout members."

"I mean, can Rayazaki and Akihiko be trusted?"

This is surprising. Kuzan's demonstrating a small bit of intelligence right now.

However, those doubts are unnecessary.

"You don't have to worry about that. As long as they are affiliated to me, the chances of those scenarios coming up are low. Furthermore... Try to obtain the word out of anyone who you encounter."

The words were given for a reason. Thus far, I've encountered two individuals who had the same circumstance like me.

It's clear that they serve a purpose ultimately. And finding them out takes priority first.

"Um, correct me if I'm wrong, but without Susaga and Ryoken, we are in total ten, right? So, that should mean, there are eight words left."

"Correct, Kuzan. You might as well make that six because we will obtain Rayazaki and Akihiko's words in no time. For that, we will need to gath---"

I was about to enforce the importance of finding the other Hideout members yet as soon as the path of vast lianas ended, our eyes embraced a far more luminous scenario.

Water so farse yet so sparkling. A dainty cheerful waterfall on the other side of the incongruously homey oasis stood majestically up high filling the stream of freshwater closing the oasis's end coolly.

A small bay rich in yellow sand led to a comfortable sensation once our feets stood on top of it; slowly unraveling the disclosure until the calm water flux struck us back and forth idly.

Curiously, the sunlight contemplated the water's surface beautifully, as the obnoxiously dangerous hellish temperature made the water's composition far more solid and warm.

Plummetting speed remained everlasting in the unstoppable water tide streaming down from the top of the high cliff; only to reach the oasis' water.

Yet before doing so, the flow would undeniably encounter an individual that was unmoved by the raging movements of the perilous flux.

With his body unprotected, ready to fully take on the unbreakable tide, Rayazaki stood in the middle of waterfall, calmly, in a meditating position while seating on top of a wet boulder.

Precisely speaking, Kuzan and I could only watch from afar; as the waterfall was at the end of the oasis.

An oasis so round that only served the purpose of being the closure point of this jungle.

A high cliff above.

No way forward.

In other words, a dead end.

"Heeeeeeeeeyyyy!! Rayazaki!! Can you hear us, dude?!"

Kuzan's shout was in vain because Rayazaki could not hear him at all.

From my understanding and by common sense itself, Rayazaki should not be able to hear a normal shout like that, at all.

The rhythm of the tide and the abnormal sound of the water flux only provoke a swift closure to any outside sound that isn't the stream itself.

"Um, Master, what now? He can't hear me from the looks of it."

With his thumb finger on the edge of his lips, Kuzan couldn't help but be helpless.

"You don't have to worry, Kuzan. It's not like he isn't watching you. Look closely."

Although I pointed in Rayazaki's direction, Kuzan's perplexed face emitted a signal of further confusion, thus I went the extra mile to explain the obvious.

"His eyes. They are open."

"Eeehhhh... Um... I can't see them from here, Master. It's too far away!"

"True, Kuzan. My falcon-like vision is far too grand for the likes of mortals such as you."

"Wuuuh, unfair..."

What I just said isn't exactly true. I simply saw Rayazaki's eyelids contract due to the shining light being reflected on the water's surface which only happens if you have your eyes open.

It's a natural reflex that the eyes will use in order to protect themselves from the ominous radiation transmitted onto the water.

In other words, Rayazaki knows we are here and he has heard Kuzan. He simply chose to ignore him.

"Hey, Kuzan. Try it again."

"Eh? Alright... Time to shout so loud the whole island will quake!"

Kuzan's logic is extremely hard to process and understand. My brain cells feel like they are taking a bath in hot lava right now.

Nevertheless, after Kuzan shouted, Rayazaki remained unable to ignore Kuzan.

Thus, with his body fully naked, Rayazaki came to us through the warm chill water.

"Yo, what if someone stole your uniform clothes and your bag?"

"You are way too open about this, Rayazaki!"

Kuzan's additional remark aside, Rayazaki seemed completely unbothered as he looked at his uniform clothes lying in the middle of the sand.

Additionally, he looked at me, whose top was firmly shown.

Then, he decided to speak to the rest of us.

"We should start making our own clothes eventually. I want to adjoin a palm tree's softwood trend into its leaves and make it so my body parts are covered. Walking with our uniform clothes in this tropical atmosphere is suicide."

Immediately, upon hearing Rayazaki's take on the current situation, I spoke in agreement.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"True. We should start taking notes of specific locations. According to the compass, we are located south. Therefore, the oasis is located south."

"Hm, but Kawahara, how are we going to note down in the map that the oasis is located here, in this specific location? Also, have you noticed how this is a dead end?"

So Rayazaki has noticed. Preferably, he must've chosen this place on purpose then.

Which means he must've had plenty of time to confirm the surroundings.

"Yeah. The top of the waterfall you were under was the result of the end of the river that was streaming down from the above surface. In other words, we are under a smaller surface. Which means... The way up is somewhere else."

"You do make a good point, Kawahara..."

Still to find an oasis up here is very good. Taking baths won't be a problem.

Even if the water is dead cold.

Despite our mutual agreement, Kuzan, who was standing next to me, begged to reinforce another point that Rayazaki had previously made.

"You guys, we should still make this location appointed in the map, somehow! But we don't have a pen!!"

Truth to be told, Kuzan's point might sound like common sense on the surface, but it might be more complex than what it initially looks like.

Thankfully, I have a photographic memory, so this is not a problem.

"No need to worry. I will handle that. On the other hand, Rayazaki, are you just gonna walk around naked?"

"No, I'll put my pants on but that's it. I'm getting some 'clothes' today. Also, we should have a more serious discussion. Let's seat below a palm tree. This heat will kill us all..."

Rayazaki and Kuzan started to walk to the palm three's shadow that was a few meters away, however, I decided to strip away my pants and boxers along with my socks.

"Master?"

"Kawahara, what are you doing?"

To think they have to question such an obvious question.

These stone heads.

They are in front of an oasis and they both agree with the thought of chilling below a palm tree.

What utter nonsense!

Thus, to express my fierce thoughts and extreme dislike on that particular thought of inactivity, I balanced my torso back, with my arms' muscles suppressed at full strength and spoke out eagerly to Rayazaki and Kuzan.

"Fools! You are in front of an oasis! Look at that sparkling water! That luscious stark emitted on the scouring surface! How can we possibly miss out on something like this?!"

"Ah! You're right, Master!"

Kuzan, realizing how stupid it was to waste an opportunity like this, started to strip furiously.

Sub-par to this, Rayazaki started growing skeptical.

"What about the conversation...?"

"I mean, we can talk about it on the water. The place doesn't change that, Rayazaki."

"Fair enough."

Without any complaints, we went forth and basked under the sun; swimming on the small oasis.

Near the waterfall's powerful stream, the surface of the water remained forever agitated yet by taking a few lights swims to a darker place, the surface changed.

Not choppy nor too swollen; it became easily navigatable.

Small harmonic waves produced and afflicted by the reproduction of my arm swings tore the surface apart transiently.

Despite such a peaceful order within the shapeless permanent fresh linear surface, with a heavy dive to the deepsea below, a fissure within the top of the luminary light briefly unraveled.

The water is free.

Shapeless; it can't ever take shape. Mock it, ravage it, the shape will not create itself. It will instead, become far freer; as it can't be restricted. Untamed in its might.

Slightly crystalline it stayed from the naive perspective that my being upheld from the bottom lying deep yet resurfacing it recalled a rampage; as the surface was assaulted by my enormous entirety.

Thus, without taking any shape, turbulent, delightfully warm, and soft, the water became.

"Ahhhh, feels so goooood! Paradise!"

Rejoicing the tepid feeling the cupful lukewarm liquid essential water was giving him while swimming back and forth like a restless child, Kuzan's happiness peaked.

"True enough, I could stay here until the end of my days."

With only his fair toned skin face showing and with his other body parts submerged onto the water, Rayazaki added that.

However, he simply did this to use that as a reference point. Henceforth, he continued.

"Kawahara, Kuzan, I think we should consider staying here, at least for the night. Our resources are practically non-existent."

Rayazaki brought a fair point. But, it's not as if I haven't realized the obvious things so far.

Idealistically speaking, only someone full of idealism and blind optimism would spout complete nonsense just to make the atmosphere brighter and condensing.

"Eh, maybe that's not true! I bet there is a house somewhere on this island! We should, instead, start exploring the island!"

"No, Kuzan, I don't think that's the correct play right now. We can do that tomorrow. Don't be greedy."

It wasn't me who said that, but Rayazaki. For now, I was observing their debate while mildly swimming around the flat surface.

"But Rayazaki, there's no way that they would just leave us here all alone and make us starve to death!"

Kuzan, once again, brought a fair point. There has to be a fair drawback here. Now, does this mean that we should rush?

No, we shouldn't.

The day is about to meet its end, therefore, the light will begin to fade; making the research's results lackluster and possibly unsatisfactory.

Still, that's way too idealistic. If this is truly an abandoned island, then there should be nothing of that sort here.

"Regarding that; while that may be true, it's getting dark. Finding some food and a way to sleep would be nice."

Rayazaki's words came out in a limp way, so I decided to add more power to them by stepping in.

"What Rayazaki wants to say is that we should worry about our current situation instead of mindlessly pursuing about something that can be chased at any given time. Time isn't of the essence right now; our survival is."

"Ehhh... Fine, fine... But doesn't that mean that we won't be able to find Akihiko then? Doesn't our gathering take priority?"

Once again, I spoke cohesively.

"Again, our research would be flawed. We still don't know many things about this island. We should hunt while there's daylight."

"Kawahara, did you see any animals along the way?"

Perhaps he felt like it wasn't necessary to fully pay attention, as Rayazaki took a small dive after hearing my last words and spoke again to me while shaking his wet black hair.

"A few rabbits and a deer... The rest is sub-par in terms of quality. But, you know, Rayazaki, where are we right now?"

I asked Rayazaki this question with an ulterior purpose yet he realized the purpose instantly.

"I see. Excuse me for a second."

Rayazaki took a dive and thus, Kuzan also did the same.

Lastly, I did that as well and went with them to the bottom of the oasis.

The depth was far too short to be called profound. Ten or so meters yet the depth itself wasn't important.

What was important instead, was the observation of the fishes lurking around the bottom.

Frankly small, but even then, we couldn't help but feast our greedy eyes on the poor creatures who would surely become decent dinner material.

Correction; are.

Ultimately, we resurfaced and Rayazaki was the first to speak.

"I'm not saying we shouldn't try our luck with the rabbits and the deer, but, hypothetically speaking, while the light is lukewarm, we should, perhaps satisfy ourselves with fishes."

"Um, how are we going to catch them? With our bare hands?"

Kuzan's question wasn't awkward whatsoever to ask. Fishes are agile and free movement would be an accurate description for their overall abrupt movements.

Thus catching them with bare hands could pose an issue.

Which is why I issued the solution.

"Sharp spears should do the trick. Although our movements will become slightly sluggish and slow underwater, the sharp edge of a spear will kill the fish. As to how we make a spear, we'll do it the old fashioned way. Grab a rustic stick, sharp its edge with a rock and it will eventually become suitable for the job. Can you do it, Rayazaki?"

By asking Rayazaki if he was up to the task, I was also implying something else.

"I think so. What about you two? What will you do?"

I allowed Kuzan to go first, after trading glances with him.

"Well... If we aren't going to search, then we should prioritize our night time. We aren't going to eat raw fish, so I'll make a bamboo fire saw. Don't worry, I know how to do it! I saw tutorials on YouTube!"

Why in nine hells does Kuzan know how to make a bamboo fire saw, especially based on YouTube tutorials?

Well, whatever. As long as it's done, that's what matters.

"I'm growing skeptical, Kuzan..."

"Chill, Rayazaki! I know how to do it! You better not underestimate the number of useless things I know!"

"..."

Rayazaki wasn't that impressed as his skepticism only grew further and further. His distrustful glance towards Kuzan made him feel doubtful.

This skepticism isn't necessary and it will only invite trouble. So, I'll erase it.

"Rayazaki, trust Kuzan here. We will all do separate tasks. If Kuzan fails, we will help him. If I fail, you two will help me. And if you fail, we will help you."

"YouTube tutorials... Come on, man."

So his problem is that Kuzan's source of knowledge is lackluster in his mind.

However...

"Rayazaki, why don't we roast Kuzan if he performs poorly?"

"What?!"

"Yeah, fine. I'm gonna call you by 'YouTube Tutorial' instead of your real name if you don't manage to light up a fire, Kuzan!"

"How dare you mock YouTube tutorials! I swear the one I watched wasn't a clickbait! Come on, Rayazaki! Don't be so distrustful! ...Boomer."

With my lips on the water's surface, I chuckled, which provoked a small uprising tide.

"...What does that mean...? Hey, Kawahara, can you tell me?"

Instead of asking Kuzan that, Rayazaki looked straight at me and asked that.

"Hold on, Kuzan. This doesn't necessarily mean that he's a Boomer. Rayazaki just has trust issues."

"That didn't answer my question."

Despite Rayazaki's annoyed expression and revolted words, Kuzan replied to me swiftly.

"I mean, sure, but the fact that he's doubting YouTube tutorials though..."

"A pretty Boomer move, yes."

"Guys, I'm fucking serious. Answer me."

"However, Kuzan, unlike a true Boomer, he isn't reminiscing old times. If someone who you call a Boomer does not reminisce, then he/she is not a Boomer. So, your argument is invalid."

Also, Kuzan heavily misunderstood something. Rayazaki isn't totally doubting his knowledge source.

He's just doubting Kuzan in general because Kuzan behaves retardedly.

Rayazaki and I have a more brief and smart way of thinking while Kuzan doesn't.

Seeing this difference alerted Rayazaki, causing his skepticism to expand.

"Can someone just fucking answer me al--"

"Rayazaki, you don't know what such a popular term means, just like you don't know if Kuzan will be successful. Chill."

"..."

With Rayazaki's silence, I continued.

"This argument's pretty ridiculous. I know that you are worried if you'll get a good meal tonight, but that's no reason to be all aggressive."

"I just wanted to know something but no one answered me. How do you expect me to remain calm?"

"Your lack of knowledge disturbed you, I get it. But you don't have to be such an arrogant bitch about it. Kuzan hasn't treated you badly, has he? Your treatment is unfair."

"It's Kuzan's fault for not telling m--"

"Is it though? You started the unfair treatment. Then you received unfair treatment back. Pretty standard, if you ask me. How can you expect equal treatment when you've gone ahead and put yourself in such a disadvantageous position?"

"...You were sorta rude too..."

Dissatisfied, Kuzan added that.

"...I suppose it was my bad. I apologize."

I was expecting Rayazaki to argue back, all prideful, however, Rayazaki remained calm and answered back while recognizing that he was at fault.

Though, he simply recognized my reasoning instead of seeing the evil in his own action. It's a common mistake to take apologies as a recognition of one's evil doing.

In his mind, Rayazaki's probably thinking how his pattern of action was flawed and not logical for the most part.

This doesn't mean that he's aiming for a better change, in a moral sense, however, Kuzan sees this as a genuine apology.

That alone could be witnessed in his upcoming words.

"I shouldn't have mentioned the YouTube part. That was also dumb of me..."

Both recognize their own flaws.

Now that this part is done, I can get another point across.

"Treat each other like you'd like to be treated. You are free to treat others that aren't from the Hideout however you want but to each member, we give fair treatment."

"Yup! It's as Master says! So, I forgive you, Rayazaki!"

Of course, this is only a method of control.

It's a whole different story about how I feel about this overall sentimental subjectivity. Regardless, it's good to restrict certain unnecessary behaviors.

Morality once bent and twisted apart, can form such usage that you would not realize that evil has started to lurk in the shadows.

"Alright, thanks. Though, I still doubt you."

"W-Why you!! Alright, I'm fired up now! You better bring me some fishes then! Otherwise, the fire will go to waste!"

I don't agree with Kuzan here.

The fire will keep us warm at night. However, we will eventually have to blow the fire out for the sake of sleeping.

Yet there lies another problem...

As we exited the water, fully naked, I gazed at the top of the palm trees and saw the large-sized leaves.

With no real bed, it would be problematic to find a comfortable spot to sleep.

However, I decided to address a few things first once I came into contact with soft yellow sand that the oasis had to offer to my two feet.

"Kuzan, Rayazaki, while we might be spending here the night, I want you two to be on alert. We will sleep close to the water. The waves are fairly calm so, we don't have to worry about the tide rising."

"Okay, but why?"

"Simple, Kuzan. In the odd case someone comes in, at the first step, we will all dive into the water. Should that someone be another one of our classmates that isn't Akihiko, we mob the fuck out of him. Why? Because what we are looking for is the envelope that contains the word. Rayazaki, can you show me yours?"

Approaching his bag, Rayazaki took out the envelope from his bag.

While he did that, a question of interest came up.

"Rayazaki, did you bring additional things?"

"Useless stuff for the most part. Food an---"

"You brought food?! Bro, why didn't you tell us?! I'm dying over here!!"

Kuzan, unable to sustain his hunger, lashed out immediately and went straight to Rayazaki's bag.

Despite that, Rayazaki didn't resist and with his envelope already in his hand, he allowed Kuzan to take a look at what was inside his bag without any signs of resistance.

"Eeeehhh!! You brought apples?!"

"I thought we were going on a school trip. I thought wrong. I should've brought my whole food if I knew."

Rayazaki's topic is worthless to discuss.

Because even if I say 'If I knew that this would happen I would've blah blah blah', it won't change the current situation.

Regardless, Rayazaki handed me the envelope yet while he did, he did a reasonable thing in return.

"Can you show me yours?"

"Sure. Kuzan, stop crying and get your ass in here with your envelope too. We will share our envelopes' word and by doing so, we will keep that knowledge with only us. Akihiko is an exception here."

Not beating around the bush, we three held our white papers up high, almost lined up to our chest, and ultimately, we glanced at our messages.

Though, not quite, Kuzan and I went straight to Rayazaki's message with our savage eyes. Meanwhile, Rayazaki carefully observed ours.

For the record, showing Kan's message is out of the question, thus, I never took it off from my bag.

Rayazaki's message is: The.

Which struck me with a sensation of confusion immediately.

"Rayazaki, you're not fucking trolling, are you?"

"What? No, I'm not. This really is the message I got. But... How strange... Kuzan has the same word as me... What's going on exactly..."

For now, I didn't elevate my reaction as there was room to analyze.

This could very well be a sentence that contains ten words.

In a sentence, it's not an odd thing for the word 'the' to be present more than once.

However, was this done on purpose?

"Oh well, why bother caring about it now?"

"Yeah, Kuzan's right. We will gather more clues eventually."

Speaking in agreement, Rayazaki and Kuzan drew a fast conclusion here.

Eventually, it will all make more sense. It's just a matter of time.

Knowing this, we each did our separate tasks.

Rayazaki sharpened a spear masterfully for Kuzan to hunt the fishes down. Even though there were a lot of fails at first and as for me, I contented myself with building a mini cabana that took around four hours to make.

There was the option of building a more stable and hard cabana with a more durable structure yet I didn't exactly have in mind the option of staying here more than this night.

Indicating the nightfall, the sun began to set, thus came the dusk.

Visible stars started to decorate the dark sky; adding a certain type of chemistry within.

Palm tree leaves were gathered to serve the purpose of giving us a more comfortable feeling while sleeping yet we all knew that deep inside, we would struggle to sleep.

A fire containing an intensity so creepingly strong that would put down any long-intended glares shortly gained steady life with additional cracking sounds resulting from the added rustic sticks onto the bright volcanic fire.

Already roasted and ready to eat, we grabbed the fishes and felt unparalleled satisfaction after not having eaten anything in the previous hours.

The one who expressed his happiness as soon as possible was no other than Kuzan.

"So fucking good! Mother in heaven, I don't curse, but when I fucking do, I fucking mean it!"

"So many 'fucking', Kuzan? Are you referring to this fucking roasted fish? 'Cause if you are, you are goddamn fucking right!"

Unlike his usual somewhat polite behavior, Rayazaki went out of the line and started a cursing parade with Kuzan, as he devoured his fish fearlessly.

"Hm? How strange, Master... You're the type of person who wou---- E-Eeeek!"

So he realized.

I can't help myself and I'm not ashamed of admitting this in my mind.

Through this soft palm tree leaf that's serving as a way to tap my intimate areas, the leaf's soft surface got easily pierced by a penetrating force.

"...No manners whatsoever. Kawahara, you belong here."

"Hush it, you two! There's nothing wrong with a man popping a boner while eating. It's a perfectly natural reaction."

It's been exactly fourteen hours since I've eaten anything.