Ch. 2 Survival Training
Translated by iseuli
“Class B.”
Han stared at his own promotion announcement. He had skipped over class C into class B. Such a case had been extremely rare.
Han understood his promotion had been decided after much discussion. The first years stared toward Han.
“It’s about time. Everyone already realized it.”
Class D’s student spoke.
Han’s level of expertise was too great compared to class D for him to remain here. Han had long passed class D’s skills.
“Thank you for everything. Let’s meet again later.”
Han said shortly before officially leaving the class D dorms. During these 3 months, he had sent off many students. Many students were promoted, but many of them had also been sent home.
Class D had the most fluctuations throughout Ark. In such a place, Han had perfectly overseen the position of class president. Everybody agreed that he had been an amazing class president.
Han walked to class B’s dormitories. When he walked out to the common corridor, the surrounding students started murmuring amongst themselves.
Ark’s structures were built to be pragmatic and basic. The place had been built without an ounce of artistic sensibility.
‘It’s fine. I can do this. I’ve done it in class D. I’ve come to class B with my own efforts.’
Han opened the door to class B’s dormitory. He spotted a few of the problematic students he happened across a few days ago.
Their leader, Dmitri, had been promoted to class A.
Han glanced over all the student’s faces. He didn’t avoid their gazes and stood tall with pride.
“Han.”
Kuro spoke when he saw Han.
“Hi Kuro.”
Han gave a short greeting with his eyes and passed Kuro.
He looked to his bracelet to figure out his spot in the dorms. The hologram projected his assigned place. But suddenly, he found a familiar face.
“Jose.”
“Long time no see, Han. I knew you’d be promoted.”
The previous class D president, Jose, was on the bunk bed above his. His tan skin made his teeth almost blinding as he smiled.
Jose, who had been promoted to class C was now in class B. His promotions were going along smoothly. Jose didn’t particularly stand out, but he was no push over.
“Welcome to class B, Han.”
Class B’s president said. The president had come to greet him only out of formality’s sake.
It seems he had already been informed of his promotion to class A on the next round of transfers. Class B was filled with many factions vying for the class president position.
The position of class president isn’t too grand, but they have many special privileges. Ark makes every little aspect of life into a group competition. No matter how cruel, the students quickly learn to adapt to the adult world.
‘I’m already used to this.’
Han mumbled.
He already understood this survival game. One must advance, while others die out one by one. There was no meaningful story where everyone learns to co-exist.
‘If I get to eat my fill today, someone in the world is starving.’
Han had always lived in a world of survival of the fittest. This was the main reason he could quickly adapt while making himself stand out from the crowd.
Han laid in his bed while reading the mail from Major Kang. This was the only time he could completely relax and feel at comfort.
“They’re living very well.”
Han flipped through the photos of his younger siblings one by one. The youngest of the bunch was six, while the rest were seven to eight years old. When the orphanage was closed down, most of the kids of age went their own road to support themselves. Nobody dared to care of the younger ones while they didn’t have the ability to even take care of themselves.
It had only been Han that didn’t abandon the younger children. They were a family of eight children, and although they put in a lot of effort to survive together, three children had died of starvation and illnesses.
Han had already felt despair at such an early age.
“Major Kang must have already received the news of my transfer to class B. I’m sure my siblings will be given better treatment.’
The Republic of Korea in the North East Asian Alliance had fared the worst and was known as hell on earth.
Ever since the waves of aggression, Japan had remained fairly safe while China had such a large population that they were able to make a swift recovery.
‘If I were to become an official psyker, even after the end of the waves of aggression, I could live a stable and comfortable life. The psykers who had graduated from Ark were important figures to society.
Han focused his heart and closed his eyes. His bed felt unfamiliar, but easily fell asleep.
“It’s time for parachute landing training.”
The sergeant said. The children looked nervous as they were lectured.
“At any moment, you could possibly die or break a leg. If your neck becomes tangled while this drill, we have no method to save you. Become well acquainted with the method and make sure to practice repeatedly to train your muscle memory. We will be take off at 1630.
The children received their own parachutes one by one. They read the instructions thoroughly. There had never been a class requiring parachutes up until today. Nobody had any experience, so their expressions remained tense.
“If your neck gets strangled, cut the rope with the knife we have provided you. A few broken strings won’t cause you to go crashing down.”
The sergeants began handing out knives to each student.
While Han had been checking his parachute, he noticed biscuit crackers in the accessory pocket.
Several of the children secretly ate the chocolate snacks provided.
‘The sergeants of Ark can’t be this unguarded. They must have some secret intention for this.’
Han made sure not to touch his emergency food supply. He looked over his parachute and compared them with the instruction manual for any irregularities.
The sergeants lectured on how to deal with several situations in case of an accident during a fall, then played a video of an accident following the lecture.”
“That’s terrible.”
“Didn’t that person die for real?”
The children mumbled.
The accident footage was brutal. One person broke both his legs while trying to land, another simply smashed to the ground. There was even a scene of someone’s head smashing open.
The children who were not prepared to see such a video threw up in horror.
“Ugh.”
Han forcibly endured the nauseousness rising inside his chest. The sergeants had purposely showcased many accidents consecutively.
Throughout his training in Ark, Han realized the sergeants didn’t carry out useless activities.
“Everyone aboard.”
The sergeants lead the students into a cargo helicopter with two propellers that could carry about 40 adults.
Han followed their directions and marched into his assigned helicopter. One sergeant was already seated inside for each helicopter.
“We are on our way towards a deserted island. This island is not too far away from Ark, but I don’t suggest attempting to swim back onto Ark. Unless you’re happy becoming shark food, that is.”
The students all carried a disturbed look in their eyes. The sergeant looked over the assembly of students and spoke once more.
“You must survive for six nights and seven days.” Everyone must have thought this was a parachute training drill. However, this is actually a survival training drill.
Many of the children could be seen trembling. Up until today, the sergeants of Ark had always been next to them. The sergeants were to be feared, but at the same time they gave the children a sense of safety.
‘We must survive on a deserted island for a week without the sergeants?’
“That sounds fun. It will be like camping.”
The sergeant watched the children’s night and day reactions and roared with laughter.
“I advise that you be wary to not break your legs upon landing”
Soon, the helicopter seemed to pause and instead propelled higher into the air. Han’s ears felt muffled. He listened to the sergeants murmuring words. The sergeant shouted loudly.
“It will be good if you can land safely, however, in unexpected situations make do by landing in water or on the beach! I wish you luck young brats!”
The sergeants called the students’ names. The students parachuted out one by one. The children who hesitated were kicked out ruthlessly. You could hear the sounds of screams muffling softer into the distance.
“Han Lee!”
The wind gushed violently.
Han looked below. He could see the tiny dot of an island. The sergeant began to count and Han jumped out.
Gravity and the wind simultaneously put intense pressure on his body. His heart raced wildly.
‘Calmly open the parachute.’
Han said quietly to himself.
He pulled the string and caused the parachute to shoot out and spread into the sky. Han floated upwards for a moment and gradually began to float downwards. This was a very good start.
The ocean wind blew wildly. Han and many of the children started to lose control.
They started to stray off course of the island and into the deep ocean. Han tried pulling his parachute string and ropes, but it didn’t seem to pull properly like before.
He strayed further due to the wind. Han wasn’t alone, many others followed along with him. He could see many children had landed in the ocean already.
Splash!
Han’s body submerged into the cold ocean. Han swiftly cut the tangled parachute ropes. The island wasn’t too far away. His backpack had an empty water jug which helped in aiding him to stay afloat. Due to this, even the worst swimmers could make it onto land.
‘Stay calm.’
The sergeants had rationed life necessities that were needed to survive on the island. As long as he didn’t panic, problems should not occur.
However, it was a difficult concept for many children to grasp. Even the children who usually ranked high seemed to panic and couldn’t problem solve properly.
“Huu.”
Han was able to use his backpack as a makeshift tube to swim onto shore. He had to swim halfway around the island before finding a place he could swim ashore.
The children who didn’t think to swim around the island, tried their best to climb rocky cliffs and boulders, but ended up falling and slipping, wasting their energies.
Han walked heavy steps onto the sandy shore. His feet dug deeply into the sand with every step.
Thankfully, his uniform was made of a highly functional material that was waterproof. He didn’t need to worry about drying his own clothes.
Han looked upwards to the sky. The day was almost over.
“I have two days worth of food supplies. If I eat this sparingly I won’t have a problem for about a week.”
Han mumbled. He had been supplied with a water filter jug and water bottle. Although this was a survival drill, they were being pretty nice.
The deserted island was vast, although all of class B had landed here, it was not easy to find one another. A few students spotted one another on the shore, but pretended not to notice.
‘Nobody wants to work together?’
Class B had all been separated into factions. All the different factions were currently competing for the spot of the next class president. They were all set on finding their own groups for this survival drill.
‘It could be that I’m the only one who believes two days worth of food is enough for the week.’
Han was already used to hunger pains. However, the children of Ark lived their whole lives without knowing true hunger.
To them, the food rations were not enough at all. They had to scavenge for food or steal food from other students. There were only two choices.
“There should be brats who choose to plunder others. They’ll probably end up making a special group.”
Han was at a disadvantage. It had not been long since Han had transferred into class B. He didn’t belong to any factions.
Han surveyed his surroundings and walked deeper into the island. There were too many watchful eyes at shore and the wind was too strong.
While Han looked for a place to camp, the day fell into complete darkness. Han looked for a place where the morning dew would not condense.
Han crunched down on a bite of his rock hard chocolate bar. Sweetness filled his mouth. He wanted to eat more but he suppressed his urges.
“Help,”
Han stopped walking and looked around. He heard a faint voice from somewhere. The voice seemed familiar. Han focused once more to locate the source of the voice.
“Please, anyone help.”
The sound of sobbing was mixed in with his plea for help. Han quietly followed the voice.
‘Is it from above?’
Atop a tall tree, the parachute lines had tangled into a huge mess. Just below, a dark skinned fellow could be seen hanging. It was Kuro.
“HHan?”
Tears streamed from Kuro’s eyes as he stared toward Han.
Han let out a sigh and let down his guard.
Kuro’s parachute lines were tangled into the tree branches. He didn’t have enough strength to get himself out of this situation.
“What happened to your knife?”
“I was trying to cut the rope when I dropped it. I don’t even see where I dropped it.”
Han looked up into the tree. He observed Kuro’s parachute and backpack. His backpack looked empty.
“Someone already passed here, didn’t they? They didn’t bother saving you and abandoned you here, right? Did they take your food rations?”
Kuro nodded. Han scratched his head. He helped to cut him free with the sharp knife provided.
Kuro plopped onto the ground bottom first. He massaged his arms and legs that had been strangled by the string all this time.
“Han, you saved my life.”
Han didn’t bother to reply. He took out the chocolate he had eaten and snapped off a piece for Kuro.
“Eat. You should be hungry.”
“That’s your food ration.”
“It’s okay. Nobody dies from starving for a week. After remaining in Ark, my body is very healthy and well balanced so I can take this much.”
Kuro looked blankly towards Han. Other children had stolen Kuro’s food rations, but Han had not only saved his life but also shared his food.
“Thank you.”
Kuro said with an honest heart. Han plainly observed the surroundings. Han had abandoned his parachute in the ocean, but Kuro’s was still fully intact.
“Go collect some strong twigs. We have to survive for another week. Let’s make a hideout. We will have an easier time surviving as two than alone.”
Han knew by instinct. In this drill people would be separated into two groups, plunderers and defenders. Han preferred to defend rather than steal.
A boat quietly floated in circles around the deserted island.
“Have ten already failed?”
Sergeant Red fished the drowning kids from the ocean. They were the kids who lost to exhaustion before they could make it to shore.
The sergeants were monitoring every student. The data bracelets worn by students acted as a GPS and constantly monitored their basic health statistics.
“Hypothermia. Tch.”
Sergeant Red used his flame skills to warm up the space. He picked up the students who failed and sent them back to Ark. The hospital staff carried out the children one by one.
Sergeant Red entered the monitor room. The sergeants who had been leisurely watching snickered seeing Sergeant Red.
“Yo, rescue squad.”
“Quiet.”
Sergeant Red muttered and sat down. The other sergeants explained the current situation.
“A lot more students chose plundering than expected. It’s hard for class B to gather into one force.”
“If Dmitri had still been the class president, this really would have been a camping trip.”
Sergeant Red let out a cold laugh.
“Do you think all children are pure hearted? They’re no different. If they’re able to use their strength without restriction to control others, they will not hesitate to do so. I’m sure many of you would end up stealing to fill your bellies instead of starving.”
“That’s why we’re running this test. In order to separate the real gems that will be the ones to save humanity.”
The psychic soldiers who pass all of Ark’s curriculum become super humans.
But, what if that superhuman were to betray humanity?
What if they were to choose to reign over humanity instead?
The psychic soldiers must solely be for the purpose of fighting against the dragons.
“Psykers must not become the enemies of the weak. They must become the shields for those without fangs. They must be the knives for those who don’t.”
Ark’s drills include an endless amount of psychological tests. This drill was created mostly for the sake of testing the students’ mental strength.
If they fail to make passing scores on the personality and mental tests, they would be sent to the rehabilitation center to restore their mental health. This whole process would be completed without the student’s knowledge, of course.
“Making it in this way should be correct.”
Han tried his best to try and remember the chapters from the textbooks. Kuro successfully made a hideout. It was a low-grade tent made of intertwined leaves and twigs.
It was enough that it blocked out the wind and morning dew. Inside, the parachute was spread out onto the floor and made for a nice sleeping hideout.
“Han! This is amazing!”
Kuro admired Han’s handicraft.
“We did it together, Kuro.”
“Just the tw-two of us?”
“If I was alone, I wouldn’t have been able to make it so quickly.”
Han had found a strong looking stick and carved it into a knife. He required a weapon to defend himself.
While preparing this and that, the day had already grown completely dark. Nothing could be seen in this darkness.
“Let’s go to sleep and look for water first thing tomorrow.”
Han and Kuro decided to rotate night watch shifts through the night. The two didn’t manage to completely fall into deep sleep. When the sun rose in the morning, the two couldn’t hide their fatigue. Han forcefully moved his body, stretching his body.
“This is our breakfast.”
Han broke off half of his own daily food allowance and shared with Kuro. He purposely kept the cracker in his mouth like candy instead of chewing it.
‘So hungry.’
Kuro couldn’t get himself to say these feelings out loud. He was feeding off of Han’s own emergency food ration. Kuro had been aware of this.
“Let’s climb that place.”
Han pointed toward a hill. On top of the hill they spotted a pond. The water seemed visually clean, if they used the water filter they should be able to drink the water safely. Han and Kuro kept their guard up as they slowly made their way down the hill.
“It’s water.”
Han’s body was beginning to show signs of dehydration.
“Wait!”
Kuro firmly held Han’s harm and pulled him back. Light glowed from Kuro’s eyes. He was using his psychic powers.
Kuro suddenly felt an ominous feeling creeping in his gut. It was a feeling hard to put into words. He used his telekinesis to move a pile of twigs on the floor.
“It’s a trap.”
Han furrowed. The hole in the ground was dug quite deep. It was dug about 4 meters below ground. The trap looked like it had been in this place for quite awhile.
“It seems the sergeants made this trap long before.”
Kuro mumbled. Han peered over to Kuro and observed him.
“How did you know there was a trap here?”
“I’m not sure. I just got a feeling.”
Han had seen a faint light of psychic energy flowing from his eyes a moment ago. This was most definitely one of Kuro’s special skills.
‘Did he develop unique psychic skills?’
Kuro had great psychic talent. If it weren’t for that, he would have been sent home long ago.
“Anyway, thanks to you I’m safe. If I fell in that hole, I would have broken a leg at the least.”
“Let’s get some water. I’m dying to drink some water.”
Han and Kuro used their own water filters to fill up their water bottles. Foreign substances were filtered out and only crystal clear water trickled out. Han took a light sip and nodded.
“It’s fine. It’s drinkable.”
Han and Kuro moved on and drank water to their heart’s content. Now that they were able to drink water, the hunger pangs didn’t feel as bad.
The two sat down and decided to rest a little. Their expressions looked a degree better than before.
‘But are the both of us able to survive with only this amount of food?’
Han realized a mistake in his logic. His physical body had required less calorie before than now.
He had been very thin and small so he could go on a long time with only a little bit of food. Now, hunger seemed to find him much faster. His body was physically stronger, but it burned energy that much faster.
‘We must keep moving forward. I might be able to survive, but it will be hard for Kuro to survive. He needs more food.’
It was a mystery as to how much food was forageable in this deserted island. Han and Kuro began to explore this problem.
The only things they could think of were coconuts, but they couldn’t see a coconut tree anywhere.
‘This must be how everyone decides to steal from others.’
Han and Kuro decided not to move outside their hideout during the day time. It was too hot and it was too likely that they would suffer a heat stroke. It was better to move around during the cooler mornings and evenings.
“Han, can we survive this place?”
Kuro spoke out his inner fears.
“The sergeants won’t ask us to do something that is impossible. Do you want some crackers?”
Han took out a cracker from his pocket. Kuro felt guilty but didn’t reject.
The pain of hunger was starting to become unbearable.
Two days had passed. Han and Kuro had finished their night exploration round and returned to their hideout.
“Someone has been here.”
The hideout was a complete mess. Somebody had turned this place upside down. Han had taken all his emergency food supplies with him so there was nothing valuable enough to plunder. The campsite they had discovered was a dud.
“Let’s move to a different place. This place had been discovered.”
Han and Kuro struggled to look for a new hideout. They must find a suitable place before the night grew too deep.
“It’s a cave.”
Kuro pointed to a cave. He had good instincts. While Han spent his day to day life with Kuro, he discovered Kuro had great sixth sense.
It was hard to consider all these moments pure luck, there was another factor to these moments. Han considered some things he learned during his lessons.
‘Immediate foresight unique ability.’
It was highly possible that Kuro had developed the ability to see into the immediate future somehow. There had been people who can look into the far future, or sometimes people can only see a few seconds into the future. It had been a rare unique skill that was considered highly by everyone.
“Somebody is inside.”
Han looked into the cave. He could see something moving in the darkness. He gripped onto his wooden dagger.
“Who’s there? I don’t have any food. Do as you want.”
A voice came out from within the cave. Han stepped into the cave. His pupils dilated as it became accustomed to the darkness.
“Jose?”
Inside, the youth Jose had made a camp. Jose plopped down to the ground and sighed in relief.
“It’s just you Han. Is that Kuro behind you? I couldn’t see you well because it’s so dark. I already ate all my emergency food supply. I made sure to put them into my stomach before anybody can steal from me.”
Jose spoke freely. Han quirked his head in confusion.
“Jose, you already ate all your food rations?”
In Han’s memories, Jose had always been calm and made logical choices. He was not one to make rash choices like eating away all his food in one go.
“I twisted my ankle when I landed. I’m not able to move well right now. So, I judged it was better I finish off all my food before they can steal from me. I’m sure if I stay here without moving, I’ll be able to survive a week.”
Jose wasn’t wearing shoes. His right ankle looked very swollen.
Han thought for a moment and spoke to Kuro.
“Kuro, make a door. Let’s make this our new hideout.”
Kuro nodded. He camouflaged the cave opening with the dried twigs from their past hideout and added some more to completely hide the place from view.
After blocking out the wind, this place became a degree cozier. Jose looked surprised to Han.
“Han, being with me will not benefit you in anyway.”
“I don’t have a reason to abandon you here either. Plus, we also lost our own hideout as well. Even if we were to go around looking for a new hideout, it will be hard to find a place better than this spot.”
As the night drew, the place became quite chilly. He could hear bugs crawling around. Without a fire, the cave was quite uncomfortable.
Han and Kuro tried their best to use friction of two sticks to start a fire but had only managed to waste their time. They didn’t have the skills to start a fire without the aid of some sort of tool.
“You spent two days in this kind of place?”
Kuro peered at the insects and spoke. Despite Kuro being of dark complexion, he looked quite pale from fear.
“Well, yeah.”
Jose spoke bitterly. The cave was damp and cold. It seems a stream flowed through the end of the cave.
Han explored the inner cave a bit and found a small corner of the cave. There were traces of fire.
“Jose, do you have a lighter?”
Han brought the burnt piece of ash to his nose. Something had clearly been burnt. Jose let out a long sigh.
“Haaa, no choice now. Han, Kuro. Don’t tell others. My unique skill is fire.”
Jose extended his palm. Heat seemed to gather and suddenly a small spark burst from thin air.
“Woah! That’s amazing, Jose!”
Kuro spoke with surprise. As heat gathered, the temperature rose a little. As soon as the bugs saw the flame, they ran the opposite direction. The murky air became comfortable.
“I can’t keep this up for long. Bring me something to burn. As you can see, my leg is in this state so I can’t move well.”
Han and Kuro gathered some firewood from just outside the cave. Jose used his skill to light the firewood.
The wood crackled as it burned.
Everyone felt much better while gathered around the fire. Just the fact that they could continue to have a fire going gave them a sense of comfort.
“Why do you keep your unique skill a secret?”
Kuro asked Jose.
“I don’t like to stand out. Everyone in Ark is trying to compete with each other. Anyone who chooses to compete for the top is bound to have rivals trying to step on you. Do you know class A’s Simon Dell? He had transferred together with you guys. Everyone refers to him as a genius, but in turn everyone in class A sees him as nothing but a rival. Instead, by following the pace of the crowd, I can get promoted with ease and comfort. The key point is to make sure you’re never at the top until the very last moment.
“Is that so?”
Kuro said, unable to understand. Han however, understood within moments.
Han was finally able to understand why Jose had such a relaxed, my-pace air about him. Jose never let himself stand out from the crowd. He always did things averagely.
Nobody ever hated him. This was Jose’s method of survival.
“Han, you understand me don’t you? You’re also part of the prominent crowd. Your psychic skills are low, but you’re very fast to pick up everything else. There was also that time you had battled with Dmitri, many people are wary of you and consider you their rivals. In class D, everyone’s ranks were far too low that they looked up to you with honor and respect, but don’t expect anything like that in class B. Everyone will only consider you their stepping stone.”
“My psychic skills are nonexistent. If I don’t show them good results in other subjects, it’s impossible for me to become promoted. I can’t do things in your way.”
Jose’s fire skills were extremely valuable here on this deserted island. Just these points made him easily climb up the ranks.
With fire, food can be easily consumed.
‘It’s possible. We just need Kuro’s skills.’
Han fell asleep while lost in his own thoughts.
The next day , Han took Kuro out to the ocean. Jose had remained in the hideout due to his injury.
Instead, Jose was in charge of keeping their hideout safe and gathering dried firewood.
“We must catch fish.”
It was not possible to consume fish without fire. However, it was a different story because they did have fire.
“Han, do you know how to fish?”
Kuro asked. Han shook his head.
“I won’t be the one to catch fish, you will be. Kuro. You’re very good at psychokinesis. With your skills, it’s possible to catch fish as long as you focus a little bit.”
Lifting out a living fish from within the water is considered a high level technique.
Han believed it was possible for Kuro. Kuro had been assigned into class B based on his psychic powers alone. His mastery of psychokinetic powers had also been very fast.
His case had been the complete opposite of Han Lee.
“I-I’m going to catch it? I can’t!”
“You have to. If you don’t we will end up starving. I’m going to share my remaining food rations with Jose as well.”
“Uu,uuu.”
Kuro groaned. He had beads of sweat dripping down his skin.
“You can do it, Kuro. You’re a genius of psychic powers.”
Han grabbed Kuro’s shoulder and spoke. Kuro blinked.
“I’ll try.”
Han watched Kuro from behind. Kuro stood atop a boulder and looked down into the water.
‘As long as Kuro focuses, it’s possible. He can use foresight and his psychokinetic powers. He’ll be able to read the fish’s movements.’
Han had realized Kuro’s potential powers. Although his personality was on the weak side, the sergeants had not failed him due to his future potential.
Kuro’s curly hair danced as a gust of wind passed. He mumbled something in Japanese as if he was chanting a spell. It was a strong hint. Blue psychic energy spilled out of Kuro’s black eyes.
The ocean splashed violently due to Kuro’s psychokinesis. The first time, he had failed.
“It’s okay, Kuro. Just try again.”
Han cheered for Kuro. Kuro received courage from Han and continued to challenge himself.
Psychic skills require much mental strength. Kuro felt dizzy but he wished to meet Han’s expectations.
‘He’s my first friend who believes in me. I can’t let him down.’
This was the first time Kuro had focused all his strength toward his own psychic powers like this. The fishes movements seemed to flash in his mind like instinct. He understood which direction the fish would move by reflex.
‘Now!’
He waved his arm in the air and suddenly made a tight fist.
Splash!
A fish rose from within the water. The fish rose up toward the boulder and was dropped to the ground. It flopped around on the ground.
“I did it!”
Kuro felt ecstatic joy. Han roared out with laughter.
“Good job! Kuro, you did so well!”
After Kuro grasped the method, he easily caught four more. He wanted to catch more but he had already used his psychic powers to its limit.
“This much is enough.”
“I’ve helped, right?”
Kuro said with a tired voice.
He had a relieved expression. He felt like he repaid some of the debt he had occurred with Han. Kuro’s heart felt a lot lighter with this.
“Of course.”
Han spoke honestly.
Kuro had accomplished a very important task. If Jose and Kuro used their skills together, they didn’t have to worry about food at all. The future road ahead that seemed full of thorns was no more.
“Let’s hurry back to eat. I’m starving.”
Han packed the fishes and hurried his steps.
The cave’s camouflage looked a degree upgraded. Han almost couldn’t find it himself. Jose already prepared the fire.
“We got fish, Jose!”
Han cheered. Jose’s eyes widened in shock.
“How did you catch it?”
“Kuro caught it with his telekinesis. He has amazing skills.”
“Kuro did?”
Jose had an disbelieving expression. He understood Kuro’s psychic talent was like no other, but he didn’t realize it was to this degree.
Catching a moving target with telekinesis was a high level technique. It’s not something first years could accomplish easily.
“Hehe.”
Kuro scratched his head while laughing.
The youths clumsily prepared the fish. They cut out the inner organs and stuck it onto a stick to roast over the fire.
A delicious smell wafted across the cave. It was torture waiting until the end. Everyone had been starving for days.
“It’s done.”
As those words were spoken, everyone couldn’t mind the hotness of the fish and tore through their fish in seconds.
They decided the order for the nightwatch and comfortably fell asleep. If the three of them stuck together, the remaining 4 days could be passed with success.
On the fourth day of the deserted island survival drill, Han’s team couldn’t eat to their fill, but they continued to consume consistent amount of protein so getting by everyday wasn’t so bad.
Kuro used his psychic powers to catch about four to six fishes a day. Shared among the three youths, it was plenty to stave off hunger.
Woosh!
Kuro stood atop of a boulder and used his psychic powers.
He used elaborate telekinetic techniques to trap the fish and raise it out. It was a rare scene among first years.
“Kuro, your condition today is very good.”
Han said.
This was Kuro’s seventh fish today and he looked like he still had powers left to spare.
“I’ve grown used to it. I got another one.”
Kuro said and suddenly fished another one. He gained much confidence through this experience and his expression seemed much brighter than before.
“This much is enough for today. We finished here much faster than expected. Jose should be happy.”
Han’s party all had their own role.
Han was in charge of guarding and refilling drinking water, Kuro fishing, and Jose was in charge of keeping up the camouflage of their hideout.
On their fourth day, the cave felt like home. It felt like they made a safe house for themselves.
‘But I wonder how the other kids are fairing.’
Han understood the pain of starvation. The children who couldn’t eat should be reaching their limits about now.
Theoretically, everyone should be able to survive without food for a week. But, in reality three days without food would bring intense pain through the entire body.
“Han.”
Kuro suddenly stopped in his tracks. Han looked on quizzically.
“Why?”
“I have a bad feeling.”
Kuro’s expression darkened. Han felt an ominous feeling and hurried forward. He ran through the forest to return to the cave. He was completely out of breath when he returned.
“JOSE!”
The cave entrance’s camouflage was broken down and messed up. He called out to Jose, but nobody answered back.
Han and Kuro walked inside. Jose was unconscious on the ground. The two could see evidence of the beating Jose had endured.
“They stole all our equipment,” Kuro said.
They didn’t have a single water filter nor water jug. The parachute that had blocked out the wind had been torn to shreds.
Evidence of violence could be found all around the cave.
“uuugh.”
Jose moaned and opened his eyes. His swollen face appeared to be a complete mess.
“Damn, who was it? Tell us, Jose.”
Han who had been calm all these days, shouted.
Jose used the wall as support and stared out vacantly for awhile. Jose looked to be close to tears as his face drooped, looking to the ground.
“It’s Karl’s gang.”
“Karlheinz?”
“There were seven of them. They caused a havoc and left. They scavenged for our remaining food stock and left. They still don’t know we’ve been eating fish. I scattered the fish scents. They stole our crackers and chocolate bars, but the outcome is satisfactory. We should move our hideout.”
Jose said reassuringly. He had been ruthlessly beaten, regardless of his injury, by Karl’s gang.
“There’s no reason they should have beaten you to this state though.”
Kuro said while looking over Jose’s swollen face.
“Karl’s gang hates me. I had rejected his offer to join his gang. Everyone in Karl’s gang seemed to have much national pride being from Central Europe, they’d only discriminate against me. Karl hates Asians and blacks. After many clashes, I guess his temper finally blew up.”
Han’s piercing gaze reflected a chilling madness.
He could understand having their food stolen. This had been the point of the survival drill. However, there was no reason for them to beat Jose to this degree.
This was unnecessary violence.
“We will be the ones to attack this time. Anyway, they have an upper hand in numbers so they won’t go around trying to hide.”
Han said. Kuro and Jose’s eyes grew wide in surprise.
“Just ignore them. They’re just desperate for food. All we got to do is find a new hideout.” Jose tried to dissuade Han.
“Maybe that might be the case in this drill… but how about in the future? If we gloss over this event, they will look down on us. They will think of us as easy prey. It’s game over when we let others look us down.”
This was Han’s personal experiences in the past. Homeless orphan gangs also had a designated territory. They frequently fought to gain ownership of the richer neighborhoods.
“Han, no matter how good you are with your spear, they have seven people on their side. You’re by yourself.”
Han shook his head. He grabbed Kuro’s arm.
“I’m not alone. We have Kuro.”
Kuro fell into shock. Kuro had ranked last for fighting skills.
“M-me too? You’re joking right?”
“Kuro, when are you going to stop people from walking all over you? Show them a thing or two this time around. You’re stronger than anyone in class B. I guarantee it. Believe in yourself as much as you believe in me.”
Han’s voice planted a sense of reassurance in the youths’ hearts. This voice spoke with solid will and a clear heart.
“Just let it go, Han. Let the sleeping dogs lie.”
Jose continued to try and dissuade Han until the end.
“We’ve stayed together for only a short while on this deserted island. If I’m not mistaken, we’ve already become friends. Right?”
The youth’s friendship had been tightly bound with this drill.
It had been a short few days, but the deserted island had been hard. Through the toil the seeds of their friendship had sprouted. They had become friends that could lean on one another for support.
“Amigo…” (friend)
Jose spoke in Spanish. Han grasped Jose’s swollen face.
“I’m not such a nice guy to let my friend get beat up in front of me.”
Han carved a spear handle and refined it.
He dropped off Jose in their new hideout location and moved out together with Kuro to follow Karl’s tracks.
“Kuro, your telekinesis is very strong. Plus, you can predict their next moves to a certain degree, right? Throw rocks at them with your telekinesis. Since you’re able to pull out living fish from within the water, you should be able to do it.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll remain in the front to block out everyone who comes to attack you. I won’t be able to do anything alone, but the two of us will be able to flatten Karl’s gang flat.”
Han had already been accustomed to fighting even before learning weapon arts.
First fighting is required when your home is in the streets. Time to time, he had to face against adults as well. He already mastered recognizing all the vital points and using any cowardly means to his advantage.
Only the sound of the buzzing insects could be heard as Han and Kuro moved through the forest. They stopped upon hearing a noisy crowd in the distance.
“Sssh.”
Han placed his index finger upon his lips. Kuro gulped his saliva and silently followed behind Han.
Han used his fingers to snap off the overgrown weeds blocking his way. They could see Karl’s gang who had made a base out in the wide open.
“The situation doesn’t look good.”
“Seems like they’re fighting.”
Han and Kuro whispered. Karl’s gang were exchanging menacing looks as they yelled at one another.
“You secretly ate our food stock, right?”
“I did? You make me laugh. You’re the one to have eaten it all and now you’re trying to blame it all on me! I heard crumpling noises last night.”
“What? I didn’t like you ever since you shared only small bread crumbs with us. This Ba***.”
Karl’s gang were bickering over their emergency food supplies. No matter how much they stole from others, it was impossible for seven people to eat their fill. Rather, they began to mistrust each other due to their high number.
Everyone’s tempers had become fickle now that they were all starved.
This had been a harsh survival drill to carry out for these youths. They could find nothing to do but mistrust and blame one another.
“Bring it on! I’ll let you throw up all our food you ate.”
It seemed they would end up fighting any second now. It seemed nobody would be satisfied until they saw blood. Now that they had not eaten properly for the past four days, it was only logical for some of the boys to start losing touch with their sanity.
Karl’s gang consisted of mostly elites. They had all grown up without facing any form of poverty. Nobody had ever starved in their life.
“Stop wasting your energy! Shut up!”
Karl yelled. All the youths shut their mouth in an instant.
Karl was the gang’s leader. He was a handsome European boy who sported blond hair.
He had heard rumors that Karl had been a child actor.
“But Karl…”
“Shouting will only get you hungry. Damn, those crazy sergeants. Let’s make another round when the sun rises. There should be more people hiding away their food supplies.”
The youth’s disturbances settled at once. Karlheinz influence with everyone was huge.
Han who had been observing Karl’s gang from a distance spoke in a low voice.
“What a wasted opportunity. Their numbers could’ve been reduced.”
Han waited until everyone fell asleep. Han was also sleepy but resisted the urge. Kuro was already nodding off to sleep in the back.
“Haaa~”
Karl’s gang used their parachutes as blankets and slept peacefully.
They didn’t even bother to set up a night watch system. It seem they didn’t fear people daring to steal their supplies with seven members in their gang.
Han squeezed his wooden spear tight. He could still remember Jose’s bruised up face very well.
‘There was no reason to beat him up to that degree. Those scoundrels.’
Han shook Kuro awake. Kuro snapped awake.
“Ah, I fell asleep. Sorry, Han.”
“It’s ok, you need to be able to focus. Do you think you can focus okay?”
“I’ll try.”
Kuro took out the stones he prepared from his backpack. Han stood up, on guard.
“Now, throw Kuro! Let’s avenge Jose!”
Kuro’s eyes glowed bright spilling out psychic energy. The rocks floated and fiercely flew across. The rocks accelerated, no longer needing the aid of psychic energy.
A rock bopped a sleeping youth. The youth who had been hit started rolling and screaming. Blood dripped from his forehead.
“Ugh…”
Kuro flinched upon seeing the bloodied youth. Han gently punched Kuro’s chest.
“Remember Jose, Kuro. Remember all the times the guys bullied you.”
With Han’s encouragement, Kuro nodded and focused again. The rocks flew across one after another. His accuracy was frightening.
“Ack! Who is it?!”
“Everyone wake up! It’s an attack!”
Karl’s gang woke up one by one. They were too busy trying to hide from the flying rocks. When Karl’s gang gained their senses, they all faced toward the forest.
“The attack is coming from the forest!”
Karl’s gang all armed themselves with a weapon and charged. One youth even had a knife wrapped around the end of his spear. If anyone were to be stabbed by that, it could end their lives.
“H-Han. Their coming.”
“It’s okay. Kuro, believe in me! Just keep your focus.”
Han shouted. To Kuro, Han’s back felt dependable. They were of the same age, but Han felt like an adult.
“Who are you?”
A youth with blood dripping from his forehead shouted, all the while charging forward with his fists ready.
Another rock flicked onto a member of the gang.
Karl’s gang had just woken up, and were not fully alert. Han stood strong, fending off everyone who got close. He calmly took care of the students, one by one.
Kuro continued shooting stones, preventing Karl’s gang from organizing properly.
“The guy behind is the one throwing the stones! Go around!”
Karlheinz yelled. Two youths promptly circled to the back.
“Tch, they’ve noticed.”
Han retreated back. He used his wooden spear and fended off those coming after Kuro.
“This bastard!”
Another youth jumped at the chance to attack Han’s back at that moment.
‘This will be hard to dodge.’
He felt something chilling from behind. Han prepared himself for an attack, but he didn’t feel any impact. Rather, the youth who had snuck up from behind had fainted, and a stone plopped onto the ground.
Kuro’s support came just in time. Kuro had to keep his focus, so he couldn’t talk at all. His whole body was drenched in sweat.
“Damn, what are these f***s.”
Karlheinz cursed. Four youths from the gang had already fainted.
The mysterious spear wielding youth and the stone thrower showed perfect teamwork. It was too dark, and they couldn’t make out the duo’s faces.
“AAAAAH!”
The youths of the gang shouted and charged forward together. Everyone got hit by rocks and fainted.
“Good job, Kuro,” Han said.
Kuro took care of the majority of the gang.
“I, I did it.”
Kuro mumbled, with an disbelieving expression. He couldn’t believe he had done such a great job.
“Karlheinz, stop right there.”
Han pointed his spear and spoke. Karlheinz looked exponentially fearful as he looked around at all his fainted gang members.
‘It took only these two to wipe us all out…. This black and Asian boy.’
Karlheinz had known about Han. He was the Asian boy who ranked the highest in weapon arts. However, he never thought that he would be done in by the likes of Kuro.
“Why are you doing this to us? Han, Kuro.”
“You guys attacked Jose first.”
PAK!
Han gave a short reply.
He attacked Karlheinz’s face with his wooden spear. His handsome face glowed with a vibrant bruise. Karlheinz bent forward, grasping at his face.
“ugh.”
“Jose was already suffering from a broken leg. What was the point of beating him up so bad, when he couldn’t even properly walk around?”
“Jose was the one to reject me first. I asked him to join our gang. He offended us first but rejected us.”
Han attacked with his spear again.
Blood spurted from Karlheinz’s lips, and dripped down the side of his face. A wound formed on the inside of his mouth, and he could not properly talk.
“Kuro, pack these guy’s emergency food rations. They should have some remaining.”
Kuro nodded and moved hastily.
“Ugh, you’ll regret this. Don’t forget, we’re in the same class. If you continue this attitude….”
Bam!
Han’s spear was drenched with blood.
“What did you say? I dare you to say it one more time.”
Han continued to beat Karlheinz without holding back. Karlheniz touched Han’s wrath in the wrong way.
When Han had been the leader of the group of homeless orphans, he had personally witnessed three young children die of illness. If they had been given antibiotics, and were properly fed, then they would have lived on to see another day.
It was the worst memory of his life. He didn’t want to be in such a situation again.
“You dare hit me? Scum like you?”
Karlheinz slurred. Han looked on with cold eyes.
“Don’t show yourself in front of me again, Karl, or else I’ll kill you.”
Karl lowered his head. His legs trembled, and he felt a warm yellow liquid flow down his legs.
“Let’s go, Kuro.”
Han directed Kuro with his eyes. After Kuro finished collecting all the food, he chased after Han.
Han’s party passed the remaining three days peacefully, a few more straggling students, who had been starved, had joined them.
They accepted the students as long as they could provide them with enough fish to eat.
On the morning of the last day, the sun rose as a helicopter flew towards the island. All the students cheered. The week long survival drill had ended.
The sergeants ended the survival drill, and gathered for a meeting. They had to compile a report for their superiors. They had to compile the data of all the students who showed equally good results for their controlled and uncontrolled training drills. The sergeants discussed while monitoring all the students’ data bracelets.
The ones who chose to steal versus the ones who chose to defend.
Also, there had been students who survived on their own.
The students had been divided into several different categories.
“There was also a brat who built a raft and returned to Ark. What an eccentric brat.”
“I like his active and creative mindset. Granted, it’s not the results we were hoping for.”
“I see that Karl’s party, who had chose to steal and plunder, fell apart after meeting Han Lee.”
“Karl had the advantage in numbers, but it was Han and Kuro’s complete victory.”
“I already knew Kuro had great psychic talent, but he could never properly use his talent, due to his weak mind.”
“Han Lee has great leadership. Kuro was able to fully utilize his psychic powers with Han’s leadership. This is a very amazing feat.”
“According to Han’s profile, he had survived in Korea while leading a group of homeless orphans. He’s young, and his leadership skills are already solid. You all know Korea’s situation right now, right?”
“Han should be a good candidate to become the next squad leader of the first years, following Dimitri’s transfer.”
“But his psychic skills are very lackluster. Is there any hope for growth?”
“He will probably just barely make passing grades.”
“Let’s continue to keep an eye on him.”
The sergeants divided the report parts and ended the meeting.