A moment later.
Kitahara Makoto, leading several girls, had already swum to the edge of the island.
This time, there were no accidents or dangers along the way.
The girls were well-prepared, all wearing swimsuits, and their backpacks were waterproof, providing some buoyancy support in the sea. They were not a hindrance, making it much easier than swimming in bathrobes last time.
"There's a strong rip current by the island." Kitahara Makoto first tossed his backpack onto the shore, then leaped onto a reef, reminding them seriously, "Watch the timing when you come ashore, and be careful."
"Understood."
The girls all nodded, indicating they understood.
Lessons learned from past mistakes serve as a guide for the future.
The first time they landed on the island, Tomori was swept away by the rip current and almost had an accident. This time, Kitahara Makoto was extra cautious and finally managed to pull the girls ashore safely, without any mishaps.
"Hoo…"
Ijichi Nijika covered her chest with both hands, walked onto a dry reef, and let out a soft breath, saying:
"It feels a bit cold."
"The real world is summer, it's scorching hot." Yamada Ryo said from the side, "The Otherworld's temperature is less than twenty degrees Celsius, so it's normal to be cold."
Kitahara Makoto said in a deep voice:
"We can make a fire to warm up once we get further into the island… Everyone, check your backpacks first to make sure they haven't been lost."
The girls all checked their backpacks.
"Nothing's lost."
"Everything's here."
The girls all finished checking.
"First step done." Kitahara Makoto nodded slightly, "Next is to cross the cliff."
Kita Ikuyo looked up, her small face raised, at the nearly ninety-degree vertical cliff, and said with concern:
"Can we really climb such a high cliff?"
"Don't worry, you don't have to climb yourselves. I'll carry you across." Kitahara Makoto looked down at Hana, "Hana, make another vine ladder."
For some unknown reason, the vine ladder Hana had woven last time had disappeared.
But as long as the small cakes were provided, Hana was tirelessly obedient, extending her hands and placing them on the cliff. Green vine ladders quickly grew and spread, reaching all the way to the top of the cliff.
"Are you going to grab the vines and climb up yourselves, or should I carry you across?"
Kitahara Makoto asked.
The girls exchanged glances, and in the end, they all chose to let Kitahara Makoto help them.
With a nearly ninety-degree vertical cliff and only one vine ladder, without any other protective gear, most people wouldn't dare to climb up.
"Then leave it to me." Kitahara Makoto nodded, his gaze shifting to Ijichi Nijika, and he said softly, "Nijika, you go first. Once you're inside the island, you'll be attracted by the scent of the eden fruit. Nijika is the most reassuring."
These words were logical and irrefutable.
"...I understand."
Ijichi Nijika could only agree, her face red as she extended her arms to embrace Kitahara Makoto's neck.
"Nijika, close your eyes." Kitahara Makoto's voice was steady, "You can leave the rest to me."
"…"
Under the anxious gaze of the other girls, Kitahara Makoto, carrying Nijika on his back, grasped the vine ladder and climbed upwards as if walking on flat ground.
A moment later.
Kitahara Makoto lightly jumped down the cliff, letting out a sigh:
"Nijika, you can open your eyes now."
Ijichi Nijika's long eyelashes trembled slightly, and she quietly opened one eye. The towering Eden Tree that dominated the entire island immediately came into view. The air was also filled with an intoxicating fragrance, as if every cell was screaming, making one want to rush towards it like a moth to a flame.
"Is that the Eden Tree?"
Ijichi Nijika was full of surprise.
"That's right." Kitahara Makoto nodded, "Those fruits on the tree, if you eat them, they can grant eternal youth, but that tree is very dangerous."
"Eternal youth?"
Ijichi Nijika's eyes sparkled.
As long as she was a girl, no one would not care about her appearance, just as all men would care about their length, with absolutely no exceptions.
"I already asked the answer book yesterday. After clearing the second stage, the hero's new ability, Unyielding Will, can resist the alluring scent of the Eden Tree." Kitahara Makoto said softly, "With good luck, Nijika will soon be able to taste the eden fruit."
"I'm sorry, I have no interest at all." Ijichi Nijika's pretty face hardened, and she said with her arms crossed, "Kitahara-kun, don't talk to me."
Kitahara Makoto said innocently:
"Is Nijika still angry?"
"I'm not."
"Yesterday, Ryo was the one who pushed me down…"
"You're still talking about it!"
Ijichi Nijika gritted her teeth, unable to help but glare at him in embarrassment.
What if Yamada Ryo took the initiative?
If you wanted to refuse, you could easily push Yamada Ryo away with one hand!
"Apologies can wait, otherwise everyone will get impatient." Kitahara Makoto earnestly instructed, "That tree is very dangerous. The further you go in, the stronger the scent becomes. Nijika, under no circumstances should you act rashly. Just wait for me here."
"I'm not going anywhere."
Ijichi Nijika nodded seriously. Naturally, she wouldn't act childish when it came to serious matters.
Seeing Kitahara Makoto grab the vine ladder and start climbing the cliff, Nijika suddenly bit her lip and said softly:
"Since you and Ryo have already done that kind of thing, there's one thing you absolutely must not forget!"
"What is it?"
Kitahara Makoto looked down at her.
Ijichi Nijika's pretty face flushed slightly, and she bit her lower lip:
"You must pay attention to safety. We're all still high school students; absolutely no one can get pregnant!"
"Don't worry, Nijika." Kitahara Makoto immediately assured her, "I bought medicine for Ryo yesterday, and I've brought all the protection with me."
"Brought with you…" Ijichi Nijika's eyes widened, and she quickly realized what he was talking about, her pretty face instantly flushing rapidly, "Why would you bring that kind of thing here?!"
"…"
For the rest of the time, Kitahara Makoto transformed into a porter, painstakingly carrying the girls across. It was only because his physical strength was sufficient; anyone else would have collapsed from exhaustion long ago.
"Let's go." Kitahara Makoto picked up the supply backpack, "We'll go to the cave first."
The girls all picked up their respective backpacks and followed him.
A moment later.
Under Kitahara Makoto's lead, the girls arrived in front of an inconspicuous cave.
"Eh, it's so dark inside."
Kita Ikuyo widened her eyes, peering into the cave.
"It's normal for it to be dark. This time, I specifically brought a portable emergency light." Kitahara Makoto opened his backpack and pulled out a lantern-like light, raising his voice, "This emergency light has super long battery life. After a full charge, it can be used continuously for one hundred hours, making it an essential tool for home travel and outdoor adventures."
Kita: "…Kitahara-kun seems very excited."
Ijichi Nijika: "Boys really do like strange things, don't they?"
Kitahara Makoto opened the emergency light and walked into the cave first, and the originally dark cave instantly brightened up.
"Hmm, the cave isn't very big."
"The ground is uneven."
"There are also traces of a fire there…"
Kitahara Makoto found a relatively flat rock and placed the emergency light on it:
"Last time I accidentally entered the Otherworld, I had nothing on me; it was good enough to just meet basic survival needs… If it's not clean, then clean it."
"Kita, Hitori, you two go outside and collect dry grass. Everyone else, come with me and clean up the cave."
The girls all agreed and then got busy.
A moment later.
The cave was completely new.
Kita and Bocchi-chan came in, each carrying a pile of dry grass.
Kitahara Makoto opened his backpack, found a lighter, and lit the dry grass:
"Everyone, come and warm yourselves by the fire. The temperature in the Otherworld is a bit low. After drying yourselves, you can put on clothes to avoid catching a cold."
The girls sat around the bonfire and began to dry the moisture from their bodies.
"This time entering the Otherworld, we have two goals," Kitahara Makoto said while warming himself by the fire. "First, to stay in the Otherworld for a period of time to refresh the duration of our stay in the real world, to avoid being entangled by various abnormal phenomena."
"Then, it's to obtain the eden fruit from that tree."
"Rinko, has Nijika told you about the eden fruit?"
Kitahara Makoto turned his head and asked.
The golden-haired girl nodded slightly:
"Nijika just told me about it."
"In that case, I won't repeat it," Kitahara Makoto nodded. "The eden fruit is quite miraculous. Only living beings can pick it from the tree; tools like drones are completely useless."
"I've already asked the answer book. After clearing the second level of the game, the hero's new skill, Unyielding Will, can immune the Eden Tree's temptation, but the ability's duration is very short. So, to be safe, I will tie a rope to myself and have everyone hold it…"
"Of course, the premise is that the game has been cleared to the second level."
"…"
As soon as he mentioned it, it arrived.
Kitahara Makoto simply took out the game disc, preparing to try it now.
As the game disc floated in mid-air, streaks of illusory figures quickly merged into the girls' bodies.
"How amazing!"
The golden-haired girl widened her eyes in disbelief, unable to help but let out a soft cry.
Since she was already here, Kitahara Makoto naturally wouldn't shut the golden-haired girl out. Anyway, there were enough game slots.
"Hana, I'll leave the guarding to you." Kitahara Makoto looked at Hana standing beside him. "If anything unexpected happens, remember to wake us up immediately."
Hana nodded seriously.
"Then, everyone, lie down and enter the game space."
"…"
One minute later.
The game ended.
Kitahara Makoto and several girls opened their eyes.
"I'm sorry." Ijichi Nijika lowered her head in shame. "I made a mistake."
In front of the slime Boss on the first level, everyone was wiped out again.
"It's okay, everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Just consider it gaining experience. Anyway, we can open the game space again after twelve hours," Kitahara Makoto said gently, not taking it to heart, as he had failed many times before. "You all organize the supplies and rest for a while. I'll go outside and check if the island's environment has changed."
"I'll go with Kitahara-kun."
Yamada Ryo stood up as well, saying nonchalantly, "It's safer with two people."
"Eh?"
Ijichi Nijika looked up in surprise, a bad premonition suddenly rising in her heart.
"Nijika, don't worry, Kitahara-kun and I will definitely be careful, and also…" Yamada Ryo extended her right hand, revealing the Kessoku Band bracelet on her wrist, and whispered, "Nijika, remember to wear the bracelet."
Ijichi Nijika: "…"
You guys are going too far!