Zongman: I can modify the status bar

"Yeah! I want to go back and take a hot shower right now too! And there are so many bugs here!"

"Haruki! You damned bastard, why didn't you tell us earlier? You made us waste a whole day of our wonderful vacation!"

Haruki: Huh? Not... buddy?

Everyone was amused by this guy. They didn't expect that the one-sided trend would be reversed all of a sudden. It turned out that Haruki was not wrong about him.

"Then let's exit and return to the cruise ship!"

……

Chapter 130: Eating and Taking

After Ichinose's efforts to make amends, the students in Class B finally reached an agreement.

Everyone present, except Haruki himself, withdrew directly from the survival test. Since Class B's points had been reset to zero, no further points would be deducted.

In addition, Chie Hoshinomiya is also responsible for accompanying medical care. When she was in school, she also served as a teacher in the infirmary, which she has become accustomed to.

Ichinose originally wanted to stay with Haruki, but was rejected by Haruki. Before leaving, Ichinose looked at Haruki reluctantly. Perhaps her duty had been completed, and she could really start to enjoy her vacation.

As for what Haruki should do next, of course he should take a rest first. These idiots made Haruki so angry that his liver hurts, but of course it is not without benefits. The reason why Haruki has been fighting with them is mainly to harvest weight value, and after this operation he has reaped a lot of rewards.

……

"So, everyone else in Class B has quit this morning?" Horikita Suzune looked incredulous. Class B, which should have been the best reference and ally in this survival test, was gone just like that, and Haruki's identity as the "leader" was also directly exposed. It was too outrageous.

"That's what's going on, so you have nothing to do and can leave. There's nothing worth exploring here anymore." Yaohui slumped in the recliner, his eyes under his sunglasses staring at the float on the water, appearing particularly calm.

"No, I don't accept it. Why did you become like this?" Horikita Suzune yelled.

"Isn't this exam supposed to be [free]? Then you can do whatever you want, and the school allows it. No one stipulates that you must do it this way." Haruki lazily explained his views to Horikita Suzune. Mainly because he didn't expect what had stimulated Horikita Suzune to react so strongly to such a small matter.

"【Freedom】?" Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was also thinking about Haruki's words. Perhaps this was the best solution for this exam. In the face of internal and external troubles, it would be better to withdraw directly, and it was a sure win. Such an opportunity to have fun on a luxury cruise ship was not common, and it could even be said to be very rare.

"Then what made you decide to stay alone?" Ayanokouji Kiyotaka had a unique vision and noticed some food and drinking water around Haruki. Although the quantity was not much, if Haruki was alone, plus he could replenish it through activities such as fishing and catching crabs, he could at least hold on to the last day of the survival test in the worst case. This was Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's judgment.

"Me? Actually, I also want to go back. Although there is nothing interesting, at least I can indulge in my diet, or be able to eat my fill. But you know, after all, something like that happened. Even if the students in Class B have understood my thoughts, I will feel uncomfortable staying together. At least a certain buffer time is needed. Besides, with me here, Class B will not be disqualified. Even though I have given up now, I am actually trying hard to think about how to turn the tide!" Haruki's words actually made it clear to Ayanokouji Kiyotaka that he had actually thought of a way to make a comeback, but he couldn't use it now.

"That's true. In fact, if we go back now and incite a few people to quit, the class will fall apart instantly, and then we can basically enjoy the holidays. It just so happens that a small group in the class doesn't agree with everyone's policy of saving points..." Ayanokouji Kiyotaka said while looking at Haruki's expression, but Haruki was not interested in such things at all, and didn't pay any attention, as if he didn't hear it.

"Hey! Why are you saying this!" Horikita Suzune calmed down now. She noticed that Ayanokouji was talking about the messy things in her class and felt something was wrong. She couldn't figure out what Ayanokouji was going to do.

The main reason is that everything she encountered today was beyond Horikita Suzune's understanding, and her world was a little shocked.

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka ignored Horikita Suzune's dissuasion and stared at Haruki on the other side. Seeing that the other party did not respond, he thought of a new topic.

"If I'm not mistaken, this thing should be used for bathing, right? I've never seen it before and I'm a little curious." Ayanokouji Kiyotaka asked, pointing to the device on the side.

"Ah? You're talking about this, well... forget it, it doesn't matter for a while. I guess you won't leave until you figure out what's going on here. I'll just tell you about the situation." Yaohui was free anyway, so it would be more peaceful if he sent them away early.

"We've already walked through the nearby forests. Some places have fruits and wild vegetables, so the food can cover most of the supply. If there's a shortage, we can use some points to buy them. We can also get some seafood here on the beach. Food is just like that, there's no big problem. As for water, there's a well over there, and we can easily get water with a rope and a wooden bucket. At first, we also considered the risk of water pollution, so we were also worried about whether to use this well water as drinking water. However, judging by the plants and environment around the well, this well is most likely artificially dug by the school, although there are no relevant signs nearby. To be on the safe side, we randomly picked a lucky person to try it and kept an eye on his condition. After half a day, he didn't have diarrhea or other discomfort, so we finally decided to use this well as drinking water."

Yaohui picked up the crab with force and put it into the bucket.

"We've also done some testing. This well has a large volume of water. Even if it completely depletes our drinking water, there's still plenty left. So we use it for showers. To maximize the well's effectiveness, we installed an outdoor shower next to it. Just fill the sink with water and you'll have hot water instantly. It's very convenient. It uses bottled gas, which you can buy when you're done. It's very cheap. I forgot the exact price, but it cost no more than 5S points."

"That's about it. Do you have any questions?" Haruki looked at Ayanokouji, as if he was about to get up and drive him away.

"Hmm... I've learned my lesson. Class B is indeed much better than us." Ayanokouji Kiyotaka said with a very humble attitude. "Then one last thing. Do you still need all those hammocks in the tent?"

"Good guy, why are you eating and taking things at the same time!" Haruki was speechless. He never thought that Ayanokouji would be so shameless.

……

Chapter 131 I won’t give it to you even if I burn it

"It's useless for you to keep it anyway, and one person can't sleep in so many hammocks, so why not..." Ayanokouji Kiyotaka drooped his eyelids lazily and tried to persuade Haruki.

Haruki frowned, shoving his hands in his pockets, and snorted coldly, "Don't even think about it. I won't give it to you even if I don't need it. Now all Class B's stuff is mine, and I have the final say! I'd rather throw it away or burn it than give it to you!" He had thought that by quickly getting rid of Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, he could put an end to this endless entanglement. He hadn't expected this guy to push his luck. Although they had met a few times and were somewhat familiar with each other, Haruki and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka didn't really have a deep friendship.

Haruki felt it was illogical to offer him a hammock for free. Furthermore, from the flickering look in Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's eyes, Haruki could see his greed. If he started this, it would be more than just one or two hammocks. So, he flatly refused Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.

"If that's the case, I won't force it..." Ayanokouji Kiyotaka realized he'd gone too far and stopped pestering. It had been just a test run; if he wanted to enjoy campus life more, he had to take action. While he wasn't planning on doing anything major, as that would be too conspicuous, something like this, which could help his classmates without being too ostentatious, was perfectly appropriate. It could help everyone sleep more comfortably while also improving his reputation in the eyes of his classmates. Why not?

"Wait a minute!" Just as Ayanokouji Kiyotaka turned around and was about to leave, Haruki suddenly stopped him, "I said I won't give it to you, but I didn't say I won't give it to her." Haruki pointed to Horikita Suzune who was standing beside him.

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was slightly stunned, with a hint of doubt in his eyes: "Oh? This is..."

Haruki casually pulled out a hammock and blanket from the tent next to him and threw them to Horikita Suzune. "Even though this was used by a female classmate from Class B, I still suggest you wash it before using it."

Since Class B has a higher proportion of girls, there are relatively more bedding used by girls. This is one of the reasons why Haruki is reluctant to give these things to Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.

Haruki winked at Horikita Suzune, and she understood and did not refuse. She silently took the hammock and quilt, tidied them up, and put them behind her back.

Haruki waved towards Horikita Suzune, his tone relaxed yet enthusiastic: "Suzune, come here, I have something to tell you!"

Horikita Suzune was slightly taken aback, then nodded in understanding and slowly walked towards Haruki. The two stood a little further away, talking in low voices. Although the voices were low, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, with his excellent hearing, was able to hear their conversation. However, since he had no intention of avoiding him, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka did not take it seriously.

Seeing this, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka remained silent. After all, Haruki and Horikita Suzune's brother, Horikita Manabu, were acquaintances, and there had been speculation that Haruki might be Horikita Manabu's subordinate. So, it made sense to give Horikita Suzune some consideration. As for Karuizawa Megumi, she was rumored to be Haruki's girlfriend. Although no one had confirmed this, rumors were circulating around the school, such as gossip that Haruki had stolen Hirata Yosuke's girlfriend.

However, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka had never been interested in this kind of gossip, so he didn't delve into it.

"Okay, that's all." After explaining things to Horikita Suzune, Haruki glanced in the direction of Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, then turned around and continued his unfinished fishing project.

"Let's go, Kiyotaka! We still haven't explored Class A's camp yet." Horikita Suzune, who was walking in front, looked back at the dazed Ayanokouji Kiyotaka and urged.

In reality, Horikita Suzune still hadn't grasped Haruki's true intentions. When she asked if she needed to do anything or prepare anything, Haruki's response was always "a normal exam." Horikita Suzune felt there was no point dwelling on the issue; simply focusing on the survival test would be her greatest support for Haruki.

On the other hand, after observing Haruki's actions throughout the whole process, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was also confused and couldn't figure out what the other party was planning.

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "I thought Class B would be an excellent version of Class D after an overall upgrade, and it turned out to be true. Their strategy formulation and execution capabilities are far superior to ours, but the ending..." He paused here, his eyes falling on Horikita Suzune's face, trying to catch some clues from her expression.

After all, Horikita Suzune has a special relationship with Haruki, and she may know more about the inside story than herself.

Horikita Suzune clearly sensed the deeper meaning behind Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's words. She raised her eyebrows, her tone undeniable, "The core of this exam is freedom. Isn't Class B's choice a correct answer? This is the truth you taught me, and now I'm returning it to you intact."

Seeing that his attempt failed, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka said nothing more and followed Horikita Suzune silently.

Even with all this talk, Horikita Suzune couldn't help but harbor a faint worry about the future of Class D. Even the supposedly united Class B was experiencing disagreements, leading to disputes and even divisions. So what about Class D? Could they truly complete this exam successfully, as Haruki wished?

She couldn't help but think of Kouenji's silent exit, which had already revealed some problems. As the duration of the survival test continued to increase, the various conflicts within the class would only become more prominent.

The two men walked along a meticulously planned forest path. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows, tiny specks of light dancing beneath their feet. Soon, a vast cave appeared before them, like the gaping maw of a ferocious beast. Two makeshift toilets and a shower were neatly arranged at the entrance.

The most eye-catching thing is the curtain hanging at the entrance of the cave. Although it is difficult to see its material from a distance, at least when peeping from the outside, it completely blocks everything inside the cave.

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka narrowed his eyes slightly, clenched his fingers, and formed a telescope with his index finger and thumb, carefully observing the cave and its surroundings using the principle of pinhole imaging. He adjusted the focus with his hand gestures, muttering to himself, "From here, it seems difficult to understand the cave's conditions with just the naked eye..."

Next to her, Horikita Suzune did the same, forming a simple telescope with her hands and staring intently ahead. "It's really hard to see clearly," she sighed softly, a hint of helplessness in her expression. "It seems they've made ample preparations to prevent detection by other classes."

……

Chapter 132 Not too smart

Hiding in the shadows while maintaining a safe distance to allow for investigation was a truly difficult task. Ayanokouji Kiyotaka frowned, his eyes scanning the surroundings, while Horikita Suzune stood aside with a serious expression. Neither of them knew many people in Class A. If they had to mention one, it would be Sakayanagi Arisu, but she wasn't participating in the survival test at the moment...

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka gradually became irritated. He was really fed up with this fruitless stalemate, so he frowned slightly, stepped directly past Horikita Suzune, and walked towards the path leading to the cave entrance.

"Hey! Wait!" Horikita Suzune shouted anxiously.

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka continued walking forward without stopping, saying, "Let's go. Even if the opponent is Class A, so what..." He paused, then continued, "Besides, it's not a solution to drag it on any longer, is it? It's almost noon." After saying that, he quickened his pace.

Horikita Suzune smacked her lips unhappily, then tightly grasped the luggage behind her with both hands and slowly stood up from the bushes.

Afterwards, the two of them walked straight towards the cave where Class A's camp was located.

"What are you planning to do? There's no good in being careless!" Horikita Suzune frowned and said somewhat dissatisfiedly.

"Is there any advantage in hiding and observing? I can hardly see anything going on in the camp from here, not even a single person in sight. I think if we don't go into the cave, we might as well just go back." Ayanokouji Kiyotaka responded calmly.

"...This is not your style. Do you have any special ideas?" A hint of doubt flashed in Horikita Suzune's eyes. In her impression, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka has always been a meticulous person. His current behavior is very inconsistent with his usual style.

"I don't have too many thoughts, so you don't have to worry too much." Ayanokouji Kiyotaka said expressionlessly.

"Stop dithering. Oh, forget it." Horikita Suzune glared at Ayanokouji Kiyotaka with a cold, terrifying look on her face. However, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka ignored her gaze. Horikita Suzune was very upset. She felt that no one or two of them would tell her the inside story, as if she was not worthy of trust. This made her more and more angry.

Looking at the nearby cave, Horikita Suzune thought she could get a clear view of what was going on inside if she found the chance, but it was clear that the Class A guys wouldn't give her that opportunity. At the entrance to the cave was a huge screen made of interlocking plastic bags. If a single person were to pass through, there wouldn't be enough space for Horikita Suzune to see through, so she couldn't see inside at all.

The two arrived at the cave entrance and, as expected, were spotted by the students from Class A, who were nearby. Class A was indeed cautious, even posting sentries to guard the entrance. Just a moment ago, no one was there, and now someone suddenly appeared.

"What are you doing? Which class are you from?" the student shouted. Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's eyes fluttered, but he quickly remembered seeing this person on his first day exploring the forest. He was one of the two men who had found the cave and occupied the inner stronghold before him, named Yahiko. And the other bald man... the brilliant Katsuragi, didn't seem to be here.

When Horikita Suzune heard this, she instantly became interested and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly, because the guy in front of her didn't look very smart.

"I'm here to investigate. Is there any problem?" Horikita Suzune raised her head and said in a stiff tone.

"I thought that since we are in Class A, which is at the top, we must be living an impeccable life." Horikita Suzune stood in front of the cave entrance covered with a plastic bag, and sighed deliberately, with a hint of ridicule and doubt in her tone.

Yahiko's face changed slightly when he heard her words, and his brow furrowed, as if the words had touched a sore spot. Horikita Suzune continued to exaggerate: "Rather than being impeccable, it's more despicable! Hiding yourself, isn't that a sign of cowardice?!"

"What?!" Even though he knew this was a naked provocation, it was not difficult to tell from Yahiko's cheeks flushed with anger and his wide eyes that he was completely enraged, and there was a hint of uneasiness in his anxious tone.

"I'm Horikita from Class D." Horikita Suzune still had that indifferent look on her face. She introduced herself as if nothing had happened, and didn't seem to care about the other person's reaction.

Yahiko was stunned at first, then sneered, his tone full of sarcasm: "Huh? So you're from Class D? I thought they were some impressive people! Turns out they're just a bunch of dimwits, right? They really live up to their reputation!"

Facing the other party's sarcasm, Horikita Suzune curled up the corner of her mouth into a faint smile, but her eyes remained cold: "It really can't be helped. Simple-minded people always make such judgments. In that case, let us in to take a look. It won't affect you anyway, right? Or will you be in dire straits if we see inside?"

"This...how is it possible!" Yahiko was stunned by the question and subconsciously denied it, but his tone was obviously weaker.

"Then let's go in and take a look. This is within the rules, right?" Horikita Suzune said, as she made a gesture to move forward.

"Wait, wait! You, I told you to wait, don't act on your own!" Yahiko hurriedly stood in front of her, trying to stop her from moving forward. However, Horikita Suzune didn't appreciate it.

"I just want to go in and take a look. This is not against the rules, right?" She frowned, with a hint of impatience in her tone.

"Stop joking, this cave is now occupied by Class A, and you, Class D, do not have permission to use it!" Yahiko crossed his arms, looking very righteous.

"Oh? Really? So, the exam rules don't seem to mention anything about not being allowed into the caves? While it's true that you can't use the caves while they're occupied, that doesn't mean you have exclusive access. We have the right to inspect the interior, or to confirm the existence of the occupation devices. Otherwise, if we declare all strongholds as ours and forbid others from inspecting them, is there any point in continuing this survival test?"

Horikita Suzune's well-reasoned analysis left Yahiko speechless. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

Seeing this, Horikita Suzune chuckled dismissively, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and checked her backpack. Then, she strode forward, unhesitatingly pushing aside the plastic sheeting covering the cave entrance, ready to explore. Yahiko could only stare at her back in amazement, helpless.

Chapter 133 The Mysterious Class A Camp

"What are you doing? I don't remember ever giving permission to invite guests.

A deep, commanding voice boomed from behind, breaking the tense standoff. The voice belonged to a tall, muscular man who strode from behind Ayanokouji Kiyotaka and stood firmly in front of Horikita Suzune. Even the most carefree Ayanokouji Kiyotaka would never forget this bald man—Kōhei Katsuragi.

As if he had found a lifeline, Yahiko desperately turned to Katsuragi Kōhei, who had just returned from hunting, for help: "Katsuragi-san! These guys are here to scout our camp! Those stupid guys from Class D!"

Faced with the accusation, Horikita Suzune did not back down. She turned around, her eyes revealing a hint of disdain, and looked directly at Katsuragi Kohei.

"It's just a plastic bag, you guys are really making a fuss out of nothing. I just wanted to take a quick look inside..." Horikita Suzune said calmly, showing no fear at all.

Katsuragi Kōhei calmly responded, "Then don't hesitate to try to look inside. Be prepared. If even a finger touches it, I'll report it to the school as an act of obstruction against another class. I can't guarantee what the consequences will be for Class D."

Although Katsuragi Kōhei's words sounded like empty boasting, everyone knew that if a dispute arose, the entire class could be implicated, and if it became a serious dispute, it would be a real nuisance. Therefore, Horikita Suzune could only suppress her impulse and did not dare to act rashly.

"As I said just now, this is an act of forced monopoly. This is not a right guaranteed by the rules!" Horikita Suzune's tone was obviously a little anxious, but she was still trying to stay calm.

Katsuragi Kōhei nodded, acknowledging the point. "You're right, and I find it hard to deny that. However, I'd like to point out that it's like an unspoken rule: Class D occupied the base on that small river, while Class B occupied the area with the well. You each lived your lives around your own base, each as if it were your own. Has anyone ever stepped foot there and resorted to forceful measures?"

Katsuragi Kōhei's words were steady and weighty, leaving Horikita Suzune with a momentary difficulty in rebutting them. She was about to achieve her goal, but was forced to stop at the last step, and her expression grew increasingly grim.

"A class will occupy a base, then defend it until the exam is over and continue scoring. If you violate this unspoken rule, chaos could ensue, and I'm not exaggerating. Of course, in retaliation for the invasion, Class A will also enter Class D's camp..."

Katsuragi Kohei continued to press the point, his tone unquestionable, "So to prevent this from happening, we should all take the initiative to avoid trouble, right?

Horikita Suzune frowned, weighing the pros and cons. The situation before her was clear: if she ignored Katsuragi Kōhei's warning, and took just one more step, she would be able to discover the base occupied by Class A. However, the consequences that followed were too much for her to bear.

As Katsuragi Kōhei had pointed out, the other classes had also unintentionally taken up a position of dominance. If Class D were the first to upset this balance, it would inevitably lead to a series of unnecessary complications. While current intelligence suggests that Classes C and B are unlikely to continue competing, a fight between the remaining Class A and Class D would still be disastrous for them.

Horikita Suzune's brow furrowed, her eyes flickering with resentment and frustration. She took a deep breath, stamped her feet vigorously, and finally decided to give up. She turned away from the barrier at the cave entrance and gave Katsuragi Kōhei a cold glance as she passed him.

"Well, in that case, I'll be looking forward to seeing how strong Class A will become." Although Horikita Suzune's voice was calm, she couldn't hide the resentment in her heart.

Seeing this, Katsuragi Kohei raised the corners of his lips slightly, with a hint of pride and provocation in his tone: "Haha, it's really impressive. Then I will look forward to it - to see how exciting Class D's last struggle will be!"

Horikita Suzune didn't respond. She ended the tit-for-tat exchange and walked away without looking back. Perhaps, if Katsuragi hadn't arrived in time, she would have successfully entered the cave and investigated Class A's situation. Now, she could only leave with regret.

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka stood aside, glancing at the cave expressionlessly from the corner of his eye, then silently followed Horikita Suzune out. His steps were steady, as if he wasn't surprised by all this.

Only after watching the two people completely disappear from his sight did Katsuragi Kohei finally relax and his tense shoulders slowly dropped.

"Yahiko!" Katsuragi Kōhei turned to look at the young man beside him, his tone serious yet commanding, "Don't accept the despicable provocations of others. Their goal is to force a peek inside. When arguing, you only need to clearly state who has the advantage and who is right. The one who retreats will definitely be the other party."

Yahiko was so humiliated by Katsuragi Kōhei's words that he bowed his head and admitted his mistake, his face full of apology and awe. "I'm sorry! Katsuragi actually defeated those guys so easily in an instant. It's amazing! You did a great job!"

Katsuragi Kōhei nodded slightly, accepting Yahiko's praise and apology. He knew in his heart that this victory was not accidental, but the result of their strategic deployment and defensive preparations.

There was no way out. Horikita Suzune and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka had to return empty-handed this time. The situation of Class A was too special. No matter how hard they tried, they could not bypass the opponent's barrier to investigate the situation in the camp. They could only leave it alone for the time being.

When they occupied the closed stronghold of the cave, the concealment was as strong as an iron wall, and there was no risk of being spied on. Although they did not see the contents inside, they both gained a lot this time. For Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, who just wanted to fire a few shots for show, he felt that he had "tried hard enough."

It had only been one day, from yesterday noon until now. So many unexpected things had happened in such a short time. For Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, he had basically done what he could do. All that was left was to just sit back and relax...