"This map only records the size of the island, with no landmarks. I've roughly sketched a few based on memory, like this tower."
The map provided by the school was inherently simple, lacking any marked locations, likely to encourage students to fill in the details themselves.
Katsuragi Kohei had already drawn a few circles on it and labeled them with names, showing that he had a preliminary understanding of the uninhabited island.
"I want you to take this map and fill in as many blanks as possible."
Kaoru understood—this was about giving him the task of scouting and uncovering the full map, which was exactly the role of a scout.
"Where should we regroup?"
"The paths here seem to have been artificially altered. I plan to lead the entire class toward the direction of a water source, and I'll also leave marks along the way."
Water is the most critical resource for survival in the wild, especially during the scorching summer. If someone were to suffer from heatstroke due to thirst, the consequences could be severe.
Although Katsuragi Kohei could purchase drinking water using exam points, it would be too extravagant to use them for bathing and hygiene purposes, wouldn't it?
Not long after Kaoru received the map and pen, he saw Mashima Tomonari hand him the keycard.
He fiddled with it for a moment, noticing his name engraved on it.
Wouldn't this make it easier for others to spot?
"Hashimoto-kun, could you hold this for me?" Kaoru Mitoma promptly handed it to Hashimoto Masayoshi.
"Wait, I can't even use the keycard. Why are you giving it to me?" Hashimoto was puzzled.
"Exactly because you can't use it, that's why I'm giving it to you" Kaoru waved the map in his hand.
"As for me, I'll be holding onto this."
Hashimoto immediately understood—he was being used as a decoy.
Soon after, the two of them ventured deep into the forest, one after the other.
This uninhabited island clearly bore strong signs of human intervention.
The school had tidied up the forest, and there were no particularly difficult paths along the way.
Kaoru pretended to study the map at the front, but in his mind, he was silently calling out to the Wish Machine.
[Would you like to exchange for the "Marauder's Map"?]
[Please note, this item is a supernatural object and can be projected anywhere at any time!]
[Exchange successful. Enjoy using it!]
[The projection target has been locked. Generating corresponding materials…]
[Generation complete!]
As the Wish Machine prompts appeared, the simple map in Kaoru hand gradually revealed detailed content—forests, rivers, caves, cabins, towers, beaches, docks, and other landmarks were clearly marked.
It even thoughtfully indicated the paths, albeit only the main ones.
The effective range of the Marauder Map extended one kilometer outward from him, updating continuously as he moved, functioning like a mini-map in a game.
Thus, from the moment Kaoru activated the Marauder Map, the entire uninhabited island lay exposed before him like a naked maiden.
Not only that, but the Marauder Map could also mark the locations of nearby humans.
Kaoru saw the traces of Class A on the map, as well as the three classes still lingering on the beach.
Wait, three classes?
Aside from one class that had moved to the other side of the beach, two classes remained in their original spots, unmoving.
The one that left was likely Class C, meaning Classes B and D were still in their original positions.
What were they doing?
Though puzzled, Kaoru didn't show the slightest hint of it.
He gripped the pen and following the projection of the Marauder Map, began marking various reference points on the map.
The school designated bases probably wouldn't be placed randomly, especially since they involved setting up check-in devices.
Moreover, the focus of this special exam wasn't a treasure hunt, so there were likely conspicuous markers nearby.
Just as Kaoru was lost in thought, Hashimoto who had been following him, suddenly spoke up.
"Actually, I wanted to be the leader. I didn't expect Katsuragi to approach you first."
"If you had mentioned it earlier, I would have immediately given this position to you" Kaoru replied indifferently.
While the role of a leader is crucial, the person who assumes it isn't necessarily important.
Like puppeteers, everyone watches the puppet, not the person behind it.
"Hahaha, I wouldn't dare. You're someone both Katsuragi and the princess have high hopes for" Hashimoto initially laughed, but then his smile faded.
"If I got my hands on the key card, I might sell it to Ichinose or Ryuuen."
He expected Kaoru to be surprised, even prepared himself for a barrage of questions.
However, Kaoru showed no reaction at all.
"Oh."
As if he hadn't heard a thing, Hashimoto Masayoshi was left utterly bewildered.
Watching Kaoru Mitoma lead the way, occasionally stopping to sketch a map, Hashimoto Masayoshi held back for a long time before finally saying helplessly.
"Aren't you curious about the reason?"
Betraying your own class—that's treachery!
Wouldn't any normal person get angry upon hearing such a thing?
"If you want to sell it, I can't stop you, whether it's your own idea or Sakayanagi orders" Kaoru Mitoma paused
"But since you've brought it up now, you must have a new plan. Why should I care about an idea you've already abandoned?"
Hashimoto was momentarily stunned, then couldn't help but laugh.
"As expected, nothing escapes you. The princess ordered me to monitor your every move and do my best to sabotage your plans."
"Is it really okay to say that out loud?"
"Well, it's not like I could hide it from someone as smart as you."
"So, should I treat you as an enemy now?"
"Enemy sounds too harsh. Think of me as just a passerby" Hashimoto Masayoshi smiled.
"I don't like trouble. I prefer to stick with the right person, so I won't get involved in your rivalry."
Initially, he thought the relationship between Katsuragi Kohei and Kaoru Mitoma was just average, but after witnessing the earlier scene, Hashimoto Masayoshi sensed something was off.
In the eyes of most, Katsuragi Kohei seemed to be trying to win Kaoru Mitoma over, hence the trust he placed in him.
But for someone as perceptive as Hashimoto Masayoshi, this didn't feel like an attempt to win someone over—it seemed more like a premeditated move?
Whatever it was, he decided to observe for a while longer.
As for Hashimoto overtures, Kaoru was fully aware otherwise he wouldn't have allowed the former to follow him.
To take down Sakayanagi Arisu, the first step was to dismantle her faction, leaving her isolated.
What could a lone, limping girl possibly stir up then?
Besides, it wasn't entirely Kaoru fault.
After all, she was the one insisting on remote control from the cruise ship.
Thinking this, Kaoru looked at the map in his hand and sighed.
How exactly was he supposed to lose?
Within less than an hour, guided by the Marauder Map, Kaoru Mitoma led Hashimoto Masayoshi cross the entire uninhabited island, securing most of the checkpoints before anyone else.
The only checkpoint they didn't secure was the one currently occupied by Class A.
In other words, aside from Class A, no one else could use the checkpoints now.
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