I have a life simulator.

So, after the eleventh day of the special exam on the deserted island officially ended, the group rankings had changed dramatically. Karuizawa Group was in first place, Shiina Group was close behind, Katsuragi Group was in third place, while fourth and fifth place were occupied by Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who suddenly surged ahead, and Sudo Ken, who scored steadily. However, Kitagawa Group also had an extremely high scoring efficiency today. After once again spending a lot of points to supply the class with resources, they still managed to stay in sixth place. Of course, this was also related to Class D sending four students to Shiina Group to help them score points.

"The upgrade opportunity has randomly come to me again. If I get a 'cooldown' upgrade, I'll save some points."

Just as Kitagawa Ryo checked the information of each group on her wristwatch, Ichinose Honami, who was next to her, also opened the card page on her wristwatch. The first place winner of the last jump rope puzzle they participated in today would receive a reward of one chance to upgrade a regular card, but it still didn't go to Kitagawa Ryo, so her tone couldn't help but carry a hint of regret.

"Fanbo's supply card should be level 5 by now, right? I remember it was upgraded yesterday. What's the effect now? Let me see."

Hearing Ichinose Honami's words, Kitagawa Ryo didn't show any regret. After all, he knew that he was being targeted by the school. The 20% discount card had already benefited him and his entire class immensely. If they could buy it for free, the other three classes probably wouldn't even need to play. Kitagawa Ryo only needed to monopolize all the redeemable drinking water resources on the deserted island to easily control all the students. It was unlikely that the school wouldn't pay attention to such a bug that disrupted the balance.

As he spoke, Kitagawa Ryo naturally took Honami's right wrist, lowered his head slightly, and leaned in to examine the contents displayed on it:

[Supplies: Cardholders receive a daily food and drinking water supply equivalent to one meal for sixteen people (level 5)]

Unlike the discount card, which offers a 10% discount for each level up and a 5% discount for each level down, the supply card offers a more astonishing exponential increase. Even though it's only at level five, the number of supplies for sixteen people still left Kitagawa Ryo speechless. This could supply all the logistical needs of the entire B class on the deserted island, since they now only have six students left, including Karuizawa Megumi.

"If only I had reached level 5 sooner, I could have saved the group more points."

Faced with Ichinose Honami's somewhat regretful sigh, Kitagawa Ryo simply shook his head, recalling once again his previous conversation with Sakayanagi Arisu about the supply cards, and thoughtfully said:

"It might not be too late now."

After saying that, Kitagawa Ryo smiled again, pursing his lips:

"Of course, we'll have to see if the exam on the deserted island turns out the way I imagined when I wake up tomorrow."

"...Otherwise, there's really no reason for the school to design such a supply card and put it together with the discount card; it's just too incongruous."

-------------------------------------

After a good night's sleep, the special exam on the deserted island came to its twelfth day with the rising sun. Considering that the exam would end on the afternoon of the fourteenth day, there were actually less than three days left in the special exam.

At 8:00 a.m., instead of displaying the first round of project progress on the electronic map as usual, the school sent a notice to all students on the deserted islands, requiring them to gather in area E9 within two hours or face elimination.

Because the area available for students to move around is not large, this time is quite ample. Even students in the areas furthest from E9 can make it over easily. In fact, it's even faster. Just after nine o'clock, all the remaining groups of students on the island had arrived at E9, and everyone was present.

When everyone gathered, the large number of students remaining in Class D became quite apparent. After the eleventh day, Class A had nine students left, Class B had six, and Class C had nine (Long Yuanxiang was still eating and drinking in the school's tent), while Class D still had a full nineteen students. Standing together, they made up almost half of the total number of people present, making them particularly conspicuous.

After waiting for a short while, school staff walked onto a simple platform built using the supply crates and used a megaphone to succinctly explain the reason for calling all students to assemble today:

"Starting today, we will officially begin the final stage of this special test on the deserted island. All the relevant rules have been sent to your watches. Please check them."

Amidst the uproar and commotion caused by the school officials' words, Kitagawa Ryo calmly opened a text message that had just been sent and carefully read it twice from top to bottom:

[Final Project]

[Project Title: Live-Action Jungle CS on a Deserted Island (Class Team Battle)]

[Project Description: All students currently on the deserted island will participate in a live-action CS (Counter-Strike) competition. The project will run from 1 PM today (the 12th) to 3 PM the day after tomorrow (the 14th), at which point this special deserted island exam will also officially conclude.]

All students will be divided into teams based on their class. Each time an enemy team member is defeated, the team and class will receive 1000 points, which will be added to the team and class rankings. Defeated students will return to area D9 to rest and wait to be revived. Each student will have one 'revival' opportunity per day, which will automatically refresh at 8:00 AM on the 13th and 14th days of the exam. If a student still has a revival opportunity after the official end of the project, their score for this project will be doubled.

[Example: A scores 2000 points in this challenge, is defeated once, and has one chance to revive, so the final score is 4000 points; B scores 2000 points in this challenge, is defeated zero times, and has two chances to revive, so the final score is 6000 points.]

[Note 1: For student safety reasons, paintball will be used in this project. Students who are defeated should raise their hands to leave. The school will also use helicopters and drones to make shooting judgments as soon as possible. Being hit by one bullet in the head, chest, abdomen, back, or spine, or four bullets in the limbs will be considered as being defeated.]

[Note 2: The restricted area refresh will still occur as normal on the thirteenth day of the special exam on the deserted island. Students should pay attention to their specific movements on that day. If you enter the restricted area, you will be eliminated and will also be penalized with a deduction of 2,000 points.]

[Note 3: If you accidentally hit a student from your own faction and cause them to be defeated, you will also be penalized by deducting 2,000 points.]

[Note 4: If a student is defeated by students from different factions, their scores will be distributed according to their order of defeat and contribution rate.]

Example: If player A is eliminated by player B and player C from different factions, who respectively hit A's limbs with one shot and player C with three shots, then player B gets 250 points and player C gets 750 points.

[Note 5: During the final project, all resource exchange points on the island will only provide supplies to students with supply cards. All students will no longer be able to use points to exchange for resources, and will not be allowed to bring any resources after the project begins. Any excess resources will be recycled by the school at a 1:1 ratio with the points used to purchase them.]

[Note 6: During the final project, the school will provide necessary survival supplies at fixed times every day. Please pay attention to relevant information.]

【Note……】

Except for the fact that the equipment was changed from BB guns to paintballs, everything else was almost exactly as Kitagawa Ryo had expected. After looking up and scanning the other students around him, he saw that the different classes were showing different reactions to this sudden final assignment.

The students in Class D were probably the most enthusiastic, after all, their class had an obvious advantage in numbers. With almost everyone being a beginner in live-action CS, this was the simplest and most direct difference. A dozen or so people could easily suppress the enemy with their firepower advantage. The boys who were deliberately left behind by Kitagawa Ryo were already rubbing their hands together, eager to have a big fight.

Class C only now understands what Kitagawa Ryo meant when he told them that if they stayed until the last two days, things might turn around. Having survived by trading with Class B, they still have nine members, second only to Class D and on par with Class A. Under the leadership of Ishizaki Daichi, who has experience in live-action CS, they seem to have a real chance to turn the situation around.

Compared to the jubilant C and D classes, the expressions of A and B classes were undoubtedly much worse. The latter was because there were too few students left, while the former finally felt threatened by the overwhelming number of D classes, which almost doubled their numbers. This was because the reward for this final project was quite generous. Even without considering the bonus for the number of resurrections, the reward of one thousand per person was already equivalent to half of the reward for the second place in the previous project.

If nothing unexpected happens, both the group rankings and the class rankings will likely undergo a dramatic change after this final project concludes.

However, before this project, which could change the current situation, could proceed, Class D had a complete advantage.

Kitagawa Ryo lined up and took a series of props, including a helmet, mask, clothing, and a realistic paintball gun, from the teacher in charge. He then confidently nodded in the direction of his homeroom teacher, Majima Tomoya.

Then, his gaze swept over the students of Class A who were lined up in another row next to him. He took a slight step forward with his right foot onto the steps above him, leaned slightly forward toward Katsuragi Kohei and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, rested his right elbow on his knee, and spun the paintball gun he had just received on his fingertips as if it were an extension of his own arm.

This rare, somewhat arrogant action instantly transformed Kitagawa Ryo's usually gentle smile into one filled with danger and mockery. However, for Class D, who had been avoiding battle on the deserted island for several days and had been quiet for almost a semester at Tokyo Advanced Educational High School, this was undoubtedly the best outlet for their emotions. Sudo Ken, Yamada Albert, and other boys quickly stood behind him with menacing expressions, glaring menacingly at the small number of Class A opposite them.

Kitagawa Ryo slightly raised the replica gun, provocatively sweeping it across the faces of Katsuragi Kohei and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, a slight smile playing on his lips as he softly added his own voice:

"boom--"

Chapter 233: Charge and Reverse

To be fair, Kitagawa Ryo looks even more like Ryuen Sho than Ryuen Sho in some ways, at least that's how Ishizaki Daichi sees him, who is also excitedly trying on the equipment right there. But when he glances around with his beady eyes, he finds that the students from classes other than Class A don't show any disgust or dislike. This leaves Ishizaki Daichi, who is used to being hated by everyone and everything by following Ryuen Sho around, a little confused.

Perhaps this is the difference between being ranked number one in the year's handsome guys and not even on the list? But I think Long Yuan's long, flowing hair is quite cool... although the last time I saw him, it had become a messy, dry mess due to the harsh weather on the deserted island and his laziness in taking care of it.

Recalling his boss's 'dignified appearance' when he was on the deserted island, Ishizaki Daichi suddenly felt that it was actually quite good for Ryuen Sho to be staying in the school's tent now; in a sense, it was also maintaining the image of Class C.

Faced with Kitagawa Ryo's almost blatant provocation, Katsuragi Kohei of Class A frowned subconsciously. Fortunately, Totsuka Yahiko had been eliminated from this special exam early on, and he finally got some peace and quiet. Not wanting to continue arguing with Class D, he quickly gathered all the remaining students in his class and led them away from the E9 area.

The final task only started at 1 p.m. today, and it's only a little past 9 a.m. In these four hours, which is neither long nor short, Class A must discuss and decide on a suitable solution.

Anyone with eyes could see that from the moment the final project began, it wasn't just Class B that could threaten Class A. Other classes also had the ability to turn the tide, especially Class D, which already had a significant advantage in the starting lineup. Every time he thought about the huge difference in numbers between nineteen and nine, Katsuragi Kohei couldn't help but feel a jolt in his heart.

After Class A left, the remaining students of Class B also gathered around their class leader, Karuizawa Kei. As the class with the fewest remaining students among the four classes, Karuizawa Kei seemed to be quite troubled about Class B's subsequent strategy. However, since Kanzaki Ryuji, who usually served as her deputy, had been eliminated from this exam, she had no choice but to bite the bullet and take over. After waving goodbye to Amasawa Ichika and Sakura Airi in her group, she also led her students away.

Class C was much more straightforward. Although, from all perspectives, the current command of the class should have been given to Hiyori or Ibuki from the Shiina group, which was currently ranked the highest in Class C, neither of them were actually that kind of person. In the end, they simply handed it over to Ishizaki Daichi to take full responsibility. The whole class sat in a row listening to Ishizaki-sensei, who had experience with live-action CS before entering the school, enthusiastically teaching the basic rules and some tidbits of knowledge:

"The paintball guns issued by the school generally have an effective range of 20 to 40 meters. They're definitely not as fun as BB guns. Those paintball guns have an effective range of 50 to 70 meters, and they feel much more like real guns. Let me tell you, back in my day..."

Although the conversation would inevitably veer off-topic, causing the other students in Class C to roll their eyes and boo.

After eavesdropping for a couple of minutes, Kitagawa Ryo couldn't help but shake his head and return to his class's formation. Compared to other classes, besides having a significantly larger total number of students, Class D now also had the highest number of boys. Apart from the three girls in Kitagawa's group, Sakura Airi, and Amasawa Ichika, the only other student left in the class was the athletic star Onodera Kayano. The remaining thirteen students were all boys. Of course, students like Sotomura, who were good at electronics and mechanics but were terrible at sports, were still absent.

Although limited by the overall quality of Class D, apart from Sudo, Yamada, Miyake, and three other students who also joined the basketball club, the other boys seem to be less competitive than the elites who have survived from Class A. However, reality is never just the SABCD on the entrance exam. In addition to the number of students, Class D has another major advantage that other classes cannot match: physical strength.

Unlike the other groups who had been running around on the deserted island for eleven days, apart from the two scoring groups of Kitagawa and Sudo and the girls' scoring group, the remaining boys had all taken several days to rest under Kitagawa Ryo's instructions. It could even be said that even looking at the whole island, they were the group of students with the most physical strength and the most energy.

To avoid suspicion, Kitagawa Ryo slightly distanced himself from Class C with his classmates before turning around and clapping his hands confidently:

"As you can all see, our Class D has successfully predicted the exam questions. Besides the number of students and our physical strength, we have another hidden advantage: our supply pressure isn't actually the greatest among the four classes. Fanbo's supply card can now provide enough supplies for sixteen people per meal every day. In addition to her, our class also has one level-two supply card and five level-one supply cards. If we use them sparingly, it'll be more than enough... Anyway, we'll be able to go back to the cruise ship and have a feast in less than three days. Everyone, keep up the good work!"

Then, under the watchful eyes of the students in Class D, Kitagawa Ryo pushed Sakayanagi Arisu in front of him and, with a smile, conveyed his plan:

"Once the project officially begins, I will leave the class to act alone. The rules allow units within the same faction to communicate using wristwatches, and I will relay any urgent matters back immediately."

"During my absence, I hope that all students in the class can act under Arisu's command. This is also one of the keys to whether our Class D can win this special exam. I really ask you all for help."

Although compared to Ichinose Honami or Sakura Airi, who are always popular in the class, Sakayanagi Arisu is more like a high-achieving but invisible character in Class D, since Kitagawa Ryo has already said so, all the students nodded in agreement under Sudo Ken's lead, indicating that they would only listen to Sakayanagi Arisu's instructions after the project officially started, emphasizing that if she said go east, they would never go west.

"Alright, that's all for now. Everyone, change into your gear and get used to it. Make sure you wear your face shields properly. Paintballs may not be a big threat, but if they hit your eyes, it can be quite serious."

After saying a few more words, Kitagawa Ryo ended his speech. The boys seemed to have a natural interest in this kind of thing, and immediately went into the grove to put on their camouflage uniforms and helmets. If the school hadn't only given them three magazines with a total of sixty bullets, they probably would have already started practicing shooting.

Compared to BB gun paintball, which has more stringent protective equipment due to its higher risk factor, paintball has significantly less protective equipment. As Kitagawa Ryo put on his protective mask, he thought that the school probably chose paintball because the Hashimoto Masayoshi incident was still unresolved. After all, regardless of whether Hashimoto Masayoshi injured himself or someone else, it already indicated that the competition on the deserted island was developing in a somewhat dangerous direction, so it was best to be cautious at this point.

After changing into his camouflage uniform, Kitagawa Ryo didn't immediately put on the helmet provided by the school. Instead, he began to play with the toy gun in his hand with great interest. The background of Tokyo Advanced Educational High School was indeed impressive. The toy guns distributed to them were of excellent quality in terms of both workmanship and accuracy. After skillfully loading the magazine full of paintballs into the gun according to the instructions, Kitagawa Ryo unconsciously felt a wonderful sense of being able to hit the target wherever he pointed.

After a long absence, Kitagawa Ryo opened his talent chart and, looking at the golden talent 'Super Detective' which shone even brighter than usual, couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

So this seemingly useless talent actually has such a hidden effect?

However, after recalling a famous detective who had learned hundreds of skills in Hawaii, Kitagawa Ryo ultimately chose to understand and let go.

Just as Kitagawa Ryo was letting his thoughts wander and wondering if this talent still carried the detective's unique debuff of causing trouble wherever he went, the D-class students, who had changed their clothes in the grove and tents, came out chatting and laughing. The most eye-catching one among them was naturally Yamada Albert, who could probably be airdropped into the African battlefield right now without any sense of incongruity. It was just a pity that he couldn't wear his signature sunglasses on the deserted island, otherwise, he could have just stood behind Kitagawa Ryo and started performing "Lord of War" on the spot.

After looking at the largest of the group, Albert Yamada, Kitagawa Ryo's gaze involuntarily shifted to a certain Commander Sakayanagi who was pretending to be a Boy Scout summer camp participant. He was then glared at fiercely by a sharp gaze that was even through his protective mask.

Seemingly to make it easier to distinguish the people in each class, each student in Class D had a very conspicuous capital letter D printed on the front and back of their camouflage uniform. The rules also included a rule that the class affiliation letter should not be covered or altered. After all, with everyone in camouflage uniforms, masks, and helmets, it would be difficult to tell who was a teammate and who was an enemy from a distance.

Taking two steps closer to Sakayanagi Arisu, Kitagawa Ryo glanced at Arisu, who was currently wearing a replica gun strap across her chest. After somewhat impolitely recalling certain looks from the skit "The Protagonist and the Supporting Role" and the movie "Sanmao Joins the Army," which he had seen in his previous life, Kitagawa Ryo couldn't suppress a smile. He quickly and somewhat guiltily pulled his protective mask down further and spoke softly:

"I think if Arisu can manage not to fire a single shot in this final mission, Class D will have already won."

"Don't worry, I'll take good care of things. Liang just needs to give me the information."

Sakayanagi Arisu hadn't really noticed her current appearance. Upon hearing this, she nodded, her short silver hair at her temples slightly disheveled by the protective mask, prompting Kitagawa Ryo to instinctively reach out and smooth it for her.

"Yes, I believe in Arisu."

"Although our priority is still Class A students, we don't need to hold back if we encounter students from Class B and Class C, at least not in the first two days of the final project."

"I see."

Listening to Kitagawa Ryo's explanation, Sakayanagi Arisu also agreed. Yes, they did have a good relationship with Shiina Hiyori from Class C and Karuizawa Megumi from Class B, but they were still students from Class D. At this crucial moment involving the final ranking of the special exam, no one had any room to hold back, because there was only one place for first place.

Aside from keeping Shiina Hiyori and the others in the top three of the group, all else is to let go and do whatever you want.

After exchanging information with Sakayanagi Arisu, who was about to take over command, Kitagawa Ryo walked towards Amasawa Ichika. Since wearing a helmet made it difficult to keep her usual twin-tail hairstyle, she unusually let her striking crimson hair down, which shone with a captivating luster in the midday sun. The more than ten days she had spent on the deserted island seemed to have brought her no change; her small face was still filled with a fiery smile, making her exceptionally charming and lovely.

"As for Ichika, once the project starts, try to stay around Arisu as much as possible."

"Oh, so you want me to protect her safety, right?"

Upon hearing Kitagawa Ryo's deliberately lowered voice, Amasawa Ichika quickly nodded in confirmation, her hair, which naturally fell to her waist, swaying slightly with the movement, drawing Kitagawa Ryo's attention.

"That's pretty much what it means."

"Okay, I understand. Although I would also like to go on a solo mission with Ryo, as for Arisu... I'll just consider it a way of thanking her."

For Amasawa Ichika, who also shared Sakayanagi Arisu's last simulated memory and experience, Sakayanagi Arisu could be considered the first hero in rescuing Kitagawa Ryo from the pit of the White Room in a sense. After hesitating for a while, he agreed.

"Then I'll leave it to you, Xia."

As Kitagawa Ryo spoke, he reached out and ruffled Amasawa Ichika's little head. The other boy squinted his eyes and looked like he was enjoying it. Perhaps because the memory of his cotton-cloth mother was too deep, both he and Ichika often indulged in such small, intimate gestures.

...But thinking about it this way, weren't the things that Tianze Yixia did to him in the tent that night just reckless and against his will?

As Kitagawa Ryo pondered these terrifying thoughts once again, time slowly passed. After finishing what was likely the last good meal of the next two days, all the students on the deserted island finally faced their final trial.

At 1:00 PM sharp, the final project, a live-action jungle CS game on an uninhabited island (class team battle), officially began.

Chapter 234: Class A Nearly Wiped Out

Ten minutes before the final project began, at the makeshift campsite of Class 1-A, class leader Kohei Katsuragi was somewhat helplessly negotiating with Kiyotaka Ayanokoji:

"So, Ayanokouji, you've decided to go it alone after all? The other students in the class actually all want to go with you..."

"Katsura, it was a promise we made before."

Before the other person could finish speaking, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka interrupted Katsuragi Kohei. Although his tone remained as calm as ever, the look in his eyes the moment he looked up sent a chill down the spine of the bald, tall boy in front of him, and his tone softened slightly.

"Given that Class A is outnumbered, everyone feels that it would be safer to stick together. Of course, if Ayanokouji decides that going solo is more advantageous... I will explain this to everyone in the class later."

"Ah."

Seeing that Katsuragi Kohei had wisely refrained from mentioning the suggestion of having him join the class, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's attitude softened slightly as well. After thinking for a moment, he casually made up a plausible reason:

“I think this way of scoring will be more efficient. After all, if I can’t get into the top three in the group, according to the contract with Longyuan, I will have to pay him five million personal points after the exam.”

"Yes, I know that Ayanokouji has put in a lot of effort behind the scenes for our Class A. I'm sorry, but in the end our group still couldn't keep our first place."

Upon hearing Ayanokouji Kiyotaka mention Ryuen Sho, Katsuragi Kohei touched the back of his bald head with some shame. The reason their group was able to stay in first place for so long was indeed largely due to Ryuen Sho, whom Ayanokouji Kiyotaka had taken the risk of introducing.

The thought that Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's act of sacrificing his personal interests for the greater good of the class had effectively ended in failure in his hands made Katsuragi Kohei lower his head even further.

"...Then I'm off."

After dealing with the class leader, Katsuragi Kohei, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka nodded slightly, said a brief goodbye, and then left Class A's temporary campsite, disappearing into the dense jungle and quickly vanishing from Katsuragi Kohei's sight.

With things having come to this, Katsuragi Kohei could only secretly pray that Ayanokouji Kiyotaka could create another miracle, while restoring his expression to a composed state that no one could discern anything amiss, and resolutely walked back to Class A's camp.

Although he always felt an involuntary sense of inferiority and inability to refute Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, he remained the mature, steady, and trustworthy class leader in front of the other students in Class A.

As expected, as soon as Katsuragi Kohei returned to the temporary camp, the remaining eight students who stayed behind tacitly stopped their discussion and all turned their attention to Katsuragi Kohei's bald head, which shone brightly in the midday sun, waiting for him to speak.

"I know everyone is a bit overly worried about Class D's performance in the final project, but in reality, they are not invincible."

Seeing this, Katsuragi Yasuhira took a deep breath and slowly stated some of his thoughts and battle plans:

"The team of nineteen is indeed large compared to our Class A, Class B and Class C, but large means bulky, difficult to hide, and their supply needs are much greater than any of our classes."

"The school made it clear in this final assignment that students other than those with supply cards could not exchange for supplies. This means that Kitagawa Ryo from Class D can no longer use his high-level discount card to continuously provide supplies to the other students in Class D as before. It also restricts the practice of everyone finding a cave or bush to hide in until the end of the exam."

"Without a doubt, to survive on the deserted island until the last day, we need to try our best to obtain the supply crates that the school drops at fixed times. Just like in the game PUBG, firefights often break out near airdrop crates. This is the school's way of forcing us to go out and fight against other classes."

After a relatively clear analysis of the rules of this final project and the strengths and weaknesses of the other classes, Katsuragi Kohei ultimately gave a command that was very much in line with his steady personality: