Chapter Five: Hao Ren’s Good Deeds Are Rewarded

“Do you know me? Second year,” Saeko Busujima asked, her brows lightly furrowed.

“Kendo club’s captain, national champion—who doesn’t know you?” Hao Ren, seeing the goddess of his heart, couldn’t help but speak with excitement.

“Is that so.” Saeko Busujima smiled faintly, then glanced at Nurse Shizuka Marikawa. “You were the ones who protected Ms. Marikawa?”

“Yes, yes! Koji and that girl killed those monsters in just a few moves. They were amazing,” Shizuka boasted like a child.

“I was basically just a burden…” Ishii slumped to the floor, sighing in misery.

“Don’t mind.” Ms. Marikawa patted Ishii’s shoulder.

“Hm, you’re quite the man.” Saeko nodded approvingly at Hao Ren.

“It’s not that impressive.” Hao Ren blushed, scratching his head in embarrassment.

“Ms. Marikawa wasn’t injured, was she?” Saeko walked over to the nurse, beginning her inquiry.

Hao Ren suddenly received a sharp jab to the ribs from Shiki Ryougi.

“Shiki, are you jealous?” Hao Ren joked through the pain.

“Hmph!” She turned away, ignoring him.

Tsundere?! Hao Ren suddenly remembered that Shiki had this trait. The “tsun” part was common, but the “dere” was rare, so rare he’d forgotten it.

What to do? Hao Ren was at a loss.

“Let’s introduce ourselves properly. I’m Saeko Busujima, third-year, captain of the kendo club. What’s your name, young man?” Just as Hao Ren was floundering, Saeko approached, extending her right hand.

“I—I’m Koji Sato. This girl here is my most important partner, Shiki Ryougi.” Hao Ren, whose face was still youthful, hurriedly reached out with his right hand, and with his left, suddenly pulled Shiki over.

“Nice to meet you.” The older girl smiled.

“Ah.” Finding her hand tightly gripped by Hao Ren, Shiki responded reluctantly.

“So, how do we escape?” Ishii broke the mood.

“I have a car, you know!” Marikawa drew everyone’s attention. “But the keys are in the teacher’s office.”

“Really giving us trouble,” Saeko sighed, quickly making a decision. “Our goal now is to get the car keys. Does everyone agree?”

“Okay.” Hao Ren thought this was exactly what he’d hoped for.

“Tch, fine, I’ll follow your lead this time.” Shiki seemed to have some rivalry with Saeko. Hao Ren wondered if it was because of him.

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“Will it be dangerous?” Ishii pushed up his glasses.

“Wonderful!” Marikawa cheered, her figure swaying dramatically. By the way, the side of the chest has ligaments too—if you shake like that all the time, be careful not to tear them or you’ll have permanent sagging…

“Player 73950’s task list has been updated. Please check yourself.” The mechanical voice returned after a long absence.

Startled, Hao Ren instinctively let go of Shiki’s hand and ran to a corner to open his virtual interface (note: story characters can’t see the player’s virtual interface—Hao Ren just did it out of habit).

Task list: 3 tasks

Main Quest: Stage One. After the outbreak of the undead riot, rendezvous with the story main character “Takashi Komuro” within ten hours. Only players who complete Stage One will trigger subsequent main quests. Stage One reward: 1 LP. Failure: minus 1 LP. (Status: incomplete)

Side Quest: “Protect Explosive Nurse” Stage One. Before story character “Saeko Busujima” reaches the infirmary and meets “Shizuka Marikawa,” protect Shizuka Marikawa. Stage One reward: relationship with “Saeko Busujima” becomes “friendly.” Failure: relationship becomes “hostile.” If Shizuka Marikawa dies or is infected, it counts as a failed task. (Status: complete)

Relationship with “Saeko Busujima” has changed to “friendly.”

Stage Two opened: With “Shizuka Marikawa” and “Saeko Busujima,” go to the teacher’s office and obtain the bus keys. Stage Two reward: item “Portable Bus Keys.” Failure: no subsequent side quests triggered. If Shizuka Marikawa dies or is infected, it counts as a failed task. (Status: incomplete)

“Supporting Character’s Remaining Life” Stage One. During the game instance, protect “Ishii,” until he boards the bus. (I’m not a babysitter, right?) Stage One reward: item “Ishii’s Invisible Contact Lenses.” Failure: temporarily lose 3 points of spirit until the end of the instance (the curse of the virgin). If Ishii dies or is infected, it counts as a failed task. (Status: incomplete)

Hey! Can I say Hao Ren received some luck? Even protecting Ishii triggered a side quest.

The main brain really does treat people differently.

About this curse of the virgin…

Can I say I sympathize?

Spirit -3? The grudge is strong!

Wait, I seem to have a talent skill that adds attribute points…

Damn, I completely forgot about it. It’s called Summon Link or something.

Click to use. As for who to link with, I only have Shiki. If not her, then who? If it were a guy, I wouldn’t use it—I don’t want to become one with a man…

Talent: “Summon Link” lv10/500 (Can receive a reverse bonus of all attribute points from the linked summoned creature; current bonus 10%. Any beneficial state the summoner receives will be fed back to the linked summon. Current link capacity: 1 person.)

Attributes: Talent bonus

Strength 13 (Normal adult: 10) +1

Agility 11 (Normal adult: 10) +2

Constitution 14 (Normal adult: 10) +1

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Intelligence 9 (Normal adult: 10) +1

Spirit 13 (Normal adult: 10) +1

Charm 10 (Normal adult: 10) +1

With this talent, am I considered an enhanced humanoid elf guardian by the main brain? Looks like I need to assemble a team. Shiki, from now on, I’ll handle all your mana and healing (Shiki felt a cold wind pass by).

Seriously, main brain, why so stingy? Why not round up my attribute points? Anything under ten is treated as zero—damn! Seems Shiki is stronger than me in everything but strength.

I never realized before, but my intelligence is actually lower than a normal adult’s…

No wonder I could only get into a sports university.

…

Wait, did I just insult everyone?

Forget it, whatever. The boost is immediately noticeable—my strength really is higher now.

Hao Ren felt an invisible chain linking him to Shiki. He could clearly sense Shiki’s physical condition. Of course, “physical condition” here only meant stamina, injuries, and mental state. If anyone’s thinking of bust size or menstrual cycles—well, message me privately if you’re curious.

After moving his enhanced body, Hao Ren felt confident about the next task.

“Let’s head out,” Saeko Busujima surveyed the group, then strode out of the ruined infirmary.

“You two, hurry up. Shiki and I will take the rear,” Hao Ren urged Ishii and Marikawa.

“Got it, got it.” Ishii, wielding a long IV stand, hurried to follow.

“Don’t leave me behind!” Marikawa’s high heels clicked crisply.

“Let’s go too, Shiki,” Hao Ren said to her.

“Idiot.” Shiki, touching her right hand, quickly walked to the door. Passing Hao Ren, she whispered softly.

Hao Ren froze, then his heart blossomed with joy as he rushed after her.