Chapter 57: Deserted Island Survival Training (4)

Morning arrived early on the island of Avalon.

With the sky bathed in a pale blue hue at dawn, I woke up with half-closed eyes. Taking a deep breath, the crisp morning air filled my lungs, instantly clearing my mind.

As I stretched, I murmured to myself,

“I hope to find it today.”

The Blessing of Regeneration.

That was the name of the blessing I desperately needed to locate on this island.

It was a blessing ranked below the Blessing of Transference, classified as a guardian-class blessing rather than a spirit-class one. Although of a lower tier, its singular ability was considered even superior in specific contexts.

As the name suggested, its effect was to rapidly repair damage and injuries to the body. However, it lacked the ability to regenerate severe wounds like the loss of a limb.

“…I suppose something like that would already be magic.”

At first glance, it appeared to be a rare healing or support-type blessing, but in reality, it was an enhancement-type blessing, designed to amplify the body’s cellular regenerative capabilities in an instant.

The key distinction from a support blessing was that its effect could only be applied to the bearer, which significantly limited its utility.

‘But…’

For someone like me, who possessed the Blessing of Transference, that limitation became a major advantage.

If I could activate both blessings simultaneously, I could use them to heal others in emergencies or even temporarily repair my weapons if they were damaged.

Although the limitations of a guardian-class blessing were evident, I was not in a position to be choosy. It was undoubtedly better than the Pain Insensitivity Blessing, which barely qualified as a personal-class blessing.

Furthermore, since it was an obscure element in the narrative, it wouldn’t interfere with Leon’s development—the protagonist.

After all, he possessed an intrinsic potential far beyond that of an average person, reaching a point where severe injuries were little more than inconveniences for him.

‘…But I have something he doesn’t—player experience.’

Chewing on a piece of jerky I had prepared the night before, I reviewed my plan in my mind.

To find the location where the Blessing of Regeneration was hidden, I needed to look for a rock marked with specific symbols.

I had already narrowed down the likely area to the vicinity of Yggdrasil. If I picked up my pace, I could reach that area by midday.

I had to produce results before the following day ended, so I hastened my preparations, double-checking the map I had drawn, and glanced to the side.

On the other side of the fire, Abel was sleeping soundly, using an animal pelt as a blanket.

Last night, after dinner, fatigue quickly overtook her, and she fell asleep almost immediately.

Judging by her worn-out appearance, her day must have been difficult.

We had barely exchanged words; there wasn’t much to say.

Even though it seemed like she had something on her mind, I preemptively blocked any attempt at conversation.

We weren’t close enough to have heartfelt chats by the fire, and I preferred to avoid forming unnecessary bonds.

‘Besides, it seems like she doesn’t like me much.’

It wasn’t surprising. I had witnessed her frustrations in a moment of vulnerability, something that likely made her feel uncomfortable around me.

After all, her personality was that of a cold, proud lady.

For a moment, I looked at her sleeping face.

Her glossy hair cascaded over her cheeks, and her long lashes rested delicately against her pale skin.

Even in sleep, her beauty seemed surreal, like a carefully crafted portrait.

‘She’s beautiful.’

I recalled how I had unexpectedly crossed paths with her the night before and helped her with a few things.

Of course, I hadn’t done it out of romantic interest.

I simply couldn’t ignore her state—hungry, embarrassed, and with an injured ankle.

Although I had intended to keep my distance from Abel, one of the story’s main heroines, I couldn’t overlook her plight. It was simply the right thing to do.

Helping her wasn’t going to radically alter the story’s trajectory.

Even if it caused a slight deviation, it wouldn’t be a major issue compared to prior events.

I thought that perhaps, even in the face of future challenges, this approach—prioritizing humanity over conflict—might be something worth maintaining.

‘Ah, now that I think about it…’

I remembered that, according to my knowledge as a player, Abel would develop feelings for Leon today.

“…”

A sigh escaped my lips as an unexpected sense of emptiness swept over me—a feeling some might call the “sage moment.”

“Agh.”

With a deep sigh, I packed my belongings and stood up. Without looking back, I began heading toward the island’s center.

The chirping of birds broke the morning silence, signaling the start of a new day in Avalon.

***

“Oooh, um…”

Abel slowly opened her eyes to the sound of birds singing in the mountains.

Trying to shake off the sleep that still clung to her eyelids, she sat up and looked around.

“Huh?”

Kang Geom-Ma was gone. Abel tilted her head, confused. Maybe he had only stepped away momentarily, but she felt an uncomfortable emptiness.

Suddenly, she jumped to her feet, scanning her surroundings more carefully.

His belongings were completely gone, indicating that he had left while she slept.

Realizing she had been left alone without any warning, a sense of emptiness washed over her.

“…What? He left without even saying anything to me?”

Abel’s eyes widened, and she sat back down with a look of annoyance.

Her gaze soon fell on the pieces of jerky placed carefully to one side.

Kang Geom-Ma had likely left them for her to eat before leaving. Her irritated eyes softened slightly.

Her cheeks flushed, and the conflicting emotions swirling inside her began to fade.

Suddenly, she felt something warm on her cheeks.

“Huh?”

Startled, she hurriedly wiped her tears away with her sleeve. Only after rubbing her eyes repeatedly did she manage to calm herself.

They were unexpected tears, the origin of which she didn’t even understand. Or maybe she did, but preferred to feign ignorance.

Her long lashes trembled slightly, reflecting a faintly repressed sob.

Receiving care or consideration from someone was an entirely new experience for Abel.

Throughout her life, she had faced every challenge on her own, overcoming obstacles that seemed insurmountable.

Even under crushing pressure that could have broken anyone else, she had remained steadfast, bearing it all on her slender shoulders.

“Crying is a luxury,” she used to tell herself, and that thought had kept her standing. But now, as she tried to stifle her tears, a soft sob escaped her lips.

“Kang Geom-Ma… Why do you do all this for me?”

Abel sat quietly in the solitude, hugging her legs to her chest.

The fact that someone had shown her such unprompted kindness deeply moved her.

She had felt envy and resentment toward that very person.

Yet now, a mix of warm and contradictory emotions coursed through her, leaving an unsettling trace behind.

After a while, her gaze fell on her right ankle, still secured with the makeshift splint he had applied.

Thanks to his precise care, she could now walk without too much pain.

She recalled how embarrassed she had felt when he had removed her shoe to treat her, stammering, unsure of how to react.

A faint smile appeared on her face as she gently touched her ankle.

The fabric strips were tightly secured, firm but comforting.

Even though she knew the splint would restrict her movements over the next two days, she somehow didn’t want to take it off.

After thinking for a moment, she picked up the sword lying beside her.

“I still have two days left, after all.”

After a brief pause, she calmly cut through the knots securing the splint.

Shhh.

With a precise motion, the fabric strips fell to the ground. Abel picked up the strips and the animal skin blanket he had given her, observing them closely before carefully storing them away.

“…I suppose I should return these to him, right?”

A soft smile graced her face as she stood up.

Stretching her back, she tapped her toes lightly against the ground. Her physical condition was perfect.

Raising a hand to shield her eyes from the sun, she looked up at the sky.

Her eyes, illuminated by the golden morning light, gleamed like pure gold. A gentle breeze caressed her cheeks.

After a deep stretch, she took a step forward.

The grassy ground beneath her feet gave her a newfound sense of steadiness, as if something within her had shifted.

***

Following the map I had drawn, I trekked through the forest for a while.

It was difficult to pinpoint the exact location of the blessing with just this makeshift sketch, so I decided to use it only as a reference.

At each fork in the path, I relied on my intuition to choose the way forward.

Although the island’s geography shifted constantly, after some time, I began to notice a pattern.

It wasn’t simply whimsical; the island itself seemed to move like a living organism.

“Huff, this heat is unbearable.”

The air, heavy with the sea’s humidity, made breathing suffocating. My footsteps sank into the muddy ground, leaving deep impressions behind me.

After hours of walking along ridges and trails, I finally stopped.

“Ha, I’m done.”

I sat on a large rock in the shade, loosening the knot of my tie, which felt like it was choking me.

Using the edge of my shirt, I wiped the sweat off my face before pulling out a piece of dried jerky I had prepared the night before.

Though the air’s humidity had affected its texture, making it less pleasant to eat, it was still enough to fill my stomach.

As I chewed on the jerky, I mentally reviewed my objectives.

“Since I’m looking for the blessing, I might as well collect some orbs too.”

Even though this survival training on the deserted island was designed primarily as a recreational activity, the academy had added competitive elements to motivate the students.

They had hidden orbs all over the island as an additional challenge.

My priority remained finding the Blessing of Regeneration, but I had no intention of ignoring the academy’s objective.

After all, Joaquin Academy always generously rewarded the efforts of its students.

Collecting orbs and turning them in would not only improve my grades but, if I didn’t need them, I could sell them to Volundr, the blacksmith.

As I slowly chewed the jerky, it gradually disappeared in my mouth.

Dusting off my clothes, I gathered my belongings to continue onward, but a thought crossed my mind.

“Oh, right, the rabbit-skin blanket.”

I had spent hours tanning it into a proper blanket but had left it with Abel.

“…Ah.”

I had planned to keep it as a memento, but I had forgotten to retrieve it that morning.

Sighing regretfully, I shook my head to clear my thoughts.

“Well, I suppose she’ll put it to good use. There’s no point in taking back something I’ve already given.”

It was likely I’d encounter more animals while exploring the island, so I wasn’t too worried.

Having done it once, the next time would be easier.

With a slight smile, I shook my head, ready to move on, when an unexpected thought stopped me.

“She’s not going to give that blanket to Leon, is she…?”

I stood frozen in place, letting out a deep sigh before resuming my path.

“…Better to focus on practical matters than worry about silly romantic nonsense.”