At the peak of the snowy mountain.
Looking down, snow peaks stretched endlessly, majestic and boundless, a vast and expansive landscape.
Natsuki and Yukino, standing at the peak of the snowy mountain, appeared as tiny as ants compared to the majestic snow peaks.
Skiing is not difficult; one can master basic techniques with a little practice. The challenge lies in determination and courage.
Sliding down from a peak several thousand meters high, a slight misstep could lead to rolling down the cliff. Humans are not the 'rolling down the mountain true lord'; once one loses footing and rolls down while skiing, at best it's broken bones and torn tendons, at worst, direct demise.
Therefore, courage and self-confidence must both be present, along with strong physical fitness and reaction speed.
Coincidentally, Natsuki and Yukino lacked neither of these.
"Are you ready?"
Natsuki turned to look at Yukino.
Yukino nodded gently, standing side by side, and said:
"Let's begin."
Natsuki lightly tapped his ski pole, tilted his body, and slid down:
"…Let's go!"
The extreme challenge officially began.
The strong wind blew in his face.
He could clearly hear the wind howling, everything around him swiftly receding like a miniature in a movie, and the skis under his feet were controlled by his will.
At this moment, Natsuki truly experienced the meaning of speed and passion, life and freedom.
Without stopping midway, and without any fear, Natsuki and Yukino moved freely through the vast snow peaks. The thrill and excitement during this time were beyond words; even with their physical fitness, they almost encountered danger midway and even had to change their planned skiing route.
Twenty minutes later.
The two finally reached the foot of the mountain. Due to deviating from the route, there was no one around, but it did not diminish Natsuki's exhilaration.
"Hoo…"
Natsuki took off his goggles, then couldn't help but laugh loudly.
Once upon a time, Natsuki always thought that those who liked extreme challenges were fools.
With money and leisure, wasn't it better to eat, drink, and have fun?
Why risk one's life to play super dangerous extreme challenges?
At this moment, Natsuki finally understood the joy within it.
Those who enjoy extreme challenges are truly not just bored; they genuinely experience the freedom and joy of life from it.
Watching Natsuki laugh with his arms outstretched, Hiranoshita took off her goggles, her lips slightly curled upwards, and she couldn't help but smile along.
"Yukino…"
Natsuki turned his head to look at Hiranoshita beside him, and couldn't help but reach out his right hand and pull Yukino into his embrace.
"Let go of me."
Yukino's pretty face tightened, her tone sharp.
Natsuki said with burning eyes:
"I like Yukino."
Yukino bit her silver teeth lightly:
"I'm sorry…"
Without letting Yukino finish, Natsuki lowered his head and directly kissed her.
Yukino still wanted to dodge, but she was a step too slow and quickly had her lips sealed.
"You're going too far!"
Hiranoshita initially clenched her jaw, her eyes sharp, wanting to make Natsuki retreat with her gaze.
But it was useless.
Before long, she was even ambushed by Natsuki at her waist, creating a diversion, and then he took the opportunity to break through her defenses and invade her territory.
"Hmm…"
Yukino's slender eyelashes immediately trembled lightly, she subconsciously closed her eyes, and then her tongue tip timidly tried to retreat, but her mouth was only so big, and after a short while of hiding, she was easily caught by Natsuki.
Ten minutes passed in a flash.
"I'm sorry, I was wrong, please forgive me."
Natsuki admitted his mistake promptly and apologized sincerely.
"Forgiving you is God's business." Yukino wiped away the silvery thread from the corner of her lips, her pretty face flushed, her eyes shy, and she bit her silver teeth, "My mission is to send you to meet God."
Natsuki raised his hands and said:
"If I go to meet God, Haruno-nee will definitely be very sad, and you don't want Haruno to be sad, do you?"
Yukino became even angrier: "You even dare to mention my sister!"
"..."
Due to deviating from the planned route, Natsuki and Yukino did not wander around but stayed put, waiting for rescue.
After waiting a while longer, a snow rescue vehicle finally appeared.
"President!"
"Yukino."
"We're here."
Before the snowmobile had even stopped, Chika and Sayu jumped out of the vehicle.
"President, are you and Yukino-chan both alright?"
Chika ran all the way to stand in front of the two.
Sayu, on the other hand, directly checked Natsuki's physical condition.
"I'm fine, the challenge is complete." Natsuki said softly, "Aside from the thrill and excitement, no accidents occurred."
"Eh, Senpai, how did your lips get cut?"
Moeha suddenly asked.
"..."
The air suddenly quieted down.
Chika, Haruno, and Sayu all turned to look at Yukino.
Yukino's pretty face flushed, her lips slightly parted as if to explain, but she had always believed in the principle of never lying. Even if she denied it now, no one would believe her, so she could only guiltily avert her gaze.
"I accidentally bit myself just now," Natsuki said nonchalantly, his face incredibly thick-skinned. "It has nothing to do with Yukino."
"Eh? Eh? Eh?"
Moeha wasn't stupid. Hearing this, she immediately reacted, her eyes wide, looking at Hirano in shock.
Yukino's pretty face turned even redder, and she said, unable to bear it any longer:
"...You shut up!"
Chika puffed out her cheeks, unhappy. "Since the challenge is complete, let's go back quickly."
The group boarded the snowmobile and returned the way they came.
For ordinary people, the extreme skiing challenge, which was a matter of life and death, was easily passed by Natsuki and Yukino in just one attempt, earning them a basic attribute point as a common reward.
However, there were still six extreme challenges to complete, so they couldn't relax. After returning to the hotel, he had assistant book tickets for the next stop.
"Assistant," Chika raised her hand and said, "Please help me book two tickets back to Tokyo. Moeha and I are going back first."
Moeha said pitifully:
"I don't want to go back at all. I want to travel the world with Senpai."
"Eh?" Sayu looked over in surprise. "Chika-chan is leaving so soon?"
"I haven't told my parents about my player identity yet, and I don't want them to worry," Chika explained. "So if I don't go back soon, my parents will really enforce family rules."
"Please rest assured, Miss Chika, leave it to me."
Assistant was well aware of Chika's identity, so she naturally agreed immediately. After a slight bow, she turned and got busy.
Natsuki said:
"Let's go, pack our things, and bring back the souvenirs."
It wasn't even noon yet. The group packed their luggage and headed directly to the airport.
Upon arriving at the airport, the two groups separated. Chika and Moeha returned to Tokyo, while Natsuki, along with Yukino, Haruno, and Sayu, continued to the next challenge location.
"Mexico, here we come!"
Haruno clenched her fists, raising her hands above her head, and cheered happily.
"Mexico, here we come!"
Sayu imitated her, also cheering happily.
When they first met in the instance, Sayu was on the verge of breaking down, but now she had finally completely recovered, regaining the bright and cheerful demeanor of a high school student.
In contrast, Yukino stood to the side, her arms crossed, seeming out of place with everyone else.
"First, to the hotel," Natsuki waved his hand and said. "A simple rest, then we'll go for wingsuit flying training."
The hotel had, of course, already been booked. Check-in, dining, travel planning, hiring coaches, and so on, none of it required any worry.
Sorry, having privileges is truly super enjoyable.
The group arrived at the hotel, dropped off their luggage, and after a brief rest, headed out under the guidance of assistant to receive training for fixed-point skydiving.
The goal of this extreme challenge was fixed-point skydiving in Mexico's Swallows Cave, one of the largest caves in the world, with a depth of over four hundred meters. It got its name because there were thousands of swallows and bats inside.
The environment inside the cave was complex, and the biggest danger came from the darkness. Skydiving in a pitch-black cave was like bungee jumping off a sheer cliff; one wrong move and you'd be done for.
However, Natsuki and Yukino happened to have a good remedy for overcoming darkness—a Witch Potion. After one bottle, challenging Swallows Cave would suddenly become much easier.
The training process needs no elaboration. The skills required for skydiving are not difficult to master; what's difficult is the courage to jump from a helicopter at that very moment.
Ordinary people who haven't received professional training, even with a parachute pack, wouldn't have the courage to leap from hundreds of meters in the air.
The skydiving instructor originally planned to use tandem skydiving to help Natsuki and Yukino overcome their initial fear, but Natsuki, without a word, simply took a leap of faith.
It was only a few hundred meters in the air; he could land safely even without a parachute, so he wasn't flustered at all.
As for Haruno and Sayu, although they both got on the helicopter, looking down at the ground from hundreds of meters in the air, they ultimately chickened out. After only one high-altitude skydive, they started slacking off and were unwilling to try it again.
At the end of the day's training, Natsuki and Yukino had successfully mastered all the skydiving techniques, and the challenge for Swallows Cave was set directly for tomorrow.
Back at the hotel, the group decided to go out for Mexican specialty food for dinner.
"Eh?" Sayu's eyes widened as she looked at the dish on her plate, hesitating. "It looks a bit familiar..."
Haruno followed, saying:
"It does look very familiar."
Natsuki retorted:
"Of course it's familiar; this stuff is cactus."
The most common specialty ingredient in Mexico is cactus. In addition to common stir-frying, frying, and deep-frying, there are also cactus wine, cactus fruit jam, cactus fruit honey, cactus fruit preserves, and so on.
After dinner, the group gave it a barely passing grade, then strolled around the streets for a while before returning to the hotel to rest.
"Master, there's an Evil Spirit in the room, what should I do?"
Sayu sent a message.
Natsuki: "Come and rest."
Sayu: "...I'm coming!"
"..."
Whether there was an Evil Spirit or not, Natsuki soon discovered that this Sayu was clearly prepared.
"You actually have this kind of underwear?"
Black, matching, lacy, transparent... In short, it was indescribable. Just looking at it made one's blood surge, wanting to transform into a werewolf.
Facing Sayu, who proudly lifted her chin and displayed her body, Natsuki suddenly felt like he had become the prey.
"Eh heh~" Sayu's pretty face was flushed, and she covered her chest with her arm, both shy and showing off. "These are new underwear I bought in Hawaii. I bought two sets in total. I originally planned to wear them with Chika-chan, but I waited and waited and never heard from Master. It's such a shame."
Of course, you wouldn't hear back!
Marin might be willing to play poker with three people, but that doesn't mean Chika is!
Sayu sat closer: "I told Master to tell Chika-chan before. Master didn't, did he?"
Natsuki said silently:
"I didn't dare to say it."
If he dared to tell Chika about playing poker with three people, his head would be distorted off!
"Eh, Master is so weak." Sayu's eyes curved into crescent moons. "What if Chika-chan doesn't mind?"
"So weak, huh?" Natsuki reached out and pushed Sayu back, starting his warm-up. "You're not sleeping tonight."
"Help, help, help!"
"No one will come to save you even if you scream your throat raw tonight."
"..."
"Bang, bang, bang."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a knock suddenly sounded at the door.
Natsuki: "..."
"Master, I'll hide," Sayu quickly got up and scurried into the bathroom.
Natsuki took a deep breath and got up to open the door.
"Natsuki-kun, good evening," Haruno waved and called out, her voice sweet, her smile bright. "I hope I'm not disturbing you?"
Of course, she was disturbing him! Suddenly knocking on the door in the middle of the night was super annoying, wasn't it?!
Natsuki said speechlessly:
"Haruno-nee, why are you knocking on the door so late instead of sleeping?"
Haruno extended a slender finger and gently touched her lips, a joyful smile on her face:
"It's a long night, and I can't sleep, so..."
"Can't sleep, huh?" Natsuki raised an eyebrow, grabbed Haruno's wrist, and pulled her in. "I can't sleep either. I'll take Haruno-nee to do something interesting."
"I'm sorry, I was wrong," Haruno quickly begged for mercy and apologized, knowing well how to be flexible. "An Evil Spirit suddenly entered my room and was staring at me from the ceiling, so I couldn't sleep at all. I had no choice but to come and ask Natsuki-kun for help."
Natsuki sighed: "Let's go, I'll go over."
The Paste skill takes five minutes, but going in person only takes one minute. Of course, he knew which to choose.
"Thank you, Natsuki-kun," Haruno thanked him happily, then her gaze suddenly sharpened, falling on the pillow behind Natsuki. "Eh?"
Natsuki said softly:
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing..." Haruno blinked, then shook her head nonchalantly. "Yukino is already asleep. Natsuki-kun, please keep your voice down and don't wake Yukino."
"I understand."
Natsuki simply put on a jacket and walked out of the room with Haruno.
Their rooms were not far apart. After a few steps, they arrived at the door of Haruno's room.
Pushing the door open, they entered the room.
The room was dimly lit, with only a small night light.
Using the faint light of the night light, Natsuki squinted and looked up at the ceiling. Sure enough, he saw a distorted, deformed Evil Spirit, like a venomous snake, circling on the ceiling.
"That's it," Haruno stepped forward, embracing Natsuki's arm, her softness pressing against him, and said pitifully in a low voice, "It's staring at me from the ceiling, I can't sleep at all."
"Evil Spirit Exorcism."
Natsuki silently activated the Evil Spirit Exorcism, and invisible transparent flames immediately began to burn on the Evil Spirit's body.
The flames burned.
The Evil Spirit quickly dissipated completely.
At this moment, a surprised voice suddenly sounded:
"What... are you doing?!"
"Eh?" Haruno looked over at the sound. "Did I wake Yukino?"
Yukino quickly sat up, one hand covering her chest, looking at Natsuki and Haruno by the bed.
In the middle of the night, hugging each other, and standing right by her bed, she couldn't possibly pretend not to see it!
Yukino bit her lip, looking at Natsuki with murderous intent.
She had occasionally seen the term 'former offender' before, and her sister wasn't that perverted, so it must all be because of him, right?
"I'm not, I didn't, don't talk nonsense," Natsuki decisively denied all three, raising his hands and saying, "I just came to help."
Haruno's eyes shifted, and she stammered:
"Yukino, don't misunderstand. Natsuki-kun just came to help eliminate the Evil Spirit. He really wasn't trying to take advantage of me in front of you."
That was indeed the truth... but why did it sound so strange?
Yukino took a deep breath and tilted her head:
"Where's the Evil Spirit?"
Natsuki said silently:
"It's already been eliminated."
Yukino said in a faint tone:
"So, there's no evidence at all?"
Natsuki: "..."
"Natsuki-kun, run!" Haruno stepped forward, extending her arms to shield Natsuki. "I'll stop Yukino for you."
What the heck! There was nothing going on, but if he turned and ran now, he'd really become a pervert who committed a crime in front of his sister!
"Whew…"
Yukino covered her forehead, sighing helplessly, slowly coming to her senses:
"That's enough… Natsuki, you can go back now."
Natsuki was startled and said:
"Yukino doesn't suspect me anymore?"
"I just accepted it." Yukino's eyes showed disdain. "After all, he's a pervert, so it's normal for him to do anything perverted, right?"
Natsuki: "..."
A pervert, huh?
Just you wait!
Your and Haruno's sisters rice bowl, I'm definitely going to eat it!
"Farewell."
Natsuki turned and returned to his room.
Then, the night passed without incident.
The next day.
After breakfast, Natsuki and Yukino, led by assistant, prepared to board a helicopter to challenge the Swallows Cave for a fixed-point parachute jump.
"Natsuki-kun, wait a moment, please paste the Possession Skill to me." Haruno suddenly called out, clasping her hands together. "Although I can't challenge the Swallows Cave with you, my spirit is with you."
Sayu's eyes lit up, and she raised her hand and said:
"Natsuki-sama, I also want to paste the Possession Skill."
The request was reasonable, and Natsuki didn't mind. After pasting the Possession Skill for Sayu and Haruno, he and Yukino officially began the fixed-point parachute jump challenge.
"First, drink a bottle of Witch Potion." Natsuki looked at Yukino. "It's too dark inside the cave."
"Okay."
Yukino nodded gently, took out a bottle of Witch Potion, and tilted her head back to drink it.
The greatest danger in cave parachuting was the darkness. Even with specialized headlamps, the effect was minimal. Compared to the boundless darkness, a single beam of light truly didn't do much, so drinking the potion was very necessary.
"Let's go."
Natsuki stepped back half a step and jumped off the helicopter in a leap of faith.
Whoosh—
The wind at hundreds of meters high was exceptionally fierce and howling, instantly rushing into his ears.
A few seconds later.
Another figure jumped from the helicopter, chasing after Natsuki.
Splash!
Two parachutes suddenly opened.
Natsuki and Yukino controlled their parachutes, their figures quickly disappearing into the Swallows Cave.
"Please bless Natsuki-sama and Yukino-chan to be safe and sound."
Sayu clasped her hands to her chest, still somewhat worried.
Haruno's eyes sparkled. She gently patted Sayu's shoulder, the mark on her palm glowing slightly, then she said naturally:
"Don't worry, Natsuki is a three-second true man, there's absolutely no need to worry."
At the same time.
Natsuki and Yukino had already entered the Swallows Cave. Because they had drunk the potion beforehand, they could still see in the darkness and clearly saw the strange rock formations and layered cliffs in the Swallows Cave, making them marvel at the wonders of nature's craftsmanship.
"Be careful not to scrape the parachute."
Natsuki controlled the parachute while carefully avoiding various sharp protruding rocks to prevent the rocks from tearing the parachute. Yukino followed closely behind him, also focusing intently.
Fortunately, both of them were lucky. A moment later, they successfully landed at the bottom of the cave.
Thud.
Both landed steadily on the ground.
Immediately after, the game popped up a notification that the stage mission was completed.
"The fixed-point parachute jump is complete." Natsuki straightened up and took off his parachute pack.
Compared to extreme skiing in the Alps, the fixed-point landing in the Swallows Cave was less thrilling. Natsuki felt it was actually quite ordinary.
The air at the bottom of the cave was damp, and there were various unpleasant smells that made his nose uncomfortable. Natsuki exhaled, walked over to Yukino, who had just landed, helped her clear the parachute from her body, and then said:
"Next, we need to get back to the surface."
The bottom of the Swallows Cave was over four hundred meters deep from the surface. Going down was simple, just jumping straight down would quickly get you to the bottom. But to go back up, you could only climb back little by little.
This cave had not been developed into a tourist attraction. There were no cable cars, no stairs, only a single rope connecting to the outside. They had to grab the rope and climb up.
"Shall we go up?"
Natsuki looked at Yukino.
"Hmm…"
Yukinoshita's delicate eyebrows furrowed. She covered her chest with one hand and parted her lips, as if wanting to say something, but in the end, she didn't say a word.
The two began to retrace their path. They didn't have to worry about getting lost, because looking up, they could see a glimpse of blue sky. Unfortunately, it was too far from the ground; looking up from the bottom of the cave, the sky was already only the size of a coin.
After climbing for a while, Natsuki and Yukino quickly reached a relatively flat large rock.
"How strange, I truly experienced the feeling of looking at the sky from the bottom of a well…"
Natsuki turned to Yukino to complain.
However, before he finished speaking, a hidden weapon suddenly shot out from Yukino's chest, heading straight for his face.
Splat.
Natsuki instinctively grabbed it.
Opening his palm, he looked down and saw only a button lying in his hand.