The surgical knife clashed with the dagger as Jack and Bullet engaged each other with their short blades. Wolf King whispered in my ear, "Bullet employs combat techniques from the German army, while Jack's style is rather peculiar; I suspect he has studied some of the Emei dagger techniques from Chinese martial arts."
Unable to endure the irritation brought on by Wolf King, especially as his hand incessantly roamed over Milinda's ample bosom, I felt a surge of anger. Thus, I couldn't muster a pleasant expression for his commentary. "It's clear that Jack is no match for Bullet; why must he challenge him?" After observing for a moment, I could predict the outcome. Yaoin Shenzou chimed in, "You see, Jack has a penchant for alluring women, and I suspect that Romia has struck a nerve with him. Unfortunately, I lack the confidence to defeat Snooker, or else I wouldn't allow Jack to take the lead. It would be a pity for that woman to fall into his hands."
"Hey! Has it been stated that if Bullet is defeated, Jack gets to play with that voluptuous beauty? Moreover, Jack may not necessarily triumph!" Wolf King and Yaoin Shenzou turned to me, making me wonder if I had misspoken. Wolf King was unperturbed by the prospect of Milinda overhearing as he declared loudly, "Jack couldn't care less about the outcome; he merely wishes to assert that Romia will be his prey. Unless someone from the opposing team manages to kill him first, that woman cannot escape."
"I forgot that my teammates are a bunch of genuine perverts," I thought, explaining to Wolf King. I turned away with a scoff, no longer wishing to watch the contest. Jack's strength had seen only limited enhancement; while Bullet was skilled, I was confident I could surpass him. Having gauged my opponent's capabilities, my purpose for observing this match was achieved. I had no desire to witness bloodshed, as that would surely haunt my dreams. Turning away decisively, I left those degenerates to continue their cheers. As I approached the entrance of my barracks, I sensed someone trailing behind me.
"Lilith! What do you want by following me?" Dressed in snug combat shorts, a high-elasticity tank top, and military boots, Lilith's appearance closely resembled that of Lara Croft, the protagonist of the Tomb Raider series I had played from its first to fourth installments.
To be honest, the resolution of that ancient game was far too poor; the virtual Lara wasn't nearly as stunning. However, many live-action portrayals of the character were indeed breathtaking. I remembered purchasing a software magazine featuring photographs of female players dressed as Lara, and they were simply stunning. While Lilith's looks might only score an eighty-five, her long, exposed legs could rival any actress who had donned the Lara persona. I had never seen such a model-like pair of legs in reality. Standing at nearly one hundred eighty centimeters, Lilith towered over me, an intimidating presence as she remained silent.
Just as I contemplated turning hostile, she spoke to me in a tone devoid of much emotion: "Do you know why Milinda is flirting with Wolf King from your team?"
"How would I know? It's surely a case of lustful men and licentious women; when the fire ignites, it becomes uncontrollable!"
"Like Romia willingly becoming Snooker's woman, the three of us come from the French mercenary corps. However, we ultimately cannot compete with men in terms of strength. For this mission, we are destined to be sacrifices, so both of them hope to find a man who will come to their rescue at a critical moment."
"Sacrifices? Is this mission going to require the sacrifice of women?" Lilith replied coldly, "According to the records on that map, the adventurer uses a winged magic ape to guard his treasure. The power of such a beast is several times greater than that of the centaur guards in the training camp."
"Several times greater than the centaur guards?" My heart sank; when I entered the training camp, the centaur guard had a ghostly presence and knocked out Yaoin Shenzou with a single punch. I couldn't even match the strength of his toe. If the winged magic ape were several times stronger, wouldn't it relish slaughtering our two teams?
"However, the winged magic ape has a crucial weakness: it has an overwhelming fondness for beautiful women. We three have been specifically chosen to satisfy its carnal desires. According to the plan, we will lead the winged magic ape away while you steal the adventurer's treasure; afterward, we will likely have to fight for our lives." Lilith's face showed an expression of palpable dread, clearly terrified of her fate.
"To resort to such despicable means to steal the adventurer's secret treasure? Then I'll opt out!"
"You may choose not to go, but if we don't, no one will survive!" Lilith's face fell with sadness as she spoke resolutely to me, "If the treasure is lost, the winged magic ape will be furious, with a seventy to eighty percent chance of tearing us three women apart, and there's a slim chance it may abandon us to pursue you."
"I urge you to save me in that scenario! I wish to live, even if there's only a faint possibility."
"I'd like to save you, but I fear I might not survive myself…" I forced a bitter smile; I was all too aware of my limitations—just a newcomer on Demon Island, previously an ordinary high school freshman, I couldn't measure up to Lilith, a professional female soldier.
Lilith's words elevated my understanding of the dangers on Demon Island, intensifying my desire to return home.
"You can do it. Although you appear the youngest, your strength surpasses even Snooker's. I would gladly offer anything to satisfy you, including my body and some cards I obtained on Demon Island! You enjoy martial arts cards, don't you? I have two!"
I wanted to immediately refuse Lilith's proposal, but a beauty like her, especially with that exotic charm, left me, a mere high schooler, utterly unable to control my will. Moreover, the two martial arts cards she hastily presented made it even harder to turn down her offer.
"If I can't guarantee my own safety, then you should fend for yourself. When it comes to the task, I'll do my best to assist you. But don't harbor too many hopes; I'm not the Buddha, and I possess no omnipotent abilities."