After a short rest, Chuck continued slowly down the east slope.
Regardless of how many Lord-Class BOSSes existed, his only concern now was the bird hindering his search for water.
Also, the purpose of this trip was merely gathering information. Thinking too much was less useful than hurrying home to prepare for the next step with his harvest.
This slope was flatter but longer than the stone platform's. Winding past the river valley, Chuck finally descended into a familiar tropical palm forest.
Banana trees, coconut trees, scattered wild fruits and vegetables—almost identical to the southern and eastern beach jungles. Resources were decent.
But seeing this didn't relax Chuck; it made him more alert.
Similar terrain and abundant initial resources meant this place, like the southern beach, was another "Rookie Map."
There was a high probability of other survivors.
This wasn't Chuck's first encounter. Survivors appeared one after another. Although all were women so far, who knew if there would be an exception next time?
Once an exception appeared, there was no room for negotiation. Killing was inevitable, and Chuck had to strike first.
Although attacking a stranger without grudge seemed brutal by conventional morals, reaching this point on the island meant risking his life for every inch of territory. Sharing was impossible. Conventional morals were meaningless.
After all, this was a deserted island.
With this thought, Chuck moved cautiously through the tropical jungle northeast of the volcano—the northeastern part of the island.
To remain undetected, Chuck utilized the stealth skills Valentina taught him, gripping his short knife.
Harem beauties and island territory were all Chuck desired. He didn't mind blood on his hands. Would this be a new selection ground for his harem, or the place where he took his first human life?
Five minutes later, the answer came.
Thud, thud, thud.
Messy thuds sounded from the woods ahead. Chuck's gaze sharpened. Holding his breath, hiding behind a tree trunk, he peered through the leaves.
A tall, slender figure with short bright pink hair was kicking an innocent banana tree with a soul-stealing long, snowy leg.
"That idiot Unnie! Idiot Unnie!"
The supermodel-like legs, though slender, were unexpectedly powerful. Each kick shook the trunk and leaves.
"Why won't she listen to me! Shibal! Shibal!"
Hearing the "Shibal" amidst the shaking leaves, Chuck raised an eyebrow.
Fortunately, a woman.
And as usual, a pretty one.
Over 1.7 meters tall, wearing a dusty light T-shirt and denim shorts. Though he couldn't see her face, the legs alone were top-tier.
But her gibberish venting made Chuck scratch his head.
Skin tone, figure, and jawline suggested an East Asian woman, but not Chinese...
Korean or Japanese then.
Regarding Japanese, Chuck often heard Kaede and Kaoru scream in their native tongue during sex. Plus anime and AV exposure, he easily ruled it out. Also, bright pink hair was unlikely under the General's sun.
The answer was obvious.
A South Korean woman.
Chuck narrowed his eyes.
South Korea was "advanced version." Women were shrewd calculators. Their tactics against "Guinan" (turtle men/simps) seemed milder than Chinese women's only because Korean men woke up earlier, making exploitation costlier.
Chuck remembered a classic online incident before the island. A Korean female cosplayer was praised by Chinese otaku for being "conscientious," drawing rabid attacks from domestic female cosplayers.
Perhaps finding Chinese simps' money too easy, the "conscientious" persona crumbled in days. Various scandals collapsed her reputation overnight.
Though just a spectator, Chuck formed a rough impression of women from that peninsula: influenced by advanced plastic surgery and K-dramas, their average rank was higher than domestic women, but their operating logic was identical.
Simply put, exploit whenever possible.
Chuck used to despise this, but now he felt indifferent. Beautiful women, chaste or loose, eventually trade their bodies for something. The difference is loyalty vs. promiscuity.
All Chuck's harem members were virgins initially, even the mature ones. This standard wouldn't change.
Thinking this, Chuck sheathed his knife and walked slowly towards the woman kicking the tree.
He didn't hide his presence. Pushing aside leaves and stepping on dry twigs, the noise alerted her. She turned abruptly.
Chuck finally saw her face clearly.
Snow-white smooth skin, features cold yet cute. Delicate nose, cherry-like moist lips, slightly upturned phoenix eyes with characteristic monolids added a sharp, cool temperament.
Distinctly Korean features. Chuck couldn't tell if there was plastic surgery yet—technology was too advanced.
But undeniably beautiful.
Plus those long legs... a top-tier Korean beauty.
"Nuguseyo (Who are you)?!"
While Chuck appraised her, she looked panicked. Eyes wide, she stared at Chuck warily while backing away slowly.
"Unnie... Unnie (Sister)!!"
Then she started shouting.
Chuck frowned.
Though he didn't understand the words, she was clearly calling for help.
As expected.
The vast northern area indeed had more than one survivor.
Remembering the language barrier misunderstanding with Valentina, Chuck didn't act rashly. He stood still, watching her shout while guarding against him.
Unfortunately, her voice was pleasant but not loud. After shouting fruitlessly, she turned and ran deeper into the jungle on her long legs and worn sneakers.
Not long after, several figures emerged from the jungle.
One, two, three...
Figures of varying skin tones but slender figures and regular features appeared.
Led by a tall woman with shoulder-length black hair, wearing a khaki camisole and loose cropped wide-leg pants, they stopped before Chuck.
Chuck scanned them. Seven in total, counting the pink-haired girl.
Quite a few.
Though all were decent-looking, Chuck had seen better. Only the pink-haired girl and the leader caught his eye...
Chuck's gaze froze on the leader.
She looked somewhat similar to the pink-haired girl.
And inexplicably familiar.
Everyone, including the leader, looked at Chuck warily, whispering amongst themselves.
Chuck remained calm and motionless. After a stalemate, the leader spoke.
Not in Korean, but in English, which he was now familiar with.
"Chuck, right?"
Hearing his name, Chuck paused, surprised internally despite his calm exterior.
"How do you know my name?"
"Probably because we share a mutual friend."
The woman's lips curled slightly. Her face, colder and more mature than the pink-haired girl's, showed a smile.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Lee So-yeon. The girl you just met is my sister, Na-eun."
She stepped forward proactively, extending a slender white hand.
Chuck paused, pupils constricting.
Lee So-yeon?!
The K-pop idol who was globally famous years ago with a hit single. Though traffic came and went, even the indifferent Chuck had seen her face and name in ads or posters.
No wonder she felt familiar...
Even celebrities on this island?
But surprise was all he felt. Slightly unexpected by her friendly attitude, he stepped forward, shook her hand politely, and voiced his guess.
"Is Tang Yumo here?"
Hearing the name, surprise flashed in Lee So-yeon's eyes.
"Yes. But... don't you know me?"
Seeing Chuck ask about Tang Yumo instead of reacting with "OMG, you're Lee So-yeon," she was surprised.
Chuck's eye twitched. He shook his head impassively.
"Should I?"
Attitude was okay, but the underlying issue resembled his first meetings with Yitong and Kaoru.
She hadn't recognized reality yet.
This was a deserted island. Being a former celebrity was just a coincidence to Chuck. Queen or Prime Minister, here they were just flesh and blood. Worldly status meant nothing.
It took time to teach Yitong and Kaoru this. Another student?
"Sorry, my bad."
Surprisingly, Lee So-yeon dropped the subject immediately. She smiled and nodded.
"As you guessed, Tang is one of us. But she's busy and can't see you right now."
"It's fine. Say hi for me."
Chuck was slightly surprised Tang was alive, but that was all. Not the same path, no need for concern.
"Enough pleasantries. Let's talk business."
Lee So-yeon looked at Chuck, her smile calm and natural.
"May I ask, Mr. Chuck, what brings you here?"