After closing the communication channel, Herta merged Lucy's island into her own. Instantly, her island expanded significantly.
She cast her fishing rod again and waited.
"Seriously… why can't fishing rods be looted?"
She was quite dissatisfied. Since she had eliminated Lucy, everything Lucy owned should have been her spoils. So why did the fishing rod disappear?
After pulling up a few more resources, Herta suddenly noticed a massive floating island drifting toward her from afar.
Its sheer size completely overshadowed her own.
"…Who is that?!"
She was shocked. Not only was the other island enormous, it could also move. No matter how she looked at it, she was at a huge disadvantage.
"Wait… how could any player have an island this big already?"
Island size could only be increased bit by bit through fishing, or by eliminating other players and absorbing their islands.
The game had barely started. There was no way someone could have grown that large already.
That left only one possibility.
That island belonged to Valerius.
"Heh… as expected of me."
With that conclusion, Herta became excited. If she encountered Valerius, she could buy items from him.
She already had a plan. As long as she could purchase a few things from Valerius now, she could quickly eliminate other players and rack up points.
As for being targeted by others? She wasn't worried.
By the time others gained mobility, she would already have accumulated plenty of points. Even if she got eliminated later, the points would still count.
Securing a top-three spot was entirely possible.
With that in mind, Herta stood up and stopped fishing, quietly waiting for the massive island to approach.
After a short while, it finally drew near.
"Valerius! Come over here—I want to buy something!"
The island was too large, so she could only shout upward.
Valerius's figure appeared.
"So it really is you," Herta's eyes gleamed. "Quick, I want to buy something."
But Valerius shook his head. "If you want to buy something, you'll have to come onto my island yourself."
There was still a gap between their islands—close, but not close enough to cross.
"Can't you just move a little closer?"
"No." Valerius shook his head and explained, "My island moves randomly. I can't control it. It only stops when a player boards it."
Even though he felt a bit sorry for her, he still explained. It wasn't him being difficult—it was simply the rules.
Now Herta was stuck.
The distance wasn't far, but it was just beyond what she could jump. And her own island couldn't move—her previous collision with Lucy had only been due to the wind.
Seeing Valerius's island drifting slowly away, she grew anxious.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If she missed it, who knew when she'd see him again?
With that thought, Herta steeled herself and moved to the edge of her island.
She was going to take a running start and jump.
Fortunately, after absorbing Lucy's island, she now had just enough space to build momentum.
Valerius sat nearby, watching her actions with amusement.
She's really going all out.
Suddenly, his gaze shifted to another island slowly drifting in from the distance.
"Who's that?"
Based on earlier conversations, it might be Yae Miko—she had mobility. But he wasn't certain. Who knew how many others were secretly developing?
At the same time, Herta noticed the approaching island.
"This is bad."
Her heart sank. That island was moving—meaning its owner had already gained control.
Even if they hadn't spotted her yet, Valerius's massive island would definitely attract attention.
And she only had a small knife. If the other player was strong, she'd be done for.
"I can't wait any longer."
Without hesitation, she sprinted forward and leapt toward Valerius's island.
She had to reach him before the other player arrived. Otherwise, she'd lose her advantage.
As long as she got up there and bought something, she could immediately turn the situation around.
But reality didn't match her expectations.
She fell just short.
Even with a diving leap, she barely managed to grab the edge of the island. It was made of packed soil, offering little grip. Fortunately, there were roots embedded in the dirt, allowing her to cling on—barely.
"…Pull me up!"
"No. I can't help you."
Valerius's response was not what she wanted to hear.
"What do you mean you can't? I'm already on your island—can't you at least give me a hand?"
"No." Valerius shook his head again. "You have to get up on your own. Only after you successfully step onto the island can I trade with you."
Herta nearly burst into tears. Half her body was dangling in the air, and he still refused to help.
"This is bad… I'm not about to get eliminated too, am I?"
She suddenly remembered—only Gorou and Lucy had been eliminated so far. If she lost her grip now, she'd become one of the punished players.
No. Absolutely not.
She strained her entire body and began climbing.
To her surprise, the roots were incredibly sturdy. No matter how hard she pulled, they didn't snap.
"I still have a chance."
With that realization, she calmed down slightly. As long as she climbed carefully, she could make it up.
Then—
Footsteps.
Light, unmistakably feminine footsteps.
Her heart sank again.
No need to think—it had to be the owner of that approaching island.
"Oh? Isn't this Miss Herta? What are you doing down there?"
Yae Miko's teasing voice rang out as she looked down at Herta clinging to the edge.
"…Uh… pull me up. Let's team up."
"Miss Herta, we're opponents right now."
Yae Miko rolled her eyes. Pull her up? As if. Herta was worth one point.
"You… if we cooperate, the top two spots will definitely be ours. This deal isn't a loss for you."
"True." Yae Miko nodded thoughtfully—then smiled. "But I only care about first place. I don't care who gets second."
"Don't you want someone from Inazuma to take another spot?"
"Nope."
Herta was speechless.
This fox… was unbelievably shameless. Not even considering her own allies—only herself.
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