Trapped on a Terrifying Island, This Good-for-Nothing Just Wants to Survive

1.

Airi Somezaki’s home was located in the shrine territory of “Kitaba,” quite a distance from the abandoned warehouse.

There were no taxis on the island, and the main modes of transport were buses, motorcycles, bicycles, and walking. At this time, the buses had long stopped running.

Airi’s condition was dire. Running to her home from the warehouse would take a significant amount of time, and she might not make it.

Genji became increasingly anxious and exclaimed, “This won’t do! Even if you don’t want to go to the hospital, we need to stabilize your condition first!”

“Pak’s… Clinic…” Airi murmured before losing consciousness.

Genji quickly scanned his map and, carrying Airi, ran towards the clinic.

Upon arrival, he breathlessly placed Airi in his arms and banged on the door: “Excuse me! Please open the door! Someone is injured!”

A disheveled girl, rubbing her eyes, opened the door, and immediately became alert upon seeing the injured person. “What? Hurry, come in!”

Without even removing his shoes, Genji placed Airi on a hospital bed. After briefly explaining the situation, he collapsed to the ground, exhausted.

The girl rushed upstairs, yelling, “Dad! Dad! Come quickly, it’s an emergency!”

A large, round-faced man hurried downstairs, hesitated upon seeing Genji, then quickly drew the curtain around the bed.

“Oh my, why is she all wet? Aden, quickly take off her clothes!” Dr. Pak ordered.

Realizing his place, Genji moved to the waiting area, listening intently to the sounds from the treatment room.

Suddenly, Aden’s panicked voice rang out, “Oh no— her wound is still bleeding!”

“Get the medicine, quick!”

After some hectic activity, Airi’s condition finally stabilized. Dr. Pak instructed his daughter to dress Airi in clean, loose hospital clothes before reopening the curtain. He then picked up the phone to contact the shrine personnel.

Seeing Genji anxiously waiting, Aden teased him, “Why so nervous? You’d think you were waiting for your girlfriend!”

Startled, Genji jumped up, hastily denying, “Girl… girlfriend? No, no!”

Aden laughed, revealing her playful nature. She was the first person Genji had heard casually call Airi by her name, as others referred to her respectfully as “Divine Maiden” or “Miss Somezaki.”

Seizing the opportunity for information, Genji cautiously asked, “If I may ask, you seem to have a good relationship with the Divine Maiden?”

“Oh, drop the formalities. Airi doesn’t like it. I often go to her place to eat. She’s approachable, just a bit reserved.”

Eat at her place? Isn’t the shrine strictly guarded?

“She doesn’t live in the shrine. Her house is in Yakamura Town at the foot of the hidden mountain. The shrine is on the hillside; it’s too tiring to climb.”

Learning this, Genji asked, “So, does the deity’s descendant also live with her in Yakamura Town?”

Aden pondered, then shook her head, “The Godabe family has a rule: the deity’s descendant must live in the shrine until adulthood and only appear in public during ceremonies. We’ve never seen him.”

So, the bruises and bloodstains on Airi might have occurred during her shrine duties.

Genji carefully considered his words, then asked, “Does Miss Somezaki often get injured?”

“As the main shrine maiden, besides managing affairs, she also ensures security. She frequently practices archery and hand-to-hand combat, so it’s tough,” Aden sighed.

But why did Sahsa Kasahara believe Airi was abused by the deity’s descendant, while Aden thought these were training injuries?

“Are injuries like today’s from training?”

Aden hesitated, “I can’t disclose a patient’s private information. You should ask her directly.”

Realizing Genji’s blood-stained condition, Aden offered, “Would you like to change into clean clothes?”

“Ah, thank you…”

2.

The long night required constant attention to the patient.

After finishing other tasks, Dr. Pak and Aden provided Genji with snacks and tea, and they chatted casually.

During this time, shrine personnel arrived to collect Airi’s belongings. They glanced emotionlessly at Genji and left quickly.

They just left? And they didn’t question me? Genji wondered.

“Airi is better off resting here. The exorcism ritual can be done by others,” Aden said nonchalantly, accustomed to such scenes. “With my dad here, they won’t know you’ve broken town rules and will just think you’re a new assistant.”

Genji pondered. Dr. Pak must hold a significant position, at least someone who could speak to shrine authorities. Perhaps Airi chose Pak’s Clinic, considering this.

But

why did she repeatedly protect me? Warning me about the brain-monitoring headphones at the Sage Wall, overlooking my curfew violation, and now guiding me to Dr. Pak’s…

Perhaps she resented the Godabe family but was compelled to serve them? If Sahsa’s claims were true, Airi’s actions might be acts of silent defiance.

Lost in thought, Genji was interrupted by rustling from the patient’s room.

Dr. Pak came out, signaling Genji, “Airi’s awake. She might want to talk to you.”

Genji, nervous, entered the room after a moment of hesitation.

“Are you scared?”

Startled, Genji froze. “You can write your questions… I can’t speak much right now…”

“You know my name?” Genji was surprised, then added, “Just call me Susa.”

Noticing his discomfort, Airi switched to writing: You don’t have to be surprised. I know many names from the institute.

She wrote slowly but neatly.

“Can I ask anything?”

“Yes, but I can’t reveal everything.”

Genji’s heart raced as he began writing his questions.