Was Ran bitten by a sea snake?
Akashi's expression turned grave.
Without hesitation, he dove underwater, quickly closing the five or six-meter distance between them. Beneath the waves, Ran floated limply, her limbs trailing weightlessly, hair fanned out like seaweed. She was completely unconscious.
At any other time, Akashi—still in his child-like Shota form—might have been helpless. But not now.
Not when his Strength stat was sufficient.
Not when he had a brand-new surfing skill from his check-in reward.
With a burst of will, he summoned a powerful wave that wrapped around Ran's body, lifting her from the depths.
Then, cupping her face with his small hands, he kissed her—transferring oxygen mouth to mouth.
Moments later, the surface of the sea stirred strangely. Unlike a natural tide, the current surged not toward the beach, but against it, rushing toward the nearest reef.
Within the swell, Akashi and Ran were swept along.
Given the distance from the shore, landing on the reef was his best chance to buy time—and save Ran.
Soon, the summoned wave deposited them onto a reef covered in pale white sand. As the water receded, Akashi emerged, holding Ran close.
He didn't pause. His lips were still pressed against hers, continuously using his Lv3 [Imported Sugar] skill.
Even though his heart was racing, Akashi remained focused.
With its upgrade, Imported Sugar could not only heal—it could detoxify and purify. Even the venom of a sea snake would fall to its effects.
If that wasn't enough, Akashi had other skills that could pull someone back from the edge of death.
But… no matter how many times he kissed her or applied the skill, Ran remained unconscious.
Could it be... he was treating the wrong place?
Did he need to suck the venom out directly?
Worried and unsure, Akashi gently laid her head down and began to inspect her body for signs of a bite.
Fingers—clear.
Palms—nothing.
Arms—unscathed.
Toes, feet, calves—still nothing.
Then, as he parted her long, pale legs, he finally found it.
The snake bite.
Just a centimeter or two from a particularly private area.
His expression turned serious.
No wonder the venom had spread so quickly. No wonder Ran had passed out instantly.
Akashi didn't dare hesitate.
He leaned forward, planting his face directly on the wound.
With a flick of his tongue, he activated Lv1 『Flexible Tongue』, granting him perfect control and rapid movement.
『Flexible Tongue』 Lv1: Your tongue has become remarkably flexible, its length extraordinary, and it can move at an astonishing frequency of up to eighteen times per second. It's the ultimate tool! 』
He began sucking vigorously.
The salty, fishy taste filled his nose—it was like breathing in the sea itself.
Blood filled his mouth. With a loud ptooey!, he spat it out onto the sand beside them.
A moment later, Ran's body twitched.
It was working.
Akashi repeated the motion—face buried, tongue working, venom drawn out.
Another mouthful of blood. Another spit.
Still, she didn't wake.
Could there be another bite he missed?
Determined, Akashi carefully inspected every inch of her again—but no, that was the only wound.
He returned to the bite and prepared to try again.
This time, unintentionally, his Electric Dragon Spin—a first check-in reward skill of today—activated.
Electric current sparked faintly across his lips as he drew out another mouthful of blood.
Suddenly, a spray of water hit his face.
"..."
He ignored it after a few seconds of being stunned, spat the blood aside, and prepared to use his last resort skill—the one that could even bring someone back from death's door.
But then—
"Cough! Cough!"
Ran twitched, her body convulsing, and then—
She rolled her head to the side and vomited a mouthful of seawater.
Akashi's eyes lit up.
Was she drowning this whole time?
He acted fast, summoning his bandages and pulling her up into his arms. Standing on the rock, he pressed both hands to her chest and began performing the Heimlich maneuver.
With each rhythmic push, more water burst from her lips.
Finally, Ran inhaled sharply, collapsing into a heap as she gasped for breath.
As he felt her breathing return to normal, Akashi exhaled in relief. He sat back and let his arms go slack, tearing off the now-soaked bandage.
"Scared me to death, Sister Ran… I really thought I wasn't going to make it in time!"
Ran lay there, stunned, taking in her surroundings with hazy eyes. She noticed they were far from the beach, washed up on a secluded reef. The buoy ropes were dozens of meters away—maybe four or five hundred meters from shore.
How had Akashi—a kid—carried her all the way here?
It didn't seem possible.
Before she could think further, she turned and pulled him into a tight hug.
Akashi froze—face completely red.
"Akashi… thank you. You saved my life," she whispered, her voice soft and full of emotion.
Here, on this lonely reef, it was just the two of them.
There was something tender and fragile in the air—an unspoken bond forged in the face of death.
Akashi gently stroked her back, his small hand moving soothingly.
"It's okay now. You're safe."
His touch, imbued with yin energy, had a calming, almost magical effect. Ran's tense body slowly relaxed.
Then Akashi asked, "Sister Ran, why were you so careless? How did you get bitten by a sea snake?"
Ran blinked. "A sea snake? What are you talking about? I didn't get bitten. I just suddenly felt weak… and then I sank."
Akashi frowned. Sea snake bites often went unnoticed. Their mouths were small, and their venom contained neurotoxins that numbed the body almost instantly.
He pointed to where the bite had been, ready to prove his point.
But—
It was gone.
Completely healed.
Thanks to his Lv3 [Imported Sugar] skill and its enhanced healing properties, the wound had vanished without a trace.
The skin was now flawless—smooth and unblemished.
Ran followed his finger with her eyes, confused.
There was no wound.
Her face suddenly turned bright red.