"Will your body stay like this forever?"
At the dining table, the three of them ate breakfast and discussed the situation.
Hearing Valentina's question, Chuck could only shake his head and play dumb.
He couldn't reveal the trial details. Under this condition, he just had to survive the next twenty-three hours.
"..."
Seeing his reaction, deep regret appeared in Valentina's eyes. Even if she defeated him now, it would be meaningless.
"I don't know where Jules and the others went, or what's with that resurrected wild boar... what's happening?"
Janet frowned, muttering to herself.
The consecutive supernatural phenomena rattled even the steady mature mare.
"They wouldn't disappear without reason. Since they aren't here, they should be safe. Don't worry too much. Let's focus on solving the immediate danger," Chuck comforted Janet with his childish yet calm voice.
After moving around, Chuck had adapted to his shrunken body and realized how fragile he was.
He was basically on par with Momo.
So, Janet had to step up. Relying solely on Valentina wouldn't be enough.
"Mmh, I understand."
Janet nodded, her expression turning serious. Years of living alone allowed her to calm down quickly under pressure.
Chuck looked at the two tall women flanking him and spoke seriously.
"Listen, I have an idea."
...
If the beasts Chuck defeated resurrected at their death spots and came straight for him...
Besides the boar Valentina just killed, all remaining enemies... would come from the same direction.
The narrow, steep path leading from the stone platform to the rocky beach.
Whether the bear, the wolves, or the python—unless they wanted to fall thirty meters off the cliff, they had to cross this choke point.
Although Chuck held the high ground disadvantage, knowing their path allowed him to prepare. In short, turn a skirmish into a tower defense game.
This way, even with only Valentina as the combatant, they could easily pass the trial!
Under Chuck's direction, they sprang into action.
Valentina and Janet moved rocks and wood to block the base of the slope, creating a final defense line, then set traps.
Chuck found palm kernel oil and liquid resin in the storage room. Though precious, in a trial world, he didn't need to be stingy. He quickly crafted a new version of Molotov cocktails.
This liquid incendiary didn't need heating and would be even deadlier.
Time waited for no one. Before noon, a sharp hiss sounded from the slope.
Chuck looked and saw the clouded leopard he had once killed.
He nodded to Valentina. She put down her shovel, picked up the pike, and engaged the leopard.
Minutes later, the resurrected beast was flung away by Valentina's pike.
Chuck admired her fluid movements.
Before learning combat techniques, he thought they were flashy. Now, he understood how powerful Valentina truly was.
Holding her own against him—someone who physically outclassed her in every way—proved her skills were real.
"Good work."
Taking the pike from her, Chuck looked up into her calm eyes and nodded.
"Let's hurry. The next enemy won't be so easy."
...
The barricades were done. Chuck and Janet found a high vantage point on the cliff overlooking the path, ready to provide support.
In the afternoon, a gray, writhing shadow appeared.
The python!
Valentina's expression hardened. She looked up at Chuck, who nodded.
When the python reached the middle of the path, a clay pot with a burning rag dropped from the sky, landing squarely on its head.
Crash!
Sparks and shards flew. Amidst shrill hissing, the python was engulfed in flames, thrashing violently.
Seizing the moment, Valentina vaulted the barricade, pierced the snake's head with her pike, and immediately retreated, giving it no chance to counterattack.
The zombie snake was defeated.
For the wolf pack that followed, Chuck used the same tactic.
Squeezed together in the narrow path, two Molotov cocktails turned them into roasted wolves.
Three easy victories relaxed the tension on Valentina and Janet's faces.
The sun set. Despite being a trial world, the sunset looked identical to reality.
According to the system, only one enemy remained.
The tropical jungle black bear.
Chuck looked at his last Molotov cocktail, his expression solemn.
Four cocktails were the best he could do with limited oil. Now he was down to one card, but the strongest enemy remained.
He looked down at Valentina, standing behind the barricade, pike in hand, face cold.
Even as a woman, she had the aura of an unbeatable guardian.
Just then, a familiar roar echoed from the slope. A dark shadow emerged.
Valentina's eyes lit up with excitement.
If not for Chuck's interference, this bear would have been her prey.
She looked up at the two on the cliff and made a gesture.
"What does she mean?" Janet asked, puzzled.
"She's telling us not to interfere..."
Chuck whispered, lowering the Molotov cocktail.
He knew it was her pride, but this was a trial. Satisfying her battle lust was fine.
Chuck focused intensely, gripping the bottle tight. He whispered instructions to Janet.
She paused, nodded firmly, and climbed down the wooden ladder.
The zombie bear lumbered down, scarred from previous battles but even fiercer.
Finally, combat erupted.
Valentina fought the bear in the narrow path with her pike!
Chuck watched unblinkingly.
In the confined space, Valentina's techniques were hindered. She retreated under the bear's relentless assault, only managing shallow cuts.
Just as she was backed against her own barricade, the bear roared and lunged. But suddenly, it dropped, crashing into a pit trap amidst dust and splintered wood.
"Hah!"
Valentina struck precisely, driving the pike into its soft belly.
But as she tried to retract the weapon, her instincts screamed. She tried to jump back, but too late. A paw slammed into her calf.
She cried out as her leg bone nearly snapped. Despair chilled her heart. Just then, a clay pot fell from the sky onto the bear's back.
Fire exploded. The bear roared in even greater fury.
"Quick, give me your hand!"
Janet, waiting atop the barricade, reached down. Valentina gritted her teeth and grabbed her hand.
Taking a deep breath, Janet used all her strength—honed by breaking squat records in the gym—to pull the silver-haired woman up.
They tumbled over the barricade. Janet grabbed a prepared bronze javelin, face pale, watching the smoke rising from behind the wall.
Unable to stand, Valentina also grabbed a javelin, enduring the pain, ready to deliver the final blow.
But the high wall blocked their view and the bear's rage. Chuck watched from above as the beast burned and bled, roaring in confusion, unable to find its target. Soon, amidst the smell of burnt flesh, it collapsed.
A screen appeared before Chuck.
[Congratulations! You have successfully killed all enemies. Trial Objective Achieved!] [Remaining Trial Time: 11 hours 23 minutes] [End trial and return early?] [Note: If you choose not to return early, you may continue activities in the trial world. External time will not pass, but Rule 2 still applies until time runs out.]
Chuck raised an eyebrow.
Stay in the trial world? What does that mean?
He thought for a moment, then froze. Looking down between his legs, a smile curled his lips.
He raised his hand and pressed [No].
...
Despite defeating the enemies, Chuck remained a child, and the others didn't return.
To Valentina and Janet, unaware this was a simulation, the mood was heavy. They had to survive tomorrow, unsure if more dangers awaited.
But perhaps accustomed to nightly exhaustion with Chuck, even in this state...
"Baby, Mommy wants it..."
By the dim firelight, Chuck looked at the naked mature woman and smiled wryly.
"Like this? Are you sure?"
"Of course."
Chuck's face was buried in milk-scented breasts. His child-like body was embraced by Janet as she lay back, her fleshy legs wrapping around his waist. He sank into her soft, fragrant form like a cloud.
Janet stroked the back of his head, eyes trembling with love.
"It's just the three of us now. No matter what, Mommy will love you and protect you..."
"I should be the one protecting him."
Valentina spoke calmly from the side.
Leg bandaged, she stared at the ceiling with determination.
"I am your woman, and you are my man. So no matter what, I will die after you."
Seeing the sorrow in Janet's eyes and the resolve in Valentina's, Chuck's heart softened.
He suddenly regretted not exiting earlier.
Staying meant they endured the nightmare longer.
But having chosen, he wouldn't dwell on it.
He thrust in.
"OHHH HOOOO!!"
His body was small, but that part wasn't. Even in the trial world, he made the mature mare squeal shamelessly.
Just one night.
Besides, if he filled their minds with pleasure, the nightmare would cease to be a nightmare.
It would become a wet dream.
...
Chuck proved one thing in the trial world: you can sleep in a dream.
Though he wasn't sure if this counted as a dream.
After several rounds with Janet, Valentina suddenly took initiative. Ignoring her leg injury, she mounted Chuck and drained him again.
The three fell asleep in each other's arms. When Chuck opened his eyes groggily, two familiar bright yellow lights appeared.
[Congratulations! Your companions Janet and Valentina have passed the Other Shore Trial. Reward: Other Shore Flower (Yellow) x2] [Congratulations! Janet's Trust increased by 100! Current Trust: 200 (Undying Love)] [Congratulations! Valentina's Trust increased by 100! Current Trust: 200 (Undying Love)] [Congratulations! Janet and Valentina's Trust exceeded maximum! Hidden Reward Triggered — Workbench Exclusive Bonus Significantly Enhanced!]