Chapter 27: Sister Bird Withdraws

Steve wrapped the vine tightly around his waist, making sure it wouldn't slip off. Only then did he finally allow himself to look at his hands.

His frown deepened as he saw the damage. The skin on his palms had been worn away, leaving deep grooves in his flesh. Blood flowed freely from the wounds, and the sight made him wince.

Up until this point, he hadn't felt much pain. The adrenaline had kept him focused. But now, as he relaxed, the cramping pain surged through his hands, causing his face to turn pale. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead as the realization of his injury set in.

At the same moment, the audience watching the live broadcast also saw Steve's injuries.

"Ah! Look at Steve's hand! Oh my god, it's injured so badly. That must be agonizing," one viewer commented.

"How could it not hurt? Just look at the cold sweat on his face," another person said, echoing the concern.

"I think it's over. After such a serious injury, Steve will definitely quit. If Sister Bird also has to quit, then only Kevin will be left. But he probably won't last much longer either," a third voice observed.

"Sister Bird is in worse condition," another viewer added. "Her entire back is soaked in blood. She might not survive much longer."

"Ha, looks like the two strongest players of the Jiuzhou team are about to be eliminated. The rest are just working their butts off."

"Go back to your country of sanitary napkins, you bastards, and stop disgusting us here," someone angrily shot back.

"Dammit, except for the teachers who have both virtue and talent, no one here is any good."

"Nobody wants things like this to happen," one viewer sighed. "At least Steve reacted in time and was able to hold on. If he hadn't, Sister Bird wouldn't just be eliminated—she might have lost her life."

"Steve really impressed me today. I can't imagine how he managed to hold onto those vines through all that pain."

"I used to think Steve was just the kind of guy who'd scream if bitten by a mosquito. But now? I completely understand what a real man is."

"Isn't that what a hero is? He might not seem like much in normal times, but when it counts, he steps forward, no matter the cost."

"I can't do it, but I really admire people like him."

"Steve, don't worry about quitting. It wouldn't be shameful at all."

Just then, a buzzing sound of machinery broke through the tension in the jungle. Steve looked up, squinting against the sunlight, and saw several drones flying overhead.

Curious, he watched as they approached. What were they doing here? And then, just as he was starting to wonder, the drones swooped down toward the pit where Sister Bird had fallen.

Could these drones actually rescue her?

Just as his thoughts raced, the program team's voice came through the drone's speakers.

"Steve, hold on a little longer. Sister Bird will be rescued soon."

Steve nodded, silent but thankful. The rescue team was on its way. He kept his eyes on the scene below, anxiously waiting.

Moments later, the drones emerged from the cave, each one carrying a steel cable. At the other end of the cables was Sister Bird, being carefully pulled from the depths of the abyss.

"Okay, Steve, you can let go now," the program team's voice instructed.

Without hesitation, Steve released the vines that had been wrapped around his waist and made his way toward Sister Bird.

The drones gently lowered her to the ground. As she settled onto the earth, Steve got his first clear look at her injuries. Her entire back was soaked in blood, most likely from the rocks she had scraped against while falling down the pit.

The severity of her wounds was undeniable. Without immediate treatment, it could become life-threatening. But there was no way around it—treating her injuries would mean she had to withdraw from the competition.

Sister Bird's face was ashen from the loss of blood. Her expression was one of defeat, and it pained Steve to see her like this.

"Sister Bird, how do you feel?" Steve asked, his voice laced with concern as he crouched beside her.

Sister Bird forced a weak smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm fine, Steve. But… I don't think I can continue walking with you. I'm sorry."

Steve's heart sank. It was clear that Sister Bird, the backbone of the team, wasn't just struggling with her injuries. She was struggling with the emotional weight of having to quit. She had always been the one to push forward, the one who refused to give up. And now, to see her so defeated, it shook Steve deeply.

Sister Bird, despite the blood soaking her clothes and the pain she must have been feeling, wasn't thinking about herself. She was worried about her team, about not being able to help them anymore.

Steve sat down beside her and took her hand. "Sister Bird, listen to me. It's not your fault. We'll make it. You don't have to worry about us. We'll keep going, and you don't have to feel guilty. This was an accident, and accidents happen. We understand. You need to get treated—your health comes first."

Sister Bird looked at him, her eyes filled with tears, and nodded slowly. "I believe you, Steve. Thank you."

Steve smiled and squeezed her hand gently. "You just need to cheer us on from the outside. Watch us on the live broadcast, and know that we're going to keep fighting. When we win the championship, we'll celebrate together."

"Okay," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I'll be waiting for you."

As the conversation quieted, the sound of a helicopter could be heard approaching. The rescue team had arrived. The helicopter hovered above them, and several medics descended quickly, first aid kits in hand. Among them was James, the director of the Jiuzhou program team. He looked down at Sister Bird, shaking his head with a quiet sigh.

It was a bitter moment. The survival expert who had once been the strongest member of their team was now out of the competition, eliminated so early. And now, the remaining team members—Chris, Jarvis, and Kevin—were left to face the challenges ahead, and it was unclear how much longer they would last.

James glanced at Steve, whose face was tense with concern, and gave him a small nod of acknowledgment. He had no doubt that the remaining team members would push on, but he couldn't help but wonder if they would be able to last much longer without Sister Bird.

"Well," James muttered to himself as he watched the medics tend to Sister Bird, "I guess I can take a vacation now."

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