Chapter 3: The Trial of Survival
Chapter 3: The Trial of Survival
Jin Seol could feel the weight of a hundred stares pressing down on him. His Celestial Player class had made him an instant target.
Some players looked at him with curiosity. Others? With jealousy.
"A unique class? That's unfair."
"Does that mean he's stronger than the rest of us?"
"Maybe we should take him down before he gets too powerful."
Jin ignored the murmurs. He had no interest in unnecessary conflicts—at least, not yet.
The system's voice cut through the noise.
> "The Second Trial will now begin."
"Objective: Survive for 12 hours."
"The trial area is filled with hostile creatures. Only those who endure will advance."
A low rumble shook the ground beneath their feet. The runes on the hall's walls flared to life, casting a golden glow over the gathered players.
Then, the floor vanished.
Jin's stomach lurched as he plummeted through empty space.
---
The Forest of Beasts
The fall ended as abruptly as it began.
Jin hit the ground with a grunt, rolling to absorb the impact. The world around him had changed—no longer the stone hall, but a vast, dark forest filled with towering trees and thick mist.
The system's notifications flashed before his eyes.
> "You have entered the Trial Zone: The Forest of Beasts."
"Remaining Players: 7,234,197."
"Objective: Survive for 12 hours."
Jin pushed himself up, scanning his surroundings. The air was thick with tension, an unnatural silence hanging over the forest. Then—
A bloodcurdling scream echoed in the distance.
Someone was already dead.
Jin narrowed his eyes. This isn't just about waiting for time to pass. The trial is actively culling the weak.
He had two choices: Hide and wait it out… or hunt.
Hiding wasn't an option. His Glitched System had given him a unique class—if he didn't take advantage of it now, he never would.
A low growl broke the silence.
Jin turned sharply. A creature emerged from the mist—a black-furred beast, its eyes glowing red, fangs dripping with saliva.
> "Lesser Shadow Wolf – Lv. 5"
Jin tensed. This would be his first real fight against a living monster.
The wolf lunged.
---
Battle Begins
Jin dodged, his instincts sharper than before. His newly acquired Beast's Fury skill activated, enhancing his reflexes.
The wolf twisted mid-air, swiping at him with razor-sharp claws. Jin barely managed to sidestep, feeling the wind from the attack rush past his face.
He needed to go on the offensive.
> [Glitched System Activated.]
[Skill Copy: Lesser Shadow Wolf – Shadow Dash.]
A tingling sensation ran through his body as the copied skill integrated into his mind.
> [Shadow Dash – Movement Skill]
Allows the user to dash short distances with increased speed. Leaves behind a shadow mirage to confuse enemies.
Jin grinned. This system is insane.
The wolf attacked again. This time, Jin activated Shadow Dash. His vision blurred for a split second as his body moved with unnatural speed, reappearing behind the wolf.
The beast skidded to a stop, confused by his afterimage. Jin didn't waste the opportunity—he clenched his fist and struck with all his strength.
A sickening crack echoed as his punch landed. The wolf yelped, staggering forward. Blood dripped from its snout.
One more hit.
Jin's body moved on instinct. He jumped forward, bringing his fist down like a hammer—
CRACK!
The wolf collapsed, its body twitching before falling still. A notification appeared.
> "You have defeated Lesser Shadow Wolf."
"Exp gained: 50."
"Skill Evolution Activated."
"Shadow Dash → Phantom Stride."
Jin's breath was heavy, but a smirk played on his lips.
> "Phantom Stride – Advanced Movement Skill"
Increases speed and reaction time. Allows short-distance teleportation.
He had evolved the skill by simply using it.
> "Glitched System… you might just be the best cheat I've ever seen."
---
Survival of the Fittest
A few minutes passed as Jin moved carefully through the forest. Distant screams, growls, and clashes filled the air.
Players were dying.
He wasn't the only one hunting, but unlike the others, he wasn't fighting just for survival—he was getting stronger.
The more he fought, the more skills he could steal.
Suddenly, a rustling sound caught his attention.
Jin turned, expecting another beast. Instead, a human figure emerged from the mist.
A young woman with short red hair and sharp green eyes. She was dressed in light leather armor, a dagger in each hand. A rogue.
She was injured—her left arm had a deep gash, and her breathing was ragged.
Jin took a cautious step forward, but she raised one of her daggers at him.
"Stay back."
Her voice was sharp, filled with distrust.
Jin didn't move. She thinks I'm a threat. And she wasn't wrong—many players would kill others just to eliminate competition.
But Jin wasn't interested in fighting her. Not yet.
"Relax," he said evenly. "I'm not looking for a fight."
She didn't lower her weapon. Smart.
Before either of them could say another word, a deep, guttural growl rumbled from the shadows.
Jin's eyes snapped toward the sound.
A larger beast emerged—a creature twice the size of the Shadow Wolf he had killed earlier. Its fur was dark gray, its fangs longer and sharper.
> "Alpha Shadow Wolf – Lv. 10"
Jin's heart pounded. This wasn't just a regular monster—it was a mini-boss.
The girl cursed under her breath. She was already injured. She wouldn't last long.
Jin exhaled, cracking his knuckles.
"Alright, I changed my mind." He glanced at the rogue with a grin. "You fight well?"
She hesitated but nodded.
Jin's grin widened.
"Good. Then let's kill this thing together."
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End of Chapter 3