Chapter 14 - Into The Trial

Alex took a deep breath to calm his nerves after his initial schock. He didn't expect the recruits to be this many. This was only the fourth base, that means the number of humans would reach a staggering amount. It seems like he had missed a lot during his uncontrollable adventures.

Everyone stood in line, orderly yet restless. Some side conversations buzzed around, the low murmurs carrying hints of anxiety, excitement, and speculation. Many recruits knew that their fates had already been decided the moment they stepped into the camp. Whether they'd survive long enough to change that fate… that was another matter.

Among them, a man in a green suit gestured animatedly while talking to his partner— who was also dressed in green. They both looked to be in their late twenties. Whenever his partner seemed distracted, the man waved his arms in front of his face, his mouth never stopping. Maybe this was their way of coping with the tension.

The truth was simple: survival was no longer guaranteed.

A sharp voice cut through the murmurs.

"Listen up everyone!"

Everyone raised their head to look at the man who had at one time arrived before them without them knowing. The man was dressed in a deep brown suit. A 3 star insignia could be seen decorated on the suit's chest. The image of monster jaw pierced on both sides was imprinted besides it. The man floated in air before them which was due to his footwear which when observed for a while, appeared to be distorting the air around them.

Alex eyes narrowed at the man. He had sensed the man's presence when he came but pretended not to. It seems many things are at play here which would make his coming here worthwhile.

For some inexplicable reason, the man's voice could reach everyone disregarding the distance between them. Everyone then focused on the man gestures as he seemed to be relaying an information to them.

"From today onwards, your status as civilians has been discarded. You now bear the honor of defending humanity!"

A massive hologram map flickered into existence in front of the recruits. Mountains, rivers, forests and various terrains spread out across the map. Some immediately recognized what was about to happen, while others exchanged uneasy glances.

"This map shows where you all will be transported to start your training.," the man continued. " You have all been assigned your roles, but they may change depending on your performance during the assessment."

He paused, scanning the crowd. A smirk played at his lips when he saw no outright expressions of fear.

Seems like they're a lively bunch.

"Death during the assessment means death in real life. So it's up to you to complete it alive. Follow your assigned roles as this helps you complete it faster. Failure to do so means death."

A ripple of unease spread among the recruits. Some clenched their fists. Others straightened their postures. Some didn't expect death to be one of the major factors that could affect the assessment.

"You are only allowed military-customized suits. There will also be restrictions on your tools. Everyone will start as a 0-star personnel. You will all be issued military watches— your lifeline in this assessment. Do not remove it for any reason, doing so would mean you decided to forfeit which also warrants death."

Several drones descended, each carrying sleek, black wrist devices. The recruits retrieved them and strapped them on, watching as they activated with a soft blue glow.

"The requirements to pass: survive and accumulate a total score of seventy. The first recruit to reach the highest score will receive an opportunity to be recommended for Special Units."

Murmurs spread, but the man ignored them.

The man waited a bit for the information to sink in. He pressed a button on his watch, and massive pods materialized before the recruits. Each was large enough to contain a single person, their metallic exteriors reflecting the artificial lights above.

"These pods before you have been designed to keep your body functions running. These pods will transport you into the assessment. Your bodies will remain here, but your consciousness will be fully immersed in the environment. You will all be connected to the same map, so expect encounters with one another. The assessment lasts two weeks. You will receive your main objective upon arrival. Any action is permitted as long as it helps you complete the mission."

Some licked their lips when they heard the man say this.

"I wish you best of luck."

Without hesitation, recruits began entering their pods. Once inside, the lids sealed shut, and the system initialized.

[ Establishing connection to Base 0.. ]

[ Successful ]

Was I born for adventure? Was Alex's thought.

Alex felt himself relax as he lost consciousness.

The man in brown suit descended as he walked gently across the recruits inside the pods. A big hologram showing every position of the recruits on the map showed up before the man. The man dismissed it then walked off into the distance.

"Ahh! What a pain. What's the count now? I've actually run out if things to say." He said as he wiped off the non-existent sweat on his face.

"I'd love to see how all these would unfold, but all that matters is the numver of those who survive."

Alex's eyes opened to an unfamiliar sky. The air smelled crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant foliage.

He sat up, scanning his surroundings. Towering trees loomed ahead, their canopies blocking most of the sunlight. To the far west, jagged mountains stretched into the distance. But when he turned east, the map blurred slightly, as if something was deliberately obscuring it.

He tapped his watch, bringing up his assessment details.

He checked his status and the objective of his Assessment.

STATUS

NAME - ALEX MERCER

AGE - 22

RACE - HUMAN

RANK - 0 STAR RECON

STATS/ OBJECTIVE

OBJECTIVE - Investigate the Eastern part of the forest closest to you. All findings must be recorded and unploaded.

Alex sighed. The east was already suspicious, and now he was being sent straight into it. He's certain he's not the only one that'll head over there.

He stood, brushing off the dirt from his suit. He had no intention of running into other recruits this early. With a steady pace, he headed toward the forest.

Elsewhere on the Map…

While Alex moved cautiously, others were already deep into their own challenges.

In a barren wasteland south of the forest, a group of five recruits cautiously advanced. Their objective was simple: establish a temporary outpost.

But they weren't alone.

A shadow flickered behind them. Then another.

"Did you hear that?" one of them whispered.

Before anyone could react, a blur lunged from the dust. A clawed beast, low to the ground and unnervingly fast.

A scream. Blood splattered across the cracked earth.

The remaining four recruits stumbled back in horror. Their fallen teammate twitched on the ground, his chest torn open, face twitched in horror before his death.

"Shit! Move! Move!" Someone shouted as this seemed to awaken them.

They turned to run, only to realize it was too late. More shadows had emerged from the dust.

Their assessment had just turned into a massacre.

A recruit named Darius panted as he crouched behind a fallen tree. His heart hammered in his chest.

He had landed near a ravine and found a small group of three others. At first, they had worked together. Then, an hour into their journey, their true colors emerged.

One of them— Andre, had turned on the group.

"Resources are limited. Fewer people mean a higher chance of survival," he had said, stabbing the first victim through the throat.

Now, only Darius remained.

A rustling sound nearby made him grip his military knife tighter.

Footsteps. Getting closer.

Think, damn it!

He couldn't fight Andre head-on, but he had to do something.

Then, he felt the light switch on as he gained an inspiration.

He adjusted his watch and activated a decoy beacon a few meters away. Instantly, a small flicker of movement appeared— a holographic figure running in the opposite direction.

Ruffling sounds was heard. Andre took the bait.

The moment he moved towards the decoy, Darius lunged. His blade found flesh, driving deep into Andre's side.

"You?!" Andre's eyes widened in disbelief.

A gasp. A struggle. Then silence.

Darius slumped against the tree, breathing heavily.

The assessment was brutal. But he had no choice. Seems like he'll still have to stain his hands with more blood.

He had to survive.

John moved swiftly through the forest, avoiding unnecessary fights. He knew survival wasn't about brute strength— it was about strategy. And unlucky for him, the use of his explosives has been restricted if not, the assessment would have been a walk in the park.

Not long after landing, he found two others: Ethan, a rugged fighter with sharp instincts, and Lena, a quick and observant woman with a dagger at her side.

"We should team up," John said, keeping his voice low.

Ethan frowned. "And why should we trust you?"

"Because loners don't last long." He smirked.

Lena studied him before nodding. "Fine. But if you're dead weight, we leave you."

Now, crouched behind trees, they watched another group of recruits, one of them laying dead on the ground.

"Something got to them," Ethan muttered.

John exhaled. "We wait. If they leave, we loot whatever we can. If they die, we stay hidden."

Lena glanced at him. "You sound experienced."

John's gaze hardened. "I've learned not to rely on luck." He remembered when he and Alex were being chased by the large insect.

They stayed low, waiting for the chaos to unfold.