CHAPTER 16: SURVIVAL TRAIL (2)

Chapter 16 - Survival Trial(2)

The forest air was thick with the metallic tang of blood. Michael wiped his blade clean on the pelt of the last fallen wolf. The glow of his smartwatch dimmed back to idle, his new score flashing clearly on its display:

Michael Willson – 250 points – Rank #1

A faint smirk tugged at his lips. "As expected." He could almost hear the cries of frustration from the other candidates when they looked at their own watches and realized someone had already surged ahead.

But this was only the start. His real goal lay deeper in the island’s heart—where stronger prey awaited.

Michael’s figure melted into the shadows of the trees as he advanced, his steps silent. Every movement was deliberate, his pace efficient. He knew every inch of this terrain from the game—the spawn zones, the hidden caves that contained artifacts, even the timing of monster respawns. Others would stumble blindly. He would carve a path straight through the island.

---

Leon Lionheart – Snowy Slopes

Far from the forest, in the northern peaks, Leon Lionheart stood on a snowy incline. His breath fogged in the freezing air as the wind howled across the mountains. Around him, the snow crunched under heavy paws.

Two F-rank snow bears lumbered forward, each twice his size, their fur glistening with frost. Their roars shook the icy cliffs.

Leon’s crimson eyes narrowed, his hand tightening on his blade. He lowered his stance, every muscle coiling.

"Lionheart Sword Style – Form One: Crimson Arc."

He slashed upward. The blade ignited in flames, a fiery crescent that tore through the snow. The first bear roared as fire seared its fur, stumbling back.

The second charged. Leon sidestepped, his footwork precise, the fire trailing from his sword like a blazing serpent.

"Form Two: Twin Fang."

Twin strikes split the air—one horizontal, one vertical. The beast’s chest split open, blood staining the snow crimson.

Leon exhaled slowly as the body collapsed with a heavy thud. His smartwatch beeped.

+100 Points

Leon Lionheart – 100 Points – Current Rank: #7

He looked down at the glowing display. His brow furrowed. Already, someone had reached 250.

"...Michael Willson?" Leon muttered. His lips pressed into a thin line. He’s that strong already?

A faint heat burned in his chest—not jealousy, but determination. He sheathed his blade, gazing at the distant peaks.

"I’ll catch up," he swore, stepping into the blizzard once more.

---

Selena Veylan – Forest Shadows

Deeper in the southern woods, Selena Veylan moved silently. Her cloak blended with the shadows, her presence nearly invisible.

Ahead of her, a pack of F-rank shadow hounds prowled, their bodies half-formed from smoke and flesh. Their glowing eyes pierced the gloom as they circled a clearing.

Selena’s voice was a whisper. "Reaper’s Touch."

Her dagger sliced upward. A ripple of shadow burst forth, slashing across the throats of two hounds. Their bodies dispersed into smoke, vanishing instantly.

The others lunged. Selena vanished into a swirl of darkness, reappearing behind one of them. Her blade sank deep into its spine.

Her smartwatch chimed.

+250 Points

Selena Veylan – 250 Points – Rank: #2

Her eyes flicked to the glowing screen. Michael’s name was still above hers.

"Michael Willson," she whispered softly, her voice calm but curious. "Who exactly are you?"

Then, her form melted into the shadows once again.

---

Aiden Stromfang – Grasslands

The wide grasslands crackled with energy as Aiden Stromfang laughed, his sword crackling with lightning.

A massive E-rank Thunderhorn Elk lowered its glowing antlers, electricity sparking around its body. It charged, shaking the earth beneath its hooves.

"Perfect! Let’s see who’s faster!" Aiden roared.

He swung his blade, lightning erupting in a brilliant arc. "Storm Fang Slash!"

The strike clashed with the elk’s charge, sparks exploding. The ground cracked under the force, the beast skidding to a halt.

Before it could recover, Aiden lunged, fire erupting along his blade this time. "Ignite Burst!"

Flames seared through the beast’s chest, and it crumbled to the earth with a thunderous crash.

+100 Points

Aiden Stromfang – 100 Points – Rank: #9

Aiden glanced at the watch. His grin faltered slightly. "Michael Willson... 250 already? Damn, he’s fast."

But then he smirked again, lightning flickering across his shoulders. "Good. It’ll be more fun chasing him."

---

Edric William – Green Valley

Sunlight poured over the valley as Edric William, clad in gleaming armor, raised his sword high. Holy light radiated from his body, blinding in its brilliance.

Before him, a flock of E-rank sky raptors screeched, diving with talons extended.

Edric scoffed, lifting his blade. "Kneel before the light."

A blinding aura burst from his sword, slicing the sky itself. The raptors were shredded mid-flight, falling to the earth like broken dolls.

+300 Points

Edric William – 300 Points – Rank: #1

A smug smile spread across his lips as he saw his name appear at the top of the leaderboard.

"Hmph. As expected. Commoners like Willson will soon be trampled beneath my feet."

He sheathed his blade arrogantly, striding deeper into the valley.

---

Back to Michael

The forest echoed with the death cries of beasts. Michael stood over the corpse of a massive E-rank Direboar, his breath steady, his blade gleaming faintly with frost.

His smartwatch pulsed.

+100 Points

Michael Willson – 350 Points – Rank: #2

He glanced at the ranking list.

1. Edric William – 300

2. Michael Willson – 350

3. Selena Veylan – 250

4. Leon Lionheart – 100

5. Aiden Stromfang – 100

Michael’s brow furrowed. "So Edric’s making his move already..." He wasn’t surprised. In the game, Edric always dominated early on, using his powerful holy magic to mow down groups of monsters. But Michael knew how it played out Edric would grow arrogant, spread himself too thin, and eventually be outpaced.

"Which means," Michael murmured, "I need to accelerate now."

He closed his eyes, recalling the map. Just two kilometers ahead lay a cave where a D-rank Frostfang Tiger spawned—a monster deadly enough to terrify most of the participants. But its points—500—were worth the risk.

Michael adjusted his grip on his blade and set off at a run.

---

Ranking After Two Hours

The island roared with battles. Beasts fell one after another, and names shifted rapidly on the leaderboard. Two hours into the trial, the smartwatches across the island updated simultaneously, displaying the current standings:

#1. Michael Willson – 1430 points

#2. Leon Lionheart – 870 points

#3. Edric William – 760 points

#4. Selena Veylan – 730 points

#5. Aiden Stromfang – 730 points

#6. Lyra Braveheart – 600 points

---

Leon’s POV

Leon leaned against a boulder, blood steaming on the snow around him. His chest heaved from exertion, the corpses of several E-rank snow wolves at his feet. His smartwatch chimed with his updated points.

He froze.

Michael Willson – 1430 points.

His jaw tightened. More than me, more than even Edric. How... how strong is he?

A surge of determination rushed through him. His sword hand clenched.

"I won’t be left behind."

He pushed forward into the blizzard once again.

---

Selena’s POV

Selena crouched atop a branch, her blade dripping with shadowed blood. Her smartwatch flickered, showing Michael’s dominant lead.

Her lips curved faintly.

"So... he’s that kind of person, I should meet him soon"

For the first time, her calm demeanor cracked ever so slightly. There was curiosity there. Perhaps even anticipation.

---

Edric’s POV

Meanwhile, in the valley, Edric’s face twisted in disbelief as he saw his name drop to third place.

"What?!" he roared, his holy aura flaring violently. "How is some no-name commoner ahead of me?!"

His hands trembled in rage.

"This isn’t over, Michael Willson. I’ll crush you before this trial ends."

---

Aiden’s POV

Aiden sat on a rock, lightning still flickering around his body. He laughed when he saw the rankings.

"Ha! Michael’s insane. Already past a thousand points? Damn, I like this guy."

His grin widened. "But I’m not losing either. Time to kick it up."

He leapt back into battle, lightning splitting the air behind him.

---

Deeper in the forest, Michael stood at the mouth of a massive cavern. Cold air drifted from its depths, carrying the faint scent of blood and ice.

He exhaled slowly, his grip firm on his blade.

"...Frostfang Tiger."

A low growl echoed from within. Two glowing eyes appeared, sharp and filled with malice. The massive striped beast padded out, its fur rimed with frost, its fangs glistening with deadly chill.

The cave trembled with its roar.

Michael’s smartwatch flickered faintly, as though sensing the danger.

"500 points..." Michael whispered. His eyes hardened. "And my path forward."

He lowered into a stance, mana flaring around him. The beast crouched, muscles coiling.

Then both predator and prey lunged at once.

The battle for dominance had begun.

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