Resuming their training, Kei and the Fangcub focused on endurance. The two ran across the field, pushing themselves to last as long as possible.

  Sweat soaked Kei’s torn-up clothes, but as they were the only clothing he had when he arrived in this world, he had to make do.

  Leaving them to their exercises, the scene shifted back to the other participants.

  It had been a few hours since the announcement of the first death rang through the air.

  A few hours wasn’t nearly enough for everyone to fully grasp their new surroundings or the ever-present dangers they now faced, but it was enough to calm the most frantic among them.

  During that time, many familiarized themselves with their Force Alignment, allocated their stat points, and experimented with the basic skills they had received.

  Skills such as Ember Blast, Ash Dust, Mud Wall, Vine Spear, Bolt Strike, and others were thrown about—each person testing their abilities, gauging their effectiveness, and preparing themselves for whatever lay ahead.

  It didn’t take long for groups to form. Some sought camaraderie to avoid being alone, while others—more strategically inclined—took a calculated approach. Those familiar with video games quickly began questioning others about their Force Alignment, basic skills, and starting weapons, aiming to assemble an optimal party—one that could be found in any MMORPG.

  Of course, there were also those who attempted to bully their way into positions of leadership. For the vast majority, that idea was shut down the moment they opened their mouths. That wasn’t to say some of the would-be gang leaders didn’t succeed—

  The fear of being alone in this world drove a few low-willed individuals to seek protection from those who displayed power capable of defending them.

  And like that, their journey into this new world commenced.

  Noticing their lack of shelter, food, and even water, it dawned on them that they would have to secure these essentials on their own, leaving them with no choice but to head into the forests and confront danger.

  As the formed parties ventured into the dense greenery, movement in the distance caught their attention. Hunched, green-skinned figures loomed in the underbrush, their grotesque forms shifting under the sparse light.

  The first monsters they would face.

  A notification flickered before them.

  [Goblin: Soldier]

  [Level 1]

  The goblins were minding their own business when, without hesitation, the participants launched a barrage of attacks.

  "Ash Sparks!" A flickering ember burst toward the nearest goblin, singing its flesh.

  "Dew Drop!" A thin veil of water lashed forward, soaking the ground beneath the creatures.

  "Poison Mist!" A light, sickly green haze spread through the air, making the goblins recoil.

  "Mud Slap!" A spray of damp earth splattered against one of the goblins’ faces, momentarily blinding it.

  Panic spread among the goblins as they screeched in surprise, their primitive minds struggling to process the sudden ambush. The attacks weren’t particularly strong, but they were effective enough. One by one, a few goblins collapsed, their bodies dissipating into wisps of energy.

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  [5 EXP Gained]

  [4 EXP Gained]

  [4 EXP Gained]

  …

  …

  …

  [3 Bronze Coins Dropped]

  [5 Bronze Coins Dropped]

  [Beginner Necklace Dropped]

  Seeing their attacks yield results, the participants became emboldened.

  "Keep attacking! They’re weak!"

  Encouraged by the early success, more participants unleashed their abilities, but their recklessness came with a cost.

  The surviving goblins roared in defiance. Their fear was replaced with rage as they gripped their crude wooden clubs and charged forward, their movements frantic but filled with aggression.

  With surprising speed, they closed the distance.

  Crack!

  A goblin’s club smashed into a participant’s side, sending him sprawling with a pained cry.

  Another goblin lunged at a girl attempting to cast Vine Spear, swiping at her legs and knocking her to the ground before she could react.

  The tide was shifting.

  A few participants fumbled, unsure how to handle the sudden counterattack. Their plan had been to bombard the goblins from a distance, but they hadn’t expected the creatures to rush them so quickly.

  "Hold steady!"

  A commanding voice rang out, cutting through the chaos.

  "Summon your beginner weapons and fight back! Those with long-range skills, fall back and provide support! Those with physically oriented stats, hold the front line!"

  A moment of hesitation—then they complied.

  Swords, spears, and daggers materialized in the hands of the front-liners, while the casters repositioned themselves behind them. The goblins snarled, sensing the shift, but by then, it was too late.

  The participants fought back.

  A boy wielding a short sword deflected a goblin’s club before slashing across its chest.

  A girl with an axe parried an incoming strike before retaliating with a powerful downward swing, splitting her opponent’s shoulder open.

  The ranged attackers resumed their assault, launching bursts of elemental energy toward the goblins, weakening them further.

  For the first time, teamwork emerged.

  One goblin fell. Then another. And another.

  Until the last remaining goblin, bloodied and alone, let out a desperate screech before it, too, was struck down.

  A collective silence followed.

  Then, notifications appeared.

  [Victory Achieved]

  [Experience Gained]

  [Rewards Dropped]

  Bronze coins and varying beginner equipment lay scattered among the fading corpses.

  The participants took a breath, the weight of their first real battle settling in.

  This was no game.

  This was survival.

  And it had only just begun.

  This scene had been carried out in multiple areas. Therefore, at this moment, the participants were no longer virgins to combat, simply because their circumstances didn’t allow them to be.

  And thus, more battles commenced. More goblin soldiers fell. More and more participants bled furiously, but their attacks, skills, and Force usage became more refined.

  Over the next few hours, leaders were being born. Though it was still early, a few people cemented their capabilities to command.

  Some had been in leadership positions before and were experienced in commanding others. Some rose into the role naturally. A few unexpected commanders made themselves known, and unsurprisingly, these were the ones most familiar with MMORPGs. The act of carrying team battles wasn’t new to them. It was just a matter of applying it to real life.

  Others, however, preferred to be on their own and figure things out at their own pace.

  And just like that, the end of the day arrived.

  Between all the monster fights, a few leaders directed their groups to gather wood for construction.

  Amongst the loot dropped were axes. Although meant for combat, they were far better than attempting to cut down trees by hand.

  With the wood secured, regardless of personal opinions and group dynamics, all participants banded together to build some form of shelter.

  Fortunately, a few of them had experience in carpentry and house-building.

  Under their direction, after a few hours, basic structures appeared—crude but functional, just enough for everyone to have some form of protection for their first night.

  It wasn’t home.

  But it was a start.