Jin Hao wiped the dried blood from his blade and finally focused on the thin metallic band around his wrist.
The Awakener Watch.
Every participant had one.
It pulsed faintly as he activated it.
A translucent interface expanded into the air.
Global Stage One – Zone 1–30 Rankings
Names began scrolling downward.
At the very top—
Rank 1 – Jin YuchenCombat Power: 712 CP
Below him—
Rank 2 – Bai YueCombat Power: 503 CP
More names followed.
350 CP.298 CP.241 CP.
Jin Hao's gaze moved to the bottom.
After a short delay—
His name appeared.
Rank 18,942 – Jin HaoCombat Power: 27 CP
He stared at the number.
Twenty-seven.
That was the combined CP of nineteen workers and eight militia.
White Heart indeed.
He closed the ranking panel calmly.
No anger.
No frustration.
Just information.
"Seven hundred CP on Day One…" he muttered softly.
Silver Heart.
As expected.
He didn't need to see the details.
He already knew the gap.
The watch flashed again.
A new panel unfolded.
Stage One – First Three Month Objective
• Reach Minimum: 5,000 Combat Power• Slay 10,000 Monsters• Establish Stable Territory
Failure within 3 months will result in elimination probability increase.
Jin Hao's expression didn't change.
Five thousand CP.
Ten thousand monsters.
For someone starting at 27 CP—
It was absurd.
He looked around at the forest.
Thick trees.
Dense fog.
Rotten scent.
Infinity Eyes activated automatically.
Data streamed in.
Biome Identified: Dead ForestDifficulty: High (Zone 1–30 Range)Primary Threat: Undead VariantsSecondary Threat: Mutated BeastsEnvironmental Hazard: Toxic Fog (Night Intensifies)
Additional Note:Most undead and low-tier creatures in this biome avoid strong light sources.
Jin Hao's eyes sharpened.
Dead Forest.
One of the hardest starting biomes in Zone 1–30.
Poor visibility.
High undead density.
Low natural food supply.
He had drawn one of the worst possible openings.
And he had one life.
Perfect.
He turned toward the workers.
"Nineteen of you."
They straightened instinctively.
"You—former carpenter."
The man in his thirties blinked in surprise.
"Yes… sir?"
"Assess the hut. Reinforce weak beams."
"You—farmer."
"Yes."
"Search for edible plants. Stay within visible range."
He turned to the militia.
"Cut wood. We build a perimeter."
They moved.
No hesitation.
Infinity Eyes continued guiding him.
Suggestion: Build circular wooden fence radius 20 meters.Suggestion: Construct large central campfire.Light intensity above threshold deters low-tier undead.
Axes struck wood.
Branches cracked.
Sweat dripped.
By late afternoon—
A crude wooden fence surrounded the hut.
Not tall.
Not strong.
But something.
In the center of the clearing—
They built a large campfire.
When it was lit—
Flames roared high.
Smoke spiraled upward.
The fog retreated slightly.
System notification appeared.
Temporary Safe Zone Established (Low Stability)Light Deterrence Effect: Active
Jin Hao nodded slightly.
He divided rations carefully.
Three food cards.
Three water cards.
Barely enough.
Workers received minimal portions.
Militia slightly more.
He took the least.
No one complained.
Night slowly approached.
The forest grew darker.
Colder.
Then—
The sounds began.
Groans.
Rustling.
Low growls from beyond the fence.
Shapes moved in the shadows.
Red eyes flickered between trees.
But none crossed the light.
They circled.
Watching.
Waiting.
Jin Hao stood near the fire, blade in hand.
Infinity Eyes calculated quietly.
Current survival probability (Night 1): 84%If fire extinguishes: 12%
He added more wood.
Flames rose higher.
The undead recoiled slightly.
The workers huddled together.
Fear visible.
But contained.
Midnight passed.
No breach.
No attack.
The campfire burned steadily.
By dawn—
The red eyes faded.
The forest quieted.
System panel updated.
Day One CompleteNo DeathsMorale: Slight IncreaseCombat Experience: Minor Growth
Jin Hao finally allowed himself to sit.
Exhaustion tugged at his body again.
Twenty-seven CP.
Dead Forest.
Five thousand required.
Ten thousand monsters to kill.
He stared at the rising sun.
"Good," he murmured softly.
"The harder the start…"
"The bigger the snowball."
The fire crackled behind him.
Stage One.
Day Two.
Would be far worse.
The sun climbed higher.
The fire burned lower.
Jin Hao blinked—
And the data overlays vanished.
Infinity Eyes deactivated.
A small notification flickered.
Infinity Eyes: Passive Mode DisabledActive Analysis Requires Faith CoinsCurrent Balance: 12
Twelve.
That was all he had gained from the night battle.
So it wasn't free.
Good.
Nothing powerful should be free.
He tapped his Awakener Watch again.
This time, he opened the communication channel.
Class Channel – Zone 1–30
Messages were scrolling rapidly.
"I spawned on an island?! There's nothing but water and crabs!"
"Volcanic biome here… heat damage every hour!"
"Forest zone. Wolves everywhere."
"Anyone near coordinates 114-Delta?"
Jin Hao scanned quietly.
Different biomes.
Different difficulties.
Some were lucky.
Some were already dying.
He exhaled slowly.
"Dead Forest…"
He glanced at the trees surrounding them.
High undead density.
Low food supply.
Poison fog at night.
Difficult start.
But difficulty also meant—
Higher reward potential.
He closed the chat.
No need to talk yet.
No need to reveal weakness.
Now—
Planning.
He turned toward the group.
"We can't rely on rations."
Nineteen workers.
Eight militia.
Twenty-seven mouths.
Three small food cards.
It wouldn't last.
He pointed at the former farmer and hunter.
"You two. You're with me."
He turned to the militia.
"All eight soldiers. Full equipment."
The rest of the workers looked nervous.
He continued calmly.
"The remaining workers follow at a distance. Fifty meters behind us."
"If we are attacked—you retreat immediately."
No one argued.
Authority had already formed naturally.
Infinity Eyes remained dormant.
He resisted activating it.
Twelve coins.
Each activation would cost.
He needed value.
They began moving through the forest.
Careful.
Measured.
The militia formed a loose protective formation.
Jin Hao walked at the center.
The forest felt heavier during the day.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
After fifteen minutes—
He paused.
Water.
They needed water first.
He focused inward.
"Activate Infinity Eyes."
A faint shimmer returned to his vision.
Faith Coins -2Remaining: 10
Data streamed across the forest terrain.
Subtle moisture differences.
Slope direction.
Underground density.
A glowing blue line appeared faintly in the distance.
Water source detected.Probability: 78%Distance: 340 meters southwest.
He nodded.
"Change direction."
They moved.
Careful.
Twice they avoided wandering undead thanks to minor path adjustments.
After nearly thirty minutes—
They found it.
A narrow stream cutting through dark soil.
Clear.
Cold.
Flowing.
System notification appeared.
Natural Water Source SecuredResource Stability Increased
Workers immediately began collecting water using improvised containers.
Jin Hao didn't relax.
Water was step one.
Food was next.
But more important—
Location.
The hut was temporary.
The forest was dangerous.
They needed a stronger base.
He hesitated only briefly.
Then activated Infinity Eyes again.
Faith Coins -3Remaining: 7
He focused on terrain analysis.
Elevation.
Monster density.
Fog movement patterns.
A new overlay appeared.
Recommended Settlement Location:Rocky elevation 600 meters north.Natural cliff backing.Single approach path.Defensive Advantage: High.Night Fog Density: Reduced.
His eyes sharpened.
High ground.
Cliff protection.
Single choke point.
That was far superior to a wooden hut in open ground.
But there was one more thing.
People.
He needed someone with survival knowledge.
A tracker.
A guide.
He activated Infinity Eyes again.
Faith Coins -4Remaining: 3
Nearby Human Presence Detected.Status: Injured.Distance: 210 meters east.Combat Power: 42Threat Level: Low.
Interesting.
Another awakener?
Or survivor?
He looked at the militia.
"Four of you with me."
The others guarded the stream.
They moved east carefully.
Infinity Eyes flickered faintly, guiding step adjustments.
They found him.
A young man.
Bleeding from his arm.
Two dead mutated wolves nearby.
Basic green-bordered equipment.
He looked up weakly.
Jin Hao observed quickly.
Combat posture.
Callused hands.
Calm eyes despite injury.
Not useless.
Infinity Eyes flickered softly.
Hidden Trait: Forest Scout (Basic)Survival Compatibility: HighLoyalty Probability (if rescued): 68%
Jin Hao crouched.
"You want to live?"
The man nodded faintly.
"Then you work for me."
The militia finished binding the wound.
They helped him stand.
Jin Hao glanced at his remaining Faith Coins.
Three.
That was it.
No more waste.
He looked north.
Toward the rocky elevation.
"Today," he said calmly, "we relocate."
Behind him—
Dead Forest remained silent.
Watching.
Stage One.
Day Two.
He had water.
A potential scout.
And a better base location.
Five thousand CP.
Ten thousand monsters.
White Heart.
One life.
The game had truly begun.