Alpha Reborn!

"Now that we've weeded out the trash, let us begin the second trial, the Ultimate Test of Survival and Skill," Keldor said, his voice resonating across the field. "In this trial, your survival instincts and hunting prowess will be tested against the natural perils of Planet X, a non-developed planet, renowned for its ferocious beasts and inhospitable environment. Though it may seem like a straightforward challenge, do not be deceived, for it is far from easy. Each of you will be assigned a unique target to eliminate in Planet X, and you will have a limited amount of time to do so. Should you find your target too formidable, you may try to snatch the task of another participant by taking them out. But here's the catch - the hunt must be done solo. Cheating is not an option. Your actions will be broadcasted to the council, and any attempt to deceive or cheat your way through this trial will not go unpunished."

"After you complete your task, you need to find your way back home within the time limit. Only then, my dear young masters, will you have truly passed this trial."

Mathew raised a cautious hand, "Do we have any protection?"

Keldor scoffed. "There is no safety net, no second chance. If you die, you die. But if you succeed, your position in the clan will skyrocket. You will receive preferential treatment and resources to aid your cultivation."

Jack interjected with a pressing question. "How can we ensure fairness in this trial?"

Keldor's grin was malevolent. "Fairness? That is nonexistent in war. The monsters you hunt will be chosen on my whims, so you must adapt and overcome, regardless of the odds. If you feel it is too unjust, you may forfeit your inheritance rights and leave the war."

There were dire consequences for those who forfeited from the inheritance war. They would lose their inheritance rights, hit rock bottom, and receive no resources from the clan. They would need to start from scratch and make contributions to the clan to rise up the social ladder.

"How do we return?" Evan asked.

"The council of elders has set up bunkers on Planet X. These bunkers hold the key to your safe return home, but you must find them first," Keldor replied.

"What if we fail to complete our task in time?"

One last question lingered in the air.

Keldor's eyes narrowed. "Failure is not an option. Those who cannot prove their worth will be deemed unworthy and removed from the inheritance war. However, it's still better than forfeiting."

With a snap of his fingers, portals appeared in all directions.

"These portals will take you directly to Planet X," Keldor announced as he gestured towards the shimmering portals. "The monsters you are supposed to hunt will be in the terrain you are teleported to. The trial has officially begun. You have three days to complete your tasks. Make sure you use your time wisely."

The entrants stepped through the portals and vanished into thin air.

Evan took a deep breath and stepped into the portal. He was immediately engulfed in a swirling vortex of energy. The sensation was disorienting, like he was being tossed and turned in a violent storm.

When he emerged on the other side, he found himself standing in a dense forest, surrounded by towering trees that seemed to stretch up to the very heavens.

The air was thick with humidity, and the ground was slick with mud from a recent rainfall.

Evan looked up at the sky and was taken aback by what he saw. The sky was a deep shade of crimson, and the sun was a dim red orb that hung low on the horizon. It was a far cry from the bright blue skies and blazing suns he was used to.

He took a step and immediately, a notification sounded in his mind.

[Ding! Player Evan, you have been teleported to the Bloodwood Forest!]

He glanced around, taking in the unfamiliar landscape. The forest was dense and foreboding, with twisted trees and gnarled roots that snaked across the ground like serpents. The trees were twisted and gnarled, their branches reaching out like claws. The occasional geysers of steam erupted from the muddy ground, casting an eerie mist over the forest.

"I've been to some pretty strange places, but this one takes the cake. The air lacks soul energy, and the trees... they look like something straight out of a nightmare. I wonder what kind of monsters are lurking around here."

Ring! ring! ring!

Evan's communicator rang, interrupting his thoughts.

He quickly checked the message and felt a knot form in his stomach.

It read: [Hunt a Craterborn! (0/1)]

His target was a Craterborn alien lifeform, a level 12 creature that was stronger than any cultivator at the Soul Manifestation stage. To make matters worse, it was always accompanied by its slaves, the Tendril-Clawed Xenomorphs. A level 12 Craterborn was bound to have 2 to 3 slaves!

"Keldor, that bastard," he muttered under his breath. "He's really making this trial harder for me."

As Evan rained down curses on Keldor, his attention was caught by a faint rustling sound.

He looked up and saw a creature hovering above him, flapping its wings loudly.

"A bat-like creature? It seems like it is planning to hunt me. It is overestimating itself."

Evan's eyes gleamed with interest as he stared at it.

Swoosh!

The creature swooped down, claws bared and ready to tear into Evan's flesh.

Evan acted quickly, summoning his magic sword and clashing it against the creature's claws. His sword deflected the attack with a loud clang.

"Hmph. You call that an attack? Try harder, little bat." Evan said mockingly.

The creature screeched in fury and lunged forward, aiming to sink its razor-sharp teeth into Evan's skin but Evan was too swift for it.

Bam!

He dodged the creature's claw with a sidestep and then smacked its jaw with the hilt of his sword, shattering its teeth and leaving it dazed.