The battlefield quieted.
The last of the monsters had scattered.
Smoke drifted slowly across the streetlights.
Survivors moved carefully, reinforcing weakened barricades and checking supplies.
No cheering.
No celebration.
Everyone understood this was only the first night.
Zhao Ren stepped aside and focused on the system interface floating before him.
He studied the options carefully.
Precision Strike would increase immediate damage output.
Enhanced Recovery would strengthen his existing regeneration.
Threat Detection would sharpen his awareness of nearby danger.
He didn't rush.
Power was important.
But survival depended on information.
He selected:
The system responded instantly.
The world didn't change visually.
But something subtle shifted.
The air felt layered.
Different.
He could now distinguish tension more clearly.
Fear.
Aggression.
Intent.
He turned slightly.
Among the survivors nearby
One presence felt unstable.
Not hostile yet.
But calculating.
He memorized the direction.
Useful.
Chen Wei approached again.
"Wave strength dropped after the leader fell," he said.
"They're adapting," Zhao Ren replied.
Chen Wei nodded.
"I agree."
He lowered his voice.
"We're planning watch rotations in three-hour shifts."
"You're free to operate independently."
"But if you see anything unusual"
"I'll inform you," Zhao Ren said calmly.
No promises beyond that.
Chen Wei accepted it.
Trust wasn't declared.
It was built slowly.
Just after midnight, the sky flickered again.
This time, the notification was global.
The message faded.
Silence followed.
Chen Wei exhaled slowly.
"So it becomes competitive."
"It was always competitive," Zhao Ren replied.
But now it was official.
After three days
Top-ranked individuals would become visible targets.
Which meant:
Power would attract hunters.
Zhao Ren glanced upward briefly.
Rank 1 was already Level 4.
Time was limited.
Instead of resting, Zhao Ren made a decision.
"I'm clearing the east blocks before dawn," he said.
Chen Wei looked at him carefully.
"Alone?"
"Yes."
After a moment, Chen Wei nodded.
"If you encounter organized resistance"
"I won't engage unnecessarily."
That was enough.
Zhao Ren moved across the rooftops once more.
Silent.
Measured.
Threat Detection pulsed faintly several times.
Small groups of monsters.
Two isolated survivors arguing over supplies.
No immediate large-scale threat.
He cleared buildings efficiently.
No noise beyond what was necessary.
No wasted movement.
Each absorption strengthened him incrementally.
Each encounter improved his awareness.
By early dawn
His stats had risen again.
Balanced growth.
Sustainable pace.
Not reckless escalation.
As the first light of morning appeared over the skyline
He felt it.
A presence.
Stronger than the others.
Not close.
But distinct.
Threat Detection reacted sharply for the first time.
Not nearby.
Across the river.
Level 4.
Perhaps higher.
Rank 1.
For the first time
Zhao Ren smiled faintly.
The Trial wasn't about survival anymore.
It was about positioning.
And the next three days
Would decide who controlled this region.