Chapter 38 – Promotion Challenge

Volume 1: Apocalypse Beginning

"Roar." A tremendous roar erupted behind Wen Yu, making his chest tighten. Simba was getting closer and closer, and at this moment, Wen Yu could already see the shape of the Exchange Pillar.

"Ahhhhh!" Under immense pressure, Wen Yu couldn't help but roar, his legs moving like the wind, overtaking the slowing One-Eye in the blink of an eye.

Without caring about the feelings of his temporary teammate, Wen Yu let out a sigh of relief in his heart. Judging by the current situation, he might be able to run out without needing to undergo Promotion here.

Using the Promotion Trial to escape Simba's pursuit under his very eyes was definitely the worst possible plan.

But things rarely go as planned. A violent gust of wind sounded behind Wen Yu, and Simba, far in the distance, leapt forward, pouncing not at the closest One-Eye, but at Wen Yu, who was running farther and farther away!

Simba would not let a single creature that invaded his territory escape.

Wen Yu heard the fierce wind behind him, accompanied by a strong stench. In a life-and-death crisis, Wen Yu lunged forward with all his might, barely dodging Simba's attack. He then planted his hands on the ground, rolled forward, and exploded with power in his legs, sprinting rapidly toward the nearby Exchange Pillar.

Wen Yu was only a dozen meters away from the Exchange Pillar. With his terrifying physical attributes, the distance vanished in an instant. Behind him, Simba ignored the already stationary, trembling One-Eye and pounced at Wen Yu once again.

"Promotion, Promotion, hurry up!" Seeing Simba getting closer and closer, Wen Yu couldn't help but roar at the Stone Platform.

Fortunately, the Stone Platform produced by the Ruler responded extremely quickly. As soon as Wen Yu shouted the word "Promotion," 1000 Points were deducted from him, and his body disappeared.

Like a small mountain falling from the sky, Simba's sharp claws slashed fiercely at the Exchange Pillar. Watching Wen Yu's figure vanish near the Stone Platform, Simba's claws made direct contact with the Exchange Pillar.

"Awooo…" Accompanied by Simba's painful howl, the Exchange Pillar still stood tall, unchanged. In contrast, Simba's right forelimb trembled uncontrollably, clearly injured by the immense force striking the Pillar.

Simba was enraged. He had never been hurt since he was young, never felt such intense pain. Most crucially, this injury was entirely caused by his own mistake. How could the king of beasts endure such humiliation?

Simba roared furiously, watching the human disappear, then turned his head to look at the shivering One-Eye frozen in place.

Murderous intent surged in his eyes.

…

"Huff, huff, I'm saved." Wen Yu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, muttering to himself.

The thrill of escaping death made Wen Yu tremble all over. Under Simba's immense pressure, Wen Yu had almost unleashed all his potential. Even after entering the Challenge Space, his limbs were still weak.

"What should I do now? After I get out, won't Simba be waiting for me at the exit of the Pillar?" Wen Yu had no solution. The situation had been too dangerous; all he could do was save his own life first, then take things one step at a time. Or rather, survive one more second if he could.

This is the sorrow of the weak in the Apocalypse.

"Ding, the Promotion Challenge will begin in 30 seconds. Please prepare yourself, challenger."

A clear prompt sounded, interrupting Wen Yu's thoughts.

Wen Yu put aside his irritation and anxiety, composed himself, and looked into the Challenge Space.

The entire Challenge Space was about the size of a basketball court, its boundaries wrapped in a barrier glowing with white light. Wen Yu pressed his hand firmly against the barrier.

It felt soft and warm, almost as if he were inside a living creature. The barrier barely pushed back; whatever strength he used was completely absorbed and dissipated.

In his previous life, Wen Yu had also participated in Promotion Trials from Level 1 to Level 2, and the space was exactly the same as it was now.

"I just don't know what kind of ability the creature will have this time, or what skill my Soul Beast will awaken after Promotion." Under Simba's overwhelming pressure, Wen Yu pinned his only hope on the Soul Beast's second ability.

"Challenge countdown: 10, 9, 8…"

Hearing the prompt that the challenge was about to begin, Wen Yu swung his Steel Blade a couple of times and focused on the area straight ahead.

With a flash of white light, a white rabbit about half as tall as a person appeared before Wen Yu. Its bright red eyes stared fixedly at him, and the two enormous front teeth in its mouth gleamed coldly, looking just like a pair of daggers.

The Big Rabbit bared its teeth menacingly at Wen Yu, then hopped away to the back, bouncing up and down.

Wen Yu let out a breath and slowly lowered his Steel Blade.

"So it's a rabbit. That makes things easier." Seeing his opponent, Wen Yu relaxed.

Rabbits simply aren't strong fighters. If it were a tiger or a lion with 10 points in physical attributes, Wen Yu would definitely go all out. But a rabbit with 10 points in physical attributes-whether it could actually kill anyone was another matter entirely.

Although Demon Qi causes creatures to evolve, it rarely changes their habits. Unless they're starving or at the edge of evolution, herbivores generally don't attack proactively.

Of course, Wen Yu wasn't sure if higher-level herbivores would eventually change their eating habits.

Watching the Big Rabbit hopping and running wildly around the field, Wen Yu left combat mode and started thinking about how to escape Simba's jaws.

"If it really comes down to it, I'll just stay in here for a while and wait until Simba goes out hunting tomorrow before making my move." Wen Yu gritted his teeth, considering the method with the best chance of survival. If it weren't for One-Eye-the damned dog that kept chasing him-he would have left this deadly place long ago.

Speaking of which, One-Eye, that Beast, had probably already been killed by Simba.

"Ding, challenger please note: as a member of the human Sequence, and since your opponent is not strong, you must complete the challenge within five minutes. If you fail, you will not be allowed to participate in another Promotion Trial for ten days, and your Sequence identity will be revoked. Current time remaining: three minutes."

This prompt snapped Wen Yu out of his daydream about escaping tomorrow.

"Damn." Wen Yu cursed fiercely at the roof above the Treasure Land.

Losing his Sequence status was absolutely out of the question-but even setting that aside, if he failed to settle things within five minutes, would the Treasure Land really let him stay and relax?

Resolutely gripping his Steel Blade, Wen Yu walked directly toward the Big Rabbit bouncing around the field.