Leon's breathing slowed as he surveyed the lifeless body of the Galactic Beast. His first kill. The enormity of what had just happened struck him harder than he expected. The creature had been a fearsome opponent, but with his Cosmic Resonance, he'd been able to briefly disrupt its senses and avoid a direct confrontation. The woman who had helped him was gone now, disappearing into the trees before Leon could even thank her, or demand an explanation. Trust no one. Those words echoed in his mind like a constant reminder of the dangerous world he had entered.
He crouched down beside the fallen beast. Its form was still massive, even in death. Its glowing red eyes had dulled, and its jagged stone-like skin was slowly cracking, revealing the bloodied innards of the creature beneath. Leon had seen monsters before—ranging from myth to reality—but nothing had prepared him for something like this. These creatures weren't mere animals; they were sentient, driven by instincts shaped by the universe itself.
Leon didn't have time to marvel at his victory, though. The sound of movement reached his ears—distant but unmistakable. More creatures were on the way. His pulse quickened. The Cosmic Resonance granted him the ability to manipulate energy, but even that wouldn't be enough to take down every beast that roamed the forest. He had to act quickly.
As the reality of the situation settled in, Leon recalled the announcement at the beginning of the trial. Points. That's what it all boiled down to. The Origin Games weren't just about survival; they were about earning points to move forward. Points could be earned by completing objectives, overcoming obstacles, and defeating threats—but they could also be lost.
Leon had already earned points by killing the Galactic Beast, but his task wasn't finished yet. Survival was just the beginning. He needed to continue gaining points, gather resources, and build alliances if he had any chance of making it to the next trial.
He reached into his pouch and pulled out a small, shimmering stone that he had found earlier in the trial. This was an item from the trial world—an object that could be used to gain temporary advantages. Leon had seen others using these items, but he wasn't sure what it would do. He held it up to the sky, focusing his mind on the energy within it. The stone pulsed with a faint glow, and in that instant, a notification flashed in his vision.
[Item: Talent Amplifier]
Effect: Temporarily enhances the user's Talent for 30 minutes.
Leon smiled. The Talent Amplifier was the perfect tool. He needed more power if he was going to survive the oncoming trials. He quickly activated the item, feeling the familiar rush of energy surge through him. His senses sharpened, and the world around him seemed to slow down, every detail coming into sharp focus. The Cosmic Resonance within him now felt stronger, more intense, and more responsive.
The time had come to hunt. He needed to gather more points before the other participants reached him.
Leon didn't wait long. Soon after activating the Talent Amplifier, he heard it. The heavy thumping of massive feet against the earth. He turned sharply, his heightened senses guiding him. The trees around him trembled as a new creature appeared, even larger and more terrifying than the last.
A Titanic Roarer, a beast known for its immense size and destructive power, emerged from the forest, its roars shaking the very ground. Its body was covered in thick, armored plating, and its tusks were sharp enough to tear through stone. Leon's pulse spiked. This creature was not something he could take down with his current abilities alone—not without making a huge risk.
He could hear the rustle of movement—more participants were appearing. Some would try to take down the creature. Others would hide. Leon's eyes flickered to his point score in the corner of his vision. The points gained from defeating such a beast would be monumental, but it wasn't just the points that mattered. Survival was the key.
A group of players appeared from behind the trees. Leon recognized a few of them from earlier. A tall, imposing man wielding a massive hammer, a swift-looking woman who carried a bow and arrow, and a mage who seemed to crackle with arcane energy. The mage raised his hands, gathering energy. The other two began to position themselves to strike.
Leon didn't hesitate. Cosmic Resonance surged through him again, and in an instant, the world around him slowed to a crawl. He activated his talent, directing his energy toward manipulating the environment itself. The ground beneath the Titanic Roarer shifted, and a massive boulder rose from the earth, smashing into the beast's legs.
The creature howled in pain, rearing back and flailing its tusks, but Leon didn't stop. He hurled more rocks at the beast, using his talent to control the terrain, creating a perfect opening for the others. He knew that without teamwork, none of them would succeed in defeating the creature. As the hammer-wielding man charged forward, swinging his weapon with incredible force, Leon realized the importance of what was happening here.
This wasn't just a battle for survival; it was a game of opportunity.
As the battle raged on, Leon kept his distance, using his talent to manipulate the terrain while the others focused on the Titanic Roarer. The mage fired blasts of energy, lighting up the battlefield, while the woman with the bow expertly picked off smaller creatures that had begun to swarm the edges of the arena.
The creature was growing weaker. It was clearly not used to such coordinated attacks, especially against the unique talents of the participants. The hammer-wielding man delivered a crushing blow to the creature's skull, causing it to collapse to the ground with a massive thud.
As the dust settled, Leon felt the strange presence of the woman with the bow approach him. Her eyes were focused, calculating, as if she had already figured out his intentions.
"You did well," she said, her voice tinged with both curiosity and caution. "You're not like the others. You think before you act."
Leon didn't know what to say. He wasn't sure he could trust her, but he knew one thing for sure: the Origin Games weren't just about surviving. They were about using every tool at your disposal, including people. He didn't want to get too close to anyone, but it wouldn't hurt to test the waters.
"We should form a temporary alliance," Leon said. "You're a good shot. We could help each other."
The woman's lips curled into a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I don't trust alliances," she said. "But I'll consider it."
Leon nodded, understanding her hesitation. The trials were a harsh reality, and trust was a commodity few could afford. But for now, working together seemed like the best option.
As the woman disappeared into the woods, Leon stood alone again, his thoughts running in every direction. The battle had shown him something important: the Origin Games weren't just about winning—they were about making the right choices, in the right moments. No one could survive on their own for long, and every ally could potentially turn into a rival. He had to be careful, calculating. Only by staying one step ahead of the others could he ensure his survival.
The Cosmic Resonance within him hummed softly. There was still much to learn, but Leon felt it—the beginning of something much bigger. The Origin Games were only the start, and he had no intention of being eliminated so soon.