The Time Challenge was a fierce test of the Player’s combat prowess, requiring one to defeat as many NPCs as possible before their health points ran out. Speed and agility were crucial in this fast-paced trial, and fortunately, these were attributes that Alan excelled in.

With his sword in hand, he faced the charging NPCs with confidence and precision. One after another, he swiftly dispatched them, their lifeless bodies falling to the ground like dominoes. He moved with grace, demonstrating flawless swordsmanship honed through countless battles and experiences.

Within a minute, he had already taken down five level 1 NPCs. His blade continued to dance through the air as five more level 2 NPCs met their end. The momentum didn’t slow down as he faced five level 3 NPCs, and then another five level 4 NPCs.

As the 20th NPC fell under the might of his blade, Alan finally feel the strain on his enhanced stamina. However, there was no time to rest as another NPC attempted to seize the opportunity and strike him from behind.

With an instinctual reaction, Alan managed to parry the deadly strike at the last moment, denying his opponent’s attempt to end his run prematurely. The spectators erupted into loud applause and cheers, their admiration for Alan’s incredible performance filling the air.

“Alan!! Alan!!” The players chanted in unison, their eyes gleaming with excitement and admiration. Most of them were rookies, and they were thrilled to witness one of their own surpassing the expectations and achieving results that rivaled veteran players.

After parrying the strike that almost ended his run, Alan quickly steadied himself, but his predicament had worsened. Trapped in the midst of four NPCs, each boasting 100 HP and an average of D attributes, there was no escape route for him. The relentless foes attacked from all sides with deadly synergy, forcing Alan to give his all and stand his ground against the onslaught. However, the cost was evident as blood was drawn from his wounds.

[Stab: received 18 damage]

In this contest, other types of items were banned. leaving contestants solely reliant on their own capabilities. Fortunately, Alan had retained one valuable skill that he could use in such dire situations.

[Lunge Strike]

With a surge of energy, Alan activated the skill, granting him a movement boost toward his target.

[100% movement speed boost toward target]

[Cooldown 30 seconds]

It was a skill he had favored in his past life, its sudden and rapid attack often catching enemies off guard. As his agility increased, so did the impact of the skill, making it even more potent.

With a sudden speed, Alan weaved past the encirclement and jumped toward one at the very back, striking a lethal force. The blade sliced through the air, inflicting maximum damage on one of his opponents.

[Stabs: lethal attack inflicted 68 damage] 𝗈𝐕𝓵𝐞xt.𝔠𝚘𝓂

With one of the NPCs out of the picture, the pressure lessened, giving Alan a brief respite. He calculated the timing carefully and executed the Lunge Strike once more, this time hitting the third enemy with the same lethal precision. Now, with only two opponents remaining, he felt confident enough to face them head-on.

The spectators watched in awe as Alan’s skill and determination were on full display. Loud gasps and murmurs erupted among the crowd, witnessing the incredible feats of the rookie player. They were captivated by the intense battle unfolding before them.

But then, just as the arena emptied and the adrenaline from the previous battle coursed through his veins, the figure of a level 6 NPC materialized before Alan. Exhausted and breathless, even with his 20% stamina boost, he would have gasped for air at this point.

Despite his fatigue, there was no respite for Alan as he was forced into yet another one-on-one fight. Determination surged within him, pushing him to face this formidable opponent head-on.

Alan mustered every ounce of strength he had left and engaged the level 6 NPC. Blow after blow was exchanged, and Alan’s dwindling health served as a grim reminder of the impending end. Numbers flashed in front of his eyes, counting down the precious seconds he had left.

50…

32…

15…

Knowing that his journey might end at this very moment, a glint of determination flashed in his eyes as he growled, “If I’m going down, at least one of you will go down with me!”

Summoning the last remnants of his energy, Alan tightened his grip on the hilt and unleashed a guttural roar. He abandoned all inhibitions, allowing instinct to take over, and leaped onto the NPC for one final strike.

[Stabbing: Lethal Attack. Inflicts 62 damage… Target died]

In the last instant before darkness claimed him, the NPC fell under his blade. Alan’s health points reached zero, and the test ended. The arena fell into silence as the spectators absorbed the intense battle they had just witnessed.

In the end, Alan had managed to defeat a total of 27 NPCs, a remarkable feat given his limited attributes. He received a total of 500 points for his performance, a number comparable to that of a seasoned veteran. For a rookie player like him, lacking the stats and experience of many others, it was an astonishing achievement.

Alan’s game link notified him of his rewards: 1000 XP and 1000 survival points.

[Level Up]

[Level 14: 11260/12000]

With a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction, Alan stepped out of the arena to the applause and cheers of the crowd. The sense of accomplishment he felt was immeasurable, knowing that he had pushed himself beyond his limits and emerged victorious.

There, amidst the crowded arena, Alan witnessed multiple NPCs being knocked down by powerful punches. One of them was even sent flying out of bounds. The crowd was in awe of the display of strength and skill.

“What a strength! He can push those level 5 NPCs with such ease!!” commented a player, staring at the man in the ring with a strange mix of excitement and dread.

The one Alan was watching was none other than Milo, the Italian-American boxer. With his expert-level hand-to-hand combat, his active skill [Footwork Mastery], and his warrior spirit, Milo was able to dispatch all level 5 NPCs beautifully. The crowd erupted in cheers as they marveled at his prowess.

However, despite his impressive performance, Milo fell short in the end. His stamina was drained, and his skill [Footwork Mastery] was on cooldown when the level 6 NPCs emerged. When everyone thought Milo was at his end, the boxer manage to hold on with his unique [Tenacity] skill for another half minute before he was defeated. It gives him an extra few seconds resulting in a score of 480, just a little short of an A rank.

Satisfied with what he had witnessed, Alan turned his attention to find his student, Daniel. To his disappointment, he discovered that Daniel had also been defeated, surrounded by Vicky and Luis, both of whom had also fallen before reaching level 5.

Seeing their dejected spirits, Alan offered words of encouragement, “Don’t worry, keep trying, and you will get better,” he said, patting Daniel’s shoulder reassuringly.

With the test over, Alan and made their way out of the bustling crowds and headed towards a giant screen displaying the current leaderboard. There, they saw the rankings for the Melee Combat Test and the Range Weapon Test.

[Melee Combat Test]

[Rank 1 – Cachello Trejo]

[Rank 9 – Alan D’Angello]

[Rank 18 – MIlo Tagliano]

[Range Weapon Test]

[Rank 1 – Cachello Trejo]

[Rank 10 – Alan D’Angello]

[Rank 11 – Merle Rooker]

As Alan observed the leaderboard, they noticed that the first-place position in both the Melee Combat Test and the Range Weapon Test was held by the renowned Black Sand mercenary leader, Cachello Trejo. His name had become synonymous with excellence in combat, and his dominance in the rankings was no surprise.

The rest of the top 20 consisted of known veteran players, individuals who had been honing their skills in the game for years. The fact that Alan had managed to secure spots in the top 10 as rookie player was a remarkable achievement.

However, Alan was aware that the current leaderboard might not be entirely representative of the strongest players. Some names he expected to see among the top ranks were missing. Most likely that they had not yet taken the test or had chosen not to participate.

His chain of thought was interrupted by the arrival of a group of men in dark uniforms, the renowned Black Sand mercenary.