Chapter 4: The Survival Trial [OP]

Asumi's keen eyes spotted a small food resource curled up into a ball, untouched by the other hatchlings. With determination, he navigated past a few beetle larvae, his movements agile and focused, until he reached his destination.

Upon arrival, Asumi wasted no time. With a swift movement, he opened his mandibles wide and bit down, devouring the entire ball in one go.

The System promptly displayed the rewards for his efforts. "[System: Host has consumed a decayed plant root +8 Exp]," it announced.

Asumi's gaze shifted to the Experience required to level up, his brow furrowing in frustration. "[System: Exp gained 8/100]," the System reported.

"Shit, this is serious. I need more and fast," Asumi muttered to himself, his eyes filled with anxiety as he prepared to continue his search for sustenance.

Asumi turned his head as another food source caught his gaze—a huge ball of nutrients curled up by the other beetle larvae, with many already feasting upon it. Determination flashed in his eyes as he rushed towards it, crawling as fast as his translucent form could manage.

Upon reaching the coveted food source, Asumi quickly located an unoccupied spot and wasted no time. With precision, he opened his mandibles wide and bit into the nutrient-rich ball, consuming it as with swiftly. With each bite, he could feel his strength increasing, his body absorbing the nutrients and gaining Exp by the second.

As Asumi continued eating his portion, he couldn't help but notice another beetle nearby, slightly bigger than him, devouring the food with astonishing speed. Each bite seemed effortless, and Asumi couldn't shake the feeling of being outmatched. "My god, this guy... he isn't even swallowing. It's like he knows his life depends on it," Asumi thought, feeling a surge of anxiety.

Determined not to be bested in this battle for survival, Asumi focused on his own food, determined to increase his eating speed. However, before he could fully utilize his newfound motivation, the food supply ran out, leaving only one bite remaining.

A tense silence fell over the group as they eyed each other warily, the remaining larvae locked in a silent standoff. But before anyone could make a move, the same beetle swooped in and claimed the last bite, leaving Asumi and the others stunned by its confidence. "He didn't even hesitate... what a brute," Asumi mused, surprised by the beetle's boldness.

Then, suddenly, the beetle's exoskeleton began to change, turning into a slight brownish-yellow hue. Asumi's eyes widened in shock as realization dawned on him. "No, that means..." he trailed off, turning his gaze to the quest displayed by the System.

"[System: Survivors remaining 18]," the System announced, confirming Asumi's fears. With a sinking feeling in his translucent form, Asumi realized that the struggle for survival had just begun.

The beetle larvae that leveled up began to make its way towards the exit of the hole.

Asumi turned to the System, checking how much Exp he had gained.

"[System: Exp gained 45/100]," the System reported.

Asumi muttered, "Shit, at this rate, I won't make it," intensifying his anxiety.

Surveying the wide expanse of the hole, Asumi observed beetle larvae eating everywhere, some even climbing the walls in a desperate attempt to escape the competition.

Determined to find more food, Asumi navigated through the crowded space, weaving between beetle larvae engrossed in their meals. However, each food gathering spot he found was completely occupied.

Desperation mounting, Asumi continued to search the hole, his movements becoming more frantic. Finally, he turned to check the System once more.

"[System: Survivors remaining 7, Food resource have dropped lower than 40% ]," the System revealed, heightening Asumi's sense of urgency. With only a handful of beetle larvae remaining to survive, the competition for survival had become even more fierce.

Asumi finally reached a heap where only a few beetle larvae were consuming the food. "Only three of them, I hope there is enough food to go around," Asumi mused optimistically.

Making his way to the group, Asumi joined the three larvae in consuming the food source. He started eating quickly, hoping to to gain enough Exp and level up.

However, it wasn't long before the three larvae narrowed their gaze at him, staring at him with disdain as they perceived him as a threat.

The first one approached, and Asumi, avoiding direct eye contact, attempted to mind his own business. But suddenly, the beetle larvae turned and head him in the face, causing Asumi to fall to the ground, disoriented.

As Asumi struggled to regain his bearings, the other two larvae joined in, delivering hits of their own, ultimately booting Asumi off the heap.

Tumbling to the ground, Asumi felt dizzy and defeated. "That was rough... At this rate, I won't make it," he muttered to himself, his voice filled with a sense of urgency.

Not too far away from the heap where Asumi was thrown off, there lay another pile shaped like a cliff, a piece of food source glowing a bright golden color.

Asumi felt drawn to it, realizing that it might be his ticket out of this dire situation. "Whatever that thing is, one thing's for sure: it's my ticket out of here," he thought determinedly.

As Asumi began to climb the cliff, he noticed others following suit, driven by the same desperate need for sustenance, looking downwords Asumi mused "Damn, they are like despite zombies".

Arriving at the scene before anyone else, Asumi reached out for the glowing food source. But before he could even lay a mandible on it, another competitor arrived, slamming their head hard against Asumi's back.

"[System: Survivors remaining 4]," them System announced, as the struggle for survival continued to narrow down the competition.

Asumi turned back, noticing the determined beetle larva who had knocked him to the ground, a serious look etched on its face, showing no signs of giving up easily.

As the System counted down, "[System: Survivors remaining 3]," Asumi focused solely on the golden pill ahead, ignoring the competitor hot on his heels. Determined, he made a beeline for the coveted reward, but the other beetle larva refused to relent, colliding with Asumi and pushing him away from the prize.

"I can't let this guy get there before I do. Everything I care about depends on this," Asumi thought to himself, his resolve strengthening despite the obstacles.

As the two larvae clashed, a new competitor appeared, pushing through them both to seize the golden pill. Reacting swiftly, the first beetle larva moved to eliminate the threat, shoving the newcomer aside. Unfortunately, their scuffle ended in a tumble, sending them crashing down along with others who were climbing the cliff.

The System's announcement rang out for the last time, "[System: Survivors remaining 1]." Asumi found himself alone with the golden food source, a sense of victory washing over him as he finally seized the prize and consumed it.

As the System prompted, "[System: Host has consumed a piece of mana essence type extraction + 100Exp]," Asumi could hardly believe it. "No way, that much?" he mused, amazed by the significant reward he had just obtained.

Asumi, managing to survive the trial, cast his gaze ahead as he ventured towards the exit, descending the cliff with cautious steps.

Upon reaching the bottom, he turned his face towards the others who, unable to attain level two, faced an uncertain fate. With a solemn yet respectful expression, he proceeded to the exit.

Now reaching the exit, a hole filled with wonders of this new world, he crawled out of the hole, emerging into the brightness beyond.

As he ventured forward into the unknown, Asumi's thoughts were consumed by determination. "From this point onwards, I have to get stronger," he mused aloud, his voice resolute despite the uncertainty of the path ahead..