Ling Chen's lungs burned like he'd inhaled a campfire. The Crimson Scale Tiger's roar shook the rickety bridge under his feet, its claws scraping closer with every second.
The chasm below swirled with mist, hiding a drop that'd turn him into a pancake. Tao, the scrawny kid he'd saved, clung to his arm, eyes wide with terror.
The summit of Crimson Peak was so close, but the tiger was closer—and it was pissed.
"Move, Tao!" Ling shouted, hauling the kid forward.
His qi buzzed, barely enough to keep his legs pumping. The system's warning flashed in his vision: Survive the Crimson Scale Tiger to maintain trial progress. Failure: Elimination or death.
No kidding. This thing was a mid-boss straight out of a nightmare, all scales and teeth and glowing red eyes.
Disciples screamed behind him, some running, others not so lucky. Jian Hao was back there, playing hero with his glowing sword, but Ling wasn't counting on Mr. Perfect to save him.
His rusty dagger and Deceptive Aura were all he had, plus a stolen staff from a fallen disciple. Great. I'm fighting a monster truck with a stick.
[System alert: Crimson Scale Tiger vulnerable to misdirection. Use Deceptive Aura and environmental tactics. Success rate: 58%. Reward: 100 Villain Points, Shadow Step skill.]
"Fifty-eight percent? You're killing me," Ling muttered, but his gamer brain kicked into overdrive.
Misdirection was his thing—trolling enemies was practically his job back on Earth. He scanned the bridge: slick stone, loose ropes, and a crumbling pillar nearby. Bingo.
"Tao, stay low!" Ling shoved the kid behind a rock and activated Deceptive Aura, masking his qi to seem like a harmless nobody.
The tiger's eyes flicked toward him, then away, distracted by a fleeing disciple. Ling darted to the pillar, heart pounding, and slammed the staff into its base.
The stone cracked, teetering.
"Hey, ugly!" Ling yelled, tossing a rock at the tiger's flank.
It roared, spinning toward him, just as he gave the pillar a qi-infused kick. The structure collapsed, crashing onto the bridge. The tiger leapt back, but the ropes snapped, sending a chunk of the bridge tilting toward the chasm.
Ling grabbed Tao and sprinted, the bridge groaning under their weight. The tiger lunged, claws swiping, but the tilting stone threw it off balance.
It scrambled, then slipped, tumbling into the mist with a furious roar. The crowd gasped, and even Jian Hao paused, his sword mid-swing.
[Mission complete: Crimson Scale Tiger defeated. Reward: 100 Villain Points, Shadow Step skill unlocked. Current Villain Points: 700. Mission progress: Top 10 placement secured.]
Ling collapsed on the other side, panting, Tao trembling beside him.
Shadow Step? The system described it: A movement technique to blur your steps, enhancing speed and evasion. Sweet.
He could already imagine zipping around like a ninja. But the summit was still ahead, and his body felt like it'd been through a meat grinder.
"Nice one," Tao whispered, eyes wide. "You're crazy, but… thanks."
"Don't mention it," Ling said, grinning despite the ache. "Let's get to the top before more tigers show up."
The summit was a flat plateau, where surviving disciples gathered, battered but alive. Elders watched from a jade platform, scribbling scores.
Ling's name was called—ninth place. Not bad for a nobody. Jian Hao, of course, was first, strutting like he owned the mountain. Ling
rolled his eyes, but his relief was short-lived.
Mei Lin appeared, her green robes pristine despite the chaos. She'd been in the trials too, apparently, and looked annoyingly unruffled.
"You survived," she said, her smirk half-impressed, half-suspicious. "That tiger stunt was reckless."
"Yeah, well, reckless is my middle name," Ling said, wiping sweat from his brow. Her eyes lingered on him, and his gamer charm kicked in. "You gonna admit you're impressed yet?"
She snorted, but her expression softened. Then it hardened again. "We need to talk. Alone." She pulled him behind a boulder, away from the crowd. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I didn't tell you everything yesterday. I'm… watching you for Elder Zhang. He thinks you're hiding something. So do I."
Ling's stomach dropped. The system's betrayal warning flashed red in his mind: High risk of betrayal. So Mei Lin was a spy? His heart sank, but he kept his face neutral, Deceptive Aura humming to mask his panic.
"Watching me? That's flattering, but I'm just a guy trying to survive."
"Don't play dumb," she said, her eyes sharp. "That herb, your tricks—you're not normal. Elder Zhang wants answers, and I'm supposed to get them. But…" She hesitated, glancing away. "I don't think you're the thief Jian claims. Help me prove it, and I'll keep the elder off your back."
Ling's mind raced. Was she playing him, or was this a real offer? He needed her—inner disciples had pull—but the system's warning screamed trap. Before he could answer, a shout interrupted.
"Ling Chen!" An elder's voice boomed across the plateau. It was the bearded guy from the courtyard, his face stormy. "Your score is under review. Jian Hao claims you cheated in the trials, sabotaging others to climb the ranks. Explain yourself!"
The crowd turned, whispering. Jian stood nearby, arms crossed, a smug grin on his face. Ling's blood ran cold. Cheating?
Jian was twisting the narrative, and the elders were listening.
Mei Lin's eyes flicked between him and Jian, her expression unreadable. Was she in on this, or was she his only shot at getting out alive?