The stone beneath their feet cracked wider.
A deep grinding sound echoed through the chamber as something larger forced its way upward. Dust scattered across the floor as the first mutated zombie pulled itself free, its body heavier and more stable than the ones before.
Then a second followed.
Both stood taller than the earlier creatures, their limbs thicker, movements more controlled. Their eyes locked onto Lin Ye and Su Qing almost immediately.
The pressure in the room shifted.
This was no longer just a matter of numbers.
It was threat.
Su Qing instinctively stepped closer to Lin Ye, her breathing uneven. Her arms still trembled from the earlier waves, but she forced herself to stay upright.
"These are different," she said quietly.
"They are," Lin Ye replied.
The first mutated zombie moved.
It crossed the distance quickly, far faster than the enhanced types. Its claw swept forward with force, aiming directly at Lin Ye's chest.
Lin Ye stepped inward instead of retreating. His body twisted just enough to avoid the strike, and his axe followed immediately, cutting into the creature's shoulder.
The blade sank deep.
But the creature did not fall.
It retaliated instantly.
Lin Ye raised the axe handle and blocked. The impact traveled through his arms, forcing him half a step back.
Behind it, the second mutated zombie broke away and rushed toward Su Qing.
She froze for a fraction of a second.
Then remembered.
Move.
She stepped back quickly, barely avoiding its grasp. Her weapon struck out instinctively, hitting its arm and slowing it just enough.
"Keep your distance," Lin Ye said. "Don't try to kill it."
Su Qing nodded, forcing herself to move instead of panic.
Lin Ye refocused.
The first mutated zombie attacked again.
This time, he did not hold back.
He activated Accelerated Strike.
The sudden burst of speed caught the creature mid-motion. The axe came down sharply, striking near its neck. The wound opened deeper than before.
The creature staggered.
Lin Ye stepped forward without pause.
A second strike followed immediately.
The blade cut through the weakened area.
The creature collapsed.
A notification appeared.
[You have killed a Mutated Zombie][EXP +15]
Lin Ye did not stop.
The second mutated zombie lunged toward Su Qing again.
She stepped back, but the creature was faster this time. Its claw tore through her sleeve, grazing her arm.
She stumbled.
The distance closed.
Then Lin Ye stepped in.
His axe rose and struck upward, forcing the creature back. He pressed forward immediately, not giving it time to recover.
Two more strikes landed in quick succession.
The second mutated zombie fell.
[You have killed a Mutated Zombie][EXP +15]
The chamber fell silent again.
But this time, it felt like a brief pause rather than an end.
Lin Ye stood still, his breathing steady but slightly heavier. His arms absorbed the strain without shaking.
Behind him, Su Qing leaned back slightly, trying to steady herself.
"I… I'm still alive…"
Her voice was quiet, almost disbelieving.
Lin Ye glanced at her briefly.
"For now."
The ground trembled again.
This time, the sound was deeper.
Heavier.
The cracks spread across the center of the chamber, forming a wider opening.
Lin Ye's expression sharpened.
This was the final stage.
The ground broke open.
A single figure emerged.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
It was larger than the previous mutated zombies. Its body was more intact, less decayed. Hardened flesh covered much of its limbs, forming a natural layer of defense.
When it lifted its head, its eyes were no longer empty.
There was focus in them.
Awareness.
It did not rush.
It simply stood there, watching.
Su Qing felt the difference immediately.
Her breath caught.
"This one… feels different."
Lin Ye did not answer.
His attention remained fixed on the creature.
It moved.
Not with sudden bursts.
But controlled.
Measured.
Each step carried weight.
Lin Ye stepped forward to meet it.
There was no space to retreat.
No terrain to rely on.
Only direct confrontation.
The creature attacked first.
A downward strike aimed at his head.
Lin Ye shifted to the side and countered instantly. The axe struck its arm with force.
The hit landed cleanly.
But the creature barely reacted.
Its other arm swung toward him.
Lin Ye blocked.
The impact forced him back further this time.
His arms tightened to absorb the force.
The difference in strength was clear.
The creature attacked again.
Faster.
Lin Ye avoided narrowly, then activated Accelerated Strike.
The axe struck toward its neck.
The blade cut in.
But did not go through.
The hardened flesh resisted the strike.
Lin Ye stepped back immediately.
He did not overcommit.
The creature turned again.
Its movements became sharper.
More precise.
It was adapting.
Su Qing watched from behind, her heart racing. She did not step forward. She understood her limits.
The creature attacked again.
Lin Ye shifted again.
Each exchange was tight.
Controlled.
Focused.
He observed carefully.
Its rhythm.
Its timing.
The slight delay after heavy swings.
Then he saw it.
A small opening.
The next attack came.
Lin Ye did not retreat.
He stepped in.
Closer.
The creature's strike passed just behind him.
Lin Ye turned.
The axe rose.
Then came down toward the same weakened point.
The blade cut deeper.
The creature staggered.
For the first time.
Lin Ye moved immediately.
He activated his skill again.
The second strike followed faster.
Stronger.
The blade drove into the same point.
A crack formed.
Then the creature collapsed.
Silence filled the chamber.
A notification appeared.
[You have killed Trial Elite Zombie][EXP +60]
Lin Ye stood still for a moment.
His breathing deepened slightly, then steadied again.
Behind him, Su Qing slowly exhaled.
Her legs almost gave out, but she remained standing.
Then the system voice echoed.
[Trial Completed][Performance Evaluation in Progress]
A soft light began to gather at the center of the chamber.
The oppressive pressure faded.
Replaced by something else.
A quiet, heavy anticipation.
Lin Ye looked toward the light.
His expression remained calm.
But his focus sharpened.
Because he understood something clearly.
This reward…
Would decide how far ahead he could stand at the very beginning of this world.