The Celestial Player: Conquering the Tower of Gods

Chapter 8: The War for Survival Begins

The air in the Forest of Beasts was thick with tension. The echoes of the previous battle still lingered, but Jin and Aerin knew there was no time to celebrate their victory over the Blood Moon Raiders.

This trial wasn't just about monsters anymore.

Now, players were the real danger.

> [Trial Time Remaining: 6 Hours]

[Surviving Players: 1,745,612]

Jin clenched his fists. Another half a million players had been eliminated. The number was dropping rapidly.

Aerin wiped her blades clean, her emerald eyes scanning the darkened treeline. "They're not the only ones hunting."

Jin nodded. "We need to move."

But before they could take another step—

BOOM!

A powerful shockwave tore through the forest, shaking the very ground beneath their feet.

Jin's instincts flared. Something massive was approaching.

Then the system's voice echoed.

> [WARNING: The Apex Battle Zone Has Opened!]

All remaining players are being drawn into a large-scale battle. The strongest will rise. The weakest will perish.

Jin's eyes narrowed. A forced battle?

Aerin cursed under her breath. "Looks like the Tower wants us to fight whether we like it or not."

The forest began to glow—golden markings spread across the trees, forming a massive barrier dome that cut off any possible escape routes.

And then, out of the mist, they appeared.

---

The Three Major Factions

Jin's gaze flickered between the three groups that had gathered within the Apex Battle Zone.

There were hundreds of players, all watching each other carefully. But it was clear that three factions controlled the battlefield.

1. The Radiant Dawn Guild (Holy Warriors & Knights)

A powerful guild of disciplined fighters, armored warriors, and holy magic users. They stood in formation, their leader—a silver-haired man in golden armor—watching everything with calculating eyes.

> [Leader: Vincent Albrecht – Rank 27 Player]

Vincent's golden sword shimmered under the moonlight, his calm aura commanding respect.

2. The Silent Fang (Assassins & Rogues)

A group of cloaked figures, their faces hidden by masks. Their presence was barely detectable, but Jin could feel their killing intent.

> [Leader: Raven – Rank 19 Player]

Raven stood at the front, his twin daggers coated in a strange black mist. His piercing gaze flicked toward Jin and Aerin, as if evaluating their strength.

3. The Crimson Reapers (Brutal Combat Specialists)

Unlike the other two factions, the Crimson Reapers were a chaotic group of merciless fighters wielding massive weapons. Their leader, a red-haired warrior with brutal scars across his arms, grinned wickedly.

> [Leader: Darius Bloodfang – Rank 14 Player]

Darius cracked his knuckles, his battle axe resting on his shoulder. "Well, well. Looks like we've got some fresh meat."

Jin exhaled. This was a war zone.

Aerin's fingers twitched near her daggers. "What's the plan?"

Jin smirked. "We let them make the first move."

And just as expected—they did.

---

The Battle Erupts

Darius let out a roar, lifting his battle axe high. "ENOUGH TALK! LET'S FIGHT!"

The Crimson Reapers charged forward, their warriors swinging swords, axes, and warhammers with reckless aggression.

Vincent raised his sword, voice steady. "Defensive formation! Hold the line!"

The Radiant Dawn Guild met the charge head-on, their shieldbearers forming a protective barrier while their mages rained holy light upon the battlefield.

Meanwhile, the Silent Fang assassins vanished into the shadows, choosing to strike from the darkness.

And in the midst of the chaos, Jin and Aerin made their move.

---

Jin vs. Darius Bloodfang

Darius locked onto Jin, his massive battle axe carving through the battlefield. "You're not running this time!"

Jin dodged as the axe slammed into the ground, splitting the earth beneath them.

> [Skill Copied: Bloodrage]

Boosts physical power when engaged in close combat.

Jin felt a surge of strength course through his body. Fine. If this guy wanted brute force, he'd get it.

Darius swung again, but this time, Jin didn't dodge.

He caught the axe with both hands.

Darius' eyes widened. "What—"

Jin grinned. "Not bad. But too slow."

With a burst of power, Jin twisted the axe, forcing Darius off balance. Before the brute could recover, Jin delivered a devastating kick to his chest—sending him skidding backward.

> [Skill Evolution: Bloodrage → Crimson Overdrive]

Temporarily increases attack speed and power when facing multiple enemies.

Jin rolled his shoulders. "Your turn."

Darius let out a furious roar, and the battle resumed.

---

Aerin vs. Raven

While Jin fought Darius, Aerin was locked in a deadly dance with Raven, the leader of Silent Fang.

His daggers were lightning fast, each strike aiming for her vital points.

> [Skill Copied: Phantom Step]

A movement technique that makes the user harder to detect.

Aerin activated it instantly, her body becoming a blur of motion.

She sidestepped Raven's attack and retaliated with a rapid flurry of strikes.

Raven barely blocked in time, his masked face tilting slightly. "Interesting."

Aerin smirked. "I'm full of surprises."

The battle continued, neither willing to back down.

---

The Battlefield Burns

Across the Apex Battle Zone, the war escalated.

The Radiant Dawn Guild held their ground, their shield formations unbreakable.

The Crimson Reapers tore through weaker players, reveling in the chaos.

The Silent Fang assassins struck from the shadows, eliminating targets before vanishing.

And in the middle of it all—

Jin and Aerin were carving their own path.

> [Trial Time Remaining: 4 Hours]

The battle for survival was far from over.

---

End of Chapter 8