The First Event

Gu Erin was tired by the time he managed to get Ling Min to leave him alone, she was interested in the formation he was setting up. Gu Erin was somewhat happy that someone had taken a great interest and was vocal about it, if he could teach her and she absorbed the information easily it meant he didn't have to waste time teaching the others.

The formation was set and the night was starting to whine, Gu Erin was tired, insanely so. He had not gotten a wink of sleep, and whatever sleep he did get was short lived and light. As the last time he remembered getting some shut eye was back within the Blood Jacket's Devil's Den. He had remembered his wake-up call, and he was praying nothing similar happened this time.

With a sigh he laid down, his body and mind almost acting surprised at being able to sit still for more than a few minutes without undergoing some sort of trial. When Gu Erin closed his eyes, everything faded away from his mind, but he still felt on edge. He didn't trust anyone in his surroundings, even if they were his subordinates, he would not let down his guard ever again.

This of course made Gu Erin's sleep very light and restless, however, he still managed to get a bit of deep sleep, even if it made his awareness a bit foggy. The night faded as the sun rose, making him stir from his dreamless rest. When he stood up, he almost regrated trying to get some sleep as he only felt more exhausted.

He tried to wake his body up and clear his mind, slowly the exhaustion took the back seat as the haze from his rest faded completely. Although he wasn't at his peak, he was still in the best form he could manage while accomplishing everything he could. Because, today was the first Event, and he was sure the signs of the beast tide would show soon.

Nobody was allowed to leave, besides the children and a few of the non-combative, which were few. Thankfully almost everyone had at least entered the Entry Stage of the Blood Transformation Realm. Although significantly weaker than the First Stage, they were still far stronger than any mortal. While most if not half the camp had reached the First Stage or higher.

Weapons were abundant and were passed out liberally, most if not all the wealth they had gathered was spent arming and equipping them. A small trench was dug around the camp in front of the wooden barricade, just outside the barrier. It was lined with sharpened wooden steaks. Gu Erin was happy with most of the preparations made. In his past life he was closer to the frontier of the Flood Dragon Kingdom. Thus, the beast tide was a bit more intense.

This far in however, made him certain that at most they would run into a few Rank 2 beasts, while the tide itself would be consisted mostly of lower Rank 1 beasts. Beasts that should easily be taken care of by small groups of three or four.

Gu Erin watched as the sunrise started to grow red, the slight morning fog seemed to thicken as the qi shifted, making everyone feel on edge. Those who were cultivating, naturally broke out of their cultivation, their instincts telling them there was a threat. Gu Erin heard the distant horns and bells of Haymire and no doubt the gates were closing, cutting off any who were not in the town.

He knew that the slums outside the walls formed by the Cultivators of Earth and whatever camp was formed would face a slaughter. Although most would survive if they banded together and fought, they would suffer heavy losses. This is what happened in his past life, and he was certain it would happen again in this one as well.

This would be the true start, the wake-up call to all of the people from Earth. As the First Event was the trial that claimed the most lives, as it caught all unprepared. After which the adaptability and survival instinct of humanity took hold over any reason. True colors were shown, and the true competition for power started. Gu Erin was sure that his group would fully awaken to reality as well, once they see the aftermath of this Event.

Finally, what Gu Erin was waiting for finally happened. An aurora, exactly the same as the one on Earth spread throughout Heaven's Mercy. Touching each participant, as the Heaven's Message was delivered.

[Attention All Participants]

[The First Trial Has Begun]

[The First Trial Is A Beast Tide That Is Common Whenever One Overhunts A Region As The Hate Unites All Beasts In A Singular Purpose]

[Hide And Survive Or Follow A Leader And Gain Reward]

The message ended, and Gu Erin could feel The heaven's starting to work its way through everything. It was invasive, yet he was prepared for it. Finally with a pull Gu Erin felt a jolt of electricity in his very being, as he seemed to be the focus of all those around him. The Heavens had deemed him the Leader, thus the focal point for all of the rewards.

This was another reason why he had gathered such a group, if he had kept a small and elite group he would have still been the focal point of the rewards. However, they wouldn't have been able to gather as much credit, thus limiting their potential. Gu Erin however, dared not have a larger group, because it would limit their financial fluidity.

Not to mention it would be far harder to control the mob, and even now Gu Erin could see smaller factions forming in his group. This was fine of course, as long as they remained loyal. He didn't want to make an example out of anyone, as he didn't wish to rule through fear. But, he would not hesitate to do so.

Starting to feel the unrest and growing tension, Gu Erin called out. 'Everyone, do not worry, we prepared for this! Spears forward, keep your distance! Archers ready, don't hesitate to shoot if you have a clear shot. Don't waste your arrows! If your injured retreat to the rear, do not use the alchemical aids without it being life or death! Your bodies will recover with some time! If you kill a beast drag in the body if you can! Cut out the beast core and deliver it to the center of the formation! As long as we keep the formation fueled we will be safe!"

Gu Erin's instructions echoed throughout the camp, jolting everyone out of their tense daze, making the camp turn into a flurry of motion. Too many thoughts were flying through their minds to question Gu Erin. All they knew was that he was confident and sounded like he could get them through this beast tide.

Everyone was getting set, as a grim silence descended over the camp. This silence allowed everyone to hear the distant cries and roars of beasts, as the ground started to vibrate slightly.

This slight vibration only got more intense as the sounds of ravenous beasts got closer and closer. The sky was now a light crimson, something far more common at sunset rather than sunrise. Gu Erin felt different auras of bloodlust start to approach, and his face twitched. This was not what he expected.

He had anticipated maybe half a dozen Rank 2 beasts, but this? He could isolate more than three dozen different auras of Rank 2 beasts. Was this an effect of being near an Earth Grade Spirit Vein? No, the Heavens wouldn't allow such a beast tide to fall upon common mortals. So that only left one thought.

Something had changed, and Gu Erin was fairly certain he knew the source, himself. His mind started to run through scenarios nonstop as he tried to figure out how to survive this. If all of those beasts congregated on them, they would be in trouble, but thankfully Gu Erin felt about a third of them focus their auras elsewhere. That still left him with nearly twenty Rank 2 beasts.

The barrier would only last a minute or two if those beasts combined their efforts, that is of course if Gu Erin allowed them to. However, even if he was incredibly strong due to his innate talents, he doubted it would be enough to stop more than a handful of rank 2 beasts, and even then he would only be stalling them, as he would constantly be on the backfoot.

Gu Erin made up his mind as he stepped out of the barrier, much to everyone's shock and panicked confusion. People started to call after him, but he waved them away. He had to stay outside the barrier, while the others stayed just inside. He would need to both kill as many Rank 1 beasts, while keeping the attention of the Rank 2 beasts. The cores they collected should buy him the time to slowly target the stronger beasts.

This would not be a battle of ease like he had hoped and expected, Gu Erin now knew the Heavens would raise the difficulty to match his preparedness.

***

In A Place Where Time And Space Had No Control Over –

Chaos looked down at the first Event within Heaven's Mercy, he nodded to himself, although he didn't like Fate, he had to admit it made quite the challenge for his inheritor. Of course, he cared for the mortal as he pinned his hopes on him to carry his Dao. But, if he had an easy rise it would only sully the Dao he carries. Something the Heavens agreed with him on.

Fate had remained in its bounds in arranging this challenge even if it was overdoing it slightly, it was still within manageable bounds…somewhat.

What made Chaos slightly concerned for the Mortal was the alchemist of Haymire, he didn't care for the ant, but he cared about the creation of the Body Foraging Pill. Inconsequential in his eyes, but when word spread, he was concerned about which group responded first. Thankfully by the time they arrived his Inheritors new tutor should have as well.

He smiled; he couldn't wait for Fate's reaction as he threw his first counter attack for the first time in the past several epochs.