The next few days became a relentless blur of battles, with each day blending into the next with barely a moment of rest.

As a result, every morning in the tutorial also began with the same uneasy mix of anticipation and grim determination.

Every day, the camp would rouse itself early, knowing that by midday, another wave of beasts would descend upon them, but this time, it would be larger, more ferocious, and even more deadly than the day before.

With each subsequent day that passed, an additional ten new monsters joined the ranks of the growing beast waves, which served as a slow but steady escalation of their relentless trial.

However, despite the growing threat, the initiates had also adapted quickly, forced by dire necessity to learn the art of survival.

The Strategies that had seemed chaotic and uncoordinated during the first wave and earlier days of the tutorial had now begun to take shape, even evolving into something that resembled a decent cohesive defence.

Because the initiates had begrudgingly accepted their new reality and shifted their focus onto survival, it also did not take long for the humans to notice a pattern amidst the chaos.

Each day, without fail, the beasts launched their attack at the same time, around midday, when the false "sun" was at its brightest.

Also, the beasts, as if driven by some unseen command, also always came from the same direction, that being the east, which had been the same direction that the Giant had attacked from on the first day.

As a result of this peculiarity, because the beasts appeared within the barrier each day out of seemingly nowhere, after each battle, the collective camp sent an expeditionary group into the area, hoping to uncover the source of the creatures to prevent future attacks or even find a way past the barrier.

But strangely, they never encountered a single beast in the area, and even after venturing deeper into the forest, all they found was the looming, impenetrable barrier that encircled their new reality. The forest seemed to mock their efforts, offering no clues and only an oppressive silence.

Despite this mystery, the humans pressed on and instead turned their attention to fortifying the camp itself and preparing for the next impending onslaught. Over the course of just a few days, the camp underwent a remarkable transformation.

The first aspect that the camp focused on and was done under Smiths' militant style command was turning the over 200 combatants into a well-coordinated battle line, with each member knowing their place and role in the defence. Even now, groups practised manoeuvres together, drilling until their formations held firm under simulated pressure.

The next priority was the trees that encircled the clearing with the camp and node in the centre.

These trees, which were also far larger and sturdier than their Earth-based counterparts, as everything in this tutorial seemed to be, were systematically felled, and their trunks were stripped and repurposed into makeshift fortifications.

Using the new lumbar taken from these trees, sharp wooden stakes were driven into the ground, forming crude but effective barricades at strategic intervals around the clearing.

Using the same wood, the initiates also began building Makeshift palisades, which now rose around the perimeter of the clearing, forming an additional barrier against any outward threats.

The start of a line of pitfall traps also began to snake across the eastern side of the camp; though they were not deep enough yet, they would enhance the camp's overall defence.

While these barriers would not completely stop the waves of beasts, they promised to slow them down and serve as a funnel to move the monsters toward the strongest points of defence, making them easier to confront.

Moreover, because so many trees had been cut down, the once-dense treeline surrounding the camp had been pushed back, creating a wide, open space that provided a clear line of sight into the forest. This newfound vantage point gave the defenders a few more precious seconds to spot incoming threats and prepare accordingly.

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Then again, the only reason this level of rapid progress was even possible was thanks to the enhanced stats, courtesy of the 'tutorial initiate' accolade that the tutorial gave everyone at the start of the trial.

With ten extra stat points, the initiates had increased their strength and stamina, which allowed them to work tirelessly, pushing their limits and allowing them to work for longer with less rest.

Yet, it was not just physical improvements that drove them forward, but also the faint glimmer of hope.

The surviving humans had managed to steel their resolve and not fall into despair thanks to the system's ever-present notification reminding them that the trial would end in 30 days.

However, whether this meant the end of the tutorial or merely the beginning of another more sinister one was unclear. The initiates had also seemed to have come to a consensus not to dwell on that possibility and instead clung to the hope that freedom from this cruel world might come at the trial's conclusion.

Yet, despite the grim reality they all faced, some found themselves drawn to the challenges of this new world, their initial fear gradually replaced by a hunger for strength and purpose.

Among these individuals, a few in particular stood out to Jason. One of them was the teenager who had caught his attention early on and since whose name he had learned was George.

That name only confirmed what Jason had already suspected.

George had once been a 'Templar'. This unsuspecting teenager would one day become one of the knights who served under 'Galahad' in the fabled 'Knight's Order.'

His good looks, blonde hair and striking green eyes only made it easier for Jason to match the boy's past, or perhaps his future, to his current form. And although he was far from the shining paragon he would become, the seeds of his future greatness were already beginning to sprout.

After surviving the initial battles, George seemed to have gained a newfound confidence. He threw himself into battle with a fervour that surprised many.

Yet, there was a calculated purpose to his actions.

Geroge seemed to mirror Smith's disciplined approach and even learn from the older, more experienced man. The first thing he learned under Smith's mentorship was how to fight. As a result, Geroge copied the older man's fighting style, wielding a shield in one hand and a spear in the other, as he had seen the veteran do.

With each battle, the teenager further honed his skills, and with every clash, his movements grew sharper and more deliberate. He seemed to thrive under this life-and-death pressure.

But there was something more to George's newfound bravery.

Jason observed how George's rising success on the battlefield had attracted the attention of the younger initiates, especially the girls. They had begun to swoon over him, drawn by his boldness in battle and perhaps by the allure of someone who seemed to flourish where others struggled.

George was obviously aware of the admiration he was garnering, and he seemed to feed off it, his confidence swelling with every approving glance and whispered compliment. It was as though the attention had become a catalyst, pushing him to try harder, to stand taller, striving not just to survive but to be seen as the camp's protector or perhaps even a hero.

Jason could not help but smirk at the sight.

'Youth', he mused.

The young really had a remarkable way of transforming even the bleakest situations into something resembling a competition.

For George, survival in this tutorial was no longer just a matter of life and death—it was a stage, and he was quickly becoming one of its brightest stars.

Also, over the past few days, the average level of the humans had also increased, with most reaching levels 2 or 3.

Unlike the initiates, the "Common" rank beasts that the humans had faced so far had no skills, as skills began at the "Uncommon" rank. Instead, the beasts fought purely with brute strength, relying on their high stats and physical bodies.

In contrast, the humans had grown stronger and were now armed with weapons, armour, and, most importantly, skills. With better teamwork, experience, and superior numbers, the tide of battle had shifted in their favour. Casualties were becoming less frequent, and the initiates were learning to fight effectively as a unit.

Jason, too, had grown significantly over this short period of time. Relying on his magic-based build and a steady supply of mana potions, he had taken down a disproportionate share of the monsters, earning a steady stream of SP and EXP. Over the course of just a few days, he had levelled up five more times, reaching level 8—far ahead of most of the camp. Only Smith and a few others came close, and even then, Smith had only reached level 4.

Yet, as Jason climbed the levels, he noticed a significant change. The amount of EXP required for each level-up increased exponentially, slowing progress with each new milestone. It wasn't too bad now, but he knew this change would only get bigger as he continued. Still, his advantage in levels and skills made him a critical asset to the camp's defence.

As Jason stood atop one of the newly constructed barricades, he surveyed the ongoing preparations. The camp was bustling with activity—initiates sharpened their weapons, reinforced defences, and tended to their wounds from the previous day.

Despite their progress, Jason's intuition alerted him that something larger loomed on the horizon. The beasts' attacks so far were too simple, and the humans had adapted to these repeated attacks.

Yet Jason knew that these trials rarely remained static.

His gaze drifted toward the forest's edge, where the treeline loomed like a wall of shadows, silent and foreboding.

"It's been five days since I entered this tutorial..." Jason said under his breath as his eyes narrowed, scanning the distance.

"...It should be time..."