As the system’s voice ceased, all the trialists emerged from their excitement, turning their attention to the rewards offered by the system, as well as the calculation of contribution points.

"Without a doubt, Waldo must be ranked first! He killed Liuli and repelled a million monsters. If he isn’t first, it simply doesn’t make sense."

"We can’t possibly get the first place, but I feel like being in the top ten is possible."

"I think so too. When it comes to ranking contributions, everyone is more or less the same. In the end, it all depends on how the system ranks us."

The trialists discussed among themselves.

At the same time, some were concerned about the second phase of the assessment task, the Chessboard Survival Game.

From the name alone, it was clear that this was a very dangerous assessment.

Just the word ’assessment’ implied that many trialists would perish.

It was like surviving a hundred days in the land of darkness.

At the beginning, there were three to four thousand trialists.

Now, not even halfway through the time, the vast majority of the trialists had died.

If it wasn’t for Waldo’s intervention to resolve the crisis, perhaps no trialists would have survived.

...

"The Chessboard Survival Game, this time, it’s uncertain how many trialists will make it to the end."

Some were worried, not optimistic about their future.

...

An hour later, the system announced the rankings.

As expected, Waldo was ranked first.

This was beyond doubt and within the expectations of all the trialists.

And Waldo received the mysterious reward given by the supreme rulers.

"A mysterious reward? What could it be? Given by the supreme rulers, it must be extremely valuable! Otherwise, Liuli of the divine race wouldn’t have gone to such lengths for this reward!"Waldo was excited.

However, just as he was about to check the mysterious reward, he was informed that he could not view it yet.

This left Waldo momentarily stunned.

"What the heck? Can’t view it?"

But then, Waldo let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness, it’s not that they won’t give it to me, but that I need to enter the second assessment to receive it!"

Waldo couldn’t help but start looking forward to it.

Soon, the hundred-day survival period in the land of darkness came to an end.

At this time, some trialists were expectant, while others were worried, fearful, and uneasy.

The latter were in the majority.

After all, having experienced countless life-and-death crises, everyone was well aware that the later stages would bring more brutal dangers and even fiercer competition!

At some point, snowflakes began to fall from the sky.

Each snowflake was the size of a palm, extremely cold, and crystal clear.

Numerous trialists looked up at the sky, admiring this unparalleled rare beauty.

Just then, the system’s voice came.

[The assessment in the land of darkness officially ends, and the second assessment task, "Chessboard Survival Game," now begins!]

Subsequently, the trialists felt the world spin around them.

Waldo was no exception.

He only felt his body enveloped by an irresistible force.

Then, he was dragged somewhere unknown.

His brain roared as if struck by millions of thunders.

Soon, his consciousness plunged into the void.

...

Time passed, unmeasured.

When Waldo regained consciousness, he was shocked to discover that he seemed to have entered a very dreamlike world.

The sky was adorned with the sun, moon, and stars, shining brilliantly.

However, there was no ground in this world.

Instead, there was an immense chessboard.

It was desolate all around, with no other things in existence.

Except for the chessboard.

"Such a huge chessboard?"

Waldo was stunned.

Oh heavens, what kind of world had he come to?

He was now at the center of this boundless chessboard, surrounded by nothingness.

Looking far into the distance, he found nothing.

[Welcome to the Chessboard World!]

The system’s resounding voice echoed in Waldo’s mind, bringing some order to his flustered state.

[Trialist Waldo, you are now in the Chessboard Game World. Here, each trialist is a chess piece. Your fate is no longer in your own hands, but in the roll of the dice!]

[Fate is like chess, and you are all but chess pieces.]

[Now, the system will explain the game rules to you:

First, all trialists can roll the dice once per day. Based on the number rolled, you will be forcibly moved to the corresponding square.

Be aware, different squares have different things. Some have food, some have various weapons, and some, various dangers...

Second, no trialist is allowed to leave the boundaries of the chessboard. Any trialist who dares to forcibly leave will be eradicated by the system. Please think carefully before acting!

Third, while on the chessboard, you may encounter other trialists. However, most of the time, you will be alone. If you encounter other trialists and you are in the same square, only one can survive...

Fourth, remember, the further you go, the more dangerous the squares will become, and the probability of survival will decrease. Trialists are advised to enhance their strength in the early stages to better cope with the dangers later on...]

The system detailed the rules of the Chessboard Survival Game and various precautions.

After talking for about ten minutes, Waldo listened patiently.

By then, he had gained some understanding of the Chessboard Survival Game.

First, you will receive a die.

Every day, there is a chance to roll the dice.

You can choose to roll or not to roll.

If you don’t roll, there will be no danger.

But likewise, you won’t be able to obtain resources necessary for survival.

"Arriving in this chessboard world, the rules and constraints became much stronger. Even though I’ve become a Level 5 Challenger, the difference between me and ordinary challengers is not significant," Waldo felt the energy in his body flow sluggishly, raising an eyebrow.

The rules of the chessboard world were too bizarre, even more so than the Land of Darkness.

His power was completely compressed here.

Although his realm remained, the gap between him and ordinary challengers was not significant.

Moreover, the key point was that he couldn’t survive more than three days here without food and water.

Therefore, even he had to roll the dice.

"Is my fate just to be toyed with?"

Waldo’s eyebrows twitched, a complex feeling welling up in his heart.

It was quite unpleasant.

The advantages he had worked so hard to gain along the way were gone in this place, just like that.

Treated just like ordinary challengers, played with at will, unable to take control.

Isn’t it laughable?

Anyone would probably feel bitter in their heart.

Waldo wasn’t a saint or a buddha, he was like any normal person, unwilling to accept this, feeling resentful.

It was only natural to harbor resentment.

This so-called supreme rulers seemed quite unfair.

However, although he complained internally, Waldo didn’t dare to express anything on the surface.

After all, he was under the watchful eyes of the supreme rulers.

If he showed his dissatisfaction...

Heh, the supreme rulers could easily destroy him.