[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-awakening-reincarnating-with-the-sss-level-extra":3,"chapter-awakening-reincarnating-with-the-sss-level-extra-awakening-reincarnating-with-the-sss-level-extra-chapter-261":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Awakening: Reincarnating With the SSS-Level Extraction Talent",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1139981,1479,"Chapter 261 500 Left in the Hallway, One more Phase","awakening-reincarnating-with-the-sss-level-extra-chapter-261",261,"\u003Cp>The pre-selection phase was supposed to start in two days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, that's what the schedule said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now that the temple was full, every participant locked into their respective hallways and rooms, the trial had already begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex leaned against the bloodstained wall, arms crossed, taking in the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So… does that mean the official trial starts in two days?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Probably,\" Alphox answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was calm, steady, but there was an edge to it, one Alex had started noticing more and more that they were here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If that wasn't the case, they would've left the temple open for more participants. My guess? They decided they didn't need anyone else and started early.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Would've been nice to have a bit more time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What surprised him wasn't just the sudden start of the trial, but Alphox himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Primordial Shadow Dragon had been silent before, offering cryptic advice here and there, never directly interfering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now? He was constantly giving input, offering guidance, answering questions before Alex even asked them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it wasn't just tactical advice, he actually seemed invested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was new.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guess I'll be done with this mess soon, then,\" Alex muttered, stretching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His first battle in the trial had gone even smoother than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The so-called \"elites\" in his room, some as high as level 1,400, had barely been a warm-up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn't even lost a single [Destiny Point], despite using [Destiny Shift] once since he recovered them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his newly upgraded [Armor of Pure Hatred], taking damage was nearly impossible unless his opponent was an absolute monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even those who attempted surprise attacks had been swatted down like insects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'They really underestimated me.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that he was complaining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minutes passed. Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mechanical voice echoed through the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[All 500 Survivors Have Been Chosen.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You May Rest for Now. The Second Stage Will Begin Tomorrow.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex exhaled, staring at the ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that was it, huh? The first stage of the pre-selection phase was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the announcement was accurate, then every hallway had completed their slaughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of the original 50,000 participants, only 5,000 remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That means the real threats are left now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ones who survived wouldn't just be strong, they'd be ruthless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The initial room fights were a joke compared to what came next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the Dragon Trial. No mercy, no long-term alliances, no second chances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he sat down on one of the few beds that wasn't drenched in blood, a thought crept into his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way… why did you tell me to go to the fifth hallway?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alphox had specifically told him to pick this one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was there some hidden condition? A secret reward? A shortcut to victory?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon's voice was calm but firm, \"Because it was the weakest hallway.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex frowned, \"The weakest?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I saw several powerhouses enter the other hallways,\" Alphox explained. \"You would've had to fight them immediately if you picked another one. That wouldn't have been ideal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made sense. A logical move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even so, Alex couldn't help but chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have a [God's Blessing], you know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if someone ambushed him, he could just reverse time with [Destiny Shift].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they somehow managed to kill him? He could undo his own death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, though, the trial had paused. The doors were locked. He was exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed his eyes, allowing himself to relax for the first time in hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" Alphox's voice came again, sharper this time. \"You're not safe yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex's brows furrowed. \"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The doors will unlock soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex sat up immediately, \"They just said the second stage starts tomorrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They lied.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold, sinking feeling settled in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The real massacre starts tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex's eyes darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alphox continued, voice grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only 100 people per hallway can move on to the next stage. That means 400 more need to die before morning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that's how it is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren't just testing raw strength. They were testing survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex let out a slow breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't tired to begin with, as the aura and blood of a god flowed through him, but even then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tension in the hallway grew thick as time passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex sat in silence, senses sharp, waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind replayed Alphox's words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four hundred more need to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant only one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The survivors of the first round weren't really survivors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were just temporary placeholders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, they had to kill again to secure their spots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an endurance test. A war of attrition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And judging from the faint sounds echoing through the walls from the other rooms, low whispers, shifting footsteps, the distant clinking of weapons, some people had already figured it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brutal free-for-all was about to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How many of them will be dumb enough to attack me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex glanced at his armor, his staff and his sharpened claws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the remaining participants were likely high-level individuals that had been trained to kill and pass this trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that didn't mean they were intelligent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear and desperation made people reckless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And reckless enemies?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Easy kills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, without warning—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of locks disengaging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rooms were built in a strong enough material so that the doors couldn't be forcefully broken, but if the locks were disengaged...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five seconds later—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SLAM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door burst open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex barely had time to react before a blur of motion shot toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dagger flashed in the dim light, aimed straight for his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It hit Alex straight on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Weakness hit, instant death.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My victory,\" the assassin, wearing a cloak that hid his entire body, smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dying from an attack too fast to dodge? No problem for Alex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Destiny Shift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You undid the attack.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time rewound since he had selected the attack, thus reviving him and also sending back the assassin behind the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the?\" the assassin was confused, but noticing his dagger in hand, he simply got ready to do what he did again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this time, before the attack even began, Alex was already moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin's blade never reached him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, Alex twisted around and drove his knee straight into the attacker's gut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man choked out a pained gasp, staggering back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex didn't hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hand shot forward with [Bleeding Claws] activated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood sprayed as his claws tore through flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Critical Hit! Fatal Injury.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin fell without a sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of footsteps filled the hallway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More figures emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some were locked in their own battles, others hesitated, watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex took a slow step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Partner,\" Alphox spoke, \"I need to tell you one more thing about this trial.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go ahead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The number of humans who make it past the pre-selection phase is extremely low.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex entered the hallway. He immediately felt dozens of eyes lock onto him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's not just because they get filtered out early.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shift in the air. Muscles tensing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's also because…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They get killed before they can even leave their hallways.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Current Alive in Hallway #5: 478\u002F500]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Will stop only once 100 remain.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kill the human!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We were asked by the dragons to make sure that no human gets past this point, sorry not sorry kid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We need to get rid of him quick, don't anger the Primordial Dragons!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex smiled as he saw a horde of people from different races dash toward him, the only human.\u003C\u002Fp>",1244,"2026-06-03T12:12:47.112Z","2026-06-03T12:12:55.154Z",1,"novelbin.me","ca6c8fe7b5fa9f96e50596bc6707e954d4d6b4f8aa71bd80df3a89a56e9e32ff","awakening-reincarnating-with-the-sss-level-extra-chapter-262","awakening-reincarnating-with-the-sss-level-extra-chapter-260",516,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fawakening-reincarnating-with-the-sss-level-extra-cover.jpg"]