Chapter 1: Primitive Red-Fur Monkey
There were countless species in the universe. Each lived in a different environment, followed different laws, and walked a different path. Yet one thing was common to all of them—evolution.
Every species desired to evolve. Humans were no exception.
Among the many paths to evolution, one stood out above the rest: Geno Evolution.
Over a hundred years ago, humanity made a breakthrough in teleportation technology. When the first group of explorers activated it, they expected to arrive at another location on Earth—or perhaps in space. Instead, they were transported to an entirely different world.
This world was mysterious and cruel.
Here, science and technology lost their power. Missiles and nuclear weapons were no more effective than crude steel knives. Electronic equipment ceased to function altogether, as if the laws of physics themselves had been rewritten.
The land was inhabited by countless strange and terrifying creatures. Compared to them, human beings were weak and fragile. Without technology, they became prey.
However, hope was discovered in the most unexpected way.
When humans killed weaker creatures and consumed their flesh, they found their bodies undergoing dramatic changes. Strength increased. Bones hardened. Cells evolved at a speed that science could not explain. Even their lifespans began to extend far beyond natural limits.
Humanity had found a new path to evolution.
This world was later named God's Sanctuary.
In the century that followed, more and more humans entered God's Sanctuary and gradually learned its rules. They hunted its creatures, tempered their bodies, and grew stronger with each battle.
To survive, humans created new combat techniques. Martial arts flourished, evolving rapidly under life-and-death pressure. Over time, countless fighting styles and schools were formed.
In addition, those who killed creatures in God's Sanctuary had a chance to obtain something extraordinary—Beast Souls.
Beast Souls came in countless forms and appearances. Some could be worn as armor, others manifested as weapons, and some granted strange and powerful abilities.
Today, another human was preparing to step into this world.
A young man stood before the teleporter, a military-style backpack slung over his shoulder. The bag was filled with survival supplies, making him look as though he were heading to war rather than another world.
His expression was calm, but a flicker of excitement burned in his eyes.
His name was Wen Lin.
He had worked tirelessly for this very day. His excitement was beyond words—for he knew something no one else did. He had transmigrated into the world of Supergene SN9456.
From the moment he realized where he was, Wen Lin had trained relentlessly, preparing himself for the future he remembered.
Without wasting any time, he activated the teleporter and entered the First God's Sanctuary.
His vision blurred.
In the next instant, he found himself standing inside a small, enclosed room.
"A shelter…"
Realizing where he was, a faint smile appeared on Wen Lin's face.
He placed down his cooking pot, secured his supplies, and slung his bag over his shoulder before stepping outside to take in the surroundings.
Although it was said that in the First Sanctuary no one would enter another person's shelter, Wen Lin remained cautious. In God's Sanctuary, carelessness often meant death.
Outside, the shelter was loud and chaotic.
People rushed past in every direction—some injured and bleeding, hurrying toward the teleportation device, while others loudly hawked their goods. Beast meat hung from hooks, fresh blood still dripping. Crystallized Beast Souls glimmered faintly as they changed hands.
After asking around, Wen Lin learned the shelter's name.
Faith Shelter.
A trace of disappointment crossed his mind.
This was not Steel Armor Shelter—the place he truly wanted to be. That was where Han Sen, the Dongxuan Sutra, and the Black Crystal were located. Things he intended to obtain sooner or later.
Still, rushing would only get him killed.
I can go there after I become stronger, Wen Lin thought, his resolve hardening. Very soon.
As he observed his surroundings, he noticed something else.
Others were observing him too.
Wen Lin's clothes were clean and well-fitted, clearly expensive. In a place where survival ruled everything, such neatness stood out. To many eyes, he looked like a rich newcomer—unfamiliar, untested, and possibly useful… or profitable.
He was about to gather more information when a shadow fell over him.
"New face?"
The voice was firm, slightly sharp.
Wen Lin looked up.
The man standing before him was tall, wearing patched leather armor. A long saber rested casually against his shoulder, its blade nicked and dulled from frequent use. His eyes scanned Wen Lin openly—not hostile, just calculating.
"Yes," Wen Lin replied calmly.
The man nodded, as if that single word told him everything he needed to know.
"I'm Qin Hao," he said. "We're heading out. Primitive Zone. Short hunt."
He gestured behind him.
A short distance away, five people waited—some restless, others quietly alert.
Wen Lin swept his gaze across them, never lingering on anyone for more than three seconds.
To the side stood a woman with a bow strapped across her back. She leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, her expression cold and distant. When her eyes flicked toward Wen Lin, there was no curiosity—only assessment.
At the far end, half-hidden by shadows, another man crouched beside a pile of supplies. His eyes were sharp, wandering—and they lingered on Wen Lin's backpack a second too long.
Wen Lin's alertness spiked instantly.
Outwardly, however, his expression did not change.
In the Alliance, rules existed.
In God's Sanctuary, there were none.
Murder and theft were not crimes here—only daily occurrences.
"We need one more," Qin Hao said. "You in?"
Wen Lin hesitated.
Just long enough to look uncertain.
No one knew what Wen Lin was thinking. After taking an unusually long time to decide, he finally agreed to go with them.
On the way, he learned their destination—Monkey Mountain.
Monkey Mountain was deep and dangerous, but as long as one remained in the outer area, it was relatively safe. Most hunting teams avoided the inner zones unless they were desperate—or confident enough to risk death.
Among the group, Wen Lin's attention lingered on a thin young man holding a short spear. The man's grip was tight, his steps cautious. Nervous.
Wen Lin had been observing him for some time before finally approaching.
"I'm Wen Lin," he said, offering a friendly smile. "I use a sword."
The smile eased the young man's tension slightly.
"Yu Shan," the thin man replied. "For now, I use a short spear… but I'm thinking about learning the bow."
Wen Lin nodded. "A bow suits you better than a spear. You should switch sooner rather than later."
Yu Shan blinked, then nodded again, encouraged.
A faint scoff came from the side.
The bowwoman shot Wen Lin a disdainful glance.
He didn't spare her a look.
As they continued walking, Yu Shan gradually became more relaxed around Wen Lin. Through casual conversation, Wen Lin learned more about the group.
The bowwoman was named Lan Mei—cold, distant, and clearly experienced.
The man who had cast greedy glances at Wen Lin's bag was Sun Qi, a dagger user skilled in close combat.
The last member was Zhou Tie, an axe wielder built for the frontline.
Soon, they reached Monkey Mountain.
To Wen Lin's surprise, they were not the only hunting party there.
Groups moved throughout the outer slopes, weapons drawn, eyes alert. Steel clashed against bone in the distance. Beast roars echoed between the cliffs. The air was heavy with the scent of blood mixed with damp leaves.
No one strayed too far from others.
No one wanted to attract a Sacred-Blood beast alone.
This was Archangel Gang territory.
Everyone knew the rule—ten percent of all harvested meat went to Archangel Gang. No discussion.
Only gang members received leniency, submitting just five percent.
Qin Hao walked at the front, long saber resting on his shoulder. His eyes constantly flicked from side to side, his posture confident—but Wen Lin noticed the truth.
The saber was held too tightly.
"Stay sharp," Qin Hao said, his voice a little louder than necessary. "Monkey Mountain isn't a place where you can afford recklessness."
Yu Shan swallowed and adjusted his spear. "W-we're still in the outer zone, right?"
Zhou Tie snorted. "Outer or inner—if it shows its face, I'll split it."
Lan Mei didn't respond.
She had already moved to higher ground, bow in hand, eyes cold and focused as she scanned the treetops. From her movements, it was clear—she was no newcomer.
Sun Qi lagged behind, daggers spinning lazily between his fingers, his gaze drifting between the ground and nearby groups, silently calculating profit.
Wen Lin stayed near the rear. His sword was unsheathed but held low, steps light and controlled.
He neither spoke nor rushed.
The bushes ahead trembled.
Zhou Tie raised a fist.
The group froze.
A Stone-Black Red Ape climbed onto a broken slab of rock. Thick limbs. Crimson eyes. Fur matted with dried blood.
Strong. Aggressive.
"Zhou Tie, front line—" Qin Hao began.
Before his words faded, Zhou Tie had already stepped forward.
The ape didn't wait.
It swung its massive fist at the nearest target.
Zhou Tie advanced, axe raised, deliberately drawing the creature's attention. The ape roared and charged.
Yu Shan thrust his spear from the side—too early.
The ape twisted, swatting the shaft aside and nearly ripping the weapon from Yu Shan's hands.
"Careful!" Lan Mei snapped.
Her bowstring sang.
An arrow pierced the ape's shoulder—not lethal, but precise. The creature staggered.
Sun Qi darted in, slashing at its legs before retreating instantly. No risk. Just enough to count as participation.
Only then did Wen Lin step forward.
His sword flashed.
His strikes were clean, controlled, and unremarkable—no wasted motion, no excessive force. He cut, retreated, repositioned.
To an observer, he looked… average.
The ape's movements slowed.
Qin Hao let out a quiet breath.
Lan Mei's eyes sharpened.
This was the moment.
Everyone understood.
The one who landed the final blow would have a chance to obtain its Beast Soul.
Zhou Tie pressed harder, forcing the ape back step by step.
Yu Shan lunged again, his spear thrust desperate—but this time, it landed.
Qin Hao raised his saber, ready to assist.
But Lan Mei was already drawing her bow.
Her arrow wasn't aimed at the chest.
It was aimed at the eye.
She intended to finish it herself.
The ape roared and suddenly twisted, tearing free from the spear. Its eyes burned crimson as it swung wildly. One massive arm slammed toward Lan Mei's perch, the impact cracking the tree beneath her feet.
Her balance faltered—
Just for a heartbeat.
That was enough.
Before anyone could shout, Wen Lin moved.
Not forward.
Sideways.
His sword feinted high, drawing every eye.
Then, in a motion so subtle it went unnoticed, his left hand dropped.
A short dagger flashed from his sleeve.
The blade slid beneath the ape's jaw, slipping into the soft gap at its throat.
One precise strike.
The roar died mid-sound.
The massive body crashed to the ground.
Silence followed.
Zhou Tie stared.
"It's… dead?"
Sun Qi's eyes narrowed.
Yu Shan exhaled shakily, his legs nearly giving out.
Lan Mei landed lightly on the ground. Her gaze shifted from the corpse to Wen Lin.
"…You had a dagger?" she asked, her voice flat.
Wen Lin wiped the blade clean and calmly slid it back into its sheath.
"Backup weapon," he replied. "Habit."
Qin Hao frowned.
The kill hadn't been flashy.
The method wasn't brutal.
But it was fatal.
And that unsettled him.
Sun Qi felt a flash of relief that he hadn't acted on his greed.
Lan Mei turned away first and began preparing the carcass. Her movements were efficient—but tight, betraying her irritation.
As Archangel Gang's share was cut aside and packed away, Wen Lin returned to his place at the rear—silent, unassuming.
Yet now…
No one looked at him the same way.
Outwardly, Wen Lin appeared calm.
Inside, he was biting down hard on his tongue, suppressing the storm of emotions threatening to burst free.
He hadn't obtained a Beast Soul.
But his attention wasn't there.
The moment he killed the creature, a notification rang inside his mind—familiar, yet unfamiliar at the same time.
[Kill Confirmed]
Target: Primitive Red-Fur Monkey
Free Points Gained: +1
On Earth, there had once been a game—Supergene SN9456.
Its story mirrored Super Gene, but the player system was far more advanced than what NPCs possessed.
Wen Lin's entire body trembled with excitement. He didn't even register the follow-up notice informing him that he had failed to obtain the Beast Soul.
Ideas exploded in his mind.
He saw it clearly now.
A ray of hope.
The path to evolution—once uncertain and dangerous—had finally revealed itself.