A chime echoed.
It wasn't loud, but it pierced through the thick fog like a blade.
Corey stopped, and so did the others.
In front of everybody, hovering silently in mid-air, were translucent screens that shimmered into existence.
----
[SYSTEM TRIAL- INITIATED]
Trial Name: The Dying City
Trial Type: Dynamic Curse Trial
Participants Detected: 7
Trial Format: Group Survival/Curse Resolution
Recommended Tier: Tier 5 and above
Objective: Survive for 7 Nights... or Solve the Curse
Penalty for Failure: Death or Fragmented Identity
Warning: This Trial Has Been Altered
----
A low hum accompanied the message, and as it faded, a new line of text burned itself across the screen like a brand.
You have entered a sealed region.
Everyone went silent.
Zeke took a step forward. "What the hell is this?"
"We weren't told this would be a full System Trial," Myra muttered, her grip on her spear tightening.
Rhys looked up at the swirling sky, then at Kieran. "Captain?"
