Meanwhile, back in the simulation, in an unknown part of the world.
Lucas swatted another thick fern out of his way, irritation all over his face. His uniform was already soaked with sweat, the collar stuck to his neck, and small red welts were forming on his arms from unseen insect bites.
Behind him, three other students followed—grumbling, scratching, stumbling. They looked just as miserable, if not worse.
"This is ridiculous," one of them muttered, ducking under a moss-covered branch. "Why drop us in a place like this?"
Lucas didn't answer. He was too busy listening.
No birds.
No breeze.
Just that heavy, wet silence. And it wasn't the kind that meant peace—it was the kind that made your spine itch.
The jungle around them was thick. Trees stretched tall with wide, flat leaves that dripped constantly with moisture.
The ground squished with every step. Bright red mushrooms clung to roots. Faint hissing sounds came from somewhere behind them.
Lucas clenched his jaw.
