Early Morning

[05:30]

Luo Di slung his well-packed backpack over his shoulder, carrying a silver metal box as he left the community.

The previous day, he had already reported to the community about his 48-hour absence for the practice activity. During this time, community staff would assist in checking the lighting conditions at his home.

The front gate of the local Research Institute bore a conspicuous plaque, its lettering framed in polished brass.

A black seven-seater business van was already parked by the roadside. This was the designated vehicle for transporting participants to the practice site.

Although Luo Di arrived half an hour early, someone was already standing at the institute's entrance—Vice Class Monitor Gao Yuxuan.

Their personalities made it unlikely for them to strike up a conversation. To avoid any awkwardness, Luo Di chose to stand ten meters away under a streetlamp and double-checked the contents of his backpack to ensure he hadn’t forgotten anything.

While inspecting his belongings, Luo Di noticed something peculiar about Gao Yuxuan. His left arm seemed unusually stiff, and even his fingers appeared somewhat rigid—likely a result of his prolonged two-week leave from school.

Five minutes passed in silence before Gao Yuxuan unexpectedly approached him. He fished a small green metal box out of his pocket.

“Uh... want one?”

“Thanks.”

Luo Di accepted two sugar-free mints. These were quite effective for staying alert.

As the two exchanged mints, a luxurious black sedan pulled up.

Wu Wen and Anna stepped out from the back seat simultaneously, their eyes widening at the odd scene before them. “Wow! Since when did you two become so close?” Wu Wen teased.

At her comment, Gao Yuxuan immediately turned and walked away.

Luo Di, on the other hand, remained indifferent. He never cared much about how others perceived him.

At that moment, a middle-aged woman in a white lab coat stepped out of the institute. Her stern, disciplinarian-like face was enough to make anyone break out in a cold sweat.

“Since everyone is here, get on the van,” she ordered curtly.

“Yes, Professor Qin,” Wu Wen replied, suddenly becoming much more subdued. She seemed to know the woman, and her demeanor instantly turned obedient. The group loaded their luggage into the van's trunk and boarded the vehicle.

The doors closed.

At that moment, the four passengers couldn’t help but feel a bit tense.

As the van started moving, Professor Qin’s voice came through the car’s audio system.

“This trip will take about an hour.

Listen carefully as I explain the details of this practice session and some of the rules. Afterward, you’ll have a chance to ask questions.

What I’m about to say will directly impact your chances of completing the practice successfully—or even surviving it. So, I hope you’ll pay attention and remember every word.

This practice session will take place in the Experimental Zone, located 30 kilometers outside of Jupiter City.

1. The practice is expected to last 48 hours. If you can resolve the root cause of the event before the time is up, you may finish early and leave. Of course, if you manage to endure the full 48 hours, it will still count as a completion, regardless of whether the anomaly is resolved.

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2. The difficulty level of the practice will be randomized to simulate real-world unpredictability and to train your ability to face the unknown.

Once the practice begins, the research team will not intervene unless a life-threatening injury occurs. However, any intervention will result in your practice being deemed a failure.

3. Leaving the practice area in any form is strictly prohibited.

This practice will employ **Simulated Anomalies**, developed by the Joint Research Institute. The environmental changes, bizarre events, impostors, and anomalies you encounter will closely mimic real-world incidents.

Now, let’s go over the details of the practice:

1. Within the practice area, there are multiple random “objects.” Once you find and activate one, the corresponding anomalous event will begin. You have no more than 30 minutes to locate and trigger these objects.

2. The difficulty of the events will not be disclosed in advance. You’ll need to face the unknown, investigate the unknown, and handle the unknown.

3. Any effective subjective actions you take may improve your personal evaluation for this practice.

4. The Simulated Anomaly technology was only implemented last year. While most of the system is stable, minor glitches remain. If you notice any irregularities during the practice, you may report them to us, which will also enhance your personal evaluation.

Now, it’s your turn to ask questions.”

Wu Wen, ever the classroom overachiever, was the first to raise her hand.

“During the practice, are there relatively safe periods for us to rest, like for sleeping or eating?”

“No. Once the practice begins, you will be in constant danger.”

“Oh,” Wu Wen replied, visibly disappointed, though she quickly recovered.

Gao Yuxuan, meanwhile, was busy scribbling notes in his notebook as he posed his question:

“If we trigger an anomaly by activating one object, will the other objects in the area be retrieved by your team? Or can we trigger multiple events?”

“Good question. You don’t need to worry about that.

Anomalous events are directly controlled by our research institute. You can only trigger one event. Even if you find additional objects later, no further activations will occur. You will only face one event.”

Anna, sitting with her chin resting on her fist, furrowed her brow, beads of sweat forming on her forehead as she struggled to think of a good question. Ultimately, she remained silent.

Sitting in the back row, Luo Di waited until everyone else had finished before asking his question:

“If we engage in conflict with a Simulated Anomaly and cause environmental damage that creates unlit **Corners**, will the practice be interrupted?”

This question made Professor Qin’s face darken.

“In theory, such a scenario shouldn’t occur. The experimental area has been specially designed by the institute to prevent the formation of Corners.

All potentially corner-forming structures—doors, windows—have been modified into reinforced cylindrical shapes. Over 300 hidden cameras and modified wild Corner Parrots are deployed throughout the area. Any unlit Corners will be immediately detected.

That said, you should still avoid such situations. If your actions lead to the creation of a **Corner**, resulting in unforeseen dangers, your personal report will not pass even if you complete the practice.”

“Understood.”

With no further questions, the van reached the outskirts of Jupiter City.

The city was surrounded by 50-meter-high luminous walls, with numerous watchtowers, drones, and patrols ensuring its safety.

The exit gates resembled highway toll booths, with eight lanes in total. Many private cars were lined up, as people intending to leave the city during the National Founding Festival had to undergo health checks before departure.

The research institute’s van, classified as a special vehicle, bypassed the queue via a dedicated lane.

Once outside the city, the highway maintained the same high density of streetlights as inside. The forests flanking the road were wired with lighting systems, ensuring continuous illumination. Some trees had even been biologically modified to emit light on their own.

Occasionally, the silhouettes of well-paid forest rangers could be seen moving through the woods.

As the van sped along the main highway, buildings became increasingly scarce. Apart from service areas and watchtowers, there were few signs of human habitation. Rural areas and towns no longer existed; everything revolved around cities.

After some time, the van left the main road, turning onto a narrow country lane.

On one side of the road was a steep hillside; on the other, dense trees nearly blocked out the sky. The lighting here was noticeably dimmer but still within safe levels.

Contrary to expectations, the van’s destination wasn’t a research facility nestled in the woods or a secluded building for the practice.

Instead, the vehicle stopped at an unremarkable roadside spot.

For the first time, Professor Qin turned to face the four young participants.

“From here, you’ll head up this small hill, which is less than 100 meters high. The moment you step onto the soil of the hill, the practice will begin.

The objects that trigger the events are scattered across the hill. Remember, you have only 30 minutes to locate and activate them.”

Each of them grabbed their luggage and got out of the van. Gazing up at the densely vegetated hill with its dim lighting, they couldn’t help but feel nervous. Their first-ever social practice was about to begin...