The half-hour allocated for object searching had only ten minutes left.
The four of them quickly regrouped by sharing their locations. Just as Anna was about to boast about her find, she realized that everyone else had also discovered objects that seemed capable of triggering the practice session.
Based on their brief descriptions, finding these objects wasn't particularly challenging. Once they approached the locations, they could clearly sense the environmental changes brought about by the objects, even feeling a direct pull toward them.
The four objects were:
- The "Redwood Gold-Inlaid Box" found by Luo Di,
- The "Goat Head Hexagram Metal Box" found by Anna,
- The "Ancient Book Bound with Bones" found by Gao Yuxuan,
- And the "Red Umbrella Tied with Ink Measuring Line" found by Wu Wen.
As the four items were brought together, the research institute's surveillance cameras immediately zoomed in on the scene.
The staff who had placed bets on the corresponding objects began to show excitement one by one. However, there could only be one grand prize, and it depended on how these young participants made their choice.
Director Qin had also placed a bet on one of the objects.
However, her focus wasn't on the outcome of the wager; instead, she wore a rare expression of concern. It seemed that among these four objects, one was particularly dangerous.
Wu Wen's father had close ties with the research institute and was considered a significant benefactor. Qin had to ensure that no accidents occurred during this practice session.
"Let's hope they don't choose that one... Otherwise, I'll need to notify the city's medical team to stand by in advance."
---
The four objects were placed on a flat stone surface.
With eight minutes remaining, they were about to choose one item to activate the corresponding event.
"Should we vote on it?" Wu Wen, the class monitor, sought everyone's opinion.
The vice monitor, Gao Yuxuan, proactively offered his suggestion: "I propose we each use our knowledge to quickly analyze these objects.
I lean toward choosing an object with moderate difficulty. This is our first practice session, and it's also our first time working together.
Personally, I feel the red umbrella might correspond to an anomaly that is unkillable, possibly a spiritual entity. It's not a good choice.
The ancient book might involve a summoning ritual or a curse-related anomaly, which is also difficult to handle.
I suggest we choose one of the two boxes."
"Don't pick this metal box! I have a bad feeling about it..."
Anna, usually the bold one, recounted her experience of finding the metal box, particularly the unsettling "tongue-clicking sound." Even now, recalling it sent chills down her spine.
Luo Di, however, seemed intrigued by Anna's story. He offered his own interpretation: "A goat head, a hexagram—it might correspond to some kind of demon. This is a classic Western-style exorcism theme. If we choose this object, possession might occur. I agree it's not a good choice."
Although Luo Di was a fan of B-movies, he had also seen many other Western horror films and had some knowledge of the genre.
Wu Wen, the class monitor, looked pleased as she observed the discussion, especially happy to see the two usually quiet boys actively participating.
"Based on everyone's input, we've ruled out three objects. That leaves only the wooden box Luo Di found. By the way, Luo Di, did you encounter anything strange or unsettling when you found the box, like the kind of unease Anna described?"
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"Just a cold breeze. I think the anomaly behind the wooden box might have a moderate difficulty level."
Wu Wen glanced at the dwindling time. "Then it's decided! Who's going to try activating the box?"
"Wenwen, I remember you know a lot about these kinds of things," Anna teased.
"Tch~ Anna, I'm trying to give the boys more chances to participate! Fine, I'll do it."
Wu Wen took out a Swiss army knife, pressed her ear against the surface of the wooden box, and skillfully manipulated it. With a click, the locked wooden box opened.
Inside the box was an old, copper key.
At the same time, a broadcast echoed through the forest.
§ The anomalous event has been activated. Please proceed to the mountaintop area promptly. §
---
In the research institute,
Three staff members who had bet on the correct object were ecstatic, eagerly splitting their winnings.
Although Director Qin hadn't picked the right object, she still breathed a sigh of relief. The group hadn't chosen the troublesome and dangerous item.
Unnoticed by the others, a nondescript employee stood silently in a corner, muttering to himself:
"They had it right there... Why didn't they choose it? Why didn't they choose it?"
---
[In the Forest]
Anna stared at the objects left behind on the stone surface. "What should we do with these? It feels wrong to just leave them here."
Wu Wen nodded in agreement. "You're right. How about we return these to their original spots on our way up the mountain? It won't take long."
"Alright."
The red umbrella had been found beneath a large boulder, with cinnabar symbols painted on its surface.
The ancient book had been discovered inside an abandoned, moss-covered tent, surrounded by claw marks left by fingers.
Finally, only the metal box remained. After a short uphill trek, the group arrived at a barren clearing in the forest.
Not only did no plants grow here, but there was also an inexplicable heat in the air, with temperatures noticeably higher than the surroundings.
Anna slowed her pace, carefully approaching a crevice in the ground. Just as she was about to return the eerie box to its original spot...
Click.
That strange tongue-clicking sound echoed again, this time feeling as though it reverberated inside Anna's skull.
The sudden, chilling noise startled her, causing the metal box to slip from her hands.
The box fell into the crevice, dropping about half a meter down.
Thud! It hit the bottom with a loud noise.
Frightened, Anna quickly shone her flashlight into the gap. Fortunately, the box hadn't cracked or deformed; its metal construction was of exceptional quality.
Of course, that made sense. These containers, designed to house such objects, must have undergone special processing to withstand damage.
Still wary of the box's ominous nature, Anna crouched down, preparing to move it back into position.
Just as she was about to reach over the crevice, a hand suddenly grabbed her arm.
It was Luo Di.
He had noticed Anna's odd behavior and intervened for safety reasons, handing her a stick.
"Don't use your hands."
"Oh."
Anna took the stick and used it to push the metal box back into place. The tongue-clicking sound did not return.
As she turned to thank Luo Di for his help, a pair of hands pushed her from behind, urging her to move quickly up the mountain.
It was Wu Wen. "Don't waste time. Let's get moving."
As the group left the barren area where not even weeds could grow, the stick Anna had used to move the box was left behind. Not long after, the stick dried out completely, turned to charcoal, and crumbled into dust, scattering with the wind.
---
[Objects Activated]
As they walked, the two girls chatted about the new simulation system.
"Wenwen, how do you think the research institute creates such realistic 'anomalous events'? Some kind of advanced biotechnology?"
"Maybe it's corpses."
"Corpses? Are you saying the institute uses the bodies of those impostors they've killed, reworking them into controllable practice units?"
"Exactly. That would make it more realistic."
"Ugh, that's gross. But if that's true, it’s not a bad idea. After all, once we graduate, we'll have to face real anomalies and impostors that could appear around us at any time. Getting used to it early might not be a bad thing.
If this kind of training becomes widespread, people's survival rates could improve significantly in the future."
Climbing this hundred-meter hill turned out to be more exhausting than expected.
As they approached the mountaintop, the temperature gradually dropped.
Occasional gusts of cold wind blew through the forest, and the clouds thickened, obscuring the bright sunlight of the day.
Finally, the four of them emerged from the last ring of trees near the summit, where an old Chinese-style mansion came into view.
The structure consisted of a front and back yard, surrounding walls, and a two-story main building.
Directly facing them was a large red wooden door adorned with gold embellishments.
Hanging above it were conspicuous white lanterns, with the word "奠" (Dedication) written on their surfaces.
The three participants of Chinese descent felt a deep discomfort at the sight, while Anna, who had learned about such customs in her textbooks, only knew it was related to the dead and felt no particular emotion.
Wu Wen took out the copper key they had found in the wooden box. With a click, it fit perfectly, unlocking the door.
This marked the official start of their field practice.
---