The virtual room

September 27, 807

9:00 AM

Today is the day of the exercise. About a hundred of us await the instructor in front of the virtual room.

Meanwhile, various rumors are circulating, suggesting that Class A cadets have already faced the trial, surviving monster attacks.

Some cadets are getting restless, but I remain calm. It's just fiction, right?

The instructor arrives with others, perhaps the Virtual Room supervisors. As soon as they see her, all cadets fall silent.

"Good morning. As the name suggests, everything that happens in this room is not real. Even though you'll enter together, each of you will be on your own. Once you're ready, I'll explain what you need to do. Now, enter, let's not waste time!"

No one moves at first, then Yumiko enters, followed by Koto and... that girl with long hair, Shiori. She matches the description, though I find her less beautiful than Yumiko. She's a determined girl, surprising me with her decisions throughout.

After her, others enter, and eventually, it's my turn.

Inside, I'm blinded by a white light. After a few seconds, my sight returns, and I find myself alone in an endless field. Sun in the sky, distant trees... I hear the sound of a stream.

It all seems so real...

"Now that you're all in, get ready!"

I hear the instructor's voice in my head.

"Monsters will materialize, attempting to kill you. We'll calculate scores based on how long you resist before being killed. Relax! It's just fiction! Pain perception is reduced by 80%, and the monsters' strength is halved compared to reality. Good luck."

Uh...

She didn't mention killing them, so can we just escape?

Suddenly, a timer appears in the air.

-4:59-

So, in 5 minutes, they'll appear?

Does she give us time to calm down? No, I don't think so. She made it clear we're not in danger. Then why? Does she want us to do something in this time period?

Something to defend ourselves against the monsters... I look around, finding myself in an open field.

I start running towards some trees. Should I climb a tree? I try to climb, managing with difficulty.

What other preparations can I make? Pray to God? I draw the sword from its sheath and hold it in my right hand.

I've never used a sword in my life, but it's better to have it than not.

-0:40-

The timer is about to expire.

I wonder what kind of monsters she's talking about...

-0:00-

A light invades the point in the field where I was. Once it fades, I can see what it hides.

I open my mouth slightly and a small smile escapes.

It's a horde of zombies. I've seen them 5 years ago, so I recognize them immediately.

They are 200-300 meters away from me; now I understand why she gave us 5 minutes, or else we'd be dead right away.

Roughly a hundred, I estimate.

"Huh? Seriously?" Another timer appears in the sky.

-9:59-

Maybe it marks the end of the trial. Do I have to stay here for 10 minutes?

My gaze then falls on the zombies. Their strength is reduced by 50%, they are scattering and coming towards me.

Am I safe here?

Hmm, better climb a bit higher. I leverage a branch and push myself upward, careful not to fall.

What do I remember about zombies? The author never detailed it, but occasionally heroes fought zombies still in circulation.

What are their weaknesses? What are their vital points?

I try to reflect...

A few minutes pass in complete silence.

"She didn't say anything! Every hero who encounters them simply smashes their heads with their weapon, whether it's a sword, a spear, or an arrow!"

-6:34-

"Wooah.... Woaah"

Zombies have reached my area. I watch them approach the trees.

More like monster corpses than humans. Grayish color, their gait, beast-like sounds...

"They won't be able to climb, right?"

As they pass by, I notice other zombies approaching.

At that moment, I heard a metallic noise...

I look at my hands. Where's my sword?

So I look down.

"Damn! It fell!"

I wonder if the zombies heard me.

"Woaoaooa"

Yeah, they do.

They are gathering around the tree.

I'm so useless!

-3:52-

"Another 4 minutes, I just have to endure for another 4 minutes!"

I look down. Zombies are gathering more and more.

Once they spotted me, they became much more aggressive. They start climbing on each other.

The nearest one is now 2 meters away and I can't climb higher because I'm already at the top.

I stand on the branch and hold onto the trunk with one arm.

They are shaking the tree so much; it feels like it's about to collapse.

Won't they be able to knock it down, right?

"Woooahhhhwowaaoha"

It's almost like they read my mind. The tree is starting to sway frighteningly; I think it's close to falling...

-2:27-

Still 2 minutes left. Oh crap...

The vibrations started getting stronger, and eventually, they managed to make the tree fall.

My fall is cushioned by some zombies. I feel no pain, so I immediately start running, abandoning the sword to its fate.

In less than 2 minutes, it will all be over.

I start running through the trees, chased by zombies. There are too many blind spots here, so I run towards the meadow I came from. I'll definitely manage to escape in the remaining time.

-0:47-

...

-0:24-

...

-0:00-

I finally did it!

Another light invades the field, right next to me.

Now I think I'll go back.

...

"What's happening?"

...

The light fades, just like before.

Three large demon-like wolves appear.

"Damn!"

I turn around.

The zombie horde has almost caught up.

"Double damn!"

I can't do anything. I don't have the strength to run anymore.

While still panting, the wolves jump on me and start devouring me.

In that moment, everything turns white until I realize I'm back in front of the Virtual Room.

I instinctively touch my body and find everything in place.

And my sword? Did I leave it there?

I check my side, and the sword is still in its sheath.

Right, nothing that happened was real!

In front of me are already dozens of students.

Among them, I see a shy girl standing aside, Seyun.

I take the opportunity to approach her spontaneously.

"How long did you last?"

She looks at me embarrassed and touches her tail.

"..."

She said something, but I couldn't understand.

From what I remember, she was around rank 500, so having finished later, I should be higher. I yawn, covering my mouth with my hand.

"You know... I was devoured alive by wolves, I don't think it could have been worse for you!"

She doesn't look at me and walks away without saying anything.

Well, it could have been worse... she could have started crying, given her character. After a few seconds, though, I find her in front of me again.

"By the way, nice to meet you. I'm Asa Seyun!"

I look at her surprised.

"I'm Ban, nice to meet you!"

At that moment, someone else exits the room. Blond hair, tall, muscular, and with an arrogant face. It must be Soichiro, another protagonist. The classic character who rivals the main character in everything.

He starts yelling, interrupting my thoughts.

"I was so close to activating the fourth wave!"

Fourth wave? I look at him with surprise.

Did he manage to hide all that time? No, a proud guy like him wouldn't have acted like that. But then... did he defeat everyone? Both the zombies and those wolves?

...

I turn to Seyun.

"Did you lose to the wolves too?"

She looks at me and nods.

"How did you escape the zombies?"

I ask with curiosity.

She looks doubtful, then speaks timidly.

"I climbed a tree and... killed them with arrows."

In the meantime, she points to her bow.

"Ahh..."

"And you?"

"Something similar."

I'm trying to showcase my best smile.

Meanwhile, more people have come out. Among them is Koto.

"I wonder how far he got..."

I speak aloud, looking in his direction. Apparently, he was among the last cadets.

Just now, Instructor Ross has also come out of the Virtual Room.

"I'll tell you the results tomorrow. Now, the cadets from other classes will take the test. You have the day off; you can go."

I turn around and don't find Seyun. At this point, I guess I can go back to the dormitory.