Meanwhile, in a different part of the simulation, the moment Everly's eyes opened in the simulation, she felt the pressure hit her chest.
It wasn't heavy.
Just…real.
The forest was dense.
Thick trees towered on every side, their branches stretching so high they blocked most of the sun.
Beams of soft light broke through here and there, touching the ground in slow-moving patches. The soil was soft and uneven, and the smell of moss and wet bark filled the air.
Everly stood still.
Her boots sank slightly into the soft ground, but she barely noticed. Her eyes were locked on the clearing ahead.
The simulation had only just begun, but their group had already run into trouble.
Big trouble.
A massive bear-like beast stood across from them—thick limbs, sharp claws, black fur with gray streaks down its back.
Its eyes glowed faint yellow, and its breath came out in thick huffs that misted in the warm air.
The beast was the size of a truck.
And it had already seen them.
