Gym class. Dennis, Jason, and Kimberly stood on the mezzanine behind the glass, while all their classmates were on the field below. They were about to run a simulation against a giant humanoid monster that looked like a headless mass of muscular flesh, with a large insect eye in its chest. It had arms like a praying mantis, four tentacles resembling massive dragon snakes sprouting from its back, and its body was covered in algae that clung to it like clothing. Its name was the Blob Mantis—a monster Dennis and the others had faced when they were on the train in the southern part of the city—and it was accompanied by two tusk crawlers. Dennis turned to look at Jason.
"Are the three of us up here because of me?" Dennis asked.
"No way, man. Mr. Steve said we aren't allowed to join in, right? If it were just because of you, then you'd be the only one up here," Jason answered, turning to look at Dennis.
