Chapter 5: Getting Bullied By The F*cking SIM
He was back in the simulation chamber.
It was the same empty white room and the same cool hum under his feet. But something felt different, it was like the place had been quietly updating itself while he was at school watching Hiro fail to open hot sauce packets.
His gear shimmered into place — cloak, gloves, better boots, that same beat-up sword — and his loadout clicked in with a solid thunk. The interface floated up in front of him, sleeker than before. Like the system finally decided he was worth tidying up for.
[WELCOME BACK, ZERO]
[SIMULATION STATUS: SYNC RATE – 99.99%]
The main lobby expanded with a low chime. New doors appeared, it was tall, arched, and glowing faintly with static-blue glyphs. Each labeled in bold, sharp letters like someone had a flair for dramatic signage.
He stepped forward and one door lit up:
[MULTI-WAVE HALL + REFLEX CORRIDOR CHALLENGE]
Another window popped.
[Warning: Training Modules contain escalating difficulty.]
[Injury risk: HIGH.]
Lanz stared at it for a beat, then cracked his knuckles.