The first thing Ryker noticed after his senses returned to him was the smell of smoke and the heat of the burning city.
Ryker stood in the middle of a destroyed street. Towering buildings lay in shattered ruins, their skeletal remains groaning under unseen pressure. Ash rained down like dying embers, and in the distance, faint screams echoed.
He wasn't alone.
Around him, dozens of other students appeared, materializing in different locations throughout the city.
A system prompt flashed in his vision.
[MISSION OBJECTIVE: RESCUE CIVILIANS]
[TIME REMAINING: 6 HOURS]
A low hum pulsed through the air, the sound of approaching danger.
Ryker took a slow breath. This was it.
Now, the real game began.
******
When Ryker materialized into the simulation, it didn't take him long to figure out where he was, given the clues all around him.
It was Sector 7, one of the many cities on the human continent. Once a bustling commercial district. It had turned into a graveyard of dead beings, collapsed buildings, overturned vehicles and raging fires after an invasion from the demons.
Ryker could see the sky darkened by thick smoke, and the sound of distant screams and growling creatures filled the air.
The simulation was hyper realistic. The scorching heat of fires, the scent of blood, debris and the distant echoes of destruction made it feel no different from reality. Even though Ryker knew it was just a test, his instincts screamed otherwise.
Ryker looked around to see if the students around him had changed or remained the same.
'The thing that even destroys common sense…'
'Plot armor.'
Plot armor that could even help a mosquito kill an elephant. Just like that, plot armor happened, and Ryker found himself present with the other main characters. Even though the students were thrown all over the city randomly, Ryker managed to land in the same place as the rest of the main characters.
Ryker looked around to see what the main cast was doing.
Arthur had his sword in hand, scanning the area for possible hostiles. His senses were sharp. He knew danger lurked in the shadows.
Lucas was gripping his lightning spear, looking worried. Lia was dusting off her combat gear while Dean had a smirk on his face as he cracked his knuckles.
"Looks like everyone is here."
Ryker started speaking. "Since we all somewhat know each other, we should form a team."
"Alright," Lia replied with a smile at Ryker's proposition.
"We need to move fast. The longer we wait, the fewer survivors we'll find," Lucas said as he walked toward the rest of the group.
Hearing Lucas, Arthur standing tall with his sword simply nodded. Lia conjured a small flame in her palm, ready to cast spells while Dean took a defensive stance.
Ryker, seeing all of them ready to fight, spoke calmly.
"We need a plan. Rushing in will get us killed."
"Alright, I hope you won't mind if I assign us our roles?" Ryker asked as he looked at the rest.
Four of them nodded, and Ryker spoke calmly.
"Lucas, Arthur, and Dean, since you guys are Reaver and Aegis, you three will be our frontline offense."
"Since Lia and I are Etherweaver and Sanctorum, we will stay in the backline, providing firepower and healing."
"Do any of you have any complaints?"
Hearing Ryker's team positioning, none of them disagreed. Just as Ryker was about to finish speaking, Arthur raised his hand.
"We don't have a scout?"
"That might be a problem."
Hearing Arthur's question, Ryker smirked.
"What makes you think we don't have a scout?"
"You do know Sasha is the perfect candidate for that kind of job."
Lia was confused by Ryker's words.
"Ryker, I don't know if you noticed but there are five of us and none of them are Sasha."
"....."
"....."
Sigh!!
"Sasha, you won't mind doing some scouting for us?"
Just as Lia was about to say something after hearing Ryker's words,
Swish!!!
"How did you know I was here?"
At that moment, Sasha appeared behind Ryker.
Lucas and Lia were surprised while Arthur and Dean shook their heads.
"Just a hunch," Ryker replied to Sasha's question.
"...."
"Since our team is ready, we should start moving."
Ryker proposed moving forward. As everyone took their positions, Ryker approached Sasha and whispered something in a low voice only she could hear.
"I hope your personal agenda won't harm the team."
"Your revenge can wait."
"Don't do anything that Emily wouldn't have liked."
Hearing Ryker's words, Sasha's eyes widened and she asked in a shaking voice,
"How… do you know…?"
Ryker had a small smile on his face as he said,
"Find me after the simulation. You won't be disappointed."
Ryker left her after saying that and went toward Lia, as both of them were in the backline.
As he approached his position Lia asked Ryker,
"What were you two talking about?"
Without even looking at Lia, Ryker said in a plain tone,
"Just about team positioning."
*****
As Ryker and the rest of the team navigated through a wrecked street, a distant cry for help echoed from a collapsed building.
Hearing that, Ryker and his team moved toward it. As they approached the building, a low growl filled the air.
Void Hounds, creatures of shadow and mist emerged from the rubble.
Their eyes glowed with a violet hue and they moved unnaturally fast, their elongated limbs ending in razor sharp claws.
A challenge stood before Ryker.
'Does he save the civilians or kill the monsters?'
If he chose to kill the monsters, the civilians might die and if he chose to save them, the monsters would attack.
Ryker made the decision to split the team.
"Lucas, Arthur and Dean, you three will attack the hounds and keep them busy."
"Sasha, give them backup. After that come to us."
"Lia and I will rescue the civilians."
Hearing Ryker's command, all of them moved.
*****
There were five hounds in front of Arthur and Lucas.
The first one lunged toward them.
Lucas reacted first. Lightning crackled along his spear as he twisted his body and thrust forward, aiming for the closest hound's head.
Swish!!
The moment the spear connected, the creature exploded into mist, disappearing before reforming a few meters away. It was completely untouched.
Even with his knowledge of the novel, Lucas was surprised.
"They phase through attacks?" Lucas muttered as he stepped back into a defensive stance.
Seeing Lucas fail his attack, Arthur gripped his sword tightly. With a flick of his wrist, the blade ignited with violet-black flames.
His sword, now humming with power slashed at the nearest hound.
Slash!!!
Unlike Lucas's lightning, Arthur's sword didn't miss.
The moment his blade cut through the creature's torso, the black flames clung to its form, preventing it from reforming. The hound shrieked, writhing in agony, its body crumbling to ash.
Arthur's golden eyes gleamed.
"They're weak to Voidfire."