Soon after.
The simulation pod allocation program initiated. Staff members began handing out magnetic access cards to the competitors.
Serena looked down at the magnetic card in her hand.
Printed boldly across the front was a single number: 10.
She lightly brushed her thumb over the edge of the card, her eyes lowered as if deep in thought.
By then, the staff had quickly approached to guide the competitors from various countries to their respective pods.
The rest of the Elyndorian team was directed toward different corridors. Before leaving, Lydia and Caleb couldn't help but look back at her.
"Captain..." they said, their faces etched with concern.
For some reason, after hearing the format revealed, they felt a deeply unsettling vibe about today's arrangements.
Serena looked up at them, her voice cool and calm. "Focus on your own tasks."
She paused, her tone warming slightly as she addressed her teammates. "Once you're inside, no matter how hard the challenge is, no matter what sudden situations arise, do not get distracted."
"Securing the victory for Elyndor is your only mission."
Hearing her steady voice, the lingering unease in the hearts of the Elyndorian competitors vanished. Instinctively, everyone straightened their postures.
Lydia was the first to nod firmly. Her eyes were still a bit red, but her tone was absolute. "Don't worry, Captain!"
Caleb clenched his fists. "We definitely won't let you down!"
The rest of the team nodded in agreement, their eyes shining brighter than before.
"We're going to win!"
"Fight for Elyndor! Fight for ourselves!"
The panic Serena had single-handedly squashed morphed completely into pure fighting spirit.
Shortly after, the competitors began entering their pods.
Following a staff member, Serena swiped her card and walked toward Apex Simulation Pod 10.
Serena swept her gaze across the room.
The space was massive, designed with a sleek, cold-white mechanical aesthetic. The walls were constructed of fully transparent, reinforced bulletproof glass, illuminated by lighting so bright it eliminated all shadows.
The ceiling was densely packed with surveillance cameras and sensory equipment. In the very center of the room sat a top-tier medical operating table, fully equipped with high-grade machinery, injection tools, and diagnostic monitors.
The screen displayed her current task: [Lethal Toxin Emergency Operation].
A figure lay on the central restraint bed, covered by a white sheet.
According to the rules, this was supposed to simulate a critically ill living volunteer or an advanced android.
Serena took one look.
Her clear eyes darkened instantly.
Something was wrong. Even beneath the white sheet, she could tell the body was in a state of extreme tension. On the exposed arms, the veins bulged abnormally, pressing against the skin like thick, knotted cords. It looked as if something horrific was frantically surging beneath the flesh, threatening to tear the skin apart.
The breathing pattern was far too erratic for a normal critical patient.

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