Lin Feng's lungs burned as he sprinted down the hallway. Lockers slammed behind him like thunder. Shadows darted along the walls—fast, silent, deadly.
He glanced at the girl. She was calm, almost casual, weaving between the chaos with precision.
"You've got to focus," she said, voice sharp. "Predict their moves. Every step counts."
He clenched his fists. Predict their moves…
The shadow figure dropped from the ceiling in front of him. Black cloak flowing, eyes glowing faint red. Time seemed to stretch. Lin Feng felt the familiar pulse—the hum of the reset device—but he also felt something new: adrenaline, raw and sharp, cutting through fear.
This was no longer just survival. It was strategy.
He darted left, anticipating the figure's lunge. The shadow swung—a blur of motion—but Lin Feng had already shifted. The world seemed to slow, his senses sharpening with every heartbeat.
Ten seconds… ten seconds…
He landed behind the figure. His hand shot out, gripping the shadow's arm. But the figure vanished—like smoke—leaving only a whisper of movement.
The girl appeared beside him. "Impressive… but you're only getting started."
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed. Whoever controls this… they're testing me. And I will not lose.
Another shadow lunged from the ceiling. Lin Feng ducked and rolled, feeling the world tilt. Every reset, every movement, every calculated risk—it was all becoming instinct.
He paused. Heart hammering. Sweat stinging his eyes.
"Enough hiding," he muttered. "Time to fight back."
The girl's smile was faint, almost approving. "Good. Let's see how you handle the real game."
Outside the window, the sky darkened unnaturally. Shadows pooled across the schoolyard, moving with intent. The device blinked faster, its red light almost furious.
Lin Feng's jaw tightened. He knew one thing for certain: the resets weren't infinite. And when they ended…
He would either win—or be erased.