The clock struck nine in the morning.
Ding-ding-ding
The bell rang, and Professor Charles Joe strode into the classroom.
"Class president, collect everyone's textbooks."
No sooner had he stepped through the door than he issued the command.
After a month of lessons, the material in those books was complete. Under the confidentiality agreement, handing them back was only natural.
The class president a tall, mild-mannered girl stood and began gathering the books. The other students obeyed, neatly placing their copies on their desks.
Soon, all fifty-one textbooks were in her arms.
"Professor, we've collected all fifty-one. None missing," she reported.
Professor Joe nodded in satisfaction. Once she returned to her seat, he began speaking again.
"I've taught you everything about the Second Forbidden Zone. Tomorrow is the day you enter it. So today you get a day off rest up, recharge your strength, and prepare for tomorrow's challenge!"
At "day off," every face lit up.
Honestly, the past month's grueling training had pushed these freshmen to their limits. Had they not known it was for their own good, some might already have tried to sneak away.
Now, at the promise of a free day, their spirits soared.
Professor Joe noticed their excitement and continued, "But don't get too happy. Although it's a free day, no one is allowed off campus. I don't want you partying all night and coming in tomorrow exhausted. Rest well if you're too tired to face danger, it will be your own fault!"
His words were like a bucket of cold water, dousing most of their enthusiasm. Many students had been planning a little break outside.
Just as their disappointment settled in, Professor Joe's tone shifted and he smiled.
"When you all return safely from the Second Forbidden Zone, I'll personally take you out food, drinks, karaoke, the works!"
The class went silent in shock. No one expected their normally fierce-as-a-tiger professor to promise them a full night out.
When the realization hit, cheers erupted. They all knew that higher survival rates meant bigger awards for Professor Joe from the Ministry of Education, but they didn't care—they were thrilled.
The next morning.
At sunrise, rows of charter buses rolled out of War Saint University, headed for the Second Forbidden Zone. Each bus carried a month-trained cohort of freshmen.
Vincent Fox sat among his classmates. Every face showed restlessness excitement, anticipation, even some nervous anxiety. Vincent himself felt a spark of excitement for the upcoming adventure.
Tyler Young, their tactical instructor, paced up and down the aisle, repeating his final warnings.
"Remember my words: if you encounter danger in the Forbidden Zone, run. Above all, do not get wounded especially avoid bites or scratches from those infected creatures. Once the T-virus infects you, no one can save you!"
"If you don't trust yourself, team up but keep your group small. Too many people together will attract powerful infected monsters."
"Once you enter, head straight for the police station. You'll find weapons there but don't fire indiscriminately. Gunshots draw hordes of zombies."
From the gravity in his voice, it was clear Tyler Young was not just a drill sergeant. He'd be leading and protecting them throughout the journey.
After several hours on the road, the buses arrived at their destination just after noon.
This "Second Forbidden Zone" was actually a dimensional rift, sealed within a thick mist so one couldn't see inside. The government had set up a military perimeter, soldiers posted at every point.
They weren't there to seize the zone for themselves, but to contain its dangers. If a Licker slipped out unchecked into a human city and spread the T-virus, the results would be catastrophic.
In fact, a similar breach had happened before when a powerful creature escaped another zone and wreaked havoc on a city. The government had learned its lesson.
Aside from remote wilderness zones, those near cities now had military guards.
Through a checkpoint of armed soldiers, the buses rolled into the secure lot. Once everyone disembarked, Tyler Young called out, "Stay with me no wandering!"
Faced with real guns and uniforms, the students fell silent and obediently followed him toward the rift's entrance.
Along the way, Vincent noticed other schools' freshmen also being led in. One student behind him whispered, "Look to the right that's War God Academy's uniform. They came too!"
They turned to see a group of students from War God Academy striding confidently toward the rift, heads held high as if no one else existed in the world.
War God Academy was the nation's top university. As graduates of that school, they had every right to be proud.
One nearby student scoffed, "Why so full of yourselves? What's there to be arrogant about?"
His friend replied, "Don't knock them. To get into War God Academy, you need a hero affinity. They're born stronger than ordinary students like us."
Struck silent, the first student had no comeback.
Tyler Young overheard and turned back encouragingly: "Don't sell yourselves short. With hard work and perseverance, ordinary people can rise too. Three of our nation's top ten experts started as ordinary folks!"
The group silently took heart.
Only Vincent watched the spectacle without reaction. He'd come here for one purpose to complete the missing piece of his Saitama Constitution.
After a few more steps, Tyler Young stopped them. "We're here. Take out everything you have and hand it over. You cannot bring anything into the Forbidden Zone aside from your clothing."
They obeyed, eyeing the single glass door ahead. Behind it, a swirling void beckoned like a black hole.