The clock struck nine in the morning.
Ding-ding-ding.
The bell rang out as Professor Charles Joe strode into the classroom.
"Class president, collect everyone's textbooks."
He wasted no time. The moment he stepped inside, he gave the order.
After a full month of lectures, the content in those books had been fully covered. According to the confidentiality agreement, returning them was only natural.
The class president a tall, mild-mannered girl stood up and began collecting the books from each student. No one objected. They all obediently placed their textbooks on their desks.
Soon, a neat stack of fifty-one books had been gathered in her arms.
"Professor, all fifty-one collected. None missing," she reported.
Professor Joe nodded with satisfaction. Once she returned to her seat, he addressed the class again.
"I've taught you everything there is to know about the Second Forbidden Zone. Tomorrow, you'll enter it. So today is your day off. Rest, recharge, and prepare yourselves for the challenge ahead."
At the words "day off," the entire class lit up with excitement.
The past month had been absolute hell. Grueling training from morning to night had pushed everyone to their limits. If they hadn't understood it was for survival, some might have already tried to run.
Now, hearing they finally had a break, spirits soared.
Professor Joe, seeing their enthusiasm, gave a small smile but added a stern warning.
"Don't get too excited. A day off doesn't mean you can go off-campus. No sneaking out, no partying all night. I want every one of you fully rested for tomorrow. If you're tired when facing danger, you'll only have yourselves to blame."
The mood instantly dipped. Cold reality poured over their enthusiasm. Quite a few students had been planning a little off-campus fun.
But just when disappointment began to sink in, Professor Joe grinned and added, "Once you all return safely from Forbidden Zone #2, I'll take you out myself. Food, drinks, karaoke, the works."
The room went quiet. Eyes widened in disbelief. Was this really the same strict professor who drilled them for a month straight?
Once it sank in, the classroom exploded into cheers.
Everyone knew that a high survival rate would bring Professor Joe bonuses from the Ministry of Education. But none of that mattered to the students. They were just happy to have something to look forward to.
The Next Morning
At sunrise, rows of chartered buses rolled out of War Saint Academy, headed for the Second Forbidden Zone.
Each bus carried an entire class of freshmen, trained for one month in preparation.
Vincent Fox sat silently among them. The mood was a mix of tension and anticipation. Some students were restless. Some were excited. Others couldn't hide their anxiety.
Vincent, though, remained calm. Focused.
Sergeant Tyler Young, their tactical instructor, paced up and down the aisle, delivering last-minute instructions.
"Remember what I said. If you encounter danger, run. Above all, do not get bitten or scratched by any infected creature. Once you're infected with the T-virus, there's no saving you."
"If you're not confident, team up. But keep your groups small. Large groups will only attract stronger infected."
"And once you're in, head for the police station. There are weapons there. But don't fire unless necessary. Gunshots will attract hordes."
His tone was serious. Not like a teacher. More like a soldier who had been on the battlefield.
Hours passed.
Around noon, the buses arrived at their destination.
The Second Forbidden Zone was nothing more than a swirling dimensional rift, hidden inside a dense mist. Visibility was low. A heavy military presence surrounded the area.
Soldiers stood at checkpoints. Armed guards were stationed at every corner.
They weren't here to fight over the zone. They were here to contain it.
If even one Licker escaped and carried the T-virus into a populated city, the consequences would be catastrophic.
This wasn't speculation. It had happened before. A beast had escaped from another zone and wreaked havoc in a metropolis. Since then, every Forbidden Zone near civilization was placed under strict military control.
The buses rolled into a secured lot beyond the checkpoint.
"Stay close. No wandering off," Tyler barked.
Facing rows of soldiers with real rifles, no one dared disobey. The students lined up behind their instructor and followed quietly toward the rift's entrance.
As they marched, Vincent noticed other groups of students being led in from nearby. Someone behind him whispered, "Look over there. Isn't that War God Academy?"
He turned his head.
A group of students dressed in crisp uniforms walked confidently toward the rift. They looked proud, almost arrogant, as if no one else around them existed.
War God Academy.
The number one university in the country.
Students who graduated from there were basically guaranteed to become elites.
"Why are they acting so high and mighty?" one student muttered.
Another replied, "Don't look down on them. Everyone in War God Academy has a hero affinity. They're born different. Stronger than regular students like us."
The first student had no comeback.
Tyler overheard and turned back.
"Don't sell yourselves short," he said. "Three of the top ten experts in the nation started without a hero affinity. What you need is hard work, not talent."
The group silently took heart.
Vincent, however, remained unmoved. He wasn't here to compare himself to anyone.
He had one goal. One mission.
Complete the final piece of his Saitama Constitution.
After a few more minutes of walking, Tyler came to a stop.
"We've arrived. Remove everything you're carrying and hand it over. You're not allowed to bring anything inside aside from your clothing."
Everyone complied, reluctantly emptying their pockets.
Ahead of them stood a single reinforced glass door.
Beyond it, a swirling black void.
Like a gateway to another world.
Vincent stepped forward.
He was ready.