"This is the training room where you'll be spending most of your time," Kain said, as the doors to a vast room opened. Josanne was at his side. "Like now."

Eniola's eyes opened wide into the midst of the crowd of her friends. The first thing she thought about was where they could fit this into such a small pagoda. But Kain had found a way. He seemed like the guy who'd always find a way. But Eniola was even sure now.

The room was large, and octagonal signal sensors, like the ones they put in the SCOPE arenas, covered the walls. The ground was soft, like some rubbery cushion Eniola suspected would hurt if she fell. There were already some people there.

"What is this place?" Iris asked.

"It looks like a SCOPE arena," Eniola replied. Slight joy went through her and went out as quickly as it came.

"It's not," Kain replied. "It's a training simulation area slash gym we used to train members. You'll be joining them over here for the next month."

"Month?" Lucia suddenly asked. "What if Paradox leaves Beijing?"

Kain turned back to her with a plastered-on smile. "Then he'll leave and we'll track him. The most important thing will make sure you guys can adapt to our environment."

"So, what are we going to do here?" Theo asked.

"You are going to be training here," Kain said. "If you all have your SCOPELenses, we can connect them here since it uses the same software. There are a variety of simulations we used to prepare for any situation. And don't worry, they are very real life."

"That didn't sound good," Jay whispered down to Eniola. He was right. Kain emphasized things strangely. And speaking of Kain, he walked away slowly and left them right in the middle. Eniola took the time to reach into her pockets and pull out her SCOPElenses. When they were on, they didn't connect to the software of SCOPE, but the PSUEDOs, one without yeon count, inventory, or all the game gimmicks. It felt weird.

When Eniola turned, she faced colour-changing eyes staring at her through a lens and Eniola almost jumped. It wasn't until she looked down and fully saw the girl.

Black metal plating for hands and fake eyes, which a slit eyebrow sat atop of one. Eniola realized it was the hairy girl from the convenience store. She looked like she should've been learning her multiplication tables instead of fighting in this organization. She was slightly shorter than Eniola, and Eniola could see her face because her hair did not cover it. It was childlike yet seemed hardened by apparent years on the street. Her hair instead was tucked away in a slick high bun above her head.

"If you're going to keep staring at me, I might as well tell you my name, Eniola," she huffed in a high-pitched voice. Middle school. "My name is Hyejin."

Eniola didn't realize Theo was behind her until she heard one of his trademarked gasps. "Aren't you the girl who rang us up at the store?"

"She is," Eniola whispered to him.

"You look very young," Theo said.

"Thanks, it's because of all the blood I drink," Hyejin said with a straight face. Eniola and Theo both faced each other with confused eyes.

"You're not believing me, right?" she grumbled. "I'm just 14."

"Aren't you a little too young to be here?"

"Here's a suggestion," she said. "Focus on your business and I'll focus on mine."

"Hold on," Theo suddenly said. "Where's Zaira?"

"She won't be training with you," a deep voice came from behind. Eniola turned to see a short but very muscular guy walking behind him. His hair was shot and buzzed, which made him look like a badass egg. "She's with the hackers."

"Who are you?" Lucia asked.

"My name is Wuying," he replied. "That's all you need to know."

Eniola wasn't even going to ask. She would not wonder about his backstory or anything. Not when she could spend some time wondering if Hyejin somehow missed the school bus and ended up on the PSEUDO.

Eniola instead stood amid the PSEUDO members, who looked like they could all bodycheck her in a fight. Eniola didn't know if she could fight, because she'd never had to go outside of SCOPE. But Eniola didn't need to go into their simulation to know it was different.

Don't look nervous. Eniola swallowed a gulp and stood with her feet slightly apart instead of close and uptight. It was obvious Eniola, or her friends didn't belong here, but she wanted to at least give herself the comforting lie that she could convince them.

Then the world went dark, but this time it wasn't another Paradox comeback. Everyone got into readying positions and Eniola did but not long after. Then the simulation started.