Chapter Three: The Museum of Harm

The hound recognized the threat. Unable to attack a visitor directly, it struck a support column. The ceiling thundered, and stone slabs fell toward Lin. The exhibit had not harmed him; the building was merely collapsing. Still unable to feel fear, Lin calculated impact points and planned the shortest path to file the next report. “Lin Zhou!” Gu Wanqing's voice reached him from very far away. Somehow their real-world link had penetrated the trial. “Your heart rate… door won't hold…” A slab fell to his left. Three children newly manifested from broken bottles crouched in its shadow. Lin saw them and felt no desire to help. They were simulated data that would slow his clearance.