Past

Meanwhile, on the island in the Southern Ocean...

The entire island was unusually quiet. Not a single vessel was outside, and the usually lively headquarters seemed almost deserted.

The reason was simple.

Almost every vessel was currently inside the newly released virtual world, completely immersed in the game. Their consciousnesses were connected to the virtual world while their physical bodies remained safely on the island.

The same thing was happening elsewhere. Many of Asher's other vessels were also inside the game, including the one currently staying at the Academy and those scattered across different parts of the continent.

Only one vessel was unable to join the others.

Lucifer, Asher's vessel within the Church facility, had been left behind while the rest of the vessels immersed themselves in the newly released virtual world.

He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling with his eyes wide open.