Exit

Cassian was about to gloat over the nephilim, but suddenly the debris blocking the path shifted slightly.

— I guess it's time to get out of here...

The creature relentlessly pounded on the debris, honestly trying to reach the fleeing victim.

— Where to next? — asked Cassian, moving further down the corridor.

*Due to a change in the intended route, the shortest path is approximately one thousand six hundred meters. To reach the exit point, it is necessary to cross hangar number three and then go up one floor to reach the exit.

— Well, it doesn't sound too difficult. Wait, tell me right away, are there any other creatures on the way besides this one?

*According to the available information, in the updated version of the simulation, the third hangar has become a nest for guardian-class nephilim.

— What?

*According to the available information...

— Yeah, I got it, it's a nest for these creatures! You better explain why you told me to turn towards these freaks' lair, huh?!

*It was the most advantageous decision. — with that, the voice fell silent.

Not wanting to continue this semblance of a conversation, Cassian quickened his pace, muttering quietly.

The half-empty corridors stretched like an endless labyrinth. The only way to understand your location was the worn-out wall signs.

This part of the citadel was in much better condition. The path wasn't blocked by amorphous fusions of bodies and metal structures, there was no armored equipment, and the walls didn't even have bullet holes.

— Hey! — Cassian began again. — Is there any other way to the exit?

*The road you have chosen is a dead end and leads only to one place. If you want to change the exit point, you need to return to the previously passed fork.

— And become that creature's lunch? No way. Although, what's better: a bunch of freaks who don't know about my presence or one creature that comes for my soul? Truly a philosophical question...

*Sorry to disappoint you, but there are no philosophical themes in the posed question.

— I really need your opinion.

Continuing forward, Cassian stopped in front of a massive airlock door. It was tightly closed, reliably separating the invaders from the hangar.

— And how am I supposed to open this? Is there a can opener nearby? — he dramatically looked around.

*Such a device is not observed nearby, but you can use a slightly less effective device — the control panel.

The control panel hung on the wall, blinking dimly, barely noticeable.

— Okay, Houston, open it.

*Warning: the further path passes through the nephilim nest.

— Yeah, I know. Just open it before I change my mind.

The panel blinked green, and after a second, the bolts clanked open. The airlock slowly moved up, revealing the semi-darkness of the hangar.

A disgusting stench of musty air mixed with rust and the natural results of life processes wafted in from the open door.

Inside, the hangar was filled with abandoned equipment: torn apart mechs and mangled armored vehicles were piled into several huge heaps and covered with pulsating organic matter of unknown origin.

Cassian stepped inside; a barely audible crunch sounded under his feet. The entire floor was also covered with thin, barely visible webs.

*It is recommended to move carefully. The syntoplasm presented in your simulation is in the initial stage of formation and is very fragile.

— Synto...what? Never mind. And how do you suggest I get out of here?

*The highest concentration of syntoplasm is found at the equipment collection points. The best solution is to move through the area with the least amount of it.

Listening to the voice's advice, Cassian looked around. The entire floor was covered with this mass, but there was still free space along the left wall.

He, almost tiptoeing, made his way to the coveted left wall. Slowly moving along it, Cassian examined the hangar in more detail: among the distant heaps lay several intertwined creatures. They looked almost identical to the nephilim that had chased him earlier.

*Guardian-class creatures detected. State: calm. Resting.

Cassian continued to move slowly but surely forward. The previously safest path no longer seemed so. The amount of syntoplasm gradually increased, making it increasingly difficult to walk. And then it happened. Cassian took a step, and a crunch echoed through the quiet space. A chill ran down Cassian's spine.

In response, a truly terrifying sound came from afar. Cassian froze, pressing against the wall. The guardian lying nearby weakly stirred. He opened one of his three pairs of eyes, but their cloudy surface showed no sign of active attention.

*State: awake; sluggish, lazy, and calm. Not dangerous.

— Excellent, — whispered Cassian, — wonderful, — he reassured himself.

He continued moving along the wall, keeping his eyes on the lying monsters. Ahead, an enormous cargo elevator appeared.

— Oh no... please... Is there any other way to the second floor?

*There are no paths in the hangar adapted to the size of the mechs leading to the second floor. The only option is to use the elevator in front of you.

— Of course! — Cassian's face twisted in indignation. — Who would have doubted, and why are there control panels that match my size here? That's at least strange.

Abandoning all caution, he quickly headed for the elevator. Each step was accompanied by a real symphony of crunches, awakening the nephilim.

With one motion, he activated the elevator, and it began to rise, tearing through the bonds of syntoplasm.

At the same time, the nephilim woke up and, emitting deafening roars, rushed into the attack.

The elevator reached the second floor with a crash. Cassian jumped onto the open platform and, without looking back, ran forward. The number of creatures continued to grow; some of them, like giant insects, were already climbing up the wall.

— Which way to the exit?! — Cassian shouted, skillfully avoiding the scattered remnants of equipment.

*Two hundred meters ahead. Main exit. — came the instant response.

Judging by the sounds coming from behind, several creatures had successfully reached the second floor and gave chase.

— Damn, what a day! — he barely held back from cursing, but ahead, a large door marked "Exit" was already visible.

*One hundred meters to the exit.

— One hundred?! — he shouted. — Why the hell is this mech so small?!

The nephilim were rapidly gaining on him, almost breathing down Cassian's neck. However, in this death race, he was still leading.

There were only a few meters left to the exit when one of the creatures suddenly pounced on Cassian. He jerked to the side, and the nephilim flew past, but at the last moment managed to grab his leg.

The metal in the lower part was torn. And the affected area hurt like hell. But despite this, Cassian dashed forward and finally reached the coveted exit.

And again, his consciousness was transported to impenetrable darkness.

— I made it?! I escaped! Eat that, you bastards!

But his celebrations were interrupted by a mechanical voice.

*Cadet Cassian has completed the trial simulation, congratulations. The set tasks were completed with seventy percent success.

As soon as the voice announced the results, Cassian awoke inside the capsule again. He was still comfortably lying in the adaptive chair, and in front of his eyes was one large interface with the already known information.

A second later, the interface, along with the protective shell of the capsule, disappeared. Darius's voice could be heard:

— Cadet Cassian, please exit the capsule.

He climbed out of the device. The bright light blinded his eyes, and Darius stood nearby.

— Congratulations on completing the simulation, — Darius spoke much more relaxed. — Usually, newcomers get dizzy, but I see you're fine. You performed surprisingly well, although running to the elevator wasn't the best decision.

— Perhaps it was quite foolish... — Cassian mentally agreed.

— Follow me, — Darius said, and without waiting, walked to the exit.

Cassian followed him. Together they left the training hall and entered the adjacent room. Inside, several people were already sitting, discussing something enthusiastically.

— Rest in this room until the rest of the group finishes. After that, you can ask any questions you have, — without waiting for a response, the instructor left the room.