First Steps into the Corner

The first corner exploration for newcomers is also known as the "Corner Experience".

It is a short-term, purposeful Corner Experience, mainly used to verify a newcomer's adaptability to the corner.

Because the environment in the corner is very different from reality, some 'geniuses' who were originally very good and could get high scores in various assessments showed various discomforts after going to the corner and could only perform at less than 70% of their level.

in addition,

Although the initial exploration only reached the shallowest layer, danger still existed. To protect personnel, it was required that teams be formed, with a senior agent leading each team.

The person currently assigned to lead Luo Di and his companion is none other than Physician You Zhen was previously responsible for receiving them.

These are the kind of "Second Department members" that various exploration teams are vying for, and are even willing to spend a dime to hire.

Highly skilled individuals like Physician You Zhen can not only repair various forms of physical trauma, but also perform fear removal in hidden corners, ensuring everyone's mental well-being.

The Personnel Department's arrangement clearly shows that they value these two young people highly and are trying to minimize the risks of their Corner Experience.

You Zhen's attire today was also different, unlike the barrel-shaped robe she wore yesterday when she received the two. That kind of clothing was suitable for the Investigation Bureau, as it could keep her warm and provide special physical nourishment. But it was not suitable for running, much less for combat.

Today she wore a pure white, tight-fitting combat suit. The thin leather perfectly accentuated her body's contours, while also exuding a sense of life, as if the leather itself possessed a certain vitality.

Lightweight composite armor plates are embedded in the shoulders, chest, and hips, and telescopic cushioning pads are provided at the elbows and knees.

Currently, You Zhen is doing stretching exercises at the edge of the square. It seems that she hasn't been to the corner for more than half a year.

Luo Di, however, did not look away from what was improper; his gaze was more focused on the vertical "slit" in the center of the square.

Yu Ze, taking advantage of his sunglasses, appeared to be observing the gaps as well. However, his eyes, hidden beneath the sunglasses, had already activated their automatic target acquisition and could not be looked away.

"Come and gather around, I'll be leading the team this time."

Although this is my first time mentoring new recruits, it shouldn't be a big problem. You two are both elites from the Special Operations Department, so I shouldn't need to emphasize some simple, detailed things.

The initial exploration will last for 24 hours.

Our sole objective is to explore as much of the area as possible, keeping the accumulation of fear below a safe level.

We'll talk about the specifics once we're inside. Anyway, we're going to the shallowest level, where the chances of encountering monsters are very small, and there are very few plants, so there shouldn't be any danger.

At least in all these years of newcomer experience, there has been no danger. The main thing is for you to experience the "environment" in the corner, adapt to this environment, and strive to be able to move around for a long time and perform at 100% of your strength in the future.

You can ask any questions now; we'll be going in in twenty minutes.

Luo Di's question, however, was not directly related to the subsequent exploration. "Did those Pseudo-Human who advanced through the rifts or other means also reach the same depth as us when they first went to the corner?"

"We need to go deeper... and they'll be protected in the corners during their early promotion phase, so we won't run into them directly."

The monsters we usually encounter are those that have stayed in corners for a while, have become familiar with the area's movement, and can be hunted alone.

"Um."

You Zhen's intuition was incredibly sharp; upon hearing Luo Di raise this question, she immediately recalled his personal experience. "You once cooperated with the Sorority to fight against a secondary incarnation of Mr. Kraft. You wouldn't want to meet the real monster from the Sorority in a corner, would you?"

"If we could meet, it might be nice."

You Zhen's eyes immediately changed from a gentle older sister look to a dangerous one, even making Luo Di's Old Spine start to move. "Monsters are a group of primitive creatures driven by desire and instinct. In a corner environment, their malice will be further nurtured."

There was once an agent in the Exploration Bureau similar to you. He tried to coexist with monsters, but he disappeared completely not long after. When we saw him again, he was hanging on a monster's neck.

You need to think this through yourself.

You Zhen seemed to remember something again, and her expression returned to normal. "How strange~ Your murderous appearance during the assessment was as if you had a deep hatred for the Pseudo-Human monster. We could feel that killing intent even through the screen."

However, you yourself are willing to cooperate with some Pseudo-Human, and judging from your tone, it seems that you have a deep relationship with them.

"Forget it, I won't offer any advice on this. You decide for yourself."

"Hmm." Luo Di didn't seem to mind. He continued to ask related questions, "How do we get back here after the exploration is over?"

"Oh! I completely forgot to mention that as long as we are within the shallow layer, there will be a [marker]."

You Zhen turned and pointed to the gap that was hundreds of meters high.

"Due to the influence of the gap, random areas in the shallow corners and random items may have markings related to the [gap]... It might be printed on a wall, or it might appear in a book, or it might be in a garbage dump."

The markers are not permanent and are constantly changing.

Once you find the mark, touch it with a part of your body, and then concentrate on recalling the "seam," you will be teleported back without being affected by any restrictions from the corner.

As for what the mark looks like, you'll find out once you get inside.

"OK."

Luo Di didn't ask too many questions; the specifics could be explored on their own when they went to the corner.

With more than ten minutes left, he actually started doing his most familiar push-ups in the plaza area.

Meanwhile, Yu Ze started reading a novel again, and even laughed out loud.

You Zhen looked at the two newcomers in front of her who were completely relaxed and showed no sign of tension, and found it somewhat hard to understand.

In the past, newlyweds who came to the square felt waves of tangible fear emanating from the cracks, and they were all on edge.

The new recruit she was about to mentor was a complete seasoned veteran.

Does it offer advantages for the connector?

Besides their experience as investigators, they've also had experience in other worlds... Hopefully, they'll encounter a monster to put some pressure on them; being too relaxed isn't a good thing.

Time's up.

You Zhen's rookie exploration team was at the back, with the agents who had recovered entering the crevice first.

Luo Di also observed that most of those heading to the corner were small groups of 4 to 6 people.

Moreover, each person excels in different areas, making them well-rounded.

"Miss You Zhen, is it true that all formal exploration teams must have at least four members? So solo exploration is not allowed?"

"To explore alone or in pairs, very strict conditions must be met. We don't want our hard-earned talents to die because they are left alone."

In short, let's focus on what's in front of us first.

You Zhen's tone became slightly stiff; having not been to the corner for a long time, she was now becoming somewhat nervous.

A special type of shackles was used to lock the wrists of the three people. This connection method allowed the three to be regarded as a whole, ensuring that they would be teleported to the same place.

Step into the crevice.

Buzz!

Pitch blackness filled the entire field of vision like a curtain.

This is followed by a feeling of addiction.

Luo Di had experienced the feeling of sinking into a dark, muddy swamp.

It didn't sink for long before I felt solid ground beneath my feet.

The darkness before my eyes slowly dissipated, and a ray of afterglow spilled into my eyes.

Yu Ze already had a talisman in his hand, while You Zhen's fingers began to tremble rapidly, connected by invisible threads to sense the surrounding situation.

Only Luo Di did nothing.

He simply opened his arms.

An uncontrollable smile appeared on his lips.

He instantly understood why none of the agents wanted to go back, and why they were all forced to return to the Nexus only when their fear reached its limit.

This pervasive Fear Entity began to nourish the pituitary gland.

Luo Di himself seemed to have come home.