All of these people had letter badges of C-level or above, with the highest in sight being A-level, forming a stark contrast to the large group of panicked E-level and F-level individuals around Henry Clark.

In addition, it seemed that they were divided into several different organizations, each minding their own business and maintaining the necessary social distance.

Although he didn’t know the plot, Henry Clark, who was familiar with the original background, understood this scene perfectly.

Not all the trainees, like Charles Bennett and the others, were transferred directly from reality into this bloody and terrifying trainee program.

Over the years, “chosen ones” from all over the world had been randomly selected and thrown into this terrifying, endlessly looping dimension, and there were quite a few of them. After all, more than two million people mysteriously disappear worldwide every year, so it’s estimated that millions are struggling here.

There was no way to return to the real world in the infinite loop—not to mention escaping, even surviving was difficult. Most survivors died in the never-ending, mandatory rounds of instances. Only a very few managed to survive, barely hanging on.

Compared to these experienced, cunning survivors with who knows how many tricks up their sleeves, newcomers like Henry Clark, who seemed to be brought in just to make up the numbers, clearly didn’t stand a chance.

“Haven’t seen this many people at once in a long time.”

While Henry Clark was quietly observing that group, the survivors over there were also whispering among themselves.

In the past, they always formed fixed teams, and teams couldn’t meet each other except in the instances. Now, seeing so many familiar faces at once, along with countless noisy newcomers below, they couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional.

Although the rewards of the Thrilling Trainee Program were incredibly tempting, the death rate given by the main system made many survivors hesitate. So even though there were so many survivors, only about ten percent actually dared to sign up and pass the selection.

There weren’t many veteran contestants, so to create hype, of course they had to bring in some newcomers.

“What’s the use of having more people?”

Edward Foster crossed his arms and sneered, “All the high-level ones we see now are old faces. The newcomers are probably just cannon fodder the main system brought in to give us more sense of participation.”

Another person stayed silent, agreeing in his heart, and just glanced over with a look of pity. “What a shame. If the newcomers could struggle through a few more instances, their chances of survival would be higher. Starting off in hell mode—brutal.”

The newcomers over there were still making a racket, chattering like a marketplace.

The veterans all watched coldly, not intending to step forward to explain or maintain order.

This was the only large-scale program task ever released in the infinite loop, and with such generous rewards, the difficulty could be imagined.

Even the veterans couldn’t guarantee they wouldn’t be eliminated and make it to the end of this selection, let alone the powerless newcomers.

No one was a saint—when you’re barely able to save yourself, just taking care of yourself is good enough.

【Time’s up, the auditorium doors are now sealed】

As if in response, the moment the voice fell, the doors around the hall dropped like heavy weights, blocking everyone who hadn’t made it into the auditorium in time.

【First round of preliminary selection is over】

The mechanical, emotionless voice echoed throughout the hall.

Candles began to go out one by one, and the sparks floated into the air, forming a burning virtual human figure.

“Welcome, trainees who have successfully entered the Thrilling Trainee Program. I am the personified form of the main system.”

“Next, I will explain to you the basic rules and schedule of the Thrilling Trainee Program. Please look forward to it.”

####

Charles Bennett sat idly on the steps, holding his phone in one hand and glancing down at it from time to time.

After all this chaos, his phone was almost out of battery, the battery bar had dropped to a glaring red, and it could shut off at any moment.

Disappointingly, the signal bar at the top was still completely empty.

After some encouragement, a lot of people had gathered in the stairwell, and many took out their phones to take photos with Charles Bennett on the stairs. Although Charles Bennett was impatient, with no assistant or bodyguard around, he had no choice but to acquiesce.

“Wait, why is it so quiet?”

After everyone had lined up to take photos with the big star, someone finally noticed something was off: “Hey? Where did all those people who went upstairs go? Why is there not a sound?”

After the mechanical voice gave its final five-minute countdown, the corridor had gone completely silent. Even the previous footsteps and noise had disappeared without a trace. Only their own voices echoed in the stairwell, sounding eerily unsettling.

“Wait, damn, could there be an exit upstairs, and they’ve all already left!”

The man had just finished taking a photo with Charles Bennett when a thought struck him. He slapped his thigh, “Everyone else has left, and we’re still sitting here like idiots. What are we waiting for? Let’s go!”

“Shit! Yeah! How else do you explain how quiet it is!”

“We really are dumb, just standing around.”

Everyone suddenly understood, and rushed up the stairs, making a loud thumping noise as they went.