Chapter 261

The massive doors of the virtual arena slid shut, and the global livestream instantly switched views.

One hundred twenty split screens lit up simultaneously, each displaying a competing team. The main screen automatically highlighted the most thrilling moments, curated by the AI system.

[OMG! Is this really a hologram?]

[Those supermarket customers look so real!]

[Look! There’s our national team!]

As live comments flooded the screen, viewers suddenly noticed something odd.

[Why is Aria still in the room?]

[Everyone else is already rushing to the supermarket!]

[Did she miss the announcement?]

On-screen, Aria Bennett calmly gathered supplies, stuffing instant meals and daily necessities into her backpack.

Five minutes later, when other contestants were already scrambling through the supermarket, she finally stepped out with unhurried confidence.

[Why did she stop at the entrance?]

[Wait—she’s checking the map!]

[Time’s running out!]

To everyone’s surprise, Aria dashed straight to the knife section.

[A machete? Smart choice!]

[Wait, why isn’t she grabbing food?]

Even more astonishingly, after swiftly collecting essentials, she bolted out of the supermarket.

[Where’s she going now?]

[A pharmacy! There’s a pharmacy outside!]

[How did she know?]

When night fell, the five teammates finally regrouped.

"Show me what you’ve got," Captain Ronan Caldwell ordered.

As they unloaded their backpacks, everyone’s eyes widened at Aria’s haul—rows of meticulously packed medical supplies.

"I didn’t see any meds in the supermarket," Miles Sutton muttered, confused.

Aria pointed out the window. "There was a map at the entrance. It marked all nearby stores."

Ronan nodded approvingly. "I noticed it too, but there wasn’t enough time."

"Hold on," Ezra Vaughn suddenly realized, "You went straight for the targets using the map?"

"Obviously." Aria shook her flashlight. "Maximum efficiency."

Declan Ross and Miles exchanged baffled glances.

"Who actually reads a map in a supermarket?"

The livestream exploded:

[That’s genius!]

[Next-level strategy!]

[Totally different from every other team!]