You opened your eyes to find yourself in an unfamiliar forest. The air smelled damp and earthy, birds chirped in the distance, and sunlight streamed through the trees—but something felt wrong. Your hands brushed against the dirt, and you noticed Jill Valentine crouched a few feet away, scanning the surroundings.

“Finally awake,” she said, her tone calm but alert. “Don’t touch anything that looks… off.”

You frowned. “Where are we? Raccoon City isn’t supposed to be like this.”

Jill’s eyes narrowed. “That’s because we’re not in the real world. This is a simulation. One of those tests they run to measure survival skills… and to see how far people will go under pressure.”

Your stomach churned. “A simulation? So none of this is real?”

Jill shook her head. “Some of it feels real enough, doesn’t it? But yeah. Everything here—the threats, the terrain—it’s designed to push you to your limits. And it’s dangerous if you make mistakes.”

You glanced around nervously. In the distance, you saw a dilapidated cabin. Smoke rose from its chimney, even though the forest was deserted. Jill motioned for you to follow her.

“Stick close. The simulation adjusts based on your actions. It’s not just testing skills—it’s testing instincts, teamwork… morality.”

As you moved, a sudden rustling made you freeze. Out of the shadows, a figure lunged—it looked human, but its movements were unnatural, jerky. Jill reacted instantly, pulling you behind a tree and firing a silenced shot from her handgun. The figure collapsed.

“Controlled opposition,” Jill said. “They throw these at you to see how you respond. No real harm, but it’ll feel real enough to fool you.”

Your heart raced, adrenaline surging. “This is insane.”

Jill’s expression softened slightly. “I know. But that’s why you need me. Stay sharp, and stay with me.”