The one retrieved from The Void

When they finally arrived at the courtyard, it was a vibrant place, filled with colorful fabrics from different cultures, each displaying unique patterns. The walls were adorned with paintings created by the inmates, showcasing surprising artistry. The air was filled with a medley of scents—spices, foods, and drinks from various parts of the solar system—all converging in this one spot, creating an atmosphere that was both lively and intriguing.

"Okay, everyone, let's get moving," Paula instructed.

"Aren't we going to be accompanied by an officer or something?" Aura asked.

"There are officers stationed around every corner down there, so no," Paula replied. "The jackets you're all wearing are equipped with sensors that will alert the nearest officer if anything happens to you. It's triggered by a rise in your heart rate, so try to stay calm and not accidentally summon them."

Everyone was dressed in identical uniforms, which explained why these weren't their usual school outfits—they were provided by the Nu prison itself. After explaining this, Paula shut the door leading to the prison's patio, leaving them with no choice but to descend.

The path to the patio of Nu was a long staircase. At the bottom, another set of doors awaited, guarded by two officers clad in cybernetic armor that covered them head to toe. The armor was white with blue lines running across it, reminiscent of veins to Vas. He guessed these lines were how the armor channeled its energy.

When they reached the doors, the guards made a gesture, and the doors began to open. What greeted them was a surprising sight. Fully constructed small buildings filled the area, each one running a different type of business—grocery stores, art galleries, restaurants. The place buzzed like a miniature city.

"And you mean to tell me all this was built by people who committed minor crimes outside?" Ken asked, genuinely puzzled. "If they're capable of this, what drove them to commit crimes in the first place?"

The buildings were beautifully painted, the stores meticulously organized. This didn't look like the work of people who needed rehabilitation—it looked like the work of creative minds finally given a chance to build something.

"Okay," Yuu said, trying to refocus the group. "I know this looks impressive, but we need to start working if we ever want to finish... well, someday."

"I'm with her," Aura agreed. "How are we supposed to tackle this?"

"I think we should split up, take different routes. That might make things faster," Carmilla suggested.

"I'm not sure how comfortable I feel about splitting up in a prison, even with the sensors. I'd prefer if we stuck together," Aura said, looking uneasy.

Carmilla shot her an annoyed look. In her world, Aura would've been seen as overly cautious. "Oh, come on," Carmilla began.

But Vas interrupted. "Not everyone grew up like you, Carmilla. It's normal to feel that way. You're the odd one out," he told her with a serious tone.

"Actually, I agree with Carmilla," Ken chimed in. "She's a—"

"Then you're also a weirdo," Vas cut him off. "We should look for a map or something that explains the layout of this place. That way, we can plan a route," he said as he started walking off to find an information office.

"Is he always like this?" Ken asked Carmilla.

"No idea," Carmilla shrugged. "I'm friends with his siblings, not him. We're more like acquaintances. But I do know one thing—he's not going to wait for us." With that, she followed Vas. Ken and Yuu exchanged glances and followed suit, while Aura had already started after him.

It didn't take long to find an officer; Paula hadn't been lying—there was one on almost every corner. The officer handed them a map of the area.

"Okay, I think it would be a good idea to start here," Vas said, pointing to the center of the map. "According to the officer, that's the main plaza. We can announce our presence, and the other merchants can send people over with the information we need."

"How can we be sure they'll actually do that?" Yuu questioned.

"Because it's convenient for them," Vas answered. "People usually skip tasks they find inconvenient or unpleasant. If they don't cooperate, they'll have trouble sustaining their businesses and earning points. So, they'll do it."

"I agree," Aura said. "Plus, this way, we might finish today and actually get to rest for the remaining two days."

"Anyone have a different plan?" Vas asked.

No one spoke up, so they decided to go with Vas's plan. As they walked towards the main plaza, they passed a variety of sights—clothes, food, decorations. It was impressive how they managed to create all of this. The smells of spices, food, and flowers filled the air, making the place feel alive. Along the way, they informed the merchants of their plan, most of whom were already familiar with the process and agreed to send someone with the necessary forms to the plaza.

"Thank you, young man," an old lady told Ken. "I'll send someone over as soon as possible."

"No problem," Ken replied with a friendly smile.

"Oh, so it's that time again," said a muscular man with a cybernetic left arm, approaching them. "Old lady, I'll bring you the list of stuff I need later."

"You can't do that," Aura interjected. "If you want something, you need to send your own request."

The man turned to Aura with a twisted grin, looking her up and down. "And who's going to make me? You?" he said in a threatening tone.

Aura froze, until she felt someone tugging at her jacket. When she turned, she saw Vas pulling her away.

"Come on, we don't have time to waste on games," Vas said without even looking at the man.

"Where do you think you're going, kid?" the muscular man called after him, reaching out to grab Vas, but Vas turned to face him.

"Cut the act," Vas said bluntly. "You've shown no signs of dangerous intent, not even the old lady you're supposed to be intimidating is scared. She's not great at acting, by the way. Let us pass, and next time, try this routine on someone else."

Vas continued walking, leaving everyone momentarily stunned. Ken and Yuu had been ready to intervene, fully believing the man's act. Even Carmilla had fallen for it.