Jax ignored the warning. He had spent months tracing the breadcrumbs left by a disgruntled intern. The Wolfpack v026g Online build was more than a game; it was a simulation so advanced it used a decentralized neural network to mimic actual ocean currents and sonar acoustics. Some said it was being funded by a private maritime firm to train "digital mercenaries."

"You're actually doing it," the message read. "You know what happened to the last guy who tried to run the 026g build? He didn't just get banned. He vanished from the forums entirely."

He didn't notice his bedroom door creak open. He didn't see the dark figures in tactical gear entering the hallway. He was too busy adjusting the hydrophone, listening to the rhythmic thump-thump-thump of a destroyer's engines—not realizing the sound was coming from right outside his window.

A notification blinked in the corner. User 'Grey_Fin' has joined the chat.