False Mirrors

A 1999 science fiction novel and the second book in Sergei Lukyanenko’s Labyrinth of Reflections duology. The story follows Leonid, a former Diver who has left his abilities behind to live a peaceful life in the real world. However, his past resurfaces when a new kind of virus emerges in Deep Town—one that threatens not only virtual users but also their real consciousness. Drawn back into the virtual realm, Leonid faces mysterious adversaries whose intentions are linked to manipulating human perception. As he delves deeper into the secrets of Deep Town, he realizes that the virtual world has changed, and the boundaries between illusion and reality have become increasingly blurred.