On the fifth day of survival in the apocalypse.
6:00 a.m.
Today’s breakfast was millet porridge, stir-fried zucchini, and one canned mackerel per person.
Inventory consumed: 1.2 jin of millet, five zucchinis, seven cans of mackerel.
The millet porridge provided carbohydrates; the canned mackerel supplied high-quality protein and fat; the stir-fried zucchini ensured intake of vitamins and fiber.
The portions were generous and filling. A big bowl of thick porridge, plus meat and vegetables, was enough to support a morning of high-intensity activity.
Because they had to go out to search for supplies, they only ate two meals a day—morning and evening. When they went out, they carried assorted snacks to replenish energy.
Lin Shuangshuang drank her porridge while watching the news, occasionally glancing out the window.
The heavy rain still hadn’t stopped.
Luo Na was also worried. “The sky looks like it’s been torn open. The rain is like a waterfall. Can we still go out today?”
Wu Zhe slurped his millet porridge. Properly cooked porridge was especially delicious. “We probably can’t, right? Anyone going out would just get swept away by this rain.”
Gao Lei agreed. “Should we rest a day?”
It wasn’t that they didn’t want to go out—it was just that the weather was too extreme and unsuitable for travel.
As they spoke, all three of them turned in unison to look at the person in the main seat.
Huo Ling adjusted the channel and lifted his chin, gesturing at the screen. “The whole world is experiencing extreme weather. We can’t go out today.”
They all turned back to the screen together—and it was exactly as he said.
Huo Ling projected the latest online updates. They were all posts from netizens. The official sites had already crashed, and only a few independent reporters were still broadcasting. Most of the remaining videos were just screams.
【Run!! Get to the upper floors!!】
【Water!! The water’s coming up—evacuate, evacuate!!】
【Oh my god! The building across collapsed!】
【Help! Help! This is Xingfu Community, location attached [pin]. Over a hundred people are still here!! Can anyone help us?!】
【My husband went out to find supplies and hasn’t come back. Has anyone seen him near Block 36? Black jacket, blue hat!】
【My friend is in City C. What’s the situation there? Is anyone still alive?!】
……
The real world was in chaos, and the internet was just as chaotic. Because everything was out of control, videos that couldn’t have been posted before the apocalypse were now fully exposed.
This torrential rain pushed the crisis to its peak. Those who had barely escaped thought they could finally breathe—only to be met with an even greater disaster.
The living room fell silent.
Only the sounds from the videos remained—calls for help, screams, and desperate crying.
Wu Zhe couldn’t bear to watch anymore. “It makes me anxious… I feel terrible.”
Gao Lei also fell silent.
Luo Na took a sharp breath. “Hiss… in the face of death, all beings are equal…”
They were considered lucky.
The coastal regions had been hit the worst. Mutated sea creatures coming ashore were extremely dangerous, and combined with earthquakes and zombie hordes, survivors trapped in cities were no different from canned meat—only waiting to be devoured.
Unless they awakened abilities, survival was nearly impossible.
Those who fled to rural areas first had escaped the initial wave of disaster—but this world-scale downpour became the second trial.
Fortunately, they could still run into the mountains. Survivors were posting survival guides, moving with their families and belongings in large groups.
One of the most popular creators had the ID “Howling Sky,” with a black dog emoji as a profile picture. He successfully led his family of eight to safety.
“Don’t run blindly! Think carefully, repeatedly, before relocating! If water rises too fast and you can’t evacuate in time, take shelter in nearby tall buildings first. If there’s time, move to higher ground immediately!”
“Don’t take roads that often collapse in villages! Avoid bridges too!”
The middle-aged man in the video wore a black raincoat, his face covered in rainwater and mud.
“Damn it, I almost lost my life! Anyway, I hope everyone stays safe. We need to stay united and get through this together. Don’t cry—save your strength for escaping!”
He said that as long as you were alive, there was hope. When the water receded, you could return home. As long as the land was still there, you could grow food again and wouldn’t starve.
The video ended abruptly when the device ran out of power.
His family had been fortunate.
Most others were not so lucky.
Lin Shuangshuang frowned as she watched. However, the IP addresses in these videos were all far from their location.
Several more videos played.
Suddenly, an official notice popped up, stating that rescue operations for survivors were being organized and emergency teams were being formed across all regions.
A reward system was also announced.
【Each rescued person earns 10 points, redeemable within the city. Rescuing special talents such as doctors, teachers, and engineers earns double points. Large-scale rescues will receive additional support rewards.】
【Below are coordinates of major safe zones. Please head to the nearest survivor base while ensuring your own safety.】
With this announcement, it was clear that even the government had been caught off guard by the disaster and had no choice but to rely on cooperation between official forces and civilians.
The hidden message was obvious.
Luo Na nodded. “That makes sense. There are so many awakened ability users now, and no one is really controlling them. Who knows what could happen? Order should still be in the hands of people working for the public, right?”
Wu Zhe turned to Huo Ling. “Brother Huo, your family should still be in City A, right? The notice says it’s one of the five major bases. Are you going back?”
Gao Lei also looked at him.
Lin Shuangshuang stared at him too, not blinking.
Huo Ling toyed with a folding knife in his hand, then said coldly, “No.”
He added casually, “Even if the lower ranks all die, they won’t die.”
There was nothing to worry about.
Although all beings were equal in the face of death, those with power and wealth had ways to avoid it. As long as they weren’t particularly unlucky, they had far more chances of survival than ordinary people. City A was the safest place.
Its security system was excellent. Any problems could be suppressed quickly, so it wasn’t surprising it was listed as one of the five major safe bases.
Wu Zhe and Gao Lei exchanged a glance and stopped asking about Huo Ling’s family. He seemed extremely sensitive about that topic.
Better not to bring it up.
Although they weren’t going to City A, they could still take missions and earn points—maybe they’d be useful later for exchanging supplies.
Huo Ling lifted his eyelids and glanced at them. “What, any of you want to leave?”
The three gossip-lovers immediately shook their heads in unison.
No way.
Who would go to an unknown safe base? It couldn’t compare to their little fortress at all. Staying here gave them freedom.
They definitely didn’t want to go to a controlled base and be managed by others. Life here was far more comfortable.