[Plate Apocalypse: Over a f*cking noodle?!] (Chapter 2 Part 2)
The unknown person gave a quick slide to the left, her foot swinging up as her hand grabbed the nearby knife.
The toaster was surprised by the sudden change of pace as the new challenger has a more accurate and swift movement.
Even the mechanical voice didn’t say anything and let this unusual event unfold.
Her combat boots slammed into the damaged section, kicking it until the soft metal buckled.
Adjusting her stance, she drove her knife deep into the metal sheet.
She sliced upward, then used the embedded blade as a foothold to spring onto the toaster’s wall.
With enough force, the unknown person successfully flipped the toaster.
The ground shook due to the heavy impact, causing the tiles to crack.
Smoke of dust emerged, which made Hesychia cough.
She covered her mouth and looked at the other person with disbelief, her view never going anywhere else.
“You okay?” The other person looked at her.
Hesychia answered, “Don’t mind me, do you need any help?”
“Nope!” The other person slid the toaster towards the wall and started pulling the black lever down.
“It’s quite heavy.”
Creak!
Another wave of noise entered Hesychia’s ears before the other person was able to pull the lever down.
Using her feet, she jumped away from the scene.
“And done!
Completely motionless.”
Sparks of electricity came from its mouth, shutting down completely before fading away into black digital fragments.
Hesychia was surprised when the other person gave her a pat, “Thank you for your hard work.”
Hesychia looked away, “I didn’t do anything…”
Fortunately, the mechanical voice once again appeared, the young woman escaped the race of conscience and predicament.
“Congratulations, Players for clearing the event ‘First Major Screening’.
Time has run out, please wait…”
“Loading…”
“Data has loaded!”
“Out of 10 billion people, 7.9 billion were able to survive the first screening.”
“Some special players were able to reach a secret ending: A help from the outside!”
“The First Screening has ended.
Everyone is given two months to prepare (excluding the month of January), the second major screening will officially start on April 1.
Be prepared to enter the next Major Screening!”
“Starting from this update, Minor Screenings will commence randomly.
The place and time varies though every player could trigger it around the globe.
Some screenings needed more people before starting, so the first person to reach minor screenings sometimes would be trapped in a waiting room.”
“Minor screenings won’t occur at the same time globally unlike Major Screenings but formed in a set of individual groups.
Once a player triggers it, people existing outside of the screening won’t be pulled unless the person itself triggered it.
Minor Screenings can be triggered by anything, entering a place or touching an object are counted as triggering Minor Screenings.”
“Sometimes, different players can trigger the same screening from completely different times or places if their triggers are connected.
For example, Player A might trigger it with a car in Country A, while Player B triggers it later with a plate in Country B.
If the connection is there, they’ll both end up in the exact same screening.”
Hesychia looked at the unknown person whose eyebrows were furrowed.
Thinking to herself, if it could be triggered by anything that means no one would know when this minor screening would commence.
In fact, it will occur in a very disadvantageous way.
The mechanical voice continued:
“The purpose of minor screenings is to enhance the player’s strength.
It is encouraged for everyone to join and take advantage of this rule!
Don’t be shy and try it out during the given vacation.”
“The Major Screenings will start depending on the given time after its announcement.
Meaning everyone is involved at the same time and everyone would be informed in advance so do not worry.
Major Screenings are named in numbers, when the number increases, the difficulty increases.”
“Major Screenings are global unlike minor screening.
It has an absolute date, unless the system changes it.”
Once an announcement has been made, the Second Major screening will then occur after a while.
“Beware that not all screenings are meant to be the same as the First Screening.”
“Players, work hard to not die in vain.
Thank you!”
With that, the surroundings turned silent as the invisible wall shattered.
The unknown person subconsciously pulled Hesychia away from the wall, covering her head from the glass shattering.
Hesychia uncomfortably shuffled which the other person immediately noticed, and stepped away.
“Sorry, it’s a habit.”
Hesychia, “Don’t worry about it.”
The unknown person scratched her neck, “Can you repeat what it said?
I didn’t quite…” Her eyes landed at the other person who’s looking at her in raised brows, “Promise, I didn’t get it!
A quick recap will do.
Please?”
The older person sighed, shooting an annoyed look.
“Two month 〈vacation〉my ass.
April 1, Second Screening.
Inside the said vacation, there are mini games.
These mini games are for enhancing our skills.
Mini games are Minor Screenings, it is by small group or individual.
Event Games are Major Screenings, it is for everyone.
Get it?”
The wavy-haired person nodded, “That mechanical voice said so many things yet it was only that.”
Hesychia didn’t explain further, if this person won’t understand it.
That’s on her.
“Then…”
Step.
Step.
The unknown person reacted, “HUH, WHERE YOU GOIN’?!”
Hesychia started walking away only to wobble towards the wall.
“Man, you’re so stubborn.
Let’s treat your wounds—”
Hesychia slapped her hands away, “Stop it.”
For the first time, the other person frowned.
Hesychia looked at her expression and found it quite foreign.
The other person wasn’t angry but her brows were drawn to each other, “Look, Miss Stubborn…”
Miss Stubborn??
“If you leave your arms without proper aid, there’s a chance it would be forever crippled.
I remember that I pressed you down there earlier, I’m sorry for not noticing it sooner.”
“What does it have to do with you-”
This time, the wavy-haired woman already stood up and opened the cabinets.
Hesychia noticed that she’s searching for something, probably robbing the house.
The older person didn’t have any more energy and closed her eyes, finally leaving her in peace.
That’s what she thought.
Soon, a hand placed two averagely thick sticks on Hesychia’s arm.
Using the opposite sides, a fabric slowly wrapped her broken arm.
This action made Hesychia’s arm stable, no longer hanging around limply.
Afterwards, the unknown person went around to look for something again only to come back wide-eyed.
“Miss Stubborn, do you have some complicated medical condition?”
Hesychia opened her eyes, “No.”
“Lies.” The other person pulled a compact plastic container with clear liquid inside.
The sizes were small but stuck together in large capsule sizes.
“These are called…
uh, I forgot but—oh wait!
It’s…
I suddenly forgot again.”
Hesychia, “Hurry up and leave.”
“You wish.” The other person approached and crouched.
A towel wrapped with ice on her other hand.
The younger one placed it against her side, “Cold compress.
Your skin might be already bruising and it’s a little hard to breathe inside that uniform.
I’ll find some loose shirts.”
Hesychia wanted to stop her only to be left alone again.
…This person always walks so fast!
“Ta-da!” The overly friendly person appeared again, a white oversized shirt on her hands.
“I also found some pain reliever, I’m amazed that this apartment has so many useful things.
You’ll recover in no time!”
Hesychia silently watched her, “…”
“Come on, I’ll help you.” This was said as the other person shoved the pain killer inside Hesychia’s mouth, a glass of water soon tapping her lips.
“If only we had a medical capsule, you’ll be even better in no time…”
The older person took the cloth after drinking the water, “I’ll change myself.”
“Alright.
I’ll be back.” The younger person nodded and took the glass away, and disappeared briefly.
Hesychia struggled to put on the shirt but finally managed to slide it over her body.
Once their deal was settled, the energetic person returned with an approving nod.
“Hm, don’t move too much.
Fortunately, you’re not coughing up any more blood.
I saw that bloodied mask earlier and got worried.
Your lungs weren’t pierced by any ribs either, so it’s nothing too serious.
Let’s just rest, rest, and rest.
Okay?”
Speechless, Hesychia wished that if there’s a chance, she would just suddenly black out and escape this annoying creature.
“Miss Stubborn??”
…And, she indeed blacked out.
“Miss Stubborn—!”
[9:30 PM]
Hesychia was lying down on the floor, instinctively sitting up; a sharp pain on her ribs made her groan.
Looking around, the apartment was quiet, the moon was already up—sending moonlight from the glass windows.
Although it was dead quiet, Hesychia didn’t let her guard down as her eyes explored the apartment.
It was slightly messy because of the fight earlier.
One thing that disturbed her the most was her roommate who still didn’t appear.
There was no dead body but the mechanical voice said that after the first screening, people who own the same house would see each other.
Hesychia thought of many things and came up with a semi positive one, “She must have run away and already started adapting to the world.”
There were no further traces of blood beside the one she puked out earlier.
Most importantly…
The energetic girl was nowhere to be found.
Hesychia was about to stand up when her hand felt something underneath.
A paper with messy looking handwriting greeted her view
「 “I want to leave an electronic note instead but our devices are not really working so I’ll be resorting to some ancient earthling writings.
Miss Stubborn, I’m sorry I need to leave (DON’T KILL YOURSELF) since I needed to find two of my friends, they are probably nearby.
I, myself, am not sure about their whereabouts but if you can, send me good luck!” 」
At the end of the sentence a small happy face was written.
Though, the letter didn’t end there.
「 “I wasn’t able to ask your name but I’m sure we’ll see each other around.
I know I was acting too close, I was just genuinely worried, I don’t want to see someone dying on my watch ykykyk.
I have a friend who is aspiring to be a Doctor, if I find her, I’ll immediately try to find you.
You need a serious check-up!” 」
「 “You suddenly blacked out that I panicked, it seems like you’re fatigued.
Your heartbeat was fast but still under the normal tally, I counted it.
I saw some foreign looking machine and I read some instructions that it needed the liquid I was holding earlier.
I already assembled the parts, no need to stand up.
REST, OKAY?
I think the device was called Nebulizer, and the liquid is Albuterol.
PS.
You look like you’re inhaling drugs.”」
Hesychia almost threw the paper but mustered her patience.
「”I’ve noticed that despite not being from the South, you do not have any accent.
The way you speak Valoran (South Panacean Language) is so fluent, if I didn’t see your eyes earlier, I would have never thought that you’re from North Panacea!
Now I do wonder how many years you’ve homed here?
I wonder too if the environment of the South satisfied you!”」
「”It never even crossed my mind to speak Omnilingua anymore because you’re just like a local.
Does this mean besides the universal language (Omnilingua) you can also speak Eclipsian (North Panacean Language)?”」
「 “Also, I’ve recognized your uniform’s badge.
Are you an accounting student?
Haha, interesting!
Anyway, once we meet again I’ll try to teach you some simple self defense.
See ya!” 」
The unknown woman was probably trained.
Her observation and judgement were fast and keen, able to assess that none of them would make it in time without Hesychia’s cooperation.
Now for the first question: the player inside can’t escape but a player outside can enter, why is that?
Hesychia’s thoughts quickened.
The system announced that some players were able to achieve a special ending; “help from the outside.” From the looks of it, she’s one of them.
Next question: why is that nosy unknown woman not inside her own house but is finding a first screening that belonged to other people?
Hesychia mumbled, “She doesn’t have a house or a place to stay in?”
She didn’t look like a beggar and is completely clean.
“No point thinking about it…” Dropping the topic, Hesychia took a heavy breath before looking at her side.
Scooting to the nearby plug, Hesychia twisted the cap of the plastic container and poured it inside the nebulizer.
After turning on the machine, buzzing noises were heard around the house.
White mist went towards her nose.
According to that Criminology Student, she was able to witness people who died inside the screening.
The screening ended the moment they died, though she did not say whether she saw the corpses.
Right now, Hesychia’s roommate is missing.
It was strange but the sudden change of the world was even more peculiar.
There was no government or police, the media was desolated down and even the apps were not working.
Communicators can’t connect, devices are useless.
Hesychia has no way to contact Artemis nor Elara unless she would drive and check their houses.
All this time, her Father did not contact her either.
As much as she wants to deny, he might’ve already perished.
Hesychia has been living by herself for almost two years, renting an apartment with a roommate.
It was mentioned that their dorm has many useful things, thanks to Hesychia herself.
She has conditions and self needs to be placed as a priority, hence some stocks of medicines were on standby.
Originally, Hesychia and her family lived in the North, but they moved to the South once her health improved.
Their new house was far from the city, taking a day or two to reach even by hover car.
She used to have a little sister, and her father had long suffered from a strange eye illness.
While people with Northern blood were naturally prone to blindness, Hesychia felt her father’s case was different—it slowly consumed his overall health.
Rationally speaking, it was a miracle he was even alive, though he was now almost entirely blind.
Two years prior, she left their house.
She had not seen her father since then.
Traveling at night is dangerous, on the way, she might even trigger random minor screenings.
Crossing out the ideas, Hesychia stayed in her position and looked up at the cracked ceiling.
She then remembered another person.
“Pers…”
She turned on her ring and swiped up a hologram.
Her screen has no new notifications, as expected a message “No Service on this Area” was posted.
Last time, Pers had tried to confirm their location using the time.
Earlier, this morning around six, Pers dialed her communicator but Hesychia wasn’t able to answer.
Now, the world has turned into a messy place.
There are at least 50,000 people in this city, millions in their province, and hundreds of millions to billions for the whole nation.
if Pers is one of them…
how would she be able to confirm it?
Hesychia can’t just accuse or let every single person look into their conversation to confirm it.
They were in the same place but both didn’t know each other’s face nor real names.
The young woman tapped the ground using her other hand with wooden sticks.
She then realized something.
Hesychia blacked out for at least eleven hours, no one even entered the apartment and killed her.
That occurrence was already strange enough considering the crime rate in cities, what more now that everything is in chaos?
Most importantly…
Plate Apocalypse, really??
Some of the mechanics have changed yet the overall work was the same.
That’s right, the game she was playing was also named “Plate Apocalypse”.
Although Hesychia cannot toggle any options the same as the game screen yet, the Major Screening one was almost identical as what she encountered on the first surprise cutscene of the game before it immediately redirected her to a battle.
WITHOUT any warning.
Minus the event where a strange person entered her own isolated room, everything else was the same.
That’s the very first ‘tutorial’ titled:
First Major Screening: “Own Learning”.
Well besides basically learning the controls on your own, the same mechanical voice is present along the way as if laughing at your face whenever the players fail to complete the so-called tutorial.
After a few times, the mechanical voice will condescendingly guide the player.
Which did not apply here.
It really is no guide, only your own.
Hesychia finished the dosage of her medicine and closed the buzzing machine.
Her stomach growled, a sign of hunger.
The woman sighed and went to see if the unknown person earlier robbed anything.
Surprisingly there was instant noodle cooked in the pot, which already turned soggy.
Though, before she could clean the pot of noodles a loud announcement went over her head.
“Greetings!
Player Hesychia Astrid has triggered a minor screening.
Loading game data!”
Hesychia for the first time lost her cool.
Over a fucking noodle?!