Apocalypse Forecast

"You're watching me, aren't you?"

The face outside the window, resembling a strange bird, curled into a sinister smile, as if overjoyed by some good fortune, and began dancing wildly.

"You're watching me!"

"You're watching me!"

"You're watching me…"

Its head spun crazily on its neck in excitement. Through the window, it screamed at Yuan Zhao with a hunger-filled gaze, "You see me!"

Yuan Zhao seemed paralyzed by fear, frozen in place and unable to move.

His heart finally sank.

Outside the window, the lanky, half-human, half-bird shadow shrieked in excitement, suddenly lunged, and hurled itself at the window.

Then, it exploded into a cloud of plasma from between suddenly appearing mammoth jaws.

BANG!

Immediately afterward, CRUNCH, CRUNCH, CRUNCH, CRUNCH…

The strange bird was chewed into mush between a face lined with curved Ghost Horns, covered with age spots and scars, and swallowed into a long neck that seemed to have no end.

Finally, the aged face turned its cataract-ridden eyes toward Yuan Zhao, causing him to collapse to the ground.

"Hungry... still… hungry…"

The voice seemed hauntingly familiar. The chilly face stared straight at Yuan Zhao as the hoarse voice uttered, "You need… to sleep well… guest… otherwise… you'll get… eaten…"

Following that, the long neck and head slowly retracted, vanishing from sight.

Only a slice of dreary, cold moonlight shone through a corner of the curtain, casting onto Yuan Zhao's pallid face.

In the silence, the frayed string of his sanity finally snapped.

Yuan Zhao fell backward and fainted on the spot.

***

I haven't slept this well in a long time. It's rare for me to have such a pleasant dream.

After waking up, Huai Shi found himself incredibly relaxed, as if reborn.

And the wound on my chest has healed? Being shot through the chest with a sniper rifle and healed overnight? That's simply unscientific, isn't it? Aside from the vitality provided by the abundance of greenery and the emergency repairs from the Silver Blood Potion, last night's dinner also contributed significantly. It was quite pure in quality…

It was just Yuan Zhao who looked half-dead, exceptionally downcast.

"Why do you look so wretched?"

"It's a long story…"

Yuan Zhao, his face etched with the pain of past regrets, followed Huai Shi, looking completely defeated. At least he didn't give off that cringey vibe from yesterday, which made his company slightly more comfortable.

After they finished washing up, breakfast was already prepared.

A few delicate side dishes accompanied the rice, along with a rather delicious miso soup.

Huai Shi marveled at the elderly woman's culinary skills; they were on par with his own.

"In my youth, I was once the head chef of a banquet hall," the old lady said, covering her mouth with her hand and laughing softly. "Alas, I am old now, not what I used to be."

After breakfast, Huai Shi felt he should say his goodbyes. The old lady didn't say much else and only saw them to the door. Then, she deliberately fetched an envelope from the entryway and handed it over.

"This is something Ma Yi's father brought back. It should be useful to a visitor like you. However, this place isn't very peaceful, so please be careful."

When Huai Shi took it and opened it, he found two unfamiliar badges inside, seemingly work credentials for some place. Immediately after, his mission panel trembled, and a new quest suddenly appeared.

[Relevant clues acquired. Quest chain initiated.]

[Current Quest: [Road to STAFF] — Within twenty-four hours, proceed to Little Cat Paradise, pass the interview, and become an official employee.]

Little Cat Paradise? What kind of place is that? I have a strange feeling of déjà vu… But I can't quite place it. As I picked up the ticket, I vaguely sensed a cold gaze on me, a lawyer's letter seemingly held up in the distance, ready to strike me down at the slightest misstep…

After handing one of the badges to Yuan Zhao, Huai Shi thanked the old woman.

"They're just some things I have no use for. Don't mind it."

The old woman smiled, handing over a paper bag. "And this was prepared by that child, Ma Yi, for your journey. Please take it. She stayed up all night preparing it."

Inside the paper bag was a pink bento box, looking quite cute.

Underneath the bento box, there are several magazines?

As Huai Shi touched them, his system panel displayed information: Universal Magazines, compatible with any firearm. The number of bullets varies according to caliber and is replenished every three hours.

It's a piece of Golden Equipment!

Huai Shi gaped in amazement and involuntarily looked up towards the window above. Behind it, the curtains were suddenly drawn shut, trembling faintly with unease.

After a while, Huai Shi averted his gaze and sighed.

"Please thank Miss Ma Yi for me, but I'm just a visitor…"

"I know," the old lady interrupted, her aged face lit up with a warm smile. "Such a handsome young man, and so considerate too. If it were a few decades earlier, even an old woman like me might have been smitten."

"Thank you for being so gentle with my granddaughter."

She stepped forward, stood on her tiptoes, and delicately straightened Huai Shi's collar, smoothing the wrinkles from his shoulders. Then, she slowly retreated behind the courtyard gate, smiled, and bowed in farewell. "Mr. Huai Shi, I wish you a safe journey."

The sky was gradually brightening. Despite the absence of sun and stars, the city submerged in darkness still revealed a faint glimmer, distinguishing 'day' from 'night.'

Under the hint of dawnlight, the scene before him became ethereal and elusive, as though it was rapidly receding.

Huai Shi saw the entire house quickly dissipate, leaving only a wasteland behind. The memories of last night felt like a fleeting dream, becoming exceptionally unreal.

"The house, the house... The house is gone!" Yuan Zhao exclaimed, wide-eyed in disbelief.

"I saw it."

Huai Shi irritably slapped the back of his head. Actually, this little rascal's head isn't too bad to pat. I should find more chances to do it in the future.

"Alright, stop staring. We should get going too."

Before Yuan Zhao could react angrily, Huai Shi changed the subject. "So, what's next? I've given you the card. Are you planning to find your comrades from the Social Security Bureau?"

Yuan Zhao clutched the card, hesitating. "I registered alone. I didn't go with them."

"Figures."

Huai Shi shook his head. If this guy were a little less of a dramatic teen and had chosen to move out with the main team from the Social Security Bureau, he wouldn't have ended up in such a dire state.

"So, want to team up with me?" Huai Shi asked.

"With you?!"

Yuan Zhao was startled, his voice involuntarily rising as he sized up Huai Shi.

Indeed, this guy's skills are a bit better than mine, and he seems to get along well with the demons and ghosts here, so he could be somewhat helpful. Hmm, his face is a bit too pretty, but it's barely acceptable. After all, not everyone can be as handsome as me. Even though he wants to compete with me for my cousin… doesn't that just prove her charm? Besides, it's not yet decided who she'll end up with!

Completely forgetting the heartache from a couple of days ago when he cried while having several keys made, Yuan Zhao scrutinized Huai Shi for a while, his expression becoming smug again. "Well, that's not entirely out of the question. But who listens to whom?"

"Are you kidding?"

Huai Shi gave a kindly smile. "Of course, I'll listen to you."

Otherwise, where would I find another little brother who's so stubborn, rash, and easy to fool?

"Then I'll reluctantly agree," Yuan Zhao snorted, walking ahead. "Just don't hold me back."

"Right, right."

Huai Shi smiled, following him as they once again headed into the perilous city.

Hmm, should I tell him he's going the wrong way? Nah, let him feel proud for a bit…

On the now desolate, flat ground, a black cat stood quietly, watching their receding figures. It seemed to be smiling, its two tails swaying gently behind it.

***

Such a long, blood-soaked, and horrific night, accelerated by the Joyful Framework, lasted only an hour in the outside world.

Even so, within this single hour, countless thrilling segments, the kind usually only seen in horror films, had unfolded one after another.

Thanks to Di Ting's malicious cutting and editing, it had essentially become a story literally interwoven with blood and tears.

All those who dared to ignore the system's warnings, confidently wandering around at night due to their perceived bravery and skills, met grim fates. They were either wiped out by the terrifying scenes of a ghostly night parade, becoming delectable dishes at the banquet, or tormented by horrifying monsters straight out of urban legends, lurking in the city's corners.

Even the Sublimators who had found shelter were severely tested and filtered by the transformed beings.

In just one night, over 2,000 contestants faced such torment that they suffered mental breakdowns, ultimately becoming feasts for these creatures—a brutal exit.

Participants from various major organizations, even those well-prepared, suffered significant losses.

Yet, perversely, amidst the director's cut showing scenes of ghosts and monsters devouring people alive, clips were mockingly interspersed. These featured a certain Cowherd from the Astronomical Society and a ghost family living harmoniously, as if he had returned to his own home. This stunned not only the audience but also filled the special viewing rooms above with an indescribable, awkward atmosphere.

The deputy director of the Jinling Branch felt utterly awful… God damn it! Humans and ghosts living like one big happy family? Seriously? Who the hell recruited this prodigy who can even charm a slit-mouthed woman instantly? The Astronomical Society really hit the jackpot with this eccentric talent! Fortunately, our branch wasn't the only one to 'stumble upon' such a find.

On the live broadcast screen, a reluctant parting was being played out.

"Lady, have a drink!"

"Lady, have a smoke! This one's potent!"

"Get lost! The Lady doesn't smoke! Lady, take this instead; it's a honeydew melon I grew in the mountains..."

"Lady, I'll give you this. I got it from a little bug..."

On the screen, the once-formidable ghosts of Mt. Oe were now completely subservient, nodding and bowing around a woman, showering her with concern and hastily presenting various treasures.

The woman just smiled, accepting each item. Finally, she picked up a strange little statue that looked like it was made of plastic: a figurine with scant clothing and large, anime-style eyes...

"What's this?"

"It seems to be something the little bug calls an 'action figure,'" the Green Demon hurriedly replied, stooping down. "It's said to be a pass to Akihabara; the Lady will definitely have use for it."

"Oh, is that so? Then I'll accept it."

The woman named Luo Xian smiled as she placed it into her knitting bag, then tiptoed to pat his head gratefully. The Green Demon collapsed to the ground, not daring to move, like a dog, making it convenient for the Lady to pat him a couple more times.

"Well, it's time for everyone to go back, and I should leave too."

She smiled, bidding farewell to the ghosts before her. "Has everyone learned how to knit? Make sure to practice diligently after you return."

The ghosts nodded vigorously, each holding a ball of wool and knitting needles gifted by the Lady, looking as if they'd dedicate their lives to knitting, as they watched Luo Xian turn and leave.

Only after Luo Xian had walked far away did they collapse to the ground. They clutched their heads, weeping together as if they had narrowly escaped a disaster, and tearfully disappeared into the faint light that signified 'dawn.'

Ah, in a way, it truly was a terrifying night…