Chapter 2

"The apocalypse is coming! We're all going to die!"

Kyle's screaming woke everyone in the house.

When Britney and I came downstairs, the Crawford family was already gathered in the living room.

"Kyle, what are you freaking out about?" Bill frowned.

"I had an apocalyptic revelation!" Kyle held up his phone. "In thirty days, the frozen apocalypse arrives! Look at the news! Abnormal Greenland ice sheet melting! Just like in my dream!"

Bill took the phone, his expression changing.

"This..."

"I can prove it!" Kyle grabbed a napkin from the coffee table. "God gave me the ability early! Watch!"

The next second, the napkin disappeared.

"Oh my God!" Susan covered her mouth.

Kyle reached out and grabbed, and the paper appeared again.

"This is the spatial ability! Right now I can only store paper-thin things, but on apocalypse day, I'll awaken the complete ability! Massive storage space!"

Britney rushed over to hug her brother. "Kyle! You really have an ability!"

"I knew my son was chosen!" Susan cried.

Bill's voice trembled with excitement. "You'll lead our family to revival!"

I stood in the corner, expressionless.

In my past life it was this same napkin trick that fooled everyone into thinking he could store the entire planet.

Then on apocalypse day, this idiot's awakened space was only three cubic meters.

"How much money do we need to prepare supplies?" After recovering, Bill asked first.

"At least a million!" Kyle counted on his fingers. "Food, water, generators, medicine, clothes—plus game consoles, liquor, movies! Even the apocalypse needs quality!"

"A million..." Bill's face stiffened. "I only have thirty thousand."

"Twenty thousand," Susan said quietly.

"Ten thousand," Britney bit her lip.

"Five thousand," Kyle said.

The living room fell silent.

Sixty-five thousand dollars.

Far short of a million.

"What do we do?" Bill stomped his foot anxiously. "Kyle's ability is real! We must prepare!"

Susan suddenly turned to look at me, her eyes full of calculation.

"Wait! Doesn't Allen have nine hundred thousand? Just make him give us the money!"

Everyone's eyes turned to me in unison.

"Right! Brother-in-law has savings!" Kyle's eyes lit up.

"Nine hundred thousand?!" Bill stood up. "Allen, you have nine hundred thousand?"

Here it comes.

Exactly like my past life.

"I... that's what I've saved for many years..." I lowered my head.

"Perfect!" Susan clapped. "Britney saw his bank statement last month! It was nine hundred thousand!"

"Nine hundred thousand plus our money is enough!" Kyle jumped up.

"Allen." Bill walked over, his tone commanding. "Take out your nine hundred thousand."

"But that's money to buy a house—"

"Buy what house!" Kyle interrupted me. "The apocalypse is coming!"

"Allen, stop pretending." Britney looked at me coldly. "My brother's in trouble, you should help. It's your duty."

"You only got where you are today because of us Crawfords," Bill sneered. "A code monkey making fifteen thousand a month—if you hadn't married Britney, could you live in this house? Know your place."

"Kyle's ability is real!" Susan pointed at Kyle. "Investing now saves your own life!"

Kyle made the paper disappear and reappear again.

"See, brother-in-law? I'll awaken my complete ability! Your nine hundred thousand invested in me is the smartest move!"

Listening to these people, I appeared hesitant on the surface, but inside I was overjoyed.

"I understand." I lowered my head. "I'll give it to you."

"That's right!" Kyle smiled with satisfaction. "I'll protect you after the apocalypse!"

"Allen, you're in charge of purchasing." Bill ordered. "We'll make a list, you buy accordingly. Don't waste money."

"It's mainly your money anyway, you should be the one buying." Kyle acted like it was natural.

"We'll handle the planning." Susan said. "You just buy according to the family members' list."

Family members make the decisions.

So I'm not one.

"Remember, Allen." Bill patted my shoulder with the attitude of giving charity. "You should be grateful. This is our gift of a chance to survive. Work hard."

"Even though you're contributing the most, don't think you're important." Kyle looked at me sideways. "Without my ability, your money would be wastepaper. Learn to be grateful."

"Go prepare the car." Britney waved dismissively. "Get the list and leave."

I turned and left the living room.

Behind me came excited discussion.

"Kyle, how much can your space hold?"

"Definitely huge! Maybe it can fit a house!"

"My son is the best!"

"Remember to buy the best whiskey and game consoles..."

I walked out of the mansion and stood in the morning light.

I took out my phone and looked at my bank account.

Nine hundred thousand.

Plus their sixty-five thousand, a total of nine hundred sixty-five thousand.

A cold smile played at my lips.

Since they wanted that apocalypse garbage—game consoles, whiskey, yoga mats.

Then I'd magnanimously use their money to buy it for them.

My nine hundred thousand?

All going toward building my private shelter.

Military rations, water purification, generators, weapons, reinforced locks.

And surveillance cameras.

"Doomsday King?" I said softly. "You won't even qualify as rats in the apocalypse!"