Chapter 2

【Game System: Preparation Period Countdown 364 days 23 hours 59 minutes】

After signing the Avalon Sky City construction contract, I immediately began the second phase of my plan—weapons procurement.

I dialed the classified hotline of Raytheon Company.

"I need to purchase Patriot missile defense systems, the orbital kinetic weapon 'Rods from God' project, and laser weapon platforms."

"Sir, these are all military grade..."

"I'll pay ten times the price, cash transaction."

The voice on the phone immediately became respectful: "Mr. Viktor, we are at your complete service."

The second call went to Boston Dynamics.

"One thousand Atlas combat robots, five thousand Spot reconnaissance units, and I'm investing ten billion dollars in the killer robot project."

Over the following days, I frantically purchased military equipment: Russia's S-400 air defense missiles, Israel's Iron Dome defense network, Germany's laser interceptor cannons, China's drone swarm combat systems.

More importantly, I commissioned weapons specifically designed for ability users.

"I need electromagnetic pulse warheads that disrupt nervous systems, and air purification systems that can neutralize biological pheromones," I told the military lab scientists.

"Understood, sir. We can develop neural interference devices based on strong magnetic fields."

Meanwhile, on the surface, the ability users were engaged in completely different "preparations."

【World Channel】

【Player042-Mike】: Damn, robbed a convenience store and got chased by cops for three blocks! These NPCs are too realistic!

【Player156-Anna】: I used my charm ability to control a rich businessman, but only got $500,000.

【Player088-Peter】: You guys think too small! I used 【Instant Teleportation】 to rob five banks and now have thirty million in cash!

Watching their actions, I couldn't help but sneer.

The system gave them a year to prepare for the apocalypse, and these people were playing house.

Eric, my good partner on the business road, what about you?

You surely wouldn't be like these wastes, right?

In this doomsday game, I wouldn't want my opponents to be too weak.

Three months later.

Eric finally began showing his true ambition:

【Player071-Eric】: Everyone, I've already controlled this city's mayor and police chief. Found a large fallout shelter downtown that can accommodate a thousand people. Players with strong abilities can join my alliance!

【Player154-Jenny】: Count me in! My 【Lightning Dominion】 definitely won't disappoint!

【Player133-John】: 【Steel Body】 reporting for duty!

In just one week, Eric had rallied fifty powerful ability users, forming the largest surface faction.

【Player071-Eric】: @Everyone We have a solid underground base, abundant supplies, and the strongest ability user team! When the apocalypse comes, we'll be the final survivors!

【Player199-Robert】: Speaking of which, what about that guy Viktor, number 99, who got the useless card?

【Player071-Eric】: @Viktor What's wrong, can't your infinite wealth card buy you courage? Hiding like a coward?

【Player103-Sera】: He's probably in some corner counting money, thinking wealth can keep him alive in the apocalypse!

I looked at these taunts and responded briefly:

【Player099-Viktor】: You keep playing your house games. I'm rather busy.

【Player071-Eric】: Busy counting money? Hahaha! When the apocalypse comes, let's see how your cash saves you!

Eight months later, Avalon Sky City was completed. This steel fortress floating at 30,000 meters was equipped with orbital weapon platforms, laser defense networks, drone swarms, and five thousand anti-ability killer robots.

In the final week, I began the crucial deployment.

"Buy up all aircraft worldwide," I instructed my assistant.

"Sir?"

"All civilian aircraft, military fighters, helicopters—purchase everything. What we can't buy, arrange for 'accidental crashes.' The surface cannot retain any vehicles capable of flying above ten thousand meters."

Over the following days, the global aviation industry fell into chaos. Countless aircraft crashed due to "mechanical failures," and airlines were forced to sell their fleets due to "financial crises."

【World Channel】

【Player156-Anna】: What's happening? Why are so many planes crashing lately?

【Player042-Mike】: I wanted to rent a helicopter but couldn't find any—they've all been bought by some mysterious buyer.

【Player071-Eric】: Doesn't matter, we have the most secure underground fallout shelter. We'll hide underground and wait for things to blow over.

Watching Eric's confidence, I smiled coldly.

Underground fallout shelter? You'll soon learn that in the face of true catastrophe, underground and surface make no difference.

【Game System: Apocalypse Countdown 00:00:10】

I stood on Avalon Sky City's panoramic observation deck, wearing a tailored suit and holding a 1982 Lafite.

Thirty thousand meters below lay the earth about to face destruction.

【Game System: 00:00:05】

【Game System: 00:00:03】

【Game System: 00:00:01】

【Game System: First Wave Apocalypse Beginning—Crustal Fracture and Toxic Volcanic Ash Descent】

Instantly, the entire earth began to tremble.

Looking down from the sky, I watched countless cracks appear across the surface, like wounds cleaved by a giant's axe. Molten lava erupted from the fissures, instantly swallowing city streets.

Then the sky began raining black death. Not ordinary volcanic ash, but toxic powder of annihilation.

【World Channel】 exploded into chaos:

【Player042-Mike】: Holy shit! Lava! Lava everywhere! My 【Instant Teleportation】 is useless!

【Player156-Anna】: Help! The toxic ash is burning through my skin! 【Pheromone Charm】 doesn't work on lava!

【Player133-John】: My 【Steel Body】 is melting... this temperature is too high...

【System Alert: Player042-Mike has died】

【System Alert: Player156-Anna has died】

【System Alert: Player133-John has died】

I elegantly sipped my wine, watching the inferno below.

Protected by Sky City's perfect filtration systems, I breathed pure air while the surface ability users suffocated in toxic fumes.

This was the difference between abilities and technology. This was dimensional suppression.

【Player071-Eric】: Impossible! Our underground base has the most advanced protection systems!

【Player103-Sera】: Eric! The base temperature is rising rapidly! The ventilation system failed!

【Player071-Eric】: Damn! Lava is seeping in! We have to evacuate!

【Player103-Sera】: Evacuate to where?! There's toxic ash everywhere outside! We'll die!

Through Sky City's thermal imaging system, I observed Eric's underground fallout shelter. That once-solid fortress was now like a heated oven, with internal temperatures rising at 10 degrees per minute.

The once-mighty S-rank ability user was now scurrying through underground tunnels like a rat.

【Player071-Eric】: Viktor! Viktor, you bastard! Did you know it would be this kind of apocalypse all along?!

I finally spoke:

【Player099-Viktor】: I simply understand the power of money better than you do.

【Player071-Eric】: Where are you?! You can't possibly survive on the surface!

【Player099-Viktor】: Look up at the sky.

I activated Sky City's external lighting system.

Instantly, a brilliant aerial fortress appeared above the clouds, like a divine palace overlooking the apocalyptic wasteland.

【World Channel】 fell into deathly silence.

【Player199-Robert】: Wait... global aviation anomalies, the mysterious buyer of all aircraft... it's number 99! It's Viktor!

【Player088-Peter】: Viktor! You selfish bastard! You could have saved everyone!

【Player071-Eric】: Viktor! You can't just watch us die!

Looking at these desperate messages, I slowly raised my wine glass.

Three hours ago, you were still mocking me for having a "worthless paper."

Now you know to beg?

【Player099-Viktor】: Sorry, Avalon Sky City was built only for winners.

I turned off Sky City's lights and began moving it into cloud cover to avoid being tracked by ability users with special functions.

Outside, the screams from the surface grew ever fainter.

But the game had only just begun.