Chapter 2

Chapter Two

On my way back from town, I saw a thug smashing the glass with an iron bar in front of the supermarket, while several middle-aged men ran around carrying boxes of canned goods, cursing under their breath. The supermarket owner was kneeling at the crossroads, his forehead pressed to the ground, reciting a prayer I couldn't understand.

But most people just watched.

They viewed it all as a riot, a panic buying spree, or a "short-term disruption" that would appear in the news. They watched the spectacle, filmed videos, and took the opportunity to criticize the government's incompetence.

Nobody really believes the world is going to end.

I pushed my way through the crowd, my mind focused only on that one line from the system: $5,000 per spot. Ten people needed. The countdown felt like a knife slid towards my throat, drawing ever closer.

[Countdown: 03:42:11]

The first one is my former roommate. He's now a foreman on a construction site, and he loves to make fun of me.

I cut to the chase with one sentence: "Transfer 5000 to me, now."

He cursed on the other end of the phone, "You fucking again—"

I interrupted, "I'm really in a hurry. Do you believe me?"

After a two-second silence, he launched into an even fiercer tirade, but was already pressing the transfer button: "You owe me a favor, Kyrie."

"I remember," I said.

When the notification popped up that the money had arrived, I didn't stop and rushed out the door again.

One, two, three...

Transfer notifications kept popping up like bullets being chambered. I memorized all their names; you are all my saviors, and I will definitely save you in the apocalypse.

[All spots filled: 8/10]

[Countdown: 01:15:32]

One more to go.

I stared at that number, my mind completely blank.

Who else?

I went through my entire contact list and contacted everyone I could reach. My friends upstairs had already blocked me, and I'd already done everything I could to help those I knew downstairs.

[Countdown: 00:45:22]

I rushed home and pushed open the door.

My mother was still in the living room. When she saw me, her eyes were calm: "How much more is needed?"

"One," I said, "5000 short."

She nodded, went into the bedroom, and took out an even smaller cloth bag. Inside were several pieces of jewelry—a gold necklace, a pair of earrings, and a ring.

"These were left to me by your maternal grandmother," she said. "Pawning them should be enough."

As I looked at the jewelry, my throat felt like it was blocked by something.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Luna stood in the doorway, holding a wad of cash in her hand. She was panting, as if she had run all the way there.

"Owen," she handed me the money, "this is my and my mother's savings. Take it."

I looked at the money in her hand, and then at the jewelry in my mother's hand.

Then I saw a new prompt pop up on the system interface:

[Warning: 9/10 spots are full]

[The last spot requires cash transfer confirmation]

[Countdown: 00:31:04]

Looking at my mother and Luna, I suddenly understood something.

The system needs the transfer records.

Now, I can only choose one person.

Either pawn your mother's jewelry to save money for her place in the lottery.

Either accept Luna's money and reserve a spot for her.

But I only have enough time for one trip.

My mother noticed my hesitation.

She put the jewelry back into the bag, slowly tied the string, and then handed it to Luna: "Child, these are for you. Go to the pawnshop; they know me."

Luna froze: "Auntie..."

"Go quickly." The mother's voice was soft, yet firm. "Take good care of Owen."

I grabbed my mother's hand tightly: "Mom! No! I can—"

"Owen," my mother interrupted me, looking into my eyes, "do you know what I'm most proud of in my life? It's that you've grown up. It's that you know who you can trust."

She placed my hand in Luna's: "She will walk with you. As for me... I've seen enough."

"mom……"

"Don't cry." She smiled, a kind smile. "I told you when you were little that in this life, you should always do something for the important people in your life."

A tremendous roar came from afar.

Then came the second and third tones.

We rushed to the window.

Luna's apartment building was just across the street. The old building bulged and cracked like cardboard, and a monster emerged from the walls. Its back was made of steel bars, its limbs were disproportionately long, and its skin was as black as wet paint.

With a swipe of its paw, the entire wall collapsed.

The crowd screamed and surged out. Some people fell and were trampled into a heap.

The mother shoved Luna aside: "Quickly! To the pawnshop!"

Luna clutched her jewelry, tears streaming down her face: "I can't—"

I looked at my mother, wanting to say something, but I couldn't say anything.

My mother hugged me and patted my back hard: "Go. Take her with you and let her live."

[Countdown: 00:18:35]

I turned around and chased after her, catching up with Luna at the top of the stairs.

She ran very fast, tears streaming down her face, but she gritted her teeth and kept silent.

We rushed into the pawnshop, where the owner was packing his things to escape.

"Old Zhang!" I shouted, "Quick! Collect these!"

The shop owner paused for a moment when he saw the mother's jewelry, then immediately took out a money detector.

Three minutes later, the money arrived in my account.

[Received: $5200]

The system interface pops up gold text:

[Spots full: 10/10]

[Shelter Teleportation Permission Enabled]

[Teleportation countdown: 59 seconds]

[List locked, countdown synchronized]

I grabbed Luna and ran outside.

Downstairs, the monster had already rushed into the street. I saw someone being grabbed by it and torn in half.

[Teleportation time: 41 seconds]

We rushed home and pushed open the door.

My mother was still standing by the window. She heard the door open and turned to look at us.

"Mom!" I called out, "We—"

The system interface suddenly displayed red text:

[Warning: All spots are filled]

Unable to add a teleportation target

[Teleportation countdown: 23 seconds]

I stared at those words, my mind completely blank.

The mother smiled, a calm smile: "I know."

[Teleport: 15 seconds]

The monster turned its head across the street, as if it had smelled blood. It pushed off with all four limbs, smashed through a street lamp, and charged towards our building.

[Teleport: 09 seconds]

My mother came over and patted my head one last time: "Owen, live on."

[Teleport: 05 seconds]

A loud crash came from downstairs as a door was forcefully kicked open.

[Teleportation time: 01 seconds]

Something was pushing against the door panel, causing it to warp and look like it was about to explode.

I saw my mother gripping a kitchen knife, standing at the door.

She turned around and gave me one last look.

There was no fear in those eyes, only reluctance and pride.

Blue light exploded from beneath my feet.

Just before the light fully covered the room, I saw the monster smash through the door and lunge at my mother.

Then--

All sound was swallowed up by the blue light.

Welcome to the shelter