Chapter 3: The Apocalypse

The alien spore rain arrived as scheduled.

At three in the morning, I was awakened by a strange noise outside the window.

When I opened the curtains, I saw countless luminous particles drifting down from the sky, as dense as snowflakes.

here we go.

I immediately got dressed, put on a gas mask, and went out onto the balcony fully equipped.

The spore rain was even more spectacular than I remembered from my previous life, and the whole of London was shrouded in an eerie green light.

People were already running frantically through the streets, but they soon realized it was pointless.

The spores can penetrate anywhere, and infection is inevitable unless there is specialized protective equipment.

My phone was vibrating incessantly; Damian was calling me on video.

"Brother! Can you see outside? What the hell is that?!"

In the video, Damian is pale, with the living room of Harrington Estate in the background. Charles and Victoria are also there, and all three appear extremely panicked.

"Aren't you reborn individuals?" I asked calmly. "You should know what this is."

"This...this really is an alien spore rain!" Damian's voice trembled. "We thought it was just a story to fool you, but it turns out it's true!"

The idiot finally admitted it.

"What do we do now?" Charles shouted from the background. "We're completely unprepared!"

"Didn't you use my 5 million to buy a lot of things?"

"We bought luxury goods!" Damian exclaimed in despair. "Sports cars, watches, jewelry—what use are these things now?!"

I watched their panicked expressions, but felt nothing at all.

This is the price of greed and folly.

"Alex, where are you?" Victoria snatched the phone. "Come back quickly! We'll figure something out together!"

"I'm in another city," I lied, "far away from you."

"Then hurry up and find a way to get here!" Charles leaned closer to the camera. "We're family, we should stick together!"

A family?

You didn't say that in your past life.

"My situation is dangerous too," I continued, continuing my act. "And transportation has been cut off; I can't get back."

"Impossible!" Damian exclaimed excitedly. "You have to come back! You have the wrist guards; you're definitely safer than us!"

Wristband protection?

This idiot still thinks the wristband is just a talisman.

"The wrist guards are indeed protecting me," I emphasized deliberately, "but their power is limited, and I dare not move recklessly."

The sound of breaking glass can be heard in the video.

"Someone's smashing the windows outside!" Victoria screamed.

I could see several figures moving around outside the manor; they must be nearby residents who had lost their minds due to panic.

But the real danger has yet to begin.

According to memories from a past life, it takes 24 hours for a person infected by spores to complete the transformation.

These people are only rioting out of fear now; by tomorrow night, they will become real monsters.

"You guys find somewhere to hide," I "kindly" suggested. "I'll come back to you once things have calmed down."

"Really?" Damian cried out as if grasping at a straw. "You have to come and save us!"

"Of course," I nodded in assurance, "we're family."

After hanging up the video call, I shook my head with a cold smile.

family?

Once you experience true despair, you will understand what karma and retribution mean.

I went back inside and began checking my equipment.

Gas masks, protective suits, weapons, food, medicine—everything is ready.

With the ability to replicate the wristbands, my supplies are more abundant than anyone else's.

Moreover, after these few days of intensive training, my physical fitness has far surpassed that of ordinary people.

In this world on the verge of collapse, I have an absolute advantage.

I opened a news website, and all the major media outlets were reporting on this "abnormal weather phenomenon".

A government spokesperson urged the public to remain calm, claiming it was just a rare atmospheric phenomenon and harmless to humans.

harmless?

Ignorance is bliss.

When the infected begin to transform tomorrow night, they will know the true power of this "abnormal weather".

I turned off my computer and lay down on the bed to rest.

Tomorrow will be a crucial day, and I need to maintain my energy levels.

The phone rang again; it was Damian again.

"Brother, there are more and more people outside! They want to storm the manor! What should we do?"

In the video, dozens of people have gathered outside Harrington Estate, holding torches and sticks, and are extremely agitated.

"Do you have weapons?" I asked.

"Only a few shotguns," Charles replied, "but not many bullets."

"Then use them sparingly," I said coldly. "These people are just the appetizer; the real danger is yet to come."

"What do you mean?" Damian asked, puzzled.

"Aren't you reborn individuals? You should know better than I do."

The three people looked at each other, clearly unsure how to answer.

"Alright, you guys be careful." I prepared to hang up the video call. "I need to rest."

"Wait!" Damian called out urgently, "Can you tell us what's going to happen next? Did your wristband give you any clues?"

Revelation?

I do know what's going to happen next, but why should I tell you?

"The wristband only protects me; it doesn't predict the future," I said, shaking my head. "You can only take it one step at a time."

"When can you come back?" Victoria pleaded. "We really need you!"

Do you need me?

In my past life, when you used me as bait, you never considered my feelings.

"I'll do it as soon as possible," I replied dismissively, and then hung up the video call.

Looking at the black screen, I stretched happily.

The moment of retribution has finally arrived.

The next 24 hours will be the last peaceful time for this world.

Tomorrow night, when the infected complete their transformation, the real apocalypse will begin.

And I am ready to reign supreme in this new world.

As for those three who betrayed me, let them slowly die in fear and despair.

This is the fate they deserve.

I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep amidst the increasingly loud noise outside.

Tomorrow will be a brand new beginning.