The Beginning of the Apocalypse

Huang Wen was unable to explain to everyone why they had to move within 50 meters of the Gene Store. So she decided to bring Yang Xiao into the picture. After all, Yang Xiao had gained a significant amount of respect and authority among the group.

Some people heeded Huang Wen's suggestion, but a third did not. They felt there was no need to bother since there was no food within 50 meters of the store anyway.

When Xiao Zhe, Xu Hua, and others heard Huang Wen's words, they immediately ran to see Yang Xiao.

"Yang Xiao, what's going on? Why do you want us to move near the Gene Store?"

"Today is the sixth day since the calamity. Tomorrow will be the seventh, the day Gu Bo said Earth creatures would complete their genetic mutations. The strange fog today worries me. I fear an accident may happen tomorrow. I suggest that we gather together. In case of any unforeseen events, we can all collaborate in defense, just like we did with the black dog yesterday."

Xiao Zhe listened and nodded. Yang Xiao was right. Facing the calamity, their strength was already weak. Against mutated creatures, standing together might be their only way out.

"Also, I heard from Gu Bo that mutated creatures don't dare attack within 50 meters of the Store. It's a temporary safe shelter for us humans. Sigh, I was worried about over a thousand people crowding together, so I didn't speak up. But now I'll be a good guy to the end. Spread my words. Those willing to listen can move here themselves. Those unwilling can suit themselves."

Xiao Zhe and Xu Hua nodded and immediately went back to organize their team to move over, intentionally pitching their tents next to Yang Xiao's group.

That afternoon, everyone moved their tents. Over a thousand relocated within 50 meters of the Gene Store. However, two to three hundred still thought it too cramped and dismissed Yang Xiao's words, staying put.

The blue fog grew thicker without any sign of dispersing. By evening, visibility in the heavy mist was down to just dozens of meters. Everyone was terrified, not daring to walk around outside.

Fortunately, according to Yang Xiao's instructions that morning, Huang Wen's team had roasted and divided up the dog meat, along with taros and water. This way, everyone could eat their own food when they got hungry, saving them the trouble of stewing a big pot of it.

If they stewed a pot of dog meat, it would likely drive those around them mad with cravings.

Yang Xiao hid in his tent and polished off his share of dog meat. The electric current in his body persisted for about an hour before gradually subsiding.

Other than feeling his strength increase substantially and his senses grow keener, he noticed no external changes to his body.

Of course, increased strength was also a good thing. His current power was probably over ten times what it was pre-mutation.

With over a thousand people gathered near the Gene Store, there were people everywhere. Yang Xiao told Huang Wen's team to stay alert.

As evening fell, the fog only grew thicker.

Gu Bo emerged holding a basin-sized lamp emanating an orange glow. He passed it to a warrior at the door who took the lamp and leaped up, flying onto the roof of the Gene Store.

The warrior, despite his bulky appearance, leaped effortlessly, moving as gracefully as a bird in flight, leaving everyone astounded.

The warrior hung the lamp on a special pole atop the roof. In an instant, orange light blazed forth.

The mist in the sky, illuminated by the orange light, seemed to possess a kind of sentience and automatically receded.

The blue mist fell back one meter, and the orange glow advanced one meter.

The orange light progressed one meter, and the blue fog retreated one meter.

The blue mist continued to retreat until it reached a distance of fifty meters from the Gene Store, where it halted its withdrawal. The orange light also ceased to advance.

Those who witnessed this phenomenal display were shocked and filled with curiosity about the bizarre blue mist.

Soon the entire playground was shrouded in night's darkness, and everyone turned in one by one.

Early the next morning, a sharp scream pierced the sky.

Right after, more screams rang out. Everyone was jolted awake and rushed from their tents.

When all had emerged, they froze in dumb shock.

The blue fog beyond 50 meters was now so dense it was impermeable like a physical curtain dropped from the heavens sealing off the camp from the outside world.

Everyone gazed bewildered at this eerie doomsday scene. The entire playground fell into dead silence.

"Boss, what should we do?"

Huang Wen tugged Yang Xiao's arm, her voice trembling.

"Don't panic everyone. Let's wait and see."

Just then, Gu Bo's aged voice sounded from the Gene Store behind them.

"My fellow Earth survivors, today is the seventh day since the calamity began. Aside from you humans, most creatures have completed the first phase of mutation. From now on, there may be various mutated creatures hidden within the thick fog outside, and they are highly aggressive."

Hearing Gu Bo's voice, everyone turned to see him standing atop the Gene Store roof, bathed in orange lamplight like a deity.

Yang Xiao understood Gu Bo and the Store were now their only hope for survival.

Everyone silently watched Gu Bo as he continued.

"Within 50 meters of the Gene Store, mutated creatures do not dare invade. However, if you wish to live, you must venture into the thick fog to slay these mutated beasts. The creatures you kill will provide your food. Also, some will drop genetic fragments on death, while others may yield up weapons. You can sell me any genetic fragments and dropped weapons. For every ten fragments, I will synthesize a gene potion. Drinking this will increase your genetic power, making you fiercer. Of course, from now on these mutated creatures are beyond what you ordinary people can handle. Even a mutated ant can bite you dead. Only those few among you with mutated bodies and superpowers stand a chance against them. So I advise caution before entering the mists. As for any weapons mutants drop, you may take and use them yourselves. Any extras can be sold to me. There is one other very important thing. The more genetic fragments you trade me, the farther my roof lamp will shine. Ultimately this place can become a small base sustaining your survival and growth..."

Gu Bo spoke for over half an hour, and many people found it hard to follow, especially the girls, who were filled with fear and anxiety.

If the sudden collapse of buildings and the destruction of the campus earlier didn't make everyone feel like it was the end of the world, then this eerie scene of the blue mist enveloping them all certainly drove home the sense of a real apocalypse.

When Gu Bo finished, he lightly drifted down from the roof and entered the Gene Store.

The surrounding thousand or so students remained in a stupor. A few moments later, one girl burst into tears, triggering more eruptions of weeping and cries.

Huang Wen, Chen Fei, Chen Lu, Chubby, and 30-plus other girls looked at Yang Xiao.

"Please don't cry, I can't take it!" he said.

"But Boss, is it really the end of the world?" asked Chen Fei.