An outbreak?

[Ding! Task Issued.]

"Give the Omni-Alchemist System a name!"

Gu Qingran leaned back against the couch, eyes narrowing slightly. A name? The system actually wanted to be named?

Her fingers tapped against the table in thought. A name held power. Since this system would be her greatest advantage in the apocalypse, it needed a name that symbolized both strength and survival.

A name that resonated with her knowledge of pharmaceutical procedures.

Her lips curled into a small smirk.

"From now on, you'll be called—Lingquan." A name that meant spirit spring.

[Ding! System name set: Lingquan.]

[20 Gold Coins Received.]

[Private System Shop Unlocked.]

Gu Qingran's gaze flickered as a new interface appeared before her. Sleek, dark, and lined with rows of shimmering text.

[System Private Shop]

• [Basic Nutrient Pills – 10 Gold Coins]

• [Low-Grade Energy Recovery Potion – 25 Gold Coins]

• [Portable Water Purifier – 50 Gold Coins]

• [Beginner Alchemist's Cauldron – 75 Gold Coins]

• [Blueprint: Automated Herb Farm – 150 Gold Coins]

Her gaze lingered on the Automated Herb Farm Blueprint, but she didn't have enough gold yet. Instead, she memorized the prices and closed the interface.

Right now, time was her real currency.

She exhaled, rubbing her temples. Today had been a marathon of stockpiling, but this was just the beginning. She still had 29 days left before the world descended into chaos.

And until then, she had to keep up appearances.

She stood up, glancing at the clock. Late. If she didn't sleep soon, she'd be a mess at work tomorrow.

As a pharmaceutical scientist, her daily routine wouldn't change yet. She still had to clock in, still had to work in the lab, still had to play the part of an ordinary researcher while preparing for the end of the world.

But once the apocalypse arrived, once the skies turned red and the world crumbled—

She wouldn't just be a scientist anymore.

She would be the alchemist of the apocalypse.

The room was silent except for the faint hum of the city outside. Gu Qingran stretched her arms, feeling the exhaustion seep into her bones. Today had been productive, but it was just the starting.

The system interface lingered in the corner of her vision, but she dismissed it for now. Lingquan's shop was tempting, but she needed to conserve her gold coins for crucial purchases.

She took a quick shower, letting the warm water soothe her tired muscles, then changed into her sleepwear. Climbing into bed, she checked her phone.

A few unread messages.

One from Xia An, her colleague.

[An: Qingran, don't forget we have a meeting with Director Wei tomorrow morning. If you're late again, he'll be on your case.]

She scoffed lightly. Director Wei was a nitpicky supervisor, always finding faults in others' work while taking credit for their successes. In the past, she had tolerated it, but now? She couldn't care less.

Instead of replying, she set her alarm and placed the phone aside.

Sleep came swiftly as she closed her eyes. She should use this time to get some decent night rest before the apocalypse would start.

The alarm blared at 6:00 AM sharp.

Gu Qingran's eyes opened immediately. No sluggish movements, no drowsiness. Her mind was alert and her body ready. This was probably the aftermath of the apocalypse.

The world was still normal— at least for now.

She got up, dressed in a crisp white blouse and tailored pants, then tied her long black hair into a neat ponytail. Her reflection stared back at her in the mirror, her eyes cold and calculating.

Grabbing her keys and work bag, she left the apartment, heading toward the underground parking lot.

Her SUV started with a low purr. The drive to the Yunhai Pharmaceutical Research Institute was smooth, the roads busy with the usual morning traffic. People went about their lives, unaware that in less than a month, everything they knew would be gone.

Arriving at the institute, she parked in her usual spot and stepped into the lobby. The sterile scent of disinfectants and chemicals filled the air. White lab coats moved past her, employees engaged in discussions about their latest research projects.

"Morning, Dr. Gu," a lab technician greeted her.

She nodded in response, heading toward the research department.

Her lab was one of the more advanced ones, focusing on pharmaceutical formulations and drug synthesis. She specialized in medicinal chemistry and biopharmaceuticals, making her one of the top researchers in her division.

As she entered, Xia An was already at her workstation, adjusting a set of beakers.

"You're actually on time today," Xia An teased, adjusting his glasses. "I was betting you'd be five minutes late."

Gu Qingran set her bag down. "I like proving people wrong."

Before Xia An could respond, the door swung open.

Director Wei entered, his sharp gaze scanning the lab.

"Everyone, gather around," he ordered. "We're starting today's briefing."

The research team assembled, standing near the central workstation.

Director Wei cleared his throat. "We have a new directive from the higher-ups. Our focus will be shifting toward emergency medical supplies and fast-acting antiviral development. With the recent outbreaks in neighboring provinces, the government is increasing funding for pharmaceutical advancements."

Gu Qingran's gaze flickered. An outbreak?

Her mind immediately connected the dots. This was one of the first signs of the apocalypse. Not that she thought about it. In the past she did not think it would escalate into a full blown apocalypse.

The toxic gas mutation that would soon sweep across the world had already begun affecting people, though no one realized it yet.

She didn't need to raise an alarm as it would happen regardless.

Xia An muttered under his breath, "Sounds like they're panicking over something."

Gu Qingran remained silent, her mind racing as she thought of other important things.

If funding was being allocated toward medical research, that meant authorities were aware of something unusual happening. But no amount of research would prepare them for what was coming.

She had already seen the future.

No antiviral, no vaccine, no government intervention would stop the apocalypse.

This world was running on borrowed time.

Director Wei continued, "Dr. Gu, you'll be leading one of the teams handling new formulations. Expect long hours and increased lab work."

Gu Qingran nodded, maintaining her composed expression. "Understood."

The meeting concluded, and everyone returned to their stations.

Xia An leaned in, lowering his voice. "You don't look surprised."

She turned to him, her expression unreadable. "Why would I be? Pandemics happen all the time."

Xia An frowned but didn't press further.

Gu Qingran focused on her workstation, but her mind was elsewhere.

She had 28 days left.

And soon, no laboratory, no research institute, no government facility would matter.

The only thing that would matter was survival.

And she was already ahead of everyone else.

While she wasn't planning on being a hero, no far from that, she had no intrest in saving people this time around but it was different case if she sold these medicines for resources once it started.