Chapter 3: The Apocalypse Game Cheat System

To be honest, at first, Alexander wasn't planning to believe it. But the evidence was simply too overwhelming!

It's common knowledge that the Apocalypse Game is brutally difficult. The challenge lies in the fact that the combined probability of zombies dropping any items—be it equipment, supplies, skill books, or the like—is a mere 1%. This wasn't just Alexander's conjecture; it was determined by a host of researchers who conducted massive data tests after the apocalypse. And even then, the drops were usually nothing more than survival essentials like food or water. Just the thought made one's skin crawl. For the perpetually unlucky, the situation was downright grim.

If it weren't for the countless dungeon portal arrays available in every city—offering equipment, supplies, and gold—few would truly survive. Now, this cheat system informed Alexander that the 1% drop rate was being maxed out to a guaranteed 100%. In other words, every time he killed a zombie, it would drop an item. The sheer image of it was almost unimaginable.

"Are you sure this cheat will work?" Alexander asked hesitantly.

"Ding—Absolute Drop Rate is now active. Please rest assured, host."

Before him, a golden panel appeared:

[Apocalypse Game Cheat System]Name: AlexanderCurrent Level: 0 (A new cheat attribute can be activated every 10 levels)Super Cheat: 1. Absolute Drop Rate – Increases the drop rate of items from all zombies from 1% to 100%.Cheat Tasks: NoneNormal Cheats: None

"Ding—Host level matches in-game level. Every 10 levels, you can draw one super cheat. Completing tasks set by the Cheat System will yield normal cheats, equipment, items, and rewards."

A surge of excitement coursed through him. Alexander—who had been sitting on the ground moments before—rose to his feet. He had never imagined that he would obtain such an external cheat system.

At the same time, a new thought emerged: take down the entire Derek family. Originally, Alexander had planned to hide away after exacting revenge on Derek, quietly operating as a lone wolf until he grew strong enough to gradually dismantle the Derek family. Ten years of being hunted had taught him that the only way to survive was to become stronger.

As for the Derek family—the very entity that had shielded Derek and Carrie, amassing a huge following and eventually establishing "Derek City"—destroying them would be no small feat. But the arrival of the cheat system gave him hope.

"Derek family? Just you wait…" he muttered with a twisted satisfaction.

The thrill of having just avenged his grudge surged even more as he retrieved Carrie's severed head from the floor and dragged over the mutilated, headless corpse—left in tatters on the chair. He stuffed these two "garbage" remnants into a large trash bin tucked away in the corner of the warehouse, tossing in his blood-soaked clothes along with them. Then, he pulled out a fresh set of clothes from his backpack and changed.

With less than an hour remaining before the Apocalypse Game descended, Alexander still had preparations to complete. Tucking his hands casually into his pockets and donning an expression of nonchalant ease, he strolled out of the warehouse. Who would have thought that the campus belle of Modu University would end up a dismembered corpse abandoned in an old warehouse?

Outside, on the sports field, a throng had gathered. The entire sky was awash in a blood-red hue—a "spectacle" that couples found strangely romantic. Lovers embraced beneath the crimson sky, whispering sweet nothings to each other.

Carrying a small bag, Alexander made his way to a convenience store by the field. "Auntie, I need three bottles of water and five pieces of bread," he ordered. After paying, he stuffed the items into his bag. Although these supplies could ordinarily be obtained as zombie drops—and with his current 100% drop rate, he wouldn't have to worry about scarcity—he purchased them anyway to test whether the cheat system truly worked. What if items still failed to drop?

But for now, his primary concern was planning the perfect start. With his provisions secured, Alexander left the campus. It was well known that a university, teeming with young, robust individuals, would be especially dangerous after the apocalypse—once they turned into zombies, they would pose a serious threat. In the Apocalypse Game, levels weren't everything; personal base attributes were paramount. Even a specially trained soldier at level zero could easily take on ordinary players at levels five or six.

Thus, after leaving the campus, Alexander headed two blocks away to a secluded little inn. Quickly entering the establishment, he saw the owner lounging in a chair.

"Boss, I need a room by the hour," Alexander said, knocking on the counter to get the owner's attention.

"Single room—40 Yuan an hour," the owner replied lazily without rising.

"I know. And call for Room 3 as well," Alexander said, handing over his remaining 300 Yuan.

The owner, who had been dozing in a rocking chair, sat up, eyed him, and said, "Oh, I haven't seen you around before. But 300 is 300—consider the room fee waived; just go upstairs. Room 3 will be ready shortly." With that, the boss tossed him a key for Room 209.

Alexander accepted the key in silence and headed upstairs.

"Everyone's here to fool around with women, and you're acting so high and mighty?" the owner grumbled as Alexander ascended.

Indeed, this little inn specialized in "pink business." How did Alexander know that? Well, let's just say he'd been here after the apocalypse. His purpose in coming was simple—to earn an achievement. According to his memory, the technician from Room 3 eventually grew into an early-stage boss in this area; he was, in fact, the first boss Alexander ever killed. Since bosses would turn into zombies rather than merely be infected once the apocalypse struck, Alexander planned to find a less crowded spot to swiftly complete the task of killing one zombie. Undoubtedly, the technician in Room 3 was his first choice.

He entered Room 209. The space was cramped and reeked, with the only redeeming feature being a bathroom—after all, you know how it is. Alexander went straight into the bathroom and took a shower.

Afterward, feeling refreshed, he emerged, dressed himself, and checked his phone. It read 6:55—only five minutes until the Apocalypse Game's descent.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"Dong dong dong."

"Hello, the technician from Room 3 you requested has arrived."

"Come on in; the door's unlocked," Alexander replied.

The door was pushed open, and in walked a provocatively dressed woman with heavy makeup, her legs clad in black stockings, a cigarette dangling from her mouth. At the sight of Alexander, her eyes lit up. "Oh my, I didn't expect a handsome guy. Not bad at all." But when she noticed that Alexander was lying on the bed, still neatly dressed, she frowned.

"What's your deal? You haven't even taken your clothes off. Hurry up—I've got another client waiting!" she snapped impatiently.