yellowbook

The apocalypse is not the end — it is a game. And only the elect can play along.

Every week, a few chosen ones are placed in a twisted mirror of reality — a world on the brink of annihilation. Here, players must survive a new cataclysmic disaster, armed with only one randomly selected ability.

Ethan Cross never asked to be a player. But when he is drawn into the Apocalypse Game, his first draw changes everything:

"the Eye of Death" - an SSS-ranked ability that shows him visions of his own death.

While others fight blindly, Ethan outwits fate itself and replays his own demise until he finds the perfect path to victory.

"Congratulations! You have overcome the disaster of [Puppet Kingdom] and obtained the [Severing Seven]: [The Severing Seven]!"

"Congratulations! You've eliminated the threat of [Abyssal Horror] and received [S-Rank Ability: [Abyssal Horror]: [S-Rank Skill: Scales of Judgment]!"

"Congratulations! You have shattered the paradox of [Time Reversal] and unlocked the [SSS Rank Skill: Sword of Destruction]: [SSS Rank Skill: Sword of Annihilation]!"

Other players: "Bro, we’re still learning the rules, how can you clear dungeons already?"

Apocalypse Control Bureau: "Mr. Cross, your survival is crucial to the future of humanity! STOP THROWING YOURSELF INTO DANGER!"

Reality Hacker: Apocalypse Loop

Ethan was watching the factory gates, intent on his next move.

He knew that after the final Death Replay, "Xiao Chen" would pop up soon.

A couple of minutes later, a woman appeared at the entryway, dressed exactly like she was in his vision.

He pulled a sparkler from his bag, lit it, and waved the hissing flare like a beacon.

The sudden light drew her attention. She blinked a couple of times, then laughed. "Pfft! Seriously?"

Ethan felt relief. That was a real human laugh. No monster laughs like that.

She walked over, watching the sparkler settle down to a flicker. "Why not just shout 'Mommy, Daddy, save me'? It'd be a little more dramatic." This was about his demon story.

"Want an encore?" Ethan grinned. "How'd you get off work?"

"Two paid days off saved." She held out her hand. "Chen Wan'er. How did you know I wasn't a demon?"

"My ability sensed the unfathomable." They shook hands. "Ethan."

A quick reflection of surprise passed across her face. "You seem... young."

"College kid trapped in this hellhole. How about you?"

"Didn't play before." Her smile faded. "The people around me just... morphed. Almost died."

Almost? Lucky for her. Ethan bit his tongue. I died on entry - wasted the respawn coin.

"Fish market as we had intended to go, we pivot." Ethan was turning in a hundred different directions in his brain. She has no idea, she is green. Wang Zichen though, he had been a player forever, with the gear on top of that. No fish market means no claiming an identity.

"Fish?" Wan'er raised an eyebrow. "And you brought me here why?"

Ethan checked the cooldown on his Eyes of the Doomed and it was time to give "Mom" a ring. Rule #1: Play your role. Survive.

He dialed up Mom and put on shine for effect, "Hey Ma! Just having lunch with some friends—don't wait up!"

He received a gurgling snarl, "But I BOUGHT FISH!"

"Plenty for you to prepare another time! Let's go!" Click.

Wan'er just stared. "Your mother's a monster, take it down a notch."

"Survival 101, show like a human and you may still get to live."

"Smart.." Wan'er looked him over. "Maybe a bit too calm for a newbie."

"Die a few times, you will be cool," he mumbled.

"Nothing. Do you need to call family? Since we will not be home... for some time."

"No one." Wan'er shrugged. "I am all alone in Jiang City."

Ethan thought for a second. "Random question, are you famous? You seem familiar."

"Every guy says that." Wan'er rolled her eyes.

"That was a little boy flirting wasn't it?"

Damn it! I wasn't flirting! That looked like something...

"Forget it!" And just like that, Ethan was scanning an offline map. "We are going here." He tapped on Fuyang Villas.

"Rich people turf?" Wan'er whistled. "You don't look at the place."

Ouch. "Not my house. We are meeting our third teammate."

"Yes. And we're walking. No more demonic taxis."

Thirty minutes of walking and a set of security gates had risen in front of Fuyang Villas. A guard stood in front of them.

With a monster-grade smile, Ethan plastered on his big grin. "Buzz Villa #5. Tell Wang Zichen; John sent us for gear."

"He's not picking up!" Ethan put irritation on top of the grin. "You think I'm hiking here for fun!"

The guard hesitated and then lifted the intercom.

A familiar lazy voice crackled through. "Yeah? Who is it?"

Ethan's pulse quickened. Got you, Wang Zichen.