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

<| SCHOOL PERIMETER | CONCEALMENT COUNTDOWN |>

The Concealment Veil flickered like dying static. There were thirty seconds left. No escape? Then retreat was the only option. When the veil fell, twenty half-transformed varsity monsters would tear them apart.

"Easy." Ray Cheng's right arm shot out. SNAP-CRACK! Thick steel razor wires parted like rotten string.

Ethan stared. No skill glow; no activation chant. "Natural enhancement," Ray grunted, flexing his fingers. "Right arm's always… more."

No time. They squeezed through the gap. Behind the school lay the decaying residential block Ethan knew like the scars on his palm. "Stick close!" He led Ray through corpse-strewn alleys and past boarded windows, which screamed with muffled snarls. They burst out onto the main boulevard.

<| MAYOR LǛ'S MANSION | 30 MINUTES LATER |>

The gardens were overrun. Trash had piled up. Three moss-beast corpses rotted on the marble steps, their green fur matted with black blood.

"Serenity Squad was here," Ethan breathed. This scene never appeared in the death-replay.

VROOOOOOM! The armored leviathan rounded the corner just in time.

Ethan waved frantically. Wang Zi Chen wrenched the hatch open. "ETHAN! IN! NOW!"

One-armed John, his eyes like flint.

Wan'er—silent. Watching. Always watching.

Ethan gripped John's lone hand. "Saw you in the vision. Knew you'd come." John's gaze sharpened—how?—but he nodded.

Wang gunned the engine, crushing debris under the wheels. "Where'd you vanish after splitting?"

"Forest Park Lake." Ethan tried to sound casual, eyes locked on Wan'er's reflection in the steel bulkhead. "Fished the weapon box out of the sludge."

Her pupils flared—a split-second crack in the ice. Panic.

John lunged forward. "You have the TERMINUS SHARD?!"

"Serenity Squad ambushed me." Ethan let bitterness seep into his voice. "I only saw the dagger inside before they took it. The key item."

John's fist CRACKED against the console. "That's why Blade ghosted us! Thieving scum!"

Wan'er's voice cut through—sweetness laced with poison:

"Ethan… you ran north when you left us. The lake is south."

Wang frowned. "She's right. Opposite direction."

Ethan rubbed his neck, embarrassed. "Got turned around. World's ending—signposts aren't great." It was a pathetic excuse, but he felt it was necessary.

Wan'er's suspicion didn't fade; it sharpened.

"We hunt Serenity Squad." Silence filled the cabin. It felt heavy and ominous. "They think Mayor Lü or his son is the Final Boss. They're wrong."

All eyes turned to him. Wan'er's knuckles turned white against her thigh.

"It's Lin Yingge. The mayor's wife."

"These things think!" Ethan slammed his palm against the dashboard. "They wanted us fixated on the mansion while the real serpent coils in plain sight!"

PRIMARY TARGET REASSIGNMENT: [LIN YINGGE]

Outside, a moss-beast tilted its head. It listened before melting back into the shadows.

The Mayor’s Secret