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's accusation lingered heavily. Lin Yingge was the serpent among them.

Wang Zi Chen leaned forward, gripping the steering wheel tightly. "Enough half-truths, Ethan! What did your vision show?"

Ethan was about to respond when John's satellite phone shrieked like a wounded animal. He squinted at the cracked screen. "Serenity Squad. Blade."

"After stealing our dagger?!" Wang snapped. "You've got guts!" John hit speaker mode.

"John! Did you grab the Terminus Shard yet?" Blade's cheerful voice came through.

The thief. Ethan felt a chill. Wan'er's expression sharpened.

"Playing dumb?" John's tone turned cold. "You mugged our runner for it!" Ethan tensed. One wrong word could be disastrous.

"Huh?" Blade sounded genuinely confused. "Your guy didn't system-scan? I took a dagger—[Devourer Dagger]. B-rank. Not the Terminus Shard."

John's eyes locked onto Ethan, demanding an answer. Ethan shook his head slightly.

"Our runner wasn't tech-savvy," John covered without missing a beat. "So someone else has the real key item?"

"Listen," Blade's tone grew urgent. "We capped Lü Mingtian and Lü Zitao. The game didn't end. Lin Yingge vanished before we could reach her…"

"They killed the Mayor and his son?!" Wang whispered. Stunned silence filled the cabin. They had eliminated key players.

Ethan glanced at Wan'er. She didn't flinch. Confirmed—discarded pieces.

"What do you want?" John pressed.

"Truce. Hunt Lin Yingge," Blade pleaded, sounding desperate. "We need your surveillance network to find her."

Ethan's lips tightened. They wanted John's eyes—the intelligence of his fortress.

"No deal." Ethan's voice sliced through the silence. "They'll stab you in the back. Guaranteed." He recalled their sneers in death-replay #5: "One-armed relic."

"If they have the Terminus Shard, we're handing them victory. If not…" Ethan gestured at Ray. "…we've got a Dragon's Arm that can take down eight moss-beasts solo."

Ray choked. He had claimed two earlier. Then—another prophetic vision.

Wang stared in disbelief. "Eight?! Bureau agents are built differently!"

"So, you find Lin Yingge, John," Ethan urged. "We strike fast. Win or burn a resurrection coin."

John frowned. "No key items? That's suicide."

"No hiding!" Ethan's voice turned steely. "I saw your fortress fall. We're like roaches in daylight now—there's nowhere to run." Only one way out: through the fire.

John's shoulders sagged in defeat. Wang supported Ethan: "He's right. Burn the boats."

Ethan turned to Wan'er and Ray. "What about you?"

"I'll follow," Wan'er replied, her voice smooth yet firm.

Ray grinned, flexing his right hand. "Orders: get you to Bureau HQ breathing."

John sighed. "Fine. Let's dance with the devil."

His hand sped over the holographic keypad. Data streams flooded the main screen—CCTV feeds, financial records, heat signatures.

"Got her," John announced, his fingers tapping rapidly. A schedule appeared:

Wan'er tilted her head, studying the situation like a spider watching its prey. "John, can you find anyone in this city?"

"Relax," John replied without looking up. "I don't pry. Never searched your name or Ethan's."

Wang paled. "Wait—you searched me?!"

John shrugged. "Teammate vetting. I saw your browser history last night. Even that 'incognito' stream—"

"SHUT! UP!" Wang lunged at John, covering his mouth as laughter erupted in the armored cabin.

Outside, the city held its breath.

The Traitor’s Call