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

The fog had thickened into a solid wall, limiting visibility to just a few inches. Ethan stumbled through the haze until his hand brushed against Murong's arm.

"Director, we need those detection goggles," he said urgently.

Murong pulled out two sleek visors from her spatial bracelet. "Only two pairs. Three of us will be blind."

Ethan cursed under his breath. In his death replay, only he and Murong had survived this long—he hadn't realized they were short on goggles.

"Fine. You take Lin Yiwan. I'll guide John and Wang Zi Chen."

With the goggles handed out, the group cautiously made their way toward the native village. Ethan knew the sea people would eventually arrive.

The familiar, unsettling noise of the steel ship grinding onto the shore filled the air.

Through the goggles, Ethan saw the sea people emerge, their biomechanical armor glistening under the artificial light of the handheld scanners. They began building the altar right above Murong's buried energy orb.

An hour passed in tension. The sea people's devices scanned the area repeatedly but picked up nothing.

"It worked," Ethan whispered. The explosive was undetectable by their technology.

As the sea people finished the altar and moved back, exhaustion washed over Ethan like a tidal wave.

"Rest up," he told the others, taking off his goggles. "Nothing happens tonight."

He collapsed onto a makeshift bed and fell asleep before his head hit the pillow.

Ethan woke to find his four companions bleary-eyed and yawning. Wang Zi Chen had dark circles under his eyes, resembling a panda.

"Four-hour shifts," John replied. "Couldn't risk it."

Ethan shook his head. "Wait until the action starts. You'll forget all about—"

» [Eyes of the Doomed] - Cooldown Complete.

Ethan closed his eyes. "Activate [Eyes of the Doomed]."

The explosion nearly burst his eardrums.

The altar shattered into smoking wreckage.

Glowing crystals were scattered like broken glass.

Sea people shouting in panicked Amarda.

The hatch of the steel ship hissed open.

A gigantic, whiskered creature—part catfish, part nightmare—wearing a rusted crown. Its beady eyes fixed on the prisoners.

"That's no emissary," Ethan realized. "That's one of the demons from hell."

The creature barked orders. Murong grimly translated:

"They're blaming us for the altar. It wants us to sacrifice to 'appease the gods' before they summon the Sea God again."

Wang Zi Chen struggled against his bonds. "Let's fight!"

"Wait." Ethan dislocated his thumb—a painful but effective escape trick—and slipped free.

In his hand, the [Coin of Judgment] shone.

"System," he whispered. "Target the catfish demon. Activate the coin."

Name your demand (item/action from the target).

Offer equivalent value (life = highest stake).

Angel side up: You win. Claim your prize.

Demon side up: The target takes your offering.

[Warning: Life is priceless. Bet it, and you can demand anything.]

The Coin's Gamble