Pain. Excruciating pain.
It consumed Leo Zane's entire body like wildfire—deep, unforgettable, real.
This wasn't just a feeling; it was the brutal reality happening to him.
At that moment, he was being torn apart by neighbors and so-called friends he had once trusted and helped.
In this resource-starved apocalypse, they didn't even hesitate to betray him, turning their blades on him mercilessly.
As he lay dying, Leo barely caught sight of his dream girl, Fang Yuki, standing behind the crowd.
With tears in her eyes and a pitiful voice, she shouted,
"It was me who opened the door for him! You better leave me a rib bone for soup!"
That woman had tricked him into opening the door, only to doom him to death.
Leo's eyes burned with hatred and regret.
If anyone was to blame, it was himself—for being too naive, too kindhearted.
He wished desperately to turn back time.
Next time, he wouldn't waste mercy on anyone. He would live for himself alone.
Blackness swallowed him as he lost consciousness.
But then, his eyes snapped open.
He sat up from the sofa, gasping heavily, drenched in sweat.
What just happened? I was killed by those beasts...
He looked around—this was his own apartment.
The air was warm and comfortable, a sharp contrast to the frozen nightmare he had just escaped.
Because in December 2050, a supernova explosion 500,000 light-years away triggered a global ice storm.
Temperatures plunged worldwide. In his city, Tianhai, it hovered at -60 to -70 °F, with snowstorms lasting a full month, burying the entire city.
In northern China, it was even worse—below -150 °F, the earth frozen solid.
Mass extinctions wiped out countless species, and over 95% of humanity perished.
Leo stood and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge.
Though chilled, it tasted like nectar compared to the snow-melt water he had been forced to drink during the apocalypse.
His phone showed the date: November 12.
One whole month before the world would freeze over.
I'm reborn.
Leo took a deep breath and understood.
The last month's memories—the pain, the betrayal—were no dream.
He was lucky to have a second chance.
And his eyes gleamed cold with determination.
He remembered every face who had stabbed him in the back.
This time, he would survive. No mercy, no hesitation.
Leo thought about preparation.
His parents had died years ago, leaving him a 1,300 sq ft apartment in Tianhai.
He also had savings of over $300,000, which seemed comfortable in normal times.
But in the apocalypse, supplies would be scarce, and that money wouldn't last long.
Survival required massive stockpiles—not just to live, but to live well.
Good food, entertainment—mental health was key to long-term survival.
Suddenly, a white light appeared before his eyes.
At first, he thought it was a trick of his tired vision.
But then the light spoke to his mind—a strange voice, showing a vast empty space.
An alternate dimension?
Leo realized he had gained a special ability from the gamma rays—a massive personal storage space.
He tested it, placing small items inside: cups, basins. Easy.
Then bigger appliances: TV, fridge, washer, computer, air conditioner.
The space swallowed them all, no questions asked.
And he could retrieve them anytime with a mere thought.
A plan formed in Leo's mind.
He worked as a warehouse supervisor for Walmart's South China distribution center.
Walmart's warehouses stocked enough supplies to feed millions for weeks.
If he could empty just one warehouse into his storage space, he'd have enough resources to last lifetimes—maybe even ten lifetimes.
And Walmart's goods were top quality—food, household items, even luxury products.
Leo knew the warehouse inside and out—every shelf, every camera, every shift schedule.
Stealing the stock would be easy for him.
His stomach growled loudly.
He glanced at the takeout on the table and without hesitation, tossed it into the trash.
What use is money now? After the apocalypse, currency will be worthless.
He'd rather spend it all now on the best meals life had to offer.
With that thought, Leo headed out for a Michelin three-star feast.