[20,000,000 Starlight has been deposited into your account.]
Lucian's phone vibrated softly against the glass table. A notification banner slid down, followed almost immediately by another message from his lawyer.
[Mr. Wang, these are payments from all the stocks sold. Regarding the shares, we are still in negotiations with clients, but we'll do our best to close the deals within three days.]
Lucian leaned back against the sofa, scanning the message in silence.
Lucian knew the law firm he hired was small, but he had checked them out carefully before making his choice. They were honest and dependable, which mattered more to him than a fancy reputation.
Lucian typed back quickly.
[Thank you, Mr. Boston. By the way, I've received some information about a new virus spreading. It looks dangerous. If things worsen, a lockdown might be enforced soon. I suggest you stock up on supplies—just in case.]
Lucian wasn't in the business of saving people, but he wasn't heartless either. Boston had handled his legal matters since his parents' deaths and had proven himself time and again. The least Lucian could do was give him a warning.
Lucian understood his limits. He wasn't a saint and didn't pretend to be. He couldn't save everyone and didn't plan to try. In an apocalypse, kindness without a plan could get you killed. He would always put his own survival first. Still, giving a warning might help someone else make it through.
Boston's reply came quickly, filled with his usual earnestness.
[Oh my! Thank you for the information, Mr. Wang. I'll keep it in mind. ]
Lucian stared at the message for a moment and put down his phone. Without hesitation, he opened his laptop, logged into an anonymous forum, and posted the same warning.
Whether they believed him or not wasn't his concern. Within a few days, the virus would mutate, and when chaos broke loose, those who had ignored his warning would soon enough understand.
After shutting the laptop, Lucian stripped off his jacket and headed for the shower—a quick rinse to clear his head, steady his nerves, and refocus before tackling the next step.
---
[Countdown to Apocalypse: 06:09:01:32]
Dressed in a black tracksuit, Lucian stared at the ticking numbers.
Six days.
A little over six days before the world as everyone knew it ceased to exist.
It was only three in the afternoon. There was still some time left, but not as much as he needed.
If he wanted to survive, he had to activate his space.
He unlocked his phone and dialed the property manager.
["Hello, Mr. Wang,"] the manager greeted politely. ["What renovations are you planning this time?"]
Lucian leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin as he crafted his little lie. "I recently met an Omega," he began, his tone deliberately casual. "He loves gardening, so I'd like to enclose my balcony and turn it into a greenhouse. Also, I'd like to install an iron gate and reinforced window guards for security. You know my family history... with certain neighbors. I'd rather avoid a repeat incident and keep things safe—for my future wife and child."
Among Alphas, the instinct to settle down and start a family early was common. So no one questioned an Alpha wanting security for his "future family," and that makes his excuse easier.
["I understand, Mr. Wang,"] the manager replied after a pause. ["But you'll need approval from the other homeowners before we authorize the work. We want to avoid complaints about construction noise."]
"Of course," Lucian said smoothly. "Thank you. I'll handle it."
He ended the call and immediately opened the building's homeowner group chat.
[702: Good day, everyone. I'm planning to renovate my unit. The property manager informed me I need approval from all of you since there'll be some noise.]
[201 (President): Ah, I already heard! Congratulations, Mr. Wang! I heard you've found an Omega and are planning to start a family—is that why you're renovating?]
Lucian smirked a little. It wasn't surprising that 201 knew; he was married to the property manager.
[702: Yes.]
[703: Oh, Lucian! Why didn't you tell me sooner? I was planning to introduce you to my niece! Is that person you met beautiful? You know I only want what's best for you, as your mother's friend. Let me meet them so I can judge properly. ]
Lucian's expression cooled instantly. Mrs. Hong's shamelessness never failed to disgust him. Ever since she learned he'd manifested as a dominant alpha, she had been trying to push her niece on him. Thankfully, his family had moved away before she could meddle further. Otherwise, this woman might have chained him to her family tree already.
Before he could reply, another message chimed in.
[803: Shameless as ever. Have you forgotten what your family did to Mrs. Wang? And you dare call yourself her 'friend'?]
[703: My son was just a child back then! It's normal for kids to be naughty! That was years ago anyway!]
[803: Naughty? He wasn't just a thief—he was a pervert! He tried to steal my underwear!]
[703: Lies! My son said it fell from your balcony. And don't act innocent—you always hang your lingerie outside for everyone to see. Who are you trying to seduce? @802's husband, maybe?]
Lucian groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. He'd only wanted renovation approval. How had this turned into a soap opera?
This was exactly why he avoided the Hongs.
And 803 wasn't much better—a woman infamous for seducing married men. Getting tangled up in her mess was a disaster waiting to happen.
Before the drama escalated further, the president stepped in.
[201 (President): @703 and @803, enough! This group is for building matters, not personal drama. Show some restraint. Also, @803, please dress appropriately—children live here. Now, let's vote on 702's renovation.]
Lucian shook his head. "It's already chaos without the apocalypse. What will it be like after?"
Minutes later, the president posted the result.
[201 (President): @702, the homeowners approve your renovation. ]
[702: Thank you. I'll send a small token of appreciation later.]
Lucian closed the chat, unwilling to read any more nonsense. He immediately contacted the security renovation company he'd chosen earlier.
-----
"Yes," he said, his tone curt. "I want the balcony enclosed like a semi-greenhouse. The railing gaps should be no wider than twenty centimeters and strong enough to withstand heavy winds. Cover it with polycarbonate glass. Add a small water tank there as well, and reinforce the floor to handle extra weight."
["Noted, sir."]
"And for security," Lucian continued, voice dropping slightly. "Install a bulletproof, blast-resistant iron gate at the entrance, with four fist-sized sliding hatches built into the main door. Replace all the windows. All should be polycarbonate and tinted, with guards on the first floor and reinforced railings on the second-floor windows."
["Do you want the windows to be hurricane- and bullet-resistant as well?"]
"Yes."
["Anything else, sir?"]
"There's a room I'd like to make as a fireplace and put the chimney on the outer wall. The walls should be strengthened also—fireproof, bullet-resistant, and soundproof. Next, I want independent water and electricity sources. The summer blackouts last year were unbearable. You can divide the laundry room and install water tanks and a generator inside, while the solar batteries should be placed within the upstairs window railings."
["Would you like the water and power systems to have an independent shut-off switch?"]
"Yes, and that's all."
["When should we begin work, sir?"]
"Tomorrow. Finish by Thursday."
["Understood. There will be additional charges for the rush."]
"Money's not an issue," Lucian said flatly.
["Then may we send a team today for inspection and measurements?"]
"Yes, I'll be available."
["Thank you, sir. Our team will arrive by 4:30 this afternoon."]
Lucian set his phone aside, exhaling. In the apocalypse, the government would lose control, and laws would vanish. He had read enough doomsday novels to know what waited: looting, murder, and chaos. His first priority was securing his shelter. The neighbors knew about the balcony and door renovations, but the full extent of his defenses would remain his secret.
While waiting for the renovation team, Lucian rented a warehouse and a truck to manage supplies. With 23,508,290 Starlight, he allocated 10 million for renovations, leaving the rest for stockpiling.
The warehouse cost 144,812 Starlight for a 2,500-square-meter space for one month, and hired a fifteen-person team to unload and inventory goods at 85,000 Starlight for five days. Overpriced, but money would soon lose meaning. He also secured a heavy-duty truck for five days at 24,000 Starlight. Five days of stockpiling would be enough—he needed the last two days for rest and mental preparation.
After finalizing the warehouse rental and confirming the payments, Lucian shifted his focus to supplies. He spent the next hour cross-referencing his survival checklist, double-checking every item before placing orders online.
Food, tools, water purifiers, medical kits, generators, fire extinguishers, portable stoves, rechargeable lamps, clothing, blankets, and more—he bought them all in bulk and arranged for delivery to the warehouse starting tomorrow morning.
By the time he leaned back in his chair and glanced at the clock, it was already 4:30 PM.
Most of his shopping was complete.
Most—but not all.
Gasoline, high-grade medicines, and certain construction materials were proving more difficult to secure in large quantities. They required on-site verification, permits, or strict regulations that slowed the process. Even so, Lucian had already spent 2,671,996 Starlight.
When combined with earlier expenses, his total so far reached 2,925,808 Starlight—just over a million short of the 4,000,000 Starlight expenditure quests the system had assigned him.
Lucian's gaze shifted to his open laptop, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
'If I want to hit the threshold faster... I need a bigger purchase.'
That was when his cursor hovered over something he had bookmarked days ago—a custom-built off-road motorhome designed for extreme conditions.
After a moment's consideration, he clicked it open.
The specs flashed across the screen, and Lucian felt a small thrill of satisfaction.
The vehicle was an absolute fortress on wheels:
· All-terrain drive system capable of handling mountains, deserts, swamps, or flooded highways.
· Bulletproof and blast-resistant armor plating, reinforced to withstand small-caliber firearms and mid-range explosives.
· A sophisticated electronic door system with multiple layers of security, designed so the living area could integrate seamlessly with the driver's cab. It could even convert the passage between them into a temporary changing room if needed.
· A built-in water storage tank with purification filters, ensuring a clean supply no matter the circumstances.
· Solar batteries and a compact heating system make it fully self-sustaining, even off-grid.
· A hydraulic motorbike lift attached to the rear, complete with a free off-road motorbike—perfect for scouting or quick escapes when larger vehicles become liabilities.
The price tag was steep: 6.5 million Starlight.
Lucian didn't hesitate.
With a few clicks, the purchase was finalized. A confirmation email slid into his inbox seconds later.
"Perfect," he murmured, a rare note of satisfaction coloring his tone.
*DING*
[You have completed Survival Newbie Quest #4: Spend 4,000,000 Starlight. Reward: 30 EXP]
*DING*
[You have level up!]
*DING*
[You have completed Survival Newbie Quest #5: Upgrade to Level 2. Reward: Space Unlock, 2 Skill Points, Space Inventory Manual]
*DING*
[Name: Lucian Wang]
Level: 2 (10/300 EXP)
Strength: 15/50 [+]
Agility: 10/50 [+]
Endurance: 18/50 [+]
Speed: 12/50 [+]
Charm: 20/50 [+]
Skill Points: 2
Inventory Slots: 2/3 [+]
• Teleportation Pill (1)
• System Manual
Survival Points: 50
Space: (Level 1)
Teleportation Pill (1)
• System Manual
Survival Points: 50
Quest: [4 Available]
Space: (Level 1)