The Apocalypse Shelter System

"Beep… Crystal core detected. Please collect to activate the system."

A cold electronic voice once again echoed in Di Ping's mind.

"A crystal core? Where? Could it be inside the mutated rat?"

Upon hearing the system's prompt, Di Ping scanned his surroundings. After careful observation, he concluded that the crystal core must be inside the rat.

"Where exactly is it? The abdomen or the head?"

Recalling what he had read in books, he noted that crystal cores were generally located in the head. Taking a boning knife from the kitchen cabinet, he carefully extracted the rat from the crevice and placed it in the sink.

Suppressing his intense nausea, Di Ping split open the rat's head. As expected, within the skull, he discovered a small, jade-like sphere, about the size of a fingernail. The object felt warm and smooth in his palm, emitting a faint, distinct fragrance.

"So, this is a crystal core. The system requires these for activation. I now have one—just four more to meet the requirement!"

Di Ping gazed at the crystal core in his hand, his eyes burning with excitement. He had never imagined that such a grotesque creature could harbor something so exquisite. After admiring it for a while, he found no immediate use for it. Wrapping it carefully in a cloth, he placed it into his pocket before turning to the mess in his kitchen, momentarily at a loss.

The mutated rat's corpse remained in the sink, and if left unattended in this weather, decomposition would soon set in, making the house uninhabitable. Di Ping cautiously placed the rat's body into a garbage bag, cleaning up the scattered debris and wiping away the bloodstains before thoroughly washing the area.

After more than half an hour of cleaning, the room finally looked presentable again. However, his instant noodles, now tainted with blood, were inedible and had to be discarded. Staring at the garbage bag, he hesitated. Disposing of it outside was risky, as sanitation services were no longer operational, but keeping it indoors was not an option either.

With a determined breath, he decided to throw it outside. Peeking through the curtain's slit, he observed the surroundings. The late-night streets appeared eerily calm, seemingly no different from an ordinary night. However, in the distance, flickering flames and occasional explosions testified to the night's true peril.

Seeing no immediate threats, he carefully opened the window and cautiously dropped the garbage bag. With a dull thud, the bag hit the ground, the sound echoing through the silent complex. Almost immediately, the building seemed to stir with activity—squeaking noises grew in intensity, punctuated by sporadic canine growls.

Moments later, chaos erupted below. Several mutated dogs and rats fought over the discarded rat carcass, their barks and squeals echoing through the night. The battle was short-lived; the rats quickly retreated, leaving the mutated dogs to noisily devour the remains.

Di Ping dared not extend his head to look, swiftly closing the window and retreating inside. He rushed to the bathroom to wash off the blood from his hands and face, scrubbing with soap multiple times until the scent was gone. His clothing, too, was stained with blood, making him feel uneasy wearing them.

After completing his cleanup, sleep eluded him. He sat on the sofa, waiting for dawn. Checking his watch, he noted that it was already 5 a.m.—sunrise was approaching. In autumn, daylight would break around six.

As dawn neared, the neighborhood grew strangely quiet. Even the mutated dogs seemed to have wandered off, though distant howls and unfamiliar roars—perhaps from lions or tigers—occasionally pierced the silence.

Just as he was about to doze off, a sudden pop startled him awake. Surveying his surroundings, he quickly realized—the power was out. The refrigerator's light had gone dark. Rushing to test the switch, he confirmed his suspicion: the electricity had failed. And with it, the water supply would soon follow.

At that moment, the distant hum of helicopters broke the silence, accompanied by blaring loudspeakers. The announcement urged residents to remain indoors, warning of widespread mutations and advising pet owners to handle their animals immediately, as mutated pets had become highly aggressive and could attack at any moment.

As the helicopter's sound faded into the distance, Di Ping resolved to prepare food while he still had gas and water. Without electricity, he had to make the most of available resources. He cooked some rice and a simple dish, eating a warm meal before engaging in his daily combat training.

Practicing slashes, thrusts, and parries, he found himself completing five sets with ease. It was evident that the previous night's energy infusion had significantly enhanced his physical abilities, increasing his strength by nearly one-third. Encouraged, he completed an additional five sets before stopping, wary of overexertion.

With no electricity, the internet was also down, and his phone had lost its signal. Cut off from external news, he was relieved to find that his MP3 player still had a functional radio. Government broadcasts confirmed that authorities were actively addressing the crisis.

The previous day's catastrophe had resulted in immense casualties, with countless people falling victim to attacks. Many injured individuals remained stranded due to obstructed roads, unable to receive medical attention. Meanwhile, government efforts to clear major routes had met with disaster—not only had mutated rats and cats ambushed workers, but even zoo animals and venomous snakes had joined the fray. Lacking adequate firepower, police forces had suffered heavy losses, and construction teams had been decimated, forcing a retreat.

Simultaneously, the military was establishing safe zones on the outskirts to shelter evacuees, though progress was slow. For now, the government urged citizens to engage in self-preservation, stockpile food, and remain indoors. Despite the dire situation, the transparency of information helped mitigate panic.

Di Ping spent the day switching between listening to the radio, practicing sword techniques, and occasionally peeking outside. As night fell once more, an overwhelming sense of dread loomed over the city. Clutching his sword, he leaned back on the sofa, eyes fixed on the kitchen, patiently waiting.

The previous night's mutant rat had entered through the ventilation duct, which he had deliberately left unsealed. He hoped another rat would appear—each one provided an opportunity to obtain a crystal core and strengthen himself.

At an unknown hour, a faint scratching noise roused him. Instantly alert, he opened his eyes to find another mutated rat gnawing at the instant noodles he had intentionally left out.

Rubbing his eyes, he slowly stood and tiptoed toward the kitchen.

However, the rat's sharp hearing betrayed him. After only a few steps, it jerked its head up, fixing its blood-red eyes on him. Under the dim moonlight, its gaze gleamed with murderous intent. With a shrill squeak, it lunged at him.

These once-timid creatures had grown fearless after preying on countless humans. Now, at the mere sight of a human, they turned rabid with bloodlust. Humanity, having long lived in peace, seemed to have lost its primal ferocity—many perished simply because they lacked the will to fight.

But Di Ping was no longer the same. Having slain one mutant rat, he was ready for the next. Instead of retreating, he charged forward.

As the rat closed the distance, he swept his sword in a swift arc, aiming for its lower jaw. The rat, seemingly realizing its misjudgment, had no time to react. The blade cut deep, nearly splitting its head in half, sending it crashing against the wall before slumping lifelessly to the ground.

This time, the battle had ended in a single move.

A familiar green energy rose from the rat's body, surging toward Di Ping before vanishing into his form.

"Beep… Soul energy detected. System inactive—energy cannot be stored. Redirecting energy to enhance host's physical attributes."

Feeling a surge of power, Di Ping clenched his fists. His strength had once again increased—by nearly another quarter.

However, as he inspected the rat's corpse, a realization struck him.

"Where is the crystal core?"

Despite searching thoroughly, he found none. It appeared that not all mutated creatures possessed crystal cores—only the stronger ones did.

"Activating the system won't be easy."

Yet, rather than discouragement, Di Ping felt his determination deepen.

"I just need to keep hunting."