Su Hong, a former office worker in Sheng City, was granted the Apocalypse Simulation Game, a system that allowed him to simulate the coming apocalypse and bring one reward back to reality per simulation. After three simulations at his company where he experienced the real pain of death, he realized the apocalypse was inevitable and resigned. Returning to his Garden Community apartment, he refined a bloodstained dagger he had chosen from a previous simulation reward. The dagger was a Calamity Item stained with the blood of Xue Jing, a deceased admirer. After throwing it into a green crucible, the blood turned to qi, and he gained a temporary Calamity Talent "Admirer's Affection" that granted a 10% chance to deal Soul Pierce damage—armor-ignoring piercing damage—when attacking an enemy. The talent could be made permanent if he completed a simulation. Consuming one point of Calamity Potential, he started a new simulation. Time accelerated to October 17th, a month later, when a blood-red streak marked the apocalypse’s descent. Global news showed chaos, with monsters and strange structures appearing everywhere. Su Hong realized the simulation location matched his real residence, giving him an advantage. He took a kitchen knife and ventured into the corridor, where a Black Robe Jailer—a Level 1 Calamity Monster from a mysterious Prison City—approached carrying an iron cage lantern that transformed walls into prison bricks and induced fear. The Jailer's Deterrence skill caused a moment of panic, but Su Hong recovered. His knife clashed against the Jailer’s thick armor, unable to penetrate, but his talent triggered: a vengeful spirit pierced the Jailer’s soul, killing it instantly. He gained experience, 1 Calamity Potential, and a damaged Jailer Training Armor. More Jailers rushed in and killed him, ending the simulation after eight minutes. After the simulation, the game allowed him to use Calamity Potential to bring multiple rewards back. He spent 35 points to keep the Admirer's Affection talent and the armor. His total Calamity Potential capacity had increased to 37 due to the first kill achievement, and he realized that taking risks in simulations would accelerate growth. He started another simulation, now wearing the armor and holding a sharp kitchen knife. He observed the corridor and saw two other residents had died. A Black Robe Jailer came, and its lantern light turned doors into prison bars. Su Hong discovered that the Jailer would not attack survivors inside the prison illusion. He stepped out, struck the Jailer, then retreated into his room. The Jailer followed but was blocked by the iron gate. Through the bars, Su Hong stabbed repeatedly, triggering Soul Pierce and killing it. More Jailers came and were also blocked by the gate. Using the same tactic, he killed several Jailers one by one. With each kill, he gained experience and more armor pieces. His Calamity Level rose to 2, and his body felt stronger and faster. The last Jailer fled in fear, but Su Hong chased and killed it, obtaining the iron cage lantern as a Calamity Item. The corridor fell silent. He had cleared the visible Jailers on his floor, and the prison illusions receded, leaving behind bloodstains and discarded armor. He saw three dead bodies and knew survivors still hid in locked apartments. His objective was to secure the building and eventually establish a safe zone. Through these simulations, he learned that the apocalypse was global and involved realms like Prison City, and that his talent—especially effective due to the Jailers' weak souls—was his key advantage. The Apocalypse Simulation Game allowed him to grow through repeated simulations, refine Calamity Items for new talents, and prepare for the real apocalypse that would strike in one month. His immediate goal was to clear the rest of the community and expand his knowledge of the threats ahead.
