Chapter 7: Return to Reality, Initiating Hot Pot

Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Return to Reality, Initiating Hot Pot

Countless Aberrations appeared in the area, all because of Franklin Ross.

Seraphina Sullivan stood perfectly still, her breath catching in her throat.

That guy Franklin Ross’s bloodcurdling screams still echoed in the distance, mingling with the rising and falling roars of the Aberration horde. The entire block had become a playground for monsters.

’I was laying low just fine, and now you pull this crap in the last few minutes?!’ Seraphina cursed inwardly as a thin layer of sweat beaded on her forehead.

She glanced at the instance’s remaining time—4 minutes and 37 seconds left.

If she could just hold out for these few minutes, she would be able to return safely.

The problem was... there were at least a dozen Pryros Aberrations roaming nearby. Their hearing was exceptionally keen. If they discovered her, there was no way she could fight them head-on with her current combat strength.

Aberrations: You’re about to return, so we’ve all gathered for a grand send-off. Are you moved?

Seraphina: So moved I’m frozen in place. No, really, I don’t dare move!

She kept her breathing as shallow as possible, afraid that even the sound of her own heartbeat would attract the monsters.

Her fingers tightened around the Sound Wave Vibration Gun, but Seraphina knew the truth. The High Frequency Interference it emitted could hinder an Aberration, and controlling one or two was no problem. But with so many in front of her, the sounds of battle would only attract more. Besides, the Sound Wave Vibration Gun didn’t have infinite Energy. What would happen when it ran out? Facing countless Aberrations was suicide, and Seraphina had no death wish.

However, the screams soon drew the Aberrations away, lured by that guy Franklin Ross.

Before Seraphina could even let out a sigh of relief,

"Quick, Franklin Ross has led the monsters away! Let’s move!" a low male voice called out.

"The Aberration eggs are in that underground garage up ahead. I heard from someone who killed an Aberration that you get ’Slaughter Points’ for killing them!" said another voice, thick with suppressed excitement.

"I don’t know what these Slaughter Points are actually good for, but they have to be valuable! Maybe we can exchange them for rewards after we return!"

Seraphina narrowed her eyes, observing them through a crack.

Four or five people were furtively making their way toward a shopping mall, holding various weapons. They had clearly come prepared.

Seraphina used [Eye of Resume] to observe them. As expected, they were all Players.

’So that’s how it is...’ Seraphina instantly understood. ’Franklin Ross was just bait. This group’s real target is the Aberration eggs?’

Seraphina was a little curious about the Aberration eggs and the so-called ’Slaughter Points’.

But she had no intention of getting involved.

’Slaughter Points? Rewards? Sounds nice.’

But Seraphina knew better. Anyone who dared to provoke Aberrations at a time like this was either a madman or someone with absolute confidence in their abilities.

And as for her own strength, Seraphina was well aware of her limitations.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t used the Sound Wave Vibration Gun against Aberrations during these seven days. However, the Vibration Gun alone wasn’t enough to actually kill one.

She didn’t want to die. Even with her return imminent, Seraphina felt it was best to just lay low.

In the Doomsday Game, the only true victor was the one who survived to the end.

Just as she was preparing to withdraw quietly,

"BOOM!!!"

A deafening explosion erupted from the direction of the mall, followed by the enraged roars of countless [Aberrations]!

"Damn it!" one of the Players shouted in terror. "Why are there still so many Aberrations guarding this place?!"

"Fuck, the intel was wrong! Retreat! Retreat now! Run!"

But it was already too late.

Countless Pryros Aberrations appeared from everywhere. They locked onto the Players using sound, closed in at high speed, and swung their scythe-like claws.

"SQUELCH!"

One of the Players was sliced in half at the waist before they could even scream!

Seraphina’s breath hitched. She immediately dropped low and began to slowly back away.

’I knew it. Staying out of it was the right call... Protecting my own skin is what matters most!’

However, fate seemed determined to play a cruel joke on her.

After slaughtering the Players, the head of one of the Aberrations turned in Seraphina’s direction.

Seraphina froze.

The Aberration stared.

’Hold your breath. It doesn’t have eyes. It can’t see me!’

It slowly raised its claws and began to approach.

A cold sweat trickled down her back.

Just at that critical moment—

[Ding! Time remaining in instance: 00:00:10]

Seeing the ten-second return countdown, the once-worried Seraphina immediately straightened her back, her fear vanishing.

She even wanted to have a final moment of glory and use the Sound Wave Vibration Gun to teach this thing a lesson, but before she could act,

the return timer ran out.

[Ding! Survival Game - Alien Apocalypse - Instance Complete!]

[Ding! EXP +200!]

[Ding! Worker Talent - Stealing Master Agreement - Ability Activated!]

[Please select one Ability from the Scavenger Profession: ’Scavenging Backpack’ or ’Waste Transformation’.]

Seraphina had already made her choice.

She immediately chose [Scavenging Backpack].

A second after she made her choice, Seraphina vanished from the Alien Apocalypse instance.

The white light before her faded. Seraphina blinked, and the scene before her eyes changed abruptly.

She was no longer in the ruined wasteland of the Alien Apocalypse, but in her familiar office.

The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed, and the computer screen in front of her was still on. In the message window was her boss’s latest demand—a design for "iridescent black."

Just then, a new message from her boss popped up.

Boss: The last proposal won’t work. I want something more high-end.

Seraphina: "..."

Seraphina looked down at her clothes; she was still wearing the same outfit from the [Alien Apocalypse] instance.

"I... I’m back?"

Seraphina could also feel her Scavenging Backpack.

If it weren’t for the sensation of that miraculous Space, Seraphina might have thought the whole experience was just a dream.

Seraphina glanced at the time on her computer. She had survived for seven days in the [Alien Apocalypse], but in reality, it felt like only a moment had passed.

Seraphina didn’t hesitate.

She immediately packed her things and got ready to go home.

She hadn’t forgotten that the system said her world, Azure Star, was beginning to enter an age of apocalypse. No matter what kind of apocalypse it was, Seraphina needed to make preparations.

’I wonder how many people were chosen by the system for the Disaster Game... And I wonder how long it’ll be until the next instance opens.’

As if sensing her thoughts, the system’s voice rang out.

[Ding! The next survival instance will open in 7 days!]

Without hesitation, Seraphina hurried toward her apartment complex.

The people around her, going about their day, were a stark contrast to her frantic rush, as if they had no idea the world had fundamentally changed.

Seeing the people around her, Seraphina wondered,

’Could it be? Were very few people chosen by the system?’

But now wasn’t the time to think about that. Seraphina knew this world was also about to enter an age of apocalypse.

"What kind of apocalypse will it be?" Seraphina didn’t know, but it was never wrong to prepare in advance.

’But before I start prepping, I need to take care of my stomach!’

In the Alien Apocalypse instance, she had been afraid to even eat for fear of attracting the Aberrations’ attention, so she’d spent most of her time starving.

’Now that I’m back, I have to reward my stomach. Hmm, hot pot sounds good.’