Jiang Yuan leaned against the wardrobe, waiting ten full minutes before the footsteps outside finally faded.
He didn't let his guard down. He activated the phone's Danger Prediction again, confirming the hallway was clear, before slowly moving the wardrobe aside.
The crack in the door was a grim reminder. The black liquid had dried into dark, crusty patches.
He took a deep breath and began scavenging the apartment for anything useful.
In the folding table drawer: half a pack of biscuits, a bottle of water, and a lighter.
In the kitchen cabinet: two packs of instant noodles and half a bottle of soy sauce.
At the bottom of the wardrobe: his half-year savings, a stack of cash—now completely worthless.
"This will last two days, max." Jiang Yuan frowned.
He went to the window, carefully pulling back a corner of the curtain to look outside.
The street below was in total chaos.
Several cars had crashed together, burning fiercely, thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
A few ragged figures sprinted down the road, chased by twisted creatures with glowing red eyes in the gloom.
"I have to get out of here." Jiang Yuan decided.
He stuffed all the food and water into a backpack, strapped the fruit knife to his waist, and looked at the mysterious phone one last time.
On the screen, new text appeared:
[Detected host's intention to leave the apartment. Activate route planning?]
[Route planned: Proceed to nearest supermarket. Estimated travel time: 15 minutes. 3 fatal threats detected en route.]
Jiang Yuan's gaze hardened.
15 minutes. 3 fatal threats.
It was his chance. And his death line.
He gripped the phone, took a deep breath, and pulled open the apartment door.
The hallway was pitch-black. Only the blue glow of the phone lit his way forward.
His fight for survival in the apocalypse had officially begun.