Doomsday:I Empty Global Resources

Zhang Qiqi was sharp-witted—how could she fail to grasp the implications behind Liu Dahong's words?

"Exactly! Manager Liu truly has visionary insight, the makings of a great leader. From what Qiming told me, the official supplies will last at most three days. Given these extreme temperatures, the fact that they managed this single delivery is already a godsend for the people! As for what comes after... well, you'll see.

Once supplies run short, chaos will inevitably erupt in Repulse Bay's temporary underground shelter! When that happens, your property management team and the Homeowners' Committee—being the official liaisons—will naturally become public enemy number one. People might even start suspecting you've hoarded supplies for yourselves!"

Her listeners were stunned into silence.

Zhang Qiming had initially felt some unease hearing Zhang Qiqi's words.

But that final remark ignited the smoldering flames of his thirst for power and control, sending them roaring to life:

"So by reducing the population, we'd actually be conserving supplies for ourselves. And whether we choose to redistribute those supplies to residents would be entirely our decision. Whoever controls the supplies controls the resources—and with that, the power of speech! After that, the entire Repulse Bay would be ours to command! Isn't that right, Brother Liu?"

Listening to him, Zhang Qiqi scoffed inwardly: What a spineless opportunist this man is, abandoning principles at the drop of a hat!

Who wouldn't jump at the chance to transition from serving residents to ruling over them, all while securing supplies to build their own enterprise?

Several property managers seemed swayed, rubbing their hands in anticipation as they looked eagerly at Liu Dahong.

Liu Dahong took a deep drag from his unlit cigarette, holding the smoke in his mouth.

After frowning in thought for several seconds, he finally raised his eyes to sweep a cold gaze across the group and declared in a grave voice:

"This operation is feasible, but I must emphasize two points:

1.

Only those present can know about this. The rest of the property staff and your remaining Homeowners' Committee members, Brother Zhang—absolute secrecy!

2.

We wait until the official supply trucks have left before acting. Under no circumstances can we be discovered!"

-

Meanwhile.

After exiting the residential compound, Jiang Yan found a secluded corner to stow away her supply-filled backpack.

From her dimension, she retrieved two fully charged Electric Mosquito Swatters.

These swatters had been purchased online earlier—not anticipating mutant mosquitoes, she hadn't bought many.

Only about ten or so.

Fortunately, all were fully charged and ready for immediate use.

Though given that some mosquitoes were now larger than the swatters themselves, she wondered how effective they'd actually be.

Gripping one swatter in each hand, Jiang Yan hurried toward the nearby shopping center.

The devastation surrounding her was complete.

Not a single living soul moved on the streets.

Were it not for the occasional figures watching furtively from apartment windows, she might have thought she'd entered a city of the dead.

Charred skeletons of spontaneously combusted vehicles appeared at intervals.

Several buildings showed evidence of past fires, their surfaces blackened.

The ground and roads were littered with desiccated corpses—both animal and human.

Among the animal remains, pigeons and stray cats predominated, along with various unidentifiable bird species.

Through the rippling heat waves, black ash permeated the air indiscriminately.

Whether road dust or cremation residue was impossible to tell.

"Smack!"

Not far away, a corpse was thrown out from a building.

The moment it hit the ground, a swarm of mosquitoes lurking in the shadows—as if equipped with radar—instantly surged toward it.

A window slammed shut with a loud "bang."

Jiang Yan barely batted an eyelid, already numb to such scenes.

The time was inching closer to 5:30 p.m.

The streets were teeming with more and more mosquitoes.

The irritating "buzzing" sounds began to rise from all directions.

And with the mosquitoes' mutation, the noise had grown much louder—as if their wings were fitted with cheap amplifiers.

Before their mutation, mosquitoes were merely annoying.

Fragile, easily killed with a single swat.

But now, enlarged, their fuzzy antennae and sharp, elongated proboscises were nearly half the length of her forearm.

Their hind legs, marked with white stripes, were even more terrifying—almost as long as her entire arm.

And once crushed, their proboscises—filled with venom, anticoagulants, and anesthetics—would snap off inside their victim's body.

The thought alone was horrifying!

No wonder these Blood Mosquitoes were so aggressive.

Jiang Yan furrowed her brow and quickened her pace.

Her apartment on the 32nd floor had mosquitoes at night too, but compared to the lower floors, the numbers were far fewer.

Plus, the soundproof glass muffled the noise, making it far less overwhelming than what she was experiencing now.

She wore a Chinese Herbal Mosquito Repellent Sachet and a sealed Heat-resistant suit, which reduced her appeal to the mosquitoes.

But that didn't stop them from circling around her.

After all, it was rare to encounter a living, moving target on the streets these days.

These mosquitoes had already drained whatever they could over the past two days.

The sporadic corpses tossed outside and the few who ventured out at night—desperate for food or relocation—were barely enough to satisfy their hunger.

"Buzz buzz buzz."

"Buzz buzz buzz."

Two Blood Mosquitoes couldn't resist and launched an attack.

"Smack!"

"Smack!"

With swift swings of her hands, she knocked the two mosquitoes unconscious. Their long legs twitched briefly before going still.

Perhaps because of their size, these mosquitoes weren't fried by the electric shock.

But at the same time, the others noticed Jiang Yan.

Whether wary of her herbal sachet or the Electric Mosquito Swatter in her hand, the mosquitoes didn't attack immediately upon closing in.

Instead, like the first two, they buzzed irritably, hovering in the air as they followed her, observing.

At a glance, it looked as if she had a shifting dark cloud hovering above her head.

Jiang Yan's heart sank—had these mosquitoes developed intelligence?

Just one more street to cross before reaching the shopping center.

But she didn't dare let her guard down, her steps growing faster.

A quick glance confirmed that most of the shopping center's storefronts had shattered glass—especially those selling food, drinks, phones, and watches. None had been spared.

In truth, the extreme heat had only begun less than three days ago.

Residents of Repulse Bay could still stay safely indoors, even relocate underground tonight, with supplies delivered by the authorities.

But not everyone had such privileges.

Like the old neighborhood she had just passed—no underground parking for shelter.

They either endured a sauna-like home or risked venturing out at night to makeshift shelters or nearby underground garages and supermarkets.

Beyond that, only death awaited.

Some might not even have a home to begin with.

So taking advantage of the chaos for some "zero-dollar shopping" was within expectations.

Those mosquitoes were still buzzing in circles above her head.

Just out of reach of the electric mosquito swatter she held up.

After walking for over ten minutes, even wearing a heat-resistant suit and with her improved physical stamina, Jiang Yan still felt drenched in sweat.

This dampness from perspiration seeped through her clothing and the scent of Chinese herbs, wisp by wisp into the stifling hot air.

To the mosquitoes, it was utterly irresistible.