Reality Hacker: Apocalypse Loop

Wang Zichen swigged the drink, words then dropping like heavy stones and saying out loud:

 "One rule that is universal in [Apocalypse Online]:

 If every player dies..." 

He locked eyes with Ethan.

> SYSTEM WARNING FLASHED RED!

[[ PROTOCOL: ANNIHILATION ]] 

☠️ CATASTROPHIC FAILURE = REALITY ☠️ 

<< All player deaths trigger cataclysm in reality >> 

"... that apocalypse becomes REALITY."

Ethan's breath caught.

Death in-game... equals Armageddon?

> TIER UNLOCKED: ANNIHILATION-CLASS 

| RECORD | SURVIVORS | EVENT | 

|-------------|-----------|------------------| 

| 10Y AGO | 1 | Lunar Collision | 

| CLASSIFIED | 0 | [REDACTED] | 

Wang's finger went to the redacted line. 

"Decades ago. Everyone died, but still..." 

There was a suffocating pause. 

"... it never happened. You are just in limbo."

> SYSTEM NOTICE: {PROPHECY-CLASS PRIVILEGE}

▣ POWER NULLIFICATION ZONES: 

 {Disaster-class may sack skills} 

▣ EXCEPTION: 

 {PROPHECY CLASS ALWAYS ACTIVE} 

 << Why the gov hoards seers >>

"Disaster zones may sack powers." Wang's eyes gleamed at Ethan. 

"Except prophecy. These are the national treasures of China."

DING-DONG!

Doorbell screamed. 

Both Ethan and Wan-er jolted upwards.

Wang waved his hand. 

"Relax! This is my cleaner. Half-senile old..."

"WAIT!" Ethan hit the door shut.

Looked through peephole. 

Same woman. Same hands which had RIPPED A TOILET APART.

> DEATH REPLAY ENABLED!

[ VISUAL ARCHIVE: CLEANER ] 

- ACTION: WT shredded bunker entrance 

- THREAT LEVEL: Catastrophe-class 

"In the future, I saw her shred your bunker."

Wang looked as pale as a ghost. 

"But this is only BA," Ethan stepped back.

"Let her in. Stay in character!" 

The cleaner looked at him, and rasped:

"Keys, sir? Time to clean." 

Wang forced a smile. He handed over the keyring.

"All rooms. Take your time." 

"So many..." The cleaner reached—

Wrinkles stood out, presumably, in a smile—

Ethan saw it.

THE MICRO-TWITCH FROM HER LIP. 

"DOWN!" He lunged for Wang. 

> COMBAT ALERT! 

❗ HOSTILE TRANSFORMATION DETECTED ❗ 

[ Flesh mutation: 87% ] 

[ Speed: 0.2s → Claw extension ] 

TOO LATE: 

Her eye-balls SHOT OUT FORWARD on gelatinous stalks. 

Scaled claws SLICED toward Wang's neck— 

RRIIIP! 

Claws tore through Ethan's shirt. 

FIRED UP HIS BACK.

Blood bloomed onto the fabric as her body BULGED— 

Green mold SPROUTING from skull. 

SHRIEK: 

"FRESH MEAT!!!"