There was no key for 1803. Nadia searched for potential tools to pry open the door. But before she could put her plan into action, Levi stepped forward, a curious single-hooked tool glinting in his hand. With surprising dexterity, he manipulated the lock, and within minutes, the door swung open. Speechless and flustered, Nadia could only stare, a bead of sweat trickling down her temple. She suddenly felt that the security of her own home was far from ideal. A chuckle escaped Jasmine's lips. "Don't worry, Nadia. He's been tinkering with locks for the past two days." The unit boasted three bedrooms and a generous living area, each room meticulously furnished with high-quality pieces shrouded in dust covers. Clearly, the owners were people of means as they didn't rent it out. A pang of guilt pricked at Jasmine's conscience. They were essentially trespassing, and she said to Levi, "We're just staying here temporarily. Let's not use furniture we don't need and return everything precisely as we found it when we leave." Opting for a room with the least amount of furniture, the trio embarked on a cleaning mission, Nadia readily joining their efforts. The grandeur of the interior was undeniable, but the balcony didn't have a glass door. Instead, only stainless steel wires separated the living space from the elements, and there was water everywhere. Nadia's quick inventory check revealed a dwindling stock of noodles and only half a bag of bread remaining. They could survive on this until after the typhoon. Nadia made a resolute decision not to help them lest they relied on her too much. Nadia had prepared some food for Levi and Caleb, ensuring they received only the essentials as she didn't want to raise any suspicions. Fending for themselves was a necessary skill in this new reality. After a thorough cleaning, Nadia bade her tired companions goodbye before returning to her own house.As expected, the close proximity of neighbors fostered a sense of community. Visitors trickled in throughout the day, and Nadia concealed any items that might arouse suspicion. She had a scrumptious lunch which consisted of chicken soup, BBQ ribs, spinach, and a slice of watermelon. Awakening from a nap, Nadia realized that there was no internet. Disconnected from the virtual world, a wave of loneliness washed over her. Nadia turned to a familiar source of solace—exercise. She was rather fit. In college, she had joined the taekwondo, tai chi, and military boxing self-defense club. She had learned sanda from Jasmine. She wasn't particularly good in any of them, but she picked things up quickly. Two hours of vigorous exercise later, a sense of calm settled over Nadia. She was sweating profusely and felt tired. The harsh reality of the apocalypse demanded self-improvement. Nadia devised a strict daily schedule. Two hours were dedicated to physical conditioning, three hours to study traditional medicine, and another two hours to acquire basic surgical knowledge. Her living space had transformed into a makeshift library, overflowing with books pilfered from the school library. She had the next few years to study them. Nadia added psychology books to her collection. She had to get started on them soon. Those who survived in the apocalypse were plagued by mental health issues. There were people who committed suicide, harmed themselves, and took revenge on society. Nadia's mental health had also been affected negatively. The harsh reality of the apocalypse was taking its toll and causing irritability, anxiety, and a tendency to bottle things up. As a precaution, she stockpiled antidepressants, hoping to avoid relying on them if possible. Despite her best efforts to seal the windows, a persistent dampness clung to the air within the space. To combat this, Nadia purchased large compression bags, perfect for storing out-of-season clothing and bedding. She hung wet clothes on the balcony in the domain for the sun to dry.The black soil within the domain was mysterious. Even though time moved at the same speed in the domain, vegetables grew faster and better. Potato chunks, nestled in their planting pots, were pushing their way toward the sunlight, eager to burst forth. Even the grape vines seemed to be awakening. After leaving the domain, Nadia found some thick plastic boards. She used them as drain covers and placed heavy stones on top. There were many cockroaches due to the rain, and later, all kinds of bugs would get into her house from the drain. Flushing the toilet during heavy rain became an exercise in futility. While the residents on the higher floors seemed relatively unaffected, those below, particularly on the second and third floors, weren't so fortunate. Before the internet connection mercifully sputtered and died, their group chat had been filled with complaints. They said the toilets were overflowing with and were pleading for those above to show some consideration and stop flushing. In reality, the residents on the higher floors weren't in a good situation either. While the water flowed freely, the stench that emanated from the drains grew stronger with each passing day. Anticipating potential problems, Nadia had stockpiled black plastic bags. The temptation to simply toss them down the overflowing chute was strong, but she held back and planned to solve this issue in the domain. Just as she was preparing to cook, Jasmine knocked on the door. A full day of sleep had done wonders for both of them. Jasmine offered alcohol wipes, but Nadia declined as she was well-stocked. Stepping onto the balcony, Jasmine's eyes widened in surprise. Lush vegetables basked in the sunlight, and rabbits hopped contentedly in their cages. "Nadia, no wonder Levi said you could survive on your own even in the middle of nowhere," she exclaimed. Nadia had never been shy about her love of hoarding and gardening, so she saw no need to be coy. But she still needed to explain some things. "I was lucky. A few days before the typhoon hit, Caleb asked me to put together a large order of medicine for him. Apparently, it was a rich kid who's obsessed with this doomsday game. When I delivered the supplies, he surprised me with a survival kit as a thank you." The kit, she explained, contained a variety of useful items, including a rubber dinghy and an earthquake first-aid kit. Jasmine and Levi exchanged a stunned look. "Hearing all this really makes it feel like the end of the world is upon us." Their sentiment echoed the anxieties of many. In the days following the typhoon's wrath, social media had been flooded with posts. Having lived for nearly two decades, they had never witnessed a disaster of this magnitude. Moreover, not only the south was affected. The silence from the outside world and the complete lack of rescue efforts only amplified their terror. A shadow of doubt crossed Levi's mind. Had those dandies gotten wind of something? The timing of the survival kit seemed too perfect to be a coincidence. Back in their old building, a young man, already grappling with depression, had succumbed to his demons. Starving and desperate, he had chosen a tragic end, leaping from the building into the murky depths below. It was really an apocalypse. Levi broke the silence. "Are you still in touch with Caleb?" Nadia shook her head. She had used the money earned from buying medicine to stock up on supplies, placing online orders and having them delivered anonymously right to Caleb's doorstep. Anything beyond that, she decided, was up to him. Caleb had always been a good friend. He was loyal and generous, but he lacked love and only dated women significantly older. He ignored all the advice his friends gave him, and eventually, Nadia stopped worrying about him. "He has a new girlfriend," Levi revealed, a hint of bitterness in his smile. "An older woman, divorced with two kids. The daughter is ten and the son is eight. The woman seems off. Like she's just using him for a meal." Nadia was rendered speechless. "Is he looking for a girlfriend or a mother figure?"Levi sighed, looking weary. "Who knows? Those who grew up in an orphanage have issues." He wasn't immune to similar ridicule himself, often labeled a gigolo living off his girlfriend. Despite his stumbles, Caleb never complained. Nadia, remembering her own foolish infatuation with Wayne, decided against judgment. Everyone had free will, and all she could hope for was their happiness. In her past life, Nadia's path had never crossed with Caleb's even after she died. Whether he even survived this brutal new reality remained a mystery. Lost in conversation in the living room, their peaceful moment was shattered by a shriek from the balcony. "Come here, quick! A tornado!" Jasmine's voice, laced with panic, pierced the air. Nadia rushed outside. Jasmine stood frozen in shock. Following her gaze, Nadia's breath hitched. Two enormous tornadoes, dark and menacing, were swirling ominously in the distance.