episode_0008

Lately, the online forum I used to frequent has been gaining popularity. Honestly, since the internet will disappear once the apocalypse begins, the forum will vanish as well. I’ve already acquired most of the necessary knowledge. So, I casually checked the forum, wondering if any new information might come up. Although I was initially blocked and couldn’t actively participate.

Anyway, observing the increasing speed of post regeneration, I could be certain. “People are gradually preparing for the apocalypse.” Of course, considering the overall ratio, this kind of reaction is a minority. Most people are still skeptically viewing the idea of doomsday and living their ordinary lives. The evidence for betting their lives on it was still weak. If the world were to end like in a game, with zombies appearing on the streets and guns turning to dust, would there be doctors available for appointments? The same goes for those who hoard food. They’re more likely to be swept away by the current trend than genuinely concerned.

And honestly… half-hearted food storage only attracts zombies and looters, making survival even more difficult. People like me, who build underground shelters and prepare for the apocalypse, probably number less than a thousand. “But that’s just how it is for some people.” To build a proper shelter or hideout, one must bet their own life. Isn’t this a country where you have to spend billions or tens of billions just to buy an apartment? Frankly, how many people in our country even own a piece of land? Buying land there and constructing a shelter through construction work? Unless you’re completely insane, it’s not easy.

So, for now, I can only shake my head and deny the possibility of such things happening. “Humans, by nature, focus on hearing what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear.” In the first place, the only evidence of the apocalypse is that unerasable mysterious website and a game called “Last Day.” It can still be considered a kind of conspiracy theory. It’s a miracle that there are even people who believe to this extent. If it’s the power of the internet, then it must be powerful. Of course, their complacent choices will indeed lead them to their demise.

“Hmm, it looks well-cooked.” With that thought in mind, I stirred the fish fried rice I had made. Now that the apocalypse is about to begin, I’m also learning how to cook.

“Although it’s a bit of a hassle, cooking fish is gradually becoming a routine. Since I started fishing, the number of fish I have to deal with has increased. My fishing mentor, my grandfather, never allows me to simply throw away the fish without eating them. I somewhat agree with him on that point. If you take a life, it’s only proper to at least eat it. Thanks to that, it became a daily occurrence for me to eat grilled fish that I personally cooked while watching survival cooking videos on YouTube. ‘Hmm… Should I try eating while watching someone cook and eat maggot larvae today?’ Being alone in this cramped bunker makes me talk to myself more often. Feeling a bit disheartened, I scrolled down the YouTube page. Then, I stumbled upon a video that I couldn’t possibly ignore. [The trending game ‘Last Day’! A hardcore gamer who played until the end reveals all!] ‘…Who does this guy think he is?’ Daring to claim that he’s the last player? I clicked on the video out of curiosity. Personally, I don’t view internet trolls in a negative light. Honestly, they do it because they want attention. Even if it’s something that popular insiders might not understand, this is our reality. And if it’s a YouTuber directly related to our livelihood, there’s no need to say anything. In this harsh world, if you want attention, you have to show off a little. …But this has crossed the line. [Oh, of course, gentlemen~ I’m a genuine hardcore gamer. But since all the evidence disappeared, I can’t prove it.][Oh, should I tell you this too? That website isn’t the end, you know? Now that destruction is imminent, the countdown in the sky will begin.] [I really am that hardcore gamer. Remember when the message board went crazy after I stabbed the boss zombie with the legendary sword? I uploaded a video at the end, and that’s also a memory.] It’s not a boss zombie, it’s a ghoul. And I killed it with an axe, not a sword. All my great achievements were gradually becoming someone else’s due to a single slip of the tongue. -Bam! ‘How dare you belittle my life’s accomplishments!’ I only have one thing to boast about in this world, clearing a boss in a crappy game! Do you really have to take everything away… Does it make you feel satisfied?! ‘…’ Well, enough excitement for now. I looked at the video with cold eyes.”

Honestly, I don’t know what this person is thinking.

“Is he just a YouTuber trying to seize an opportunity to make money?”

Revealing this information at this timing is not beneficial.

It will probably just end with some attention for now.

But what if a disaster really occurs?

Once it stirs up this much controversy, there’s no choice but to become a target.

Whether it’s the government, conglomerates, or even looters.

If the world collapses, torturing people for information will become a daily routine.

Why do our hardcore fans stay quiet?

It’s obvious what will happen when their true identities are exposed.

But this guy… He didn’t even cover his face.

Is he insane?

“Or maybe he doesn’t believe in the apocalypse and is trying to make a name for himself instead.”

Given the topic, it was certain to gain popularity.

As far as I know, there were no serious discussions about “Last Day” on YouTube or any community.

Perhaps due to its recent popularity, the number of live viewers was quite high.

There were even chats praising him for revealing information.

However… the content was laughably inadequate.

“Only three episodes? What a disappointment.”

Of course, “Last Day” is notoriously difficult from the prologue itself.

Just breaking through that puts you in the minority.

But as a seasoned player, it seemed ridiculous to me.

Above all, perhaps my memories have faded after such a long time.

His words contained a lot of misinformation.

He’s explaining how to protest at a grocery store…

If you do that in the game, you’re as good as dead.

Even zombies and monsters actively search for food.

Those who fill their bellies become stronger, so extra caution is necessary.

“I expected this guy to cause trouble.”

People are naturally opportunistic.

And unfortunately, it’s a reality that those who seize opportunities quickly rise to success.

Well, luckily for me, I’m not part of that rotten rope.

“I guess it’s better this way.”

It may sound strange, but… I was somewhat famous in “Last Day.”

The first to defeat the boss ghoul, a loyal player until the end.

No hardcore gamer could surpass the tower of achievements I built.

They might not know, but I bet they’re desperately searching for me behind the scenes.

Honestly, I slept clutching an axe, fully prepared for the possibility of the FBI showing up in sunglasses in the middle of the night. Maybe that bastard will absorb some of the aggression. “Is it fortunate that all records have disappeared? No matter what happens, they won’t be able to find me.” I have no intention of being used as a pawn. Even if everything crumbles, I plan to live comfortably on my own terms, just as I always have. …Still, leaving this bastard alone is a bit complicated. It was during those thoughts on how to deal with this fake guy that suddenly one chat message caught my attention.

Excited Guy: Are you sure about your statement right now? I used to be a gamer, and your story is very different from mine.

“Games have been around for a long time, updates happen, and there can be memory confusion. But my information is accurate.”

Excited Guy: Can you do the same to someone who might die because of incorrect information?

“No, why are you picking a fight with someone who’s trying to provide information? If you don’t like it, leave.”

Excited Guy: I also know about the “Final Legend” you mentioned. No matter how much I think about it, I can’t imagine that such an amazing player could be you.

“Hey, fucker. You keep talking nonsense. Hey, where do you li-”

Excited Guy: You’re dead.

[The broadcast has ended.]

“Huh?”

Was it because of the profanity?

Or perhaps due to the unease that his own flaws might be exposed.

The broadcast suddenly ended.

Unbeknownst to me, my head involuntarily turned at the exact moment.

“Ugh, scary. The world is full of strange things.”

That person I was chatting with doesn’t seem genuine anymore.

Well, that’s probably not the case.

Anyway, I was satisfied because the broadcast had ended.

I don’t know the exact reason, but that YouTuber never appeared again.

Did they get eaten by a passing monster?

Well, of course not.

Personally, I think they might have been kidnapped by some information agency.

“Hmm, this is why you shouldn’t mock people recklessly.”

Still, this YouTuber’s information wasn’t entirely useless.

Their statement created a turning point.

-So, when destruction approaches, a countdown appears in the sky, right? I just need to verify that.

Countdown signaling the beginning of destruction.

The true prologue of ‘Last Day.’

People in distress now desired visible evidence.