Rebirth in the apocalypse

Eugene jolted upright from the bed, gasping for air, beads of cold sweat rolling down his forehead. He had just experienced an incredibly vivid dream.

In the dream, the world was engulfed in an unending hailstorm. Hailstones the size of ping-pong balls pelted down everywhere, easily shattering ordinary glass and not sparing car windshields either. Thick fog enveloped everything, making it nearly impossible for anyone to venture outside. The temperature had plummeted as well—not cold enough to turn people into ice sculptures, but hovering around minus ten degrees Celsius.

In the middle of June!

By the fourth day in the dream, the power grid collapsed, and countless people froze to death overnight. What made it even more chilling was that the hailstones were toxic! Any liquid touched by the hailstones would cause plants to wither instantly, contaminating water sources. Drinking even a small amount would lead to nausea, vomiting, and excruciating pain, while larger amounts would result in immediate death.

Everyone was trapped, with dwindling supplies. And when food and clean water ran out, the most horrifying thing happened.

Cannibalism!

But Eugene could never have imagined that he would be ambushed by his wife's family, who proceeded to gruesomely dismember him alive!

No, this wasn't a dream.

Clutching his head, Eugene found the 15-day apocalypse experience all too real. So real that he could remember every minute detail, especially the excruciating pain of being torn apart in the end.

"There's only one possibility."

"I... I've returned!"

"Now is the time!"

When did the apocalypse happen?

June 1st!

He remembered it vividly, as that was the day he planned to take his son to the amusement park. Instead, as soon as they stepped outside, the hailstorm began, and he was struck by a hailstone, the pain almost unbearable.

Which meant there were still three whole months until the end of the world.

"I need to make money, gather enough food for a lifetime, gather supplies for a lifetime, and build a doomsday shelter that can withstand the hailstones and fend off those who would try to forcefully take it."

How to make money?

Simple!

Because Eugene was a man returned from the future, with precise knowledge of the stock market trends for the next three months.

His hobby was analyzing market trends and following stocks.

But where would the initial capital come from?

Lottery.

He vividly remembered the winning numbers for the next draw. He had played with 2 dollars, matched five numbers, and the jackpot had already reached over 2.5 billion. With 100 tickets, he could claim the highest prize.

With the capital secured, and most of the stock market trends crystal clear, making money was not a problem.

"But the first thing is... divorce!"

Eugene's eyes were cold, remembering how in his previous life, not only was he cannibalized by his wife's family, but his wife also revealed a big secret before he breathed his last.

His son wasn't his!

He couldn't rest in peace.

"You wretch!"

Eugene clenched his fists tightly, madness gleaming in his eyes.

He would have his revenge! He would have justice!

"I won't let you all die so easily!"

Eugene was an orphan, who had worked hard to get into college and landed a decent job. It was during that time he met Claire Walker, a sweet-faced nurse, through a friend. Her father had just retired, with a modest pension, and a younger brother still in college.

They hit it off quickly, and under Claire's gentle persuasion, Eugene agreed to marry into the Walker family as their son-in-law.

Being an orphan, he didn't place much importance on continuing the family line; what he craved was the warmth of a family.

After marriage, despite his wife's sudden coldness, and the hostility from his father-in-law and younger brother-in-law, Eugene was content in the happiness of having his own child on the way. He chose to selectively ignore the rest.

After his son was born, Eugene took on even more responsibilities, tirelessly changing diapers and preparing formula in the dead of night, all by himself. In the Walker family, he appeared to be a son-in-law but was essentially a servant.

What was even more ridiculous?

All his income had to be handed over, leaving him with a meager allowance of only $200 per month. And what about his brother-in-law, Dash Walker?

During his studies, Dash had spent lavishly, and even after graduation, he struggled to hold onto a job for long. Yet, he often splurged on hotels and restaurants with his girlfriend. Now Eugene knew whose money Dash was using.

His!

But what angered Eugene the most was the revelation that the son he had raised for three years, pouring all his heart and soul into, was not his biological child. He was merely a pitiful, laughable pawn!

"I won't let any of the wealth I accumulate in the future touch a single cent of yours! The supplies I gather, you can only watch. I won't even spare a crumb of bread for you!"

"And I will kill you all in the most brutal way!"

Eugene got up from the bed, about to put on his shoes when he suddenly froze.

He realized that his thoughts were connecting to a vast, boundless space.

"Is this... another dimension?"

With a thought, Eugene's phone in his hand disappeared abruptly, seemingly into the alternate dimension. He could "see" clearly through his thoughts that the phone was now in this otherworldly realm.

Then, with another thought, the phone reappeared in his hand.

Eugene's mouth fell open in astonishment.

"Not only have I returned from the apocalypse, but I also possess extraordinary abilities!"

"Now... how much supplies can I hoard?"

Eugene couldn't contain his excitement. This could solve a crucial problem with the safe house: no need to allocate a large area specifically for a warehouse. Plus, food needs to be preserved, so controlling the temperature, humidity, and other factors in a warehouse would reduce the complexity of design and construction by how much?

"The emergence of this ability further proves that it wasn't just a dream."

Eugene's expression was resolute.

After a quick gathering of essentials, he walked to the door and flung it open.

"What time is it? And you're just getting up?" Father-in-law Chris Walker nearly hurled his tea cup, glaring fiercely. "Get to washing the dishes and cooking!"

Eugene "thought" back. He had a headache this morning and called in sick to work, informing Claire as well. But as soon as he stepped out, he was greeted with Chris's treatment, making Eugene feel as though he was about to be dismembered again before dying, with Chris holding a cleaver, ready to chop him into pieces.

He stared coldly at Chris, seething with murderous rage, itching to end this old beast's life right then and there.

But he couldn't act rashly.

Killing now meant facing the consequences with his life, and simply killing this old beast would let him off too easily.

Under Eugene's intense gaze, Chris's aura weakened momentarily. His eyes seemed terrifying, as if he would pull out a knife and finish him off any moment.

Chris immediately turned from angry to embarrassed, slamming his fist on the table. "You've gone mad, you insolent brat! Daring to stare me down!"

Eugene walked over and with a loud slap, struck Chris across the face.

This slap was filled with all his anger, sending the old man sprawling across the table. Just then, Chris's wife, Dawn, rushed out with their grandchild, screaming in shock. The child, scared by the commotion, burst into tears.

Eugene had always cherished his son the most, but now, all he felt was anger and disgust.

Indeed, the child didn't resemble him, but he had never doubted, thinking it was due to his wife's strong genes. But now... the child was wearing a bright green hat.

How ridiculous, how pathetic!

A provoked honest man was a dangerous one.

Eugene walked over, snipped off a lock of the child's hair, and gave a cold smile before storming out, slamming the door.

Just ten minutes later, the phone rang.

Eugene answered, and immediately, Claire's furious voice roared through the receiver. "Eugene, have you gone insane? How dare you hit my father?"

"Divorce," Eugene replied coldly, without acknowledging her.