Chapter 2, Time Waits for No One
Only when the channels are completely open will a large amount of vital energy surge in. With sufficient vital energy, humans will have awakened individuals. In other words, the timing of awakening determines a person's future. In the previous life, Wu Ming successfully awakened eight months after the disaster occurred, which is relatively late compared to others
Thinking of this, Wu Ming felt somewhat pressed for time
This type of monster is officially classified as a Level 1 creature in the New World. In this realm, many awakened individuals who have gained powerful abilities can easily eliminate them. However, at present, the emergence of parasitic beetles is undoubtedly a disaster
According to Wu Ming's memory, in the next seven days, more cards will fall from the sky, and then they will all be activated at around 9 PM on September 10.
Coincidentally, Wu Ming is aware of the structure of this device. It would not be a difficult task to manufacture it. Moreover, although this is merely the first collision between two spaces, tiny spatial wormholes already exist, allowing free vital energy to seep through. By collecting it earlier, there is a possibility of awakening sooner.
As Wu Ming stepped out of the company building, he took a deep breath, and at that moment, his phone rang
As for why Wu Ming is so certain, it is because he has seen the same news report
Only by becoming an awakened one can one hope to survive; this is of utmost importance
At that time, he, like others, engaged in a very curious discussion about this headline news. Of course, they merely treated it as an amusing anecdote, as it did not concern them. Within a couple of days, it faded from memory, and no one sought to uncover the truth of the matter.
However, this time, since he has been reborn and has the opportunity to experience everything again, Wu Ming will absolutely not sit idly by as he did in his previous life
And this coincides with the book, as Wu Ming intends to awaken as early as possible
Upon seeing the news on the screen titled 'Meteorite Fall', Wu Ming let out a cold laugh. The news itself is false; indeed, objects have fallen from the sky around the world, causing damage to numerous buildings, but those are not the 'meteorites' mentioned in the news, rather they are something else.
Upon taking it out, Wu Ming smiled; it was a call from Li Xia. Wu Ming knew that Li Xia would definitely call to ask if he had gone mad, yet he answered the phone.
All of this is something Wu Ming cannot possibly stop, or rather, he lacks the ability to do so. As an ordinary person, Wu Ming's greatest advantage is his self-awareness. He cannot save the world; what he can do is to make adequate preparations to face the impending disaster before those cards are activated.
If at this moment there were an 'Awakener' to collect them, they would be able to obtain those invaluable cards, but it is clearly impossible at this time
In the new world, humanity has ingeniously invented a "Vitality Collection Device" that can gather the "vitality" from their travels. By accumulating small amounts, even those with low potential can gradually awaken. In his previous life, Wu Ming had to sell everything he owned to purchase this "Vitality Collection" device from others, and only after eight months did he barely manage to awaken.
Perhaps due to his experience of surviving in a new world, Wu Ming immediately calmed down and focused his attention, which was something he could achieve only after long-term training
Wu Ming understood that the card contained a unique energy known as 'Vital Energy.' When it descended, it would be enveloped by a powerful Vital Energy protective shield, creating friction with the air similar to that of a meteorite falling. This protective shield would also last for a period of time to safeguard the card from damage. In other words, even a bomb would be unable to destroy the card; let alone destruction, it could not even be moved.
This is a critical period where every second counts; how could Wu Ming possibly waste time writing some nonsensical documentation? Xiang Mingzheng was about to return to his office to brew a cup of coffee to refresh himself, but unexpectedly, Wu Ming approached him, said five words directly, and then left without a word.
At that moment, he organized the items that needed to be prepared, wrote them down on a piece of paper, and then quickly finished his breakfast before immediately getting up to leave
The so-called Awakened Ones are those who have transformed and enhanced their bodies using vital energy. The strength, speed, and reflexes of the Awakened Ones are significantly superior to those of ordinary individuals. The most notable difference is that the Awakened Ones can utilize vital energy to harness the power of cards
However, at this moment, Wu Ming is no longer the Wu Ming he used to be
After finishing the call with Li Xia, Wu Ming arrived at a roadside breakfast stall, ordered a meal for himself, and carefully planned the tasks to be accomplished over the next seven days
I am done!
Wu Ming has many things to do; he does not want to live like he did in his previous life. He wants to make ample preparations to welcome the great change that will occur in seven days
At that moment, the course of human history will be irrevocably altered
Upon hearing the news, Wu Ming felt extremely indignant. However, at that moment, it was naturally impossible for Wu Ming to explain anything to Li Xia and could only think of a reason to brush it off for the time being
In addition, a substantial amount of disaster response supplies must be prepared. It is important to note that seven days after the first wave of cards is forcibly activated, various terrifying monsters will emerge, with parasitic beetles being just one of them. Therefore, it is also necessary to prepare some self-defense equipment
In the office, one could hear a pin drop, and even after Wu Ming stepped out, the words that had just been uttered, which left everyone in disbelief, still echoed in their ears.
I indeed died, but I do not know the reason. I was reborn three years ago, just before the great disaster occurred. Although this event is incredible, it truly happened.
Hello, Project Manager
If certain cards are not stored, they will automatically trigger 'activation' after a specified time limit
Indeed, Wu Ming chose to resign, which was a decision he had to make. Any person with a sound mind would know that if a terrible disaster is going to occur in seven days, they could not possibly continue working. As for adding the term 'I' at the beginning, that is purely a matter of personal preference; Wu Ming had long found Xiang Ming displeasing.
If it were a usual situation, although Wu Ming would feel angry, he would certainly endure it and then seize the time to write the document. After all, while Xiang Ming is a jerk, this job is considered high-paying. For the sake of this job, Wu Ming would not easily confront his immediate superior.
Seven days may not seem long, yet every moment must be seized.
The alternate dimension has not yet fully opened, and naturally, the mysterious vital energy that can awaken humanity has not permeated this world. Without any awakened individuals, the cards cannot possibly be collected.
Clearly, Wu Ming is aware of how terrifying the events that will occur in seven days are
Wu Ming knew that the first wave of cards that fell from the sky last night consisted mostly of 'Parasite Beetle' cards. Once a Parasite Beetle card is activated, the creature will be released. The Parasite Beetle is an extremely terrifying monster; it can break through the skin and burrow into the human body, parasitizing the brain. Those who are infected will transform into a type of insect-human, exhibiting extreme ferocity. As Wu Ming is aware, many humans have died at the hands of these insect-humans. The Parasite Beetle is an extremely terrifying monster; it can break through the skin and burrow into the human body, parasitizing the brain. Those who are infected will transform into a type of insect-human, exhibiting extreme ferocity. As Wu Ming is aware, many humans have died at the hands of these insect-humans.
Reflecting on his previous life, Wu Ming realized how ridiculous he had been. He had missed the best opportunity for preparation, which led to his subsequent passivity. He struggled to survive for three years, achieving nothing, and ultimately met a tragic end. Now, having been reborn, he was acutely aware of the 'truth' behind the meteorite's descent. Just thinking about the events that were about to unfold in seven days made Wu Ming involuntarily shiver.
Currently, the channels between the two spaces have only generated some minor wormholes due to the initial collision, and only ordinary cards can traverse these channels. It will take two more months of continuous collisions between the two spaces for the channels to fully open.
If one is not a person who has truly been on site or a government official privy to confidential information, at this moment, they would absolutely not know what the fallen object is. However, Wu Ming knows, because in the New World, this is not a secret at all
Indeed, as soon as the call was connected, Li Xia on the other end began firing questions like a machine gun: "Wu Ming, I admit you were quite handsome just now; for a moment, even I was almost moved. But life must go on. Are you out of your mind? Or are you planning to change jobs? Do you know that Xiang Ming is furious? He’s banging the table and smashing cups, saying he will make it impossible for you to find a foothold in this industry in Yushi. He’s just a petty person; why bother getting upset over someone like him!"
Removing his eyes from the screen, Wu Ming pondered for a moment and finally understood what had happened
At that moment, everyone looked at Wu Ming with sympathetic eyes. Over there, Li Xia also heard this and, feeling indignant, wanted to say something. However, she realized that she was merely a front desk receptionist, and even if she spoke up, it would be of no use, so she held back her words.
At that moment, a middle-aged man walked in from outside, dressed in a well-fitted suit, with his hair meticulously groomed. Upon seeing this man, all the employees in the company immediately stood up to greet him
because Wu Ming has experienced the same thing before
This is the true key
The first reason for this catastrophic disaster, according to the official announcement from the New World, is that the space in which they exist collided with another space, creating a passage similar to a wormhole. Those cards originated from the other space
At this moment, Xiang Ming walked in and immediately addressed Wu Ming: "Xiao Wu, has the test version developed yesterday been completed? I need to report to the headquarters today. Please write a detailed product description right away. We will have a meeting at 9:30 to discuss it!"
Multiple regions around the world have been struck by meteorites, resulting in heavy casualties, and governments have already sealed off the sites. This news appears to be quite unusual, as it is rare for meteorites to strike various locations simultaneously across the globe; anyone would suspect that something is amiss. However, Wu Ming knows that not only is there a significant problem, but it is an enormous one.
Upon hearing this, the surrounding colleagues couldn't help but stick out their tongues, secretly thinking that this task was quite ruthless. The test version developed yesterday required a detailed explanation to be written today, and now it was already 8:00, which meant there was only an hour and a half left for preparation. Under normal circumstances, this would be insufficient time, not to mention that Wu Ming had already worked through the night.
The card comes from the 'Other Space', which is also referred to as the 'Entrance to Hell' or 'Magic Card Space' in the New World; in short, it has many names. The cards in the New World originate from that Other Space.
This person is named Xiang Ming, the manager of the technology department, and also the direct superior of Wu Ming. He has always been at odds with Wu Ming and constantly finds ways to make things difficult for him. The latter knows that this is because, at a gathering six months ago, he did not give the other party face by drinking. Xiang Ming, being narrow-minded, naturally holds a grudge and often targets Wu Ming in daily matters
Those things that fall from the sky are 'cards'