Apocalypse Star House Hoarding

Chapter 190

The first thing Yu Xi did upon waking the next day was to draw back the curtains.

This was her first time waking up in a fully suspended villa. The experience of sleeping in a bedroom suspended midair in the wilderness was markedly different from staying in a high-rise apartment and piqued her curiosity.

For safety reasons, the villa’s windows were generally small, but Yu Xi’s south-facing master bedroom had slightly larger windows, offering an excellent view. Pulling back the blackout curtains, she was greeted by another sunny day.

From her vantage point, she could see the refuge at the foot of the mountain, the nearby lake, and the verdant wilderness stretching beyond.

She opened the window, letting the mountain breeze carry the fresh scent of plants into the room, though it was faintly laced with the metallic tang of rust.

Since the “Red Lotus” phenomenon began, this metallic scent lingered in the air. It came from shattered steel and concrete—or worse, from human casualties—permeating the atmosphere with the smell of blood.

The scent was less pronounced here than in the city, almost imperceptible to ordinary people. Even Yu Xi often suppressed her heightened sense of smell to avoid it.

Leaning against the window frame, she gazed into the distance before looking down at the villa’s yard.

The black wrought-iron gate was still ajar, but the people she had seen there the previous night were now gone.

The temperature in the mountains dropped significantly at night, and these individuals likely hadn’t come prepared with sufficient clothing to endure the cold. Yu Xi had anticipated they would leave by morning. Closing the window, she freshened up and changed into a soft, comfortable fleece tracksuit before heading downstairs.

Downstairs, Hei Mu had already prepared breakfast. In the living room, Yan Shang and Xi Yuan were undergoing their morning physical training under Jian Shou’s supervision.

Everyone in the house had risen earlier than she had.

With Hei Mu taking care of her, Yu Xi no longer needed to cook, clean, or tidy up. Hei Mu even collected her laundry immediately after she changed, categorizing and washing it in separate machines, drying it, and sanitizing it with UV light before folding or ironing it perfectly and putting it away.

Such a pampered lifestyle didn’t feel like living in an apocalyptic world. Yu Xi worried that spending a year here would make it hard for her to adjust to other worlds later.

Today’s breakfast consisted of freshly wrapped wontons in chicken broth. The broth, simmered overnight, was rich yet light and delicious. Hei Mu shredded the stewed chicken and sprinkled it over the wontons, topping the dish with chopped green onions.

To keep breakfast varied, Hei Mu also prepared vegetable potato pancakes and seafood fritters.

Yu Xi thought the day would be as peaceful and quiet as the others. However, after lunch, a group of people arrived from the mountain’s base.

They crowded into the villa’s yard, thoroughly inspecting it before circling the perimeter. Eventually, someone pressed the intercom button at the gate.

Yu Xi had already heard their conversations while they searched the yard and perimeter, so she answered the intercom herself.

The group consisted of family members of the people from the previous day. They had come to look for their relatives, who had neither returned for breakfast nor lunch and hadn’t been seen since the night before. After searching the refuge with no success, they decided to check the villa.

“I don’t know anything,” Yu Xi said calmly. “We went to bed early last night. What happens outside has nothing to do with us.”

“How can you say that? They stayed in your villa’s yard all night, and now they’re missing. How can you dismiss this with ‘I don’t know’?”

“What else should I say? A group of strangers trespassed on my property, made threats, and lingered all day, disturbing my life. I haven’t even held you accountable. How is this my responsibility?”

Yu Xi’s tone was cold. If she hadn’t been curious about the specifics of their disappearance, she wouldn’t have answered at all.

The other party was momentarily stunned by her blunt response. They knew she was right—it was her property, and their family members had trespassed uninvited. Now that those people were missing, it felt awkward to shift blame onto her.

But after searching everywhere and failing to contact their relatives via their phones, they were desperate.

After ending the conversation, Yu Xi furrowed her brows.

So, those individuals hadn’t returned since coming to the mountainside yesterday?

Besides the buildings on the mountainside and the refuge at its base, there were no other structures within ten miles. Where could they have gone?

If they’d left because of the cold and gotten lost descending in the dark, they should have returned by now. This mountain wasn’t large, and the path down was straightforward. There weren’t even any wild animals to pose a threat.

The group eventually went down the mountain to report the incident to the military.

This wasn’t the first disappearance reported that day. The previous night, several people from the refuge had also gone missing.

According to their families, those individuals had left the buildings where they were staying but hadn’t returned. The reasons for their outings were unclear, and their absence was only noticed the following morning.

Initially, their families assumed they had gone to visit acquaintances, but after searching and waiting until nearly lunchtime, they realized the missing persons hadn’t returned.

In a building repurposed as a temporary meeting room, the military held an internal meeting to discuss the disappearances.

It wasn’t just civilians—some soldiers tasked with patrolling the area had also vanished.

These soldiers were equipped with weapons and radios. Even if they had encountered an attack, they wouldn’t have disappeared without a trace. The surrounding area bore no signs of struggle.

For now, the military chose not to disclose this information to avoid causing panic among the refugees.

Under mounting pressure from the “Red Lotus” phenomenon, the sudden disappearances added to the chaos.

“Was there anything unusual last night?” asked a senior officer, his expression grim.

One person hesitated before replying, “Well… does the mist count?”

“Mist?”

“Yes, after around 9 PM last night, mist began forming nearby. It started thin but became increasingly dense, mostly covering the forested areas. By dawn, the mist had dissipated, so it’s unclear if the disappearances are connected to it.”

Someone nearby scoffed, seeming to find the suggestion far-fetched. “Are you overthinking it? It’s just mist—how could it make people vanish? This seems like an unrelated event. Let’s send another team to search the area today. If there were any wild animals nearby, there’d be traces of them. Also, we should focus on securing high-altitude airships from headquarters. That’s the real priority.”

As soon as the topic shifted, others voiced their agreement, and the discussion turned in a new direction.

For the next two days, the refuge at the resort remained calm. There were no sudden ground fissures or appearances of the “Red Lotus,” giving the refugees a brief respite.

The missing individuals were never found. Since no further incidents occurred, the matter was not treated as a critical issue.

Yu Xi, however, continued her online searches, looking for connections between mist and disappearances.

It was late autumn, a season prone to mist, and even if someone noticed mist forming, it wouldn’t attract much attention. Besides, with the ongoing chaos, people were vanishing or dying daily. The flood of mixed information made it nearly impossible to identify any patterns.

Some netizens noted that internet connectivity had been deteriorating recently—calls frequently failed, and internet access was sporadic. Many believed this was related to the appearance of the “Red Lotus,” hypothesizing that the massive, mysterious organisms might pose additional, unknown dangers.

Meanwhile, several nations on the planet reached a consensus: they would launch the first missile strikes on the “Red Lotus” death zones that had been fully evacuated.

On the day of the strikes, nearly everyone followed the news closely through their extended screens, eager for updates.

But just as in Yu Xi’s fragmented memories, the first wave of missile strikes only hastened the “Red Lotus” blooms. Multiple “Red Lotuses” activated simultaneously, their “teeth” churning violently. The resulting vortex obliterated all remaining structures in the area. Even drones positioned at a safe distance to capture footage were caught in the suction and plunged into the abyss of the “teeth.”

The one-sided failure shattered the last vestiges of hope many people clung to. Apocalyptic sentiments surged, and riots broke out in previously untouched zones within some countries.

On the news, scenes of human conflict began to overshadow reports about the “Red Lotus.”

Over the past few days, Yu Xi paid extra attention to external events and nearby developments.

Her advantages had ended the day before—the original Yu Xi had perished on this exact day in her previous life.

Back then, she had fled the relatively safe zone to escape rioters. Unfortunately, a new “Red Lotus” emerged nearby.

Without a low-altitude hovercar, she was caught in the massive vortex created by the churning “teeth.” Her body was shredded into pieces.

From this moment on, all dangers in this world were uncharted territory for her. She had to remain constantly vigilant.

That night, the villa began a rotating night watch schedule, with each person taking a shift. At first, Hei Mu and Jian Shou opposed the idea of Yu Xi taking a shift. With the four of them around, they felt it unnecessary for her to tire herself.

But Yu Xi insisted—she was the strongest among them, after all.

The first two nights passed without incident.

At noon on the third day, Yan Shang, who had taken the previous night’s watch, reported on the situation.

“Mist formed last night, but not here—it was in the city. Reports say the mist covered a large area and was very dense. Since it was nighttime, no one could tell what color it was.”

“Were there any disappearances?” Yu Xi asked.

“It’s too early to tell. That part of the city already has a low population. After rioters attacked the safer zones, many more died. Even if some people are hiding in buildings or underground, they wouldn’t risk going out at night in these conditions.”

Yu Xi understood what Yan Shang meant. If no one ventured outside, it would be impossible to confirm whether the mist caused any disappearances.

“Everyone on watch over the next few nights should stay alert and monitor the villa’s external cameras closely. If mist starts forming nearby, wake me immediately.”

“Understood.”

Yu Xi didn’t have to wait until night. By evening, major news outlets were already reporting significant developments.

Drone footage, taken along safe flight routes, focused on a large “Red Lotus” in the city. It had been scheduled to “bloom” around 4 PM.

Typically, while terrifying, the “Red Lotus” adhered to a predictable blooming schedule once it emerged.

By the time the broadcast began at 6 PM, however, the “Red Lotus” showed no signs of blooming. Its massive red soft tissues, usually taut and alert, appeared limp, draped over the surrounding ruins. The center, which normally shielded the “teeth” protectively, lay slack and open.

The online community exploded with speculation:

—What’s going on? Does the “Red Lotus” have a lifespan? Could it be… dying?

—I’ve always said these things are alien organisms! They can’t survive indefinitely in a different planetary environment. See? I was right! It’s dying!

—Is it true? Can someone confirm if this is an isolated case or a widespread phenomenon? Is our planet really going to be saved?

—I’m in District 3 of Country Y. A “Red Lotus” here showed similar behavior this morning. We thought it was just our imagination and didn’t want to jinx it by speaking up.

—I’m from District 8 of Country W. Last night, we had heavy mist in some areas. After the mist cleared, the two “Red Lotuses” in that zone didn’t bloom at their scheduled times…

This comment seemed to strike a chord. Subsequent posts increasingly mentioned connections between the mist and the “Red Lotus” weakening.

—We had thick mist one night, and the next day, several people who went outside were missing. We thought the mist was to blame, but now it seems like the mist might actually be helping us…

—Mist is just a weather phenomenon. Why make it sound so mystical? Disappearances are tied to it, and now you’re saying the “Red Lotus” weakening is also related?

Online, opinions were divided.

Overall, the public seemed far more optimistic than before. The apparent weakening of certain “Red Lotuses” had sparked hope.

Could this disaster finally be nearing its end?

Yu Xi turned off the extended screen after reading through the news, her expression unusually serious. “Something doesn’t feel right. Over the next few days, be more cautious than ever. Avoid opening windows, even during the day. Someone should also remain in the control room during daylight hours to monitor the surrounding environment.”

“Understood!”

That afternoon, a long-silent, neutral system voice suddenly chimed in:

[A random task has been refreshed: Within one hour, locate the critically injured and comatose patient in Bed 5 at the temporary medical center in Room 3 of the mountain resort and bring them back to the villa. (Mandatory task: Completion rewards 300 star coins.)]

Yu Xi froze.

Mandatory? That meant she couldn’t refuse.

But why would such a simple task offer a reward of 300 star coins?

Was this mission particularly dangerous?

And why did the system’s voice sound so mechanical, so unlike Xing Min’s usual tone?

Yu Xi hesitated for only a moment before calling Jian Shou.

Reaching the mountain’s base on foot would take too long, and during the day, she couldn’t rely on her superhuman speed. Plus, she’d need to transport a comatose, critically injured person. Using the low-altitude hovercar was the safest option, and going alone was impractical.

Before she could repeat herself, Yan Shang had already entered the control room to replace Jian Shou.

Jian Shou descended to the second floor, joining her on the external staircase leading to the mid-air platform.

Xi Yuan stood at the window. Once the two departed, he closed the window and watched as the hovercar lifted off and vanished into the distance.

Fifteen minutes later, Yu Xi identified Room 3 and instructed Jian Shou to lower the hovercar onto the building’s rooftop. She opened the door and leapt down.

Hovercars were common in the resort’s refuge area, primarily operated by the military. Yu Xi’s vehicle blended in without drawing attention.

She made her way cautiously into the medical center, vigilant for any potential dangers, and located Bed 5 without incident.

Lying there was an unfamiliar young man, pale and with makeshift splints on his arms and legs. His chest was bloodied, evidence of severe injuries recently treated.

She didn’t recognize him and found no identification. He was likely one of the survivors rescued by the military.

The medical center was bustling. Yu Xi found a lightweight folding wheelchair, placed the man in it, covered him with a thin blanket, and quickly wheeled him to the predetermined meeting spot—a clearing nearby.

The hovercar descended swiftly. She abandoned the wheelchair, carried the man into the vehicle, and shut the door as it ascended.

The entire process went surprisingly smoothly.

However, the system did not confirm task completion, indicating they needed to return to the villa to finalize it.

“Drive faster,” Yu Xi urged, a sense of unease gnawing at her.

As the hovercar left the resort and ascended the mountain, Jian Shou frowned. “Presided Yu, it’s getting misty.”

“Where?” Yu Xi asked, leaning closer.

“Up ahead, and on both sides.”

Yu Xi scanned the surroundings. What had been clear skies now seemed dim. Mist was spreading rapidly, enveloping the vehicle.

Initially, the headlights illuminated the faint outlines of the mountains, but soon the mist thickened, its color deepening from light white to heavy gray.

It was the same gray mist they had encountered when fleeing the city.

“Be cautious. Turn the car’s floodlights to maximum brightness.”

“Understood.”

Moments later, a faint thud sounded overhead, as if something had landed on the roof.

The roof wasn’t glass, so Yu Xi couldn’t see what it was. But they soon found out.

A soft pat came from the left side of the car. Peering out through the thick gray mist, they saw a small, blood-red object clinging to the car’s glass.

It looked lifeless, like a piece of soft tissue blown onto the window by the wind.

Yu Xi leaned closer to inspect it. Suddenly, the soft tissue moved.