Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 237: Chapter 206 Before We Start_2

In the Hell where time accelerated, it was said that within only a few months, several Scholars from the Russian Federation joined hands. Leading a group of primitives in a hyperspeed climb up the technology ladder, they had everything settled thanks to Big Ivan.

Nobody could guess what exactly the organizing committee of Tomorrow’s News had in mind; they could only play it by ear and see who had the stronger foundation.

Thinking of this, Huai Shi put away his phone, stopped pondering these messy matters, and hurried back to his hotel.

Last night, he had fallen into a deep sleep in the gym, only to crawl out of bed after six this morning, still feeling groggy and drained of energy. He had to consume several restorative plant supplements at a city park before feeling revitalized.

There were only two hours left until the start of the competition. He had to make his way to the venue quickly.

Entry was quite straightforward, much like going to a Chef Demon competition, except there was no need to find some three-way crossroads to wait at midnight. All he had to do was bring the official credentials issued by the organizing committee and find an elevator.

After hastily changing into a new set of clothes, Huai Shi double-checked all his belongings. According to the organizing committee, all he needed was himself; Border Relics and lethal weapons were not to be brought along, and even if he did bring them, they wouldn’t be allowed into the venue.

This rule was practically irrelevant to Huai Shi... he himself was akin to a walking arsenal and a weapon of mass destruction in human form, so he didn’t bother to bring any additional items.

He merely dug out his original chemical protective suit, put the Helmet back on, and didn’t forget to tuck an epic prop from the Astronomical Society, the Human Skin Mask, into his pocket.

Fame brings trouble as pigs fatten for slaughter. What if some powerhouse thought to use me as a stepping stone to establish their authority?

When he was about done, there were just over ten minutes left before the deadline for contestants to enter the arena. He picked up the metal plate given to him by the organizing committee and stepped into the elevator.

As the elevator doors closed, an unprecedented silence enveloped him.

All sounds swiftly disappeared, and as the doors closed, the outside world seemed to be peeled away, leaving behind just a tiny metal box and Huai Shi himself.

Without needing to press anything, it began to gently descend. Amid a slight sensation of weightlessness, it seemed to land as if it reached the basement, then stayed put.

That was quite fast...

Huai Shi twisted his neck, took a deep breath, and waited for the elevator doors to open, but they didn’t. Instead, it seemed to have completed a reverse before suddenly flooring the accelerator!

Shooting upwards!

In an instant, everything before Huai Shi’s eyes went dark as he felt the elevator shake violently, roar, and whoosh upwards, rapidly ascending through sharp, high-pitched vibrations.

From F1 to the first floor, then swiftly passing floors 2, 3, 4, 5... and still accelerating! Eventually, all the indicator lights in the elevator went out completely.

The ascent didn’t stop, as if intending to launch Huai Shi into the stratosphere.

Finally, amidst a thunderous boom, it came to an abrupt halt.

Amidst the overloaded smoke and the shrill alarm, the elevator doors slowly opened, and a staggering figure bracing the door emerged, dizzy and disoriented.

Only now did Huai Shi realize that he had, in fact, experienced motion sickness.

What met his eyes was a pure white sky and earth. Above this vast expanse of pale land, countless elevators stood erect, continuously discharging people. Under the guidance of towering black goose-like robots, they gathered together, looking at each other perplexed.

”Welcome to Asia Rookie Tournament Venue Number 9. Please find your assigned seat according to the signs and wait for the competition to begin.”

A two-story-tall black goose-like robot bent down, its extremely cartoonish eyes fixing on Huai Shi, green light flaring from them with soft BEEPS.

Above, a banner of shimmering neon characters flickered ambiguously, bearing slogans like ’Create happiness with money.’

Apart from this one, several dozen more were roaming the field, loudspeakers continuously broadcasting various announcements: ”Please maintain order, do not crowd or fight on the premises.”

”Sublimators, please do not die on the premises.”

”Non-Sublimators, please refrain from entering the exclusive rest area for Flourishing Joy premium members.”

”Scan the QR code for easy access to the Rookie Tournament rules.”

”Just use a piece of Source Crystal to register for membership on the spot and receive an exclusive tip, wishing you smooth sailing all the way to the finals!”

Huai Shi was speechless.

Could this be any more commercial?

When he found his seat and sat down, he realized that he wasn’t the strangest one there. There were many bizarrely dressed individuals; compared to them, his mere Helmet was downright modest.

The nearest person to either side of him was over ten meters away, and each had a white Halo floating above their head, forcefully isolating all forms of attack.

This meant that here, everyone was forcibly placed in peace mode.

With such a distance, not even a couple of trash-talking phrases could be heard clearly.

Looking around, there were no familiar faces in sight.

Even though many people were glancing around coldly with murderous intent, everyone remained unmoved.

A few who attempted to fight in the arena had been ambushed by the gargantuan Black Goose-like Robots plummeting from the sky. Under the announcement that ’the Border is not beyond the law,’ they were pulverized with a single punch.

Those goose-like robots, whether high-tech or some sort of Border Relic, emitted undeniable Fourth Stage Origin Matter Waves, firmly suppressing any heart that sought to cause trouble on the premises.