Stagnant Water of Apocalypse - Chapter 45

“I am not an ordinary detective, but a NEET detective. Searching the whole world to locate the words of the dead.”

The NEET Detective leading the NEETs who gathered in the dark alley – Alice said that.

The perplexing incident that Ayaka and I were wound into during the winter of my first year at high school, and also the malicious drug ‘Angel Fix’ that corroded the city, the mystery was unraveled by the detective girl Alice who doesn’t take even one step out of her room.

“Knowing the truth might destroy the tranquil life of your past, do you wish to know even so?”

Because of my answer, the NEETs who usually do nothing were mobilized to solve the case!

If you had the chance to go back a few years, relive your life, and rewrite your story—armed with a mysterious system designed to help you achieve your dreams—what would you do?This is the tale of Park Adan, a boy who met a tragic and humiliating end, crushed by a falling billboard on his way home. But fate wasn’t done with him yet.Adan wakes up in his bed, three years in the past, with a second chance to change everything. And this time, he’s not alone. With a system to guide him, his journey to rewrite his life begins—filled with challenges, opportunities, and a quest for redemption.Will he succeed in shaping the future he desires, or will the past catch up with him again?

Mortal Chapter: In pursuit of immortality, I seek to dominate the world! I, Zhongshan, aim to establish an unparalleled celestial dynasty, gather the world's qi, eliminate personal hindrances, and thus confront the might of heaven. I will create a new world and achieve immortality. One's fate, fortune, Feng Shui, accumulation of yin virtue, and fame are the five key elements! For the sake of immortality, those who cultivate fame and fortune will establish a celestial dynasty and gather the world's qi. Those who accumulate yin virtue will create a holy land and accumulate immeasurable merit. Those who cultivate Feng Shui can communicate with the two worlds of yin and yang and harness the power of heaven and earth. As for those who cultivate fate and fortune, and those who cultivate life, they... Immortal Chapter: Ask the world, who can achieve immortality and eternal life~~~!

In 2173, the world’s first Full-World Virtual MMORPG game ‘Astral Online’ went on sale globally, forever changing the blue planet Asteria!

With its revolutionary Digital Capture System, astonishing graphics and ability to scan yourself into the game with up to 20% beautification, countless defenders rallied to play the game.

Fifty million players logged in on launch. There were no queues or lag on launch, leaving countless critics impressed and willing to try the game. Because the game used a 6-hour play limit a day, it allowed even working adults to keep up with young students and the unemployed.

A resounding success, as more people poured onto the game servers, families and friends alike. Astra Online became a household name overnight.

One month later, the game opened its first RMT system, which made earning a living from the game easier... Thus began the Astral rush!

Professional players formed guilds and factions to increase their profits, but nobody could know this prosperity was a mere joke.

One year later, players fused with their avatars, gaining powerful abilities in the real world, which tipped the power and caused chaos.

Two years later, demons and monsters from inside the game invaded the real world.

Three years later, over 90% of humanity perished, leaving the rest to hide like rats, unable to fight back in fear.

Four years later, this world is no longer ours. The demons march on our last bastions, one by one. They exterminated us.

Zell was an average player who liked to collect beasts in the game and evolve them into humanoids, as they were primarily females.

He spent most of his life working two jobs to make ends meet.

Thanks to the excellent healthcare of his country, there were no crippling debts. There was only emptiness.

When the end came, he was powerless and alone. His only companions were his cute pets and Rika, his cherished Flame Rabbit.

She was the only beast he evolved to a humanoid form after his late start to the game.

He died saving the life of a strange girl with white wings and his pet Rika, the sad eyes of Rika and the girl’s sorrow floating through the air as he slowly passed away.

However, instead of dying, he awoke inside an empty white room with a single computer and a strange, game-like screen that allowed him to edit his IRL avatar and persona.

Who offered him this second chance?

For what reason did they help him?

Can he meet Rika again?

Zell could never know; he only knew his second life’s goal.

Survive!