Chapter 2: Death Sent Me Back with a Gift System

Ahhh”

I suddenly jerked upright from the bed.. my chest heaving, gasping violently as my whole body drenched in cold sweat”

The memories, the screams, the mess, the pain, Jake's betrayal was still fresh.. as vivid as if it just happened.

What the hell? Didn't those beasts just devour me? I frantically ran my trembling hands over my face, my neck and body for any sign of bite or wound.

Everything was intact, no broken bone, thorn arteries or flesh.

Confusion overwhelmed me as I struggled to understand how I could be alive after everything that happened.

I stumbled out of bed and rushed toward the mirror. The woman staring back at me looked terrified, but she was unmistakably me, the complete me, no blood, no scars.

I touched my reflection. “Am I dreaming?” I slapped my cheek.

“Ouch!”

I glared at myself. “Okay. Definitely not dreaming.”

Then Jake woke up and… he burst out laughing. “Don't tell me you are admiring your bloated body this early morning?”

I didn't mind him.. I will deal with him later.

My eyes wandered around the bedroom.. The cream curtains, the clean bedsheets, the wardrobe full of clothes. Everything was exactly how it was before the apocalypse turned our lives into hell.

I swallowed.

My phone suddenly vibrated on the nightstand.

Ping!

I jumped. “Jesus!”

Jake laughed.. “Please don't add madness to your size.”

I grabbed it with trembling fingers..

The screen lit up.

Monday, November 12, 2025.

6:01 a.m.

I stared for a while. Then I checked again… November 12.

My breathing stopped.

“No…”

This is exactly one month... 31 days before our wedding anniversary which happened to be the day the apocalypse began.

My knees weakened and I sat on the edge of the bed.

So I hadn't simply survived. I had regressed.

And suddenly, another memory surfaced. Today was also the day Jake had told me about Jasmine, his so-called cousin.

I hadn't questioned him, but trusted him even when he treated me like trash.

God, I had been stupid. Thinking that he would come to love me if I put in more effort in pleasing him.

I clenched my fists.

“Not this time.”

A strange metallic chime suddenly rang inside my head.

Ding!

I froze as I heard the same voice I heard as I passed away.

Blue light flickered in front of my eyes.

Then a transparent screen slowly materialized in the air.

I stared at it.

“What the—”

More words appeared.

[APOCALYPSE SURVIVAL SYSTEM INITIALIZED.]

My mouth fell open.

[Host: Valerie.]

[Current Status: Reborn.]

[Unlimited Storage: Unlocked.]

[points: 0]

My eyes widened. Storage?

Another line appeared.

[Primary Objective: Prepare for local outbreak.]

I nodded slowly. That made sense.

Then the next sentence appeared.

[First Mission/Task: Take out trashy things and people.]

I blinked. “What?”

The screen remained completely serious. Then another line appeared.

[In order: Acquire a better teammate.]

I stared at it. “Now you're making sense.”

A reply immediately appeared.

[Assessment: I always make sense.]

I almost choked. For the first time since waking up, I laughed. “You have an attitude.”

[Correction: Host has poor judgment in men.]

My smile disappeared. I stared at the screen. “Okay. I deserved that.”

[Recommendation: Do not repeat previous mistakes.]

“I won't.” This time, I meant it.

[Penalty for failure: Death]

what?? I just escaped that and you are planning to kill me again.

I quickly grabbed Jake's phone as the system faded, I can't afford to fail..

I need evidence against that cheating bastard..

his password? luckily I remembered it because I had lost my phone during the apocalypse, so he had no choice than to give me his phone and his password to aid my research then.

I unlocked it and started searching for evidence.. I saw his chat with Jasmine.. He only married me to get a share of my inheritance during divorce.. they were planning to set me up with Zeph and frame me for infidelity.

I screenshoted everything and sent it to my phone.. I also forwarded the soft copy of the divorce papers to my phone..

I saw lots of their nude photos and sex videos. I transferred everything to my phone.

And went back to bed.. smiling wickedly for the first time in my life.

Jake suddenly tapped my shoulder.

“You've been smiling there, and mumbling to yourself since you woke up. Are you not going to fix my breakfast and get ready for my cousin?”

I slowly turned toward him. “Fix your breakfast?”

He frowned.

“Yes.”

“What is wrong with your hands?”

His jaw dropped.

For a moment, he simply stared at me.

I had never talked back to him like that.

“Valerie… are you okay?” His expression changed. “Maybe you need to see a doctor.”

“I'm perfectly fine." I stood up. “You're the sick one here.”

His eyes narrowed.

“What is that supposed to mean?” he raised his hands to hit me but I held it with all my strength and twisted it.

“Arghhh… you are going to regret this Valerie.” He winced in pain

I released and laughed.. “It's a prank… happy 11th month anniversary baby!” I smiled sweetly.

Confusion flickered all over Jake's face.

“Get ready, I have a surprise for you," I said. Because the breakfast party I had prepared will soon start and I can't waste my resources ever… especially not when I know that a season of drought is fast approaching.

“I want an anniversary gift. Transfer all the company's shares to me and ownership of the research centre.” Jake smiled.

I can't believe everything is replaying though faster this time.

Because that was his request on our one year anniversary.. I had obliged him and prepared all the papers not knowing that he was also planning to gift me a scandal and divorce papers.

“Okay.. I will do that, don't ruin the surprise..” I smiled sweetly.

He smiled broadly not knowing what awaits him.