Chapter 2

The system sent another message.

"Please choose your survival skill for the next week:

"1. Unlimited supply of metal weapons

"2. A body that is as strong as steel and immune to poison

"3. Short-distance teleportation

"4. Unlimited storage space

"5. Reverse photosynthesis (obtains energy via absorption of water particles in the air)."

The group chat was immediately flooded with messages as everyone debated about the best skill that would allow them to survive the plant apocalypse.

Once again, Riley took the lead and told the male companions to choose the first skill that provided them with an unlimited supply of weapons, explaining that it would increase their chances of protecting her.

Meanwhile, she chose the fourth skill that gave her unlimited storage space. "I'll keep track of the resources for everyone to avoid a fight from breaking out. All of you are my wonderful helpers, after all."

Frank chose the third skill that allowed him to teleport short distances, saying, "I can use my teleportation to save people. Those who are in danger can just contact me."

In the end, I was the only one who chose the fifth skill, reverse photosynthesis.

Once again, the people in the group began mocking me.

"What kind of stupid skill is that? The system probably only added it because it needed to have five options."

"Does Molly have a death wish? Reverse photosynthesis will make her hungry in the sun. She's just accelerating her own death!"

"Maybe she's got some loose screws in her head because she read too many books. Thank goodness I'm not on the same team as her. We'll just be signing our own death sentences."

"A certain someone loved to pretend to be a saint, but she ended up choosing a skill that only benefits herself. She should follow Ms. Johnson's lead and take the greater good of the group into consideration."

I wasn't bothered enough to explain myself to them and let them insult me to their hearts' content.

Meanwhile, Frank sent a private message to me, asking, "What on earth are you doing? You won't be able to survive like this! Are you still angry at me for rejecting your confession? Are you doing this intentionally to make me worry about you?"

I rolled my eyes and blocked Frank's number.

I had learned my lesson after living through my past life.

Once everyone had locked in their selections, a notification popped up.

"Preparation complete. The game will begin shortly. Administrative rights will be revoked on the third day. Players are allowed to freely modify their teams before then.

The safehouses have been deployed. Good luck, everyone."

…

It started drizzling on the first day.

It was silent in my plastic apartment in the middle of the desert except for the sounds of the rain pattering against the windows.

Riley sent a sticker of a woman tossing her hair over her shoulder in the group chat. She tagged everyone and said, "Look, everyone! It's raining! The game definitely has to lower the temperature and moisten the soil before the plant apocalypse can begin. Choosing the island was definitely the correct choice!"

She then tagged me and said, "I bet someone is regretting their decision right now. You should take advantage of the rain and collect some water! Your silly little apartment is going to turn into an oven once the sun rises tomorrow.

"Don't come crying to us about wanting to quit the game tomorrow. That would be so embarrassing."

The colleagues, who had been confused about the sudden rain, immediately began praising Riley for her intelligence. Everyone agreed with her deduction.

Frank suddenly tagged me and asked, "How are you doing, Molly? Do you have any supplies in your safehouse?"

His questions seemed to enrage Riley.

"Why do you keep fretting over her, Mr. Gideon? Why didn't you team up with her if you're so worried about her all the time? Are you feeling bad for her now? If you want to go to her, go ahead and be my guest!"

Riley then sent a string of messages whining about her displeasure.

However, Frank didn't respond to her messages.

The group fell silent for a few seconds.

Riley's number one supporter, William Green, was the one who broke the silence.

"It makes sense that Mr. Gideon is worried about everyone. You're the one who insisted on choosing the desert, Molly. Don't drag him into your bad choices."

"He's right! I get so frustrated just looking at her. Why don't we just ban her from talking? Save ourselves the trouble of listening to her beg for help when she's on the brink of dying. She'll just ruin the mood for everyone. Besides, I bet no one will be willing to save her anyway!"

A few seconds later, a notification popped up in the group chat.

"Administrator William Green has banned Molly Hampton from sending messages."

No one had stood up for me, but I didn't mind at all. On the contrary, I welcomed the silence.

I placed my phone down and began searching the apartment.

It wasn't a spacious place, and the layout was shaped in a square. It was completely empty. I couldn't even find a single breadcrumb on the floor.

I pushed open the balcony door and took a deep breath.

The reverse photosynthesis skill kicked in immediately as the water particles in the air entered my body. The hunger and weakness that I had been feeling earlier disappeared instantly. I felt incredibly refreshed.