Chapter 2

The estate’s front gate was replaced with the same reinforced alloy used in tank armor, completely bulletproof and impossible to break through by force.

The keypad and keyhole mounted on the surface were nothing more than decorations.

The real control system was linked to a remote in my possession.

Without it, no one could open the gate.

If anyone tried entering a password or picking the lock, a hidden micro-camera above the entrance would immediately scan their face and send the footage directly to my phone.

If the person had a criminal record, the system would issue an additional alert.

A full three-hundred-sixty-degree surveillance system was equally essential.

Besides the sixteen visible security cameras, another twenty miniature cameras were hidden throughout the property.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that even a fly wouldn’t be able to enter unnoticed.

Every window in the villa was replaced with one-way glass. I could see everything outside, while no one could peek in and learn what was happening inside the house.

Finally, I ordered every ornamental plant in the courtyard cut down.

Since there were already so many workers on-site, I had them loosen and replace all the soil as well.

I planned to turn the courtyard into a vegetable garden.

That way, even during the apocalypse, I’d still be able to eat fresh produce.

When everything was finally complete, even the security consultant laughed and asked if I really needed to make such a huge fuss over inheriting an estate.

He joked that after spending money like this, there probably wouldn’t be much left of my inheritance.

I didn’t bother explaining.

I only joked back that if some massive disaster ever happened, all of this would come in handy.

I glanced at the calendar, surprised by how quickly time had passed. Thankfully, the estate renovations were completed three days before the apocalypse began.

Even though I already knew no one could escape tomorrow’s disaster, I still found myself unable to sleep for the first time in ages.

As I tossed and turned in bed, a mechanical voice suddenly rang out in my head.

[Congratulations, Host. You have successfully bound to the Apocalypse Survival System. Detected: initial shelter renovation completed. Reward points will now be issued.]

A system?

Reward points?

I had no idea why something like this had appeared, but one thing was certain—this would greatly increase my chances of surviving until the very end of the apocalypse.

After browsing through all the rewards the system offered, I chose to upgrade the estate’s underground cold storage into an infinite-capacity preservation space capable of keeping food permanently fresh.

The enormous cellar instantly solved the problem of my home having only two refrigerators and one freezer.

Anything stored inside would remain untouched by expiration dates, meaning I could stockpile food without any worries.

On the final day before the apocalypse, after carefully screening candidates, I hired a private chef along with ten retired special forces soldiers who were former special forces soldiers.

I wasn’t much of a cook. It would’ve been ridiculous if the zombies failed to kill me, only for my own cooking to finish the job instead.

I promised them that as long as they worked loyally here, I would provide them with more than enough food and clean water.

At first, they had no idea what I was talking about, but I wasn’t in a hurry. I simply told them to stay the night and give me their answer the next morning.

On the final night before the apocalypse, sleep completely eluded me.

Unable to rest, I got up and began checking my supplies one by one.

My wardrobe was stocked with enough underwear and clothes for regular changes.

I still didn’t know how long the apocalypse would last.

Even though it was still summer, warm clothing was absolutely essential.

I had also stockpiled boxes upon boxes of tampons.

During times like these, poor hygiene could easily lead to infections.

Even in the apocalypse, personal hygiene wasn’t something I could afford to neglect.

The shelves inside the cold cellar were packed with fresh meat, vegetables, and fruit—enough to feed everyone in the house for well over a decade.

Combined with the mountains of instant food stored outside, surviving until the government found a solution wouldn’t be a problem.

Once I confirmed everything was in place, I finally returned to bed and closed my eyes.