Li Mei Hotel, Room 306.

After the Fire Thief announced the rules, Guan Tong soon heard a hubbub coming from the main lobby.

More than a hundred people were gathered there, and a heated discussion about the new rules had likely erupted right away.

Guan Tong thought to himself.

’Personal Terminal.’

He first wanted to see what the hidden rule was this time.

As he concentrated on the text of the fourth rule, the hidden rule soon manifested.

[Hidden Rule Four: A Difficult Choice]

[Hidden Rule Content: In this rule, regional snowfall is positively correlated with population density. The more populated an area, the higher the snowfall. The less populated an area, the lower the snowfall.]

[Note: When faced with extreme environments, humans instinctively choose to band together for survival. But after learning this hidden rule, do you have the courage to live in isolation and face the natural disaster alone?]

’...What?’

After reading the hidden rule, Guan Tong instinctively glanced out the window at the swirling snow.

’The more populated an area, the heavier the snowfall... The less populated an area, the lighter the snowfall...’

’Live in isolation, face the natural disaster alone...’

’This really is a "Difficult Choice."’

Guan Tong hadn’t expected the hidden rule for the fourth of the Apocalypse Rules to be like this.

This meant that major cities like Capital Yong’an and his own Yunhua City would be the areas with the heaviest snowfall!

Meanwhile, remote villages, and even uninhabited regions like the northwest, would likely see very little snow—perhaps only as much as a normal winter.

’Major cities have well-developed transportation networks, plentiful resource reserves, and highly capable emergency services, so they get the most snowfall. Remote areas lack these facilities and have insufficient resources, so they get the least...’

’Should I call this the Fire Thief’s kindness toward those in remote areas... or malice toward densely populated regions?’

Guan Tong even had the absurd thought that perhaps the Fire Thief was also looking out for the planet’s wildlife.

After all, if the entire planet were covered in such a massive amount of snow, never mind how many humans would survive a month—countless species of wildlife would surely suffer catastrophic losses, with many going extinct.

’But back to reality, how should I choose?’

’Knowing this hidden rule, should I stay at the Li Mei Hotel?’

’This hotel is right next to one of the city’s main roads, a prime location. It won’t be long before the authorities are sure to ship in large quantities of supplies. Plus, with so many people, if something happens, we might be able to help each other...’

’These should all be advantages. But the downside is facing a full month of extremely heavy snowfall. During that time, water and power could go out, temperatures could plummet—anything could happen.’

’But what if I choose to leave? Head to a sparsely populated area alone?’

’But facing a disaster of this magnitude, would I really be okay all alone, with no one to help me?’

Guan Tong watched the snow outside grow thicker, knowing he had to make a decision soon.

If he delayed even a few more hours, the snow would block all the roads out of the city. By then, leaving would be impossible, even if he wanted to!

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

A sudden knock came at the door, followed immediately by Xu Xiaotian’s voice.

"Tong! What are you doing in there? Hurry up and come out! Everyone’s in the lobby!"

Hearing Xu Xiaotian’s voice, Guan Tong went and opened the door.

"Tong, why haven’t you come down?" Xu Xiaotian asked curiously. "A bunch of new people just showed up at the hotel."

"Is that so? Let’s go take a look."

Guan Tong and Xu Xiaotian went down to the first-floor lobby. Just as expected, the lobby, which had held just over a hundred people, had nearly doubled in population. Another hundred or so people had come in from outside, carrying all sorts of bags.

Someone who had been staying here for a while couldn’t help but complain, "All 150 guest rooms are full. Why are these people still trying to cram in here? There’s no room!"

One of the newcomers who heard the complaint immediately fired back.

"What do you mean there’s no room? The hotel rooms all have large beds; one bed can fit two people, no problem! 150 rooms can sleep at least 300 people! And some rooms have more than one large bed, so they can fit even more."

"Is it not enough that you early birds get the beds? I just got here, I’m not trying to take your spot. I’ll just sleep on the floor!"

"It’s not like you own the hotel! Aren’t we all staying here for free? If you ask me, there shouldn’t be any ’first-come, first-served.’ If there aren’t enough beds, we should take turns. That’s what’s fair."

"Everyone, please, let’s not fight. The hotel is huge. Besides the rooms, there’s the bar, the gym, the restaurant... all spacious places. If we clear them out a bit, we can fit plenty of people."

"The authorities are the ones telling people to gather together. It makes it easier to transport supplies. My house is nearby, so I came here. I wouldn’t be here otherwise."

"That makes perfect sense! With this much snow, can you imagine how deep it’ll be on the roads in a few days? The government can’t possibly deliver supplies door-to-door. The only way is to have everyone gather together!"

Guan Tong frowned as he watched the people bicker and shout.

Xu Xiaotian stood beside him, looking glum. "This rule is so annoying. It lasts for the entire month of June. I was supposed to go to the Capital to enroll in my academy this month. Well, so much for that. I definitely can’t go now... But the academy will probably delay its opening because of this, right?"

Xu Xiaotian turned to Guan Tong. "What do you think, Tong?"

Guan Tong’s reply was completely unexpected. "Xiaotian, I’m planning to leave."

"Oh. Huh? What???"

It took Xu Xiaotian a few seconds to process what Guan Tong had said. He stared at him, eyes wide.

"Tong! What are you talking about? You’re leaving?"

"Yeah."

"But... with all this snow, where would you even go? Besides, didn’t that guy just say the authorities are telling everyone to stick together?!"

Guan Tong couldn’t tell Xu Xiaotian about the hidden rule, so he just said, "I have a feeling things will get chaotic with so many people. That’s why I’ve decided to leave."

"But... Tong..."

"I’m going back to get my bag. I’m leaving right away."

Xu Xiaotian hadn’t expected Guan Tong to make such a sudden decision. Shocked, he felt the impulse to blurt out, ’I’ll go with you, Tong!’

But as he looked out at the swirling snow, he hesitated.

He had no idea where anyone could possibly go in a blizzard like this. Besides, if you stayed outside in this weather, wouldn’t you get hypothermia in no time?

While Xu Xiaotian was hesitating, Guan Tong was already heading upstairs back to his room.

He opened the closet in his room. He had already stashed some high-energy food, fast-acting medicine, and other emergency supplies inside.

He now took everything out and packed it into his small backpack.

Just then, Xu Xiaotian followed him up, standing in the doorway and watching Guan Tong pack, a worried look on his face.

"Tong, are you really sure about this?"

"Yeah."

Guan Tong shouldered his pack, walked out, and handed the room key for 306 to Xu Xiaotian.

"Here. Give this key card to someone who seems alright to you."

"Tong, you... this is all so sudden. I’m not mentally prepared..."

"Time waits for no one, and neither does this snow," Guan Tong said, patting Xu Xiaotian’s shoulder. "Stay alive. We’ll meet again."

"...Yeah! In that case, Tong, you have to be careful! I don’t know where you’re going, but please, be careful!"

"I will."

Guan Tong bid farewell to Xu Xiaotian, then headed down to the first-floor lobby and walked toward the exit.

Since he had been staying here for a while, some of the other long-term residents recognized him. They looked surprised to see him heading out with a backpack.

"Guan Tong, you’re leaving?"

"Yeah."

"Are you crazy?! With all that snow out there, going out is a death wish!"

Guan Tong didn’t answer, simply walking straight out the main entrance.

"...That kid’s gotta be crazy. Just plain crazy!"

"Forget about him. Let’s focus on calling the Department of Livelihood Security and get them to deliver some food! With this many people, think of how much we’ll go through every day!"

"And warm clothes! And thick blankets! The snow just started, so it’s not too cold yet, but it’s going to get freezing later!"

Guan Tong stepped out of the Li Mei Hotel. He looked at the snow-filled sky before him and took a deep, cold breath.

’With this Thermoregulating Technology Underwear I’m wearing, I won’t have to worry about hypothermia for up to six hours of outdoor activity. I must get the supplies I need within that time, then leave Yunhua City and head for Mingdao Mountain, over two hundred miles south of the city. That place is remote—the snowfall there is bound to be light!’