Forty-nine rules of the end times

Chapter 2 Hidden Rule 1
71: 05: 33
Guan Tong glanced at the countdown in the sky, then carried a large bag of food into the building entrance.

He didn't try to compete with others for coffee, black tea, or other energy drinks. Firstly, they were hard to get, and secondly, he didn't think those things were indispensable.

As the rule's "notes" state, going 72 hours without sleep is not absolutely impossible. With determination and the immense pressure of the threat of death, many people should be able to complete it.

Guan Tong returned home, went to the study, and turned on the computer. The internet was flooded with news about the rules of the apocalypse.

Not only in Beixing Kingdom, but also in other countries around the world, a large number of people have died.

In countries where the time zone is in the middle of the night, the death rate is particularly high, with some areas even nearing a state of being out of contact.

Officials in various countries immediately issued nationwide announcements, reminding their citizens not to sleep during the designated times.

Online, the matter has been hotly debated, with all sorts of opinions being expressed.

Some believe the fire-stealer is an alien, some believe it is a super artificial intelligence, and others believe it is an incarnation of God coming to destroy the world...

"Buzz."

The phone on the table vibrated. Guan Tong picked it up and saw that it was the latest official announcement from the carrier.

[Urgent Notice: Attention all citizens! The voice you are hearing is real! The apocalyptic rules have been confirmed to be in effect. Please do not fall asleep for the next 72 hours!]
Regarding how to stay awake for extended periods, we offer the following suggestions for now:

1. Avoid being alone whenever possible! Being in a room with others and engaging in conversation is one of the best ways to stay alert. You can also keep an eye on each other and remind each other if you notice the other becoming drowsy or confused!

2. Keep your environment noisy, and when you are tired, use various devices to play songs and sounds at high volume.

3. You can consume some caffeinated beverages to boost your energy, but be careful not to drink too much.

4. Reduce energy expenditure and avoid excessive exercise. You can reduce your food intake appropriately; hunger can effectively combat drowsiness.

5. Keep the environment well-lit and away from sofas and soft beds to avoid unconsciously falling asleep due to excessive comfort.

Finally, please don't give up, don't despair, you must persevere for 72 hours!

Guan Tong largely agreed with the suggestions listed in the message.

After all, when such a sudden and massive global disaster occurs without warning, the authorities cannot immediately find a perfect solution.

Moreover, the official actions of the Northern Star Kingdom were relatively swift.

Guan Tong saw online that large-scale riots had broken out in urban areas of some countries. If they cannot be controlled in time, the secondary disasters caused by the riots may be no less destructive than the "rules" themselves.

"Please go home as soon as possible and do not linger outdoors."

Outside the window, a patrol car equipped with a large loudspeaker began to broadcast announcements.

Guan Tong looked outside. On the street, some uniformed police officers were already patrolling to prevent criminals from taking advantage of the chaos to vandalize, loot, or commit other illegal acts.

Regardless, this supernatural disaster has already occurred.

Faced with the brutal reality of massive global deaths, anyone who doesn't want to die from the power of the rules must abide by them.

Guan Tong recalled the words of the "Fire Thief" and silently recited "personal terminal" in his mind.

A semi-transparent virtual panel immediately appeared.

Looking at this panel, Guan Tong felt as if she had become a character in a game.

The text on the virtual panel listed his personal information.

Name: Guan Tong

[Nickname: Feature Not Enabled] (This feature will be enabled after the first apocalyptic rule takes effect.)
[Title: None available]

[Mental Power: None]

[Ascended Coins: 0]

Overall Bioinformatics Evaluation: Poor

……

After reviewing her personal panel, Guan Tong checked the reward for the first apocalyptic rule again: [Survival Reward: 100 Ascension Coins, Mental Power]

"If this were a game, Ascension Coins would be like in-game currency. So what is 'Mental Power'? Is it something like a skill?"

Guan Tong didn't understand; he would probably only know after he successfully survived the rule's time limit.

"Even in death, love will prevail!"

"Thump thump thump! Thump thump thump! Boom boom boom!"

Some noises began to come from the walls. Guan Tong guessed that her upstairs and downstairs neighbors had begun to follow the official advice and turn all their home media players, stereos, and other equipment up to the maximum volume, playing all kinds of upbeat music to keep them awake.

Guan Tong thought to herself, "Isn't it a bit early to release all of this now?"

It's still morning, a time when most people are full of energy. If you start relying on external stimuli now, what will you do when you're truly tired at night?
With nothing else to do, Guan Tong decided to review the details of the apocalyptic rules again through her personal terminal.

[Test Content: Forty-Nine Rules for the Apocalypse]

[Test Objective: Those who pass the test can participate in the post-apocalyptic operation and have a chance to survive.]

"It seems there are forty-nine rules for the apocalypse. Only the first one has been released, and how many people have already died? After the forty-nine rules are released, how many people will be left in the world?"

"No, that's not right. I can't be prejudiced. Not every rule is so demanding, and not every rule's penalty for failure is death."

"'Those who pass the test can participate in the apocalyptic operation and win a chance to survive.' What exactly is the apocalyptic operation? Just from the name, it's definitely not a good thing..."

Guan Tong continued reading.

[Apocalyptic Rule 1: Sleep Deprivation]

[Rule Details: You may not enter a sleep state in any form for 72 hours from the date this rule is published.]

Something suddenly changed under his gaze regarding this first rule.

Just like the four large, pulsating words "Test Begins" that he saw in the sky outside the classroom window.

This rule, surprisingly, began to pulsate in his eyes.

Those pulsating "color particles" are gradually recombining into other words.

Soon, the first line of reorganized text was formed.

[Hidden Rule 1]

Guan Tong stood up abruptly from the chair and rubbed her eyes vigorously.

When I opened my eyes again, the words were still there.

This is not an illusion!
The color particles continue to coalesce into words.

Hidden Rule 1: Plunder the Sober

[Hidden Rule Details: After the first post-apocalyptic rule is issued, using violence to put someone to sleep will grant you a "Wake-Up Peppermint." Using this item will keep you fully conscious for 3 hours.]

[Note: To increase your own chances of survival, would you choose to deprive others of their right to live?]

"I can see the hidden rules...?"

Guan Tong rushed to the study with a look of surprise and doubt, and turned on the computer.

He tried searching for keywords, but the results were all irrelevant.

It's clear that no one online has mentioned the hidden rules yet, which could mean that only he himself can see these rules.

This should have been a cause for celebration.

However, the content of this hidden rule, and the behavioral tendencies it induces, made Guan Tong anything but happy...

(End of this chapter)