Forty-nine rules of the end times

Chapter 26 Research Lab Meeting

"Anyone who has ascended, please chime in. How do we implement this rule?"

"Just starve for now. If you really can't stand it, then eat. Anyway, the punishment for failure isn't death."

"Has the person upstairs given up? The decline of mental energy is a serious matter. Haven't you seen how the government and non-governmental organizations are frantically trying to take him away?"

"They only want big shots, they definitely wouldn't look down on ordinary people."

"I failed on the second attempt; I've already had my score reduced once. If it's reduced again this time, it'll probably drop to single digits!"

"Don't overthink it. Take advantage of the free food and drinks and live one day at a time!"

"The Countermeasures Research Lab has updated the rules; the life-sustaining tablets from the food boxes can now be used."

"oh???"

"What's the point of buying a hammer if you don't have coins!"

"Damn it! If we don't pass the previous rule, we won't get any coins. If we don't get any coins, we can't buy food boxes. If we can't buy food boxes, we can't pass this rule either. This is a vicious cycle!"

"Not having a box doesn't necessarily mean you can't pass, right? Don't forget the first rule: many people passed without using mints, didn't they?"

"I'm a 300-pound fat guy, I can easily burn some fat! This is called being prepared for danger in times of peace, and it tells you guys not to eat more to save up energy."

Holy crap! The person upstairs is amazing!

"The episode with the biggest appetite is the one I envy the most."

The online discussion continued, and just like with the second rule, because there was no pressure of death, the atmosphere was not as oppressive and desperate as with the first rule.

However, as people have discovered that mental strength is becoming increasingly important, the idea that mental strength diminishes after a failed challenge has become increasingly difficult to accept.

The official update of the challenge rules was incredibly fast. Less than ten minutes after the rules were released, information was added that food boxes could be purchased to help pass the level, indicating that they tested it out immediately.

Even so, many people still can't afford to buy because they don't have enough coins due to failing the second rule.

Fortunately, the authorities released a detailed guide for these people two hours later: how to survive for fifteen days by drinking only water.

In this regard, the Northern Star Kingdom was the fastest, because within hours of the first apocalyptic rule being triggered, the Northern Star Kingdom government had gathered a large number of experts and scholars from all walks of life to study countermeasures.

This guide is a compilation of information gathered from the collective wisdom of doctors from various departments, nutritionists, and even fasting enthusiasts.

The guide begins by stating that if a person is healthy and has no underlying medical conditions, it is possible to survive for fifteen days by drinking only water.

However, the consequences could be severe. For example, although a person may survive, some organs may fail.

Just like the first rule of sleep deprivation, some people managed to stick to it, but ended up with health problems afterward, such as headaches and neurasthenia.

The same applies to this rule now: without the threat of death, how many people who don't have enough coins would risk organ failure to survive these fifteen days?

The official channels can't make this choice for others, so they can only provide guides. Whether or not to persist is up to each individual.

After Guan Tong bought four food boxes, her mindset became very peaceful.

He knew he could definitely succeed in the challenge, so his current focus was on continuing to use his mental power to write and create coins on the "Wordless Book." Although he really wanted to turn to another page and write something on the third page, he didn't know what to write for the moment, so he decided to create more coins first.

You can never have too many Ascension Coins. Even though the ones I create are all bound coins, as long as they can be used in the terminal store, that's fine. Maybe I can buy something good next time the store updates.

So Guan Tong began his undisturbed life of writing at home again.

Perhaps because he hasn't been active since the rules were implemented, those still alive in the classmates' group thought he was dead.

After Guan Tong replied to the message, Fang Qian didn't send any new messages, and it's unclear what happened.

Of course, no one disturbing him is a good thing for Guan Tong. He likes the feeling of developing slowly by himself, just like he likes to read farming novels and play simulation games.

……

Just as Guan Tong was engrossed in writing and minting coins, the official organization of the Northern Star Kingdom, the Post-Apocalyptic Rules Countermeasures Research Office, was holding a meeting in an office.

The head of the research lab was a middle-aged man with short hair, thick eyebrows, and strong features; he looked like he came from the military.

In fact, before becoming the person in charge, this man named "Gao Liangwei" was a senior colonel in the military.

After the rules of the apocalypse were introduced, the top leadership appointed Gao Liangwei as the person in charge, believing that his decisive and meticulous style could keep the elites from all walks of life in check and unite them to fight against the rules.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the seminar on the third rule of the apocalypse is now beginning. Please speak in an orderly manner," said Gao Liangwei, who was sitting at one end of the long table. "Let's start with Dr. Zhang on the left."

Dr. Zhang nodded, adjusted his glasses, and said, "As everyone knows, what I've been studying before isn't the rules themselves, but rather the purpose of the fire-stealers. Now that the third rule has emerged, I think it's quite clear."

"Regardless of what this fire-stealer truly is, its purpose is quite clear: to use various extreme methods to screen people on our planet, ultimately sending those selected to..."

“Go participate in the apocalyptic operation.” A long-haired man on the other side of the table interrupted, “Dr. Zhang, I think everyone already knew this on day one, right? The Firebringers themselves said so.”

"Dr. Zhou, didn't I just say to speak in an orderly manner?" Gao Liangwei, the person in charge, stared at the long-haired man. "Didn't you hear me?"

Dr. Zhou's expression changed slightly, and he said "I'm sorry" in a low voice before falling silent.

"Dr. Zhang, please continue."

“Alright, I’ll continue. Indeed, the Firebringers said on their first day that the so-called forty-nine rules of the apocalypse are actually the content of the ‘Ascension Test.’ Those who pass the test will be selected to participate in the apocalypse operations… What I’m trying to say is that if we’re determined to build a selected team, we must start preparing now and not delay.”

Gao Liangwei asked, "Dr. Zhang, do you mean we should start the personnel selection process now?"

"Yes, the sooner the better. Because the rules of the apocalypse are constantly being updated, it's a process where the strong get stronger. The longer it's delayed, the more difficult it will be to train specific individuals."

At this point, someone raised their hand to ask a question.

"Go ahead," Gao Liangwei gestured.

"I want to ask why we need to train specific personnel? Can't we select from those who have already passed several rules? For example, wouldn't it be better to select people from the soon-to-be-opened Mind Power Development Academy?"

Just as Dr. Zhang was about to speak, Gao Liangwei said, "I'll answer this question. Because we need to consider the risk of infiltration, it's best to train personnel with solid backgrounds."

"Infiltration risk?"

(End of this chapter)