Survival in the Ice Age: My Billion-Dollar Hoard Chapter 1: Reborn After the Apocalypse

Pain! Pain! Pain!. Overwhelming, excruciating pain consumed De Hua 's entire being. This was no mere sensation; it was his harsh reality.

He was being mercilessly beaten by friends and neighbors he once trusted and helped. In this desolate world, where resources were scarce, they showed no gratitude, only brutality.

In his final moments, he glimpsed Fang Ting, his once-idolized goddess, standing pitiably at the back of the crowd, shouting, "I made him open the door. You must give me a larger share of the supplies!"

It was she who deceived De Hua , leading to his demise. His eyes filled with hatred and regret as he looked at her. His only fault was being too kind, too naive, becoming a stepping stone in this apocalyptic world. How he wished he could start over.

He vowed never to show mercy again, to live solely for himself. As darkness claimed him, his consciousness slipped away.

Yet, in the next instant, De Hua 's eyes flew open, and he bolted upright from the sofa. The hellish scene he just endured, the horrific pain—it was all too vivid.

Breathing heavily, drenched in sweat, De Hua tried to make sense of his surroundings. "Wasn't I killed by those savage neighbors?"

As he calmed down, he realized he was in his own home. The comfortable temperature of the room seemed surreal. In December 2050, Earth had plunged into a global ice age due to a supernova explosion 500,000 light-years away. Temperatures in his city, Handong , plummeted to -60°C to -70°C, with snowstorms burying the entire city. Northern China faced even worse conditions, reaching -100°C, turning the land into a frozen wasteland and wiping out 95% of humanity.

Standing up, De Hua took a bottle of water from the fridge and drank deeply. Even the cold water felt like nectar. In the apocalypse, people risked their lives in sub-zero temperatures to melt snow for water, a task often leading to death.

Checking his phone, he saw the date: November 12th. One month remained before the apocalypse.

"Looks like I've been reborn."

De Hua took a deep breath, understanding the truth. His past month's ordeal was no dream. The excruciating pain was too real. A surge of relief and determination filled him. He remembered those who betrayed him clearly and vowed to live well in this life, showing no mercy to those beasts. He also planned to exact revenge on his treacherous neighbors.

For now, De Hua needed to prepare for the impending apocalypse. He had inherited a 120-square-meter house from his deceased parents and had over two million in savings—comfortable in ordinary times but inadequate for survival in an apocalyptic world.

Survival required vast resources. With time to prepare, De Hua aimed not just to live but to maintain a certain quality of life, balancing food, entertainment, and safety, to avoid a mental breakdown. Weapons were essential to protect himself and to exact revenge.

Suddenly, a white light appeared before his eyes. Thinking it was a trick of his vision, he rubbed his eyes, but an idea surged into his mind: the white light was part of him, containing information.

With a thought, De Hua 's consciousness entered the light, revealing a vast, blank space.

"Is this... a different dimension?"

His heart leaped with joy. The supernova's gamma rays had mutated him, granting extraordinary powers. This immense space would make stockpiling supplies much easier.

Eager to test its limits, De Hua began placing items from his home into the space, starting with small objects like cups and basins, then larger appliances—TVs, fridges, washing machines, computers, air conditioners, and vacuums. The space accepted everything without resistance. A mere thought could retrieve any item.

However, objects integrated into the environment, like floorboards, couldn't be stored. The space had its rules, which De Hua would need to learn. Nevertheless, this storage capability alone meant he could hoard massive resources.

He licked his lips, formulating a bold plan. As a warehouse supervisor for Walmart's South China division, he knew the inventory, surveillance, and staff schedules intimately.

Walmart's South China warehouse, the largest in the world, spanning over a million square meters, could supply millions for a week. Emptying this warehouse into his space would ensure De Hua a lifetime of supplies, living comfortably even in the apocalypse.

Knowing the warehouse layout and security, De Hua was confident he could execute his plan. With this strategy in mind, he felt a great relief.

His stomach growled. De Hua looked at the takeout on the table, hesitating, then decided against eating it. "In a month, the world will end. I should enjoy good food while I can, instead of being stingy with myself."

Having endured a month of cold and hunger, he craved a hot, delicious meal. Money would become worthless post-apocalypse, so he decided to spend freely now.

Turning decisively, De Hua prepared to dine at an upscale restaurant he had always deemed too extravagant.