[Congratulations, Blue Planet inhabitants, your planet has been selected as a global battlefield.]
[Time remaining until the arrival of multiverse civilizations: 42 hours, 17 minutes, and 56 seconds.]
[Time remaining until global talent awakening for Blue Planet lifeforms: 2 hours, 17 minutes, and 56 seconds.]
Lin Qun blinked, but the three lines of text projected onto his retinas remained unchanged, the countdown merely ticking from 56 to 55 seconds.
Pushing through the crowded throng with effort, Lin Qun found that no matter where he moved his body or directed his gaze, the text followed his line of sight.
The same text and countdown were visible to everyone on the Blue Planet, announcing to all the imminent upheaval and disaster.
At 10 a.m., the sunlight was obscured by overcast skies, casting the world in a faint gloom.
In front of the largest supermarket at the entrance of Dragon City's Imperial View Community, a throng of people fought to stockpile supplies.
"Don't cut in line!"
"I've got money! Give me supplies!"
"You scumbag, I'll beat you for cutting in line!"
While others quarreled and brawled in the corner, Lin Qun took advantage of the chaos to push his way forward. It reminded him of the crowds at the hottest tourist spots during holidays.
The supermarket owner had blocked the entrance with tables and chairs. Customers would shout out what they wanted, and he'd fetch it for them. Those who made it to the front simply had to pay.
"I want a box of canned food, three boxes of bread or biscuits, a box of mineral water, a box of milk, and as much chocolate or other high-calorie food as you can spare."
This was the most Lin Qun could carry; any more, and he wouldn't be able to squeeze out of the crowd.
The bearded shopkeeper shook his head. "Canned food and milk are sold out! I can give you one box of bread and one box of mineral water. There are two bars of chocolate left—do you want them? Altogether, it's 22,000 yuan. Take it or leave it."
Lin Qun was stunned.
22,000 yuan for so little?
Was this shopping or daylight robbery?
Before he could react, people behind him began to shove.
"Are you buying or not? If not, move aside!"
The shopkeeper grew impatient. "Hurry up! If you don't want it, there are plenty of others who do!"
Glancing at the supermarket behind the owner, Lin Qun realized that getting to the front had cost him nearly an hour. The shelves inside were already half-empty.
"I'll take it. And that jar of Bird's Eye mustard greens on the shelf—add a box of those!"
"With the mustard greens, it's 28,000 yuan."
5,000 yuan for a box of mustard greens?
Never in his life had Lin Qun imagined he'd spend so much on pickled vegetables, but he gritted his teeth, transferred his savings, and paid. With his pitiful haul in hand, he squeezed out of the crowd.
Some envious bystanders eyed his chocolate, and one even reached for it, but Lin Qun caught him in the act.
"Hands off my stuff!"
His stern voice startled the would-be thief, who quickly disappeared into the crowd.
Back at his cramped 30-square-meter apartment on the seventh floor of Building 5, Lin Qun locked the door behind him and finally exhaled.
He organized his supplies. Combined with what he already had at home, he had enough for at most two weeks. Medicine, however, was plentiful—he had prioritized buying it earlier, which had delayed his trip to the supermarket.
As he sat on the couch, rubbing his temples, a wave of frustration swept over him.
He was a transmigrator, new to this world named the Blue Planet, which closely resembled Earth but was governed by a global federal system since the end of World War II. The person whose life he had taken over was a 27-year-old orphan, living alone in the bustling Federal Hua-Xia District metropolis. He had bought his modest apartment with hard-earned savings.
Just days after adjusting to this new life, this apocalyptic crisis had begun.
Lin Qun had done all he could to prepare. Now, all he could do was wait.
As the countdown reached the two-hour mark, every person on the planet saw a new message flash before their eyes:
[The global battlefield is about to begin. As Blue Planet natives and participants, you will awaken unique talents.]
[Each person will receive an attribute panel, viewable via voice command.]
[You will also gain a talent based on your attributes and characteristics. Talents range from F to S grade, with F being the weakest and S the strongest.]
[May your gods protect you!]
The internet erupted with speculation and fear, while the federal government urged citizens to remain calm.
Just then, Lin Qun's vision blurred as an intense headache struck. New text appeared:
[Congratulations, you have awakened a talent. Your personal panel is being generated.]
[Name: Lin Qun]
[Level: 1 (0/100)]
[Strength: 7]
[Agility: 6]
[Constitution: 7]
[Spirit: 12]
(*Normal human stats are 10.)
[Talent: Card Enhancement Ability]
[Type: Transmigrator Talent – Unique]
[Rating: Super S]
[Level: Tier 1]
[Description: As an individual from another world and the sole participant of your civilization, you have gained a unique enhancement. You can draw cards to obtain technology, materials, skills, and attribute boosts from your original world.]
[Current draws available: 1]
Lin Qun was stunned. His transmigrator identity had been recognized, granting him a super S-grade talent, even beyond the highest listed tier.
With this talent, even his subpar base stats no longer mattered. Survival in this world would hinge on his card-drawing ability.