When eternal darkness consumes the world, only the ruthless survive.
[Dubbed] Throne of the Eternal Night is a gripping post-apocalyptic fantasy mini drama filled with rebirth, survival, monsters, revenge, dark powers, and a fearless female ruler rising in a collapsing world.
After the arrival of an endless night plunges humanity into chaos, civilization crumbles under freezing darkness, terrifying creatures, and violent survivors fighting for control. But unlike everyone else, Jade awakens with memories from her past life — memories of every betrayal, disaster, and death that destroyed humanity before.
Determined not to repeat history, Jade builds a powerful refuge in the frozen wasteland and transforms herself into a ruthless leader feared by both monsters and humans alike. Armed with advanced technology, intelligence from her previous life, and an unbreakable will, she gathers survivors and establishes a new order in a world where mercy means death.
As dangerous enemies rise from the shadows and powerful raider groups threaten her growing empire, Jade must face brutal choices between humanity and survival. Meanwhile, mysterious truths surrounding the eternal night begin to surface, revealing a terrifying secret capable of destroying what remains of the world forever.
Packed with apocalyptic survival, dark fantasy action, powerful female leadership, revenge, rebirth elements, monster battles, strategic warfare, and emotional twists, Throne of the Eternal Night delivers nonstop suspense and addictive storytelling.
Perfect for fans of survival dramas, rebirth fantasy series, strong female protagonists, dark apocalypse stories, dystopian mini dramas, and powerful empire-building narratives.
#ThroneOfTheEternalNight #PostApocalypse #DarkFantasy #RebirthDrama #StrongFemaleLead #SurvivalDrama #MiniDrama #FantasySeries #MonsterWorld #ApocalypseStory
Welcome to our world of addictive short dramas and emotional storytelling.
Here you’ll find viral micro dramas, romantic love stories, revenge series, dramatic plot twists, and binge-worthy vertical dramas designed for mobile viewers.
From billionaire romance and toxic relationships to heartbreak, betrayal, and unexpected endings — every episode is crafted to keep you hooked.
New short drama episodes uploaded regularly.
Watch anytime, anywhere, and enjoy cinematic storytelling in minutes.
Subscribe now for daily short dramas, trending micro drama series, and emotional love stories.
#ShortDrama #MicroDrama #VerticalDrama #MiniSeries #RomanceDrama #RevengeDrama
[Dubbed] Throne of the Eternal Night is a gripping post-apocalyptic fantasy mini drama filled with rebirth, survival, monsters, revenge, dark powers, and a fearless female ruler rising in a collapsing world.
After the arrival of an endless night plunges humanity into chaos, civilization crumbles under freezing darkness, terrifying creatures, and violent survivors fighting for control. But unlike everyone else, Jade awakens with memories from her past life — memories of every betrayal, disaster, and death that destroyed humanity before.
Determined not to repeat history, Jade builds a powerful refuge in the frozen wasteland and transforms herself into a ruthless leader feared by both monsters and humans alike. Armed with advanced technology, intelligence from her previous life, and an unbreakable will, she gathers survivors and establishes a new order in a world where mercy means death.
As dangerous enemies rise from the shadows and powerful raider groups threaten her growing empire, Jade must face brutal choices between humanity and survival. Meanwhile, mysterious truths surrounding the eternal night begin to surface, revealing a terrifying secret capable of destroying what remains of the world forever.
Packed with apocalyptic survival, dark fantasy action, powerful female leadership, revenge, rebirth elements, monster battles, strategic warfare, and emotional twists, Throne of the Eternal Night delivers nonstop suspense and addictive storytelling.
Perfect for fans of survival dramas, rebirth fantasy series, strong female protagonists, dark apocalypse stories, dystopian mini dramas, and powerful empire-building narratives.
#ThroneOfTheEternalNight #PostApocalypse #DarkFantasy #RebirthDrama #StrongFemaleLead #SurvivalDrama #MiniDrama #FantasySeries #MonsterWorld #ApocalypseStory
Welcome to our world of addictive short dramas and emotional storytelling.
Here you’ll find viral micro dramas, romantic love stories, revenge series, dramatic plot twists, and binge-worthy vertical dramas designed for mobile viewers.
From billionaire romance and toxic relationships to heartbreak, betrayal, and unexpected endings — every episode is crafted to keep you hooked.
New short drama episodes uploaded regularly.
Watch anytime, anywhere, and enjoy cinematic storytelling in minutes.
Subscribe now for daily short dramas, trending micro drama series, and emotional love stories.
#ShortDrama #MicroDrama #VerticalDrama #MiniSeries #RomanceDrama #RevengeDrama
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Beep. Walmart checkout line. The scanner's chirp suddenly cut out. The lady who just cussed me out for cutting in
00:06line suddenly started shaking. Scallion hit the floor. The shelf stalker. Froze. Eyes fixed on the ceiling lights. I looked
00:15at the gum in my hand. And my heart skipped a beat. The ghost pain of frozen lungs was so
00:20real it nearly brought me down. I looked up and scanned the room. Hundreds of people in the store fell
00:25dead silent at the exact same time. No one spoke. Everyone was on their phones. Then locking eyes with each
00:29other. It wasn't confusion in their eyes. It was pure greed and panic. Everyone's returned. Three hours before the eternal
00:36night. Grab it. Without light. We're dead. Someone finally snapped and screamed. The store erupted into chaos. Hundreds charged for
00:44the same aisles. Lighting and fuel. Loom. These batteries are mine. Generator. Who has one? I'll pay a million. Down
00:51jackets. Give me all of them. Shelves toppled. People were trampled. Screams and curses filled the air. I watched coldly
00:58pushing against the frantic crowd.
00:59Toward the ignored hardware section. My bestie Quinn. Who pushed me to the monsters in the last life. Just because
01:05her flashlight died. Was clutching a box of searchlights. Grinning like a total lunatic. She saw me. Looked stunned for
01:13a second. Then smirked with pure contempt.
01:15Jade. You're reborn too right? What are you waiting for? You idiot. Go get the batteries before it's too late.
01:21She crammed camping lights. Into her cart. Looking at me like I was already dead.
01:25You got lucky and survived last time. This time. You won't survive the dark. I ignored her.
01:29Clearing out the shelves of blackout cloth. High density foam. And heavy duty tape.
01:34Quinn looked at me like I was insane. She shoved past me. Hissing into my ear.
01:39Morin. It's pitch black out there. What's black cloth for?
01:43I looked at her pile of high power lights. With a smirk.
01:47Idiots. You only remembered. The cold and the dark. You don't know that seven hours in.
01:52The real reapers. The light eaters. Will wake up. They're blind and only hunt lumens. The brighter
01:58the light. The faster they hit. In this dark apocalypse. Light isn't life. Light is a beacon
02:03for the grim reaper. Outside. The streets were in pure chaos. Traffic was dead. Sirens wailed. But no one
02:09gave a damn. Cars were swarming hardware. Stores and gas stations. Crash. A rover smashed into an outdoor
02:16shop. The driver. Face bloody. Ran in for a generator. I drove my old truck. Ramming the
02:21gate open. Only two hours and fifteen minutes left. I'm on the first floor with a basement.
02:26Last life. I hated how dark. And damp it was. Now. It's a natural fortress. Next door. Mr. Kent
02:34was busy as hell. He had his son welding bars. On windows. And setting up huge solar floodlights
02:40outside. I hauled out my black cloth and tape. Mr. Kent spat. Looking at me with scorn.
02:46Hey Jade. Did your brain freeze over? What's with those rags? Go get some fuel.
02:51His son gripped a stolen fire axe. His eyes were cold. With a murderous glint.
02:55Dad. Forget about her. Jade. Hand over the diesel generator.
02:59Last life. They broke in on day three of the freeze. They robbed me and kicked me into the snow.
03:05I opened my trunk without a word. Pointing at my dusty, high power generator. It's right
03:11here. But I don't want it. They froze. Almost dropping the axe. I want the damp charcoal in
03:16your cellar. And those useless rubber mats and old quilts. Trade those. And the generator's yours.
03:21You crazy. That charcoal's moldy. Smokes like hell. Those quilts stink to high heaven.
03:26Deal or not. I pretended to shut the trunk. Deal. Only an idiot wouldn't.
03:30Afraid I'd change my mind. They ran home. And dumped that trash at my door.
03:35Jade. You asked for this. Don't haunt us if you freeze to death.
03:40They gleefully hooked the generator to the floodlights. Like it was their lifeline.
03:45I almost laughed. Even damp charcoal works one stride. With ventilation, you can heat quietly
03:52in the dark. Rubber mats and old quilts insulate and muffle sound. After the trade, I dragged the
03:57trash inside and locked the door. The next two hours were life or death. No time to reinforce
04:03the door. Steel is useless against light eaters. As long as no light leaks, as long as there's
04:09no sound, they won't know anyone's here. I started covering the windows with blackout
04:13fabric. One layer. Two. Three. I sealed every crack with black caulk. Even stuffed thick padding
04:18under the door. I was sealing myself into a black coffin. 1.55pm. Five minutes till eternal night.
04:25I'd covered every light source at home. Phone screen. Rice cooker indicator. Power strip
04:30LEDs. All taped black. Done with that, I sat in the pitch dark living room. And opened
04:35the residence group chat. Screen dimmed to the lowest. With privacy film. The chat was
04:40buzzing. Everyone bragged. Quinn posted a photo. Dozens of batteries lit up her room.
04:46Like daylight. String lights and all.
04:48This life, I'll be queen of the night. Kneel if you fear the dark. I might spare you a lamp.
04:53Neighbors flooded her with praise. Quinn's amazing. Take me in. I've got food. Booze and
04:59smokes for a power bank. Where's Jade? Why is she so quiet? She traded a generator for charcoal.
05:05Cry now. Jade. I'll be nice. Beg me now. I'll toss you some candles. I stared at the screen.
05:11Said nothing. And muted my phone. Cry? No. I'm digging your graves. 2pm. No warning came.
05:19The sun outside was crushed. By an invisible hand. A low hum shook the world.
05:25Then. Darkness. Not nightfall. Total. Absolute black. All natural light vanished.
05:32In 5 minutes. 25 degrees Celsius plunged off a cliff. 10. 0. Minus 15. The windows crackled sharply.
05:39Glass straining from the cold. It's here. I'm freezing already. Turn on the lights.
05:43Screams echoed in the hallway. Next second. The whole complex lit up. Especially the top floor.
05:49Home to Quinn and Mr. Kent. High power floodlights turned snow today.
05:54Huh. It's bright. I'm not scared.
05:57Bring it on. We've got light and heat.
06:00Mr. Kent's family laughed wildly. I wore the military night vision monocular.
06:06In it's green glow. The thermometer outside read minus 30. But this was only the start.
06:11I chewed a rock hard ration bar. No hot water. Boiling water makes noise and light.
06:16Like a hibernating snake. I waited. Waiting for the feast called light.
06:206 hours since eternal night began. Outside. Is a twisted carnival.
06:25Through my tiny peephole. Sealed with one way film. I watched the building across.
06:30It looks like a giant Christmas tree. Almost every apartment. Has all it's lights blazing.
06:34The cold drives them. Brutal frost makes people crave heat.
06:38Quinn. Showing off. Installed rotating spotlights on the roof.
06:41Beams sweep the black sky. Announcing her wealth and safety.
06:45In the group chat. They praise her.
06:48Quinn's place is so warm. You can see the heat through windows.
06:51This is real living. Unlike some people. Frozen stiff by now.
06:55They post hot pot pics under bright lights. Steam rising. Chilly oil bubbling.
06:58Hey. Do you hear that?
07:00Someone sends a voice message. Their tone's slightly shaky.
07:04Like something scraping the wall. Like nails on glass. So sharp.
07:08The chat goes quiet for a second.
07:10Don't scare us. With wind this strong. It's just tree branches. Right?
07:14Yeah. We're on the 20th floor. What could climb up here?
07:16Quinn sends a smug voice note.
07:18What's there to fear? My spotlights are industrial grade.
07:21What monster would dare come? I'll blind it with light.
07:23I set down my biscuit. Adjust the night vision.
07:26And lean toward the people. They're here.
07:28In her blazing spotlight beam.
07:29I see something struggling to breathe.
07:31As the light sweeps past. Countless black shapes cling to the wall.
07:35Withered humanoid forms. Long limbs. No eyes.
07:38Its head is just a huge, barbed mouth.
07:41They'd been wandering in darkness.
07:43But the second she lit that beam.
07:45Every monster froze.
07:47In that instant.
07:48Their light sensitive skin felt the lumens.
07:50To them, it's not just light.
07:52It was the dinner bell.
07:54Roar.
07:54A piercing shriek split the air.
07:56Then hundreds, thousands of shadows.
07:58Surged along the building's wall.
08:00Like a black tidal wave.
08:01Rushing toward the brightest tower.
08:03Bang. Crash.
08:04The first window shattered.
08:06Then a second.
08:07A third.
08:08Ah. What is that?
08:09Help. The window's broken.
08:10The group chat turned into screams.
08:13Turn off the lights.
08:14They're coming for the lights.
08:15Someone finally got it.
08:17Too late.
08:18Once marked, it won't stop until the target's gone.
08:21Through the people, I watched.
08:23The Christmas tree.
08:24Going dark.
08:25Not turned off by switches.
08:26But smashed by monsters.
08:27Or the people powering them.
08:28Were torn apart.
08:30Quinn's top floor was brightest.
08:31And most crowded with monsters.
08:33Her huge window shattered.
08:34Under their combined force.
08:36Wind and monsters stormed.
08:38Her fortress of light.
08:39The rotating spotlight kept spinning.
08:41She swung a stun baton.
08:43Fighting back.
08:45One monster lunged.
08:46And bit off half her hand.
08:48Behind her, Arthur.
08:50The man who vowed forever.
08:51Shugged her at them with a chair.
08:53Dark green blood splashed across the light.
08:56Turning pale light into eerie red.
08:58Quinn.
08:59You killed us.
09:00Turn off the spotlight.
09:02Jade.
09:02Why's your place quiet?
09:03Why aren't there any monsters at your place?
09:05In this citywide frenzy.
09:06Only my first floor.
09:07Stayed pitch black and silent.
09:09I exited the chat calmly.
09:11Next door.
09:12Mr. Kent screamed.
09:13Stay out.
09:14I've got an ex.
09:15Ah.
09:16His huge solar spotlight shattered.
09:18I wrapped my blanket tighter and closed my eyes.
09:21First rule to survive.
09:23Embrace the dark.
09:24Those holding torches are the first sacrifices.
09:27The first night's purge began.
09:29But it's only the start.
09:31Because Arthur, the jerk who pushed me out, didn't seem dead.
09:34He was stumbling this way.
09:36Bang.
09:36Bang.
09:37Bang.
09:38Pounding.
09:38Echoed down the hall.
09:40Jade.
09:41I know you're in there.
09:42Open the door.
09:43Open up.
09:43I sat on the couch.
09:45Tablet in hand.
09:46Watching the peephole cam.
09:47Feed.
09:48In night vision, Arthur was covered in blood.
09:50Not sure who's.
09:51Behind him, the hallway was pitch black.
09:54Something crawled in the dark.
09:56Not opening up?
09:57He sneered.
09:58I've got a lighter, and half a bottle of wine.
10:01If I can't live, we die together.
10:03If I light a fire at your door, those things will rush over.
10:07Being reborn, he figured it out.
10:09He'd use light to break my defense.
10:11Click.
10:12The lighter sparked.
10:13A tiny flame lit the doorway.
10:16On screen, deep in the hall.
10:18Shadows snapped their heads around.
10:20I didn't move.
10:21Not even a breath.
10:23Two hours ago, I'd soaked the hallway tiles outside.
10:25With industrial lube, he stepped forward with lighter and bottle.
10:31Slide.
10:32His foot slipped.
10:33Ah.
10:34He flailed to balance.
10:36The bottle flew from his hand, smashing on the far wall.
10:40The lighter spun away, tracing a faint arc.
10:44Then went out.
10:45Thud.
10:46He hit the floor hard.
10:48A hiss rose from the dark.
10:51No.
10:52He tried to crawl.
10:54The oil was too slick.
10:55A black claw shot out, and grabbed his ankle.
11:00Ah.
11:00Jade.
11:01Save me.
11:02He screamed briefly.
11:03Then, was dragged into darkness.
11:05Bones cracked.
11:07Something chewed.
11:08I shut off the tablet and opened a bag of chips.
11:11Crunch.
11:12Almost in rhythm with the chewing.
11:15Trying to kill me?
11:16Watch your step.
11:17It was 8 in the morning, should've been bright and sunny.
11:21Outside, pitch black and blizzard roaring.
11:24It was day, but no sun rose.
11:26The first massacre had paused.
11:28Light eaters need to digest.
11:30The group chat was terrifyingly quiet.
11:32Half the group's avatars had gone gray.
11:34The survivors didn't dare speak.
11:36They finally got it.
11:38Light is death.
11:39I could tell they were copying me.
11:41Feeling around in the dark.
11:43Using sheets, quilts, boards.
11:45Desperately sealing windows.
11:46Jade.
11:47You there?
11:49A weak, tearful voice message.
11:51It was Quinn.
11:52I raised a brow.
11:53She survived?
11:54Jade.
11:55I know you hear this.
11:56Arthur went to you.
11:57He's dead.
11:58Why didn't you open the door?
11:59You're alive.
12:00So quiet in there.
12:01The dead chat stirred.
12:02What?
12:03She's fine?
12:04She's got supplies.
12:05She hoarded.
12:06That's murder.
12:07Share with us.
12:09Quinn posted a photo.
12:11Her hand wrapped in bloody gauze.
12:13My hands ruined.
12:15No heart.
12:15Jade.
12:16I even saved fever meds for you.
12:18She was lying.
12:19She has no meds at all.
12:20She wanted others to blame me.
12:22I watched the accusations scroll and laughed coldly.
12:25Last night you had hot pot under blazing spotlights.
12:27Did anyone call my name?
12:28Now your hand's gone.
12:29You remember me?
12:30Sorry.
12:31My blackout cloth only covers myself.
12:33I hit send with one image.
12:34A pure black picture.
12:35Nothing visible.
12:37But right.
12:37Now.
12:38That absolute darkness.
12:39Was the ultimate flex.
12:40It meant absolute safety.
12:42The temperature dropped to minus 50.
12:44Normal clothes offered no warmth.
12:47Survivors dodged monsters.
12:48But froze slowly.
12:50Afraid of light.
12:50They dared not make fire.
12:52No lights.
12:52No candles.
12:53Not even the stove.
12:54They huddled in the dark.
12:56Shivering together.
12:57Meanwhile.
12:58My home was warm as spring.
12:59I set up a simple smokeless.
13:01Stove in my room.
13:02Red oil bubbled in the pot.
13:04Lamb slices hit the broth.
13:06Changed color fast.
13:07And were drenched in sesame.
13:08And sauce.
13:09I blew on a piece.
13:10And popped it in my mouth.
13:11Spicy.
13:12Hot.
13:13Savory.
13:13Being alive felt amazing.
13:15Even with filters.
13:16The hot pot aroma leaked out.
13:19A faint smell traveled through the old vents.
13:22The chat blew up.
13:23What's that smell?
13:24Yum.
13:24Hot pot.
13:25Who's cooking hot pot?
13:26I smelled it too.
13:27It was a rich spicy beef aroma.
13:29Jade.
13:29Was that you?
13:30That smells coming from downstairs.
13:32Quinn sent a jealous.
13:33Crazy voice message.
13:35Must be her.
13:35She traded a generator for charcoal.
13:38She planned this.
13:38Eating alone.
13:39We're freezing.
13:40She's eating hot pot.
13:41Jade.
13:42Are you human?
13:43We're dying.
13:44You're actually eating hot pot.
13:45I sipped cold cola.
13:46And burped.
13:47Then I replied.
13:48Sorry.
13:48Just clearing stock.
13:49Too much meat.
13:50Gotta eat it or it'll spoil.
13:52That line crushed their patients completely.
13:54Hunger and cold pushed the neighbors to their limits.
13:57Half an hour later.
13:58Footsteps echoed outside.
14:00Mr. Kent lost his generator.
14:01But he survived.
14:02Since he lives on the first floor.
14:04Jade.
14:05Mr. Kent spoke from outside.
14:07We're neighbors.
14:08We should help each other.
14:09I heard you've got food.
14:11I'm not taking it for free.
14:12Once the area's safe.
14:13I'll have David protect you.
14:14David, his son with the axes, says.
14:16Exactly.
14:17Open up.
14:18Share some charcoal.
14:19We're freezing to death.
14:20Open up or we won't be polite.
14:21This door stops monsters, not chainsaws.
14:23They started kicking hard.
14:25Bang.
14:26The door shook.
14:27I put down my chopsticks and wiped my mouth.
14:29Trying to steal?
14:29I moved to the corner with my hi-fi system.
14:32I connected to my tablet and opened a file.
14:35It was the sounds of the light eaters eating.
14:38I turned up the volume.
14:40Just enough to feel like it's right outside.
14:42Then I hit play.
14:43Terrifying sounds echoed clearly through the door.
14:46The kick stopped instantly.
14:49WH-watch that?
14:50Sounds like that monster.
14:51Holy crap.
14:52Monster in Jade's place?
14:54Is she feeding it?
14:55Or being eaten?
14:56Mr. Kent's voice trembled.
14:58David, that doesn't sound right.
15:00Sounds like it's chewing bones.
15:01I slammed the volume to max.
15:03A scream rang out.
15:04Ah.
15:05Then a chaotic stampede of fleeing feet.
15:07Steps scrambled.
15:08Some falling.
15:09Crawling back up.
15:10Wrong.
15:11Jade's full of monsters.
15:12She's doomed.
15:13Don't get caught.
15:14Hearing silence return.
15:15I shut off the system.
15:16I sneered.
15:17What a bunch of cowards.
15:19It scared off most.
15:20But a few thought they were smart.
15:22The IT guy.
15:23On the third floor.
15:24With glasses.
15:25Polite type.
15:25He survived last life.
15:27Because he was smart.
15:28This time.
15:29He found a blind spot.
15:30If monsters got in my place.
15:32Why is there no screams.
15:33No blood smell.
15:34Only the smell of hot pot.
15:35He guessed I'm alive.
15:37And living well.
15:38But he didn't expose me in the group chat.
15:40Nor did he dumbly try to break in.
15:41He's smart.
15:42At 4 p.m.
15:43My thermal monitor went off.
15:45It showed someone lying on the floor above me.
15:47He was in an empty room on the second floor.
15:50He was holding a handheld thermal scanner.
15:53My ceiling had extra insulation.
15:55Yet my flat still radiated tons of heat.
15:57Compared to minus 50 outside.
15:59My home was a burning furnace.
16:01He pushed up his glasses.
16:03Grinning greedily.
16:04He took out tools.
16:05He prepped.
16:05A manual drill.
16:06And a silent hammer.
16:07He planned to pierce my ceiling from above.
16:09He picked a tricky spot.
16:11Right above my bathroom.
16:12There was a pipe shaft and thin cement there.
16:14Ha.
16:15Clever fool.
16:15I watched his careful moves.
16:17On monitor without stopping him.
16:18I even grabbed a chilled sprite.
16:20Watching with interest.
16:22Are you trying to dig your way in?
16:24Tap tap tap.
16:25Faint vibrations from the ceiling.
16:27The IT guy was careful.
16:29Hammer wrapped in a towel.
16:31I used a stethoscope to track his progress.
16:34Almost there.
16:35Two centimeters to go.
16:37I grabbed some bare copper wire.
16:39One end to the industrial battery bank.
16:42The other wrapped around a rebar rod.
16:46I slid it into the ceiling gap.
16:49Exactly under his drilling spot.
16:51Once he hits the last layer.
16:53The drill would hit live steel.
16:55Z-Z-Z-Z.
16:56The battery hummed lightly.
16:58Enough voltage to jump start a truck.
17:00He's digging faster.
17:02He thinks he's in.
17:03He can probably feel my warmth rising.
17:06Break open.
17:06Damn it.
17:07On screen.
17:08He swings the hammer down.
17:10Boom.
17:11The hammer hit the steel.
17:12A blue spark flashed in the dark.
17:15He stiffens instantly.
17:16Not even a scream.
17:18The surge fries his insides instantly.
17:22Thud.
17:22He hit the floor.
17:23Smoke rising.
17:25Gripping a half-melted hammer.
17:27The air smells like burnt meat.
17:29I cut the power.
17:30Pulled up the steel rod.
17:31I looked at the small hole in the ceiling.
17:32And plugged it with a piece of gum.
17:34It was a warning to the others.
17:36This one died nice and quiet.
17:37The IT guy's death went unnoticed at first.
17:40He never returned.
17:41Someone would eventually check.
17:43The burnt smell drifted through the vents.
17:45Someone said.
17:46Why does it smell like barbecue?
17:48Is Jade cooking again?
17:49No.
17:49This meat smells kind of bitter.
17:51I frowned at his corpse on the second floor cam.
17:54Coldness slows decay.
17:55But the body's still a hazard.
17:57What if scent-driven monsters show up?
17:59At 3 a.m., when light eaters move least.
18:01The cold slows them down even more.
18:03I donned my suit.
18:04Snuck to the second floor.
18:06Dragged the IT guy to the hallway.
18:08And left a note beside him.
18:11Trespasser dies.
18:13Done.
18:14I rushed back home.
18:15Next morning, the body was gone.
18:17No monster tracks anywhere.
18:19Half an hour later, someone posted a blurry photo.
18:22The Kents were gathering around a pot.
18:24The IT guy's arm lay on the floor.
18:28The chat blew up.
18:30WTF?
18:30Is that a human hand?
18:31Mr. Kent, what are you eating?
18:33There was no reply.
18:34But I knew.
18:35Cannibalism had begun.
18:36Hunger strips morals thinner than paper.
18:38The neighbors went from looters to hunters.
18:41I was their biggest target.
18:43Neighbors who ate people.
18:44Their eyes changed.
18:45There was no human light left in them.
18:47Quinn noticed.
18:48She was still alive.
18:51She stayed close to security chief Arlo.
18:53Arlo was an ex-soldier with a shield, stun gun, and fork.
18:56He gathered thugs, becoming the block's biggest force.
19:00Quinn became his strategist.
19:01She sent a fired up 60 second voice message in the chat, stirring everyone up.
19:06Neighbors, we can't stay scattered.
19:08It was wrong for Mr. Kent to eat people.
19:09But he was starving.
19:11Why are we starving?
19:12Because someone hoarded what's ours.
19:14Jade.
19:14She kept all that food.
19:16Letting us starve instead of sharing.
19:18This is inhumane.
19:19For the kids and all of us.
19:20She proposed seizing Jade's supplies.
19:22Once we get them, we'll share.
19:24Everyone eats.
19:25Right.
19:26Why should she feast?
19:27Let's storm in.
19:28Arlo leads.
19:29We follow.
19:30The chat erupted.
19:31Through the cam, I saw Arlo and a dozen guys.
19:34Pipes and axes in hand.
19:35Marching straight to my place.
19:37Quinn followed behind.
19:37Her severed hand dangling in front of her.
19:39A thrill of revenge on her face.
19:41Jade, let's see how you die this time.
19:43Go.
19:43Arlo shouted.
19:44Two big guys grabbed chainsaws.
19:46They started cutting my door.
19:48ZZ.
19:49Metal screeching filled the hallway.
19:51Sparks flew everywhere.
19:52The sound was loud, alerting.
19:54All nearby monsters.
19:55But I stayed calm.
19:57My door was made from steel.
19:58Mesh and bulletproof plate.
19:59It would take half an hour to cut through.
20:01Half an hour is enough time for them to die ten times.
20:04I didn't want monsters at my door.
20:05I went to the balcony with a big slingshot.
20:09The ammo was a glowing toy I made.
20:11A cheap toy that flashes and sings when turned on.
20:14I turned it on.
20:16Happy birthday to you.
20:17I pulled back the slingshot aimed at Arlo's floor.
20:20Whoosh.
20:20Toy flew in an arc.
20:21Through the already broken window.
20:23And dropped into their corridor.
20:25Happy birthday to you.
20:26Echoed with light and sound.
20:28In the dark, countless green eyes opened.
20:30The monsters heading my way.
20:32Got distracted.
20:33Rare.
20:34They charged for Arlo's block.
20:36Arlo and the others.
20:37Heard terrifying roars behind them.
20:40Their hands shook.
20:41The saws nearly cut their legs.
20:42Sir.
20:43The monsters went the opposite way.
20:44Lots of them.
20:45At least dozens.
20:46Arlo snapped.
20:47Damn.
20:48Too loud.
20:49Stop sawing.
20:50They shut the tools.
20:51Fearing monsters would return.
20:53They each lay flat.
20:54Playing dead.
20:55Barely breathing.
20:55The siege ended with a happy birthday song.
20:58They survived the siege.
20:59But.
21:00The real despair started.
21:01The temperature dropped below minus 70 degrees.
21:04This wasn't just cold.
21:05It could shatter steel.
21:07Crack.
21:07I heard my door's steel plate snap.
21:09It's the metal going brittle from cold.
21:11Without the inner insulation.
21:13The door would have split open.
21:14Out there.
21:15Survivors were doomed.
21:16Quilts won't help.
21:18So cold.
21:19Even swearing stopped.
21:21Some started hallucinating and stripping naked.
21:24They laugh.
21:25Freezing to death in the hallway.
21:27Arlo's group huddled together.
21:28Shivering.
21:29Mr. Kent's family couldn't take it.
21:31Burn.
21:32They burned their neighbor.
21:33Leo's house for heat.
21:34His family had already died the day before.
21:35Mr. Kent and his son ripped up Leo's furniture and floor.
21:38They lit a huge fire right in the living room.
21:40Flames shot high.
21:41Giving only brief warmth.
21:43It was like lighting a cigarette in a nuke.
21:46I sighed as I watched the blaze on the monitor.
21:48And quietly switched.
21:50On my home heating system.
21:51The floor heating.
21:51And wall panels warmed up.
21:52I grabbed a popsicle from the fridge.
21:54Idiots.
21:55You don't understand.
21:56Minus 70 is terrifying.
21:57Yes.
21:57But this cold wakes even worse monsters.
22:00The listeners.
22:01They wake in the frost.
22:03Mr. Kent's fire opened hell's door.
22:06Crackle.
22:07Wood hissed in the dead night.
22:09Mr. Kent set Leo's floor and furniture on fire.
22:13Flames soared.
22:13Waves of heat rolling out.
22:15For near frozen survivors.
22:16It felt like heaven.
22:18So warm.
22:18Finally warm.
22:19Mr. Kent rubbed his hands.
22:20A greedy, satisfied grin spread across his face.
22:23But I watched the monitors.
22:24I added another layer of dense soundproofing at home.
22:26Idiots.
22:27They think surviving the light eaters is enough.
22:29They don't know that.
22:30The extreme cold spawns the listeners.
22:32Their sight is weak.
22:34But their hearing is sharp.
22:35Even a heartbeat sounds like thunder in their ears.
22:38The crackle of fire.
22:40A full-blown metal concert.
22:42Shoo.
22:42A new, different sound echoed the hall.
22:45Small gray monsters crawled inside.
22:48They have no face.
22:50Just one huge pair of ears.
22:51Mr. Kent's son flung chairs into the fire.
22:54Bang.
22:55The chair hit the floor.
22:57The next second, a listener leapt on him.
22:59There was no roar.
23:00Only teeth slicing his throat.
23:02Ah.
23:02A scream tore through the air.
23:03But that scream drew more gray shadows.
23:05By the fire, it became a slaughterhouse.
23:07The fire's out of control.
23:09Mr. Kent rang the buildings.
23:11Death knell.
23:12Frozen floorboards now burned fiercely in the heat.
23:15In the dark, the flames looked like a volcano.
23:19Shoo.
23:20A tight scraping echoed in the hall.
23:22The listeners surged in.
23:23Ah.
23:24Help.
23:24Fire.
23:25Monsters.
23:26Survivors lost it.
23:28Fire ahead.
23:28Monsters behind.
23:29They ran downstairs.
23:30I was on the first floor.
23:32My home is solid as a vault.
23:33Bang.
23:34Bang.
23:34Bang.
23:35The pounding shook the door.
23:37Jade.
23:38I know you're home.
23:39You can't just watch.
23:40I have a kid.
23:41Please, let him in.
23:42Screams, curses, and banging.
23:45All mixed together.
23:46I watched hell through the peephole.
23:49In the crowd, I saw Quinn being shoved behind Arlo.
23:52Desperately pushing into the mob.
23:53Suddenly, a listener dropped down upside down.
23:57In the chaos, Quinn shoved.
23:59A seven-year-old girl away.
24:00Move.
24:01Don't block me.
24:02The girl screamed and fell.
24:04Claws silenced her.
24:05Dark green blood hit Quinn's face.
24:07She didn't wipe it off.
24:09Using the gap while the monster fed, she stepped over the girl and melted into shadow.
24:12My hand turned white from, gripping the handle so hard.
24:15Last life, you shoved me for a flashlight.
24:17Now, you shove a kid just to survive.
24:19Quinn, I'll decide your death myself.
24:21Outside, screams faded as, monsters dragged bodies away.
24:24The hall smelled of blood and burning flesh.
24:27But I knew Quinn and Arlo were alive.
24:29They hid in the second floor, staring at my door.
24:32To them, my place was a goldmine of supplies.
24:35Since they want in, I'll help them, kind of.
24:37I grabbed my phone, opened the group chat.
24:39I cleared my throat, sent a voice clip.
24:43Cough.
24:44I was weak, trembling with fear.
24:45Pain and terror dripped from every word.
24:47Help.
24:48Those guys smashed my doorframe.
24:49It's freezing.
24:50Wind's in.
24:51I've got a fever.
24:51I can't move.
24:52Someone help.
24:53I'll share half my stuff.
24:55Arlo and Quinn's eyes lit up instantly.
24:57Supplies.
24:58She's finally breaking.
24:59Arlo gripped his riot fork with excitement.
25:01I knew the door couldn't hold to get so many hits.
25:03Quinn's blood-smeared face, twisted into a vicious grin.
25:05Her doors cracked.
25:06Perfect.
25:07She's stuck with a fever now.
25:08Just the right time to slaughter her.
25:10Sir.
25:10We go down now.
25:11Kill her.
25:12This place is ours.
25:13They thought I was a lamb, struggling to die.
25:16But top hunters often appear as prey first.
25:19I put down my phone, killed all lights, slipped on night vision goggles, opened the first door,
25:24just enough to tempt them.
25:26Then lined the hall with glue traps.
25:29They can tear apart heavy rats, let alone humans.
25:32Crossbow in hand.
25:33I sat on the dark sofa, quietly waiting for my guests.
25:36The hallway was pitch black.
25:37Arlo and Quinn, with two guys, crept downstairs.
25:40No lights on, shoes off, only in socks, moving slowly.
25:44The doors open a crack.
25:45Arlo saw it.
25:47Greed beat reason.
25:48Go.
25:49Quick and clean.
25:50Arlo led, stepping into my foyer first.
25:53Squish.
25:53His foot sank.
25:55Glue.
25:55What the hell?
25:57He tried to lift his foot.
25:58His sock and shoe stuck tight.
26:00He yanked hard.
26:01Pop.
26:02He fell forward.
26:03Perfect.
26:04Hands, chest, face all slammed into glue boards.
26:07Ugh.
26:08He tried to scream, but his mouth was stuck.
26:11Quinn and the other two guys fell in too.
26:14Help.
26:14What's this?
26:15I'm stuck.
26:16They struggled in the hall.
26:20This industrial glue could rip skin right off.
26:23Click.
26:23I turned on the foyer light.
26:25The glare blinded them instantly.
26:26With crossbow in hand, I looked down at them.
26:29Welcome.
26:30I said with a smile.
26:31M.M.
26:32M.M.
26:32Arlo tried to lift his head, begging.
26:35No words.
26:36I fired.
26:37Whoosh.
26:38The bolt pierced his temple.
26:40The two lackeys wet themselves.
26:42Cow-toeing.
26:42Two more bolts.
26:43Only Quinn left.
26:45I saved her for last.
26:46Hatred in her eyes turned to fear.
26:49Jay-Jade.
26:50She tore glue from her lips.
26:52Don't kill me.
26:54We're best friends.
26:55I'm sorry.
26:57Please.
26:57For old times' sake.
26:59I crouched, staring at that face.
27:01Old times?
27:03I sneered.
27:04I pulled out a tiny glowing lure.
27:06You love light?
27:08Here's a gift.
27:09I forced her mouth open and shoved it in.
27:11Then taped her mouth shut tight.
27:13Red light glowed to her cheeks.
27:15Mmm.
27:16Quinn thrashed wildly.
27:18I sliced her clothes.
27:19Ripped her off the glue boards.
27:21Dragged her to the entrance.
27:23Kicked her out.
27:24Door shut.
27:25Through the peephole, she writhed in the snow.
27:29In the dark, green eyes blinked open.
27:31Listeners.
27:32Light eaters.
27:33All of them.
27:34Where would they bite first?
27:35The glow.
27:36Her last muffled groan came from outside.
27:38Then the sound of a throat tearing open.
27:40The day after Quinn died, the world went quiet.
27:43Arlo's crew was wiped out.
27:45The Kents were missing.
27:46You could count survivors by one hand.
27:49Hall clear.
27:50I suited up in stab gear.
27:52Time for a sweep.
27:53A lonely scavenger run.
27:55Gold first.
27:56In chaos, gold is king.
27:58Strong liquor.
27:59Best fuel and disinfectant.
28:00I pried open Mr. Kent's door.
28:02The second it opened, rotten smell hit me.
28:04The living room was wrecked.
28:06Walls black.
28:07By the stove, I saw something chilling.
28:09Clean picked skulls lay on the floor.
28:12Dry pot.
28:13Bits of bone still inside.
28:15Ugh.
28:16Even after being reborn, my stomach turned.
28:19This is apocalypse.
28:21No order.
28:21No morals.
28:22I took nothing because this place was filthy.
28:25On my way out, I poured gas inside.
28:28I lit a match.
28:30Flames erased the sins.
28:31I watched smoke rise, feeling nothing.
28:34In a world that devours, only the dead are clean.
28:37A week later, late at night, I was fixing the generator.
28:40The old radio suddenly crackled with a voice.
28:43This is Southside Stadium.
28:45We've set up an official shelter.
28:47There's heat, food, and full military protection.
28:49All survivors, head to Southside Stadium now.
28:52I went to the window, pulled the curtain aside, through my night vision scope.
28:55The windows, ones like tombs, lit up one by one with candles.
28:58Then people rushed out of their buildings.
29:00Their eyes flared with frenzy.
29:03We're saved.
29:04The government hasn't abandoned us.
29:05Move, Southside Stadium.
29:07There's food.
29:08They sprinted through knee-deep snow.
29:09I watched coldly, then turned off the radio.
29:12Rescue?
29:13In your dreams.
29:14Last life, I believed it too.
29:15It almost got me killed.
29:17It wasn't the military.
29:18It was the immortal jellyfish.
29:19It can hijack and mimic human radio signals.
29:21You can't save someone who is dying.
29:23I drew the curtains tight, and checked the locks again.
29:25That night, blood would flow again.
29:27To check what was happening outside, I took my binoculars up to the second floor lookout.
29:31To me, it was brutal.
29:32A march of death.
29:33On the streets, survivors moved like pilgrims, struggling toward the south side.
29:37The sky was still pitch black, but a pink glow glimmered through the clouds.
29:42Look.
29:42That's light.
29:43There really is a base.
29:44Someone pointed at the sky, thrilled.
29:46Then, the next second, the clouds turned, and massive tentacles slid out of the pink glow.
29:51They wrapped survivors with eerie precision.
29:53Ah, let me go.
29:55Help, something's in the sky.
29:57Joyful shouts turned into piercing screams.
29:59Through the lens, they were, lifted hundreds of meters.
30:03Stingers pierced them before they could struggle.
30:06Then they were hung beneath, the giant jellyfish bell.
30:09They wouldn't die at once, paralyzed but conscious.
30:12Forced to watch themselves, slowly digested.
30:15It was worse than hell itself.
30:16I lowered the binoculars, palms slick with sweat.
30:19My heart pounded wildly.
30:20This was the truth of the end times.
30:22No luck, only a ruthless, edge of wit and knowledge.
30:24Those who believed in the light became its sacrifices.
30:26I'd avoided the trap outside, but a crisis hit my safe house.
30:30Water was running low.
30:32Only five barrels remained.
30:34Before, I could melt snow.
30:36Not anymore, the snow was acidic.
30:39Through a microscope, the snow looked pale yellow.
30:42Full of waste, dust, and viruses.
30:46I stared at the yellowish liquid.
30:49Gross, but it was the only safe source.
30:52I built a simple distiller.
30:56Using charcoal heat to boil urine.
30:59Steam ran through a copper pipe.
31:01Cooling into drops.
31:02I filtered it again through charcoal and gauze.
31:04A strange smell filled the room.
31:07Hours later, the first cup filled.
31:09Clear water, but my mind resisted.
31:12Survive.
31:12I told myself.
31:13I shut my eyes and drank it down.
31:16Bitter, burnt, but safe.
31:18This is hell.
31:19Most days, it's enduring disgust and surviving.
31:22I was focused on making water.
31:25Clang.
31:25Metal hit inside the vent duct.
31:28Soft, but in the silence, it was thunder.
31:31Something got in.
31:32I turned off my flashlight.
31:33I grabbed my sharpened tactical knife, held my breath, and pressed to the wall.
31:38Something pushed the vent hole open.
31:40In the faint light, a cat-sized creature crawled in.
31:44A burrower.
31:45Its feelers twitched in the dark.
31:47Hiss.
31:48It arched its body.
31:50I didn't back down.
31:53I'd strung a thin fishing line across the doorway.
31:57As it leapt, its forelegs caught the line.
32:00It flipped midair and crashed down.
32:02Now, I lunged forward.
32:05The blade drove into the weak spot at its skull.
32:08I sliced open its nerve center.
32:10It thrashed, spraying dark green slime.
32:14Seconds later, it went still.
32:15I gasped, my hand trembling.
32:18That was close.
32:19If I didn't know the layout, if I hadn't set the trap, I'd be the one dead today.
32:23I dragged the dead burrower, to the living room.
32:25I planned to toss it out, but I noticed something.
32:28Its body wasn't cold.
32:30Its belly glowed faintly.
32:31Radiating intense heat.
32:33My gut told me it wasn't normal.
32:35I put on rubber gloves and grabbed a scalpel.
32:37Time to dissect.
32:38Last life, I'd heard a rumor.
32:40Now, I have the chance to test it.
32:42Cutting through the shell, a wave of heat hit me.
32:45Like opening an oven.
32:46At its heart sat a crystal, red and translucent.
32:49A thermal crystal.
32:51I plucked it out with tweezers.
32:52Even outside the body, it kept radiating heat.
32:54About 60 degrees Celsius on the surface.
32:57To test it, I dropped it in a cup of cold water.
32:59A miracle happened.
33:00In under a minute, the water started bubbling.
33:03Boiling.
33:03I stared, heart pounding in shock.
33:06This wasn't an organ, but a tiny perpetual reactor.
33:09At that moment, I saw the monsters in a new way.
33:12They weren't monsters anymore.
33:13They were walking batteries.
33:14An endless powerhouse.
33:16Once my mindset changed, my tactics changed too.
33:18Previously I only hid.
33:19Now I hunt.
33:20My eyes glowing gold.
33:21I made a simple sonic lure.
33:22Recorded a piercing scream, on my phone, and placed it at the trap by the door.
33:27Then I hid upstairs behind the slit, armed with my modified crossbow.
33:30Ah, help!
33:31The lure screamed from the speaker.
33:33Two listeners crawled in, drawn by the sound.
33:36They hovered in the trap, listening closely.
33:38Whoosh!
33:39I pulled the trigger.
33:40The arrow pierced its left eye into the brain.
33:42The other tried to flee.
33:44I yanked a rope.
33:45Crash!
33:46The chardonnette fell from the ceiling.
33:48The more it struggled, the deeper the cuts.
33:52I finished it calmly, like a skilled butcher.
33:55Half an hour later, I had two new crystals.
33:57One red, and one blue.
33:59And another blue one.
34:01Dropped the blue one in water.
34:02It froze instantly.
34:04Red one went in the water tank.
34:06Hot water all day.
34:08Blue crystal in the food cabinet became a fridge.
34:12From now on, life felt manageable.
34:15Crystals kick-started my shelters.
34:17Industrial revolution.
34:18I placed 10 red crystals.
34:19In a custom-made metal box.
34:21I made a crystal generator with thermal electricity.
34:24I flipped the main switch.
34:25Hum!
34:26The underfloor heating roared to life.
34:28The room temperature shot.
34:29From 0 to 25 degrees.
34:30I finally shed that heavy coat.
34:32Slipped into light silk pajamas.
34:33I even boiled a huge tub of hot water.
34:36In the minus 70 degrees Celsius apocalypse.
34:37I lay in the bathtub.
34:38Enjoying a 40 degrees Celsius hot bath.
34:40Steam swirling.
34:41I stared at myself in the mirror.
34:42Rosy cheeks.
34:43Sharp eyes.
34:44Glowing skin.
34:45Boom!
34:45Just as I savored the peace.
34:47A loud crash shook the floor below.
34:49The tub water sloshed violently.
34:51I jumped up.
34:52Wrapped a robe.
34:53And ran to the monitors.
34:55On screen, an armored truck.
34:57Smashed the gate.
34:58A team of fully armed men got out.
35:00They wore infrared night vision goggles.
35:01And carried automatic rifles.
35:03Moving in perfect formation.
35:04Clearly, they weren't ordinary survivors.
35:06They were the Marauder Corps.
35:07Trouble had arrived.
35:08These guys weren't here to survive.
35:09They came to raid.
35:10The leader was a bald man.
35:12Massive like a bear.
35:13One eye was prosthetic.
35:14Glowing red in the dark.
35:16Team 1.
35:17Search left.
35:17Team 2.
35:18Search right.
35:19Survivors and crystals only.
35:20Kill anyone who resists.
35:21This place is solid.
35:22Clear it.
35:23We'll make it a base.
35:24They began blasting through each unit door.
35:26Now, they were heading toward my building.
35:28Sir, something's off with this building.
35:29All first floor windows were sealed.
35:31And heat readings were strong.
35:32It was practically a furnace inside.
35:34The bald man grinned cruelly, licking his lips.
35:37There must be a generator or someone with power.
35:40I took a deep breath, donned my tactical vest.
35:42And checked my weapons.
35:44They had guns, explosives, and mutant too.
35:46I had to use the terrain for guerrilla tactics.
35:48I pressed a red button on the wall.
35:49Click.
35:50Throughout the hallways, sealed compartments sprang open.
35:53My surprise for this day.
35:55The trap was ready.
35:56Bring it on.
35:57Two demolitions experts reached my security door.
35:59They skillfully stuck bombs onto the locks.
36:01But I wasn't inside anymore.
36:03I crawled up the passage to the second floor.
36:06Hidden in the stair gap, I clutched a remote.
36:09Through the gap, I saw their tactical spotlights swaying overhead.
36:13As they are setting the explosives, ready to retreat, I pressed the button.
36:17Boom!
36:17It wasn't their bombs that went off.
36:19But my ceiling-mounted shrapnel bomb exploded.
36:21Steel balls and nails flew everywhere.
36:23The two demolition experts were shredded.
36:26The squad behind was thrown by the blast.
36:28Wailing.
36:29Ambush!
36:29Scatter!
36:30The bald leader shouted.
36:31His red prosthetic eye flared instantly.
36:33And he smashed a nearby wall with one punch.
36:35He pressed against the wall for cover.
36:37Concrete crumbled in his hands.
36:40Interesting.
36:41I hid in the second floor dark, aiming my nail gun.
36:43This gun makes no muzzle flash.
36:45And is almost silent.
36:46Up close, it hits as hard as a pistol.
36:48If you want to play, I'll play too.
36:50In this building, I'm a ghost, master of the dark.
36:53A game of blood begins.
36:55Explosions rocked the hall.
36:57Smoke everywhere.
36:58I underestimated the bald leader.
37:00He's a rare strength-type mutant.
37:02Nail shots barely left white marks on him.
37:05Bronze skin shone like metal in light.
37:08Found you, little rat.
37:09He grinned, ear to ear.
37:11Ignoring traps, he leapt forward.
37:14Grabbed the railing, hauled himself up.
37:16Blow this floor to bits.
37:18Things were dire.
37:19I pulled out my last card.
37:21Crystal bomb.
37:22Three high-level red crystals, rigged with C4.
37:24Since you're tough, try this.
37:26I pulled the pin and threw it at him.
37:28He reached for it.
37:29A rock?
37:30Cute trick.
37:31The package touched his hand.
37:33I pressed the remote.
37:34Hit behind shield, ears clamped tight.
37:36Boom!
37:37A dull, deafening boom.
37:38Blinding white light.
37:40A scorching heatwave swallowed the hall.
37:42The shockwave flattened everything around.
37:44He let out a piercing, horrific scream.
37:46Smoke cleared.
37:47The air reeked of burnt flesh.
37:48The stairs too.
37:49The second floor were gone.
37:50He was charred.
37:51His cyber eye shattered.
37:53Before I could finish him, worse things came.
37:55The ground shook violently.
37:57A three-story light eater stormed in, drawn by heat.
37:59It smashed through the unit door.
38:01Huge claws swept the first floor lobby.
38:03The surviving raiders were snatched up.
38:05Stuffed into its spiked, massive maw.
38:07He froze as the monster's paw came down.
38:09I crouched on the second floor, raising my crossbow.
38:12Next life, don't mess with women.
38:14An arrow pierced his throat.
38:15He died by my hand before the monster struck.
38:18His crystal is mine.
38:19The monster devoured the raiders, crushing rubble.
38:22Finding the heat gone, it lost interest.
38:25It stomped away, vanishing, into the snowstorm.
38:28The blizzard returned, covering all the blood.
38:31Silence reclaimed the world.
38:32Once I was sure it was safe, I donned the hazmat suit, rappelling down from the second floor.
38:36His corks rotted, but the gear was still intact.
38:38I fumbled through it.
38:39Finally, I found a heavy bunch of keys.
38:41They unlocked the armored, truck outside.
38:43I ran out and jumped into the truck.
38:45Engine roared to life, heat kicking in.
38:47Inside was an arsenal, rifles, grenades, rations.
38:51Even a field surgery table and med kit.
38:53This delivery was pure jackpot.
38:55I reversed the truck into the lobby.
38:57Blocked the entrance with materials and doors.
39:00I sat inside, hand on the armor, feeling safe.
39:03I'm no longer a mouse hiding in a hole.
39:05With this truck and heavy guns, I'm the lion.
39:08In this building, I wasn't the only survivor.
39:11A young couple lived on the sixth floor, and a retired teacher on the seventh.
39:14They hid in a loft, surviving on moldy bread.
39:18They saw me wipe out the marauders.
39:20To them, I wasn't human.
39:22I was a god.
39:23Next day, I was sorting out loot on the first floor.
39:26They came to the second floor stairs.
39:28The guy knelt, holding the last chocolate in his hands.
39:31Jade, we want to follow you.
39:33We'll do anything.
39:35Clean, corpses, even be bait for you.
39:37Please don't leave us.
39:38We won't eat much.
39:39I stared at them, lowering my gun.
39:41One needs no friends.
39:42Only obedience in this apocalypse.
39:44I kicked the chocolate back coldly.
39:46I don't feed freeloaders or trash.
39:48I pointed at the corpses in the hall.
39:50Clean it up and dump it two kilometers away.
39:53Once done, each gets a bowl of noodles and water.
39:56Hearing about the noodles, they got excited.
39:59They cowed out madly.
40:00Green liquid on their foreheads.
40:02Thanks, Jade.
40:03We'll get right to it.
40:04Order was built on food and force.
40:06With three free workers, the defense went up faster.
40:10I had them break through all walls from 1F to 3F.
40:12Using cement, steel, and materials left by raiders.
40:15We built a complex maze as a buffer.
40:17No more simple hallways inside this maze.
40:19The floor was filled with traps and landmines.
40:22Walls had countless shooting holes.
40:24Ceilings held glass bottles filled with acid.
40:26Anyone reaching the core, must pass this death maze.
40:29I had the teacher mix a special potion.
40:31Walls were coated with chemical powder.
40:34Now my home is an unbreakable fortress.
40:36A black hole that devours life.
40:38The three survivors lived on 3F's sentries.
40:41I gave them radios and simple self-defense gear.
40:43They were loyal, devoted, and unwavering.
40:46I'm the only one providing food, heat, and safety.
40:49Once, the guy found a mutated rat on patrol.
40:51He brought it to my door as a snack.
40:54Absolute obedience beats any contract.
40:56The armored truck had a high-powered military radio.
40:59One night, the blizzard finally eased a bit.
41:01The radio picked up.
41:02A sudden encrypted message.
41:03ZZZ, this is Core, dungeon number 3.
41:06The service is now unlivable for humans.
41:08The eternal night is expected to last 10 years.
41:10We're opening an emergency.
41:11Entry, priority, techs, doctors, and healthy women.
41:15Survivors, please go there for humanity's sake.
41:17I heard it and gave a cold, mocking smirk.
41:20Last life, I'd been to a dungeon.
41:22It was hell on earth.
41:23Men mind 18 hours every single day.
41:25Women became breeding machines, no dignity.
41:27They ate synthetic starch, drank recycled water.
41:30I have endless supplies, heat, and hot showers.
41:32My life now is even better than the dungeon lords.
41:35Why would I become a slave?
41:36I switched off the radio and blocked that frequency.
41:39The surface is dark and cold, but it's free.
41:40Freedom is the rarest luxury in this apocalypse.
41:43Over time, I noticed strange changes in my body.
41:46It started with a high fever that lasted 3 days.
41:48Every organ felt like it was on fire.
41:50I even prepared to end my own life.
41:52But after 3 days, the fever broke.
41:53And in its place came a terrifying rebirth.
41:56I saw strange changes in the mirror.
41:58Red veins showed on my collar and neck.
42:00When I get excited, they glowed faintly.
42:03My genes had been rewritten.
42:04With all lights off, I could see every cobweb.
42:07Through 3 blast doors, I could hear people breathe.
42:10I could lift that ammo crate with one hand.
42:12I cut my fingertip with a dagger to test it.
42:15The wound closed fast, leaving no scar.
42:17I traced the veins on my collarbone, smiling wildly.
42:20This is my ticket to evolution, only by becoming stronger.
42:24Can I top the food chain?
42:25I am the chosen new human.
42:26In this world of monsters, I have evolved.
42:29The calm days didn't last long.
42:313 months passed.
42:32Jade, a huge squad's approaching.
42:3350 men.
42:34They have heavy weapons, and a few modified trucks.
42:37I switched to the outside cameras.
42:38Zooming in, I saw the leader.
42:40A wave of hatred surged through me.
42:42That figure, I'd recognize him even in ashes.
42:44Felix.
42:45He was my ex-husband, who sold me to cannibals last life.
42:47He wore polar gear, a scar cutting across his face.
42:50Sir, this is the place.
42:52I heard a woman here has a red stone that heats.
42:54A heating stone?
42:55That's a treasure.
42:56Surround the building.
42:57Kill the men.
42:58Keep the women.
42:59I'll interrogate the leading woman.
43:01Hearing this, I laughed, trembling all over.
43:04Tears almost came out.
43:05God's really been kind to me.
43:06I thought I'd never get this revenge.
43:08But here you are, delivering yourself here.
43:10Felix, this life, I'll show you hell.
43:13His group was cautious, sending scouts first.
43:15I decided to play along, feigning weakness.
43:18Killian trembled, standing at the window, yelling.
43:21Don't shoot.
43:21We surrender.
43:22Our boss is a woman.
43:24She's terrified.
43:24She has lots of crystals.
43:26She'll give them all.
43:27Felix eased his guard a little.
43:29A woman.
43:30Fine.
43:30Let her strip and come out.
43:32She's having a bad fever.
43:34Just come in.
43:36Greed is the original sin.
43:37He wanted all the credit.
43:39He waved.
43:39Team one, team two, follow me.
43:41He led his elites through the unit door.
43:43Into the maze entrance I'd designed with care.
43:45I sipped red wine in the control room.
43:48My eyes were cold as ice.
43:49My finger hovered over a red button.
43:51Welcome to my world, Felix.
43:53I pressed the button.
43:54A thousand pound stone fell, blocking the exit.
43:57Lights went out in the maze, plunging them into darkness.
44:00What's happening?
44:01Why did the lights go out?
44:02The doors blocked.
44:03Boss, it's a trap.
44:04Hidden nozzles on the walls.
44:06Activated.
44:07They sprayed a high concentration blood lure.
44:09What's that smell?
44:10So bloody.
44:10The maze's underground gates opened.
44:12Hundreds of starved mutant rats poured out.
44:14Ah, rats.
44:16So many rats.
44:17Shoot.
44:17Random shots hit their own teammates.
44:20Screams rose, green fluid agitating the swarm.
44:23Felix climbed over his men's corpses.
44:25He actually reached the maze.
44:27Exit on the second floor.
44:28But the platform was a suspended cage.
44:31I sat outside, watching silently.
44:33Felix, long time no see.
44:35Seeing my face, he froze in terror.
44:38Jade, it's you.
44:39Impossible.
44:40Honey, I'm sorry.
44:41Spare me.
44:42I'll be your dog.
44:43I sat down my wine, expression cold as ice.
44:45I pressed the switch in my hand.
44:46The cage floor dropped instantly.
44:48Below was a bottomless rat pit, eyes glowing red.
44:51A dog?
44:52You don't deserve it.
44:53Enjoy yourself.
44:54Felix screamed as he fell in.
44:56He struggled as the swarm ripped him apart.
44:58All the grudges for my last life vanished.
45:01After Felix died, I announced his fate.
45:04His remaining men outside, instantly lost all will to fight.
45:07Seeing what I could do, they switched sides.
45:09They became my outer guards.
45:11My power peaked.
45:12Second year of the eternal night.
45:14Temp hit minus 100 degrees Celsius.
45:16Air started to condense.
45:17Weight miss settled.
45:18Ordinary metal became brittle like glass.
45:21Even the raiders armored trucks.
45:23Cracked their engines.
45:24Absolute silence.
45:25Not even the wind blew.
45:26Monsters froze or burrowed.
45:28Deep underground.
45:29I led my core team to the first floor shelter.
45:31Inside, the temperature barely stayed at zero degrees Celsius.
45:33We wore layers.
45:35Huddled together like a ball.
45:35Huddled together.
45:36Using crystals to stay alive.
45:37I entered a half hibernation.
45:39I woke only two hours a day.
45:40To check the crystals.
45:42I ate some high calorie liquid food.
45:43In dreams, I saw the sun rise.
45:45But it burned me to death.
45:46It was a marathon against death itself.
45:48We had to survive.
45:49After what felt like forever, the deep freeze eased.
45:52Temps stabilized around minus 40 degrees Celsius.
45:54I pushed open the frozen blast door at last.
45:57With metal screeching, I stepped outside.
45:59The world had changed.
46:00Only tower tops were visible.
46:02Like white tombstones sticking out.
46:03Sky was still black.
46:05Aurora shifting wildly.
46:06Air smelled of rust and sulfur.
46:09On distant ruins, shadows leapt about.
46:11They were evolved humans.
46:12Adapted to dark and cold.
46:14Their eyes glowed green or red in the dark.
46:16I changed to gloves off.
46:18Skin bare to air.
46:20There was no sting.
46:21Just a strange comfort.
46:22I stomped.
46:23Feeling vibrations miles around.
46:25A group of new humans saw me.
46:27And got ready to strike.
46:28But seeing me, they sensed.
46:30A top predator.
46:31They froze and bowed their heads in unison.
46:33On this ruined land, I was no longer prey.
46:36I was master of this snow land.
46:37A new era had begun.
46:39My block became the only holy city nearby.
46:42Only I had heat, running water, and greenhouses.
46:45Scattered survivor groups flocked here with families.
46:48They knelt in snow, begging for a warm red crystal.
46:51Or just a bowl of soup that wouldn't freeze.
46:53I no longer turned them away, but I wasn't normal.
46:57I built a ruthless new order.
46:58First, no freeloaders.
47:00No matter, old or young, everyone works.
47:02The useless got thrown to the light eaters.
47:05Second, crystal first.
47:06Crystals are currency.
47:08A low-level red crystal buys a week's rations.
47:10Third, absolute obedience.
47:12Questioners die.
47:13My armored trucks patrolled.
47:15The land daily.
47:16Black flags flapped in wind and snow.
47:18It's fixed by the teacher.
47:19No one called my name.
47:20I was the night queen.
47:21I sat by the tower window, watching the crowd.
47:25They scrambled under my shelter, busy to survive.
47:28I realized the apocalypse hadn't ended, only changed.
47:32And I became the lawmaker of this new world.
47:34I am the night queen.
47:36Early morning, year three of eternal night.
47:38Queen, the horizon, it's glowing.
47:41The news spread like wildfire.
47:43The crowd erupted.
47:44The sun, the sun's out.
47:46We're saved.
47:47Some knelt, crying their eyes out.
47:48Some wildly tore off their protective suits.
47:51Some ran past guards, reaching for sunlight.
47:53I stood atop the tallest tower, watching coldly.
47:56I put on radiation goggles and a lead suit.
47:59I knew this was death's beam, not salvation.
48:02If you don't want to die, go back underground.
48:05Hide.
48:05But no one listened.
48:07They craved the light.
48:08The first ray pierced the clouds.
48:10It hit the face of the lead reveler.
48:11No warmth, only scorching.
48:14His skin blackened.
48:16Next came the second, the third.
48:18Flesh peeled off.
48:20Cheers turned to shrill, horrid screams.
48:22The sun shone, bringing silent slaughter.
48:24The world turned into a giant microwave.
48:27All exposed flesh quickly charred.
48:29Screams went on all day long.
48:31Those who ran to the sun turned to pools of blood.
48:34Only those hiding in shadows survived.
48:37Night fell again, and the sun went down.
48:39The survivors stared at me, eyes full of frenzy.
48:42I saved them, or maybe darkness saved them.
48:45In this world, daylight brings death.
48:47Only darkness is safe.
48:48I sit on a throne built from black crystals.
48:50No lights, only the crystals faint red glow.
48:53The patterns on my arms pulse faintly.
48:55Outside, the world seems completely dead.
48:58But in infrared, countless creatures rise.
49:01The next round of revelry begins.
49:02This world will never go back to before.
49:05Civilization and sunshine were long gone.
49:07I stand, my black robe drags on the floor.
49:10All my followers kneel in unison.
49:12I smiled coldly.
49:14Remember, light will deceive, heat will burn.
49:17Only darkness is eternal shelter.
49:19In this world, I am the only light.
49:21I am the queen of eternal night.
49:22This is my kingdom.
49:23Eternal night is the new beginning.
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