[World8292819]: What the hell can you do with 2,000 yuan?! Rent alone wipes it out. Don't rent, and you'll be out on the streets, one sneeze away from getting infected. Even if you save every cent, by Day 6, hazmat suits that were 30 or 40 bucks were being scalped for two or three grand. Saving money just became a joke.
[World2839103]: It's not that we didn't have the skill. We were just too damn poor.
That topic immediately exploded, trending across the platform. Countless people agreed the game's financial setup was totally unfair.
But shortly after, a new guide quietly popped up in the World Channel.
[World1023]: Yeah, the starting funds are tight. So my suggestion? Get a basic job inside the game. When there's no other way to make money, working is the simplest path. Best case, find somewhere that provides room and board—hand over your ID as collateral and ask for an advance.
As for spending, I suggest following the system's prompts and buying essential supplies early. In the last game, if you bought medical gear on Day 1, hazmat suits were only 30 to 40 yuan, and fever meds were 20-something per box.
And remember—hoarding money isn't the goal. Spending it smart makes your late-game survival a lot easier.
Just personal advice—take it or leave it. Others feel free to add on.
The post got buried quickly in the flood of messages.
But with billions of players online, plenty still saw it.
Others began reposting it to spread the word, and soon, people started sharing their own survival tips:
[World738138]: If you can, keep three paper maps on you. One of your city, one of your country, and one of the world. They'll help you track safe zones.
[World12843919]: Physical fitness is actually crucial—keep your body trained both in the game and real life.
[World2381937]: Besides hoarding supplies, always prep a go-bag. If you need to evacuate fast, it should have enough to help you survive unexpected crises for at least 3 days. Recommended supplies include...
So much valuable info!
Chu Yian scrambled to take notes—this was her first time truly realizing just how many capable people were out there.
Reality – Day 3
Chu Yian's satiety and cleanliness were now both down to 50%, and health had dropped to 80%.
The hunger was becoming harder to ignore. It wasn't pain exactly, more like a dull ache that wouldn't go away. Her whole body felt grimy too—like the sticky feeling after sweat dries without a shower.
And she was still better off than many.
Players sitting at 40% satiety were downright miserable.
Those with points had already purchased food packs. The rest were growling with hunger, desperately waiting for the next game to begin—so they could earn more points.
Finally, after countless pleas from players worldwide...
[New Game: Super Mold]
[Game Objective: A super mold outbreak has led to global food shortages. Players must survive for 30 days and reach one of only 30 global Safe Zones.]
[Starting Funds: 2,000 coins]
[Initial Supplies: ID card, 1 set of clothes, communication device]
[Total Newbie Players: 6,101,273,819]
[IMPORTANT: Only by completing the game can you earn points!]
A brand-new world.
Chu Yian stood on the streets of an unfamiliar city. Rain drizzled around her.
The smell of steamed buns drifted to her nose, and her hunger made her inhale deeply.
She broke into a jog toward a nearby vendor and bought two steaming hot meat buns.
-2 coins.
Standing by the road, she devoured them quickly.
Nearby, two middle-aged women were chatting while shopping:
"Ugh, it's been raining every single day. My joints are killing me."
"You think that's bad? I live on the ground floor—it's so damp, everything's gone moldy. Clothes, bedding... this weather is hell."
Chu Yian listened while finishing her buns in a few bites, then found a public restroom nearby.
Day 1 of the Game — Time for the Daily Lottery.
Inside the restroom, Chu Yian rubbed her hands together, silently praying for good luck.
[Reward: A Thick Stack of Beautiful, Glorious Cash 💸]
[Note: Will be reclaimed after this game ends.]
[Item Description: Some people are so broke they're dizzy—can't even scrape together 2,000 coins. For the sake of this 50,000 windfall, I hereby worship the Loot Box as my one true God.]
Chu Yian was stunned. She actually hit the jackpot.
"Loot Box, you're not just my dad—you're my grandpa!!"
50,000 coins?! That was a fortune!
She'd just won the game before it even started.
No need to grind for cash this round.
This round's theme was food scarcity, so the most direct solution? Stockpile supplies.
And to do that, she needed a place to store them.
First priority: rent a house.
Last round's apartment complex had traumatized her, so this time she aimed for a self-built house in the suburbs.
Big space, low foot traffic.
As long as she reinforced it well, she could bunker down for a month.
But survival wasn't just about hiding. To clear the game, she had to find and reach a Safe Zone.
Last time, she'd gotten lucky. Lu Qingyuan, her teacher, had found the cure and carried her through the final days.
This time? She was on her own.
Locating a Safe Zone would be an information war.
After a lot of thinking, she made her decision—rent a place in the city's high-end residential district.
Why?
The rich had better access to connections, information, and ways out.
They were more likely to know how to reach safety.
Finding a rental through an agent cost her 12,000 coins.
Remaining balance: 39,998 coins
Even though the 50k was lottery money, spending that much in one go still made her heart ache.
Fortunately, the place was great.
24-story building. She lived on the 22nd. Only two units per floor, each with a private elevator.
Secure, private.
The apartment was 90 square meters, with two bedrooms and a living room. Plenty of space for supplies without feeling cramped.
Best of all, it was only a 7–8 minute walk from the commercial district—shopping was easy and quick.
She'd spent a lot, but it was absolutely worth it.
After checking out her new place, Chu Yian grabbed the keys and headed out again.
A food crisis was coming.
There was no time to waste—it was stockpiling time.