4 July 2030

This was the date when the whole world was shaken by the arrival of the Aliens.

One hundred metallic flying saucers, 15 miles in diameter, appeared simultaneously and covered the skies of the world's largest cities. New York, Los Angeles, São Paulo, Paris, Beijing, Tokyo, Mumbai, and so on.

All eyes looked towards the sky, chaos began to set in as the fear of the unknown seeped into people's hearts.

The Aliens swiftly took control of the entire network of digital appliances. National television, billboards, mobile phones.

A beautiful woman with black hair appeared on all the device screens.

"Do not be afraid. We have come in peace."

The woman may have looked human, but there was a certain eerie feeling when people heard her voice and saw the way she talked.

"My name is Anna. I was created to make this transition easier for our two races."

Of course, not a single world leader believed her words. Facing threats to their authority, various governments across the globe mobilized their military power to exert their dominance to gain a higher seat in the subsequent negotiation.

Alas, their hopes were crushed. The fighter jets deployed were scrambled to give warning shots at the unknown construct, only to suddenly lose all power and fall down from the sky like flies.

"We expect no violence, but if you resist, we will naturally retaliate accordingly."

A few minutes after those words were announced, every city in the world was basked in darkness as the Alien managed to shut down the entire Earth's electricity and subsequently any form of telecommunication, denying the governments of their control.

By the time it was turned back on, the Aliens had taken control of all fifteen thousand nuclear warheads around the world. In just a matter of hours, the world waved the white flag and surrendered to the Aliens.

It was apparent the other side was overwhelmingly superior in all aspects.

Before long, representatives from both sides met in an organised convention, the Aliens stated their purpose of coming to Earth.

"We require ten million humans to participate in our annual game. If you successfully complete the game, we promise we will leave you all and your planet in peace."

Powerless to do anything, the world had no choice but to accept such outrageous demands.

As for Alan, the arrival of the Aliens spelled a certain tragedy for him.

In a certain hospital, on the day the Aliens made their appearances, a woman was in the middle of labor. However, the shocking revelation of the Alien's starships and the subsequent shutdown of the electricity made the perilous delivery process even more complicated for her.

"Come on, Sarah... Just a little bit more… You can do it…"

"You can do it. Don't worry, I'm here."

"Yes… Just a bit more… One more push… Come on, Sarah."

A feeling of joy spread to everyone in the delivery room when the baby girl was safely born into this world. However, the jolly atmosphere didn't manage to last long, because what event followed next was such a tragedy.

"Please…" Sarah's weak voice echoed in the room. Her hand gently caresses the baby she just gave birth to. "Alan… take care of… her." Silence enveloped the room, before the vital signs monitor let out a blaring sound.

Sarah, his first love, high school sweetheart, and beloved wife, died with their newborn baby cradling in her embrace. She had died in Alan's arms.

A deep sense of grief welled inside Alan after losing his loved one, but he quickly rose to his feet, because he now had another precious person to care for, their daughter.

However, just when he thought things couldn't get any worse, two years later, the young Arria D Angelo was diagnosed with a chronic disease, leukaemia.

There was no cure the world could provide for such illness, so Alan fell into another ditch of despair, wallowing about how unfair life was.

Until he discovered a light of hope. An item that could only be acquired from the dreaded Apocalypse Game.

[Name: High Elixir]

[Type: Potion]

[Rarity: Rare]

[Attributes: Can cure any type of disease]

[Can bring out of the game: Yes]

The item cost 20,000 Survival Points – a currency one received when participating in the game and was not something impossible to obtain.

Alan hesitated, but when his name was picked, he knew it was something he had to do.

However, at that time, he was not strong enough to obtain the required points and failed to obtain the potion. When he once again joined the game in Year 6, he was already too late as little Arria had passed away.

Alan clearly remembered how desperate and devastated he had been when Arria died. Unknowingly, his hands currently embracing his daughter's body became tighter.

At this exact moment, Alan vowed that this time would definitely be different.

"I'll definitely save you this time…"

The little girl was confused by her father's actions. "Daddy, what are you talking about? Did you do something funny again? Wait–" Her eyes shot for the clock hanging on the wall. "Daddy, it's only 2 in the afternoon. How come you have already finished teaching?!"

Arria wore an adorable suspicious expression on her face.

That afternoon, Alan had a great time hanging out with his little girl, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. However, the moment was interrupted by two people entering the hospital room.

"Grandpa, Grandma!"

The two were his wife's parents, his in-laws, the McAdams. Ever since he married their daughter, his relationship with them wasn't very sound. Things only got worse with the multiple tragedies that befell them.

Alan gave a slight nod and called the two respectfully; in return, all he got was silence added with a look of disapproval.

"I would rather you not come so often, we have enough bad luck already."

If before, Alan would be emotional to hear such a remark. Now, after going through three years of apocalypse games horror, he responded with absolute calm and the respect he could gather.

"I won't be able to visit Arria for a while due to important matters. I beg for your help to take care of her in the meantime."

The two of them didn't say anything, but Alan knew they would definitely take care of their grandchild. After that, Alan gave Arria another hug and kissed her forehead, saying,

"Daddy has something important to do, so I won't be able to see you for a while. Promise daddy you'll be a good girl and listen to Grandma and Grandpa, okay?"

The little girl cried, however, she quickly held back her tears, trying to act strong.

"Hu… yes… daddy. Arria… good girl."

"That's right, Arria is a good girl." Alan said, stroking her head. He then stood up and walked towards the door, thanking the two people before leaving the room.

When he stepped out of the room, Alan could hear how Sarah's parents utter badly about him.

"Huh. Important matters… so he's an important man, is he now?"

Hearing that, Alan just sighed and continued on his way. A glint of determination flashed across his eyes as he decided what he was going to do. For some miraculous reason, he has been given a second chance, and he wasn't going to waste it.

There were four months until the start of Year 5 of the Apocalypse Game. Alan had so much to prepare.