Chapter 9: Global Acid Rain

"Why?

Do you have any idea how expensive my sports car is?"

That was his brand-new sports car.

"Just let it go! That brat is always buying useless junk anyway."

Daniel Hale huffed.

He had even given Leo a beating a while back because of that car.

The kid couldn’t even pass his driver’s test, yet he was already copying others and buying sports cars. It was enough to give him a heart attack.

"Are you sure you want to go out?"

Nina Jacobs unlocked her phone, and a shocking video popped up.

In the downpour, people were fleeing frantically, their endless screams filling the streets.

A closer look revealed they weren’t just trying to get out of the rain. Their screams were of agony, and their light-colored clothes were stained red.

That red wasn’t just tinted rainwater—it was blood.

Some people ran under the eaves, but the skin on their faces was already corroding. Clumps of hair fell out, exposing their scalps.

They shrieked as they tore off their rain-soaked clothes, only to rip away their own flesh along with the fabric.

The video was filled with the crowd’s tormented screams and the sound of children crying.

Even the person filming couldn’t help but start crying, shouting for people to come take shelter...

Vera Coleman was speechless. Leo Hale’s eyes were wide with disbelief.

The video was only a dozen or so seconds long.

’Is this really not a scene from a movie?’

"How could this be happening?

This..."

The alcohol had completely worn off for Daniel Hale.

"Could this be man-made?"

Vera Coleman’s face was pale with fright.

"It’s not man-made! This isn’t man-made!

The whole country—no, the whole world is getting this rain!"

Leo Hale’s hands trembled as he frantically scrolled through the news on his phone.

It wasn’t just City D, or even Drakonia. It was very likely that the entire world was experiencing this catastrophe!

How could this be happening?!

Why? Just why?

"Oh no! My son came to see me today.

He’s still out there right now! Mr. Hale, can you please help me?

Can you go pick him up?"

Nanny Sullivan pleaded with them.

She pointed to a video on her own phone and said:

"Look, as long as you don’t get hit by the red rain, it’s fine. Mr. Hale’s car is in the garage. If you drive straight out, you can get to my son."

"He’s just nearby! I’m begging you!"

Nanny Sullivan dropped to her knees before them.

"But... I’ve been drinking."

Nanny Sullivan had worked for the Hales for many years. Although it was a professional relationship, they had always gotten along well.

But of all nights, he had to have been drinking tonight...

"Ma’am, I’m begging you,

Please, save my son!"

Nanny Sullivan cried out.

Leo Hale didn’t even have a driver’s license, but Vera Coleman could drive.

"But..."

Vera Coleman touched her belly.

The shock from a moment ago had already left her feeling a little unsteady, and she wasn’t feeling well.

"How about this, Daniel, you come with me,

and I’ll drive?"

Seeing Nanny Sullivan crying so heartbrokenly, Vera Coleman was moved with compassion.

Although Daniel Hale was worried about Vera, he reluctantly agreed.

Nanny Sullivan was crying tears of joy when a cold voice cut in:

"You can’t go."

Nina Jacobs stood blocking the entryway.

In her past life, on this very day, Vera Coleman and Daniel Hale had gone to pick her up. They both died in a car crash, along with the baby in Vera’s womb.

She would never forget the devastated look on Leo Hale’s face when he told her what happened.

Nor could she forget the sorrow she had felt in her own heart.

She had once found it hard to forgive Vera Coleman for her grandmother’s death.

But when she lost her closest family, her heart had been filled with frantic helplessness.

So in this life, even if the sky were to fall, Vera Coleman could not be allowed to go outside.

"Oh, my son, my poor son!

I’ll go myself! I’ll go!"

Nanny Sullivan made a move to rush out but was stopped by Leo Hale.

"Nanny Sullivan is like family to me.

If none of you will go, then I will,"

Leo Hale said.

No license? Worst case, he’d just never drive again.

"You! Stop right there!"

Daniel Hale snapped. With Leo Hale’s driving skills, he wouldn’t be saving anyone—he’d be getting people killed.

Nina Jacobs watched this scene with a detached expression.

’Other people’s family members have nothing to do with me.’

’If Leo Hale insists on rushing out, I won’t stop him again.’

’But Vera Coleman and Daniel Hale’s "Selfless Savior" titles haven’t been triggered yet. Does that mean the crisis they face today hasn’t been averted?’

"Nina, I know you’re just looking out for me."

Vera Coleman was very moved. This was the first time Nina Jacobs had ever stood up for her.

But she was already four months pregnant, and the pregnancy was stable in all aspects. Driving for a little while should be fine.

"I’ll go."

Nina Jacobs was getting annoyed.

[Apocalypse Survival Mission initiated: Host’s First Adventure

Mission: Survive outdoors for 120 minutes and ensure your body remains uncontaminated.

Reward: 1 "First Superpower" Selection Card.

Difficulty: ★★]

[Do you wish to accept the mission, Host? If the mission is failed, your initial Experience Points will be deducted.]

Nina Jacobs accepted the mission without hesitation.

Just like in her past life, the real system missions had begun!

The system’s experience bar appeared. Her initial experience was 100 points.

In other words, if she failed this mission, the system would take back those 100 points.

Nina Jacobs knew just how precious those 100 points were.

Later on, she would have to kill a zombie just to get 1 Experience Point.

But the reward for this mission was also something she couldn’t refuse.

The "First Superpower" Selection Card.

In her last life, she had used this card to help Liam Grant awaken his Superpower.

Meanwhile, she hadn’t awakened her own Superpower until the seventh day of the acid rain.

This time, the First Superpower Card had to be hers!

"You? That’s even worse. I’ll go."

Daniel Hale thought for a moment and still refused.

"It’s fine if I go."

Nina Jacobs pulled out her own car keys.

She had bought the car less than three days ago, but she’d already driven it for over four hundred kilometers.

"Since when are you so kind-hearted?"

Leo Hale was still skeptical.

Just a moment ago, Nina Jacobs had seemed so cold-blooded.

As if the life and death of everyone in the world had nothing to do with her.

"Give me Nanny Sullivan’s phone.

All of you stay here. Don’t go anywhere."

Nina Jacobs ignored Leo Hale.

She quickly pulled a raincoat from the backpack she had brought with her. Before anyone could react, she had put it on and was fully geared up.

"Nina, I’ll go with you."

Vera Coleman also started looking for a raincoat.

"Mom, do you really not trust me?"

In that moment, she seemed to have reverted to the Nina Jacobs of old.

Her aura was cold and distant, keeping everyone at arm’s length.

"Uncle Hale, I’m leaving my mom in your hands.

If anything happens to her, don’t blame me for what I do next."

With that blunt threat, Nina Jacobs turned and left.

At a time like this, she couldn’t afford to worry about pleasantries.

Outside, the torrential red rain was still pouring down. The air was thick with a sour, corrosive smell, somewhat like the scent of a burning furnace Nina Jacobs remembered from her childhood.

After just ten-odd minutes of rain, the flowers and plants along the corridor had already collapsed into the filthy mud.

The flowers Vera Coleman had planted were corroded to a blackish-yellow, devoid of any sign of life.

Nina Jacobs followed the corridor and went down the stairs to Daniel Hale’s private garage, where her car was parked.

On the system’s mission panel, the timer had already begun.