Deep into the night when the clock strikes past midnight…

  Snores can be heard all around the store…

  Yu Zhiye wandered along his patrol route, passing by the territories of the other teams and earning fierce, unwelcoming glares from the other selected night watches.

  This was normal. No team can trust the others.

  Even if they could, there must still be somebody awake to look out for any unwarranted events and danger.

  What if thieves target their supplies? What if the monsters from outside could actually sneak in? What if... there was a predator amongst them?

  Only somebody like Yu Zhiye, who possessed a safe hideout, didn’t have to worry about these survival issues.

  But for the rest, a good night’s sleep is hard.

  Not that he’ll care though. No way will he allow others into his secret hideout.

  He won’t compromise his own safety. That was his bottom line.

  Then again, can others even enter that pocket dimension? Can they see the mysterious door?

  Those were interesting mysteries waiting for him to dig into.

  And those weren’t the only mysteries around.

  Yu Zhiye’s gaze searched through the survivors in their camps once more.

  Somehow, the rest of the survivors made it back inside alive. Still, there’s some minor hiccups…

  For one, that Miss Yoona was now guarded by Baldie Tae’s team. Wow, she switched sides quick!

  But that’s normal. What wasn’t normal was...

  He noticed somebody was still missing: Anomaly A – that dangerous young man who gave him the creeps!

  That dude has been MIA the whole day. Yu Zhiye thought he’ll return by night, but… still gone!

  Did he meet with an accident out there?

  Yu Zhiye really hoped that was the case because that would mean one less worry on his dangerous personnel list.

  Alas, there’s little hope for that. That fierce man can’t get written out of the story so easily, right?

  But if that young man was alive… what else can he be doing?

  Can’t be that he’s out there solo-leveling and farming EXP at this time, right?

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  No, how can that be! It’s only day one! Who would go out alone to face the unknown on the first night?!

  That’s not brave, but stupid!

  Still… as an iconic detective once said: “When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbably, must be the truth.”

  The truth was: the man was clearly nowhere to be found in the store. That meant he was outside, somewhere, doing something.

  Dunno what or how, and heck, all his guess sounded almost nonsensical, unless...

  That man was a real anomaly. Can’t be wrong here.

  As for what type? Reincarnator? Omniscient Reader? Or simply a game-breaking superpower?

  Unsure for now.

  “Just hope he won’t be back anytime soon and my every night can stay this quiet...”

  Yu Zhiye gazed out through the store’s front, observing the quiet night desert that showed no signs of danger.

  Shhk…

  When the door got cracked open, the cool—almost chilling—breeze caressed his face. No jump scares happened.

  Clearly, the monster blocking the door got lured far away by the other teams.

  But the danger was, undoubtedly, still out there.

  Yu Zhiye sighed.

  The night should be the best time for fishing, but unless there’s a way to avoid or deal with those death angels, any hopes of night fishing can only be shelved.

  “Guess it’s back to fishing under the hot sun tomorrow. Not cool…”

  Yu Zhiye turned around and headed back inside.

  Soon, Yu Zhiye returned to the back exit hall. There, he saw the scruffy uncle sleeping, slumped against the wall.

  As if sensing his approach, Jack nodded awake and tensed up, only to relax when he recognized the young face.

  “Sorry, did I wake you?”

  “Oh no. All good. Like I said, I’m a light sleeper... Anyways, it should be time, already.”

  Jack hopped up and gave Yu Zhiye’s shoulder a few pats. “Go get some rest, bud. There’s still a long day ahead.”

  Yu Zhiye nodded noncommittally.

  After drying out in the sun and starring in an adrenaline-pumping horror film, he was indeed a bit tired.

  “Hmm. Night. See you tomorrow, Jack.”

  “Good night, Steve.”

  The door to the restroom opened then closed, leaving behind a man taking his guard post with clear responsibilities.

  Back in the Fisherman’s Hideout.

  Standing besides his storage chest, Yu Zhiye tossed out the unnecessary items in his inventory.

  Stick? Thought he’ll use it to knock back the slow-moving mobs like zombies, but against those death angel’s super speed ambush? What can it even do? Useless.

  Compass? Now that he knew he won’t be running off at night, it’s unneeded. Into the box it goes.

  As for cobblestone…

  “Well… the stone distraction no jutsu earlier should’ve did something? Just keep this placeholder I guess.”

  Even if it’s not used for distraction, at least the stone itself might have more attack power than the stick and bare hands...

  After prepping his loadout for tomorrow, Yu Zhiye assessed his remaining survival supplies.

  “Finished the bag of chips, an orange, and a quarter of the coke earlier. That’s a light dinner… still better than nothing though.”

  Like how there’s nothing for brushing. But that’s survival for ya.

  Sigh~ “Wonder how long the supplies will last. Will there be more? If not… food shouldn’t be an issue, but water…”

  Another serious survival issue to think about. But that’s something for tomorrow because right now...

  “Time for bed.”

  Yu Zhiye headed over to the hammock in the corner.

  Stopping beside it, he gingerly tested the plain old hammock.

  “Huh? It’s actually sturdier than it looks. But will the walls will collapse on me if I…”

  He plopped his booty onto the hammock. There was a creak that made his stomach flip, but… that was it.

  “Cool. Cool. Looking good. Hey, this actually feels quite comfortable…”

  Yu Zhiye laid down and stared up at the dark-purplish ceiling.

  “It’ll be another hot day tomorrow. I should go as early as possible and capitalize on the cool temperature to fish more…”

  “As long as I can figure out when the switch from night to day happens, I can maximize my fishing window...”

  He yawned.

  “Hah… I’m sleeping so late, but let’s try to wake up as early as possible. I can make up for sleep… during the hot day... if needed…”

  A fisherman nodded off, and a new day awaits.