Part 1
Three days passed in a blur. Everyone had made as many preparations as they could.
The weather had returned to a comfortable 25°C, and that day, most people stepped outside with a sigh of relief, thinking, It's finally over. The world is back to normal.
Some believed it. Others didn't.Some still waited in quiet fear for the next natural disaster.Some shuddered, remembering the Alien Disaster Timeline—knowing that after one came another… and another.
Around noon, the air began to change.
It grew thick and heavy. The once-blue sky faded to a pale, milky hue. The warmth clung for a moment longer before a sudden, sharp gust of wind swept through. In an instant, the air turned cold, making people shiver. The wind carried with it the scent of rain and damp earth.
Then the forecast bureau made an announcement:
"Good afternoon. A significant weather alert has been issued nationwide.A powerful cold front is brewing, and its collision with the extreme heatwave is expected to generate a severe thunderstorm this evening.Residents can expect a sudden drop in temperature—from the current 25°C to 15°C or lower—in just minutes. This is an indicator of developing rain, strong winds, and the potential for hailstones and even isolated tornadoes in the coming days.Please take shelter and avoid unnecessary travel."
The warning spread fast.For many survivors, the mention of hailstones and tornadoes was enough to send them home immediately, closing every window tight.
But others… saw only the warm air and cloudy skies and thought, We're safe now. The heat won't roast us anymore.
Some eagerly brought out buckets and barrels to collect water.Some dreamed of finally taking a real bath.Some—itchy from days without washing—waited outside, faces turned to the coming storm.
Across cities, villages, and towns—both in lowlands and on higher ground—people prepared in their own ways. For many, the rain wasn't a threat, but a blessing. Clean water meant life. For weeks, proper washing had been impossible for most; the idea of bathing felt like a luxury.
Excitement spread… but so did concern. The more cautious among them muttered, The forecast said 'in the coming days,' not necessarily today.
Still, they put out containers. Just in case.
At Hidden Dragon Peak Mountain, Long Yi's base and training site was no different. The private reservoirs they'd built were opened to collect as much water as possible. The military and government facilities across the country did the same.
They knew what was coming.
After this rainstorm… a flood.And with that flood, clean drinking water would vanish—contaminated by debris, sewage, and chemicals. Collecting as much fresh rainwater now wasn't just important—it was survival.
By evening, a new nationwide announcement blared through radios smartwatches and mobile alerts:
EMERGENCY ALERTExtreme heatwave ends—but immediate water collection is critical.Citizens, we are facing an unprecedented weather event.The extreme heatwave will end with a massive Torrent Rainstorm lasting one month, according to meteorologists and the forecast bureau's joint investigation.This rainstorm is a temporary, precious opportunity. After this month, a mega flood disaster will occur, contaminating all fresh and saltwater sources, rendering them undrinkable for an indefinite period.Your task: collect and store as much rainwater as possible starting this evening. Every drop counts. Use all available containers—buckets, pots, bottles, anything that can hold water.
The countdown to the storm had begun.
Part 2
Following the emergency water collection order, another broadcast came through:
"Reminder: Raw rainwater should be purified before consumption. Boiling is the safest and most effective method.We will continue to provide updates on weather patterns, as well as potential hailstones, tornadoes, and the projected flood timeline.Please monitor official government channels.And please—help your neighbors, especially the elderly and those with disabilities, to collect and store water.We can get through this together… but only if we act immediately, and with a shared sense of responsibility."
Once the announcements ended, the country moved into a frenzy.
Some took the warnings seriously—already setting up barrels, buckets, and basins.Some lit fires early to prepare for boiling the rainwater.Others simply went about their tasks with quiet determination, each household preparing in their own way.
At Hidden Dragon Peak Base, Long Yi's territory, preparations were in full swing. Every container, reservoir, and large barrel was set out in the open, ready to catch the first drops.
But in the middle of this serious, coordinated effort… one figure stood out.
On the open track field at the training site, Shadow 8 stood proudly—arms crossed, a bottle of body wash in one hand, shampoo in the other. A broad grin stretched across his face.
He wasn't here to collect water.
No. He was here for something far more sacred.
He had been scrolling through the survivor forums and trending posts all morning:
"The rain is coming! I'm going to shower in it!""I've got my shampoo ready.""Cold rain after all this heat? Heaven.""Only a dog wouldn't shower in the first rain.""Finally, the baptism of the rain gods, hahaha!"
Shadow 8 took all of it to heart. Now, standing in the center of the track, he muttered to himself with excitement.
"This… this will be my baptism in the rain."A chuckle escaped.Then another.Soon, he was giggling like a man possessed, clutching his toiletries like priceless treasures.
From the sidelines, the coach assigned to supervise his 3,200-lap run was frozen in place, squinting at the bizarre sight.
Finally, the coach pulled out his communicator and reported, deadpan:"Leader… Shadow 8 is standing in the middle of the field giggling, holding a bottle of shampoo and body wash."
On the other end, Shadow 3 rubbed his forehead in silence before replying, "…Ignore him. No need to supervise that idiot."
"Understood," the coach said.
He gave Shadow 8 one last baffled glance… then turned and walked away without another word, leaving the self-proclaimed 'rain baptism disciple' to his strange ritual.