Chapter 12: Emptying Warehouses Worth Tens of Billions

Phoenix, with the courier's help, took delivery of a hundred colossal water buckets at his residence. Methodically, he began the task of filling each bucket to the brim. The taps ran continuously, and he calculated that within a week, his water reserves would be complete.

As the days marched on, Phoenix never paused. Each penny he possessed was invested in his survival; he indulged in meals from the city's finest restaurants, storing the excess in his extraordinary alien space. His routine also included daily trips to Solstice City's shooting range to sharpen his skills with bow and gun, essential for the imminent threats he might face.

While it was unlikely he'd become a combat expert within a month, his newfound proficiency with weapons, combined with his fortified safe house, gave him a sense of impenetrability.

Yet, Phoenix's activities didn't escape notice, and whispers began to circulate. To the onlookers, he was a source of amusement—a joke, they believed, someone who had lost his grip on reality. Even Mira kept her distance, severing communication with him.

Time ticked by, and more than twenty days evaporated as the prophesied doomsday approached. Phoenix's collection of supplies was vast—food, weapons, heating equipment. But even this arsenal didn't feel sufficient for the peace of mind he sought. His thoughts turned to the giant Walmart warehouse, a veritable treasure trove of resources that could sustain him for multiple lifetimes.

Thus, he returned to his usual shift at the warehouse, which was minimally staffed at night. His plan was simple yet drastic—spike the night crew's tea with sleeping pills. The risk of discovery was irrelevant now, with less than a week before the end of the world.

The familiar faces of his colleagues made the deed easy to execute. As the drugs took effect, the warehouse staff succumbed to sleep, and Phoenix disabled the surveillance cameras. Alone in the vast warehouse, he took a deep breath before embarking on his grand heist.

Using his extraordinary ability, Phoenix cleared out the warehouse section by section. Beverages, fuels, foods, and sports equipment—all vanished into his alien space. Skiing gear, mountaineering equipment, and professional cold suits capable of withstanding subzero temperatures were among his haul.

Two hours later, the mammoth Walmart warehouse stood empty, its contents now securely stored in Phoenix's alien dimension.

When he was done, Phoenix consumed the drugged tea himself, feigning unconsciousness until he was shaken awake by a panicked colleague.

"The warehouse—it's all gone!" his colleague exclaimed. Phoenix feigned shock and disbelief. Acting the part of a concerned supervisor, he suggested they escalate the issue to higher-ups, and the others agreed. The problem was too large for them to handle.

Once Phoenix made the call, the manager was incredulous, suspecting a prank. But the reality was undeniable: tens of billions worth of supplies had vanished without a trace, setting the stage for a mystery that would never be unraveled.