Content Warning: This section of the guide contains descriptions of graphic violence, murder, and destruction.

At 2:23 AM, a mysterious transformation occurs throughout the world; anyone who is indoors or beneath any roof is automatically killed. Carl happens to be outside retrieving his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, who has jumped out a window. It is freezing outside, and Carl is wearing nothing but boxers, a leather jacket, and a pair of too-small pink Crocs. Carl recently broke up with his girlfriend after he saw a picture of her sitting on her ex-boyfriend’s lap. As a neighbor leans out the window to yell at him, the transformation occurs. Carl notes:

It happened so fast. The buildings smashed down to the ground… The seven-story apartment building was there one moment, and then it was gone. But it hadn’t disappeared. It was like the building was a massive tin can that had been crushed by a cosmic boot (1).

Carl looks around at all the missing buildings and realizes that everyone is dead. A robotic voice speaks in Carl’s mind, telling him that the interior of every building on earth has been taken for resources. Humans can now attempt to reclaim regency of Earth by beating an 18-level world dungeon.