Chapter 138: The Evolution of Civilization (1)
The dust from the initial impact and the volcanic ash from subsequent eruptions lingered in the atmosphere for decades before gradually settling back to the ground.
As the air cleared and the dust thinned, the earth once again basked in sunlight. Temperatures began to rise, and the frost on the ground melted. After a few heavy rains, life started to flourish again, and the airborne particles rapidly diminished.
Early in the morning, a few juvenile Tail Lard Rats crawled out of their burrows. Although the PM2.5 levels in the air remained high, they were no longer a barrier to outdoor activity.
[T/N: PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometers or smaller in diameter. These tiny particles can remain suspended in the air and are harmful to health when inhaled.]
These younglings were fortunate. The ancestors of their ancestors had only imagined what the sun looked like, and now, they could see it for themselves.
The Tail Lard Rats reproduced rapidly but lived short lives, rarely surviving beyond a decade. Over these decades, countless rats perished from natural causes, not to mention those lost to wars and accidents.
Their greatest enemy at the time had disappeared in the historical tide after battling them for over two decades during the calamity.
With no predators left, the population of the Tail Lard Rats exploded. They expanded their underground burrows and farms repeatedly, yet it was never enough to contain their growth.
Then, internal wars broke out.