Apocalypse: System of lotteries



Digennaro stood to the side, watching her brothers fuss over the sheep with care and inspection. Suddenly, she felt that this sheep must be significant. She was grateful she hadn't eaten it when she was hungry.

Ming tousled the little girl's hair, "Are you scared?"

Pulling out a lollipop and placing it in her mouth, Digennaro  replied, "With you around, I have nothing to fear."

"Right! That's the spirit."

Mike, removing his helmet and rubbing his concussion-struck head, added, "Being with big brother, I also feel at ease. Really, I never lie."

"Enough of that," David interjected, slicing open the head of a zombie as he spoke. "Let's focus on taking out the remaining zombies."

Ming, with Digennaro in tow, approached the king-level zombie that was now half its original size. "You said your choices are all cheap. Finish this  and release all the seals as soon as possible."

"Got it!"

Digennaro glared at the zombie. Two beams, as thick as chopsticks, shot out from her eyes, piercing through the zombie's forehead.

Special Gold Coin +50

She never doubted her brother's words. In her heart, whatever her brother said was always right. Soon after, the group began dealing with the remaining zombies.

"A new shop has appeared, southeast direction, approximately 500 meters."

"Let's go, quick! mike, carry that sheep."

"Digennaro , keep up."

Moments later, they stood in front of the store. As expected, the options available to each were no different from before.

Mike again chose heavy weapons and armor, obtaining a six-legged mechanical armor set. It fits seamlessly with his current armor, turning him into the 'Mech-Spider Mike'. However, he still lacked the option to unlock any skill talent.

David once again activated three mystery boxes, garnering 5,000 apocalypse gold coins, 100 units of psychic stones, and ten vials of mental stamina potion. Simultaneously, he exchanged 20,000 apocalypse gold coins for 200 special coins.

Digennaro, seizing the most favorable prices, unlocked skills and talents. She refrained from choosing attire or cosmetics. Expectedly, she was on the brink of becoming the first to break the seal.

Though Ming found himself without gains, an idea dawned on him. He could use the shop to determine whether the sheep was considered an 'ally.' If so, options would appear; otherwise, nothing would transpire. Without hesitation, he ushered the antelope to the store's forefront.

Options emerged:

[1. Obtain a handful of fresh green grass for 9 coins.]

[2. Procure a piece of ripe fruit for 9 coins.]

[3. Receive a portion of fine feed for 9 coins.]

[4. Secure a chance for permanent wisdom enhancement for 9 coins.]

Silence.

Ming was certain that this gazelle was a 'teammate', and furthermore, it could enhance its intelligence through the store, essentially cheating its way to mutation.

This was a golden opportunity. If successful, the gazelle would no longer be just a gazelle, but an exceptional one.

Sniff, sniff~ The scent of a bird~

Ming looked up to see a giant eagle landing. It was Alan's new pet.

Digennar immediately said, "It's the Golden Winged Roc, and I named it. It really loves the name."

The great bird, upon seeing the girl, nestled its head into her embrace, nuzzling gently.

Without thinking, Ming glanced at the bird's leg. After all, he and Alan had a tradition of sending messages through birds. Sure enough, there was a note tied to its leg.

He unfurled the parchment to read:

"Is this the boss? This is Alan. Hawkins is with me. Have you found Digennaro? She might be in grave danger on her own. Have the others been located? Also, the sheep must not die. After reading this, tap the Golden Winged Roc's head and instruct it not to return to its master. It will retrace its path."

After reading the note, the group discussed their plan. Once finalized, they wrote a reply and tied it to the eagle's leg. The majestic bird, hesitating to leave Digennaro, took flight, picking up the sheep and David.

Moments later, under Alan's command, the eagle once again took to the skies, leaving the sheep and David behind.

David and the sheep found themselves on the rooftop terrace of the 'HUL Bank'. David said to the sheep, "You know, I never thought we'd be here, staring into each other's eyes. But you're one of us, and we have to protect you. You realize your status has been upgraded, right?"

"Baa~"

The sheep licked its nostrils.

"Soon, zombies will fall from the sky. I'll teach you how to kill them, so pay attention, okay?"

With that, David lay on the ground, exhausted from the day's journey

"Baa~"

"Enough of that," David sighed. "Keep a lookout. I need some rest."

Downstairs, Ming, Alan, and Hawkins convened in the bank's lobby. They watched as Digennaro, the radiant girl, sat atop Spiderman Mike's shoulder, weaving through streets, luring the zombie.

David and the sheep's location on the rooftop didn't technically count as a 'meeting,' hence, there was no trigger for the next chapter clue.

It was precisely 10 PM. They had until 3 PM the next day, granting them enough hours to fend off the hordes. Soon after, Spiderman Mike returned with Digennaro, trailed by hundreds of zombies. The majority were top-tier common ones, swift in their movements, accompanied by some elites and a few of lord rank.

Laser cannon turrets stood sentinel at the bank's entrance, firing at the incoming onslaught. Ming and the others took on the task of eliminating any stragglers. Seizing opportunities, the giant eagle snatched injured zombies, delivering them to David and the sheep atop the building.

"The only option available to me is unlocking the warehouse," Alan declared, wielding his spear, ready for battle.

Ming inquired, "What else is there?"

Caught off guard, Alan replied softly, "It's... love."

Silence enveloped the room.

Turning his attention to Hawkins, Ming asked, "What about you?"

"Only a special talent," replied Hawkins. Simultaneously, he conjured a blue flower with a twist of his fingers. "Use this sparingly," he advised Ming, "My ability takes time to recharge. Consume a petal when your spirit wanes. It rejuvenates mental energy."

"I recall you can produce a golden flower too."

"That's to replenish physical strength. Do you need one now?"

"Not currently, but maybe prepare one for Mike and the others?"

"Very well," Hawkins replied, dispatching a zombie with a swift kick before bending to finish it off. Standing up, he conjured a small yellow flower.

Ming pocketed the blossom, asking further, "What are your other options?"

With a lazy grin, Hawkins responded, "Also love."

ming rolled his eyes, what's wrong with them?

After clearing out the threat, they found respite inside the bank. Digennaro drained from frequent use of her laser ability, slept soundly beside her brother.

"Can this restore physical strength?"

Accepting a golden petal, Mike tasted it. He turned to Hawkins, "It does ease the muscle soreness. But, why does it have a hint of your body odor?"

Chuckling, Hawkins pulled out another flower from under his arm, "Impossible, I'm rather meticulous about my hygiene."

Alan, sitting aside, chuckled at their exchange before his gaze settled on the shattered entrance and the dark sky beyond, his face unreadable.

Ding~ Title "Money Begets Money" activated. You've gained 35,982 gold coins.

"Hm?"

Ming looked perplexed. Why wasn't the broken bowl activated?

Then he remembered, it was still under a ban. umm ～missed opportunity to acquire an item, indeed.

[Your Napoleon, gazing ahead, confronts a one-eyed giant holding a tree trunk. "Will you join us or perish?" Medusa, puzzled, questions, "I thought you preferred to persuade with words?"]

[Your Napoleon glances at the flying leeches, the giant zombies, the mammoth praying mantis, and the armored wild boar beside him. He informs Medusa, "When one has enough strength, who wants to waste time talking?"]

[Your Napoleon successfully tames the one-eyed giant. Minion count +1]

[Turning to Medusa, Napoleon asks, "Have you learned your lesson?"]