Apocalypse: System of lotteries



Outside the tent.

[Napoleon, your puppet, gazed at the enthralled pig soldiers before him and suddenly cried out, "Listen well! If you follow me, I shall regularly entertain you with varied spectacles!" The pig soldiers rejoiced.]

[Your Napoleon puppet's strength increased by 2891.]

[Your Napoleon felt content, sensing that it had gained new insights from you. The strategy wasn't just about force; sometimes it involved charm and appeal.]

[Napoleon pondered. I wanted to borrow Serena from you. If you disagree, it would search elsewhere.]

Inside the tent, the Black-haired Pig Demon locked eyes with Ming. Standing in the muddy pit and discarding his rake, he raised his hands in surrender. "I yield! May I live?"

Ming was stunned. "What's going on? We haven't even started the fight. Why are you surrendering?"

The Black-haired Pig Demon, with hands, still raised, sighed with tears rolling down. "Ah, I'm pitiful too. Every day, I face the mirror with courage, seeing my own pig-like face."

Ming responded, "What's that to do with me?"

Hissing, the Black-haired Pig Demon drew in a sharp breath. "You lack compassion." He sobbed and trembled. "Please, pity me. Let me live. I promise I'll reform."

As he spoke, a voice resonated in his mind:

[The opponent shows no pity. No reduction in combat strength.]

[Second-stage skill is silenced. Invalid.]

[…]

At that moment, Ming also heard a voice:

[Tent is effective; the opponent's skills are silenced.]

Could it be? Was the demon's lamenting a skill to gain sympathy?

At that moment, the Black-haired Pig Demon burst into tears. "Every moment, I contemplate death. I'm not afraid of it; I only worry about my subordinates."

"They have already sided with the frog."

Ming kindly reminded him, then added, "You can meet your end now. Do you need my help? My chainsaw is sharp, and it runs fast."

The Black-haired Pig Demon cried even harder.

[Skill is silenced...]

How could his skills be silenced?

Confused, the Black-haired Pig Demon's eyes darted around the tent. Suddenly, a realization struck him. Why would anyone set up a tent specifically for a fight? 

There's something off about this tent.

[…]

[Tent is effective, the opponent is silenced.]

Ming smirked, "Done crying? Can we get on with it?"

"I've laid down my weapons. Why don't you trust me?"

Lifting his hands and wiping away his tears, the Black-haired Pig Demon sneakily glanced at Ming. He thought, why isn't this fellow grabbing the rake? If he just grabbed it, he'd be immobilized. Then, I'd easily crush his head with a slap. 

Grab it. Please, grab it...

Ming, observing the pitiable pig-headed creature, exhibited sympathy. "To be honest, I think you're ill. It looks terminal. What do you think?"

"Well, my head has transformed. That's terminal enough."

The Black-haired Pig Demon continued to sob, but internally, he was elated. Was he gaining Ming's sympathy? 

"Don't be upset. Everything will get better."

Ming consoled, handing him a piece of paper. "Wipe your tears and find your strength again."

"Thank you. You truly are a good person."

The Black-haired Pig Demon took the paper and wiped his face. A voice echoed in his mind.

[You've been diagnosed with an ailment. You've purchased the remedy, losing 100,000 gold coins.]

"What..."

His eyes widened in disbelief, the tears that were once there vanished instantly. He quickly scrutinized the paper in his hand—it was a prescription! And then, he watched as the prescription slowly turned into specks of light and vanished. A skill!

He looked up at the seemingly harmless, kind-faced man before him. Are you a devil? Was all that compassion just a facade? He glared fiercely, gritting his teeth. "How could you be so treacherous?"

Ming looked back, sternly replying, "Don't accuse falsely. I'm a doctor. Earning money through skills is not wrong."

Truthfully, he had first used the [Terminal Disease] skill, followed by the [Prescription] skill. Combined, they could trigger a critical hit. Judging by the distraught look on the demon's face, the damage was severe.

"Roar!"

The Black-haired Pig Demon, now infuriated, stretched his hands forward. The rake on the ground levitated and swung aggressively toward the smiling man.

Ming ducked, narrowly avoiding the swipe, chuckling, "It's just 100,000 coins. Is that reason enough to attack me?"

"You...you... I want you dead!"

The Black-haired Pig Demon, seething with rage, had never been robbed like this. Swinging the rake horizontally, as Ming retreated, he switched his grip and firmly embedded the rake into the ground, using it to propel himself out of the mud. "Did you think a mere mud pit could trap me? You're del..."

Suddenly, a broken bowl appeared in front of him, mid-air...

"Do you still demand a single coin from me?"

The Black-haired Pig Demon roared in fury, "Delusional!"

Crash!

With a blow from a thunderous hammer, the Black-haired Pig Demon plummeted back into the mud. The weight and force sank it deep, mud rising to its thighs.

Ming withdrew the broken bowl, "Refusing even a single coin? Very well—I still have your 100,000."

"Ah, no!"

In a rage, the Black-haired Pig Demon activated the skill [Cloud Rise] and leaped from the mire.

[You've been silenced again~]

"..."

Dammit! As time passed, the mire was now sucking it down to its waist.

Although furious, the Black-haired Pig Demon focused on its breathing, understanding well that struggling would only sink it faster and deeper.

Outside the mire, Ming summoned Lopene, patting its shoulder and pointing at the demon, "Collect the money."

[Puppet Lopene raised its hand, and turned to you; the money has been transferred, and it profits from this transaction.]

[...]

[You willingly invest 200,000~]

"..."

The Black-haired Pig Demon's eyes widened, it took a deep breath and bellowed, activating the skill [Grow Large].

Boom! With a deafening explosion, the demon's skin split open. Layers of dense black fur, sharp as needles, erupted from its flesh. It expanded rapidly, muscles coiling.

Stretching its arms wide, it pushed against the edge of the mire, preparing to charge out. At that moment, it saw a man emerge from a tent and pull the enchanting Serena inside, whereupon they began to dance.

"I..."

The Black-haired Pig Demon was furious, but its eyes remained fixed on Serena with undeniable eagerness.

Ming was very pleased; back in the lascivious monk's scenario, not even a monk could resist Serena, let alone this worldly 'man', the bristly pig demon.

But truly, Ming thought, Serena dances extraordinarily well.

Smack!

Ming slapped Lopene sharply, "Shameless! Focus on your task. What is a zombie-like you gawking at?"

[Puppet Lopene looks at you, suggesting you avert your eyes from Serena before lecturing it.]

[...]

Ming took out the Peony, inhaling deeply to regain composure. He turned to the Black-haired Pig Demon, asking, "Isn't she captivating?" The demon, despite its fury, nodded honestly.

"Then pay up,"

How can you go to a dance show and not pay for it?