Apocalypse: System of lotteries



Atop the vast ocean, Poseidon, gripping his trident, watched the aircraft with mounting excitement. Yet, fury consumed him when his gaze fell upon the fiery stretch at the mountain's peak. Leaving his divine seat, he thundered, "The treacherous Siren dares betray me!"

Turning, he sought the disloyal Siren behind him, only to find an unexpected sandstorm obscuring the horizon. The swirling sands blocked out the sun, and Poseidon incredulously murmured, "A sandstorm... at sea?"

For a moment, he was confounded. 

Indeed, the sudden onslaught of a sandstorm over the water was most perplexing. 

But Poseidon's chance to investigate was lost, as the wind-driven sands enveloped him and the sea monsters surrounding him, reducing visibility to only a few meters.

At this moment, the mountain's peak was firmly back under King Wang's control. He and his comrades surveyed the distant storm. Mike, with certainty, recognized this as Gutman's divine ability: "Sandstorm."

Then, light trails arced downwards from even higher skies, diving into the sandstorm — missiles. 

Standing to one side, Frank let out a triumphant roar, pointing towards the engulfing storm. Whistling sounds pierced the air as streaks of fiery light burrowed into the sandy veil.

The assembly atop the mountain, filled with both curiosity and anticipation, waited to see the impending spectacle.

Soon, faint glimmers of light began to radiate from within the sandstorm. These sparks, shining like distant stars, multiplied, accompanied by the spreading of golden sand and ripples in the water. Then, a thunderous roar echoed from the storm's heart.

A warm gust dispersed the sandy waves in every direction the following instant. The crowd braced themselves against the forceful breeze, eager not to miss a moment.

"Indeed, just as legends told: Gutman possesses guns, cannons, and missiles."

"What deeds must one do to command such power?"

"Don't question it. Just know he stands with us."

"Indeed..."

"..."

The yellow sands had yet to settle when the sea's surface became strewn with various sea monsters—some lifeless, others dazed, and yet more bearing severed limbs. The blood-tinted waters resembled a scene from hell.

Poseidon, clutching his trident and treading atop the waters, had messy hair masking his twitching features. He was incensed. After all the time he'd spent in the ocean, meticulously building such a formidable force, he now saw them dead or wounded. Moreover, the Siren, once loyal to him, had betrayed him.

Death!

They all must die!

"Who dares? Show yourself and meet your fate!" Poseidon roared, lifting his trident and striking the sea with such force that it parted, forming a deep chasm.

At that moment, a figure stood upon the back of a whale, appearing before Poseidon. The man spoke, "What a pity, really. You should know I grieve even more than you."

Poseidon looked up, "It's you?"

Ming glanced around, "It would seem so."

"Die!"

With his trident in hand, Poseidon charged forth over the water. In response,  Ming retreated, drawing his Silver Bow of Victory to release a volley of arrows.

The arrows zipped through the air, some shooting horizontally, others vertically, all aimed to halt Poseidon's advance.

The all-attribute attack gem, effective now more than ever, forced back any it struck, breaking defenses. Though it didn't penetrate deeply, Ming's rapid firing was unmatched. His psychic arrows, ten at once, became like a Gatling gun in his hands.

Simultaneously, the "Eagle Eye" assessed:

[Poseidon]

[Faction: XL Mythology, ID#03]

[Rank: Three-star Legendary (Evolvable; Requirement: Control over the seas)]

[...]

[Weakness: Get him on land. What's a sea god worth on terra firma?]

"..."

As Ming continued to shoot, he urged the whale to circle around, contemplating how best to lure Poseidon onto land.

Poseidon bellowed, "Stand and fight me if you dare!"

Ming retorted, "Only if you stand still and let me shoot!"

"..."

The audacious reply took aback Poseidon. "If you're a real man, duel with me!" he roared.

Unceasing in his attack, Ming chuckled, "If you're a real man, stand still and let me shoot."

"You..."

Frustration bubbled up in Poseidon. Was this all this human could say? 

Presently, Poseidon couldn't catch up to him. Not because he was slower but because of Ming's relentless barrage, pushing him back whenever he tried to get closer.

Am I, a deity, to need to use my domain against a mere mortal?

Suddenly, Ming ceased firing and drew forth twin divine spears, holding them by his side.

Watching the distant figure, Poseidon queried, "Why have you stopped running?"

Ming shrugged, "I'm tired. Need a breather. Is that so odd?"

"..."

Poseidon was taken aback again, finding Ming's remarks utterly vexing. 

He demanded, "Do you dare face me in single combat now?"

Ming taunted, "Bring it on. What's there to fear?"

Poseidon roared, "He who flees is a coward!" With that, he surged forward, trident in hand. Instead of retreating, Ming charged ahead on the back of his whale.

Clang!

Trident met Spear in a powerful clash. Neither yielded. Poseidon's might was evident.

Ming had already activated his domain, [War Frenzy]. Given the many sea monsters slain within this domain, his attributes surged, ensuring he held his own.

Hiss!

The two glared at each other, neither willing to concede an inch.

"..."

Suddenly, using the principles of Tai Chi, Ming deftly shifted his weight and stepped back.

Caught off-guard, Poseidon lurched forward. Before he could regain his balance, he was stunned by a triple-combo move. As this transpired, the sea beneath Poseidon exploded, and eight tentacles shot out, binding him securely.

Ming smirked, his objective achieved, and promptly summoned his frogs.

[Your frogs initiate an energy absorption attack on him. Successful~]

[Your Da Vinci's skill activates, procuring Skill X1~]

Swiftly, Ming pocketed his frogs.

Regaining his senses, Poseidon was dumbstruck. In that fleeting moment of distraction, he'd lost everything, even his prized trident...

Blazing with fury, Poseidon felt the octopus's grasp tighten. His anger mounted at the treachery of this lowly human. What happened to a fair duel? An octopus ambush?

Staring at Ming incredulously, he spat, "Do you always undress others this quickly? Have your words ever held any weight?"

Ming shrugged nonchalantly, "All's fair in war. I've been reading 'The Art of War' lately."

He summoned a massive eagle, directing it to snatch Poseidon and bring him onto land.

"Hmph!"

Striving for composure, Poseidon gave a cold snort. He then gazed towards the vast sea and unleashed his domain with a resounding cry: [Ocean's Prison].

With a deafening crash, waves radiated from him as the epicenter, halting all movement across the vast expanse of the ocean. It seemed as if time and space had been suspended.

"..."

Seeing the effects of Poseidon's skill, Ming found his movements restricted. The whale beneath him stood motionless, seemingly entrapped by the waters, its vivacity extinguished.

The realization dawned upon him; these waters were treacherous! Similarly, the great octopus was immobilized, appearing like a sculpture in the sea.

"Ah..."

With a graceful gesture, Poseidon lifted his arm, effortlessly freeing himself from the grip of the octopus's tentacles. In a powerful leap, he shattered the ethereal giant eagle. He then plummeted, striking the octopus into the depths with a forceful stomp. Standing atop the water, he let out a thunderous roar.

His form expanded rapidly, muscles pulsating, looking as unyielding as stone. His abdomen showcased a defined eight-pack, his skin smooth and lustrous as burnished metal. Looking up at the man on the whale, he grinned, "Now, it's time for us to have some fun."

Ming stepped back defensively, "Don't get your hopes up; my interests lie with women."

"..."

Poseidon paused, taken aback. Was this man jesting? Why would he ruin the moment with such a remark in the heat of such a battle?