Apocalypse Gachapon

“4, Angel Card. The user can summon an angel to assist the team in battle. The angel can be upgraded through two methods: experience or equivalents. If it survives the battle, it gains experience based on its contribution, or the summoner can upgrade it using equivalents. The maximum upgrade limit is 10. Quantity: 5.”

“5, Demon Card. Summons a demon to attack a selected team. The demon can be upgraded through two methods: experience or equivalents. The more evolvers it kills, the more experience it gains. The demon’s maximum upgrade limit is 10. For each level increased, the user must pay an equivalent equal to the initial price to maintain the demon’s loyalty. Quantity: 2.”

“6, Shared Fate Card. Before launching an attack, the purchaser can use this card to link with another team. After the attack, regardless of the outcome or losses, the linked team will receive corresponding results or losses. Quantity: 2.”

“7, Immunity Card. Purchasing this card grants the team complete immunity for the current round. No cards can be used, nor will they be affected by any other team’s cards. Quantity: 10.”

“8, Minor King Card. When a team purchases more than five of the other card types, they gain the right to buy the Minor King Card, which can be used once. Its effect is confidential.”

“9, Major King Card. When a team possesses and uses the Minor King Card, they gain the right to purchase the Major King Card, which can be used once. Its effect is confidential.”

“10, Luck Card. When a team completes five rounds without being eliminated, they can purchase the Luck Card. Using it will trigger a random event.”

The ten types of cards presented by the wheel space made everyone feel as if they were being toyed with.

Now, even the Mechanical Genius, who had been at odds with Ye Zhongming, fell silent.

What was the meaning of so many types of cards?

For example:

The wheel never specified what would happen to teams that failed to obtain the Mountain King Wheel. Based on previous scenarios, they would likely be removed from the space.

So, though no one voiced it, everyone had privately resolved that if they saw no hope of seizing the treasure, they would back down. Saving some “toll money” was better than stubbornly persisting and losing many lives.

This way, after leaving, the time to recover their strength would be shorter.

Besides, it wasn’t as if they had gained nothing here. Several teams held some treasures obtained from the Bright Stars—items that would be priceless and rare outside.

Especially for teams like the Cannibal Chain, who wanted to help Ye Zhongming complete the ten rounds, they could simply clear some Bright Stars for Cloud Peak. Given their strength, though they might suffer some losses, it wouldn’t be too difficult. Their forces were also well-preserved, and due to their prolonged exploration and rest on the Bright Stars, their skill cooldowns were fully reset, restoring their combat power to its peak. They were confident not only in attacking the guardian beasts on the Bright Stars but even in facing Cloud Peak in battle now.

But with these cards, the situation became chaotic.

Wanting to proceed quietly? Impossible. Wherever you land, the owner of that Bright Star might use Demon Cards, Summon Cards, etc., against you—or preemptively deploy Luck Cards or Shared Fate Cards.

These cards made even the strongest teams, initially confident in securing the Mountain King Wheel, cautious due to unexpected variables. Meanwhile, teams that had previously felt hopeless might reignite their ambitions and fight for the prize.

Fighting meant life or death.

After five rounds, everyone would want to buy the Luck Card. Before that, they’d aim for the Minor and Major King Cards! Who knew if they might summon a boss and emerge victorious in the end?

Thus, it was almost certain that casualties would multiply. Some factions would become stepping stones for others, perishing unnoticed in the roulette space while watching their rivals claim the ultimate prize, leaving behind only half-forgotten legends.

Years later, it would be as if they had never existed.

The Mechanical Genius returned to his team. He no longer had the energy to feud with Ye Zhongming; he needed to consider which cards to buy carefully.

Wu Xiu looked grave. Ye Zhongming had already given her many benefits, so complaining about the increased difficulty now would be excessive. She exchanged a few words with the Cloud Peak King and returned to her team to prepare.

Among the other factions, only Gyanendra’s team appeared calm. The rest were visibly restless—some uneasy, others excited.

“The purchase phase begins. Please make your decisions within one minute. Each team may purchase no more than two of the same card type.”

“Countdown starts…”

Under the wheel’s rushing, a light screen appeared before each faction leader, displaying the various cards. Others could not see it.

Ye Zhongming studied the screen, which showed not only each card’s function and price but also real-time quantities.

The Cloud Peak King exhaled slowly…

…………………………………………

“Purchase phase ended. The final trial begins now. Random Bright Star arrangement initiated!”

As the wheel’s voice rang out, the Bright Stars previously occupied by the factions were extracted, spun rapidly in the air twice, vanished, and then reappeared in a straight line. At the farthest end gleamed the radiant Mountain King Wheel.

“As the Cannibal Chain purchased the ‘Head Start Card,’ they gain the first right to strike the Soaring Crystal. Other teams, please click on the five cards on the light screen to obtain a random number. Teams with higher numbers proceed first.”

Everyone looked at the Cannibal Chain—even Ye Zhongming. He hadn’t expected Wu Xiu to buy this card.

The Head Start wasn’t cheap!

Ye Zhongming clicked a card, which flipped to reveal a “3.”

Soon, other factions followed: Great America drew a “5,” Gyanendra a “4,” Cloud Peak a “3,” the Women Guard a “2,” and the Mechanical Genius a “1”—placing him last. The unseen figure inside the mechanical puppet let out a furious shout.

Wu Xiu stepped up to the newly appeared stone platform, nodded at Ye Zhongming, and picked up the peculiar hammer. After swinging it twice, she paused and called to Cloud Peak’s direction: “Hard to control.”

Then, glancing at the indistinguishable Bright Stars, she struck forcefully. The Soaring Crystal flew out and landed on the third star out of 174.

“Bright Star No. 3—owned by the Mechanical Genius!”