Apocalypse Gachapon

“Cloud Peak uses the Summon Card, target… Great America.”

“Cloud Peak uses the Demon Card, target… Great America.”

Two consecutive announcements made some factions breathe easier while others seethed with frustration.

The frustrated ones were naturally Great America and Spade.

“Leader Ye, your choice isn’t very wise.”

During the lull between the space’s prompts, Governor Spade venomously addressed Ye Zhongming.

“You repurchased a guardian beast, didn’t you? And it must be a powerful one—luring us over to inflict heavy losses, even using a Demon Card!”

The constant prompts to choose between challenge or payment grated on Spade’s nerves.

“Targeting the Women Guard or even Gyanendra would’ve been better options. Yet you chose Great America. Your arrogance will backfire. Sometimes, a single nail loses a war.”

Spade selected “Challenge,” but not before adding: “You’re wasting your trump cards on me when I’m not even your strongest competitor. Doesn’t that strike you as ridiculous?”

Ye Zhongming ignored him entirely, instead producing another card.

“Ye Zhongming, have you lost your mind?!”

Wu Xiu watched anxiously.

The wheel space’s cards had limited quantities, like the Demon Card, of which only two existed (one now used by Ye Zhongming).

Other cards had higher stocks, but divided among factions, none could afford profligacy.

These cards were meant for critical moments—precise strikes at pivotal junctures.

But what was Ye Zhongming doing? Only two rounds in, and he’d already burned through how many?!

Cards weren’t cheap—some cost astronomical sums!

The Cannibal Chain’s fate was tied to Cloud Peak’s. If Cloud Peak won, they benefited; if Cloud Peak fell, they’d fight desperately. Wu Xiu couldn’t stay silent while Ye Zhongming “rampaged” like this.

“It’s fine.” Ye Zhongming remained courteous to his ally, offering reassurance without elaboration.

His activated card triggered a system-wide alert:

“Cloud Peak uses the Nebula Card, designating coverage from Bright Star No. 2 to No. 11.”

Madness. Sheer madness!

Yet… there was method to it.

Currently, aside from Gyanendra, only Cloud Peak and Great America (summoned via Summon Card) were outside Stars 2-11. The Mechanical Genius at Star No. 1 would soon enter this zone.

With the Nebula Card’s effect, traversing these ten stars would become arduous, likely permitting only minimal advancement.

Cloud Peak owned several stars within this range. Any faction struggling through would face relentless battles, inevitably depleting their strength.

While this seemingly disadvantaged the Cannibal Chain too, the impact matched their existing two-star limitation—a trade-off Wu Xiu’s team accepted.

Still, Ye Zhongming’s card expenditure after just two rounds unsettled her.

“Ye Zhongming, what’s your game?”

Spade finally snapped, his voice dripping with malice.

“Expediting your exit.”

The casual reply landed like a sledgehammer.

Such offhand confidence about eliminating Great America—what audacity!

Spade trembled with rage, his bulk quivering. Never in the Americas had he suffered such an insult.

“We’ll see!”

With his turn actions spent, he couldn’t play more cards—only confront the guardian beast Ye Zhongming had purchased.

He could’ve paid the toll, but Great America’s pride wouldn’t allow it.

Then Spade saw the guardian beast, and instantly regretted everything.

Ye Zhongming had installed another of the triangular zone’s six elite guardians as this star’s defender.

Were battle not imminent, Spade would’ve cursed for two hours straight to vent his fury.

Oh, and there was also that formidable-looking demon.

Angel vs. demon. Great America vs. Guardian Beast. The battle unfolded on-screen.

A hushed silence fell.

Not from fascination, but horror at the brutality.

Great America boasted the largest numbers among factions, granting inherent advantages against solitary guardians.

Yet this beast’s combat prowess defied all expectations.

“Leader Ye… how many upgrades?”

Wu Xiu finally blurted out, unable to contain her curiosity.

Ye Zhongming paused. “Five.”

Expletives erupted universally.

Everyone knew these guardians’ exorbitant costs—each upgrade a fortune.

Yet Cloud Peak had maxed it out.

Just how deep were their pockets?!

“And… the previous star?”

Ella of the Women Guard asked hoarsely.

As enemies, she shouldn’t expect answers. Yet Ye Zhongming replied matter-of-factly: “Five.”

No one even cursed anymore—the air itself felt frozen.

Two of the six elite guardians, both max-upgraded by Cloud Peak—what unimaginable wealth!

The battle raged on. So did the deaths.

Perhaps due to the Demon Card’s rarity, this obsidian twin of the angel matched its leveled-up counterpart, even occasionally diving to assist the guardian beast.

“Nine-star strength. Possibly higher.”

The faction leaders—all having slain a nine-star before—recognized the beast’s caliber.

It made sense. Even mid-to-low-tier guardians had eight-star peak strength—let alone a five-upgraded elite!

Fighting nine-stars required extensive preparation, numbers, and ideal conditions.

But facing one head-on—a powerhouse among nine-stars—everyone empathized with Great America’s despair.

Great America fought desperately, unleashing every trump card.

Yet the casualty rate still horrified onlookers.

By battle’s end, Great America’s forces had dwindled by one-third. Without their elites’ sacrifices, losses might’ve doubled.

The demon perished, but it took the angel down with it in a final exchange.

Surveying the carnage, Spade howled at the sky.

These were elites—mostly six-stars, with significant five-star and seven-star contingents!

They’d even lost a captain—one of their few eight-star evolved.

Even if Great America withdrew now, they’d plummet from super-faction status to merely first-rate.

Cloud Peak’s round ended with Great America’s pyrrhic victory. Now, it was the Women Guard’s turn.

At Bright Star No. 4, they treaded on thin ice.