Apocalypse: System of lotteries

Ming stared at the seven or eight earthworms emerging from the mud. He glanced at the hammer in his hand, then stepped forward to grab a worm, yanking it forcefully. After all, without a knife on him, he couldn\'t just smash them with his hammer. Hence, he resorted to using his hands.

Thankfully, it was David who depleted these earthworms\' stockpile of foul muck, preventing them from spewing any at the moment. Otherwise, how could they allow themselves to be manipulated so arbitrarily? but, these creatures are incredibly resilient. No matter how much they\'re stretched, they just keep extending...

From the edge of the well, David tapped the rim with a knife. "Brother, I think a knife might serve you better."

"Why didn\'t you mention that earlier? Toss it down."

"You didn\'t ask," David smirked, throwing down the blade and resuming his lookout.

Armed with the knife, Ming set to work on the worms. Honestly, considering David\'s background as an elemental mage, it had probably been a while since he\'d used a knife. The blade was so dull it couldn\'t slice through the worms—only hack. It took several blows to sever each one. These poor creatures were truly suffering under his blade.

Thanks to Ming\'s rapid handiwork, the worms felt three slashes as if it were one, with two-thirds less pain.

...

After collecting 183 coins, Mike, armed with a blade and shield, approached a special shop, inspecting the purchase options:

[1. Acquire a random weapon for 50 coins.]

[2. Acquire a random armor for 100 coins.]

"Is it really that cheap?"

Mike was skeptical, the descriptions seemed too enticing. He wanted it all.

[Option 1.]

[Option 2.]

In a flash, a pillar of light struck the ground. As it faded, a large supply box appeared.

Mike stepped forward, opening the box. His eyes widened in surprise, rubbing his hands together gleefully, "Oh my! This is amazing!"

Ming pushed the segmented earthworms back into the muck, ensuring they couldn\'t wriggle away.

Back on the surface, he arranged the bodies of the dead zombies to mark the spot for later retrieval. Turning to David, he handed back the knife, asking, "Did you notice any movement while I was down there?"

"None. Just heard you chopping away."

"We need to find the others soon" 

David, while speaking, gestured to a towering building nearby. "That\'s the tallest around here. Let\'s climb up and get a view."

"We do need to find them, but... we have to devise a sound plan."

David looked puzzled, "How so?"

"The mission states that we have 24 hours to rendezvous with the team. Otherwise, the clues for Chapter 2 break. Right?"

"Exactly," David nodded.

Ming continued, "But our powers are currently sealed. If we unite too swiftly and start Chapter 2, we\'ll still be under this seal. Wouldn\'t the monsters be stronger in the next chapter?"

"Absolutely!"

David\'s eyes lit up in realization. "Rushing to join up would grant us Chapter 2\'s clues and save time. Yet, it\'d rob us of precious hours to kill zombies and collect special coins to break our seals!"

"Exactly," Ming confirmed, surveying their surroundings as they moved. "We can\'t keep battling separately either. According to the game rules, the longer we wait, the stronger the monsters. That\'s risky."

"If we join too early, it\'s risky, and too late is no good either. This game\'s strategy is a bit intricate," David pondered, stroking his chin. "So, we should find our teammates but maintain a delicate balance between being together and separate."

"Exactly. Maintain a distance, remain aware of each other\'s positions, and be ready to back each other up."

Suddenly, Ming stopped, his face tense. "Wasn\'t that ram teleported here too?"

David hesitated, "I... I think it was."

David halted abruptly, locking eyes with the person next to him. "Good heavens!"

Both exclaimed in unison, "Surely that creature isn\'t considered a teammate?"

Again, they echoed, "Damnation! We can\'t let that sheep die!"I think you should take a look at

...

Digennaro, leading the small sheep, stealthily pushed through the revolving doors into a grand hotel lobby. She stood before a unique shop, evaluating her options:

[1. Randomly acquire a piece of fine clothing for 10 coins.]

[2. Randomly get a pair of shoes for 10 coins.]

[3. Randomly obtain a cup of milk tea for 10 coins.]

[4. Randomly unlock a skill for 10 coins.]

[5. Randomly unlock a talent for 10 coins.]

Silently, Digennaro pursed her lips. "Such a bargain?"

Moments later, she clutched a cup of milk tea in her left hand. She nudged her brand-new orange ankle boots and most cherished was her black orange leather jacket, reminiscent of her brother\'s— a symbol of their familial bond.

Suddenly, a zombie staggered around the corner. As it turned its gaze upon the girl, twin beams of light, as thick as straws, pierced through its skull.

Digennaro blinked her shimmering golden eyes with delight. Her brother was right; the Divine Eye truly could emit laser beams of varying intensity as willed, preventing her from exhausting its power and fainting.

With a playful pat on the sheep\'s head, the duo disappeared into the shadow of the building. The sheep remained unchanged, but a soft glow emanated from the girl.

...

Ming and David entered a shop. Each grabbed a bottle of water, took a swig, and then reached for some braised chicken legs and marinated duck from the shelves. Ripping open the packaging, they hastily devoured the treats. All the while, their eyes were fixed on the special shop across the street and the dozens of silent zombies congregating around it, amongst which several elite zombies lurked.

Ming chewed on his braised chicken leg, formulating a plan. "I\'ll distract the zombies. Once they\'re after me, you go and make the exchange. After you\'re done, take my place, and I\'ll go."

David nodded, "Agreed."

"Ready?"

Ming tossed the chicken bone into a trash bin, wiped his mouth, and burst through the door, brandishing a thunder hammer. "Hey! Come bite me!" he shouted, darting to the right. Zombies, drawn by his challenge, growled and charged after him.

Once David saw the zombies chasing Ming, disappearing around a street corner, he made his move. He dashed across the street to the peculiar shop and skimmed through its offerings:

[1. Randomly get a mystery box for 99 coins.]

[2. Randomly get a mystery box for 49 coins.]

[3. Randomly get a mystery box for 10 coins.]

"Blimey!"

All mystery boxes? What\'s the point?

He bought them all.

Upon opening the first mystery box, he found 10,000 Apocalypse coins.

The second revealed 100 units of spirit stones.

The third gifted him 10 units each of gold, wood, water, fire, and earth elemental stones.

"Damn!"

Frustrated, David took out his knife and hacked at the special shop. "What the devil are these items? Useless!" A voice emanated from the shop: "Destruction of property. Fine: 50 coins."

"You damned contraption!"

The shop retorted, "Profanity. Fine: 10 coins."

"Bloody hell!"

The shop: "Even self-deprecation has a price. Fine: 20 coins."

In the middle of the street, David clenched his fists, resisting the urge to shout, as he threw punches and kicks in the air.