Apocalypse: System of lotteries



Your Foodie spirit gravely turned to Da Vinci, "You're not going to let rationality get the best of you at a time like this, are you?" Da Vinci returned the gaze, "I have never disappointed."

Ming was engrossed in his dance, finding it oddly exhilarating for the first time. "No wonder social dances are so popular; they really get into your head," he mused.

The Black-haired Pig Demon eyed the Red Siren and found her quite captivating. Though he had transcended worldly desires, he saw no harm in touching beauty. 

His excitement was palpable as he realized the siren before he believed she entranced him. "She's too young," he thought. "I can tread through a world of temptations without ever being entangled."

Ming was astonished that the Pig Demon had so profoundly grasped the essence of "Transcending Worldly Desires"—gaining advantage without incurring responsibility. A true art form.

The Pig Demon joyously extended his hoof-like hand forward, closer and closer. "It's been so long since I've touched something so lovely."

[Da Vinci activated its power, successfully acquiring the Red Siren. "What are you looking at?" he said to the bewildered Pig Demon. "All these women are Ming's."]

[The Pig Demon's extended hand clenched empty air. He was discontented, for the person he was about to touch vanished. "Is this even human behavior?" he thought.]

The time was ripe.

Ming and Napoleon issued their orders simultaneously, "Enough distractions. Kill!"

A flash of blades, a chorus of screams. The celestial soldiers, once enraptured by the dance, were swiftly slaughtered. A harmonious scene moments before had now turned bloody.

[Your Da Vinci roamed the battlefield, collecting the remaining Six Sirens into his pocket. He looked at you as if to say, "Don't let my hard work go to waste."]

[Your Napoleon took command of the fallen celestial soldiers, now turned into zombies. "Puppets +1," he indicated.]

["Puppets +1," Napoleon looked at you, Ming, "Don't worry about me around; you should know our army only grows stronger as we fight."]

"True that," Ming observed as the zombified celestial soldiers turned on their former comrades, their ranks ever-increasing. Like a blooming flower, the battlefront was spreading outwards. 

Ming knew that while they had taken down a portion of the enemy's forces, this was not the end. The enemy would not overlook their strategy of fighting a war of attrition. Their own numbers weren't superior, so Ming needed to focus their power like a sharpened blade, aiming straight for the enemy's core.

He issued the command. With himself at the lead, Raoul and Frank on either side, the Black-haired Pig Demon, Enyo, Red Horseman, and Euryale took the flanks, and the flying leeches and other mythical beasts would protect the rear. Forward march!

Poseidon, who had just snapped out of his enchantment, was puzzled. "Where did all those beautiful women go?" He felt a sharp smack on the back of his head. "What do you want?" he asked Ming, suppressing his rising anger.

"Listen, you and the sirens are on standby in the middle of the formation. You see that woman over there?" Ming pointed to a dignified, mature woman in the distance.

"Which one?" As Poseidon impaled another celestial soldier through the neck, he saw the woman Ming was pointing to and found her quite appealing.

Ming responded, "When all this is over, she's yours."

A glint appeared in Poseidon's eyes. "Boss, let me lead the vanguard. I won't disappoint you."

Ming retorted, "I might believe you more if you looked at me when you said that."

Poseidon's gaze was still fixed on Atlas in the distance. "Alright~"

With a resigned slap to Poseidon's face, Ming led his motley army of zombies and mythical beasts forward. Like a sharp knife, they cut through the tens of thousands of celestial soldiers, moving westward toward the god-king.

In the rear of the celestial formation, Atlas wore a heavy expression. She couldn't understand what had happened to her seven daughters, whom she had personally trained for diplomatic purposes. They had vanished inexplicably.

Pangu, undisturbed by the shifting tides of the battlefield, turned to Calabari, "It's all converging on me. It's your turn now. Rest assured, as long as we eliminate that guy, you can have as many test subjects as you want for your experiments."

"Excellent. More test subjects will make my medicines more stable," said Calabari, who then distributed large bags of newly formulated pills named 'Mr. Vigor' to the celestial soldiers. "Swallow one of these, and three ranks will boost your strength. You will find it easy to slay those demons."

Pangu nodded. He knew Calabari well—while the man might not have any life-saving medicines, he was well-stocked with pills that could drastically boost one's energy levels.

Ingesting the pills, the celestial soldiers' bodies inflated as if they were bulls locked in a cage, waiting to break free. "Attack!" they roared as they lunged forward, each leap covering several meters, leaving behind footprints in the earth—evidence of their newly acquired, terrifying strength.

Vicentine sidled up to Calabari and whispered, "Slip me a few of those pills."

"What do you intend to do with them?" asked Calabari.

"Look, if those celestial soldiers can't handle it, it will be up to us to take the field. You know I am dedicated to the divine realm and loyal to the God-King. I am the last line of defense in front of him. I may need these pills to hold the line when the time comes," Vicentine explained.

"Fine. For your loyalty, I'll give you a bag," Calabari relented, "but be warned, the side effects are severe. After an hour, your body will be drained and become extremely weak."

"I'm no child," Vicentine said as he took the bag, "I know my limits."

Just then, the two-headed beings, Dru and Russo, approached Vicentine and extended their hands, "Pass us some, too."

Calabari handed them a bag and explained, "This version, 'Long-lasting Mr. Vigor,' will last until you stop taking it. The side effects only appear an hour after you stop. Go, make your mark."

Dru and Russo, with one body but two heads, accepted the bag and swallowed two pills. Almost instantly, their bodies snapped, crackled, and popped, their muscles becoming as lustrous as metal. They thanked Calabari and rushed towards the battlefield.

Watching them leave, a satisfied smile appeared on Calabari's face.