Apocalypse Gachapon

The team entered a rest period, and everyone showed relaxation, yet there was no sense of joy.

Aimusi’s threat was one aspect; after all, it was easy to imagine that this woman would persistently haunt Ye Zhongming, seizing any opportunity to avenge her son and husband.

They were not afraid, but the feeling of being watched was not pleasant.

Another reason for their lack of joy was the significant increase in deaths during the second cycle. Aside from the last thousand who were directly eliminated, several thousand more newcomers were permanently buried on this planet.

Ye Zhongming could not understand why so many had died in just three short days. The previous cycle had not seen this many deaths.

The total number had now dropped to just over twenty-five thousand.

The team tried to find some clues on the recorders but returned with nothing.

They felt something must have happened, but could not guess what it was.

“The captain’s ranking is twenty-one…” Helsky glanced at Ye Zhongming with amazement, truly impressed by this ranking.

Although his own ranking was over a thousand, he had studied those at the top of the scoreboard somewhat. He knew many were specifically trained by certain forces, with teams large and small serving them. Even among the top ten, there was a small team with powerful, complementary abilities leveraging the rules to skyrocket their scores—something others simply couldn’t match for now.

Yet under these circumstances, with enemies in pursuit, Ye Zhongming had nearly broken into the top twenty after two small cycles. This achievement was truly outstanding.

This was due both to his hunting of many powerful creatures and his killing of numerous newcomers.

On the red name ranking list for killing peers, Ye Zhongming had already entered the top fifteen.

Another point Helsky envied was Jie Kui. This guy had been following Ye Zhongming from the start and was now in the top five hundred. If not for being delayed by Aimusi’s pursuit for most of a day and not killing any newcomers, his ranking would have been even higher. Even Shi Kangbu, who only started following Ye Zhongming at the beginning of the second cycle, had entered the top one thousand, nearly two hundred places above Helsky.

Of course, He’s ranking was also good, around three hundred and seventy or eighty, but that was because she had accumulated more earlier. Moreover, after this cycle ended, her alchemy level would be settled, and her points would increase again, likely pushing her toward around two hundred.

“I’ll accompany He first to refine some medicines. The rest of you can move freely, but ensure you get three to four hours of solid rest.”

Ye Zhongming gave instructions, planning to stay by He’s side to let her refine pills peacefully. Although the newcomer camp was safe from attacks, given what happened during the first cycle’s rest, many were already paying attention to He. Bad actors were everywhere, and some would surely intentionally disturb her while she refined medicines, especially those with rankings close to hers.

At the same time, Ye Zhongming also planned to accompany He to the free market beforehand to buy as many materials as possible, enabling her to refine more and better medicines.

“Captain, I have something to discuss with you.”

Helsky pulled Ye Zhongming aside but did not avoid the other team members. He said in a low voice, “Captain, although our situation is good now, there are also many hidden worries. Besides Aimusi, there’s the highest level of competition and… some people with alternative intentions.”

What Helsky said was clear to everyone. Those with “alternative intentions” referred to both the ‘hunters’ targeting red names and those who saw Ye Zhongming’s team’s high points and wanted to kill them for easy gains.

As for the highest level of competition, it meant that due to Ye Zhongming’s high ranking, he would inevitably attract the attention of top newcomers, who would see the Cloud Peak King and his team as competitors. The forms of competition could vary widely, and no one could predict what they might face.

“Continue,” Ye Zhongming urged Helsky to go on.

“My idea is to expand the team’s membership, enhance the team’s strength, and use the rules to increase our points.”

The rules referred to the point bonuses for increasing racial diversity and team size.

Ye Zhongming frowned slightly. He had considered this, but increasing membership came with too many issues: coordination in combat, efficiency of movement, point distribution, loyalty, and more.

If not handled well, it wouldn’t bring better returns but would instead hold them back or even lead to accidents.

“I know what you’re worried about, Captain. I’m not suggesting we recruit people indiscriminately. I would like to select a small number of reliable individuals to join, all of whom will be under our control. The first one or even two cycles could be considered a trial phase. Let them do the dirty and tough work and prove themselves through practical performance. If they succeed, they become formal members; if not, we dismiss them. If anyone shows ill intentions, we kill them directly, which would also increase your points.”

“Do you have targets in mind?”

Ye Zhongming looked at Helsky, feeling this guy probably had something specific in mind.

Helsky nodded. “A few. I need to reach out and talk to them. If it works out, should I bring them for you to meet?”

Ye Zhongming thought for a moment and nodded. Helsky left with Yang Tuo. This guy was really a good assistant.

Jie Kui and Shi Kangbu bid farewell to Ye Zhongming and went to browse the official store and free market. They were injured but planned to treat their wounds just before the third phase began. They would use these few hours to recover naturally, reducing the final point cost.

This was the experience everyone had gained over the two cycles.

Whether Helsky, Yang Tuo, Jie Kui, or Shi Kangbu, Ye Zhongming told them all to set aside one hundred points. The others didn’t understand why, but Jie Kui knew it must be because Ye Zhongming was planning to craft equipment for sale again, and he looked delighted.

They went to the free market first to buy the necessary materials, then headed to the Changxu Water Race’s tent. It was slightly better than the Star-Eye Clan’s, but not by much. At least there were no unpleasant odors. Leaving He inside to craft, Ye Zhongming sat outside the tent.

People around were constantly peeking, but no one came to interfere for the time being, and Ye Zhongming enjoyed the peace.

However, just as He was nearing the end of her crafting, someone came looking. This was expected, but the identity of the visitor surprised Ye Zhongming.

An acquaintance, an Earthling—Ji Ruiguang.

Since the novice battlefield began, Ye Zhongming had not seen anyone from other country regions, given there were over thirty thousand novices.

“Lord Ye, long time no see.” Before even getting close, Ji Ruiguang’s voice, filled with laughter, reached him first.