Apocalypse Gachapon Chapter 1837: Huge increase in difficulty

"I'm coming with you."

Shi Kangbu spoke with a steady voice, lacking any real conviction. It gave the distinct impression that he was only making this request because he couldn't survive on his own.

Jie Kui curled his lip in disdain but remained silent. Decisions like this belonged to Ye; he was merely following Ye's lead.

Ye Zhongming wasn't caught off guard. He wasn't sure which race the Star-Eye Clan had paid to train Shi Kangbu and Bu Lanuo, but it was obvious that race held the Star-Eye Clan in contempt. If they didn't, these trained warriors wouldn't show such blatant disrespect toward their own people.

He surmised that both men had been lured by vague promises, perhaps the chance to officially join the race that trained them or something of that nature.

However, reality had struck them hard. While Ye Zhongming didn't know the specifics of their ordeal, he was certain things hadn't gone according to their plans.

It was highly likely they had been ignored or completely discarded by that race.

Under these circumstances, joining forces with Ye Zhongming and Jie Kui was Shi Kangbu’s most logical path forward.

Furthermore, the power Ye Zhongming and Jie Kui had exhibited earned them a new level of respect in his eyes.

Ye Zhongming had once been ranked among the top thousand, even if he currently sat at the very bottom.

"I require your specific stats and details to determine if you're fit to join us."

Shi Kangbu was stunned, suspecting that Ye Zhongming was intentionally making things difficult for him.

In truth, Ye Zhongming had no interest in petty games. His aim was to build an elite unit. Members didn't need to be overwhelmingly powerful individually, but they had to possess specific traits and be capable of fulfilling a role when called upon.

Without a clear understanding of Shi Kangbu, Ye Zhongming wouldn't allow him into the squad, regardless of how much his survival might benefit the Star-Eye Clan’s final ranking.

Shi Kangbu’s gaze darkened. In the past, he would have simply walked away. Even if the man wasn't directly insulting him, the request felt dismissive. His pride wouldn't normally permit him to bow his head.

Yet, his current predicament and the trauma of the last three days had seemingly ground down Shi Kangbu's arrogance.

With a wooden expression, he began listing his attributes, including his profession and specific skills.

Ye Zhongming listened with focus.

The explanation ended quickly. Shi Kangbu prepared to turn his back, assuming the other man was just looking for a polite excuse to reject him. Whether he had actually listened felt irrelevant.

However, the word "Welcome" made him freeze in his tracks.

Shi Kangbu looked up at the man before him in shock, doubting his own hearing for a moment.

"The upcoming cycle will serve as a trial. If you prove yourself, you stay as a permanent member. If you fail, I'll kill you. I can't let your points go to waste; I'm already a red name, after all."

Ye Zhongming finished speaking and watched Shi Kangbu, awaiting his reaction.

"Fine," Shi Kangbu agreed after a brief moment of consideration.

But Ye Zhongming wasn't finished. "Once you join this squad, starting next cycle, your points will be pooled for distribution, and you must obey my every command. If those terms are acceptable, then welcome aboard."

Shi Kangbu took a deep breath. He understood the gravity of those words... it was essentially placing his life in this man's hands.

"Can you... can you promise that I'll make it out alive?"

After enduring three days of hell, Shi Kangbu's only ambition left was to avoid death.

"I can only promise to do my best," Ye Zhongming replied, refusing to give a hollow guarantee.

"Alright, I accept."

"Welcome."

……………………………………

The twelve-hour rest period concluded swiftly. With ten minutes remaining, the novices assembled once more in the camp, waiting for the second three-day cycle to commence.

The atmosphere was notably more composed this time, lacking the frantic anxiety that had gripped the crowd at the start of the first cycle.

Many participants now understood their capabilities and had settled on a strategy. Others had grown stronger or joined teams, fueled by the ambition to climb the ranks.

Within the mass of people, Ye Zhongming unexpectedly spotted Mu Hanyi. This individual, who had been soundly defeated by Cloud Top, seemed to be thriving. Sensing a gaze upon him, Mu Hanyi looked back and, seeing Ye Zhongming, gave a simple nod.

Despite their past friction and enmity, they both hailed from the China region. In the absence of immediate conflict, a nod was a standard courtesy.

Beyond Mu Hanyi, Ye Zhongming noticed the Hawkins couple, Yaka, and Wade nearby, just as he expected.

Their wounds had been fully mended; even the eye Ye Zhongming had destroyed was perfectly restored.

This was predictable. What actually caught Ye Zhongming by surprise was that two additional figures were now standing with the group of four.

Did they have great social skills? Unlikely. In a trial where everyone was killing for points, "friendship" was a cheap commodity.

It meant the backers of the Hawkins couple had intervened, securing two powerful reinforcements for them.

Ye Zhongming made his guess and then put the matter out of his mind.

It didn't matter how many allies they gathered. Since they were already locked in a blood feud, Ye Zhongming would simply kill them all, even if they recruited every other novice in the camp.

What truly startled the King of Cloud Peak was that the woman he had hoped to recruit actually approached him, handing over a small pouch.

"Basic medicine for wounds. Consider it thanks for your high opinion of me."

Ye Zhongming didn't reject the gift. Instead, he inquired about what materials she was searching for. The woman hesitated, listed a few items, then offered a smile and walked away.

"What's the play here?" Jie Kui asked, eyeing the leather bag. Though small, it held ten pills—standard medicine for healing injuries.

"She's playing both sides, keeping her options open."

Ye Zhongming stowed the medicine. Since she had extended an olive branch, there was no harm in taking it. Even if they didn't form a squad, they could still cooperate later.

"I'm quite pleased to see so many of you still breathing, though some look like they've seen better days."

Zizi Kaba’s form materialized in the air, peering down at the novices with a freezing smirk.

"There are a few updates I believe you should hear."

"Do you find the prices in the official shop too high? Indeed, they are. But I have some grim news: they are only going to get more expensive. Starting with this cycle, prices will rise by ten percent every single cycle. Prepare to be bled dry."

The crowd erupted in a panicked roar. This change was a death sentence for many.

"And one more thing, one more thing." Zizi Kaba’s tone suggested he took a twisted pleasure in this.

"Everyone feels there are far too many survivors left. We don't have enough resources to waste on you. Therefore, in the coming cycle, the number of people eliminated for being at the bottom will be... the bottom one thousand individuals in the personal rankings!"