Apocalypse Gachapon Chapter 1844: Can't waste the points

Ye Zhongming struck much sooner than Helsky had anticipated.

Helsky had assumed the man would linger on the sidelines, waiting for the decisive moment of victory or defeat before making his move.

Nevertheless, this turn of events played in his favor.

If a desperate struggle could be avoided, Helsky was more than willing to bypass it. Maintaining more survivors in his squad would provide better bargaining chips when dealing with Ye Zhongming later.

The odds had been nine against five, but with the arrival of Ye Zhongming’s trio, it shifted to nine against eight—actually, nine versus nine. To overlook Qiuqiu was to invite a bone-shattering ramming attack.

Ye Zhongming’s combat doctrine was entirely different from Helsky’s. He felt no responsibility for the lives of these temporary teammates, nor did he care if they fell.

Furthermore, since he was already a red-named player, he felt no hesitation regarding slaughter.

Jie Kui and Shi Kangbu shared this indifference.

While they hadn't officially become red-named yet, staying by Ye Zhongming's side made the distinction feel irrelevant. They fought with the same ruthless efficiency as their leader, utilizing sneak attacks and focusing their aggression on the weakest links.

Ye Zhongming set his sights on an Evil Armor Star Person who had been battered by He’s holy sigil. Due to the elemental suppression of the attack and the fact that it had landed squarely on its temple, the creature had been unable to stand. A support-oriented companion stood guard nearby, protecting its vulnerable comrade.

However, Ye Zhongming did not lead the charge; he acted as the finishing blow.

Jie Kui’s mark was another wounded Evil Armor Star Person. Taking advantage of their numbers, the Star People had begun to encircle Helsky’s group. This gave Jie Kui the perfect angle for a rear-entry assassination. Unlike Ye Zhongming, who was a jack-of-all-trades, Jie Kui was a specialized, cold-blooded assassin.

Startling Heart.

He lunged forward with twin daggers in hand, blurring through the darkness to bridge the gap. A fierce, frigid glint of steel found its way into the neck of the injured Evil Armor Star Person.

The choice of target was technically high-risk. Because of the short reach of his daggers, Jie Kui had to close the distance until he was nearly touching the enemy to ensure a lethal strike.

This required him to dive deep into the heart of the enemy formation.

Startling Heart carried a brief stun effect.

For some reason, Jie Kui felt that his and Shi Kangbu’s roles were merely to create an opening. He trusted that Ye Zhongming would handle everything else.

The sensation vibrating through his daggers confirmed that the strike had landed true.

Shi Kangbu’s target was more elusive: the Evil Armor Star Person that had submerged into the sand. That creature had previously breached the surface to maim a member of Helsky’s team before vanishing back into the earth.

Though the survivors knew it could strike from below at any moment, the overwhelming pressure on the surface left them unable to counter it.

Shi Kangbu’s technique was just as uncanny. Rather than waiting for the enemy to breach like Jie Kui, he sank into the dunes, vanishing underground to hunt the hunter. When he finally reappeared, he dragged his opponent with him. They vaulted into the air, and upon hitting the ground, Shi Kangbu retreated instantly to avoid a counter-trap. His opponent, however, gave two weak twitches before going limp and still.

This was the moment Ye Zhongming chose to act.

He followed closely behind Jie Kui—not to let his subordinate take the risk while he stole the glory, but to provide critical cover.

Even a nine-star evolved being, stripped of equipment bonuses, would instinctively focus all their attention on surviving Jie Kui’s lethal assault. In that split second, a blind spot was created behind the assassin.

That window was all Ye Zhongming needed. He surged forward, triggering teleportation and Twin Poison Shadows the instant Jie Kui’s skill hit its peak.

A massive dark silhouette plummeted from the sky into the center of the fray and detonated. A violent mental shockwave rippled across the battlefield, dazing everyone in its path.

Simultaneously, Ye Zhongming’s weapon lunged toward its mark.

Fountains of blood erupted into the air.

Starting with Jie Kui’s strike, followed by Shi Kangbu, and finished by Ye Zhongming, the Star-Eye Clan trio had executed a flawless ambush. In a heartbeat, the combat ratio shifted from nine-on-nine to a dominant nine-on-six.

And Qiuqiu was not to be forgotten.

As the mental blast stunned the field, Qiuqiu charged from the perimeter. Using a nearby reef as a springboard, it launched itself forward with a low hum, slamming with terrifying force into the Evil Armor Star captain.

Qiuqiu’s logic was simple: the captain was the biggest target, making him the most satisfying one to hit.

The captain, who had just begun to shake off the mental fog, was sent sprawling by Qiuqiu’s brutal headbutt.

Ye Zhongming moved in instantly for a finishing cleave.

By then, however, the remaining Evil Armor Star People had recovered. One barked an order, and the nearest soldier threw his body in front of the captain to act as a shield. Two others grabbed their leader and hauled him back into the shadows.

Ye Zhongming’s blade bit into the intervening soldier, but the armor was incredibly dense. He failed to score an instant kill against the heavily armored foe, his weapon becoming wedged deep in the creature's torso. Gore poured from the gash.

The only reason the blade had even penetrated was Ye Zhongming’s monstrous physical strength. Any other combatant would have likely seen their weapon bounce off the plating.

Opportunities are fleeting. Ye Zhongming realized the chance to execute the captain had passed.

Suddenly, a bolt of light streaked from the rear, impacting the head of the soldier Ye Zhongming had just maimed. Struck in its most vital point by its natural weakness, the creature died instantly without a sound.

"Fall back!"

He shouted the command immediately after firing. Without hesitation, Ye Zhongming grabbed Jie Kui and retreated.

No one understands a foe better than their ancient enemy. If He called for a retreat while they held the upper hand, a grave danger was imminent.

As expected, the retreating Evil Armor Star People raised their limbs in unison. A cluster of obsidian light shot forth, coating the area where Ye Zhongming’s group had stood a moment prior.

The projectiles were incredibly fast. Upon hitting the sand, they hissed with a corrosive stench—a foul, lethal ability. Two of Helsky’s men, unable to react in time, were splashed and began to scream in agony. Already weakened by previous wounds, their prospects were grim. They wouldn't perish immediately, but with over a day remaining before the next rest period, they would never survive long enough to receive treatment at camp.

The Evil Armor Star People used the distraction to vanish into the darkness. Ye Zhongming and the others did not pursue, fearing a counter-ambush in the gloom.

"Evil Poison. I could have neutralized it, but my medicinal supplies are exhausted," He explained grimly.

Ye Zhongming walked over to the two agonizing newcomers, raised his blade, and ended their lives.

"What are you doing!?"

Aside from Ye Zhongming’s trio, Qiuqiu, and He, Helsky’s team had been reduced to only two survivors. The one shouting was Helsky’s last remaining subordinate.

"The points shouldn't go to waste," Ye Zhongming replied tonelessly.