Apocalypse Gachapon Chapter 1951: Cold shop

"Darkstrip City isn't considered a major urban center. The dominant force in this place belongs to the mid-level Melkan Star People. During the city's founding, they provided substantial aid. For an extended initial phase, their leadership over Darkstrip City went unchallenged."

"Altogether, Darkstrip City hosts twenty-three distinct races. Out of these, eight qualify as mid-level, commonly known as the 'Eight Heads.' The rest lack significant strength. Our Star-Eye Clan ranks near the bottom, one of the weakest two."

"The official residents of Darkstrip City number three million, six hundred and seventy thousand, plus a floating populace that likely reaches several hundred thousand more."

"When it comes to Darkstrip City's notable achievements... aside from the Darkstrip language serving as the standard tongue for Cosmic Races, the only standout record is yours, claiming the top Novice spot through points."

Wu Qian strolled through the avenues of Darkstrip City, sharing details about the home of the Star-Eye Clan with Ye Zhongming at his side.

They had switched to everyday attire and skipped masks, opting instead for mimetic armor. This gear served as semi-battle armor, offering some fighting potential, though its main role was to hide the wearer's true identity.

Typically, members of the Star-Eye Clan avoided parading openly on the streets. Their standing wasn't favorable. Besides, vulnerability counted as a grave fault, making them prime marks for criminal acts among the various entities.

Wu Qian remained utterly clueless about why Ye Zhongming had summoned him to Darkstrip City that day. Upon inquiring, the Order Leader simply replied with two words: shopping.

Why not take Aslan along for the shopping?

Such notions stayed locked in Wu Qian's thoughts; voicing them aloud was out of the question.

Some ten days had passed since his arrival at the Bronze Camp. This individual had already secured a solid foothold. No matter the tactics employed, this reality showcased true skill. Wu Qian found no reason to resent it.

Though this person had disrupted the warehouse under his watch, an apology had been offered, even if Wu Qian couldn't predict when the full account would follow.

During their walk, Ye Zhongming spoke little, merely observing and listening as Wu Qian kept providing insights into Darkstrip City's features.

Initially, Wu Qian assumed it stemmed from Ye Zhongming's recent ascent from his native world, sparking wonder at this fully constructed space stronghold. Yet he quickly saw that wasn't the case.

Once they had circled around and grasped the basics of Darkstrip City, Ye Zhongming started probing Wu Qian on the Star-Eye Clan's business ventures.

For any race, going without farming might be feasible—they could purchase sustenance if needed—but thriving without trade proved impossible. That would slash their earnings to nothing, forcing them into constant financial strain.

On this topic, Wu Qian grew a bit ashamed. He guided Ye Zhongming onward briefly before reaching their destination.

Ye Zhongming scanned the surroundings. This spot hardly passed as a bustling trade area, positioned poorly in an odd protruding alley. One flank was a solid wall, the opposite held just a single outlet; the remaining sides stood shuttered.

A foul odor hung in the atmosphere, stemming from how this nook truly embodied 'seeking quiet amid the clamor,' with numerous creatures treating it as a spot for their personal relief.

"Here?"

A rundown store with a grimy sign overhead, corroded entrance, and zero welcome from staff as the pair arrived—this represented the Star-Eye Clan's sole trading post?

In response to Ye Zhongming's question, Wu Qian's cheeks flushed. There was little to do; the clan had indeed faltered badly in prior times.

"Yes, the clan primarily took on tasks in the past. They did gather some real estate and territory, but not in great amounts. Lately, with conditions steadily declining, they've sold off most of it. This is all that's left now."

Ye Zhongming found himself at a loss for words. The Star-Eye Clan's plight appeared even more dire than the Changxu Water Race's.

Yet upon reflection, Ye Zhongming could see the logic. The Changxu Water Race teetered on extinction too, but they boasted a history of splendor, a prolonged one at that. Their downturn had been brief relative to their peak era. They'd had ample chances to amass vast wealth. Furthermore, the Changxu Water Race's fall involved population raids, leaving them with far more preserved resources than the Star-Eye Clan, which had withered slowly and been drained incrementally.

The pair stepped inside. Ye Zhongming noted the interior's generous space, spanning two levels for about three hundred square meters in total.

Still, the inventory seemed sparse. He surveyed the area; beyond the inattentive attendant dozing at the counter, the wares were all commonplace goods.

The Star-Eye Clan lacked prowess in crafting or artistic creation. This establishment, like a miscellany shop, peddled standard gear, planetary specialties, basic provisions, and the like.

Having just toured the trade zones, Ye Zhongming had eyed other vendors. What did they offer? Top-grade weapons, diverse battle beasts, advanced remedies, wheel disks, assorted slaves and aides. Ye Zhongming had even spotted a franchise from the Huo'er Star People showcasing a Changxu Water Race individual.

That piece wasn't on offer, serving instead as a display of dominance.

In the past, the Changxu Water Race had crossed the Huo'er Star People, leading to their capture.

At minimum, that's how Ye Zhongming viewed it. He lingered observing for quite a while, but after careful consideration, he abandoned any notion of seizing it outright.

Wu Qian rapped on the counter, rousing the average employee. The man peered at them in bewilderment, as if puzzled by their presence, then gestured about and stated, "Everything's displayed here. Prices are listed close by. Let me know if anything catches your eye. For property talks, drop your details. The Star-Eye Clan will reach out within three days."

With that, he slumped back down to rest.

Had Wu Qian not been certain this fellow wouldn't identify him in the mimetic battle gear, he might have vented his frustration.

Nevertheless, despite this being the Star-Eye Clan's lone outlet, it fell outside the oversight of a simple Bronze Camp supply manager like himself.

Ye Zhongming stayed composed. After a quick inspection, he gave a nod and departed alongside Wu Qian.

"Order Leader..."

Wu Qian hesitated, about to speak, but Ye Zhongming gestured dismissal, proposing they check out the mission acceptance area next.

"Among the Cosmic Races, tasks get issued in three main categories. The first involves mobilization efforts."

Wu Qian directed the path while outlining the Cosmic Races' task framework for Ye Zhongming.

"Only top factions or elite races can broadcast quests to every Cosmic Race for collective operations. These mobilization tasks bear the name 'Full-Spec Mobilization,' and they surface mainly in major conflicts. Over the past century of cosmic years, not a single 'Full-Spec Mobilization' directive has emerged."

From Ye Zhongming's grasp of the Cosmic Races, he figured that with the Slave Race's growing boldness lately, the Cosmic Races—bound by the 'nature' doctrine—had held back from massive internal battles for years. Absent strife, the need for Full-Spec Mobilization naturally faded.

"What about the rest?" Ye Zhongming pressed further.