Apocalypse Gachapon Chapter 1958: Not yet attacked

The whole artificial woodland beside the lake reeked of blood.

As the cosmic races had constructed the survivor bases themselves, regions beyond them featured hardly any giant creatures or altered organisms. Plus, the surviving beasts added to bolster the environment wouldn't dare venture into this area still vibrating with deadly energy from just earlier.

The Assault Camp's fighters remained rooted in place, a bit stunned.

During the fight, they sensed little beyond slaying foes. Yet now that combat ceased and victory sank in, it all seemed surreal.

That's right, victory was theirs, a total triumph.

How total? Besides over a dozen wounded, zero deaths occurred.

They numbered just seventy. Including Ye Zhongming made seventy-one. How had they pulled off such a feat?

Their foes, the Cave Huo Star people, totaled one hundred, boasting far superior average power.

"Why are you all just standing there? Lock down the zone, grab all valuables, pull out in five minutes!"

To him, nothing odd about it.

True, these Cave Huo fighters outmatched the Assault Camp in power and battle savvy. Still, the ambush hinged on various elements.

The Star-Eye Clan excelled in surprise attacks; they were born ambush experts and killers. Amid night and thick woods, it was their ideal terrain.

They struck before the enemy suspected a thing. While foes stayed utterly unaware, traps flipped their rides first, then chaos let them methodically eliminate emerging targets. Plus, Ye Zhongming joined in personally. Teaming with a handful, they wiped out the core of this hundred-man group from the battle's outset. What threat did the rest pose?

Moreover, prior to this op, Ye Zhongming had geared up the Assault Camp fully. Each member, from crown to sole, sported solid gear that amplified their fighting ability tremendously.

The site got cleared fast. Ye Zhongming approached the captain who perished with wide eyes, sliced off his head in one swing, and stowed it in a container.

Then, he guided the Assault Camp into the thick woods.

Moments after their departure, a silhouette emerged abruptly. Surveying the chaotic scene, he let out a sigh and shook his head.

"Obviously novices. Even bodies spill plenty of secrets."

As he spoke, the individual pulled out a vial of dust, sprinkled some on each body, and shortly the remains dissolved into whitish, gooey fluid.

After a final sweep of the area, ensuring no hints lingered, this shadow vanished.

…………………………………………

One dawn, Dark Strip City's dwellers buzzed over two announcements.

First, the near-extinct Star-Eye Clan declared their store's revival. On launch day, they'd hold a mini auction, featuring standout lots among the offerings.

One standout: a top-tier Red Condensation grade gear from the Taros Red Dwarves—a weapon, the gear type all prized highest.

Taros Red Dwarves' items weren't scarce in spots, but it varied by context and spot.

For big clans, standard gear hailed from Taros Red Dwarves; their vast riches allowed such luxury.

Yet no matter the extravagance—for groups like Reina Star people or Huo'er Star people—their basics topped at 'Ke Steel grade', merely edging out 'Common grade'.

But in Dark Strip City, even mid-tier among the 'Eight Heads' couldn't outfit standards with Common grade. Elites alone wielded it, while Ke Steel grade stayed for mid-ranks like squad leads.

Regarding Red Condensation grade, across the Eight Heads' bosses, likely just three to five pieces existed on them. Per race, maybe a few dozen max.

No choice. These Dark Strip City groups fared decent locally, but cosmic-wide, they paled. For bespoke Red Condensation grade from Taros Red Dwarves, they lacked the clout to even chat.

Sure, another route: grabbing Red Condensation grade via intermediaries. That's how Eight Heads snagged theirs. Imagine the direct cost from Taros Red Dwarves was steep; tack on a go-between, and prices soared.

This explained why, through years, each group hoarded at most a few dozen.

For minor clans, ten Red Condensation grade as supreme heirlooms counted as great fortune.

Viewed thus, Ye Zhongming's seven prizes formed an undeniable windfall. It highlighted the Novice battlefield's worth, with its vast rewards. Amass points, and snagging Red Condensation grade from shops was a prime perk.

A Red Condensation grade weapon surfacing at Dark Strip City's auction thrilled these mid-sized groups to no end.

The second item: an eight-turn potion from the Changxu Water Race!

This outshone and outscarced Red Condensation grade gear!

Common knowledge: Changxu Water Race's potions saw first- and second-turn mostly as healers. Higher tiers shifted, with fewer restoratives as grades rose. By eight-turn, years of consensus held no healing ones.

Thus, this auction piece had to be a utility potion!

Folks guessed, being auctioned, it skipped debuff-curing aids, leaning toward direct power surges.

Such a potion could match ten or dozens of cosmic years' tough toil. Who could resist!

Beyond those, the auction boasted loads of fine stuff.

Word of items out, the Star-Eye Clan's shop ignited hype pre-opening.

The second news: a Cave Huo convoy got hit. No survivors among the crew, and cargo worth thousands of Moonspan Gold gone without a sign.

Cosmic races' internal scene held tensions, but overall stability reigned, particularly in Dark Strip City. Overt strikes on convoys hadn't struck in ages, as it neared open war on Cave Huo folks.

Yet the culprits, after the hit, left zero leads—no trail whatsoever. Plainly, they aimed for a massive haul without clashing publicly with Cave Huo.

Cave Huo erupted upon hearing, scouring Dark Strip City and environs for hints, probing oddballs, desperate to unmask the perps.

But per reports, it was blind groping, like flies sans heads.

Naturally, to Dark Strip City's folk—and even Cave Huo themselves—the auction-prepping Star-Eye Clan couldn't possibly be involved.