Apocalypse: System of lotteries



Mike gazed down the cliff to see a figure riding an orca sporting a hammerhead shark's head. He remarked dismissively, "You're weak. Bring someone else for me to taunt."

The shark-headed figure looked up, shouting, "Mike, it's me, 109Cosu! We've shared drinks before."

"Cosu?"

Mike scowled, retorting, "The Cosu I know wasn't a fish. Who are you trying to impersonate?"

The figure insisted, "I am Cosu! Now, I serve Lord Poseidon. Resist no more. As you see, the world will soon be swallowed by the sea. Why die a pointless death? It's far better to enjoy the benefits of serving Poseidon."

Mike chuckled, "Brother, I always knew you were meant for greatness. How about I gift you one last thing?"

Cosu was curious, "What's that?"

"This!"

Mike whistled. A giant eagle soared from behind him, diving down to grasp Cosu. It soared back up and dropped him at the cliff's edge. As Cosu fell, Mike swiftly drew his blade, slashing him in two. Looking at the approaching horde of sea creatures, he waved, "Thank you! My blade needed some testing. As you can see, it's still razor-sharp!"

The sea creatures offered no response. Instead, they turned and vanished into the ocean, including all the sharks, whales, and the rest.

Mike was puzzled. Why had the sea monsters retreated? They couldn't have just decided to call it quits, not after all this buildup. Sensing something was off, he cautioned his companions, "Stay alert."

"Do you think you scared them off with your taunts?" one asked.

"Seriously, your knack for insults is legendary. Anyone unaware might think you have a special talent for it."

"Teach us. We can take turns, save you from straining your voice."

"Quiet down," Mike chided with a laugh. "This skill of mine is a closely guarded secret, not meant for the likes of you all."

Facing the sea below, he mused, 'Share my special talent for verbal takedowns with them? That talent wasn't easy to come by, even harder than mastering the art of stubborn persistence.'

Suddenly, Mike squinted, trying to discern something in the distance. He brought his telescope to his eyes. Within the lens, a massive tidal wall surged forward. There were huge whale sharks atop this wall, and atop them, rows upon rows of Naga, octopus-faced creatures, and shark-headed sea monsters.

"What in the world..."

Mike frowned, holding the telescope steady. What were these creatures up to? As he continued to watch, the towering wave loomed even taller than the cliff's height.

"These fiends!"

"They're trying to flood us!"

Dropping his telescope, Mike turned and shouted, "Everyone! Take cover on the leeward side! Hold on tight! Protect yourself and those around you!"

As his words echoed, Mike leaped to the cliff's opposite side. Gripping his sword, he thrust it deep into the earth for stability. People around mimicked his actions, clutching tree trunk bushes and taking cover in any nook they could find.

A tense silence settled, only to be shattered by the thunderous roar of the approaching tidal wave. The earth trembled as the massive wall of water slammed into the mountaintop, rushing over and pouring down the other side like a deluge. On the cliff's reverse side, everyone clung desperately to their anchors.

The roaring onslaught tore through trees, shattered branches, and ripped the soil from the earth.

Mike reached out, catching someone being swept away by the forceful current, shouting, "Hold on, everyone! Hold tight!"

Even so, the flood swept away some, a mixture of mud and debris, tumbling down the mountain.

Water ceased! The crowd saw countless sea monsters, weapons in hand, standing menacingly atop the mountain.

Mike drew his blade, crying out, "To arms, everyone! Attack!"

"At once!"

As the cry was echoed, the crowd surged forward. The shield-bearers led the charge, elementalists hurled their powers at the summit, and the duelists, with blades drawn, struck left and right upon reaching the mountain's top, quickly getting engulfed amidst the sea creatures. Everyone knew: either die honorably or live in agony.

"Charge!"

With divine prowess, Mike raised his shield and executed a mighty leap, landing atop the mountain. He reclaimed a part of the summit with swift slashes – horizontal, vertical, left, and right. 

He charged towards the east, clashing with a majestic octopus-faced creature. He plunged it into the deep sea with a mighty push of his shield. He knew he had to lead, for only then could those behind him reclaim the summit. 

As long as he stood, those behind would not retreat... he hoped.

Suddenly, an imperial Naga sea monster broke through its kin, heading straight for Mike, who held a colossal shield and swung his massive blade. Mike roared, clashing with the beast, shouting, "Who are you, cur? I don't slay nameless spirits!"

The Naga, with an enraged roar, was suddenly fed two pills. The battlefield before its eyes transformed into deep-sea corals. It felt like home or perhaps an autumn harvest farm. When it regained consciousness, it found itself deep underwater, not in anger but in bewilderment...

At the summit, Mike halted. His men were in position. He immediately headed west, sending the sea monsters hurtling down the mountainside and into the sea one after another. He knew that killing wasn't a good idea. After all, the defense of an imperial creature was formidable. Driving them back to the depths or off the cliff was the best choice.

Then, an epic shark-man stood before him. Its massive jaws gaped open, revealing jagged teeth. Its humanoid form was towering and muscular. With tremendous force, it slammed its anchor onto the mountaintop. The impact left both men and sea monsters in the vicinity stunned and immobilized.

The shark-man swung its anchor, slashing and smashing. Both its kin and the humans suffered in its wake.

Mike, raising his blade and shield, charged forward.

The two collided with a crash. The shark-man stood unyielding while Mike was pushed back a few paces. Stabilizing himself, Mike wiped his mouth, chuckling, "By the heavens, you're quite the formidable one, aren't you?"

With a roar, the shark-man lunged again.

Mike braced himself, their next clash echoing loudly. The two wrestled for dominance as Mike blocked the shark man's anchor with his blade. One hand gripped the anchor, while Mike's two hands held his blade horizontally.

"You've another free hand," Mike taunted. "Why not grab me? Lift me up, and just swallow me whole, you fool!"

The shark-man hesitated; with its left hand, it reached for Mike, who didn't dodge. As it lifted Mike close to its gaping maw, Mike spat – a glob of phlegm shot straight into the creature's throat, sliding down into its stomach.

Stunned, the shark-man gagged, struggling with nausea. Leaning on its anchor, it dropped to one knee, overwhelmed. With its left hand still holding Mike, it growled, preparing to crush him in its grip.

Sensing the impending danger, Mike invoked a divine power, his body expanding rapidly. Breaking free from the grasp, he swung his blade mightily, sending the creature tumbling off the mountaintop into the deep sea below. Smirking, Mike looked down the cliffside, remarking, "I've been saving that one for a while. Lucky fool."

...

Ming stood on the deck of an aircraft carrier, shielding his eyes from the sun. Before him... was that a mountain?