Apocalypse: System of lotteries

The gear they wore was a collective effort from the hundreds of thousands from beyond the gates of death, pooling resources and merging equipment to form this elite force.

Including Mike himself, his entire gear underwent numerous enhancements. At this moment, they were the final line of defense for those hundreds of thousands. Meanwhile, Alan, Hawkins, and others were fiercely battling elsewhere, attempting to eradicate the threat completely to avoid being attacked from both sides.

"Mike."

A short-haired young man approached him, clutching a small notebook. "From the recent battle, we\'ve lost or are missing 393 soldiers, 591 are severely injured, and minor injuries haven\'t been counted. We\'ve got 982 men left fit for combat."

Gazing at the vast sea before him, Mike\'s brow furrowed. If there had been a first onslaught, a second one was inevitable. This was truly challenging. Then, suddenly realizing, he slapped his thigh, "Trenches! Dig trenches!"

Everyone who could move immediately grasped the idea and started digging. Beastmasters directed their beasts to help with the excavation.

"I\'ll take the severely wounded. The reserve troops are here for you," David announced, arriving with nearly a thousand soldiers. Addressing the surroundings, he commanded, "Those gravely injured, follow the plan. Strip off any usable gear and hand it to the reserve troops."

"Understood." The soldiers responded in unison, beginning the gear transfer.

Nick glanced disdainfully at the incoming young soldier with a cigarette dangling from his lips and a bleeding left arm. "Why are you here? This blood? It\'s from those sea monsters. Find someone else for your gear swap."

Quint lunged forward, attempting to snatch away Nick\'s weapon. "Your left arm bone is jutting out, and yet you deceive me? Step aside immediately. Just because you\'re two years older than me doesn\'t mean I won\'t lay you out. Understand this, everyone here acts as a barrier against the sea monsters. In your current state, you\'re nothing but a weak wall. Step away!"

"To hell with you!" Nick snapped back.

Taking a deep drag from his cigarette, Nick realized he was merely squandering equipment in his team. He stood up with reluctance but for the greater good, forcefully pushing his long knife into Quint\'s hands. "I\'ve slain four and a half sea monsters with this. Don\'t disgrace me with it now."

Quint grabbed Nick\'s shirt and tugged down his pants, laughing. "Just wait; I\'ll round that number up for you."

Clad only in his undergarments, Nick, barefooted, supported another wounded comrade as he left. Before departing, he threw over his shoulder, "Stay alive."

Flashing a grin, Quint replied, "You didn\'t die, why would I?"

"All hands, ready!"

Suddenly, shouts rang out from the crowd, relaying information. Everyone turned their gazes toward the sea as another towering wave, laden with countless sea monsters, rose up, surging towards the mountain\'s peak.

Mike shouted urgently, "Take cover!"

Everyone sought refuge in the trenches dug into the mountain\'s slopes. As long as they could fit, depth didn\'t matter. The tidal wall hit the mountain just as before, and water cascaded down.

The water receded. This time, no one was swept away; there were no casualties.

With a rallying cry, Mike was the first to ascend the peak. Unlike before, the sea monsters didn\'t stand idle; they were rushing downwards, intending to wash everyone off the mountain, followed by more of their kin surging forward. "Those who can fly, take to the skies! Those who can\'t climb no matter what!"

"Ignore the ones descending. We ascend!"

"Watch out!"

"Darn it!"

The scene became chaotic. Sea monsters dove down as humans scrambled upwards. Blood flowed freely.

Soon, Mike stood atop the peak again, leading the charge against the sea monsters. Cries of battle, the clanging of metal, screams of agony, and the shattering of bones filled the air.

Just then, Mike spotted a third tidal wave approaching.

"Damn it!"

Mike grasped the grim truth. The enemy\'s strategy was clear: Engage them in fierce combat with the sea monsters, and the third tidal wave would deliver the fatal blow. If they defended the peak, the tidal waters would sweep them away. Retreating would spell certain doom as the surging sea monsters would overpower them in their relentless numbers.

Mike cursed, frustrated by their cunning tactics.

Suddenly, a winged figure landed with a pair of sharp horns leading the charge, scattering the sea monsters atop the mountain like leaves in the wind.

"Holy hell!"

Mike, surprised, felt a glimmer of hope. He cheered, "Raoul, you legend!"

Amid this, a massive pig-headed man landed with a roar, wielding a large rake. "Humans, step aside! Sea monsters are mine! I\'ve come here with a mission, so make way!"

Boom! Boom!!

The Black-haired Pig Demon swung his weapon. Sea monsters before him were easily defeated, their defenses shattered. He shouted a tally, "Five, ten, fifteen... Damn, this one only counts as half!"

"That pig\'s insane!"

"Allies! They are allies!"

"Is that Raoul?"

"Gutman\'s here! This is epic!"

"Take them down, all of them!"

Cheers echoed.

With the appearance of the six-armed, winged Raoul, spirits lifted, and the crowd engaged the enemy with renewed vigor.

A wolfish howl pierced the air. Werewolf Frank transformed, growing massive in stature, unsheathing claw-like blades. He swung powerfully, splitting the sea monsters with each swipe.

His presence invigorated those around him, their battle cries resounding once more.

The Black-haired Pig Demon approached Mike on the other side, glancing briefly, "Little brash one?"

Mike, although unwilling, nodded in affirmation, "Yes."

The Pig Demon swept his rake behind without turning, casting several sea monsters into the abyss below. He addressed Mike, "My master has spoken. You need to retreat from the peak immediately. He has a plan."

"Understood!"

Mike shouted orders, "Retreat from the peak, spread the word!"

In moments, the message was relayed, and everyone retreated. The Black-haired Pig Demon, Raoul, Frank, and others swiftly neutralized the sea monsters that had infiltrated their ranks.

Once again, they took shelter in the trenches as tidal waters crashed against the mountain. Countless sea monsters swarmed the peak, brandishing weapons and ready to charge.

Suddenly, a roaring sound came from the eastern sky. All eyes, both sea monsters and the defenders on the mountainside, turned to look. They witnessed squadrons of low-flying aircraft approaching rapidly. Moments later, the thunderous sound of machine guns echoed as a rain of fire poured down, focusing primarily on the sea monsters crowding the mountain\'s peak.

Missiles launched from the aircraft struck next, lighting up the peak with fiery orange bursts. Bombs followed, their explosive force magnifying the flames. Dozens of fighter jets flew by, transforming the peak from east to west into a winding river of fire. The initial barrage broke the sea monsters\' defense, the missiles obliterated their ranks, and the final wave of bombs ensured their annihilation.

Not too far away, atop the surging waves, Ming stood on the head of a massive whale, having activated his power: "War Frenzy."