Apocalypse Gachapon

Chapter 1686: Afraid

Ye Zhongming used an Immunity Card.

For this round, his team cannot use any cards nor be affected by any other teamʼs cards.

Often, the meaning of a statement depends on interpretation.

The Immunity Cardʼs description states: ”Grants complete immunity for the current round—no cards can be used, nor will the team be affected by any other factionʼs cards.”

But the space never specified whether a card could still be used if another card had already been played earlier in the round.

In Ye Zhongmingʼs view, it was possible.

So he used it—and the fact that the card activated proved him right.

Now, Cloud Peakʼs actions for this round (the first round) were concluded. They could do nothing further.

After a moment of stunned silence, everyone understood why Cloud Peak had done this.

They used the Immunity Card solely to prevent Gyanendra from using a card to save himself!
Let’s not forget—Gyanendra, as the first to reach the center, had obtained an Occupation Card!

Ye Zhongming had selected a powerful guardian beast and maxed out its upgrades for one purpose: to annihilate Gyanendra on that Bright Star. Failing that, he at least wanted to cripple him so severely that he’d either perish or drop out of contention in the remaining nine rounds.

With the Immunity Card in play, Gyanendra could no longer respond—he’d have to face the monster head-on.

On the Bright Star, Gyanendra’s face turned green with rage.

In his heart, he was cursing this hateful wheel space!

This Bright Star already had a guardian beast—why was he allowed to purchase another?! Gyanendra was undeniably strong. After suffering repeated defeats against Ye Zhongming in the West Asia and China regions, he’d gone to great lengths to strengthen himself, hoping to catch up to that man.

He’d believed he succeeded. Even now, he still believed it. Yet here he was, getting humiliated again.

Gyanendra had leveraged his class, paying a steep price to foresee certain developments. Based on these, he’d formulated a plan—one that, barring surprises, would have secured him the Mountain King Crown.

But who could’ve predicted Cloud Peak would suddenly target him?

With so few Bright Stars, his strategy was to let others fight to the death first. Why had Cloud Peak fixated on him?

Gyanendra didn’t realize the impact his Bad Neighbor Card had on Ye Zhongming. To him, Ye Zhongming was just insane.

Even with foreknowledge, he’d only gained a slight edge—not enough to alter the roulette space’s rules.

Now, every gaze directed at Gyanendra was filled with pity (at least superficially). That guardian beast was too much.

No one was confident of victory. Many guessed it must be a level-nine warbeast.

Gyanendra took a deep breath and glared toward Ye Zhongming’s Bright Star.

”Even if you eliminate me, you still have enemies closer to you. Ye Zhongming, I must say—sometimes you’re too subjective, too arrogant. What you’re doing now will be the beginning and root of your defeat.”

Perhaps because the new guardian beast needed time to prepare, Gyanendra had a chance to speak.

He couldn’t challenge Cloud Peak now, but he refused to let Ye Zhongming off unscathed. He wanted to plant a seed of doubt in Ye Zhongming’s mind—or, failing that, in everyone else’s!

”Whatever happens, you won’t live to see it.”

Mere words couldn’t shake Ye Zhongming’s resolve. His calm reply made it clear: this man was unassailable.

”That’s fine. But if I don’t see it, neither will the others. I wonder… what cards have you prepared for them?”

”This is beneath you.”

Ye Zhongming frowned slightly. Such blatant attempts at sowing discord felt amateurish.

”You’ll do it anyway.”

Gyanendra’s light laughter echoed across the Bright Stars, mingling with the increasingly loud roars of the awakening beast.

”I choose to pay the toll!”

The West Asian Saint’s declaration sent shockwaves through the crowd.

This man—the one who’d seized every advantage—was backing down!

Even Ye Zhongming was surprised. Not because he hadn’t considered this possibility, but because the cost would be astronomical. Surviving this round would likely leave Gyanendra too depleted to continue. Fighting here at least offered rewards that might offset the losses.

Booing erupted from thrill-seeking evolved.

Gyanendra ignored them, methodically pulling out item after item.

The process dragged on—the Saint was bleeding himself dry.

Soon, Ye Zhongming received a notification. A chest materialized before him: Gyanendra’s toll.

The space wouldn’t keep a cut.

Ye Zhongming opened it, scanned the contents, and let out a low whistle.

His goal hadn’t been fully achieved, but this outcome wasn’t bad. He was 100% certain Gyanendra was now bankrupt. For the remaining nine rounds, unless he landed on his own stars, his only options were cards or fighting.

Endless fighting.

The chest was packed to the brim: magic crystals, potions, scrolls, equipment, and things Ye Zhongming had never seen before…

But one item confirmed Gyanendra’s destitution: a gold-grade earring!

Originally a pale yellow (hidden under Gyanendra’s hood), its true gold hue was now exposed. Ye Zhongming recognized it—they’d clashed before.

If a man was pawning his personal gold-grade gear, he was broke.

”My thanks!” Ye Zhongming delivered the grating gratitude with relish.

”Don’t celebrate yet. The game isn’t over.”

With that, Gyanendra fell silent.

”Women Guard, strike the Soaring Crystal.”

The space’s prompt resumed. The Women Guard’s black female leader stepped forward, took a deep breath, and hefted the stone hammer.

As she prepared to swing, her lips moved in silent prayer:

Don’t land on the star Gyanendra was on.

That place, with its monstrous guardian, had become a checkpoint none could bypass.