Apocalypse Descends: I Win Effortlessly by Turning Trash into Treasure

The monster’s scales were incredibly hard, just like steel, but there were gaps between them.

The Dodder Seed’s tendrils slipped through these gaps and into the monster’s body. They began to relentlessly absorb the creature’s energy, not stopping until it was reduced to a desiccated corpse.

With that taken care of, Perry Yates looked up at the darkening sky and decided to find a place to rest for the night.

The monster she’d just killed hadn’t dropped any cards, so Perry Yates couldn’t be sure if it was a player who had died and transformed, or a creature native to this island.

However, based on her Clone’s earlier scouting, no such monsters had been found on the island. Therefore, Perry Yates leaned more toward the theory that it had been a player.

After all, aside from its black scales, eyes, and tongue, its overall shape was very similar to the other monster she had killed.

’And let’s not forget what Justin Shaw said—these monsters can evolve.’

’The more I think about it, the more likely it seems.’ To confirm her suspicion, Perry Yates decided to go back and check tomorrow. But for now, sleep was the priority.

Perry Yates didn’t look for a cave to use as a shelter. ’Caves are nice,’ she thought, ’but the space is too confined. If danger strikes, it would be difficult to escape.’

’Besides, most caves are cold and damp, so I’d have to light a fire, which would easily attract others.’

’Instead, I’ll just find a suitable tree branch and weave a temporary hammock from vines.’

「The next day—the fourth day of the game.」

Early in the morning, Perry Yates quietly returned to the other players’ camp. She didn’t get too close, stopping in a tree a few hundred meters away.

The other players were just beginning to stir. Their faces were etched with exhaustion, panic, or sheer emptiness. Dark circles shadowed their eyes, a clear sign they hadn’t rested well the previous night.

’It made sense.’ she thought. ’With no food and no weapons, they’re just lambs waiting for the slaughter. They’re in no state of mind to sleep, and even if they tried, they wouldn’t be able to.’

Moreover, there were noticeably fewer people than yesterday.

’Two hundred people, minus ten Dealer Players, leaves one hundred ninety. Justin Shaw killed one. I’ve killed two, assuming they were players. That leaves one hundred eighty-seven.’

But now...

Perry did a quick count. The people in the camp totaled no more than one hundred and seventy. A full twenty were missing.

And that was with Justin Shaw and his group still here.

Without counting Justin Shaw and the other Dealer Players, the number of regular players was even lower—only one hundred sixty-six.

’So many people gone in one go. Whoever’s responsible is ruthless.’

’One or two deaths might be an accident, but losing this many at once? Definitely not.’

This discovery made Perry Yates even more certain of her earlier suspicions.

Deciding not to make a move against these players, Perry Yates turned and left.

It was still early, anyway, and Perry Yates wanted to explore more of the island.

Just yesterday, one of her Clones had discovered a mountain while scouting. Based on its observations, they were currently on only one half of the island; the other half lay on the far side of the mountain.

Furthermore, she hadn’t been able to locate the other five Dealer Players using her connection to the local flora. She suspected they were likely on the other side of the mountain and decided to go have a look.

She wasn’t abandoning the camp entirely, however. She left behind plenty of Dodder Seed vines, some Space Grass, and a Wood Attribute Clone to keep an eye on the players’ situation.

Looking at the surrounding vegetation, Perry Yates felt the urge to bring the entire island under her control.

’Unfortunately, my Card Level isn’t high enough.’

Perry Yates sighed in disappointment as she climbed the mountain.

Perry Yates had a five-star card, but because her first card hadn’t yet been promoted to five stars, her current strength felt... lacking. She was better than many, but not at the top tier. To put it simply, her power base felt a bit hollow.

’But when it comes to promoting cards—unlike with her Sublimation Card—you just can’t rush things.’

As she thought this, Perry Yates activated Ascension on her legs. The soreness from the climb vanished instantly.

After several hours, Perry Yates finally reached the summit. A completely different scene unfolded on the other side of the mountain.

On the other side lay another dense forest, stretching as far as the eye could see. The difference, however, was that with her sharp eyesight, Perry Yates could easily spot the ferocious beasts roaming through the trees.

Tigers, brown bears, lions, packs of wolves...

’Who knows why a savanna lion would be in a forest,’ she thought, but she saw it nonetheless—a magnificent lion with a golden, shaggy mane.

The very next second, the lion was impaled on sharp spikes that erupted from the ground, giving it no chance to even struggle.

After the lion was impaled, a young girl wearing a long skirt, a beret, and a pair of small leather shoes emerged from behind a tree.

Even from a distance, Perry Yates could clearly see the look of disdain on the girl’s face.

’If I’m not mistaken,’ Perry thought, ’that must be the sixth Dealer Player.’

’A true veteran,’ Perry noted. The girl looked younger than her, but her expression was perfectly composed, giving off the distinct impression of a seasoned pro.

The girl seemed unsatisfied with the lion but stowed away the corpse anyway.

’Based on that attack, her integrated card or Talent is most likely Earth Attribute. Probably the card.’

Just as Perry Yates was lost in thought, the bracelet on her wrist suddenly flared with heat. A black shadow flashed before her eyes, lunging straight for her neck.

The next second, the shadow was repelled by an invisible protective shield.

Only then did Perry Yates get a clear look at it. It was a snake—a venomous one.

Its body was pitch-black, as was the inside of its mouth.

’Of all the snakes I know,’ Perry thought, ’only one has that feature: the Black Mamba.’

’I remember seeing a list of the most venomous snakes in an animal documentary once. The Black Mamba was number one.’

With a single thought from Perry Yates, countless vines erupted from the surroundings, binding the Black Mamba tightly.

While the Black Mamba was immobilized, Perry Yates drew a dagger. With one swift motion, she lopped its head clean off.