Apocalypse Gachapon Chapter 2018: Replenishment advantage

The third contest provided considerable viewing pleasure. While individuals with superior combat experience might not have found the confrontation particularly remarkable, it undeniably showcased the full spectrum of the Star-Eye Clan's capabilities.

However, the more closely they observed, the more a sense of unease crept into their hearts.

The outcome just didn't seem right.

On average, the victorious side in the first two matches, which had systematically eliminated their opponents, had sustained around 300 casualties. Yet, in this prolonged engagement, the triumphant Third Thousand-person Team had only seen a reduction of one hundred and eighty-two personnel!

It defied all logic!

No overt commotion stirred the crowd, but their gazes betrayed a mixture of disbelief, indignation, and perplexity.

This was ostensibly an internal assessment for the Bronze Camp. Its perceived importance stemmed solely from the collective attention it garnered, even drawing the presence of Clan Leaders, but fundamentally, its nature remained unchanged.

To engage in deception for such a preliminary internal assessment—what could this Order Leader possibly be aiming for? Merely to secure a first-place finish for a favored subordinate?

Precisely because it ran counter to common understanding, a suspicion of foul play began to fester. Could someone capable of securing the top rank among Novices truly be so inept as to resort to such blatant manipulation?

The high-ranking officials possessed a broader perspective. Combined with the prior explanations provided by Ye Zhongming, a realization began to dawn upon them. Yet, even accounting for those factors, the magnitude of improvement exhibited by the Third Thousand-person Team in such a brief period seemed inherently limited. It was a foregone conclusion that they would incur several hundred casualties in achieving victory, as previously projected; how could their losses be so minimal?

Shunning further explanation, Ye Zhongming proceeded directly to the release of detailed data.

This data encompassed the crucial metrics for each team, as logged by their terminals prior to the engagement, including aspects like 'Qi' level, physical condition, equipment status, and resource allocation.

In essence, this information was considered proprietary to each team.

Yet, in a decisive move to quell the prevailing doubts, Ye Zhongming opted for public disclosure.

As the figures were meticulously displayed on the illuminated screen, the assembly erupted into a cacophony of surprise and murmurs.

"While I lack precise figures for the First Thousand-person Team's average 'Qi' cultivation, I surmise it would be comparable to this Third Thousand-person Team's current standing, wouldn't you agree?" Leader Eye inquired.

"Based on the last recorded statistics, the difference should be marginal. However, these are the real-time metrics for the Third Thousand-person Team, whereas the First Thousand-person Team's figures were likely slightly superior," Ye Zhongming responded.

Gazing at the projected data, White Robe exclaimed with exaggerated awe, "Old Ye, you certainly pamper your subordinates. Observe the Third Thousand-person Team's provisions: from pre-battle consumables for potency enhancement, to immediate wound-healing agents, and finally, post-battle regenerative tonics, their reserves appear nearly exhaustive. Furthermore, the quality is exceptional. If my assessment is correct, some of these items originate from the Changxu Water Race."

Ye Zhongming offered a concise nod in affirmation.

In this instance, his objective was to facilitate Jie Kui's pursuit of a commendable outcome, and consequently, he had furnished this trusted subordinate with a considerable quantity of high-grade resources, with these medicinal supplies being a prime example.

Given the unique nature of the fully immersive simulated battlefield, every conceivable variable had been factored into the pre-battle calculations. Upon entering the simulated arena, the Third Thousand-person Team was effectively presumed to have already ingested the enhancement concoctions, thereby elevating their collective combat prowess by a noticeable margin. During the course of simulated combat, any inflicted injuries were immediately treated as if 'medicines' were applied, resulting in instantaneous recuperation. Post-engagement, a similar application of restorative agents facilitated rapid recovery.

An additional, subtle detail that escaped the notice of many was the Third Thousand-person Team's strategic deployment during the initial two assaults, which involved the elimination of numerous opposing forces. In the subsequent maneuvering and encirclement tactics, they consistently maintained a numerical superiority. Within the simulated combat scenarios, injured combatants would strategically withdraw to 'administer medication' and undergo healing. The specific environmental parameters of the map afforded them adequate time for such recuperation, ensuring that the Fourth Thousand-person Team consistently faced adversaries in peak physical condition.

Naturally, this advantage was also attributable to the 'simulated' nature of the conflict, which emboldened the Third Thousand-person Team to utilize a wide array of potent remedies without concern for potential waste. In a genuine battle scenario, such uninhibited expenditure would be entirely untenable.

Bolstered by the irrefutable data, the assembly collectively understood that no deception had occurred; rather, their apparent advantage had been legitimately engineered through substantial investment in medicinal resources.

Instantly, the skepticism and resentment that had permeated the crowd transformed into palpable envy.

It was a profound and genuine envy, born from the realization that any team possessing such robust logistical backing would inevitably preserve a significantly greater number of lives during intense combat engagements.

The warriors of the Fourth Thousand-person Team, who had been clinging to hope for a last-minute reversal, now watched dejectedly as they returned to their assigned positions.

Initially, a sense of discomfort and anger had simmered among them. As fellow warriors of the Bronze Camp, they questioned why the other team received so many supplies.

However, upon further reflection, their grievances faded.

Why should those supplies be shared with them? Because he is now the Bronze Order Leader? Remember that he holds the title of Bronze Order Leader *now*; what were you doing before?

Since you treated him with indifference, why should he extend these provisions to you?

Within the hearts of many, a shift towards Ye Zhongming had already begun. Today’s performance and the subsequent treatment of Jie Kui’s Thousand-person Team served to dramatically accelerate and intensify this burgeoning support.

The subsequent two battles commenced without delay. Once all matches concluded, the top five teams were identified: the First, Second, Third, Fifth, and Sixth Thousand-person Teams.

In terms of final standings, Jie Kui’s Third Thousand-person Team secured the premier position with a mere hundred casualties, the lowest count. The First Thousand-person Team claimed second place. Consequently, the Third Thousand-person Team earned a direct bye into the top three matchups. The remaining four teams proceeded to draw lots once more.

The First Thousand-person Team was pitted against the Sixth Thousand-person Team, while the Second and Fifth Thousand-person Teams vied for a single advancement slot.

The outcomes of these confrontations were largely as anticipated. The First and Second Thousand-person Teams emerged victorious. Regarding personnel losses, the First Thousand-person Team benefited from good fortune: their opponent had previously secured a costly victory, leaving them with only three hundred fighters. This final battle saw the First Team sustain merely a few dozen losses. The Second Thousand-person Team’s engagement proved more arduous; following their hard-won victory, their ranks were significantly depleted, numbering just over two hundred.

With the top three determined, the Second Thousand-person Team opted to concede. Faced with their meager remaining force, they possessed no realistic chance of victory against either the Third Thousand-person Team, which still boasted over eight hundred warriors, or the First Thousand-person Team, with nearly seven hundred intact.

Thus, the ultimate battle for the championship title was set to be contested between the First and Third Thousand-person Teams.

The chosen battlefield was the map designated as 'Foggy Swamp.' Both sides engaged in a fierce struggle, employing a wide array of combat tactics. The battle concluded only when one side was utterly annihilated. Though the First Thousand-person Team encountered formidable resistance, they ultimately triumphed, clinching the championship with a remaining force of one hundred and fifty-two warriors.

However, a notable observation was made: Jie Kui’s team conspicuously refrained from utilizing their remaining assortment of potent drugs this time around. Instead, they chose to contend with the First Team relying purely on their raw combat strength.

For the collective battle awards ceremony, Ye Zhongming delegated the proceedings entirely to the two clan leaders. Yet, shortly after the awards had been distributed, the two clan leaders were summoned away, apparently in considerable haste.

This abrupt departure cast a shadow of foreboding over Ye Zhongming.