Apocalypse Gachapon Chapter 2276: Seen through

"Now let me move on to the second matter." Founder Number Two continued.

"Don't be so tense—this is good news."

Along with this founder's joke, a list was sent to each person's independent terminal.

"Over the past year, our 'Dark Direction' has developed well, with task completion rates hitting new highs, so naturally the profits have been good. After deducting ten percent for the development fund and operating expenses, the remainder will be distributed according to each person's share ratio. Everyone can take a look."

"To our two newly promoted top-tier members, I apologize—next year, you will be treated the same as everyone else."

Ye Zhongming listened to Number Two speak while subtly moving his hand to open the terminal and take a look. His heart raced for a few seconds.

As a top-tier member, his dividend for the past cosmic year alone was over forty million Moonspan Gold!

He made a rough estimate—did that not mean that last year, this organization called Dark Direction had made over a billion in just its apparent profits alone?

Then how much would their total transaction volume be?

No wonder a peak expert like Kunzuo was willing to be just a top-tier member here—it was practically effortless money.

Thinking about how he had suddenly acquired nearly a hundred million Moonspan Gold since arriving, Ye Zhongming felt that the return for killing a peak expert was finally starting to show.

Not that he was unsatisfied—it was just that killing Kunzuo had been extremely risky. If he took all the equipment and money he had obtained and offered them as a reward to another peak expert, asking whether they would go kill a peer-level opponent, the answer would definitely be no.

However, Ye Zhongming knew that the benefits from killing Kunzuo were gradually revealing themselves, and there would be more to come.

"There's one more thing. We hope everyone will pay more attention going forward—the cosmic races of the universe are currently in a special period, and the overall situation is unstable. So we encourage everyone to keep a close eye on all kinds of developments. If you need help, you can seek assistance here."

"I hope our organization can endure and grow ever stronger, and I hope all of you can continue to sit here."

"Alright, that's all for today."

After Number Two finished speaking, he announced the end of the gathering. Everyone rose and left—some returned to their own courtyards, while others stayed in the garden to exchange information at their leisure.

Of course, they could also leave. The exclusive courtyard for top-tier members had a teleportation array inside, with adjustable coordinates. The corresponding receiving array belonged to each member and could be placed anywhere within a dozen cities, including Yeka Red City.

However, where Kunzuo had placed his receiving point, Ye Zhongming did not know.

Ye Zhongming first operated on his terminal, choosing to withdraw his "stockpile" and Moonspan Gold stored here. After confirming receipt, he browsed the posted tasks again and, finding nothing suitable, decided to leave.

As for discussing matters related to Earth with a21, Ye Zhongming planned to think through the details further and wait until the next gathering.

But before he could leave, a message came from outside: someone wished to enter and meet with him.

Ye Zhongming looked—it was actually Founder a01!

The one who had been sitting in the center and had remained silent throughout—a01!

There were ten founders, yes, but to be numbered first meant he was the most important person.

And in such a secretive organization, "most important" usually meant either the most powerful, the best-connected, the most influential, or the wealthiest...

Ye Zhongming glanced at the teleportation array not far from him, took a deep breath, and opened the door.

The figure, not particularly tall but exuding an imposing presence, walked in slowly. He nodded at Ye Zhongming and unceremoniously sat down on a sofa at some distance from him.

"Dark Direction's predecessor was an underground black market, where people wore masks and traded in shady goods, or hired others to eliminate those they disliked."

"Later, a few who traded with each other regularly became familiar and gradually formed a small circle. That circle expanded slowly, but everyone who joined had passed the test and each had their own abilities."

"Eventually, twelve people from that circle established Dark Direction together, set down rules, and began recruiting members through various methods."

"We established a rule at that time: no one could bring into the organization anyone whose real identity they knew, in order to preserve the organization's purity. But someone violated that rule—so you see, there are only ten founders left."

a01 began speaking as soon as he entered, without preamble, but Ye Zhongming felt colder with every word.

As a11, even if he did not know everything about the organization's founding and growth, he should at least be familiar with most of it. So what did it mean that a01 was telling him all this right off the bat? It meant he knew Ye Zhongming was an impostor!

However, although the Cloud Peak King was sweating behind his back, he was not particularly panicked, because since a01 had said all this, he probably did not intend to slap him dead on the spot.

"After that came the induction of top-tier members. There were over twenty at the time. Later, some withdrew, some violated the rules, some died on missions, and some simply vanished without a trace..."

"Without exception, they all died—whether actively or passively."

a01 paused here, then asked with interest, "It looks like you've figured it out. Can you tell me?"

Ye Zhongming smiled and nodded. "I, as the newcomer, can stay, but I must do three things: first, do not betray the organization. second, cannot leave the organization. third, abide by the organization's rules."

"Hahaha!"

a01 let out a hearty laugh.

"At least you're honest enough."

"I don't care who you are, nor do I care that you've replaced the previous person—but aside from the three points you mentioned, you must also make due contributions to the organization. You don't have to do better than your predecessor, but you can't do worse either; otherwise, you'll have no value, and I will find someone else of value to replace you, and then the replaced you will die."

With that, a01 stood up and looked calmly at Ye Zhongming. "The reason I can hold the number one position among the founders is naturally because I have some special abilities and privileges. I can see through you, but that doesn't mean others can. Even if a few individuals have suspicions, at most they'll doubt—as long as I acknowledge you, you'll be safe."

"So you can rest assured and work for the organization. I imagine that someone capable of killing Kunzuo won't disappoint me."

"That's all. I'm leaving." As soon as he finished speaking, a01 turned and walked away, saying as he went, "I didn't violate the rules. I didn't know a11 was Kunzuo before—it's only because recently only two peak experts have died, combined with where those two were seated at the last gathering, that I was able to confirm it."

Just before a01's silhouette disappeared through the energy door, one last sentence drifted into Ye Zhongming's ears.

"The other end of the teleportation array should be in the wilderness outside the Nongmei Star Fleet Base—it's relatively safe. When you go back, tell the people behind you that next time, they can come in person, instead of sending someone who doesn't even know how to seal an energy array fluctuation."