Apocalypse: System of lotteries



Amid Napoleon's conversation with the Mackerel Sharks, Ming learned of the island's name: Little Marco Island. He pondered on what its name might be in the human world.

He turned to the mermaid, Lorelei, at his side. "Now, tell me of your presence here. Surely, you aren't a true mermaid, are you?"

Lorelei lowered her gaze, twirling the tip of her hair. "I came here many days ago in search of some provisions. I encountered plunderers who took all I possessed, and then... you can imagine their intent, can't you?"

Ming shook his head, "I cannot."

Lifting her eyes, Lorelei met his gaze but soon retreated, lowering her head again. "Have you never been in love? No matter. Their intentions were vile. Do you see that cliff over yonder?"

As she spoke, she pointed to the precipice. "It was from there that I leaped into the sea. Subsequently, I was bitten by a fish, awakening my aquatic gift. Thus, I became, as you see me now, endowed with the talent named 'Fish in Water.'"

"Fish in Water?"

Ming paused, puzzled by the nature of such an odd-sounding talent. 

He had only given Lorelei a cursory glance before and hadn't noticed her unique trait. Now he examined her 'Fish in Water' talent more closely:

[Super Talent - Fish in Water: In the water, your lower body transforms into a fish, granting you all the abilities of such a creature. On land, you gain alluring long legs.]

In truth, Ming found this talent intriguing; the ability to switch between sea and land was quite remarkable.

"Initially, this talent brought me to despair," Lorelei continued, "but I soon discovered how nimble and agile I became underwater, much like a fish."

Having finished her tale, Lorelei gestured to the ocean. "After a while, sharks began to dominate these waters, and my food sources dwindled until..."

"I see," Ming interjected, thinking the mermaid would know more about their surroundings. "So, you don't really know where we are, do you?"

"I do," asserted Lorelei with conviction, looking around. "This place is likely called Marco Island. When I was younger, I once passed by here on a world tour aboard a cruise ship, filled with dreams of becoming a sailor. I had a world map in hand and marked every place we passed, guided by the ship's broadcast. Sadly, I never became a sailor. But, if memory serves, this should be the place."

"It's alright. Now, as a mermaid, you have the entire ocean to yourself. Congratulations," Ming remarked, visibly pleased. He produced a world map, offering it to Lorelei. "Here, mark it."

After a moment of thought, Lorelei extended her hand, hinting at scales beneath her skin, and pinpointed a location in the Pacific. "If I remember correctly, it should be right here."

"Very well."

Ming retrieved the map and noticed the distance from the marked island to the surrounding landmass was consistent. To the west, it pointed towards direction 109.

He turned to Lorelei, "Now, how would you like the opportunity to become a true sailor?"

Lorelei hesitated for a moment but finally nodded in agreement. "Alright!"

As their conversation continued, Ming learned that the surrounding waters were now devoid of other sharks, save for a Great White Shark in the west that had consumed several members of the Mackerel Shark family. 

[His companion, Napoleon, assured the Mackerel Shark King, "Don't worry, I will avenge this wrong. I won't let my subordinates suffer." But the plan required cooperation.]

With a nod, [The Mackerel Shark King directed a severely injured subordinate, blood seeping from its wounds, to lead the Great White Shark their way.]

"A Great White Shark?" Ming mused. He imagined the powerful creature as an 'aircraft carrier' component. Turning to Raoul, he ordered, "Follow Napoleon's lead."

With things in place, Ming faced Lorelei. "As a sailor, how skilled are you with needle and thread?"

Lorelei's brow furrowed in confusion, "What does that have to do with being a sailor?"

A moment later, it became clear when Ming summoned hundreds of neatly dressed zombies to strip and provide their clothes to create sails.

"If these aren't enough," Ming added, "I have thousands more zombies."

Surveying the vast numbers, Lorelei nodded, "That should suffice."

"Then let's get to work. We aim to depart soon."

Ming turned and departed, commanding a zombie group to fall into coconut trees. The 'Shark Aircraft Carrier' concept was straightforward: a coconut tree vessel positioned centrally in the water, surrounded by sharks guarding in every direction. Beneath the vessel trailed a great white shark, capturing any prey it encountered and constantly augmenting its shark battalion.

If they chanced upon killer or sperm whales, they'd capture them as well, employing a strategy of 'sustain through combat' all the way home. Their plan to escape the deserted island was nearly finalized.

[Napoleon, your puppet, cheered on the severely wounded mackerel shark, asserting, "No one's better suited for this task than you. You're the best!" The injured mackerel shark, bleeding profusely, cast a wary eye at those around it who seemed eager to devour it. It felt tormented, "I'm the good-smell one".]

[Napoleon exchanged glances with the approaching Raoul, communicating silently. Raoul swiftly whisked away the injured mackerel shark. Napoleon pondered that airdrops might be more effective.]

Ming watched the mackerel shark carried away by Raoul, thinking it must be a child of destiny, its unique aura evident. However, turning back, Ming pondered the longevity of a boat made from palm trees, fearing it might not fare well in water without proper treatment. To be safe, more trees should be cut. Night fell again.

Raoul returned, dragging a nearly 40-foot great white shark covered in wounds from a recent battle. The injured mackerel shark also returned, bearing new wounds but alive, truly a child of destiny. It seemed that for crucial missions, this shark would be the top choice.

[Napoleon, playing trick again and leading his zombie legion, drove off Raoul, hopped up to the great white shark, and reassured, "Fear not, you are safe. Rest now." The shark, encountering a frog for the first time, nodded in thanks.]

[Napoleon responded, "You're welcome. After all, we both hail from the water. Trace our lineage, and we're kin. It's fate." The shark agreed, thinking they bore a resemblance.]

[Napoleon concurred, noting they both had two eyes and white bellies. He invited the shark to join the legion, and the shark, feeling a familial bond, saw no reason to decline.]

[ Napoleon's puppet count increased by one.]

Ming observed this and wondered if the animal kingdom was genuinely this innocent and straightforward.

However, his thoughts were interrupted by Napoleon's next question to the Great White Shark, "Are you a young girl?" The shark shook its head, implying it was a mature maiden.

Chuckling to himself, Ming reconsidered his earlier thoughts.

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