Apocalypse: System of lotteries

In the region, a man and a woman, each perched upon a tree, plucked fruits with laughter echoing throughout the hills and fields, painting a "heartwarming" scene.

The pair's fruit-picking speed had indeed increased considerably; as the old saying goes, a man and woman working together make light work. Ming was not the least tired, while Alice had already begun to sweat.

Nevertheless, Ming believed she could persevere a little longer.

[Frogs devised a plan, continuing their search for vibrant, multicolored mushrooms in the wilderness. Da Vinci activated his gathering ability but failed, and his backpack was on cooldown... Foodie also tried to gather mushrooms but failed with a pack in cooldown...]

"..."

Even if your backpacks weren't on cooldown, could you please stop searching for mushrooms? I still need to go to the store to buy medicine for you guys.

Did you realize I could receive your messages?

"What are you laughing about?" Alice asked Ming, who was grinning absentmindedly.

"Nothing; I'm glad you could finish picking from a tree quickly."

"Ha, you sure know how to flatter a girl."

[Your frogs, squatting around the colorful mushrooms, watched as Da Vinci sprang up and winked at Foodie... Foodie, understanding the signal, opened its mouth and pulled the mushroom out without swallowing it... Da Vinci assured it that as long as it didn't swallow, there would be no harm... Time to head back...]

Ming plucked the fruit, thinking these two naive, dumb were indeed resourceful.

He glanced at Alice, who was earnestly picking fruit, and as a good-hearted person, he didn't want her to do all the work. "Alice, wait a moment; I'll help you pick some too."

"Thank you~ However, I probably won't take many back, as I don't need to do this. The bishop allows me to follow my heart as long as I maintain a cheerful disposition." Alice remarked while picking.

"In that case, you wouldn't mind helping me for a few more hours?"

"Ha~~~," Alice thought that this man couldn't be praised.

[Your Da Vinci hopped along, reminding Foodie not to swallow the mushroom. Foodie nodded, asking if it had started flying. There were Pixie ahead; they should follow and catch the Pixie...]

[Da Vinci slowed down, watching Foodie flapping its wings and spinning in place... It hadn't swallowed the mushroom, had it? Could hallucinations occur even with the mushroom in its mouth?]

[Your Foodie saw the fruit throughout the forest transform into Pixie, realizing that Pixie must taste like fruit. It swallowed it; it was so slippery...]

[Your Da Vinci saw Foodie swallowing the entire mushroom and running into things wildly... Ming, your Foodie is in trouble...]

"..."

Ming hastily leaped from the tree, "Alice, wait here for me; I'll be back soon."

"Eh, where are you going?" Alice saw the man disappear into the forest. She marveled, "He's so fast~."

On the other side, Ming activated his top speed, racing towards the distant forest.

Foodie, I'm coming. Hold on.

[Your Foodie squatted on the ground, staring blankly at Da Vinci... Where was the mushroom? It had planned to bring it back for the koi.]

"..."

Ming halted, realizing he had been overly concerned, and turned back towards the forest on the opposite hill.

"Did you have an emergency just now?" Alice jumped down from the tree, inquiring with concern.

"Uh, I went to the restroom."

"Ah, where is the restroom? I need to go too."

"Go ahead, but make sure you walk far enough away, preferably 100 meters or more."

"..."

Alice turned and headed down the hill.

"Alice, come back soon~ I'm saving this tree for you."

Without looking back, Alice descended the hill, thinking that God would indeed have mercy on her since she had been picking for so long. She would help him for one more hour and then leave.

Alice found a tall patch of grass, walked in, and emerged three minutes later. She approached a stream, washed her hands, and was about to wash her face when she saw two additional reflections in the water.

She immediately stood up and turned around to find a man wearing a black cloak. Beside him stood a three-meter-tall puppet clad in armor, wielding a knight's sword with closed eyes. The newcomer was none other than the puppet master Henry from Zone 328.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Alice gestured and grasped a narrow sword.

"Who I am isn't important. However, it is important that I found you here after using 30 teleport scrolls." Henry sneered, gesturing to the puppet by his side as he addressed the woman, "Are you sure you want to fight me? I don't want to hurt you; I need you to return with me. I guarantee I won't be impolite in any way."

Alice remained calm, replying indifferently, "You're not from our zone. You'd have to turn me into your puppet to take me back temporarily. Since you're looking for me so deliberately, it seems someone from our zone has been bribed. That person must be rather foolish."

"Oh my!" Henry appeared somewhat surprised and sinisterly chuckled, "I didn't expect, really didn't expect, that a sheltered saintess would be smarter than I thought. Indeed, being with you would increase the chances of survival, but some fools just think money is more important than life. Don't you agree?"

"Thank you for your praise," Alice calmly responded, "Since you know I'm a saintess, you must also know that you cannot manipulate me."

"Yes, that's why I've brought along a king-level puppet at great expense." Henry gazed at the woman before him, gesturing to the puppet beside him, promptly opening its eyes, revealing a glimmering purple hue.

"Respected Saintess, your spiritual abilities require time for chanting. Do you think I'll give you that time?" Henry stepped back, and the puppet stepped forward, adding, "So, you should come with me. Our zone guarantees you'll receive even more resources and protection."

"I won't abandon our people to serve you oyster-fed English swindlers," Alice gripped her narrow sword with one hand, softly chanting, "Holy Purification!"

"Attack!" Henry commanded, and the king-level puppet knight charged forward.

[Your froglings saw Alice being threatened by two men. Da Vinci was furious, "How dare they try to take the girlfriend I found for Ming... Foodie, attack!"]

[Your Foodie activated its battle spirit, carrying Da Vinci as it leaped and charged, passing by the 'iron man' lunging towards Alice. Both froglings simultaneously activated their collection abilities... The collection failed, as their bags were still in cooldown.]