14
Chapter 14: Into the Dungeon, Mimic, Gatcha, Guess Who?
Chico had a hard time sleeping that night. Not because of fear—no, it wasn't nerves. It was…everything else. Thoughts swirled in his mind: how far he'd come, the strange new world he now called home, the people he'd met, the bonds he'd forged. Ariel. Cole. Demeter. Persephone. So many moments, challenges, and choices—each brick in the long road that had led him here.
And yet, beneath the calm pride he felt, something stirred.
A hunger.
He didn't know exactly what he wanted, but he could feel it beating in his chest, slow and persistent. He was content, yes—but not finished. He wouldn't be. Not until he found it. Whatever "it" was.
And he was sure he'd find it here.
The Dungeon awaited.
He woke early. No hesitation. He showered, dressed, and made his way to the manor's dining hall. There, the warm smell of cooked grains and fruits greeted him, as did two familiar presences. Persephone sat already at the table, posture relaxed but eyes alert. Demeter, ever radiant, smiled the moment he entered.
He grabbed a tray and took his seat.
"Morning," he greeted simply.
"Morning," Persephone replied, then eyed him carefully. "So…you think you're ready?"
Chico met her gaze without flinching. "I know I am."
She stared for a heartbeat longer, searching. Then, she nodded.
She reached into a pouch at her side and placed something on the table, a high potion, in a crystal-clear vial with a silver trim.
"Just in case," she said.
"I-"
"No arguments," she cut in. "Emergencies happen. If you burn through your potions, this is your lifeline. Understood?"
Chico took the vial and bowed his head. "Understood. Thank you, Captain."
He turned to Demeter. She rested her cheek in her palm, golden eyes watching him with gentle fondness.
"Be careful, my dear," she said softly. "The Dungeon is not kind to the unprepared."
"I promise I'll make it back safely," he answered, a small but sure smile on his face.
She stood and walked over to him, pulling his head gently into her embrace. Her scent was warm and faintly floral, her touch feather-light.
"For good luck," she whispered into his ear that sent shivers down his spine.
He reached up and placed a hand over hers. "I'll come back safe."
They lingered a moment longer before parting ways.
After breakfast, Chico made his way through the streets of Orario. His pace was steady, unhurried. He followed the stream of adventurers heading in the same direction—toward the Tower of Babel. Toward the Dungeon.
——————————————————————
The moment he stepped into the central chamber beneath the tower, he saw it: the entrance to the Dungeon.
It was massive. An open, gaping maw embedded in the pale stone floor—smooth, circular, and radiating a faint, humming energy. Blue light pulsed in quiet rhythm along the edges, an eerie but entrancing glow. The Dungeon's mouth was dark, inviting, dangerous.
He didn't have long to stare. He couldn't block the flow of adventurers for too long. So after a breath, he descended the stone stairs and stepped into the unknown.
The First Floor.
The walls were a pale bluish-grey stone, curved unnaturally smooth, like wind-carved tunnels. The air was cool but not cold, with a faint, mineral scent. It was quiet—eerily so. Only the distant sound of boots and echoes of steel broke the silence. The lighting came from a source on the walls, a dim glow that filled the space with a dull, even hue.
It was exactly as the archives described.
And he knew exactly where to go.
He moved through the branching corridors with practiced ease, choosing a less-populated path. The map in his head matched the layout around him, and he quickly slipped away from the busy entrances into the deeper veins of the floor.
It wasn't long before he saw his first real opponent.
A lone goblin, freshly spawned. It had crude features, greenish skin, and beady red eyes. Its jagged dagger was clutched tight in gnarled fingers.
Chico stopped. His heart didn't race. His breath didn't quicken.
He was ready.
"Let's see what you can take," he muttered.
With a thought, he slotted two abilities separately: Lightning Spear and Masochist Soul. The moment he did, there was a small drain on his mind—and then, with a crackle of energy, a spear of pure white lightning shimmered into his hand.
It hummed with power.
The goblin had just started to hiss when Chico threw it.
There was no time to dodge.
The spear struck.
*BOOM*
An explosive crack echoed through the corridor, sending dust and small stones scattering. Where the goblin once stood, there was now only a shallow crater, scorched black. No body. No blood. Not even a monster stone.
Just ash.
Chico stared for a moment, then blinked.
"…Okay. Maybe…too much."
He let out a slow breath.
And smiled.
This was going to be fun.
——————————————————————
Feat Achieved! Slay your first dungeon monster!
Description: The monsters of the dungeon are much stronger than those found in the surface. And you absolutely slaughtered it, keep up the good work.
Reward: Silver Ability Gatcha Ticket
——————————————————————
'Keep up the good work, huh? Guess I'll have to impress the Gatcha itself.'
With a thought he opened the Gatcha and received…
——————————————————————
Arc (2.2 Rarity, 0.49% odds)-Uncommon Ability-
Allows you to channel electricity through your body and discharge, with training you can channel where your electricity goes to aim it more precisely.
——————————————————————
Chico's ninth ability, and if the milestone at 5 abilities granted an extra slot…he hoped at 10 there would be the same reward.
But now was not the time to think about my abilities, now was the time to search for more monsters.
*CRACK*
…
Which didn't seem to take long.
This time a monster he had yet to experience spawned from the walls, a Kobold.
It stood hunched on two legs, but it was nearly his height. Covered in shaggy, rust-colored fur, it had the snarling face of a wild hound. Bloodshot eyes locked onto him, teeth bared in a wicked grin, claws twitching with anticipation.
Definitely more intimidating than the goblin.
The Kobold didn't wait. With a guttural howl, it lunged.
Chico didn't flinch.
In one swift motion, he summoned his twin blades from his storage—The Demon King's Daggers, wicked and curved, their black steel catching the Dungeon's faint blue light. The Kobold came in fast, faster than the goblins, with more strength in its strikes. It slashed at him with crude, clawed hands.
But Chico was faster.
He ducked under the swing, pivoted on his heel, and with a flash of steel—SHINK—his right blade cleaved through the Kobold's neck.
The monster's momentum carried it another step forward…before its head hit the floor with a soft thud, followed by its body collapsing.
Chico took a step back, breathing steady. That had been smoother than he expected.
Stronger than the goblin, yeah. But he was stronger still.
His confidence surged.
And yet, when he glanced down at the severed head—its lifeless red eyes still open, tongue lolled from its open jaws—his stomach gave a quiet churn. A reminder that, monster or not, he'd just taken the life of something.
He shook it off with a breath. No room for hesitation. Not here.
Kneeling beside the corpse, he pulled out the basic dagger he'd brought—the one he'd bought for monster stone harvesting. He made a careful incision in the chest where the Guild manual had instructed, cutting through fur and hide. It took nearly a full minute of fumbling and digging, but finally, his blade struck something solid.
He reached in and pulled it free.
A monster stone.
It was small—no bigger than a finger—but smooth and glassy, like violet crystal. Deep inside it, motes of magical light shimmered, slowly spinning in a mesmerizing spiral.
Before he could marvel for long, the body crumbled away into gray ash, scattered by the faint breeze of the Dungeon's airflow.
Except…something remained.
A severed kobold finger, wrapped in leathery hide and tipped with a wicked claw.
A drop item.
He blinked, a little surprised. "Well…lucky me."
He tucked the monster stone into his pouch and pocketed the finger in a small cloth wrap. First drop item. Not bad.
With a small grin, Chico rose to his feet, blades still in hand, and moved deeper into the floor.
There were bills to be paid, and a Gatcha to impress.
——————————————————————
We pick back up deep within the corridors of the Dungeon's first floor, as Chico stood over the crumbling remains of his tenth defeated monster.
So far? Easy.
The Dungeon had been kind—almost too kind. Every monster had come alone, no groups, no ambushes, just one-on-one fights. And with each encounter, Chico had grown more confident, sharper, faster. His conditioning and combat training were paying off.
But what caught his attention more than the monsters…was the loot.
Every. Single. Kill.
Drop items.
Fangs and claws. The odds were way above average, guaranteed in fact—and Chico knew it wasn't a coincidence.
"Definitely the Luck trait," he muttered under his breath. "Not complaining, though."
If anything, it was a bonus…though he worried about the attention this could bring. There were drop items traded to the guild, but this many, from a level one, might raise some eyebrows.
"Eh," he shrugged, slipping the pouch into his belt. "I'm sure it'll be fine."
His only real complaint? The tedium.
Harvesting magic stones was a chore. Not difficult, not too gruesome anymore—but definitely annoying. Every monster required a careful incision, a minute or two of searching, wiping blood off the blade, repeat, it was burning time.
"Maybe I need a supporter…" he muttered.
And then, the thought hit him like a lightning bolt.
Supporter.
The Mimic.
His familiar.
He had yet to use it—there hadn't been a clear opportunity. But this? This was perfect.
He stepped back and held out his hand.
With a flicker of light and a pulse of energy, the familiar was summoned. It took the form of a wooden treasure chest, no bigger than a travel bag, now sat on the ground before him. Steel-banded, darkly stained, innocuous enough…until the lid twitched.
Chico squinted.
"Alright, let's see what you can do…"
He tried giving commands. "Open. Move. Bite? Eat?"
Nothing.
No response.
"…Okay. You want…flesh, don't you?"
He stared at the Mimic for a moment, then glanced to the nearest corpse—the goblin he'd just taken down. A clean kill, sliced across the chest before it could even raise its rusted blade.
He hesitated, then looked around. No other adventurers in sight. In fact, aside from the entrance, he hadn't seen anyone.
"Okay, here goes."
Chico grabbed the goblin by its ankle and dragged it over to the chest. The Mimic twitched slightly as the body neared. He popped the lid open-
And a mouthful of fangs greeted him from within.
The inside of the Mimic was all crimson flesh and writhing muscle, lined with rows of jagged white teeth.
Chico blinked. "Well…that's horrifying."
He shoved the goblin inside.
The lid snapped shut with a wet CHOMP. For a moment, all was quiet—then came the sound of chewing. Bone and flesh crushed like brittle wood and wet leather.
Seconds passed.
The Mimic swallowed.
GULP.
Then all was still.
Chico slowly reached for the latch and lifted the lid—just a crack.
Inside, resting peacefully on the now-clean floor of the chest, were two things:
A goblin magic stone, glimmering faintly with violet light.
And a familiar goblin fang—his seventh.
He broke into a grin.
"Quick. Efficient. And you grow stronger."
This…this was going to save him so much time.
He scooped up the rewards and gave the Mimic a gentle pat. "You and me? We're gonna be great friends."
With a thought, he dismissed it back into his Familiar slot, freeing space and clearing weight. Time saved, effort reduced, and his blade stayed clean.
Now this was efficiency.
With his spirits high, his momentum building, and a wide grin stretching across his face, Chico pressed deeper into the Dungeon.
The first floor had more to offer.
And he was ready to take it all.
——————————————————————
*CRACK**CRACK**CRACK**CRACK**CRACK*
…
The sound echoed down the stony corridor like the snapping of bones.
Chico froze mid-step, his senses sharpening.
'Okay…that's new.'
For the past several hours, he'd moved through the Dungeon striking, looting, feeding the Mimic, and pressing on. If he'd counted right, he'd slain forty-five monsters. 45 magic stones and drop items. Goblin fangs, and kobold nails. He didn't know the exact prices, but…
"Absolute bank," he muttered with a smirk.
But now?
Now the Dungeon wanted to play.
From the shadows ahead, five figures began to take shape—monsters peeled themselves from the walls, not one, not two, but five.
Two goblins, snarling and twitchy with crude knives.
And three kobolds, hunched and lupine, their glowing yellow eyes locking onto him with feral intent.
Chico rolled his shoulders.
"…Let's see if you'll be different from the rest."
The monsters charged as one—no hesitation, no growls, no taunts. Just raw instinct.
Chico didn't move.
Not yet.
He let the rush build. Heartbeat steady. Breath smooth.
Then he reached inward, he quickly slotted in Strength and Masochist Soul, and those two temporarily combined into…
Overdrive Core.
The ability surged to life with a snap of heat. His muscles tightened. Blood roared through his veins. His body ignited with a crackling aura of speed and strength. White raw strength flickered across his limbs like veins of power.
Time to go loud.
The first kobold lunged—Chico ducked low, drew a blade in a blur, and slashed upward, cleaving through jaw and skull in a single stroke.
One.
A goblin screeched and leapt from the side—Chico easily dodged and kicked the creature in the gut so hard it slammed into the wall. Easily ending it's life.
Two.
The second goblin tried to flank him. He caught the movement with the corner of his eye and spun, using his blades and cutting through its extended arm, then swept low and beheaded it before the creature even registered the pain.
Three.
The last two kobolds came as a pair.
Chico grinned.
In a blur of motion, he closed the distance and slammed a kick into the first kobold's chest. Bones cracked. The monster wheezed.
It launched towards the far wall, Chico drove both blades crosswise into the standing kobold, ending its short life.
He ripped the weapons free and sauntered over to the only monster that showed any signs of life.
He quickly plunged a dagger through its throat, ending the fight.
Five.
All in under thirty seconds.
The corridor was silent once more.
Chico exhaled through his nose, body thrumming with power.
Overdrive Core faded, and he felt much more tired than he did before.
"Yeah…" he muttered with a slow smile. "That's my favorite ability so far."
He took a breath, steadied himself, and summoned the Mimic.
The chest appeared with a thump, its metal clasps glinting faintly in the dim light.
Chico wasted no time. One by one, he dragged the corpses over, popping the lid and feeding the Mimic each monster. The familiar eagerly devoured the bodies, one after another, grinding them down into nothing—until, at last, all that remained were five magic stones and a few drop items resting inside the chest's crimson mouth.
Chico gathered the spoils with a practiced hand.
And then, finally…he stretched.
His shoulders were a little sore. His canteen was empty. He'd long since eaten the snacks he packed the night before.
"…Time to go home."
With the Mimic dismissed and his pack full, Chico turned back toward the way he came. The return trip took about 30 minutes, a quiet walk filled with echoing drips, stale air, and fading tension.
And then-
Light.
The ceiling cracked open, and with a final step, Chico rose out of the Dungeon's maw and into the open.
Fresh air hit his face.
He paused, closed his eyes, and let the breeze wash over him.
He'd done it.
Survived his first Dungeon dive.
Then, with a faint chime in his mind, the Gatcha System began to light up.
——————————————————————
Feats Achieved! Enter the Dungeon! Survive your first trip to the dungeon! Obtain 50 Drop Items!
Bonus Feats: Slay 50 or More Monsters on your first trip! Not a single scratch!
Description: All of that training seems to have been worth it. You have conquered the dungeon…at least the first floor.
Rewards: 2x Random Silver Gatcha Tickets, 1x Random Bronze Advantage Gatcha Ticket, 1x Silver Trait Gatcha Ticket, 1x Ability Gold Gatcha Ticket
——————————————————————
"Holy shit…" Chico murmured out loud, Several adventurers passed him on their way into the Dungeon, throwing glances at the man standing just outside the entrance muttering to himself. Chico caught the looks and quickly cleared his throat, composing himself. Right—he was still in public.
"I'll roll 'em at home," he mumbled, slipping his hands into his pockets as he started toward the Guild.
The journey was short, and as he stepped into the familiar marble building, Chico noticed something odd—it wasn't nearly as crowded as it usually was. He'd left the Dungeon earlier than most, apparently. That worked just fine for him.
It didn't take long to spot the red-haired receptionist. Fannett-san was behind her usual desk, her serious expression set in stone as she worked through a small line of adventurers. Chico joined the queue, waiting patiently.
When it was his turn, he stepped up with a small smile.
"Good afternoon, Fannett-san," he greeted politely. "Where should I go to turn in dungeon spoils?"
Rose looked up at him, blinking once before recognition set in. "Ah, Sol-san. A visit to the dungeon?"
"Yeah. First trip. Thought it'd be best to get used to the first floor before pushing deeper."
She nodded in approval and gestured for him to follow. "Come with me. I'll walk you over to the exchange window."
They made their way past a few desks and into the side area of the Guild where materials were exchanged. Rose handed him a flat wooden tray.
"Place your stones here."
Chico paused. Instead of simply dumping the contents of his pouch, he began sorting the stones by type and arranging them into neat rows—goblin to the left, kobold to the right.
Rose blinked, then arched an eyebrow.
"You don't need to go that far, you know."
He shrugged. "Just figured it'd make it easier."
It did. She quickly counted the total and began calculating his earnings. Her brow rose with each figure.
"Was this really your first Dungeon trip?"
"Yep."
"This is…probably one of the most I've ever seen from a solo adventurer on floor one."
Chico grinned. "Glad to hear it."
She totaled up the stones aloud:
33 Goblin Stones at 300 valis each: 9,900 valis
17 Kobold Stones at 450 valis each: 7,650 valis
Total: 17,550 valis
He took the earnings happily—but then paused.
"Oh, right. I also have drop items."
He reached for his pack, but Rose blinked again.
"…Drop items?"
He raised a brow. "Yeah. Should I put them here too?"
There was a beat of silence. Then she nodded slowly and slid the tray back toward him.
"Go ahead."
Chico opened his pouch and carefully dropped the items onto the tray. The moment she saw the pile—33 Goblin Fangs and 17 Kobold Nails—Rose's eyes widened.
She blinked.
Once. Twice.
Then she narrowed them, and leaned in.
"…Pack those back up. Come with me."
Chico, without protest, nodded and obeyed.
They moved to a private booth. Rose closed the door behind them and sat down across from him. Her gaze was firm but not accusatory, yet.
"I need to ask," she began. "Did you steal these drop items?"
Chico blinked, tilting his head in genuine confusion, and shook his head. "No."
Rose's gaze sharpened. "You're sure?"
"I'm sure," he replied calmly. "Every single one came from my Dungeon run."
She didn't look convinced, but she couldn't really push the issue.
"I get that this seems weird," Chico continued. "Which is why I wish to prove it now. If you're willing, we can bring in a deity to verify my words."
Rose's eyes widened a touch. "You'd willingly offer a divine check…?"
He nodded. "This probably won't be the last time I run into this kind of suspicion. Better to settle it now."
Rose stared at him for a long moment. Then, with a quiet sigh, she stood.
"I'll be back."
——————————————————————
Rose walked through the Guild halls, scanning the space. She needed someone impartial, someone trustworthy—and someone she knew. That's when she saw it: a mane of red hair like her own, paired with an elegant figure and an unmistakable black eyepatch.
Hephaestus.
Rose made her way over. The goddess turned toward her at the approach.
"Lady Hephaestus," Rose greeted with a bow. "May I request a moment of your time?"
Hephaestus quirked a brow. "Certainly. What's the issue?"
"I have an adventurer in a private booth. I wish to bring a deity to confirm his truthfulness—about the legitimacy of his drop items."
"…That's unusual," Hephaestus replied, frowning slightly. "The Guild doesn't normally escalate things that far."
"He suggested it himself," Rose clarified. "He claimed this situation will likely come up again."
After a pause, Hephaestus shrugged with mild amusement. "Alright. Let's see what this is about."
——————————————————————
When they reentered the booth, Chico was still seated, calm and composed. The moment he spotted Hephaestus, his eyes widened slightly. She was absolutely stunning. Her beauty was on par with Demeter's.
He stood quickly and offered a respectful bow.
"Lady Hephaestus, it's an honor."
She gave a small, appreciative smile. "Well-mannered. That's a good start."
The trio, now seated, Chico began.
"I'd like to formally state: I did not steal any of the drop items in question. They were acquired during my Dungeon run. Every single drop item came from monsters I personally defeated, on the first floor."
Rose turned to Hephaestus. The goddess gave a simple nod.
"He's telling the truth."
Rose's brows furrowed for a second, then she sighed. "Understood. My apologies, Sol-san. It's not common for someone to bring in that many items, especially from a first-floor solo run."
Chico smiled lightly. "No offense taken."
Hephaestus, still seated, tilted her head in curiosity. "How many items are we talking about, anyway?"
Rose hesitated—wanting to remain professional—but Chico believed that this could come to his advantage.
"Fifty monsters. Fifty items."
There was a beat of silence.
"…That's not normal, the odds alone would be…astronomical, impossible even." Hephaestus said bluntly.
"I figured," Chico said. "I wished to tell you because I might want to do business in the future—and I was hoping to start things off on good terms, perhaps gain some favor. My goddess, Demeter-sama, says she has a good relationship with you."
Hephaestus chuckled warmly. "So you're the recruit she mentioned some time ago. We do have a good relationship. And I appreciate your honesty. If you ever want to talk shop, I'll listen."
Chico offered a grateful nod.
With the matter settled, Rose proceeded to process the drop items:
33 Goblin Fangs at 850 valis each: 28,050 valis
17 Kobold Nails at 950 valis each: 16,150 valis
Drop Item Total: 44,200 valis
Full Day's Earnings: 61,750 valis
Rose looked at the final number and exhaled quietly. "Definitely the highest I've ever seen from a lone adventurer… on floor one." Though let's not count Jack birds.
Chico pocketed the earnings with a content smile.
"Guess it's a good start."
Chico rose from his seat, thanked her for her service, and thanked Lady Hephaestus for her help. As soon as he opened the door to the booth and closed it, he received even more Gatcha notifications.
——————————————————————
Bonus Feats Achieved! Earn over 50,000 valis on your first dungeon Trip! Earn favor with the Goddess of the Forge!
Rewards: 1x Gold Skill Gatcha Ticket & 1x Silver Item Advantage Gatcha Ticket
——————————————————————
Chico began to head towards the guild exit and had a thought.
'Could this day get any better…'
Just as he finished that thought, a pair of hands covered his eyes from behind. The world dimmed for a second—and then a soft, familiar voice filled the space between his heartbeat.
"Guess who…"
He could hear that beautiful smile radiating off of the 'mystery' girl, and he couldn't possibly stop his smile from forming, he turned around, and instantly brought the girl into a hug.
"Ariel!!"
She accepted his hug with a giggle and happily returned it.
Yeah…today is a good day.
——————————————————————
Chico checked her over with a grin—Ariel looked just as radiant as ever.
"Is the transfer official?" he asked.
She nodded, her eyes gleaming. "As of today."
He pulled her into another hug, unable to hold back. "That's amazing. I'm glad you're here."
"Me too," she said softly. "Really glad."
They found an empty spot along the wall and sat together.
"So," Chico said, leaning back a little. "How was the trip from Trellis?"
"Boring. Uneventful," Ariel replied with a small laugh. "Which is exactly what I expected."
"And when do you start working here?"
"In a couple of days. The paperwork is almost done."
"So when should I expect my new dungeon advisor?" he added with a smirk.
Ariel smirked back. "As soon as I start. It's kind of my job now."
"Perfect," he said.
She giggled, then added, "I'm in the middle of finalizing my transfer. It'll take a bit, but I'm excited for the change."
"Do you already have a place lined up?"
"Yeah. The Guild handles all that. I'll be in their apartment complex nearby. They even moved my stuff in for me."
"Wow. That's convenient," Chico said, genuinely impressed.
Their conversation hit a quiet lull, comfortable but weighty.
"I should tell you about my day," he said after a pause. "First Dungeon dive today. Just the first floor…but I came out with a crazy haul. Seems my luck has yet to diminish."
Ariel gave him a knowing look, then laughed. "That's one way to put it."
He talked a little more about his training, life at the Wheat Manor, and how grateful he felt for everything that had happened.
"I'm really glad you're doing well," Ariel said, watching him carefully. "You seem…happier."
He nodded, quietly touched.
Ariel glanced over toward the receptionist area, where a supervisor was calling her over. She sighed.
"Looks like it's time."
They both stood. Chico pulled her into one last hug.
"I'm really glad you're here, Ariel."
She paused for a moment—then returned the hug just as warmly. "Me too."
As they walked away, Chico stopped by the corridor and glanced back.
Just in time to see Ariel turn around, mirroring his motion.
They exchanged a wave, and Chico left the Guild with a smile.
——————————————————————
Chico felt lighter than ever.
It was as if the weight of the world had rolled off his shoulders and been replaced with something warm and golden—like the sun itself had taken root in his chest. He practically floated on his way back through Orario, the crowded streets and curious stares from other adventurers passing by in a blur. Even the guards at the city gate barely registered; all he could feel was the electric hum of momentum, purpose, and joy.
He did it.
Not just surviving the Dungeon, but thriving in it. Even if it was just the first floor.
He reached Wheat Manor before he even realized how much time had passed. The welcoming familiarity of home embraced him at the gates, and he stepped inside with an easy grin tugging at his lips.
The dining hall was quiet. Neither Demeter nor Persephone were around—a shame, he thought, but they'd probably appear later. For now, he was starving. He grabbed a tray, piled it high, and devoured his meal with gusto. Every bite felt earned, like a feast after battle. And in a way, it was.
Once finished, he set the tray aside and headed to his room.
The pack slung over his shoulder dropped onto the floor with a satisfying thump—60,000 valis, his magic stone dagger, and his empty canteen all hitting the floor with the sound of a successful day. But his eyes didn't linger there.
He made a beeline for the bathroom.
Inside, he stripped, stretched, and paused in front of the mirror.
His reflection stared back—familiar, but startling.
He hadn't really stopped to look at himself in a while. Not like this.
His black hair had grown a bit longer, falling slightly over his forehead in a messy, stylish way that framed his face. His jaw was sharp now—actually sharp. Cheekbones sat high and defined. His skin was clearer, glowing faintly with health. His blue-grey eyes, once dulled by fatigue and insecurity, were now alive with fire and conviction.
But it was his body that made him blink.
Slim. Fit. Defined.
He had abs. Not faint lines. Not wishful indentations. Honest-to-gods abs. His shoulders were lean and athletic, his chest sculpted, arms toned with the kind of natural strength you'd expect from a seasoned warrior. He wasn't bulky—he didn't want to be—but he looked powerful in the way a blade is powerful: precise, forged, and lethal.
From overweight and directionless to this—in less than a month.
Chico let out a quiet, stunned breath. A soft smile crept across his face.
He was proud of himself.
Not because someone told him to be. But because he earned it.
Finally stepping into the shower, Chico let the hot water wash away the remnants of the day. The grime, the blood, the stress. What remained was clean skin, clean spirit, and a flickering sense of anticipation.
By the time he stepped out, dried off, and dressed, he was already mentally preparing for what came next.
He flopped onto the bed with a thud.
Arms outstretched. Staring at the ceiling. Grinning like a fool.
It was time to roll the Gatchas.
All seven of them.
'Roll all Gatcha.'
Rolling…
1x Gold Ability Gatcha Ticket
1x Gold Skill Gatcha Ticket
1x Silver Item Advantage Gatcha Ticket,
1x Silver Trait Gatcha Ticket
2x Random Silver Gatcha Tickets,
1x Random Bronze Advantage Gatcha Ticket
Desperation (3.3 Rarity, 0.38% odds)-Rare Ability-
Your physical stats are augmented by the amount of danger you are in at any given moment, if you aren't in danger it will give you nothing, if you are in mild danger it will give you a common rank boost in all stats, if you are in danger the rarity will be raised to uncommon, if you are in severe danger it will be raised to rare, if you are in danger of dying at any moment it will be raised to Elite and if you are facing certain death it will be raised to Epic. This ability does not cost energy.
&
Adept Blade Weapon Mastery (3.5 Rarity, 1.67% odds)-Rare Skill-
You are very talented at wielding bladed weapons, on the level of a veteran swordsman. You are able to effectively wield any bladed weapon such as swords and daggers with great efficiency and finesse.
+
Combat Armor (3.6 Rarity, 0.19% odds)-Rare Item-
A basic set of Combat Armor perfectly tailored to you, you can upgrade this armor by putting 10 kilograms of whatever ore you want inside of it, after 24 hours the composition of the armor will change to that of the ore or metal you placed inside.
Or
Cruise Ship (3 Rarity, 0.43% odds)-Rare Item-
A large luxury cruise ship that is 350 meters long and 80 meters wide, the cruise ship is manned by automatons that cannot perform any duty other than the ones they are assigned to in the ship. In addition, this ship has infinite fuel in its engine.
&
Harem King (3.3 Rarity, 0.26% odds)-Rare Trait-
You are a harem king to be, women are more attracted to you and society as a whole does not see a problem with you having a harem. In addition, women do not mind you dating other girls either, they might still have their own problems but the concept of a harem isn't one of them.
&
Magic Spring (3.9 Rarity, 0.12% odds)-Rare Item-
HOTA - A large spring that is filled with mana rich water that replenishes itself at a rapid pace, taking a bath in the spring is said to replenish magical power very quickly.
&
Magic Arrow (2.7 Rarity, 0.33% odds)-Uncommon Ability-
A simple attributeless energy projectile in the shape of an arrow that you can curve the direction of.
+
Durable Baseball Bat (1.8 Rarity, 1.12% odds)-Common Item-
An extremely durable baseball bat, it would take at least a nuclear bomb to deform it.
Or
Super Absorbant Sponge (1.4 Rarity, 1.96% odds)-Common Item-
Terraria - A sponge that can hold approximately 1,000,000,000 liters of water inside of it, don't ask how it doesn't change in size or weight regardless of how much is inside of it.
…
…
…
"Holy fuck."
Chapter 14 End