The sounds of the burgeoning village faded behind Riku as he walked, the familiar rhythm of construction and excited chatter giving way to the quiet hum of the wilderness. Igris moved beside him. They walked a short distance, far enough to ensure no stray eyes, no lurking System surveillance, could witness his next move. Riku paused before a small, nondescript monument, its weathered stones blending seamlessly with the natural landscape. It wasn't grand or imposing, just a solitary structure that offered the privacy he needed. He stepped inside, the cool, still air a stark contrast to the lively warmth of the newly settled human haven.
Here, in this secluded space, Riku had two gachas left. Two chances. Two pulls from the System's twisted game of chance. He had been holding onto them, waiting for a moment of quiet, a moment of strategic solitude. Now was the time.
He focused, the familiar opaque blue screen materializing before him, accompanied by the subtle whirring sound only he could hear. His hand reached out, his finger hovering over the first 'Spin' prompt. A flicker of anticipation, quickly suppressed, stirred within him. He pressed down.
The screen exploded in a shower of brilliant light and celebratory confetti, accompanied by a triumphant, almost obnoxious fanfare.
[CONGRATULATIONS! YOU WON A SPECIAL PRIZE!!]
[You can choose a single one of these three items]
* Crystal of Power Amplification: Boosts the user's magical or physical abilities.
* Talisman of Luck: Increases the wearer's luck.
* Enchanted Compass: Always points to the desired destination or object.
Riku's eyes, devoid of any visible excitement, scanned the options.
The Enchanted Compass. His gaze lingered on it. Always points to the desired destination or object. This was different. This was information. This was utility.
His strategic mind immediately began dissecting its implications. In a world as vast and unpredictable as this one, where crucial resources, hidden artifacts, or even specific individuals could be scattered across continents, a tool that guaranteed navigation was invaluable.
Compared to a generic power boost or the unpredictable nature of luck, the compass offered certainty. It offered efficiency. It offered a strategic advantage that could be applied to a multitude of situations, both foreseen and unforeseen. It wasn't about raw strength; it was about knowledge and precision. In a game dictated by the System, where information was currency and efficiency was survival, this compass was a cheat code. It was a tool that negated the chaos of exploration and allowed for direct, surgical strikes on objectives.
His decision was made. No hesitation. No emotional attachment. Just cold, hard logic.
He reached out, his finger tapping the glowing text for the Enchanted Compass. A faint shimmer enveloped the selection, confirming his choice.
One gacha down. One more to go. He reached out again, a flicker of something akin to curiosity stirring within him as he pressed the 'Spin' prompt for the final time. The screen flashed, but this time, there was no triumphant fanfare, no shower of confetti. Instead, a peculiar, almost mischievous little jingle played, akin to a cartoon character tiptoeing. The light wasn't brilliant, but a soft, shimmering, almost iridescent glow.
[SPECIAL ITEM ACQUIRED!]
[Item: 'Aura of Irresistible Charm']
* Effect: The user passively emits an aura that makes them seem exceptionally attractive and trustworthy to all sentient beings, regardless of race or alignment. Persuasion attempts gain a significant, almost unfair, bonus. May cause unintended adoration.
* Duration: Permanent
* Note: This item cannot be removed. It is now part of your inherent being.
Riku stared at the screen. His meticulous, strategic mind, so adept at dissecting threats and optimizing solutions, glitched. He reread the text. Irresistible Charm. Exceptionally attractive and trustworthy. Significant, almost unfair, bonus. Unintended adoration. Cannot be removed.
His eye twitched.
This wasn't a weapon. It wasn't a map. It wasn't a resource. It was… this? A permanent, unavoidable charisma boost that made him inherently desirable? To all sentient beings?
He thought back to Serabil. Her innocent, almost childlike adoration even as he was internally screaming. Her utter belief in his forced confessions. Was this why she was so easily swayed? Had this blasted 'aura' already been subtly influencing things, even before he officially "acquired" it? The System, with its penchant for cruel irony, probably found this hilarious.
"Unintended adoration," he muttered to the empty monument, the words tasting like ash. His life was already a complex tapestry of war, survival, and increasingly bizarre supernatural encounters. Now, on top of everything, he was going to be an irresistible, walking beacon of charm. This wasn't a strategic advantage; it was a cosmic joke.
He imagined the scenarios. Trying to negotiate with a goblin chieftain, only for the chieftain to suddenly start offering him unsolicited foot massages. Debriefing a grim-faced scout, only for the scout to confess their undying loyalty with teary eyes and a bouquet of wildflowers. Or worse—having to deal with even more unwanted advances from powerful, unhinged entities who now found him "irresistibly charming." Serabil was just the beginning.
The sapphire gem in his compass pulsed softly, as if mocking him with its useful, logical existence compared to the sheer absurdity of his new, permanent predicament.
"Great," he sighed, running a hand through his already disheveled hair. "Just great. As if my life wasn't complicated enough. Now I'm apparently a walking, talking, irresistible disaster."
He pushed himself out of the monument, Igris appearing silently beside him. The distant sounds of the new village, of his people building a home, seemed almost idyllic compared to the fresh, personal hell he had just acquired. He had successfully gambled and won… two prizes that perfectly encapsulated the System's twisted sense of humor: one tool of unparalleled practicality, and one permanent, unavoidable existential inconvenience.
He paused just outside the monument, taking a deep breath of the surprisingly fresh air. He could feel it, subtly. A faint, almost imperceptible warmth radiating from him. An internal hum, like a purring cat, that seemed to vibrate with... charm. He resisted the urge to rub his face in frustration. This was going to be a long, long war. And now, apparently, he was fighting it with an unfair advantage he never asked for, and certainly didn't want. The thought made him groan.