Ren found himself experiencing a second chance in more ways than one.
"This doll includes an exclusive lucky wheel. Feel free to give it a spin," the notification rang once again.
"Ren! That's incredible," the system chimed in eagerly. "This lucky wheel is top-tier—an S-grade item. It offers treasures like reviving pills, time reversal buttons, and other invaluable items!"
"Oh, that sounds pretty cool. Shall we give it a go?"
Those golden eyes filled with twinkles looked at the equally thrilled oceanic ones.
As if reaching an agreement, Ren silently clicked on the receive option.
Before Ren floated a massive golden wheel enveloped in a shimmering haze of gold. He reached out tentatively, but his fingers simply passed through it as if it were mere mist.
"Wait, let me upload it on my page. Other systems will be so jealous of me!"
After successfully uploading the 3-D holographic video of the lucky wheel, Ren got permission from his system to roll it.
His fair finger hovered mere inches away from the "ROLL" option when a sudden interruption halted his movement.
"Stop!" Ren's fluffy companion, now nestled on his lap, looked up at him with an expression of hesitation, causing Ren to pause.
"What?"
Under the weight of Ren's intense gaze, the system finally relented. It slid from his lap, its voice faltering slightly. "It's... I mean... this wheel operates based on the luck of the host."
Ren's initial excitement threatened to wane. The happy mode was almost destroyed like this.
"Cough* So, what? I got the wheel; it means my luck is good."
Ren's bluff didn't work on the system as the fluffy creature narrowed those slit eyes and looked at Ren, "You do remember that we share the same sea of consciousness now? The more time we spend together, the clearer your memories will be for me to see."
The system didn't bother mentioning that it was learning from the host's memories, which actually shaped its personality. It relied on the host's life experiences, comparing them with other data to make decisions.
Ren still kept his face straight, "So... I am not that bad. You know once when I was 6, I found a coin."
"Yeah, and you were blamed for being the one to steal it from that bully kid in your class."
Ren's straight face has a tiny crack, his rigid posture bending ever so slightly to get away from the scrutinizing gaze, "I once found a painting color kit. It was a complete set. Do you know how expensive it is?"
The system casually licked its paw, "After that, you were targeted by a perverted painter for a whole month. Good thing Fu Xain saved you."
The jade white earlobes turned pink at a speed visible to the naked eye, "I-I once saved a ... child from bullying."
"That's called being generous and not lucky. And that girl you saved and crushed over was a boy who rejected you for the same bully you saved him from."
"I-I..."
Before Ren could brag or at least try to brag about finding an abandoned house when his group was beaten down by rain and thunder during a trip to a certain village, he was stopped by the fluffy paw.
The system, still with a raised paw, stared at Ren, "You lost your eyesight while saving a few kids from a car accident. You were only 23.
You donated your money to an orphanage and got involved in the money laundering case...."
The system stopped midway and looked at the curled-up figure on the bed. All it could see was the pinkish hue spreading to the base of Ren's fair neck.
Did it say too much? Its host seemed to be in a delicate mood.
Like a dedicated system, it instantly changed its way of speaking, "However, you also got the blessings of the kids you made home for. You got loved by many and even became the idol of a few. Above all, you have such good friends. It's not easy to gain loyal friends in any world, you know."
Ren was considered a genius for designing buildings with an ancient touch. While others of his age were struggling to pass the university entrance exam, he was already designing his second project.
That's when he for the first-time crossed paths with Fu Xian, older yet considered his junior. Even though his life cannot be said to be smooth sailing, it still sailed till the end.
Listening to the soft childish voice trying its best to console him made Ren appreciate the life he was living right now, even though only a bit.
He straightened his back and got up from his self-consoling cocoon.
"Thanks, little God," his hands reached to touch the fluffy head, "So, should we, do it?"
The previously hesitating system leaned into Ren's touch, its cheeks rubbing on the soft palm, "Sure, Let's do it!"
It's not like it had any other option anyway. The rewards can only be used by the host, and they can't not use the wheel and let it waste!
Besides what worse could happen?
The golden eyes narrowed on the shining indication in front of him. Ren finally touched the ROLL button and .... nothing happened.
???
The confusion was cleared by the system,
"You just need to think about it, and it will work."
Sure enough, in the next second, the wheel rolled. At the wish of the commander, it stopped spinning.
One system and one human waited with bated breath for the prize to pop up.
"Congratulations to the host for getting the congratulation pack x 3. It will give you beautiful sky-shooting crackers to celebrate your favorite time. Time limit 15 seconds. Enjoy!"
The mysterious golden wheel disappeared into thin air leaving behind two dumbfounded creatures.
Ren, "..."
System, "..."
"Umm, so... we got a cursed-lucky doll and congratulations banner?"
"Little God, please tell me I am not the only one to get this... stuff."
Before the system answered the said question another notification rang in the silent room.
"Congratulations on getting a 0.1% combo-Lucky-Unlucky-"
"Stop! For the love of God, Stop!"
The sudden shout startled the furry little God, who ended up rolling off the bed.
"Little God, Stop the notifications," Ren watched as the rolling cub once again jumped on the bed.
"Wait, ok...done." It seems like there was this thing called lucky-unlucky combo which can only be won by someone lucky but also extremely unlucky.
Its host, Ren Jiang, definitely falls into this category.
Someone who was born with the fate of the ruler yet suffered in all of his reincarnations. All because of that one Venerable.
Before the fog of unluckiness surrounding Ren suffocated him from helplessness, a warm greeting gave him the much-needed distraction.
"Hi, Dorion Vitakis. This is Dr. Glorin, your physical training is under his guidance."
The gentle scu* cough* he meant the gentle doctor Yarx introduced a new Doctor-cum-couch to Ren.
Ren nodded at the bald doctor, who seemed to be in his thirties looking at him with his scrutinizing grey eyes.
'He is not thirty but 247 years old.'
Yeah, Ren seemed to forget that there is an age difference in this new world.