"Nina... Prepare for the next perk..." Hunter's eyes glinted in insanity. "Let's get all of this done in one go..."
Nina's momentum deflated, and her cheeks puffed in anger. She was approaching Hunter to celebrate the incredible wealth he had come into, but Hunter didn't even spare her a thought.
"Doesn't Hunter want to know what to can do with battlefield tokens?"
Nina gave Hunter a side-eye and inquired, pretending to return to the lottery wheel gloomily.
Her words snapped Hunter out of his animalistic reverie.
"Didn't you say that candidates aren't supposed to know anything?"
Hunter raised his eyebrows in wonderment and surprise. Nina snickered and flew over to him with her chest puffed out, having won the little fight in her head.
It wasn't as though he was against the idea of obtaining more information, quite the opposite. However, he had been trying to learn any sort of knowledge from Nina at every turn, and despite her tendency to chatter on without stopping, she was quite tight-lipped about information about the battlefield and its intricacies.
"Yes~ While that is generally the case to maintain fairness amongst the warriors..."
Nina twirled as she took off from Hunter's shoulder and returned to her proud creation, settling on the gargantuan lottery wheel. Hunter had to move back to prevent his neck from straining having to look at Nina from below.
"Although Nina and the other assistants are forbidden from giving out details without any reason, it would be quite disingenuous for us to provide a perk or impose a penalty and not even inform the candidates about its basic details..." Nina smiled and pointed at herself. "As such, assistants are allowed to, IF THEY WISH, provide the candidates with information pertaining to the specific perk they receive. So Hunter has to be thankful~!"
"So you do know that this thing is dumb..."
Hunter unintentionally muttered his thoughts out loud and instantly regretted it, hoping Nina wouldn't pick up on it, but it seemed she did as her cheeks inflated and she crossed her arms.
"Hmph~! Does Hunter want to know or not!?"
"Of course, of course!"
Hunter raised his arms in surrender, for Nina's eyes glowed threateningly and her tone carried a subtle murderous intent. It didn't translate well though, considering her sweet and cottony voice could ensnare even the worst of insomniacs into slumber.
"Hmph~ As Hunter is aware, battlefield tokens are the exclusive currency of the battlefield, pretty self-explanatory." Nina placed one of her legs on top of another, a finger on her chin. "Now the question is, what can Hunter do with this money?"
Nina glanced at Hunter, he nodded to show he was following along.
Hunter was still somewhat unclear on the nature of this battlefield, for whatever little he had understood indicated that this battleground resembled a civilization more than a barren battlefield designed for an intense conflict.
However, a lot of the built-up pressure had been released once he had confirmed the authenticity of the description of his talent. So unless Hunter incessantly courted death, he should be relatively safe, although he didn't understand the species he would have to fight against, or if they could negate his talent.
A certain thing that had continued to gnaw at Hunter's conciousness was the fact that despite amplifying his strength to a considerable degree through body reconstruction, to the extent that he would indisputably be the strongest human back in Terraia with his current attributes, he was still an Under Nine, and that too because he was raised since his potential was considered unprecedented.
According to Nina, based solely on his physical attributes, he would barely make the cut for eleven perks.
"These battlefield tokens are not just a physical representation of a value like the currency on Hunter's planet." Nina took time to phrase her sentences so that she wouldn't overexplain and get admonished by her supervisor. "Each battlefield token is a technological marvel birthed by Mother, it is an amalgamation of energies that exists to bolster any candidate's strength regardless of the power system they follow."
Nina's words continued to assault Hunter's brain and did quite the damage, enough to cause him a slight headache. The explanation left him with more questions than it provided answers to.
He wanted to intervene but ultimately decided to hold his tongue and let Nina finish since she looked into it, standing on the wheel with her hands on her hips.
"When Hunter enters the battlefield, a certain function will be activated that will allow you to trade amongst other candidates." Nina tip-toed around and tried to get as much information across as she could. "There will also be an official market, allowing Hunter access to many basic resources. With Hunter's wealth, there shouldn't be many problems during the initial to intermediate stages."
Nina stopped and took a deep breath.
"Does Hunter have any questions?"
"Well, about the power system thing you mentioned..."
Hunter had way more concerns, but it was apparent with Nina's reaction that she had divulged as much information as she possibly could in accordance with her limitations.
"Oh~ Well, about the po—" Nina cheerfully began but stopped midway. "Nina will reveal more when Hunter obtains that perk~ It would be easier to describe it in more detail~!"
"What do you mean? Is it a common perk?"
"Common? No, it would be more accurate to call it necessary~" Nina crossed her arms and assessed how to explain the particulars to Hunter without breaching any forbidden subjects. "It wouldn't be much of a balanced conflict if, although granted nifty perks, the candidates can't get stronger!"
Hunter's expression was still clouded in confusion.
"Power System is one of the pre-determined perks a candidate is provided with if they are assessed to lack any recognizable one."
"No, no, I understand the confirmed perk part, it's like an occupied slot." Hunter waved his arms and tried to convey his confusion. "What I don't understand is the power system itself, what does that mean?"
"Oh, um..."
Nina was frustrated because she couldn't really put the details into words without talking about something extra. She tapped into Hunter's memories to learn of a way she could share it with him without explicitly saying it.
She opened her eyes soon after, her pupils glowing with an excited glint.
"It's like that book Hunter likes~!"
Nina pointed at Hunter, but he was baffled and lost as to which book she was referring to. Hunter began listing his favorite pieces of literature, but was met with a shake of the head to each of them.
Nina had to gesture weirdly to make him understand.
"Samati Press? Ohh~ I get it." Hunter placed his fist on his palm. "So a power system is nothing but a method to grow in strength beyond the body's physical limits?"
Nina nodded vigorously and flexed her biceps as she explained further.
"Yes~! That is also the reason why the blessing of body reconstruction is bestowed upon every candidate. It assures the candidate's body is in the perfect condition to embark on a power system with a polished foundation and excavated talent~!"
"Ohh~! So I have only eight random perks to go through."
Hunter hummed and nodded, expressing his comprehension.
"So... Shall we proceed?" Hunter asked.
"Yep~! We are already one of the late runners. Nina's big sister is rushing her~!" Nina snickered and floated down, stopping near the middle of the lottery wheel. "Big Sister has already granted seven out of ten perks. Big Sister is bragging about her candidate. If only she knew about Hunter..."
Nina stared at Hunter with a certain intensity that made him cover his body with his arms.
"ANYWAY~!" Nina danced jovially and pointed at the wheel. "Let's get Hunter the second perk~!"
"Yeah!"
Hunter was swayed by Nina's cheerfulness and pumped his fists as well. Nina smiled at Hunter's enthusiasm and snapped her fingers.
'Come on, Empyrean Fortune, don't disappoint me now, I am going all out this time!'
Hunter's train of thought took a dangerous turn as the information window flashed.
[Commencing the acquisition of perk for candidate {Hunter Tamaniel.}]
[May fortune be with you.]
"Ready?" Nina asked as the wheel transformed into its initial form with about a thousand compartments containing ever-changing text. "Nina thinks Hunter will receive a non-specific perk again, so there is no reason to get too nervous~"
"Don't jinx it, Nina."
"Ehehe~"
Snap!
The lottery wheel took the circular path yet again, carrying Hunter's hopes and dreams.
"What do you think, Nina?" The lottery wheel took about a minute and a half for each spin, so he decided to engage in conversation. "What perk would be good."
Nina seemed to harbor the same thoughts as she replied without missing a beat.
"Nina doesn't know too many perks since she is new~" Nina hummed curiously and played with her maroon hair. "Big Sister had told Nina that weapons and artifacts have helped candidates tremendously during the war~ Hunter should hope that one of the perks gives Hunter strong weapons~"
"Weapons, huh? I can see that."
The two continued their casual chat on similar topics until the wheel came to a screeching halt.
[The candidate {Hunter Tamaniel} has been granted the perk {Army.}]
[{Army} is an indispensable resource in times of conflict. Please utilize them mindfully.]
"Army?" Hunter's eyebrows scrunched in bafflement. "Isn't this an individual event? I know it's supposed to enhance my strength, but won't an army be too much of an advantage?"
Hunter glanced at Nina who floated over to explain the situation.
"Nina can't say too much, but..." Nina arrived in Hunter's vicinity. Her voice carried a hint of seriousness and caution. "Hunter is naive to think that the war will be exclusive to this battlefield. It is a war that would determine a civilization's survival after all..."
Nina glanced at Hunter, hoping he could glean information from her abstract statements since she couldn't be too upfront about it.
"Also, Hunter is massively underestimating the scale of this war... It can't be helped since Hunter doesn't fathom the immensity of the multiverse~" Nina threw a judgemental glance at Hunter from the corner of her eye, prompting him to let out a derisive snort. "Any moderately strong species have several subordinate civilizations, and with the candidates from just a few of those races, an army of quadrillions would march on the battlefield..."
Hunter's eyes widened at that information, but Nina wasn't done.
"If a mid-ranking species can exert that sort of influence, what does Hunter think those overlords are capable of?"
Hunter gulped as Nina's sinister tone and heavy words pierced his calm facade.
"A-anyway, since I understand the significance, let's draw the armies!"
Hunter wanted to steer the discussion away from the dreadful atmosphere that Nina's words had created.
"Ehehe~ Alright~" Nina snickered disdainfully as she returned to her position adjacent to the wheel, closing her eyes to prepare for the second go at Lady Fate. "Hunter, this time there are only thirteen tiers."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Unlike the battlefield tokens, armies are divided into thirteen tiers from weak to extraordinarily mighty. Hunter has to propose a wager based on that."
"Hmm... Alright, what are their titles or names?"
"The weakest tier is
"Kinda cringey names... Still, how about this..." Hunter crossed his arms and propped his cheek with one of his arms, ironing out the details for the wager. "I wager that among the 20943 are different
Hunter inhaled deeply, raised his head, and stared listlessly at the neverending white ceiling. He hummed and groaned as if deliberating on a difficult decision.
After about five minutes he looked at Nina and spoke with a certain determination present in his demeanor.
"Along with that, if I do not win, I will forfeit all my remaining perks, convert all those forfeited perks into penalties, give up all my limbs, accept the destruction of my five senses, and castration."
Nina's small beady eyes widened to the extreme as she heard Hunter's proclamation.
"HUNTER!"
She screamed, and even though her entire being was no bigger than a forearm, her voice reverberated around Hunter's surroundings, echoing till an unknown distance.
"It'll be fine~" Hunter replied submissively as he dug around in his ears with his fingers to suppress the pain. "Don't you believe in fate like your mother?"
"..."
"...Please?"
"Fine!" Nina closed her eyes to prepare the wager. "Die for all Nina cares~!"
Snap!
[Commencing the acquisition of {Army} for candidate {Hunter Tamaniel.}]
[A wager sanctioned by the overseer of the sector has been established.]
[The wager shall proceed under the supervision of the attending assistant.]
[If candidate {Hunter Tamaniel} loses the wager, they shall forfeit all their remaining perks, accept penalties in their stead, and give up their limbs, senses, and reproductive organs.]
[May fortune be with you.]
"Sounds kinda terrifying when you put it like that..."
Hunter muttered with a chuckle, but Nina's sharp gaze soon forced him to lower his head.
Snap!
Even Nina's snap was aggressive, causing Hunter to flinch. He caressed his arms to settle the goosebumps as he gazed at the rotating black wheel. Despite Nina's abject disagreement with Hunter's decision, she had kept the compartments as changing ones to ensure a full reward.
'If I lose this, that's the end...'
It was now that Hunter had begun to regret his rushed decision and dreaded his loss, so much so that his forged skill kicked in, enveloping his cranium in a cool sensation, and calming him down.
'What's done is done...'
Hunter sighed and accepted his fate, focusing on the moving lottery wheel. Nina floated adjacent to the wheel with one of her arms outstretched, her little finger hovering at the edge of the wheel, acting as the indicator for the winning compartment.
Kat kat kat—
Tensions were high yet again, and Hunter felt the uneasiness creeping in despite the assurance that the talent was indeed the genuine article. So went the game of chance, a win is never a win until it is actually affirmed
The wheel came to a stop and Hunter's body visibly shook. His eyes closed, desperately praying for a good result, and it didn't take long for his holographic screen to flash.
[Candidate {Hunter Tamaniel} has been granted {Thirteen Armies}]
[In consideration of the severity of the wager and the unsurmountable odds, the quality of the perk has been exponentially enhanced.]
"What?"