Huang Li lay sprawled on the cold, dusty floor of the ruined castle, his eyes fixed on the cracked ceiling above him. His stomach grumbled loudly, but it wasn't just hunger gnawing at him—it was the sheer helplessness of his situation. How do cultivators survive so long without food in those novels? he thought, suppressing a groan. Sure, their bodies could go without food, but didn't they need an energy source? Without spirit energy, his body was like a dead phone with no charger.
He had expected this new life to be filled with endless potential—an adventure of epic proportions. Instead, he was stuck in this desolate realm, alone, and quickly realizing that strength alone wouldn't save him from starvation. What good is power if I'm just going to starve to death? The thought of dying in such an anticlimactic way left a bitter taste in his mouth.
The worst part wasn't even the hunger—it was the overwhelming sense of isolation. He wasn't afraid of dying per se, but the crushing silence, the emptiness, and the memories of his ancestors loomed over him like shadows. They were powerful, chaotic figures, known for bringing ruin and destruction wherever they went. He had no intention of following in their footsteps.
"I just want to live quietly. Maybe explore the world, see its wonders… not end up like them," Huang Li muttered to himself, his voice echoing in the empty castle. But fate, it seemed, had other plans.
Just as he started to sink deeper into his own thoughts, a clear, melodic chime rang out in his mind, cutting through the silence like a sharp blade. Huang Li froze, his eyes widening. It wasn't the eerie noise of this forsaken realm—it was crisp, almost pleasant, like a bell ringing through a quiet morning.
[System Awakening: Welcome, Host.]
Huang Li blinked in surprise. A system? His thoughts raced. It was like something out of the novels he used to read back in his previous life. Protagonists would get overpowered systems that turned them into unstoppable forces. Could it be? Had his time finally come?
The system's message appeared in his mind again, interrupting his excitement.
[Congratulations, Host! As part of the system's awakening, you have received a special starter gift pack. Do you wish to open it now?]
A grin tugged at the corner of his lips. A starter gift pack? This is just like those cheat systems from the novels! His heart raced with anticipation, though there was still a part of him that remained skeptical. After everything that had happened, he wasn't about to let himself believe everything would suddenly go smoothly. But… it was worth a shot, right?
"Open it," Huang Li said aloud, the words escaping his lips before he could overthink it.
[Starter Gift Pack opened. You have received three lottery chances.]
Lottery chances? Huang Li's eyebrow twitched. A gacha system? He had spent countless hours—and too much money—on gacha games in his previous life. His excitement deflated just a little. He knew how unpredictable these systems could be, but at least it was something. Maybe he'd hit the jackpot.
A new prompt appeared.
[Do you wish to draw all three chances at once, or one by one?]
Huang Li chuckled, despite himself. Some things were universal, even across lifetimes. "One by one, obviously," he muttered. Any veteran of gacha games knew that unless you were pulling ten in a row, you were better off drawing one at a time. It might have been superstition, but Huang Li wasn't about to test his luck by rushing things.
The screen blinked, and a large, glowing wheel appeared in his mind's eye, spinning with mysterious symbols and flashing lights. Huang Li watched as it spun faster, his heartbeat quickening in response.
[Drawing first lottery chance…]
The light burst open, revealing a majestic figure—a large, crescent-shaped Pokémon with glowing wings and a body that seemed to shimmer with ethereal light.
[Congratulations! You have summoned: Lunala!]
Huang Li's jaw dropped. "Lunala?" The legendary Moon Pokémon from Alola, a Psychic and Ghost-type Pokémon, appeared before him in his mind's eye. It was powerful, with an undeniable connection to the forces of darkness and the moon. But despite its strength, Huang Li couldn't help but feel… conflicted.
"A Ghost-type Pokémon… and I'm a descendant of a demonic bloodline?" He chuckled weakly, shaking his head. "Is fate mocking me?"
Instead of reveling in the sheer power Lunala represented, a seed of doubt began to form. He couldn't escape the dark associations—was this system pushing him toward the same path as his ancestors? The idea left him uneasy, but he pushed the thought aside. There was no use overthinking it. At least Lunala was strong, and he needed strength more than anything right now.
"Alright," Huang Li muttered, "let's see what's next."
[Drawing second lottery chance…]
The wheel spun again, and this time the light was darker, casting a shadow over his thoughts. When it stopped, a sleek, wolf-like Pokémon appeared—its white fur contrasted against the black and a sharp, sickle-shaped horn curved over its head.
[Congratulations! You have summoned: Absol.]
Huang Li felt a shiver run down his spine. "Absol?" The Disaster Pokémon, known for appearing before calamities struck. While it wasn't a Ghost-type, it was still a Dark-type Pokémon, adding to the growing list of ominous figures in his roster.
The system really seemed to be playing into his demonic bloodline. First Lunala, now Absol—a Pokémon that was literally associated with disasters. Am I cursed to walk the path of darkness? he wondered.
The final lottery draw loomed, and he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of foreboding. He was almost afraid to see what came next, but there was no turning back now.
[Drawing third lottery chance…]
The wheel spun one last time, and this time, the prize wasn't a Pokémon. The light burst open, and a new notification appeared.
[Congratulations! You have obtained the Ability: Dark Aura (Raises the power of Dark-type moves for all Pokémon in battle.)]
Huang Li sighed, though he wasn't sure if it was in relief or frustration. "Dark Aura… that's Yveltal's ability." He looked down at his hands as if expecting something to change. "So now I've got two Dark or Ghost-type Pokémon and an ability that boosts Dark-type moves. Just perfect."
It was almost laughable. Here he was, a reincarnated heir to a demonic bloodline, surrounded by memories of ancestors who reveled in darkness—and what did he get? Dark and Ghost-type Pokémon, along with an ability tailor-made for a villain.
"Fate really has it out for me," Huang Li muttered with a dry chuckle. "Is this supposed to be some sort of twisted joke?"
Still, he couldn't deny the usefulness of what he had received. Lunala was incredibly powerful, and Absol had a reputation for being fast and deadly. Dark Aura would boost their power even more in battle. Maybe it wasn't all bad, but it sure felt like the universe was nudging him toward a path he wasn't sure he wanted to walk.
His musings were interrupted by another notification from the system.
[Would you like a brief overview of the system's features, Host?]
"Yeah," Huang Li said, grateful for the distraction. "Tell me what I'm dealing with here."
[The Summoner's System allows the Host to summon Pokémon, use their abilities, and receive rewards through the Gacha Lottery. Lottery chances are awarded for completing achievements or quests.]
"Quests?" Huang Li raised an eyebrow. "What kind of quests?"
[Quests may range from basic survival tasks to more complex challenges. Examples include discovering hidden treasures, overcoming powerful foes, or unlocking key cultivation stages.]
"So, it's all about growth," Huang Li mused. "And I get rewards for making progress?" That sounded promising, especially in a world where strength meant survival.
[Correct. You may also receive items, abilities, or moves from the Pokémon world.]
Huang Li's mind raced with possibilities. If he could keep drawing from the Pokémon world, there was no telling what kind of power he could amass. For the first time in a while, he felt a glimmer of hope.
But before he could get too excited, his stomach growled loudly, reminding him that Pokémon or not, he still had basic survival needs to worry about. He needed energy or food, and soon.
Pushing himself up, he resumed his search of the ruins. Hours passed, and just when he was about to give up, something strange caught his eye. One of the stone walls didn't match the rest—it had an odd shimmer, almost imperceptible, as though something lay behind it. A hidden chamber?
Huang Li's heart raced as he approached the wall, his fingers brushing against the stone, feeling for any hidden mechanisms. Maybe this place wasn't as empty as it seemed after all.