The floating panel was filled with vibrant, casino-like content. Bright, colorful icons spun in neat rows, reminiscent of slot machines, each one depicting lavish prizes: stacks of gleaming coins, sparkling jewels, and strange items. A massive roulette wheel dominated the center, sections marked with shimmering question marks, spinning lazily as if teasing the odds.
A large button with the word 'Spin' called out to me and I tapped it.
The wheel rolled for a while and then slowly lost speed until it fully stopped.
Golden confetti and bursts of celebratory lights flashed. Jackpot signs blinked in the corners, and the sound of faint casino chimes echoed softly.
[You have pulled a hidden special! [????Serpent]! Congratulations!]
As I watched the panel stop, a white serpent suddenly leapt forth, through the panel, its body sleek and glimmering like polished ivory. Its crimson eyes glowed with an intensity that drew me in, filled with a divine allure. It arched gracefully through the air, landing on my left forearm.
To my astonishment, it coiled around my forearm with an almost playful ease, its scales warm against my skin. As it tightened its embrace, the serpent began to shift and shimmer, merging with my flesh. In an instant, it transformed into a vibrant tattoo, with strikingly crimson eyes, glinting with a life of its own. I could feel a strange connection to it as if it had become a part of me.
'That's it? What does it do?'
I tried everything from putting my energy into touching it but nothing happened, and the system said nothing. I looked around to see if anyone noticed it but Damian was too busy holding Alexander in a headlock for laughing at him, and the maids were making breakfast while the knights trained outside.
'I guess I was smacked, a special-rank lucky draw and all I get is a tattoo?'
"Status."
The status panel appeared:
[John Gray]
[GIFT]-[The Heart]
[SWORD RANK]-3⭐️
[MAGIC RANK]-4th Circle
[STATS]: PHYSICAL-128 MANA-97
CHARM-54 AURA-94
[POINTS]-130
[SPECIAL]:[Anti-Mana], [Anti-Aura],[Gray Winter],[Divine Blood],[Holy Sigil],[Deicide]
[SKILLS]:[All-Seeing Eye],[Cold Heart], [Dragon Heart],[Golden Tongue],[True Martial Physique],[Heart Of The Smith],[Medical Knowledge],[Sword Mind].
[Alert! [????? Serpent] is devouring your skills!]
'What?!'
[Skill [Cold Heart] devoured!]
[Skill [Dragon Heart] devoured!]
[Skill [Golden Tongue] devoured!]
[Skill [True Martial Physique] devoured!]
[Skill [Heart Of The Smith] devoured!]
[Skill [Medical Knowledge] devoured!]
[Skill [Sword Mind] devoured!]
"Spit them out, I worked for those you greedy snake!" I stood up in shock and squeezed my forearm as the others looked at me strangely.
"What are you doing, John? And when did you get a tattoo?" Alexander was the most observant.
"Never mind that it's eating all my hard work!"
No matter what I did, whether it was channeling energy, physically pinching, or punching the snake, it all amounted to nothing, it devoured all of my skills.
The others just watched in confusion, until suddenly the snake tattoo moved and its head left the tattoo and bit into my neck instantly.
"It's alive?!" They exclaimed.
"Hahahahahaha!! Good little snake!"
Their surprise turned to shock, what kind of a psycho would laugh and praise a snake for biting, they just didn't see the system notification I got or they'd laugh too.
[Your [????? Serpent] has produced a legendary-rank Gift [Eternal's Physique] congratulations!]
[Gift [Eternal's Physique V1]: Includes all previously owned skills in enhanced form. Grants the user the Omnifarious and Synergy traits and applies them to all gained aspects. You stand at the peak of talent.]
'Bingo! I love you little snake!'
Alexander started nagging me with questions again. Soon enough it was night time and time for the second attempt at the formal ball.
I got ready and headed off to the venue with Alexander and Damian in tow.
.
.
We arrived and Chief Elric was waiting at the great formal palace's door.
"I guess I'll have to be more careful this time." I joked.
"Doesn't matter, things have changed. Just don't kill any of the successors or vassals." He spoke strangely, I surmised something had happened.
"Noted," I replied.
"Wait!" He stopped me and looked towards Damian. "Are you sure?" He continued.
"Of course!" I walked past him into the hall.
The gazes of the nobles changed, they were filled with awe more than disdain. Their whispers about my origin were still there but a lot less noticeable than before.
I let loose and socialized, if I wanted a great faction I had to choose some vassals to support me.
'System, find me some talents worthy of the faction I want to build.'
[Customizing [All-Seeing Eye] parameters… done!]
I looked around and floating panels appeared near every person in the hall.
[Young master of the Keter clan, Jacques Keter.]
[Future: S-Rank]
[Specialty: Barrier Formations]
[Bio: The Gray family's barrier masters.
[Recommended]
'The Keter clan? I'll take them.'
I walked over and exchanged greetings with him, he appeared to be a well-mannered calm person.
"Lord Gray," he bowed slightly, his expression unchanging. I knew his sort, the calculating profit-minded sort.
"Jacques Keter. I'm sure you know why I'm here." I got to the point.
"I am honored that you know my name. As for your purpose…I apologize for my bluntness but your status does not seem to equal profit." He replied slowly.
"Your choices aren't exactly varied, a murderous psychopath only free because his father is the family head, and Astel who believes the only he needs is the sword at his waist." I chuckled.
"We don't have to follow one of the three monsters, the other successors also have promise."
"I didn't think you were sort to be content with the moon's reflection in the water rather than the star itself."
"…..true." He remained silent for a while and then gave a knowing nod, it was obvious he started calculating the benefits from the moment he saw me approaching. He got down on one knee and continued in a louder voice. "The Keter family pledge allegiance to the true successor of the Solus direct branch!"
Everyone turned to look and the word spread like wildfire. My next attempts at recruitment would be easier.
"You're already serving me, Keter." I chuckled and helped him up.
"Of course, my lord. Truth be told I am still in awe at your strength from the previous night. If I hadn't come to represent my family and needed to be wary of my status, I would have sought your acquaintance earlier."
"It's all good now." I handed him a glass of wine and turned to leave.
"Good hunting, my lord."
I looked around for more talents…