Chereads / Cursing My Way Through The Heaven / Chapter 3 - Pledge and Rolling the Roulette

Chapter 3 - Pledge and Rolling the Roulette

"Hmm, I must commend your unwavering determination and resilience. You've certainly earned my respect," Xiao Han murmured to himself, reflecting on the promises he had made in his past life. "I vowed to protect your..no,…my two elder sisters, sever their forced engagements, and bolster the strength of the Han Kingdom. Well then, let's see how this unfolds. After all, I have this Cursing System, and I can swear to my heart's content in this realm too." With a resolute nod, he steeled himself for the challenges that lay ahead, determined to forge his own path in this new incarnation.

As he rose to his feet, Han Xiao's gaze hardened, his fingers curling around the hilt of the long sword resting upon the verdant grass. "These three were my best friends," he muttered bitterly, grappling with the betrayal that had shattered their bond of trust. "But what drove them to betray me? Let me search their belongings, perhaps I'll find some answers."

Rummaging through their lifeless forms, he discovered a letter concealed amidst their possessions, along with three gleaming beast cores of 3-Star Soldier Rank beasts. The revelation sent a chill down his spine, as suspicion gnawed at his thoughts. What secrets lay hidden within this letter and those beast cores, and what sinister machinations had led his once-loyal companions astray? With a steely resolve, Han Xiao vowed to unravel the truth behind their betrayal, no matter the cost.

With trembling hands, Han Xiao unfolded the letter, his eyes scanning the damning words etched upon its surface:

"Kill Prince Han Xiao, and you three will be rewarded with seats in the inner court of the palace. Take these three beast cores as your first promise reward."

At the conclusion of the missive, a signature adorned with the emblem of a serpent devouring its own tail in crimson ink sent shivers down his spine. The sinister design served as a chilling reminder of the depths of treachery lurking within the shadows, its meaning clear: betrayal ran deep, and no one was safe from its grasp.

"Hmm," Han Xiao muttered grimly, his eyes flashing with determination. "It seems there was indeed an assassination attempt on this young man, and tragically, it succeeded. But today, the bad guys have made a grave mistake. For I, Han Xiao, have been reincarnated in his body. I swear to hunt you down and send you all to meet your maker. You lot are nothing but trouble in my path."

With a solemn pledge, he tucked the letter securely inside his shirt, his resolve hardened by the weight of his newfound purpose. With a determined mindset, he was wondering, no… more like expecting the journey ahead would be fraught with danger and deception, but Han Xiao was prepared to confront any obstacle in his quest for justice and redemption.

"Now, let's see how this cursed roulette system works," Han Xiao muttered to himself, his thoughts consumed by curiosity and determination. Focusing his mind, he visualized the crimson interface, willing it to appear before him.

In an instant, the red interface materialized, its intricate design pulsating with mysterious energy.

As if sensing his intent, a roulette wheel materialized before Han Xiao, its design reminiscent of a clock face, but with ten arrow-like hands instead of the usual three. Ten slots lay before him, and with a decisive motion, he inserted the ten keys he had collected into each of them.

With the final key inserted, the roulette wheel sprang to life, its vibrant colors swirling as it began to rotate. Han Xiao watched with bated breath as the hands of the roulette danced around the dial, each passing moment feeling like an eternity.

After three tense breaths of time, the roulette gradually slowed to a halt, the hands coming to rest at ten distinct points on the dial. With a mixture of anticipation and trepidation, Han Xiao awaited to explore the depths of this enigmatic system, ready to unlock its secrets and harness its power for his own ends.

As the roulette wheel came to a stop, Han Xiao's heart sank as he read the disappointing message:

Better Luck Next Time!

Better Luck Next Time!

Better Luck Next Time!

Gain a Key!

Better Luck Next Time!

Better Luck Next Time!

Gain a Shopping Key!

Better Luck Next Time!

...

Gain A Forbidden Cultivation Technique!

At first, Han Xiao's heart sank as disappointment washed over him, blaming his perceived bad luck for the string of unsuccessful spins. However, a glimmer of hope ignited within him as he realized he had acquired something valuable from the ten keys.

"A Forbidden Cultivation Technique! That must be something good," he murmured, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. With renewed determination, he reached out towards the interface, his fingertips tingling with anticipation.

As he made contact, the words on the interface dispersed into specks of crimson sand, swirling around him before seamlessly entering his forehead. Han Xiao closed his eyes, embracing the sensation as the forbidden knowledge seeped into his consciousness, unlocking secrets that would propel him toward new heights of power and enlightenment.

Ding! Checking compatibility for the technique.

"What happens if it's not compatible with it?" Curiosity piqued, Han Xiao voiced his question aloud, eager for insight into the potential consequences of incompatibility with the forbidden technique.

In response, a sentence materialized within the red interface, offering clarity to his query:

[If compatible, then you can practice it. If not, then better luck next time.]

"What the heck with 'better luck next'? I've had my fill of that for a day," he grumbled cynically, voicing his discontent with the perceived bias of the system.

In a cruel twist of fate, his bitter words triggered another notification:

"Ding! +1 Curse Point Gain! [Total Curse Points: 22]"

The irony was not lost on him as he gained yet another curse point, a bitter reminder of the adversities that seemed to follow him at every turn. With a resigned sigh, Han Xiao resolved to persevere despite the odds.

Realizing that he had already gained a key and a shopping key, his curiosity was piqued as he examined the shopping key. "What is with the shopping key?" he inquired, seeking clarification.

In response, a message materialized in the red interface:

[Shopping Key: They are used for unlocking special techniques and spells. Sometimes it can be used in exchange for crafting artifacts or making pills!]

A spark of realization lit up within him as he absorbed the information. "Crafting artifacts and making pills! Then this one is even more important than the keys, at least they won't give me 'Better Luck Next Time' in my face, yes?" he remarked, a glimmer of optimism shining through his cynical demeanor.