The morning light streamed through the cracks in the stone walls of Graythorn Keep, illuminating the sparse, cold chamber where Leonard Eldridge slept. His eyes fluttered open, and for a brief moment, he felt disoriented, the events of the previous day a blur. But the glowing spiral etched on the back of his hand brought it all rushing back.
He sat up, staring at the strange mark, its soft blue light pulsing faintly. It wasn't painful, but its presence felt… alive, as if it were waiting for something.
Before he could think further, a voice, calm and emotionless, echoed in his mind.
[Welcome, Leonard Eldridge. You have been granted access to the Gacha System.]
Leo's heart jumped, his breath catching. The voice wasn't threatening, but its sudden intrusion was unnerving. He looked around the room, half-expecting to see someone—or something—there.
"Who… what are you?" he asked aloud, his voice unsteady.
[I am the interface for the Gacha System. My purpose is to guide you in using this power.]
Leo frowned, his thoughts racing. The Nameless God had mentioned the system, but hearing it speak to him now made it feel far more real. "And what exactly does this 'system' do?"
[The Gacha System allows you to summon tools, weapons, people, and resources to aid in your endeavors. Your imagination and efforts determine its potential. You currently possess one Banner Creation Token, which can be used to create a banner aligned with your needs. Would you like a tutorial?]
Leo hesitated. The words were clinical, almost detached, yet they carried an undertone of opportunity. "Yes," he said finally. "Explain it to me."
The glowing symbol on Leo's hand brightened, and a translucent screen materialized in the air before him. It displayed a simple interface with various icons, each labeled with unfamiliar terms.
[Key Mechanics of the Gacha System:
Banner Creation Tokens: Rare items that allow you to create a custom banner based on your imagination.
Tokens: Used to summon items from banners. Regular tokens are banner-specific.
Item Ranks: Items are categorized from F-Rank (common) to SSS-Rank (legendary).
Pull Guarantees: Every 10 pulls guarantees at least a B-Rank item.
Acquisition: Tokens are earned through quests or accomplishments.]
The explanation continued, breaking down the system into manageable pieces. Leo listened intently, his initial skepticism giving way to cautious curiosity.
"So, I can create a banner," he said slowly, "and summon anything related to its theme?"
[Correct. Your imagination determines the scope of the banner. You have one Banner Creation Token available. Would you like to create a banner now?]
Leo thought for a moment. His mind flashed to the crumbling walls, the broken tools, the desperate villagers. If he could choose anything, it had to be something that would help rebuild Elandria.
"Yes," he said firmly. "Let's create a banner."
The interface shifted, displaying a blank slate.
[Describe your banner.]
Leo closed his eyes, focusing on what Elandria needed most. "I want tools and resources," he began. "Things that can help restore the land and defend it if necessary. No luxuries, no weapons of mass destruction—just practical, reliable items."
The screen glowed, the outline of a banner taking shape. A name floated at the top:
[The Rebuilder's Arsenal.]
Leo opened his eyes and smiled faintly. "That's perfect."
[Banner creation complete. You have been granted 10 regular tokens for this banner. Would you like to make your first pulls?]
Leo nodded, excitement bubbling despite himself. "Let's do it."
The interface displayed a glowing button labeled Pull. With some hesitation, Leo pressed it.
The screen shimmered, and a small burst of light revealed his first item:
[F-Rank: Pickaxe (Reinforced Steel)]
"Not bad," Leo muttered, inspecting the image. He pressed the button again.
[F-Rank: Shovel (Earthbinder Alloy)]
[F-Rank: Mana Lantern (Small)]
The items continued to appear—basic tools, useful but unremarkable. Leo was beginning to doubt the system's value when the screen glowed brighter, the next item outlined in gold.
[D-Rank: Quick-Hardening Mortar]
The description explained that the mortar could bond even unstable materials together in seconds, perfect for repairing walls.
"Now we're getting somewhere," Leo said, his excitement building. He pressed the button again, reaching the tenth pull. The screen flashed brilliantly, and a larger item materialized.
[B-Rank: Blueprint of Prosperity]
The Blueprint glowed with a faint golden light, its surface etched with intricate designs. The description read:
[This magical map reveals locations of fertile land, water sources, and natural resources within its range.]
Leo's breath caught. This was exactly what Elandria needed.
Leo wasted no time showing the Blueprint of Prosperity to Eldric. Together, they spread the map on a table in the keep's main hall, its glowing lines forming a detailed image of the surrounding land.
"There," Eldric said, pointing to a spot near the village. "The map indicates an underground aquifer."
"If we can tap into it, it could solve the water scarcity," Leo said.
The next day, armed with tools from the Gacha System, Leo led a team of villagers to the site. The digging was hard work, but the reinforced pickaxe and shovel made it easier. Hours later, they struck water—clear, clean, and plentiful.
Cheers erupted as the villagers watched the water flow, their expressions shifting from despair to cautious hope.
"You've done more in a day than the last lord did in years," Garret said, clapping Leo on the back.
Leo smiled, though he felt the weight of their expectations pressing down on him.
As the villagers celebrated their newfound water source, Garret pulled Leo aside, his expression grim.
"There's something else," Garret said. "Scouts spotted more bandits gathering on the outskirts of the territory. Looks like they're planning a bigger raid."
Leo's stomach tightened. The bandits had already been a problem, but now they were becoming a serious threat.
"How long do we have?" Leo asked.
"Maybe a week," Garret replied. "They're getting bold, and I doubt they'll stop with a single raid."
Leo nodded, his mind racing. The Gacha System had proven its worth, but tools alone wouldn't be enough to fend off a determined attack. They needed strategy, preparation, and perhaps another pull from The Rebuilder's Arsenal.
He looked toward the horizon, determination hardening in his chest. The system had given him a chance—a spark of potential. Now it was up to him to use it wisely.
"Then we'll be ready," Leo said. "We're not letting them take what's ours."