[You have found a Store.]
[Do you wish to learn more about Stores?]

I remembered once, when I installed a game app on my cell phone. It had quite the simple mechanics, with some puzzles and tons of distinct characters I could chose to complete my daily missions. The main issue most players had with that game, however, was its gacha system.

The initial characters were bland with lacking designs, and the scenarios players had to complete with them got repetitive after a few months.

Wanted stronger, cooler characters? Had to spin the roulette.

Wanted awesome skins and exclusive character-weapons? Had to spin the roulette.

New and fun scenarios?

Spin the roulette.

It didn't help the algorithm was unfair and rarely gave the best prizes. The developers forced users to become slaves to the game, dedicating their entire week just to get one character they wanted. Me, included.

In the end, it was simply not worth it. I had better things to do with my time and if all I was seeking was a way to distract myself, there were other games I could, and did, play.

However, I remembered my frustration and anger with every spun roulette where I got the same trashy character and boring scenarios. I actually broke my cell phone screen that way; it was a really embarrassing memory I hated to recall.

Yet as I stood at the Store, all those memories came rushing back to me.

In front of my eyes was a giant gacha, with a few categories I could choose from. Armor, Weapons, Cards, and Consumables. It even had in display the best items: an incredible full-set golden armor, a breathtaking ice spear, potions with the most powerful and vivid colors, and at last, purple and silver cards with beautiful covers.

Yet they could be giving me a fucking black, flying unicorn for free, with gold fries on the side—

It was still a gacha system.

"If you could see the look on your face..." Hal's voice brought me back to reality, the boy fighting for dear life to hold back a laugh. And failing.

I passed my hand through my hair, trying to lessen the rage. They couldn’t settle for a boring, NPC-owned store, could they?

No, it had to be a damned gacha.

"How does it work? Do you have to exchange your points here as well?"

Hal opened his mouth yet Hildr jumped in front of him. "You choose the type of item you want, then you say how many attempts you will make and the system makes the conversion!"

"If your Coin status is high, you can get better items." Hal's head popped up on Hil's shoulder, resting his arms on her.

As I recalled, the Coin status meant 'Luck'.

Hah.

Was that system joking with me? Someone wants me to lose my mind here…

"Did you try to get anything yet?"

Hil gave a spin while Hal took out a small knife from his pocket.

"Hil got the dress, I got this knife. But we increased our Coin status before trying."

How could a kid like that hold a knife in such a carefree way?

Better question; why did he know how to use it that well, enough to do tricks with it?

"My dress protects me against fire spells!"

I raised my eyebrows. This is actually very good.

Maybe it was worth it to invest a bit in 'Luck' to try and get a nice armor. My clothes were like a tutorial equipment, they granted me no bonuses, protection, or skills whatsoever.

No clue what those cards are…and potions’ effects usually have a time limit.

At that moment, I wanted ever-lasting items that could give me an advantage not only during the next trial but throughout the entire game.

I tried to open the menu without speaking out loud and it worked; the icons popping up in front of me. Going to the Status window, I clicked on the Coin icon.

[Do you wish to spend 75 points to increase Coins by 3?]

Oh? It was cheaper. Interesting.

I confirmed, then repeated the transaction a couple of times. By the end, I had spent 710 points.

[Coins: 10]

This should be good for a first try, right?

"Wait, are you seriously going to try?"

"Oh, what are you trying to get, mister?!"

They spoke almost simultaneously, getting closer to me as I approached the gacha.

"An armor."

"You should try some potions, too. A guy came here earlier and left with two full bags."

"He also got a cool coat."

"Was not—the coat was pretty dull."

"It was cool." Hil reaffirmed, which only got her an annoyed look from her brother.

Cool coat or not, I was wondering who was the person who decided to invest that much in potions.

I pressed the 'Armor' button, ‘1’ for number of attempts—

And then almost choked when I read the system’s notification.

More and more I got convinced the thing who created and controlled that system was a demonic spawn, or its closest kin.

[Do you wish to expend 1500 points for 1 attempt at the roulette?]

1500?!

For ONE attempt?

Yeah, I really wanted to know who was the maniac who spent points enough to leave not only with a coat but two full bags of potions.

Damn, should I really spend so much just for one item? No matter how I looked, it was a heavy investment.

Hal appeared at my side, impatience showing in his voice. "What are you waiting for? Are you getting something or not?"

"You know, kids like you should act cuter."

His eyes got so dark. "Bite me."

"Hal, language! My brother is really cute, mister. He just doesn't express himself well."

"Yes, I do. I mean exactly what I say."

A soft chuckle escape through my lips, forcing me to avert my gaze.

Somehow, seeing how the two interacted and supported each other... It reminded me of me and Hana.

She was the cute, wonder child who stole attention the same way she stole people's breath away. Our parents doted on her as if she was a national treasure.

And my mother...

I shook my head. No need to let memories of that woman haunt me in this place. Not after I finally freed myself from her. A freedom I wanted to keep it that way.

"Okay! Let's do this. Hope I won't regret it."

I confirmed, the entire gacha trembling and shaking.

I saw thousands of colored ampoules turning and moving from the inside until, at last, a single one began its descent in a spiral. When it finally reached the end, the sound of trumpets echoed around us.

The twins widened their eyes briefly, exchanging glances.

"What? Something wrong?" I asked, furrowing my brows.

"Just see what item you got, already."

Yup, Hal—not a cute kid at all.

My hand reached for the ampoule. There was a strange, starry liquid inside.

"What do I do now? Do I drink this or—"

Hal took the object out of my hands and threw it on the ground.

A dense, purple and glowing mist came out of the glass, going up and condensing itself in front of me, taking a shape. After only a few seconds, there was a silver breastplate facing me, an eerie glow surrounding it.

[You received 'Warrior's Protector'!]

I clicked on the descriptions.

[Warrior's Protector - B Class Armor]
[Once owned by a powerful warrior; It shall protect its user from physical attacks.]
[Increase Wands by 2]
[Rarity: Uncommon]

I raised my eyebrows, touching my chin. That was not bad at all, when I thought about it. Especially the status increase, it should be extremely helpful.

Noticing a '+' icon at the top of the description, a small window appeared the moment I pressed it. With one sentence only.

[This item possesses a hidden trait. Meet the requirements to unlock it.]

I must have pressed that button a thousand times, trying to see what the requirements were. Apparently, the system was not really fond of telling me. Perhaps it heard me calling it a demon spawn.

Perhaps I had hurt its feelings.

Or perhaps this is what I should expect from a system that uses a fucking gacha store.

Still, a hidden trait…

My curiosity was picked.

What I had to do in order to unlock the mysterious trait? I kept trying to remember everything I knew about these kinds of games, as well as the fantasy stories I read from time to time. Yet I liked strategy games best and usually read thrillers and suspense novels.

There was a game I really loved; StarAlliance Across Frontiers.

It had quite a unique system for invading and conquering planets. There was a rule where players could not enter planets they knew nothing about and to increase their knowledge, they had to study the planets’ atmosphere, gravity, and classification; if it was a gas or ice giant, terrestrial worlds, and so on.

Players also had to reach a minimum level depending on the planet they wanted to conquer, and levels were based on players' knowledge regarding planet type.

Maybe my current situation was similar? Still, it was hard to know. Especially when the system would share nothing more regarding the item's requirements.

"Pick the item already. How long it takes for you to read the descriptions?"

"Mister, what does it say?! Is it a cool item?"

"It looks pretty ugly."

"C'mon, Hal, it looks cool!"

I left the twins to their own discussion, reaching for the breastplate. It disappeared for a moment, materializing on my chest two seconds later.

Huh, didn't look so bad.

"So, what does it do?"

Although there was annoyance in his voice, I could see curiosity shining on both their gazes. They were children, after all.

"It says it protects me against physical attacks. It also has a hidden trait."

I wished I had a camera to take a photo of their faces.

"I bet he doesn't know how to unlock the trait." When he saw my expression, Hal grinned; a smile so wide it could swallow his face. "Wait, you really don't know?! Maybe the system thinks you are stupid t—"

Hildr pushed her brother to the side, giving him a nasty look. When she turned to me, she was back with the seraphic smile.

"Mister is smart! You will figure it out in no time."

Her cuteness hurt my heart.

I patted her head, despite myself.

"Well, thank you for sharing what you knew. I'm sure this item will come in handy," I said, knocking the breastplate a few times, the metal vibrating on my chest. "Are you guys hungry?"

They both nodded.

"Do you know a place where we can eat?"

And the look they gave me was priceless.