"How do I even use these gems? And where the hell are they stored? I don't get it."
"Huh? Dude, just open the menu. You'll see a 'Gems' section—go check how many you have, then hit the gacha option and roll. You can roll once or do a ten-pull. Ten uses more gems, obviously, but it's worth it."
"Ohh, so that's what these gems are for?"
"Yup. Stack them up and go for the ten-pulls. That's where the real high-rarity characters and gear show up."
"Nice. Got it."
Julius and Sebastian were chatting in a cozy café. Julius was lost in a gacha game Sebastian had recommended, and he was full of questions.
Just then—
"Boys, coffee's here."
Sapphire arrived with three steaming mugs, placed them gently on the table, and joined them.
"So, what's your level now?" Sebastian asked.
"Only 19," Julius admitted, a bit embarrassed.
"And you, Sapphire?" he turned to her.
"Umm... 59."
"FIFTY-NINE?! HOW?!" Julius almost spilled his coffee.
"She's been grinding for months, bro. That's why." Sebastian chuckled.
Suddenly—
"Master! Master!..."
Julius turned around.
Sebastian looked puzzled. "What happened?"
"I... I don't know. I thought I heard someone calling me."
"Maybe someone important?" Sapphire suggested casually.
"No clue," Julius said, still looking around.
"Master, wake up! Please! Master..."
Julius looked back again, sharper this time.
"You okay, man? Heard it again?" Sebastian asked.
"Yeah... I swear someone's calling out to me."
"Then maybe... you should go back to whoever that is," Sebastian said, half-joking.
"Huh?"
Sapphire leaned closer, a strange look in her eyes. "Try opening your eyes. What if they're right in front of you?"
"Wha...??"
And just like that—
Julius's eyes fluttered open.
His breathing was heavy, vision blurred. His body was trembling.
"Master, don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you!"
Saya was kneeling right in front of him. Wilhelm and his people had already left. Julius had lost a lot of blood—his wound was deep, and the sword that had pierced his stomach was now gone, taken by the enemy.
"Sa... ya..."
His voice was barely a whisper.
"Yes, Master?"
Saya replied with teary eyes.
Julius struggled for breath, then faintly asked:
"You... okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine, Master," Saya answered, wiping her tears.
Julius gave her a weak smile.
"Open... Roses..."
A translucent screen appeared before him:
[You currently have 500 Roses]
[Roses required for Maiden Gacha V2: 500]
[You meet the requirement]
[Do you want to roll the Maiden Gacha V2?]
Two glowing options: Yes and No.
"Yes..."
His voice was fading.
Saya, still crying, watched the screen with confusion.
[You have used 500 Roses to roll the Maiden Gacha V2]
[Current Roses: 0]
Julius could barely keep his eyes open. He prayed, Please let it be a healer... if not, I'm dead for sure...
[You have successfully rolled the Archer Maiden: Serena (R)]
Serena: A battle-hardened archer from a renowned mercenary guild. She has never lost a fight and was once hailed as the best in her entire region. At 29, she's fought for many kingdoms, always securing victory. After her last triumph, she found a magical bow that lets her summon infinite elemental arrows—but she can only summon 3 of one element at a time, with a 5-minute cooldown for that element. Lost in the void of the Maiden Gacha V2, she now seeks her way back to her world.
"Are you... my Master?"
Her voice was mature, sultry—like a woman in her prime.
She had long blond hair tied in a high ponytail, bangs falling softly over her forehead—different from Saya's. A green scarf hugged her neck. Her eyes were golden, her lashes long, lips ruby red.
Her body was sculpted—tight waist, wide hips, larger bust than Saya's, and slightly tanned, flawless skin.
She wore a golden T-shirt under a brown leather chest plate, revealing a daring amount of cleavage. Below, golden shorts and skin-tight leggings showed off her toned legs.
On her feet, brown sandals. And slung across her shoulder—a gorgeous, golden magical bow that shimmered with intricate design. Her teeth, slightly fang-like, gave her an aura of mystery.
"Ah... so I'm doomed..."
Julius muttered in a faint, trembling voice.
"Huh? Master, listen—yeah, I'm not a healer, true. But that doesn't mean I'm letting you die. And you—don't cry, Saya baby. I've got this."
Serena smiled confidently, her voice calm yet playful as she stepped forward and gripped her bow.
She held the string with her right hand and the handle with her left, then pulled it back. A glowing green arrow materialized from thin air, crackling softly with magical energy.
She turned to Saya and took aim.
"Don't be afraid, Saya babe, okay? Just trust me."
Without another word, she released the arrow. It flew straight toward Saya's chest. Saya didn't even have time to react—she couldn't dodge. The arrow struck directly in the center of her chest, and the recoil knocked her backward onto the ground.
"S-Saya...!"
Julius gasped weakly, eyes wide with fear as his voice grew fainter and his vision blurrier with each second.
Serena then turned her gaze to him.
"Now it's your turn, my lovely master."
She smiled again, then loosed another arrow, just like the first, straight into Julius's chest.
His world went completely dark.
His eyes shut.
His body went limp—falling quietly toward Saya's side, lifeless.