The first light of dawn pierced through the shroud of night, painting the forest in a soft golden hue. Finn Adler was already on his way back to Blackwind Keep, fallen leaves crunching under his boots. The metallic tang of blood from last night's shrine still lingered faintly in his nose, a memory that refused to fade — yet his heart was calm, untouched. The only ripple within him came from mild dissatisfaction with his lottery result — that flicker of violet luck had slipped past his grasp once again.
As he walked, his mind sank inward, his gaze falling upon the system interface — four remaining Basic Draws flickering faintly.Four chances. Enough for scraps, perhaps, but not much more.
"Use them all."
The white wheel spun rapidly in his mind, four times in total. Each stop revealed mediocrity: a bottle of low-quality healing potion with a bitter aftertaste, a rusted iron sword nicked along the edge, and two sacks of rock-hard rations that could break one's teeth. Crumbs scattered across the interface like an insult.
Finn wasn't surprised. This was the usual state of the Basic Pool — true treasures never surfaced easily. Real power came from Intermediate Draws, and those demanded mountains of gold.
He quickened his pace, his goal clear — Southvale, a modest county town on the outskirts of the Gryphon's Roost Mountains. It wasn't large, but it was the main trading hub of the surrounding hills — and the first stop where he would turn his spoils from the shrine into strength.
By the time he reached Southvale, the sun hung high. The cobbled streets were worn with ruts from cartwheels. Vendors shouted from behind their stalls; women sat on doorsteps stitching soles; children ran laughing through clouds of dust and savory cooking scents. The air was thick with life.
Finn didn't go straight to the Four Seas Money House. Instead, he ducked into a nearby establishment bearing the sign "Shunda Carriage & Horse Line." A few silver coins bought him an old, unremarkable covered wagon — dull brown, mud still crusted along its canvas edges. The perfect disguise.
A lone warrior carrying bulging money pouches drew too much attention. But a traveling merchant in a shabby wagon? Invisible.
Only then did he steer the wagon leisurely toward the largest money house in town. Inside, the counter was carved of redwood, and the clerks wore clean blue tunics with practiced smiles.Finn poured the shrine's loot onto the counter — a messy pile of mixed coppers, silvers, and a few worn gold coins that clinked sharply against the wood.
"Exchange them all for gold."
The clerk counted deftly, fingers dancing through the pile, occasionally weighing a handful on a small scale. After half a stick of incense, he pushed two sealed leather bags across the counter. His voice lowered slightly:
"Sir, that'll be two hundred and thirty-one gold coins in total. Please check."
Finn took the bags — the weight alone steadied his heart. He didn't bother counting. A brief nod, and he turned to leave.Out of the corner of his eye, however, he caught several predatory gazes — idle thugs loitering near the entrance, shirts half-open, eyes glinting with greed. Fingers traced the hilts of their knives.
Without a word, Finn slid the money bags into a hidden compartment under the wagon seat, flicked the reins, and rolled out of town at a lazy pace. The rhythmic clop-clop of the horse's hooves on the cobbles played like a warning drumbeat for the tails following behind.
Once past the gate, he turned onto a secluded forest path. With only the rustling wind for company, he drew the curtains shut, sealing himself from the world. The dim wagon interior, streaked with slivers of sunlight, was the perfect place for another round of draws.
He poured out every coin — including the five thousand in advance payment from Lady Isolde Vance. The golden pile gleamed on his knees, bathing the cramped space in brilliance.
"System, recharge all."
[Gold successfully recharged. Current balance: 7,300.][You have obtained 73 Basic Draw chances.]
Finn's eyes sharpened, like a hawk locking onto prey.
"Synthesize six Intermediate Draws."
[Synthesis complete. You have 6 Intermediate Draw chances remaining, and 13 Basic Draws left.]
The sea-blue wheel appeared once more, brighter than before. Along its rim shimmered delicate ripples of light — and in one corner, that deep, alluring violet glow pulsed like a star in the night.
[Assist Character: Inquisitor Valerius Caedo]
Six golden words glimmered within the violet slot. Six draws — four times his previous chance. At last, the odds were worth the risk.Finn inhaled slowly, calm on the surface, but fire roared beneath.
"Begin — six draws!"
The wheel exploded in a whirl of color — green, blue, and violet light weaving in a dazzling storm.
The first result emerged in a burst of blue:[Congratulations! You've obtained: Golden Body Art (Blue)]A body-refinement art that strengthens the skin, bones, and sinew. At mastery, the body can withstand common weapons, emitting a faint defensive glow.
The second flashed right after:[Congratulations! You've obtained: Bone-Melting Cotton Palm (Blue)]A soft, penetrating palm technique that bypasses armor and paralyzes its target. Complements forceful battle arts perfectly.
Two blue-grade martial skills in a row — a solid gain.One for defense, one for technique. A balanced foundation.
But Finn's gaze never left the violet sector.
The wheel spun faster, then slower, wavering between colors — until, as if pulled by unseen fate, the pointer leapt across several blue slots and landed squarely on violet.
"Wummmm—!"
A deep hum resonated through his soul. His vision was engulfed in radiant purple light, and across the glowing interface appeared a line of golden text — solemn and divine.
[Congratulations! You've drawn a God-Tier Reward: Assist Character — Inquisitor Valerius Caedo (Violet)!][Name: Valerius Caedo][Title: Former Sub-Commissioner of the Imperial Inquisition; Overseer of Border Justice; Suppressed three major rebellions.][Power Level: Champion Rank 4][Loyalty: Absolute (System-bound, cannot betray)][Abilities: Eye of Judgment (reveals disguises and weaknesses below own rank); Iron Edict (deals +15% damage against Evil-aligned targets)]
He'd done it.
Finn's heart pounded; exhilaration surged through every vein.A Champion Rank 4 ally — a powerhouse. The road ahead, escorting Lady Isolde, would be far smoother now.
Before he could savor the triumph, the remaining three results rolled in, as though touched by violet luck — not a single common item among them.
[Congratulations! You've obtained: Wind-Chasing Steps (Blue)][Congratulations! You've obtained: Hundred-Forged Steel Armor (Blue)][Congratulations! You've obtained: Healing Pills ×3 (Blue)]
Six draws — one violet, five blue. A divine harvest.
"Extract all."
Information flooded his mind. Heat coursed through his veins as Golden Body Art strengthened muscle and bone, coating his flesh in faint golden luster; Bone-Melting Cotton Palm fused seamlessly with his fighting style, blending hard and soft energies into harmony.The resonance of both arts pushed his power upward, shattering his old limit.
[System Notice: Cultivation advanced to Mortal Rank 8!][Assist Character Inquisitor Valerius Caedo has materialized at the Southvale city gate. Awaiting orders.]
Finn's eyes snapped open, gleaming. His aura was heavier, steadier.He tossed a heavy pouch — fifty silvers — to the startled driver.
"The wagon and supplies are yours. You don't need to wait."
Then he leapt down and invoked Wind-Chasing Steps. His body lightened, feet barely touching the ground as he raced through the forest like smoke toward the city gate.
There, among the bustling crowd, stood a man who could not be ignored.
Dressed in a tailored black silk robe, Inquisitor Valerius Caedo exuded both elegance and menace. His skin was pale, his eyes long and dark like pools without bottom. In his hand, he held a scroll tied with a red cord; at his hip hung a slender sword sheathed in deep brown, etched with fine runes. He looked the very image of a scholar — until one met his gaze.
Though surrounded by noise and motion, an invisible boundary seemed to part the crowd around him. No one came close.
As Finn approached, Valerius closed the scroll, stepped forward, and bowed deeply — calm, precise, unwavering.
"Your servant, Valerius Caedo, greets my Lord."
Before Finn could reply, coarse laughter broke through the air. The same thugs from the money house swaggered forward, knives flashing.
"Hey, boy. You made a nice haul back there. Be smart — hand it over, and maybe we'll let you walk—"
The words died in his throat.
Valerius didn't turn. Didn't even blink.He merely lifted his left hand and flicked his fingers.
Snap.
A sound as soft as dust being brushed away — and the lead thug dropped, a neat hole in his forehead spilling a thin line of red.
The others froze. Then panic.
Valerius blurred. A shadow among men. His pale fingers brushed each throat with the grace of a whisper.
When he reappeared beside Finn, the thugs still stood — until crimson lines bloomed along their necks, and they toppled soundlessly to the cobbles.
His sword had never left its sheath.
From his sleeve, Valerius drew a white silk handkerchief and elegantly wiped his spotless hands. His voice was calm, deferential.
"The noise offending you, my Lord — has been silenced."
A Champion Rank 4 indeed — terrifying power wrapped in poise.Finn nodded, utterly convinced.
"Abandon the wagon. We're returning to Blackwind Keep. Now."
"As you command, my Lord."
They moved together — Finn a blur of wind, Valerius a streak of shadow. Two figures darted through the forest, bound for the Gryphon's Roost Mountains.
With Valerius Caedo by his side, the so-called "threats" hiding in those mountains — wolf clans, bandit chiefs, and worse — were nothing but chickens waiting for the slaughter.