Hinata POV
So, it's a gacha system. It can be ranked from the worst to the best depending on the cards range. Let's see how this one works, is it limited to a specific world, or does it cover something bigger?
It seems I'm going to be really overpowered since this system's card range is Omniversal. There's no limit to what I can get… maybe even items from other realities. But that also means I might draw a lot of useless cards, since not every one of them will be helpful.
To get a card, I need three points, and I only gain one point per day. That means one new card every three days.
That's the only method currently available. There's no option to exchange money or items for points.
It does limit the number of cards I can obtain, but even so, it's still good enough.
My two Unique Skills alone are enough for me to reach the top of this world if I use them properly. But the Gacha System, that's going to be my true trump card. Something no one else will ever understand. It'll grant me access to a wide range of abilities, powers that transcend worlds. Some might even be too powerful for this one.
Now then, since I can't use the Gacha immediately, I should focus on my next move.
If I remember correctly, Hinata was trained under Shizue and later joined Lubelius. But now that I've taken her place, following the exact same path feels dull. I'm not interested in living a scripted life. At least for now, I don't plan on joining Luminous.
Of course, that decision comes with drawbacks. I won't have access to high-grade equipment, proper training from experienced figures, or the vast pool of magical knowledge that Lubelius holds.
Still, freedom is worth the trade. I'll carve my own path, even if it's outside the story that was meant to be hers.
"Gr'ta! Vork sha'nek thar'ru!"
The sudden shout snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned around instantly, instincts kicking in.
Three men stood behind me, rough-looking, faces marked with scars, each holding a sword.
Right. How could I forget? When Hinata first arrived in this world, she encountered three bandits just like these.
As one of them stepped forward, I immediately activated Mathematician and used Analytical Appraisal.
The results came flooding in.
No Arts. No Magic. Not even Skills with one exception, maybe the leader, who also had a Common Skill, Farsight.
I triggered Thought Acceleration, pushing my mind into overdrive. My surroundings seemed to slow as I ran simulations through Predictive Calculation.
If I tried to run, survival rate, less than ten percent.
"Tch." Not good.
I didn't know exactly how Hinata handled this situation originally, but one thing was clear, if I couldn't fight yet, I needed to change the odds in my favour.
Without hesitation, I activated Usurper.
Instead of using Copy, I went straight for Seize, locking onto the guy with Farsight.
Right after that, I felt something draining, probably my magicules, and then this weird sensation, like something touching me, creeping inside.
Skill Seizure Successful.
Farsight acquired.
I didn't waste any time and immediately activated it, zooming in on the area behind the bandits, trying to see where they came from.
The forest around me didn't seem too dangerous. Not many monsters nearby, at least not the high-level ones. If there were, these guys wouldn't be moving around so casually. Their magicule resistance was way too low for that.
That could only mean one thing, there's probably a human settlement nearby. Either they came from there, or they were planning to hit it.
I couldn't help but grin a little.
Thought Acceleration really is a cheat. If it weren't for it, there's no way I could've processed all that so fast.
As soon as my perception returned to normal, I bolted, running as fast as my new body would let me.
"hirrek!"
"toldra er!"
Their voices echoed behind me, but I ignored them completely. Every ounce of focus went into moving these unfamiliar legs properly. My balance was off, my stride shorter than I was used to, but I could still move fast enough to put some distance between us.
.....
??? POV
"Yuuki, are you sure you don't need my help anymore?" I asked as we walked through the forest. It was peaceful here, no monsters in sight. The magicule density in this area was low, and regular subjugations kept any spawns in check.
"Don't worry, Sensei," Yuuki replied with that easy smile of his. "You've already done enough. The Free Guild's running smoothly now. The death rate among adventurers is way lower than last year when it was still the Mutual Aid Association. It's time you took a break."
I ignored that last part. Rest? That's not something I'll do until I'm on my deathbed. Still, everything he said was true. Ever since the Mutual Aid Association was reformed into the Free Guild, things had genuinely changed for the better.
The monster ranking system was more accurate now, giving adventurers better intel and preparation. They had rights and proper compensation for the risks they took. For once, the balance between humanity and monsters didn't feel hopeless.
It really was a new era, even for someone like me.
"I'm proud of you, Yuuki," I said, turning to look at him. "You've done more for this world than you realise."
He smiled again, same as always, the same black hair, the same dark brown eyes.
Who would've thought that the stray I once saved, a boy with no one and nothing in this world, would become someone capable of changing it so much?
"It wouldn't have been this easy without your support," he said with a light chuckle.
And I knew he wasn't exaggerating. My influence had played a key role in all this. The more I looked back, the clearer it became, the foundation of the Free Guild, the trust between adventurers and nations, even the stability of the Western Nations, it all started from the ripples I caused.
It was during this time that I truly realised something, my name, the Conqueror of Flames, carried far more weight than I'd ever imagined.
"Hmm," I murmured, pausing and turning my eyes to the left. Yuuki's expression shifted instantly, curiosity mixed with unease. He must not be using his Mana Perception.
"What's wrong, Sensei?" he asked cautiously.
"I'm sensing a girl running from bandits," I said.
The moment the words left my mouth, Yuuki's mood sank, just like mine. He had fought countless monsters, changed the world, and yet… humans were another story entirely. Even for the Free Guild, it was humans who caused more problems than monsters ever did many times.
"We should save her. She must be from the town," Yuuki said, drawing his sword. He knew I didn't like killing.
"Yes, we should save her," I replied, already darting off before he could answer.
"You take down those bandits! I'm going after her!"
Reaching her wasn't difficult, with my speed, it only took a few seconds. I landed in front of the girl, blocking her path. She froze immediately, eyes wide.
For a moment, I thought she recognised me, the way her expression shifted when she saw my mask, it felt familiar.
Now that I looked closer, her clothes are like...
"Please help me! I think I'm in another world!"
I blinked.
Did she just speak Japanese?
Another stray?
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