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The badge was exquisitely crafted, layered with deliberate detail.
A deep violet border framed its outer edge, faint translucent mist drifting outward from it, carrying a distant, almost otherworldly aura.
Intricate crimson patterns spread across the metallic surface. Though their exact meaning was difficult to decipher, a single glance was enough to feel the power woven into them.
At the very center rested a flawless crimson gemstone. Subtle energy flowed within it, pulsing softly. There was a quiet authority emanating from its core something vast, almost planetary giving the Cursed Dream, Dawn badge a weight of solemn reverence.
Kael brushed his fingers lightly across its surface.
Instead of cold metal, warmth met his touch.
A quiet emotion stirred in his eyes.
The effects were excellent.
A flat twenty percent increase in critical hit rate was already significant. For him, it wasn't just an improvement it was a breakthrough.
From the next reincarnation onward, the badge meant he would genuinely have a much higher chance of striking vital points.
"Critical hits."
A concept from the games of his previous life attacks that dealt one and a half times normal damage when they struck a weak point.
In theory, powerful.
In practice, luck-dependent.
In a real-world setting, however, the idea was far less rigid. Damage wasn't a fixed multiplier. A blow to the skull and a strike to the abdomen were never equal.
Across his previous cycles, Kael had landed vital strikes occasionally but rarely.
Even combining his Ampharos and Machamp lives, the number probably didn't exceed fifty.
Part of it was indifference.
Mostly, it was probability.
Now, with a twenty percent boost, even terrible luck would eventually yield results.
One in five strikes.
At sufficient speed, that meant a steady stream of devastating blows.
The second effect ten percent increase in critical damage was even more important.
It sounded modest.
But at high levels of power, scaling mattered more than base numbers.
Take his battle against Xerneas.
If he had landed a critical hit at his peak strength, that extra ten percent amplification would have exceeded the full-force punch he could deliver back when he was still a Machoke.
The two effects complemented one another perfectly.
In fact, Kael could build an entire combat style around them.
Compared to most items in the system shop, this single badge offered more long-term value.
System equipment was consumable.
Reincarnation badges followed the soul.
He flicked the metal lightly.
With a crisp chime, the crimson badge dissolved into light and merged into him.
Truthfully, the raw stats mattered less to him than what the badge represented.
Dark Star Thunder.
Cursed Dream, Dawn.
Each badge held memories and moments that defined him.
Their spiritual weight far surpassed their mechanical benefits.
They would keep him from growing hollow over endless cycles.
They were proof of who he had been.
Perhaps someday, in a distant and quiet future, he would examine them like a collector turning over priceless relics—recalling the stories behind each one.
He shook his head slightly.
"Getting sentimental again…"
The thought faded.
He turned his attention to the system panel.
Back in the blank expanse of the reincarnation space, his translucent soul hovered weightlessly.
His finger tapped the pale-blue interface.
He had earned these points.
No reason to hold back.
For reasons he couldn't quite explain, he felt unusually excited about this shop refresh.
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Individual Value Enhancer (Large) – 200 Points
Randomly increases 20–35 IVs.
Note: Random stat distribution. No IV may exceed 31. One use per reincarnation.
Individual Value Enhancer (Ultra Large) – 400 Points
Randomly increases 50–75 IVs.
Note: Random stat distribution. No IV may exceed 31. One use per reincarnation.
Attribute Selection (Intermediate) – 350 Points
Select the elemental typing of your next birth from five random options.
Ability Converter – 1200 Points
Transforms the current ability into a Hidden Ability.
Note: Effects vary by species. Use with caution.
TM: Origin Pulse – 2500 Points
Grants the Water-type special move Origin Pulse.
Note: Originally exclusive to the Legendary Kyogre. TM removes species restriction.
Dynamax Band – 2000 Points
Allows the user to Dynamax.
Note: Contains embedded Wishing Star energy. Automatically replenishes based on the world's Dynamax density.
Deoxys (Speed Forme) Cosmic DNA – 3000 Points
+40 Agility.
Note: Genetic material from the extraterrestrial Pokémon Deoxys. May grant deeper insights into cosmic energy.
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Points Available: 19,327
The shop refreshes once per reincarnation.
Kael stared at the list, eyes gleaming faintly.
Now came the real question.
What kind of future would he build next?
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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For early access to advanced chapters on P-atreon:
P-atreon/iamxeno
(Just remove the - hyphen to access normally)
Thank you so much for your support and for reading!