"Alright, alright, I'll spend money already." Cloud sighed helplessly.
He made up an excuse about needing to "enter seclusion to comprehend the Way of Heaven," then locked himself in the largest wooden cabin in Divine Village.
Inside the system space, it was still that familiar infinite data stream, full of cyberpunk aesthetics.
A massive light screen floated before Cloud, displaying the "final battle report" of his Samurai Shodown world journey.
[World Name: Samurai Shodown Parallel World]
[Quest: Dimensional Correction — Samurai Shodown Arc]
[Final Evaluation: SSS+ (EX)]
[Settlement Rewards as follows:]
[Source Points: 500,000]
[Evaluation Bonus: 500,000]
[Special Achievement Rewards (Pinnacle of Martial Arts, Deep Sisterly Bond, etc.): 200,000]
[Total Source Points Earned: 1,200,000!]
[Special Rewards: God-tier Lottery Ticket ×3, High-grade Lottery Ticket ×100]
"One million two hundred thousand points?! Plus god-tier lottery tickets?!"
Cloud stared at that string of zeros, his eyes going wide.
This haul... this haul was hitting the jackpot!
Back in the day in the KOF world, he had worked himself half to death—beating Rugal, taking down Goenitz, sealing Orochi—and how much had he accumulated?
Back then, due to insufficient strength, a single "Sunlight's Blessing" had left him owing tens of thousands of Source Points.
Now look at him—a little "vacation" to the Samurai Shodown world, casually instant-killing two bosses, and boom: overnight riches, financial freedom!
"System, I love you!" Cloud was so excited he almost wanted to kowtow to the system.
[System: Please remain calm, Host. Your points are merely a string of code in this system's data stream. Now then—would you like to begin "spending"?]
"Absolutely! Right now! Immediately!" Cloud rubbed his hands together, his face showing the excited expression of a gambling addict. "Same old rules—start with ten high-grade lottery tickets to warm up my luck!"
[High-grade Lottery 10-pull initiating...]
On the light screen, a massive slot machine began spinning rapidly. Finally, with a clatter, ten items dropped out.
[Congratulations, Host, on obtaining:]
[Fugudoku Katana] ×1 (Note: Same model as Haohmaru's. Incredibly sharp, comes with "Directionally-Challenged" debuff. Please equip with caution.)
[Tachibana Ukyo's Apples] ×10 crates (Note: Crisp and refreshing, rich in vitamins. Effect on treating lung disease: ...absolutely none.)
[Hattori Hanzo's Invisibility Scrolls] ×5 (Note: Single-use consumable. Grants invisibility for 10 minutes after use, but dogs can still smell you.)
[Charlotte's Western Dress] ×1 (Note: Gorgeous noble attire. Defense: 0. Charm +50.)
[Galford's Ninja Dog "Poppy"'s Dog Food] ×1 ton (Note: Nutritionally balanced, rich in meat and bone meal. Not for human consumption—at least, not recommended.)
[Yagyu Jubei's Eyepatch (Original Flavor)] ×1 (Note: ...Host, are you sure you don't want to disassemble this for points?)
[Genjuro Kibagami's Collector's Edition Hanafuda Cards] ×1 (Note: Used for gambling. Legend has it he's never won a single game.)
[Special Skill: Eat Buns to Heal (Basic)] (Note: A passive skill from some unknown Chinese swordswoman. Health regeneration +10% while eating meat buns.)
[Thanks for Playing]
[Thanks for Playing]
Cloud looked at this pile of random junk, his face darkening.
"What the hell! System, are you screwing with me? A 10-pull and this is what I get? What's with the eyepatch and dog food? And this 'eat buns to heal'—am I supposed to become a mukbang streamer?!"
[System: Lottery results are completely random and have nothing to do with this system. Please come to terms with your "unlucky" bloodline, Host.]
"Bullshit! I, the great European Emperor, would never be... fine, whatever. I won't argue with you." Cloud took a deep breath, telling himself to stay calm.
"Here comes the main event! Three god-tier lottery tickets! All in! I refuse to believe I'll get 'Thanks for Playing' again!"
[God-tier Lottery 3-pull initiating...]
This time, the slot machine on the light screen radiated dazzling golden light! Maximum special effects!
Finally, three items emanating either sacred aura or overwhelming presence slowly materialized before Cloud.
The first was an ancient wooden carved totem. The totem depicted eagles, snow wolves, forests, and mountains—filled with primitive yet sacred natural energy.
[Item Name: Guardian Totem of Divine Village (Epic Grade)]
[Effect: Passive Effect—While wearing this totem, gain Nature's Blessing: +50% resistance to nature-type magic, +30% stamina recovery speed. Active Effect—Can consume personal energy to activate the totem, summoning a phantom of "Divine Village" to create a "Natural Domain" within a certain range. Within the domain, friendly units receive healing and buffs; enemy units are suppressed.]
[Note: A sacred artifact guarded by the Ainu people for generations, said to contain a trace of nature's primordial power from the dawn of creation. An excellent artifact for domestic use, travel, and team fight support.]
"Nice!" Cloud's eyes lit up. This totem was basically a mobile "team buff" + "healing aura"! In future group fights, just plant it on the ground and his teammates would instantly transform into Super Saiyans!
He looked at the second item.
It was a sphere of pure light. Within the radiance, countless swordsmen seemed to practice and duel, until finally, all those myriad sword shadows converged into one—a crystalline, translucent "heart."
[Special Skill: Heart of the Sword Saint (Legendary Grade)]
[Type: Passive/Active Skill]
[Effect: Passive—Your sword talent is elevated to "monstrous genius" level. Learning any sword-type skill will yield twice the results with half the effort, and you can easily perceive their weaknesses. Active—Can activate "Sword Heart Illumination" state, temporarily elevating your sword realm to the pinnacle of "unity of man and sword" for a short duration. Sword speed, power, and precision dramatically increased.]
[Note: A crystallization of the "Way" formed from the beliefs and insights of countless sword masters. With this, you are a born "Sword Saint"! Young man, draw your sword!]
"Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!" Cloud exclaimed three times in succession.
This skill was practically custom-made for him! Though he had plundered many sword techniques before, they had all been just "form" without "spirit." With this "Heart of the Sword Saint," he could integrate all his sword arts and truly enter the hallowed halls of the "Way of the Sword"!
From now on, who would dare say he only knew how to bully people with energy attacks? He could pick up a wooden sword any second and teach anyone what "swordsmanship" really meant!
Suppressing his excitement, he looked at the final item.
It was a seemingly ordinary card. On the card was painted a massive "furnace" covered in gears and runes.
...
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