Chapter 15: On the Morning of Resolve

“So that makes five medals. Time to spin the gacha, huh?”

The morning after we returned from the labyrinth, Master was sitting on the bed counting something when he said that. I don’t have the fondest memories of gacha… but as long as there's a chance, it's hard to resist.

“Senpai~ I brought breakfast!”

Lulu came into the bedroom carrying a tray with bread, soup, and a glass of milk. She’s getting pretty comfortable—no hesitation at all anymore. Not that it matters if she sees me naked inside the house or anything… it’s fine.

“…Senpai, are you okay?”

Lulu placed the tray on the table beside the bed, then looked down at me with a slight frown. She has a sharp sense of smell, so being this close, she probably sensed something.

“…Do I look okay to you, Lulu?”

“Not in the slightest.”

Then why’d you even ask?

You’re wondering what state I’m in? I’m lying face down with a leather pouch filled with ice resting on my lower back. It’s wrapped in a towel for that nice chilly effect. Master made the ice for me—not out of kindness, mind you.

“If this teaches you a lesson, maybe don’t tease Shuya-sama so much next time?”

Why am I the one being lectured here? Master’s obviously eavesdropping too—I can tell by his presence.

“No way. One day, I’m going to beat Master into the ground, thoroughly.”

I’m declaring it loud and clear right now. My spirit won’t be broken that easily. I refuse to lose to someone like Master!

“Senpai, do you… actually enjoy being bullied?”

“You’d better cut it out, seriously…”

Where do you even get ideas like that? I really can’t wrap my head around how cats think.

---

And that’s how it came to be: Operation Gacha-Gacha Revenge!

Last time I pulled a trash skill, but this time it’s going to be a coup d’état. I’ll land a powerful skill or item—basically, a cheat—and make a spectacular debut!

I’ll become a top-ranked adventurer, pay off my debts, and even boss Master around. I’m really getting hyped for this.

“I’ll pull twice, the other three get one each.”

Sounds fair enough. Yuria and Lulu still don’t really get how this works.

“What I’m about to show you is my unique ability—well, you could call it magic or something. Either way, ‘don’t tell anyone, period.’ Got it?”

He gave a quick heads-up… no, actually, that was an order. If we try to talk about what he specified, our collars tighten. Depending on the settings, forcing speech while it’s constricting can end in a quick snap and… well, pop.

Our collars are set to just cut off air so we can’t talk—that’s it.

After issuing his command, Master summoned that familiar gacha machine. Both girls’ eyes went wide with shock. But they also looked super curious despite the surprise.

“In exchange for these medals, you get a random skill or item—like the Levantine I use—or a unique ability. That’s what this device does.”

At that, both their eyes sparkled with excitement. Especially Yuria, who used to be an adventurer—her reaction was something else. Her wide, flat cow tail was twitching from the excitement.

“A-a thing like that… could it be a divine relic!?”

Apparently, divine relics are tools blessed by gods that possess special powers. Depends on the item, but most are treated like national treasures.

The famous ones include things like the Eye of the Heavenly Dragon, a legendary treasure from the Dragonfolk nation said to let you see the entire world.

If Levantine really was granted by a god, then it probably counts as a divine relic too.

“Well, something like that. Anyway, like I said—everyone take one spin in order. Sora and I will go last this time.”

Saving the best for last, huh? Fine by me. I’ll show him the taste of defeat!

“A-are you sure we can?”

“As expected of Shuya-sama! So generous~!”

Lulu let out a sickeningly sweet cat-like coo. I didn’t know she could make a sound like that—got a little glimpse of how scary women can be.

Not that I blame her. Unique abilities—well, let’s just call them skills for convenience—are generally innate talents you're born with.

Acquiring one later in life… isn’t impossible, but it’s extremely rare.

If something like that could be obtained so casually, then of course anyone with even a hint of ambition would come wagging their tail and trying to cozy up.

Now then, since we’re going in order of rank, we decided to start with Lulu. She eagerly accepted the medal and spun the gacha with great excitement.

As usual, a round orb of light burst open, and in Lulu’s hands appeared a matte black dagger with no shine. At the same time, an explanation window popped up for everyone to see. It seems that even the other two were a bit surprised by that.

—

【Item Acquired
“Shadowfang of the Black Beast” – Dagger / Rank B
A dagger carved from the fang of a jet-black beast that reflects no light.
Grants the effect of stealth, hiding the user's presence.】

—

“Ooooh!”

Lulu’s eyes sparkled as she admired the knife she had received. There’s something a little off about a girl getting so thrilled over a blade, don’t you think?

“Lulu-chan, could that be… magic?”

“Looks like it. When I hold it and focus, it kinda feels like my presence fades.”

“Woooow.”

Yuria looked incredibly envious, so perhaps the correct understanding is that women in this world are pretty tough. I don’t know the standard, but apparently, having even one decent magical item means you won’t have to struggle to make a living as an adventurer.

“N-Next is me, then.”

Glancing sideways at Lulu, who was already testing the dagger by slicing through random scraps of wood, Yuria turned the gacha with a tense expression. Master probably invited her to this round because he’s taken a liking to how diligently she works, despite everything.

He may be a perverted sadist, but he has the means to keep multiple slaves and possesses that uniquely Japanese mix of decency—or maybe it’s just a sense of responsibility. I’d feel more at ease if Yuria also ended up falling for Master, and they could establish a straightforward master-servant relationship without dragging me into the middle of it.

…Well, that’s not something I can rush.

Anyway, Lulu is now bristling, her tail puffed up as she looks at the cross-section of the scrap wood she just sliced clean through. It even cut through the embedded nails—no wonder she’s startled. That gacha item’s the real deal.

“Fwaaah!”

At that moment, Yuria let out a delighted cry. Since there was nothing visible in her hands, it must’ve been a skill. A beat later, the window appeared.

—

【Skill Acquired
“Innate Axe Talent” – Passive
Enhances natural aptitude with axes and boosts growth rate.
With ordinary effort, one can reach first-class skill. With serious training, top-class.】

—

Ugh, another standard-but-perfectly-suited ability for her…!

It’s just right for Yuria, with her strong core and solid physique.

“Congrats, Yuria-chan!”

“Good for both of you.”

“…Congratulations.”

“Thank you so much!!”

Her tail was swaying with pure joy. I mean, it’s basically like God Himself just told her, “Hey, you’ve got amazing axe talent.” Considering she was once an adventurer, her emotional reaction is completely understandable.

I mean, seriously—why is it that everyone except me pulls the good stuff? There’s clearly some nefarious intent at play here. This has to be part of some grand conspiracy.

Someone out there is afraid of my rise to power and is pulling strings behind the scenes. That’s gotta be it.

“Sora? If you’re not going, I’m next.”

“Be my guest. The main act always enters last.”

Unlike Lulu and Yuria, Master spun the gacha with a practiced, confident motion, and the two girls watched with curious eyes. Maybe they were feeling a little conflicted about the idea of someone already so powerful gaining even more strength.

This time… it looked like he got a skill.

—

【Skill Acquired
“Holy Sword Technique” – Active
A skill that unleashes powerful special techniques.
Activated by shouting the name of the technique.
Required Equipment: Longsword, Greatsword, Knight Sword】

—

Pfft.

I accidentally burst out laughing and got a glare from Master for it. You bring this on yourself, really—trying to reenact a hero’s finishing move with that kind of energy is exactly how you end up with a skill like this. Please, go all in on your chuunibyou phase. I’ll be cheering you on while mentally documenting every one of your cringe moments.

“You're getting more and more hero-like, Shuuya-sama.”

“It’s scary how easy it is to picture it.”

Lulu, clearly drawn in by the heroic aura, started flattering him shamelessly, while Yuria looked at him with something like admiration in her eyes.

She seems to be developing feelings for Master too, so with time, maybe he’ll be the one to heal her emotional wounds. In the meantime, Mr. Cheat Hero can keep embarrassing himself with over-the-top nonsense and take some emotional damage of his own.

“Please give us a super cool special move, Master.”

I joined in late, grinning as I offered my congratulations.

“Just you wait…”

Can’t hear you, nope. He glared at me as I whistled and looked away, then spun the gacha a second time. Seems like he got another skill.

—

【Skill Acquired
“Lady Killer” – Passive
All attacks against women are 1.5 times more effective.】

—

“…Ugh.”

“―――BYAN!?”

“Ojou-sama (Milady)!?”

I reflexively tried to bolt—but just ended up collapsing. My legs gave out and I couldn’t muster any strength. Thankfully, the bed was huge, so I didn’t roll off. That was close.

What kind of insane skill is this pervert pulling now?! We don’t need any more of those types of skills. His insatiable libido is already more than enough—please, I’m begging you, give it a rest!

“Looks like we’ve got our test subject picked out.”

“Gunununuuu!”

Unbelievable. After going wild yesterday, he still hasn’t had enough? This man’s an absolute menace. The lowest of the low. I’ll get on my knees and beg if that’s what it takes—just stop, I’m begging you.

“Come on, Sora, it’s your turn.”

Still grinning, Master pulled me into his arms and sat down in front of the gacha machine with me on his lap. I had no strength in my lower body, so escape was impossible. I was doomed.

This cheat-powered menace… the moment this is over, I’m putting him down.

Ugh, now I know exactly how someone feels right before their execution. Master seems to be counting down to test out his new skill. How do I know? Just think about where I am—planted right in the middle of his crossed legs. The answer should be obvious.

And if it’s not… then please, remain blissfully ignorant. Stay just the way you are.

I emptied my mind, inserted the coin into the gacha, and gave it a spin. Might as well get it over with and accept my fate. Probably a dud anyway. Tch.

But the orb of light that came out glowed with a rainbow hue. A four-layered ring of magic circles spun slowly upward, erupting in ribbons of seven-colored light. Since no item appeared, it must’ve been a skill—but the special effects were clearly on a whole different level.

“Looks like you hit the jackpot.”

I nod in agreement, suppressing my hopes as I begin reading the description on the window that appeared. It's... a bit long.

—

【Special Skill Acquired
“Tears of the Holy Mother” – Passive / Female Only】

—

So it really is something different from the usual. That gives me a bit of hope, but... the name of the skill and the “female only” part feel extremely ominous.

—

【An advanced version of the Holstaurus racial skill “Mother’s Drop.”
Allows body fluids with powerful restorative effects for both mana and stamina to be produced in the mammary glands.
The higher the user’s mana reserves, the stronger the recovery effect and the greater the neutralizing effect against poison and status conditions.】

—

「「「…………」」」

Silence from all four of us fills the room. So basically… this is the same constitution as Yuria’s, right? Just significantly boosted in terms of recovery capability.

In this world, there are almost no ways to instantly recover mana through external means. This is an extremely rare and valuable healing skill that can restore others’ mana.

We only found out after Yuria came of age, but apparently, Holstaurus breast milk has similar effects to this skill.

It wasn’t just popular because it was healthy, or because it boosted stamina, or because it was highly nutritious. It was because of its medicinal properties. That stuff gets traded at ridiculously high prices. So those 600 gold coins weren’t just for show.

Sigh. Well then… I guess it’s time to stop running from reality. Clenching my fists at my sides, I drive them toward the window in front of me――――!?

I-it dodged…? Just before impact, the window smoothly turned sideways and slipped past my roaring punch. Dumbfounded, I stare as the text on the window slowly changes before my eyes.

【Girls shouldn’t be so violent, you know＾＾；】

“I’M GONNA KILL THAT DAMN THING!!”

“Calm down!?”

Just as I reached out to smash it, the window quivered as if mocking me, then melted into the air and vanished.

Unforgivable. That emoji is unforgivable. Even if heaven and earth forgave it, I never will. That emoji alone, I will never forgive.

“What the hell is that?! Who the hell is writing those messages on the window?!”

I cry out with tearful fury, clinging to Master as I thrash around. No. That’s just not okay. It’s something that should never be allowed.

“Ahh… probably… the god of this world, I’d say…”

Master responds with a troubled, faraway look in his eyes. Hearing that, something heavy and solid drops into place inside my heart.

My mission—my ultimate goal of rebellion—has now been set.

Master? He’s nothing more than a small fry. My true target… needed to be much bigger.

I suppress the storm raging in my heart, and declare my resolve――――――

“I see. So that’s how it is… fufufu, now I understand. I understand everything.”

――――I will defeat that god. No matter what.

---

◇◆ADVENTURE RESULT◆◇
【EXP】
MAX Combo 2
BATTLE TOTAL 2
◆【Sora Lv.18】+2
◆【Lulu Lv.6】+2
◆【Yuria Lv.0】
◇―
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
Sora Lv.18 [186] → Lv.18 [188]
Lulu Lv.6 [63] → [65]
Yuria Lv.0 [0]
【RECORD】
[MAX COMBO] >> 30
[MAX HIT] >> 30
【PARTY】
[Shuya][Lv38] HP 542/542 MP 830/830 [Normal]
[Sora][Lv18] HP 2/32 MP 10/140 [Exhausted]
[Lulu][Lv6] HP 164/422 MP 28/28 [Exhausted]
[Yuria][Lv0] HP 440/440 MP 32/32 [Normal]
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
【Comment】
【One-Liner】

“Egu— hic—I was sucked… and drunk… sniffle, hic… ueeeeeenn…”

“………………Nya… nyaaa…”

“Ojou-sama, Lulu-chan, the bathwater's ready... Lulu-chan? Wait, Lulu-chan!?”