Reaping the Rewards of Boredom

Fang sat on the chair, inconspicuously as he waited for the fights to begin. There was a loud bang as the gong sounded and two contestants quickly walked out.

"Ready... begin!" the announcer shouted.

The two rushed towards each other, displaying their battle prowess and generally clashing against each other fiercely.

Fang frowned at this... mediocre fight. He didn't wish to see average students fight... absolutely not. He wished to see the protagonist fight.

[If you're bored, do you want to play a game?]

A voice inquired within his head.

'Ahh... systems have games?'

[Lottery wheel, random draw, etc. Call it what you like, essentially, systems and protagonists are gambling addicts]

'...'

'Really?'

[Yes, of course. So would you like to play the game while we wait?]

'...fine,'

[Alright]

A small orb appeared in front of him.

[Take the orb and shake it]

'... is this the game?'

[No. Just do what I say]

Fang shook the orb, mentally, causing it to glow and melt.

Suddenly, it reformed into a deck of cards.

[Good. You have chosen the Card Draw Gamble]

'... what does that mean?'

[You have the ability to draw a new skill from cards alone]

'... but why would you just give me a new skill for free? Aren't systems usually stingy?'

[...]

[Don't be prejudiced towards systems]

[I'm not stingy, I just think that rewarding you might inspire you to be a... more motivated... protagonist, to say the least]

'...'

'Sure,'

The cards rotated around in a silver blur, unable to be seen by the human eye.

[Fang, pick one]

Reaching forward, he drew a card, causing the others to vanish completely.

The card in his hand began to vibrate and thrum and then it eventually crumbled.

'Ahh.. this...,'

[Don't worry]

[Your prize is coming soon]

Surely enough, a glowing white ring floated out of the remains of the card. With runic inscriptions covering the entirety of the ring, it was made of a dull silver that emanated with power.

[Congratulations]

'What did I get?'

[The Explorer's Ring, more popularly known as the No Kanna Ring]

'You mean after that blacksmith lady we met?'

[Yes. She is a deity of the metal: silver. I had not told you this when you met her for the simple reason that she doesn't like anyone who treats her as if she was high and mighty]

'So she's a lot like me: she doesn't want attention, just a few close friends,'

[Precisely]

'That's a lofty goal,'

[In some ways, especially in her circumstances]

'I don't understand, but at the same point, I think I do,'

The gong crashed again, signaling a new fight. Gazing at it with a disinterested stare, Fang found that the protagonist had yet to show himself.

Sighing, he put the ring on and immediately felt a surge of power.

'What are the effects of this ring?' he thought.

[It boosts metal and wood affinity. It also provides an attack boost to one by allowing them to increase the damage dealt by one attack by 150%]

[It also creates a catalog of all the places you've visited and all the places that you've seen, all the people you've met, etc.]

'Like a data storage ring?'

[Yes]

'That's interesting,'

The gong sounded again.

"NOW! THE FIGHT YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!" the announcer called.

Fang's interest was piqued.

'Now? Wonderful. I can see this boy, convince him to be my disciple, and then take his system. Easy,' he thought.

[Careful. This boy might a tough nut to crack]

'How so?'

[I... know the system that resides within him]

[It's a clever one and tricking him won't be easy]

Fang frowned.

'Well, that's alright. If I need to, I'll just mug him for it!'

[...]

[That's dishonorable]

'So? I don't care for being honored you know? That's hypocritical by the way since your memory editing is technically dishonorable too!'

[That is a necessary component of my job]

'Right. What is your job anyway? At this point, you're always following me around like a stalker!'

[...]

[Never mind that, focus on the battle. It will allow you to gauge his combat abilities and decide whether or not you should take him as a disciple or whether you should leave him be and just mug him]

Fang smiled.

'Alright,'

Staring intently at the combatants, he waited as the gong sounded once more.

"LU XIONGNAN VERSUS KIRIN YANG!" the announcer called again, stating the names of the combatants in a grand fashion.

Fang smiled gently. This was going to be wonderful.