Chapter 3:Talent Lottery Roulette

[Talent Lottery Roulette]: The first draw requires 50 points of luck. After that, the luck consumed for each subsequent draw doubles, and the probability of obtaining rare talents increases accordingly.

Orion looked at the entry lottery roulette and was shocked to find that it actually required 50 points of luck to start.

"The luck required for the next draw will double? If I draw a blank... I won't be that unlucky, right?"

Orion's eyes flickered. Then, he gritted his teeth and stamped his feet.

"Fortune favors the bold!"

"Go!"

Orion spent 50 luck points and activated the entry lottery roulette.

The next second, the talent lottery roulette immediately lit up brightly.

On this lottery roulette, seven distinct areas were visible, each displaying seven different colors: White, green, blue, purple, red, gold, and black.

Gold talents represented the highest level of talent.

Black talents... Did they even need to be explained?

Orion silently prayed.

"I hope there are no black talents. Even a white talent would be acceptable."

Then, a crisp "ding" sound echoed, making Orion extremely nervous.

"Congratulations to the host for obtaining the green talent: [Good Luck in Distress]."

[Good Luck in Distress] (green): You are favored by the goddess of luck, always finding hope even in the face of life-threatening crises.

"Nice!"

Orion's eyes lit up.

"A green talent? Sweet relief after enduring hardships."

The name of the talent also delighted him.

Good Luck in Distress!

Now he had five talent entries: [Photographic Memory] (green), [Martial Arts Master] (green), [Some Spiritual Aura] (green), [Good Luck in Distress] (green), and [Haunted by Nightmare] (black).

Four green talents and one black talent... Not bad at all!

Orion was overjoyed.

But he didn't let his guard down. Even with four green talents, they'd be worthless if he couldn't survive until dawn!

Soon, he collected his thoughts and opened the book Murphyson recommended to him: "General Introduction to the Basics."

This book was an introductory text on secret magic, focusing on types of secrets and common black magic, aimed at laying a solid foundation for aspiring mages.

"A solid foundation is crucial for building a towering structure," Orion thought.

Thanks to his [photographic memory] gift, Orion's reading speed increased more than tenfold. After a single read-through, he could almost recite it backwards, the text imprinted firmly in his mind.

Next, he revisited "The Book of the Lost Sun," "Ancient Remnants," and "General Knowledge of All Laws," committing every word to memory.

"The Book of the Lost Sun" detailed natural laws and the workings of matter.

"Ancient Remnants" described scenes from a mythological era and hinted at unknown secrets.

"General Knowledge of All Laws" served as a comprehensive magic encyclopedia, documenting all known secret magics.

In this book, he also found a dependable spell: "Ring of Raggador!"

Orion felt a surge of happiness.

But simultaneously...

A profound drowsiness washed over him, eyelids growing heavy.

Despite his efforts, even pinching his thighs failed to dispel the sleepiness.

Soon, his eyelids closed, and when he opened them again...

Orion found himself in a mysterious, gloomy world.

Dark.

Drab.

The surroundings were pitch black, illuminated only by faint starlight filtering through the murky night sky.

In the distance, thick fog obscured true visibility.

Around him lay broken walls, collapsed buildings, ruins, shards of glass, and dark-brown bloodstains... This once prosperous city now resembled a graveyard, though the cause remained unknown.

Despite having been teleported to this nightmare dimension more than ten times, Orion still felt fear deep in his heart, his nerves constantly on edge.

His sharp, vigilant eyes scanned the area.

If the nightmare world were a rule-bound, mysterious game, his current position would be the "safe zone."

As long as he remained quiet, he would likely avoid attracting mysterious creatures.

But stepping out or making noise would immediately draw them near.

All this, thanks to the black talent: [Nightmare Haunted].

[Nightmare Haunted] (Black): Every midnight, you will appear in a mysterious space where all mysterious entities will relentlessly attack you, a nightmare without end.

"Never-ending..." Orion mused.

"Then I'll defeat all these mysterious beasts!"

Orion swore silently.

He refused to resign himself to fate; he intended to firmly grasp his destiny.

With determination, he picked up a baseball bat from the ground and ventured out of the "safe zone," alert and cautious every step of the way.

Upon leaving the safe zone, a haunting, otherworldly shriek pierced the silence.

"Damn!"

"This creature hasn't left?"

"You're still lying in ambush?"

Orion almost cursed aloud, gripping the bat tightly.

The hatred of the mysterious creatures, stirred up during his last encounter, had not dissipated.

It still lurked here.

In the dark ruins, a mysterious creature resembling a doll slowly emerged from a corner.

Though worn and missing its legs, it remained tenacious. Its bright red eyes gleamed, scalpel clutched tightly.

Step by step, it twisted and crawled toward Orion.

"Big brother..."

"Hold me..."

"Play with me..."

Ethereal, chilling children's voices echoed softly.

Orion couldn't help but shiver.

"Damn it!"

Orion cursed under his breath.

Did they think he was blind?

That bright scalpel was clearly meant to strike!

Surveying the doll, Orion learned...

[Mysterious Doll]

[Level]: Intermediate Mystery

[Talents]: Perseverance (white), Childlike Innocence (white), Immortality (blue).

[Perseverance] (white): Never loses sight of its target.

[Childlike Innocence] (white): Mentally akin to a three-year-old.

[Immortality] (blue): Appears invincible. Have you considered a strategy?

This was the talent profile of the mysterious doll.

Orion was already disheartened at the sight of the blue talent [Immortality].

And the white talent [Perseverance]... It was relentless!

Completely overwhelming!

"Wait!"

"Mentally akin to a three-year-old...?"

"She wants to play with me?"

"It seems she doesn't emit a hostile aura..."

Orion was taken aback.

A bold hypothesis crossed his mind.

Could this mysterious doll simply desire play?

Orion was astonished.

Since when had he become so insightful?

[Photographic Memory] (green): With heightened intelligence and alertness, your mind retains everything you've seen.

Was this the reason?

Orion felt reassured.

He scratched his head, tentatively speaking.

"You can play with me, but could you put down the scalpel first?"

The mysterious doll hesitated.

Then, a bright smile graced her blood-smeared face.

"I'll listen to you, big brother."

With that, she tossed the scalpel aside, narrowly missing Orion's foot.

Was that intentional?

Orion stepped back swiftly, avoiding it with ease.

Understanding dawned on him.

"What do you want to play?"

"Huh..."

"Forget it. First things first, what should I call you?"

Orion scratched his head.

"The doll has no name..."

The mysterious doll's expression darkened.

"Then I'll give you one! How about 'Sugar'?"

Orion was struck by inspiration.

Given her appearance, "Sugar" seemed fitting, reminiscent of a character from a certain story.( Sugar of 'one piece' who ate Hobi Hobi no Mi devil fruit )

"I'm so happy!"

"I have a name too!"

The doll exclaimed joyously.

Whoosh!

A brilliant white light flashed.

The doll's missing legs regrew, and she appeared completely renewed, a pristine Barbie doll once more.

[Name]: Mysterious Doll - Sugar

[Role]: Orion's Playmate

[Abilities]: Perseverance (white), Childlike Innocence (white), Immortality (blue).

"Huh?"

"How did she change like that?"

"She has another role, my playmate?"

"Just giving her a name caused such a change?"

Orion was dumbfounded.

(End of Chapter)