11. Fifth Ticket

(Lex POV)

- Thank you. - the battered helmsman said weakly as I untied him from the helm.

- My pleasure. Be patient, help will come soon. - I said, gently laying the man down to keep his wounds from bleeding.

'It's nice to do good things sometimes. Even if not for free.' - I thought with a smile, turning to the pier, watching the jubilant inhabitants of Cozia.

I must say, the fight went just fine. I defeated 100 people in just a couple of minutes and by using the organic diamond form I was able to test the boost I get in that form.

Even though it wasn't necessary, I couldn't help it and decided to show off a bit. I looked, in my opinion, very cool. I think this story will bring me some kind of fame, which will undoubtedly help me in the future.

To be honest, I didn't think that I would become so strong thanks to the form of the diamond. It is clear that the main function of this ability is protection, but a tenfold increase in physical characteristics should not be discounted either.

It's literally my version of Kaioken, only without any restrictions, since I can maintain the shape of a diamond almost indefinitely. I'm amazed many times how amazing my lottery winnings are...

'Oh, okay. I need to finish here quickly and I can play the lottery again.' - I thought as I jumped off the ship's deck.

- And where are you going? - I asked calmly, looking to the left where I could see the captain of the Bluejam Pirates trying to escape unnoticed.

Immediately after he fell into the water, he surfaced, but realizing that there was someone strong here, he cowardly hid behind the ship and waited for an opportunity to escape, leaving his team to fend for themselves. Shouldn't have expected anything else from him, especially if you remember his story...

- Maybe we can agree? - Bluejam asked hopefully, trying to find a way out of this situation.

- Not. 'Electro-Shock'. - I said harshly and took out one of the guns and shot the cowardly pirate with a charge of electricity.

Not expecting this, the pirate received an attack right in the nose, was funny twitching, after which he limply fell to the ground, wetting his pants. Ugh…. Well, on the other hand, I checked the gun in action.

- Where do you get all these toys from? - asked Gin, who came up to me, who saw everything that happened.

- Company's secret. - I said with a smile, discreetly putting the gun back into inventory.

- I'm just curious, I did not intend to climb into your secrets. You don't have to respond with these stupid phrases all the time. - the old man growled.

- Hahaha, don't be offended. I just don't want to lie to you, but I can't tell the truth either. You yourself understand everything. - I said laughing at his expression. Anyway, I like this old man.

- Of course I understand. Everyone has their own secrets. Should I not know about it, zuzuzuzu. - Gin said with a smile.

- Not that word. - I said, thinking to myself if I should ask Gin directly if he is who I think he is.

- You did a great job and kept your word. Thanks. - the old man said suddenly sincerely.

- Please. - I said sincerely, accepting gratitude out of respect for this old man.

- Though, you could have warned about you Devil Fruit. Given that the power of the Kira Kira no Mi is currently wielded by a kid from Whitebeard's crew, is it the Daiya Daiya no Mi? - Gin said displeasedly, and then asked something very curious.

'Ha, so similar fruit, truth exists.'- I thought with surprise, and the rumor said: - Yes, you are right.

- As I thought. Be careful with the power of this fruit. Don't let the protection they provide turn your head. I knew his previous owner, and he ended badly, believing himself invulnerable. - said the old man with unusual seriousness.

- Don't worry, I know my limits very well. - I assured the old man, making a note to myself to learn more about Devil Fruits and their past owners. I think it will come in handy.

- I hope so. This is very useful in life. I wish I was that wise at your age, zuzuzuzu. In any case, thanks again for your help. And do not be offended by the inhabitants. They didn't want to disturb you by introducing themselves so stupidly. Everyone on the island just got weaned to the attacks of pirates, and completely forgot what kind of danger they really represent. - Gin said, back to his usual cheerful mood.

- It's okay, I understand everything. As you can see, it didn't give me any problems. - I said with a smirk, pointing to the unconscious pirates who were already being slowly chained up by the locals.

- Zuzuzuzuzuzu, it's good to be young. & said the old man, chuckling, who, although he did not show it clearly, was glad that his island was safe.

- Okay, I'm done here. I'll come to you in the evening, when everything calms down. - I said, noticing that the inhabitants wanted to come up to me and begin to thank me for the victory over the pirates.

- Zuzuzuzuu…. Don't like attention? - the old man asked slyly, watching my reaction.

- I can't accept gratitude. - I said honestly, noticing a man with a press badge in the crowd of people. This was still not enough. I sure want some fame, but definitely not from anyone associated with Morgans.

- Don't forget to prepare my reward. - I finally said to Gin, and activating the form of a diamond, in one fell swoop I jumped to the nearest rear ones, from where I already ran to my hotel, where I hid until the evening.

After the deal with Gin, I have 2.2 kilograms of gold in my hands, which I immediately added to the lottery to get 4 kilograms, 2 of which I immediately spent on the next lottery ticket.

I have two kilograms left, which I will add to the three that I will receive from Gin in the evening, and as a result, today I will be able to buy the sixth ticket, and another kilogram will remain in reserve. What a profitable day though.

'So what am I getting this time...' - I thought as I watched the familiar holographic announcement.

[Your account has received 2.2 kilograms of gold. Total amount 4g…

Buying a lottery ticket for 2g….

Thanks for the payment! Start of the next draw…

…

…

Your prize is…

….

< Special Skill: Outsider's Mark >

Thank you for participating!!! On your account left: 2 kg of gold. Cost of the next lottery ticket: 4 g.]

- I hope this is exactly what I'm thinking... - I muttered hopefully as I opened the description of the prize.

< Outsider's Mark >

<Type: Special Skill >

< Origin: Dishonored >

< Description: A special mark used by the Outsider to bestow supernatural abilities on the people of his choice. In this case, the mark has nothing to do with the Outsider personally, as he has already lost all his powers. But the concept remained, and now the Mark independently draws strength from the Void, the source of the power of the Outsider himself and all the abilities of the Mark. >

< Abilities: The Mark grants the branded individual several supernatural abilities, which are powered by the energy of the Void, but require the sacrifice of a small amount of the user's personal energy to activate them.

The more the branded uses the Mark, the stronger its connection to the Void becomes, and the stronger the abilities granted by the mark become.

There are only two Mark abilities available at the moment, but more skills will be unlocked over time. The Mark also passively increases the wearer's physical attributes. The gain also depends on the strength of the Mark. >

< Superpowers:

• Dark Vision - Improves the branded's vision in the dark, and allows him to see the silhouettes of living beings through walls. The effect of the ability will become better when the Mark becomes stronger.

• Blink - allows the branded to instantly move forward a short distance, within line of sight. The stronger the connection of the Mark with the Void, the greater the blink distance. >

< Lottery Note: All negative effects of this prize have been removed and you can use it without any worries. >

- This is indeed from Dishonored. Despite excellent abilities, I might not have put the Mark, but the note still calmed me. - I said out loud with relief when I finished reading.

To be honest, the wording scared me a little. This permanent 'link to the Void' or 'power of the Mark' sounds a bit ominous. I only played the first game and never finished it, but I know quite a bit about the Mark itself and the Outsider, so I can imagine its perspective and the abilities bestowed upon it.

However, this does not lessen my anxiety. Well, since the Lottery has assured me that the Mark is safe, I guess I can use it. Prizes have never let me down before, so it would be foolish not to trust this time.

Besides, I just can't help it, it's the fu**ing the Outsider's Mark. And as I imagine the abilities that I can get in the future, it gives me the creeps in general...

Deciding that there was no point in delaying any longer, and it was so clear that I would not be able to refuse this reward, I opened the lottery inventory and tried to pull out the Mark.

- Urrghh f**k… - I swore involuntarily as I suddenly felt a very painful burning sensation on my left arm.

Looking at my hand, I saw the manifestation of the Outsider's Mark, as if it were some kind of brand that came from hell. Although, this is probably how it is…

When the fire disappeared, the pain also disappeared, and on my hand one could see the black mark itself, the shape of which is very difficult to describe.

- I have to admit, it looks cool. - I involuntarily said, examining the mark with curiosity, in which I already felt an unknown force.

Also, I felt my body filling with strength and energy, as if Iike I drank a whole truckload of energy drinks. It seemed to me that I received an endless charge of vivacity, although in fact my physical characteristics increased only a couple of times. Which is also not bad, considering that this is only a passive effect of the Mark, and in its basic state.

Having rid myself of this obsession, I looked at the mark again, and decided that it was time for a test. Getting up from the bed on which I was lying, I stood in the center of the room and discarding all unnecessary thoughts, and focusing on the mark, I wished to move forward a few meters.

I felt the burning sensation on my arm again, but this time more tolerable, and then the world stopped for me. The next thing I felt was a hard blow to my nose as I got distracted and ended up being slammed right into the wall.

- Okay, more concentration… - I muttered, rubbing my nose. It's good that I'm stronger than an ordinary person.

I repeated my previous actions again, this time when time stopped for me, I mentally indicated the place where I want to be blink, and this time everything worked.

There was a slight pulling feeling, and blurred vision, and the next moment, I was already standing four meters in front.

- It worked. - I summed up, checking to see if I had lost any limb.

- Again. - I said, and this time I did it faster, also noticing that when the ability is activated, the Mark shines with a white light. Apparently, it is because of this that I feel a burning sensation.

After using 'Blink' a dozen more times, I finally noticed a slight exhaustion. More precisely, I wanted to eat. This seems to be what was meant by 'personal energy'.

Also, I realized that when the blink begins, time does not freeze, but it stretches about five times, so that I have enough time to decide where I want to be transported. However, this can also be used to my advantage.

After a few more jumps, I can confidently say that this is an excellent and promising skill, which also has a chance to evolve. I also thought it would be nice to try pairing 'Blink' with 'Soru' when I learn the latter. I think it will be a deadly combination.

After spending another couple of hours constantly blinking around in my room, I was able to find out that my current limit was twenty-five 'Blinks' in a row. Then I need to rest and eat. Pretty good, for starters. Another trump card in my piggy bank.

I also checked out 'Dark Vision', but I don't have much to add here. Everything matches the description from the lottery.

When I activate the skill, I also feel a burning sensation in the Mark, and then a burning sensation in the eyes, after which, for me, the whole world loses its colour, and I began to see everything very clearly, and the reaction became better.

My other senses, such as hearing and smell, also received an increase, but not as much. Although, I was able to hear my neighbors doing something very obscene at the moment. Because of this, I felt lonely and sad....

In any case, I could also see the silhouettes of people through thin obstacles, but rather blurry, and only through one wall. And the eyes start to hurt after using the ability for a long time, so my current limit is 20 seconds.

In truth, 'Dark Vision' is not a very useful skill for me. Still, thanks to telepathy, I already feel people 200 meters from me, I just try to weaken this ability so that it does not bother me.

'Okay, I think 'Dark Vision' can also be used. At the very least, being able to see in the dark better than a cat would not be superfluous.' - I thought as I finished eating the free dinner brought by the hostess of the hotel.

Having finished all the tests, I rested for a while, and after sunset I went to Gin's shop.

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< Name: Nemo >

< Gender: Male >

< Age: 17 >

< Race: Homo Superior >

< Gold: 2 g >

< Lottery tickets: 0 >

< Next ticket price: 4 g >

< Prizes:

1. (Free) [Character card: Nightwing];

2. (Free) [Vehicle: Avengers Quinjet];

3. (Free) [Character card: Emma Frost]:

4. (1 g) [Weapon: Element Guns];

5. Bonus (Free) [Additional Item: Interdimensional Ring];

6. (2 g) [Special Skill: Outsider's Mark]. >

< Assimilated characters: Nightwing (100%); Emma Frost (100%). >

< Special Skills: Outsider's Mark. >

< Superpowers: Telepathy; Organic Diamond Form; Blink; Dark Vision. >

< Skills: Nightwing; Emma Frost (full list below...). >

< Vehicles: Avengers Quinjet; Wingcycle. >

< Weapons: Escrima Sticks; Element Guns. >

< Costumes: Nightwing Suit; Emma Frost dress. >

< Inventory: Nightwing's Equipment. >

< Interspartial Ring: Mera Mera no Mi; Cloth; Provision. >

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