The single leather shoe sat on the canvas floor exactly where it had landed, looking perfectly normal and completely useless at the same time.

  Rylan sighed and picked it up. The leather was sturdy enough, the stitching intact. As far as shoes went, it was honestly decent equipment. The only problem was the rather obvious one.

  “There’s only one,” he said flatly. “If the system wastes another draw to give me the right shoe, I’m going to be very concerned.”

  Why? Akane asked innocently. You would have a complete pair.

  “That’s not the point.” Though, arguing with a fox spirit about footwear was probably not the most productive use of his time.

  Rylan opened the inventory panel with a thought.

  [Inventory]

  [1xLv.1 Pebble]

  [1xLv.1 Old Map Fragment]

  He focused on the shoe in his hand, and the item flickered and vanished instantly. The panel updated.

  [Inventory]

  [1xLv.1 Pebble]

  [1xLv.1 Old Map Fragment]

  [1xLv.1 Left Shoe]

  He leaned back slightly against his pack again, letting out a slow breath as he looked at the hovering panel.

  [Name: Rylan Ash]

  [Level 1: 6 Draws Available.]

  Are you hesitating? She asked.

  “Thinking.”

  Thinking is suspiciously similar to hesitating.

  Rylan ignored that, raising a hand to draw again.

  Akane leaned forward slightly, ears perked.

  Pop.

  Something small dropped onto the blanket; the panel reformed immediately afterward.

  [Item Obtained]

  [F-Rank Consumable]

  [Level 1 Slightly Stale Bread]

  [Description: Bread that was fresh three days ago. Still edible if you are not overly particular.]

  Akane sniffed the air curiously, leaning in closer to inspect the item. That is indeed bread.

  Rylan picked it up. It looked exactly like what the description promised: a rough chunk of baked bread, slightly hardened around the edges.

  “Three days old,” he muttered.

  That is still edible, Akane pointed out.

  “Yes.”

  Which makes it more useful than the shoe.

  Rylan paused, before replying: “That is unfortunately correct.”

  Adventurers rarely complained about food—especially free food.

  He broke off a small piece and tasted it cautiously.

  The bread was dry but not terrible. Certainly better than some of the rations he had eaten on longer journeys.

  Akane watched with great interest. Well? She inquired.

  “It’s bread.”

  You are remarkably descriptive.

  Rylan finished the bite and set the remaining piece beside his pack. If the system insisted on giving him food, he wasn’t about to complain. At the very least, he now knew he could also obtain consumables from the gacha.

  He glanced back at the panel.

  [Draws Remaining: 5]

  Akane’s tail flicked: Another?

  Rylan didn’t bother answering as he pressed draw.

  Pop.

  The system panel appeared.

  [Item Obtained]

  [E-Rank Weapon]

  [Level 1 Beginner’s Practice Stick]

  [Description: A balanced wooden stick commonly used by trainees to practice basic weapon forms.]

  Oh! Akane’s ears perked up immediately.

  Rylan picked it up.

  The stick was about the length of a short sword, made from polished hardwood. It had a comfortable weight and surprisingly good balance.

  He swung it experimentally and was surprised to find that the motion felt quite natural.

  “This is actually decent.”

  Akane nodded approvingly.

  Training weapons are rarely glamorous, but they are useful.

  Rylan twirled the stick once before resting it across his knees.

  Considering that his current “weapon” was essentially a cheap dagger, this was honestly an improvement.

  “Not bad,” he admitted.

  Akane’s tail swayed smugly. See? The system provides.

  “Yes,” Rylan said dryly. “Bread and sticks.”

  And my glorious self.

  “Tsk. Fair point.”

  He stored the stick in his inventory.

  Four left. Akane’s red eyes gleamed in the dim tent light.

  The camp outside remained quiet. The distant crackle of the dying campfire filtered faintly through the canvas walls, accompanied by the occasional snore of a sleeping horse.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  Inside the tent, however, the air hummed faintly with system light.

  Rylan rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

  If the drop rates were accurate, most of the remaining draws would likely fall into the F or E ranks.

  Still…

  The system had already proven one thing: probability was not certainty.

  He raised his hand again.

  Pop.

  Something small bounced onto the blanket and Rylan picked it up.

  A copper coin.

  The panel appeared.

  [Item Obtained]

  [E-Rank Item]

  [Level 1 Lucky Copper Coin]

  [Description: A copper coin rumored to bring minor good fortune to its holder. Effects may be psychological.]

  Rylan turned the coin between his fingers.

  “A lucky charm, is it?”

  Those sometimes work, Akane said thoughtfully.

  “Sometimes?”

  Or they make people believe they work.

  Rylan flipped the coin casually. It spun through the air and landed back in his palm.

  Heads.

  Akane’s tail flicked.

  See?

  “That proves absolutely nothing.”

  Still, he slipped the coin into his pocket.

  Master, Akane said after a moment, I am beginning to see a pattern.

  “What?”

  The system is giving you exactly what you deserve.

  Rylan raised an eyebrow.

  “And what exactly do I deserve?”

  Akane’s eyes gleamed mischievously.

  Chaos.

  “That’s not at all reassuring.”

  Ah~, Master, reassurance is boring. Chaos is far more entertaining.

  Her mental giggle echoed through his mind, soft and playful. And besides, isn’t that exactly why you summoned me?

  “…You’re enjoying this far too much.”

  Immensely.

  Rylan exhaled slowly and focused on the panel again.

  If nothing else, this was interesting.

  Every draw felt like opening a sealed chest—you never knew what would come out.

  He pressed the button again.

  Pop.

  A small object fell and bounced once on the canvas as the panel appeared.

  [Item Obtained]

  [F-Rank Item]

  [Level 1 Ordinary Rock]

  [Description: A completely ordinary rock. Nature made it through millions of years of effort.]

  For two seconds, there was absolute silence in the tent.

  Then Akane collapsed onto her side, laughing uncontrollably inside his mind.

  Master. Her mental voice trembled with barely restrained amusement. You have the power to summon objects from the fabric of reality.

  Rylan rubbed his temples. “Yes.”

  And the universe has decided to give you a rock.

  He huffed lightly: “Yes.”

  Akane wheezed with laughter while Rylan stared at the tent ceiling.

  “Two draws left,” he muttered. He stared at the rock, considering if anyone in history had ever summoned an ordinary rock from a gacha before.

  Akane wiped an imaginary tear from her eye.

  Rylan stared at the rock for another moment before letting out a long breath. “Right.”

  The small gray stone sat with complete indifference, as if it had always belonged there.

  He picked it up between two fingers and turned it over. It was, as the system had helpfully clarified, a completely ordinary rock.

  Smooth on one side, rough on the other. About the size of a fist.

  Master, you might be the first person in history to summon a rock from a cosmic artifact.

  “Lucky me.”

  He tossed the rock lightly in his hand once, then opened the inventory; the stone vanished the moment he focused on storing it.

  [Inventory]

  [1xLv.1 Pebble]

  [1xLv.1 Old Map Fragment]

  [1xLv.1 Left Shoe]

  [1xLv.1 Beginner’s Practice Stick]

  [1xLv.1 Rock]

  Akane leaned forward to read the panel as her tail flicked thoughtfully.

  You now possess two rocks.

  “They’re different rocks.”

  Of course, they are.

  If the pattern held, the next items would probably be equally mundane. Although, his curiosity hadn’t faded in the least.

  Each draw carried the faint possibility of something actually useful. The probability might have been microscopic, but it wasn’t zero.

  He raised his hand again.

  Pop.

  Something soft landed on the blanket.

  [Item Obtained]

  [F-Rank Equipment]

  [Simple Wool Gloves]

  [Description: A pair of ordinary wool gloves. Slightly warm. Slightly itchy.]

  Rylan picked them up.

  “It’s a pair this time,” he remarked.

  Akane snorted softly.

  Rylan slid one glove over his hand experimentally. It fit—not perfectly, but close enough.

  Moreover, it was warm too.

  Considering that the nights near the western frontier could get bitterly cold, that actually wasn’t a bad pull.

  He slipped them off again and stored them away.

  Akane tilted her head slightly: Not terrible.

  “No,” Rylan admitted. “Not terrible.”

  His eyes returned to the panel.

  One draw left. This was the final charge.

  Akane’s tail swayed slowly behind her as she watched the glowing interface.

  Master, she said after a moment, do you feel it?

  “Feel what?”

  The suspense.

  Rylan exhaled quietly: “I feel tired.”

  Akane giggled. Fair enough.

  Rylan’s hand hovered over the panel. One last draw. After this, the system would supposedly upgrade.

  “Alright, last one.”

  The vortex appeared, strands of light spiraling into a tight column, humming faintly like restrained energy.

  He stared at the swirling light. What if it was another rock? Or something useless again? His heart thumped despite himself.

  Akane leaned forward, ears alert. Something is different—

  Pop.

  A solid thump echoed against the canvas.

  The panel stabilized.

  [Companion Obtained]

  [D-Rank Summon]

  [Level 1 Skeleton Soldier]

  [Description: A skeletal warrior animated by Death magic. Unconditionally loyal, but please treat it kindly.]

  [Dismiss][See more]

  Rylan’s eyes narrowed. He instinctively stepped back, scanning the skeletal figure. Its bones were cleanly articulated, faint traces of faded runes etched along its ribcage.

  “See more.”

  [Companion: Skeleton Soldier]

  [Rank: D]

  [Level: 1 (Grows with system)]

  [Race: Undead (Poison Immunity, +100% Damage Taken from Light and Holy Magic]

  [Title: None]

  [Trait: None]

  [Abilities: Forward Slash, Locked (Level up required)]

  [Loyalty: Gacha Bound]

  [Dismiss]

  “Alive,” he muttered.

  The skeleton soldier tilted its skull, clattering softly as it took a tentative step forward. Its empty sockets seemed almost aware.

  Akane’s ears twitched. Finally, something with spirit.

  Rylan extended a hand. The skeleton froze for a heartbeat, then slowly raised its own bony hand, mirroring his gesture.

  “Alright,” Rylan said quietly. “Let’s see what you can do.”

  The skeleton paused for a heartbeat, head tilting as if measuring the command. It proceeded to lower itself into a combat stance, joints clicking softly.

  Rylan waved his hand experimentally. The skeleton mirrored every movement, precision in its articulation.

  It’s… obedient, Akane noted, voice tinged with curiosity. Sort of like a puppy.

  Rylan crouched slightly and took out the practice stick from his inventory, jabbing forward. The skeleton responded, clattering forward in perfect mimicry, blocking an invisible strike and swinging back with a forward slash of its own. The sound of wood against bone echoed faintly inside the tent.

  “Not bad.”

  The skeleton paused, tilting its head, as if judging his technique. It made a small step sideways, pivoting, testing distance.

  Rylan nodded, impressed despite himself. “Alright, you respond to commands. Let’s try something simple.”

  He pointed to a corner of the tent. The skeleton clattered over, moving carefully to avoid stepping on his gear. Its movement was deliberate, almost polite.

  “Let’s see if you can carry something.” Rylan handed his stick. “Hold this.”

  The skeleton extended both hands, gripping with surprising precision. It lifted it, careful not to drop it, and held it at chest level.

  “Good,” Rylan said, testing its grip by slightly shaking the stick. No slip. “Not bad at all.”

  This is fascinating, Akane murmured. Even without magic, it can be useful.

  Rylan leaned back against his pack, finally allowing himself a small smile.

  The skeleton paused, then returned to standing at attention, awaiting further instruction.

  “You’re not going anywhere without my command, understood?” Rylan said softly. The skeleton gave a single nod, a sound like a small cascade of bones.

  Akane’s tail swished. You may have summoned more than a mere minion, Master.

  Rylan chuckled lightly. “For now, guard the tent.”

  The skeleton immediately moved to the edge of the blanket, posture rigid but ready as its empty sockets seemed to scan the canvas walls.

  The system panel flickered softly in front of him:

  [All Draws Consumed]

  The panel pulsed once, the blue light rippling like water across its surface.

  But instead of immediately displaying something new, the interface slowly faded away. The tent grew darker as the glow vanished.

  Silence returned.

  “That’s it?”

  Hm. Akane nodded her head.

  “Wasn’t the system supposed to upgrade?”

  It is. Akane curled up nearby his straw-filled pillow. It will take some time.

  Rylan exhaled, letting the tension of the night dissolve slightly. The exhaustion that had been waiting patiently all night finally caught up with him.

  Between the journey, the supply delivery job, discovering a mysterious system, summoning an SSS-rank crimson fox, and acquiring a collection of deeply questionable items…

  It had been a long and tiresome evening.

  Rylan pulled the rolled blanket over himself and stretched out on the tent floor. Rubbing his eyes, he spoke softly: “I’m going to sleep.”

  The skeleton soldier clattered lightly, taking a careful step closer, standing vigil at the edge of the blanket. Outside, the last embers of the campfire crackled softly in the distance. The occasional rustle of wind against the canvas drifted through the quiet campsite.

  For a while neither of them spoke.

  Then Akane’s voice returned, softer this time: Master?

  “What.”

  Your luck is very strange.

  “…”

  This will be fun. She giggled quietly.

  Rylan decided against responding. Within a few minutes, exhaustion pulled him under.

  The tent fell silent.