Chapter 28

After returning to the inn, we finished our baths and meals and are now in our room. All that's left is to sleep.

Before going to bed, the three of us sat on the bed, staring at our smartphones. I was in the middle, with them on either side.

"So, it's the 3rd Annual Hei Hachi Carnival."

"You're still dragging this out, aren't you? If you keep naming it like this, it'll just end up being a disaster again."

"Hehe, you really do seem to have bad luck, don't you?"

We were waiting for the clock to strike midnight to participate in the equipment festival announced on our smartphones. It seems the campaign is only for today.

I, a believer in the 0:00 faith, was waiting to pull the gacha right after the date changed.

"Well, even though it's a campaign, this time it's just a 3x rate for SR and above. I think I'll limit myself to five pulls."

"Wow!? You, Ooka-sama, using the word 'self-restraint'... You've really grown, haven't you? I'm so happy!"

Indeed, just because it's a campaign doesn't mean it's a good idea to go all out this time. It's just that the probability of SR and above has increased.

It doesn't say anything about SSR or UR being 3x. It's possible that only SRs will come out in abundance.

While I still want to aim for UR, this gacha might be good for enhancing our current equipment.

So, I decided to set a limit of five pulls for myself. My iron will won't waver so easily.

I am a man of strong will. This time, I absolutely won't pull more than five times.

"So, Noll and Estelle, you can each pull 11 times."

"Really!? Wow!"

"What's gotten into you?"

"The true chosen ones can draw the highest rarity even with one pull... That's the principle, but this time, it's because Noll and Estelle have worked hard. I think you two should get more."

Noll is saying something unnecessary, but let's put that aside. Last time, I pulled 11 times all by myself.

This time, I haven't done as much work as before, so it feels a bit awkward for me to pull.

So, I decided to let them pull this time.

It's not because I have doubts about my gacha luck or because I want them to experience a disaster.

"Alright, Noll, you go first."

"Feels a bit wrong, but here goes!"

I handed my smartphone to Noll and had her sit in the middle while I and Estelle looked over her shoulder.

She tapped the 11-pull gacha with enthusiasm.

The screen showed treasure chests. They stopped at silver, gold, and then gold again.

[SR Burst Ticket, SR Waist Pouch, R Estock, R Food, SR Excalibur, SR Beacon, SR Nike's Shoes, R Stuffed Animal, SR Life Gem, SR Magic Canceller, R Universal Medicine]

"SR, huh."

"Oh, what a shame."

"Heh, that's about it. Don't be too disappointed."

"Ugh, well, next, it's my turn!"

The screen showed treasure chests again. They stopped at silver, gold, and then white.

[SR Pot Lid, SR Magic Shield, SR Stabilizer, R Food, R Camp Set, SR Butterfly Grip, R Sandals, R Magic Dynamite, R Long Coat, SSR Nibelung Ring 'Rhine's Gold', SSR Moon's Dew]

"Hehe, I guess I'm just lucky, huh?"

"I heard you even got me, Noll. You really do have good luck."

"Well, it's not UR, though."

"Why do you sound so disappointed... Anyway, it's Estelle's turn next."

Damn, drawing SSR twice in a row. And two SSRs at that!?

It's great that our strength will increase, but it's a bit frustrating.

After Noll finished pulling, she handed the smartphone to Estelle, who then sat in the middle.

"It's so exciting. This is my first time."

"Don't be too disappointed if you don't get anything good. No rolling on the floor and crying, okay?"

"That's more like you... You're throwing a boomerang."

Estelle, who received the smartphone, was unusually fidgety. She looked so cute, fitting her appearance.

Ha, I need to be ready to console her if she gets a disaster. I can't hear what Noll is saying.

Unlike Noll, Estelle tapped the 11-pull gacha gently.

The screen showed treasure chests. They stopped at silver, gold, and then gold again.

[SR Shoulder Bag, SR Excalibur, SR Beacon, SR Eclipse Sword, R Ice Ring, SR Auto Guard Sphere, R Shoulder Pad, R Food, R Stuffed Animal, SR Caduceus Emblem, R Sleeping Bag]

"Oh... Well, this is more disappointing than I thought."

"Ah, don't worry, don't worry. Something good will come next."

"You seem so happy..."

Estelle pouted, looking disappointed.

Ha, it's not like SSRs would come out so easily.

She continued and tapped the 11-pull gacha again.

The screen showed treasure chests. They stopped at silver, gold, and then white.

[SR Skull Ring, SR Pot Lid, SR Magic Shield, SR Nike's Shoes, R Food, R Potion x10, SR High Potion x10, R Transceiver, SR Philosopher's Stone, R Slippers, SSR Grimoire 'Eira']

"Hehe, I did it. I got an SSR too."

"...It seems SSRs are coming out a lot this time."

"Still, no URs, huh?"

What the hell. Could it be that both of them got SSRs or better!?

Wait a minute, this isn't according to plan. If I only get SRs...

"Heh, heh, heh, watch this. This is the gacha luck of the truly chosen one!"

"I'm watching closely. I hope you don't roll on the floor."

"Brother, don't be too disappointed if you don't get anything good."

I took the smartphone and sat in the middle. The two of them stared at me intently.

I'm in trouble, my hands are shaking. I've never felt this nervous while pulling a gacha. How did it come to this?

I tapped the 11-pull gacha with my trembling fingers.

The screen showed treasure chests. They stopped at silver, gold, white, and then rainbow.

Yes! UR! It seems I'm loved by the gacha!

Ah, I'm about to explode with excitement.

I almost did a breakdance headspin from sheer excitement.

I need to act like this is normal and expected.

"Of course."

"...Estelle, she's pretending to be calm, but she's definitely jumping for joy inside."

"...Yeah, look at her mouth, it's all relaxed and slack."

They were whispering behind me, but I didn't care.

I feel so good right now. I'm not the kind of person to worry about such trivial matters.

"Hmm, I can't hear you. Anyway... Huh?"

I tapped the screen where I had paused at the UR confirmation. When I saw what came out of the rainbow treasure chest, my mind went blank.

[R Food, R Camp Set, R Chrome Armor, R Universal Medicine, SR Excalibur, R Potion x10, R Hot Ring, R Transceiver, SR Temperature App, R Telescope, UR Regi Elitra]

"What's... Oh!"

"Huh? What's wrong?"

When they saw me freeze, they also looked at the screen and were speechless.

"Um... Ooka-sama?"

"Yes? What is it?"

"Ah, I didn't do anything wrong!?"

I turned my head to look at Noll. She jumped off the bed and hid behind Estelle.

"Brother, that's not fair. It's not Noll's fault."

I was trying to smile, but what's going on?

Estelle hugged Noll protectively and patted her head.

"Huh? What are you talking about? I haven't done anything yet?"

"Your face and words don't match. You look like you're seeing your worst enemy."

"You're so angry that your words and actions are off... Your eyes aren't even focused..."

Oh, it seems I was unconsciously losing it. I shook my head to regain my composure.

Still, getting a duplicate UR Regi Elitra, seriously? It came out despite the odds.

And almost everything else is R. What's going on? Is this some kind of harassment?

"Ugh, grr... grrr..."

I'm frustrated, even though I got a UR. I feel like crying and rolling on the floor.

My trembling hand moved unconsciously toward the smartphone screen. I didn't intend to pull.

But if my arm slips due to air resistance and accidentally taps the 11-pull gacha, it would be an accident, right?

Before my arm could touch the screen, it was stopped.

"What is it, Noll? And Estelle?"

Two hands reached out from either side of me, grabbing the hand holding the smartphone and the hand about to tap.

"Brother, what were you about to do?"

"Ooka-sama, you said five times, right?"

"Of course. I have no intention of pulling. Now, let go of my hands."

It seems they anticipated my slip and stopped me.

I tried to move my arm, but it wouldn't budge.

When I tried to bring the hand holding the smartphone closer, Estelle held me back, and Noll moved my other hand away.

Damn, I should have worn a Power Bracelet! This is beyond my expectations!

"I believe in you, Ooka-sama."

"Then why won't you let go?"

"If I let go, it means I trust you to pull the gacha."

What a terrible kind of trust. It's so shocking that you don't trust me at all.

"Fine, then let's pull it together, the three of us."

"What kind of compromise is that!?"

"Brother, you're hopeless."

"No, it's the flow! I'm sure the next one will be UR too! Please, I beg you! Let me pull the gacha!"

"Well, if you insist... What do you think, Estelle?"

"I guess, if he's that insistent, it's fine."

I bowed my head and pleaded with tears in my eyes.

They seemed to accept my desperate plea and let go of my hands.

I really feel bad. I couldn't resist the gacha.

But if I do this, it will be the last time, for sure.

"Alright, let's go! One, two, three, go!"

They placed their hands on mine as we tapped the 11-pull gacha together.

"Yessss! See? I told you! It's the flow!"

"Really? This time, it's your perseverance that won?"

"Ugh, I have to admit it... But I feel like Ooka-sama always thinks it's the flow."

"Don't worry about it! Let's see..."

I tapped the screen to confirm the items, which were paused at the UR confirmation.

If I get a duplicate again, I think my heart will break.

[R Food, SR Ring of Happiness, SR Ring of Protection, SR Skull Ring, SR Beacon, SR Butterfly Grip, SR Eclipse Sword, SR Beacon, SSR Wind Bracelet, SSR Power Bracelet, UR Holy Shroud]

Yes! This is my first UR equipment!

But whether I keep it or not depends on its performance and how it balances with the other items.