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[This system is a manifestation of the primordial world's power of fantasy.]
[You can gain abilities from others by fulfilling their wishes. The more complete and satisfying the fulfillment, the more Wish Points you earn.]
[Wish Points can be used for lotteries, copying specific abilities, seizing them, and more.]
[The system will be officially activated once you fulfill a wish.]
As Dan read the final line, he had mixed feelings.
Looks like the activation condition was set up as a kind of trial—maybe to test the will of the one who possesses it.
In Orario, not everyone is an adventurer. Helping out ordinary folks with their small wishes isn't hard, and it's basically risk-free.
To play it safe, after awakening the system over ten days ago, Dan had planned to start exactly like that. He even carefully picked a shop to start from.
But just his luck—he ran into Faceless Vito, who forcefully abducted everyone in that shop.
More than half of them were tortured to death on the way by that psycho.
If Dan hadn't randomly run into Valletta on one of her whims, he would've likely ended up the same way.
The first time he saw that gruesome sea of mangled limbs and blood, Dan almost puked on the spot... which Vito then loudly mocked him for.
As for the survivors, most were brainwashed into either joining or being forced into the Evilus —and they'd probably just be used as cannon fodder sooner or later.
Dan had no intention of becoming some necessary evil or the cornerstone of a hero's journey. He had nothing in common with those deranged lunatics. Honestly, the main thing he wanted to do after gaining power was to take out Vito.
He squinted, took a deep breath, and tried to calm the rage in his chest.
"From the sound of it earlier, that big battle isn't far off... I've got to get out of here soon and find a way to activate the system."
I mean, this is a dungeon—no one's going to just walk up and make a wish here!
No time left to be picky.
Dan glanced sideways at the cell door.
That led straight to the main hall of the Evilus's base. It was the only exit.
But he wasn't even an adventurer yet—there was no chance he could fight his way out.
He frowned and looked up at the small barred window above him.
It was like a sewer vent, barely the size of a pencil box. It let air in, but escape? No way, unless he could dislocate his collarbones or something.
"Damn… what the hell should I do…"
Time passed. Dan sat there mechanically sharpening a little stone dagger, constantly scrapping and revising escape plans in his head—until he suddenly heard footsteps approaching from afar.
"!!!"
Someone's coming?! Already?!
His instincts kicked in. He quickly hid the stone, but then realized—
"Wait! The footsteps aren't in the hallway... they're above me!"
His eyes lit up.
No way. After all this time, someone was actually passing through this remote, abandoned area?
He got excited, forcing his weak body upright and stumbling onto a wooden crate. He stood up carefully, trying not to make a sound.
If the guards hadn't all gone to the main hall for the meeting, he'd never dare do this.
Dan tiptoed and peeked through the barred window.
He didn't shout—he wanted to first see who it was.
Then he heard a sharp-tongued girl speak with mocking sarcasm:
"Well well, look where we've wandered—some grimy, deserted alleyway. If that neat freak elf were here, she'd probably be gagging and running away."
"Hehe~ Thanks for lowering yourself to accompany me on patrol, Your Highness~"
A dainty foot stepped right in front of the barred window.
The two girls had stopped right outside Dan's dungeon cell.
He clenched his fists, holding his breath.
Don't rush... Just wait a little longer. Confirm who they are first!
"So, what's the Evilus lead you mentioned? Don't tell me it's just a hunch. You're not your Familia's hero, and you're definitely not our pain-in-the-ass captain."
"Well… it's not Finn's business exactly, but it's got something to do with one of the Nine Demon Princesses."
"Why does it always go back to that elf noble?"
"She asked me to find someone… seemed really worried."
That voice... It's them!
Dan instantly recognized who they were and couldn't wait any longer.
He pulled out the sharp stone shard he'd been hiding and carefully reached it through the barred window, pressing it against the girl's heel.
But—no reaction.
Just as Dan thought maybe he was too weak... a pair of sharp eyes suddenly appeared right in front of the window, staring straight at him.
"!!!"
"So it wasn't just my imagination... There really is someone down here~"
The girl crouched down and peered in. She had soft pink hair—more peach-colored than Valletta's—and a young, childish face, despite the calm maturity in her expression.
Dan finally relaxed when he recognized her. He lowered his voice and quickly explained:
"I know who you are—The Astraea Familia!"
"This place is one of the Evilus's bases. They've got dozens of prisoners here, and I think they're plotting something big."
"There are at least thirty members, and at least three officers. One of them's Level 5. They might have left just now, but someone could still be here."
"You have to get help immediately! Either Loki Familia or Freya Familia—doesn't matter!"
Even the chaotic Freya Familia would step in against the Evilus at this point.
Lyra narrowed her eyes, instantly suspicious.
"Funny how you know so much…"
Way too convenient.
Sure, she'd rescued innocent civilians before, but none of them were like this guy—trapped in enemy territory and still aware of so much, all while staying calm and alert.
Most would be freaking out, screaming and crying after recognizing her.
But when the sunlight let her clearly see Dan's face, something in her chest twisted hard.
Bitterness. Nostalgia. Trust. Anger.
A storm of complicated emotions swirled in her heart.
Dan knew Lyra was a cautious, suspicious type. He was about to urgently explain more—but she suddenly raised her hand.
"I got it. Stay right here. We'll come back and get you!"
Beside her, Gojouno Kaguya frowned slightly, eyeing the strange shift in Lyra's expression.
What the heck?
Lyra was always skeptical about everything. Why trust this guy so easily?
Kaguya smirked to herself.
No way... Did she fall in love at first sight with some random guy in a dungeon~?
Wow, acting all cool and logical usually, then suddenly going all soft and emotional—guess I'm gonna have to clean up after you again, huh?
But regardless of whether the guy's info was real, they had to report this.
Lyra straightened up, her laziness gone. She looked dead serious.
"We have to go. Now!"
Tch… Last time I saw her this serious was when Ryuu went into the dungeon alone…
Even more curious now, Kaguya leaned down, peeking into the cell for herself.
Hmph, I bet he's not even that—
But the moment her eyes locked with Dan's—those dark, starry eyes—something stirred in her heart.
Like a memory was about to surface... but something was blocking it.
A breeze blew through his messy hair. The space between them froze, and time seemed to stop. Kaguya's heart pounded in her chest.
Dan blinked, confused.
Lady... why are you blushing? Shouldn't you be running for backup or something?!
Lyra turned and saw Kaguya making googly eyes, and for some reason, her mood instantly soured.
"Kaguya! What are you waiting for?! MOVE!"
She elbowed her hard and yanked her sleeve. Kaguya snapped back to reality, suddenly feeling that same urgency.
"R-Right! On it...!"
But then—clap, clap, clap—a slow, mocking applause echoed at the dungeon entrance.
"I just wanted to see what that woman said to you... and wow, what a bonus surprise~"
Dan's expression changed. He whipped around.
There, at the cell door, stood Vito, smiling with a twisted softness.
His right eye—shaped like a bent bow—gleamed with a crazed red light.
"I gotta admit... you are something else. Always got someone helping you out. You almost got away again... but not this time~"
He struck a dramatic pose, drawing a short sword from his waist. His eyes gleamed with sadistic pleasure as he lunged at Dan.
Cold killing intent flooded the room.
Dan could barely breathe.
Outside the vent, Lyra shouted in panic—
"Hey! Get away from the wall!!"
"....."