"Tongtian Talisman? One of the Eight Extraordinary Techniques? My luck really is incredible today… the power of a talisman taken to its extreme—absolutely terrifying."
Amano Ren was genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected a low-level lottery to include a reward as powerful as the Tongtian Talisman. Though the World Under One Person universe wasn't as overpowered as some higher-level worlds, its Eight Extraordinary Techniques were ridiculously strong.
If developed fully, even in higher-level fantasy or cultivation worlds, these techniques could unleash dazzling power. And yet, this mighty skill appeared in a low-level lottery.
So the low-level lottery's rewards weren't as trivial as he had imagined.
"Alright… system, merge the Tongtian Talisman with me."
"Ding. Fusion begins."
As the system spoke, a golden light entered Amano Ren's mind, transmitting the Tongtian Talisman's training methods and annotations directly into his memory.
"The memory load is huge… those extra notes beyond the training, are they from the system? There's more than in the original text. Kind of like reading comprehension. Huh… I have to hand it to you, system—you even included a method for cultivating innate energy. Thanks."
Amano Ren smiled. He had expected the system to convert the Tongtian Talisman's usage into chakra, but instead it gave him an extra training method from another world. Though it might be a little cumbersome at first, experiencing cultivation techniques from another world was definitely valuable.
"Ding. The system adjusts according to the Host's needs," it said mechanically.
"I like that."
Amano Ren nodded in satisfaction. Though rumors online had portrayed systems as malevolent, who wouldn't want one if they could get it?
Besides, with his strength, it would be far too difficult for a system to harm him.
According to internet speculation in his previous life, such systems might have been created by someone to send chosen individuals to different worlds to gather luck or fortune. Most of the profit went to the creator, with the host only receiving a fraction.
Amano Ren didn't mind; at least this way, he was getting something he otherwise couldn't.
"Ding. The system clarifies: the Host's imagination is too powerful. This system was not artificially created, nor was its purpose to seize the world's luck."
"Oh? Interesting. So where do you come from?"
Amano Ren rubbed his chin, mentally noting that the system could investigate the Host's thoughts without consent.
"."
"Ding. The system originally did not exist. Over time, as humans' faith and belief in systems grew stronger, it gradually became real. You are the system's first—and last—chosen Host."
"Familiar setup… a god-slayer scenario? Makes sense," Amano Ren nodded.
"Forget it. Thinking about that now is premature. First, I need to train in innate energy."
With that, Amano Ren prepared to sit cross-legged and begin training.
Knock, knock, knock!
At that moment, a knock came at the door.
Amano Ren frowned. Could it be the Third Hokage at this hour?
After a moment's hesitation, he walked to the door and opened it gently.
"Little Amano Ren? Grandpa has come to see you."
An elderly voice spoke kindly.
"Are you okay? Hungry? I brought your favorite—Ichiraku Ramen."
Dressed in red-and-white robes with a large straw hat, small in stature but exuding presence, his smiling, aged face radiated warmth.
It could only be Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage of Konoha.
"Three years old and already eating Ichiraku Ramen? Damn… I can't remember all the details of the Hokage. Well, this isn't an anime—better treat it as a real world."
"If it's a real world, many of the heartfelt feelings unique to the anime wouldn't exist—but that's fine."
Amano Ren's thoughts flickered briefly, and he quickly returned to his usual expression.
"Wow, Ichiraku Ramen! Thank you, Third Grandpa!"
He acted genuinely delighted, as if he hadn't been the one recently hospitalized.
"Hahaha, as long as you like it, Amano Ren."
Hiruzen's eyes flickered with a trace of guilt at Amano Ren's words, but he quickly hid it, smiling. Amano Ren, however, noticed the brief emotion.
"Guilt… how amusing," he thought, outwardly calm but inwardly disdainful.
Hiruzen handed him the ramen and stepped into the modest room—sparse, without decoration.
Sigh.
He thought silently: It's not that he didn't want Amano Ren to have a nicer home, but the villagers wouldn't tolerate seeing him live well. For Konoha's sake, he had to handle it this way. Minato and Kushina's house, compensation, and savings would remain with him for now. When the right opportunity arose, he would hand them over.
When would that opportunity come? That depended on Amano Ren's performance.
Meanwhile, Amano Ren ignored him and opened the Ichiraku Ramen, eating heartily.
Everyone knew what Amano Ren usually ate; no matter how Ichiraku tasted, it was the best thing he had ever eaten.
Moreover, the ramen really was delicious.
"Not bad… though taste varies by location and eating habits," Amano Ren thought as he ate.
"I don't come to see you often," Hiruzen said, somewhat gratified watching him eat. "If there's anything you want, you can ask."
He knew how Amano Ren ended up in the hospital; this gesture was probably to ease his conscience.
Amano Ren paused, thought for a moment, and said:
"Third Grandpa… could you give me a bit more money?"
"Money?"
Hiruzen blinked.
"Yes. Half the food I buy is filled with sand. I want to buy ingredients and cook for myself."
Amano Ren's clear, pale-blue eyes looked sincerely at him.
"Alright, will 1,000 ryo suffice?"
Hiruzen said gently.
"That's enough, thank you, Third Grandpa."
Amano Ren felt joy in his heart. Though not much, it was far better than the original story's meager coins. In the original, Amano Ren probably didn't even have thirty ryo.
A simple bowl of Ichiraku Ramen cost sixty ryo! Damn it!
Perhaps this was some compensation. Hiruzen felt a little less guilty and left with a smile.
"Rest well, Amano Ren. I still have many duties, but I'll come again in time."
"Goodbye, Third Grandpa," Amano Ren said reluctantly.
Hiruzen smiled, nodded, and stepped out.
"Do not monitor Amano Ren for now. Also, ensure that any food sold to him is safe."
He gave instructions to a hidden ANBU unit. Amano Ren, still too weak, didn't notice.