[Card Draw Confirmed]
[Please Draw Cards]
Unlike the fully automatic first time, Amber now saw the card draw interface.
Honestly, it was almost a perfect copy of the one from Star Rail, except the cover image showed many different armored versions of Fu Hua, or rather, Fu Hua from different periods.
And there was no separate weapon banner—looked like it was a combined pool.
Her former gacha player instincts couldn't help but twitch a little.
'Is the rate publicly disclosed?'
[The draw system does not operate on probability]
The guide was quick to answer: [What you obtain depends entirely on luck, or perhaps... fate. The system can only assist the host in establishing a connection to fate, ensuring the drawn cards are not entirely chaotic.]
'I see...'
With the Q&A over, Amber looked at the familiar single pull and ten-pull options, then tentatively tapped the ten-pull.
[Use 1600 Approval for a ten-pull?]
'Yes.'
[Detected that current Approval can be used for weighting. This action will consume additional Approval but increase the quality of items obtained.]
'...How much more?'
[Determined by the host's choice. The guide recommends—using all of it.]
'Um, just to confirm... Approval is only used for drawing cards, right?'
[Correct]
'Then put it all in.'
Amber didn't hesitate much before replying.
She knew perfectly well that no amount of miscellaneous junk parts could compare to pulling one truly excellent item. So, she wasn't really resistant to going all-in for the weighted draw.
[Draw Complete]
[Duplicate items have been consolidated]
[Asterite x23300 // Weapon Resonance x1900 // Fu Hua: Margrave (B) x1 // Fenghuang Down x1 // Curio: Most Raucous x1]
'...WTF?'
Even Amber was stunned by the results of this draw.
Thanks again to the guide for managing her expression, or she would have made a fool of herself in front of everyone. But more importantly! She'd actually hit the jackpot this time!
Truth be told, although she hadn't mentioned it, her last draw had been terrifyingly lucky too.
Not only did she get a Fu Hua character card, it was Fu Hua from the Azure Empyrea period, arguably one of her most powerful eras. She'd even drawn a Curio from Star Rail: Dream 0110.
Most people probably wouldn't know this Curio's name. It was just a grey, lowest-tier Curio, but its effect was simple and brutal, especially in Amber's current hands.
Dream 0110: Upon entering battle, increase damage dealt by all allies by 50%. After 15 turns, increase damage received by 10%.
While the version she drew wasn't as absurd as the in-game one, giving only 20% universal damage increase, the damage received penalty was also reduced to just 5%.
Simple, crude, but exceptionally effective damage amplification.
And what she drew this time—the Fenghuang Down and Most Raucous—were on a whole other level.
The Fenghuang Down, the Divine Key the Celestial used most effortlessly, was the Key of Consciousness, targeting the mind and creating illusions. Its potential applications were nearly endless.
Most Raucous was equally heavyweight. In the game's Divergent Universe: The Human Comedy, its effect was: After an enemy target is attacked by a 'Fire' attribute character and enters Weakness Break state, the next time it recovers from Weakness Break, its Toughness recovery amount is reduced by 50%.
While it had different effects in other modes, the real-world template seemed based on the Divergent Universe version.
When an enemy was struck by Amber's 'flame' type attacks, 'residual energy' would be left within them.
No matter how skilled the enemy was at recovery, if they couldn't expel this residue, the injury couldn't be fully healed.
What a massive haul!
Is this the power of going all-in?!
Amber couldn't help but mentally squirm with glee.
After exiting the draw interface, she eagerly equipped the Fenghuang Down, though she wasn't in a hurry to study it intently. She could wait until the dead of night when she was alone for that.
Thinking this, she turned her attention back to Mash's shield.
The connection established by Chaldea had long been completed.
Not only that, judging by the looks on both sides, they had already been conversing for quite some time. This meant she had zoned out for a good while, and the topic probably hadn't been focused on her much.
Just as she was about to let her mind wander again to study the Fenghuang Down, Dr. Roman in the shield's display suddenly spoke up: "Now that I think of it, I keep forgetting to ask."
"Celestial Phoenix, can you tell us here about the entity that summoned you to this era?"
"Roman?" Da Vinci in the image frowned at the man beside him.
This was an important question. They had been through many Singularities and encountered many Servants. Depending on who summoned them, they could often determine the Servant's allegiance.
For example... the three goddesses like Ishtar, and the fake Enkidu, were likely Servants summoned by the King of Mages, existing specifically to destroy humanity.
While Ana wasn't summoned by Gilgamesh, she was summoned directly by the Counter Force, an existence meant to protect humanity.
'Mr. Guide, what should I say...?' Amber's expression didn't change in the slightest, but she felt a bit lost internally.
[The Counter Force]
"It was the Counter Force," Amber said.
"Is that so? My apologies for the redundant question." Roman's expression didn't change either, as if he had already known.
What he really wanted to say came next: "As you can see, we currently lack the power to oppose divine beings. While Fujimaru is an excellent Master and Mash is an excellent Servant, the difference in spiritual foundations creates a nearly insurmountable gap."
"Therefore, could we request your assistance in Chaldea's operations, for the time being?"
"I can't guarantee I'll be by your side at all times," Amber stated truthfully. "But if you find yourselves in danger, I won't stand idly by."
After all, they were basically the protagonist team. Helping them out aligned with her personality and mood regardless.
This should probably increase my Approval too, right? It's a win-win anyway.
"Thank you for your assurance." Roman nodded.
Da Vinci breathed a slight sigh of relief. Bringing this up so suddenly like this could have been troublesome if the other party took offense or had something to hide and decided to attack.
As Roman said, they currently had no way to deal with a divine-level power, and the Phoenix, who possessed such power, was not someone they could contend with either.
Hearing Amber's agreement, Ritsuka broke into a happy smile and pumped her fist. "Thank you! That's a huge help!"
"It's wonderful to have such a strong and reliable ally joining us." Mash, who had already considered Amber one of their own, was also delighted and smiled warmly at Ritsuka now that it was official.
Anyone would enjoy being looked at with admiration, and Amber was no exception. However, her mind was currently more occupied with her new toy.
Thinking about the various wonderful uses of the Fenghuang Down, Amber bid everyone farewell shortly after the communication ended and returned to her room alone, intending to study the feather properly.
With the guide's help, she had already gotten somewhat used to wielding the invisible power residing within her—Honkai energy.
Using the Fenghuang Down involved channeling Honkai energy to activate it. It sounded somewhat mystical, but after trying it, she found it much simpler than a beginner trying to wield a weapon with their hands.
On her very first attempt, she managed to project her consciousness into the feather.
However, what she found inside made her excited self freeze.
Its interior wasn't empty. Instead, a tattered, incredibly weak strand of consciousness floated within.
"Is this... the Celestial?"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.