[Aiden's POV]
The gold-rimmed blue screen rippled, and new information appeared.
[Performing 5 continuous Gacha pulls of the Starter Pack]
The screen simmered, and a soft chime rang out, signalling the start of something profound. I was totally focused on the screen to observe this process happening for the first time.
The screen slightly widened, and a line of card-like structures appeared. The line of cards started moving in rhythm. There was a single slot, which was the most brightened spot in the whole line.
The cards felt like they were moving in circles. This moving rhythm was accompanied by a minimal sound of 'tick' every time a card passed the brightest card slot on the screen.
I was fully captivated by this scene; it was the first truly mesmerizing scene to watch such a thing. Then the color of the cards started changing too.
Some cards were bluish, some showed violet, while some were bright red. There was also a card that was changing its color regularly, which I couldn't see properly. However, the whole scene has increased my expectations more.
I had no idea what the rewards would be, but the allure of the minimum S-rank reward was just too much.
Currently, a guild or team of powerful cultivators has to clear mid-tier or high-tier dungeons, which sometimes could take more than a month, to get a supply of S-rank items from dungeons.
Mid-tier cultivators enter more dangerous portals to get the chance of owning any S-rank items or skills. While I was thinking, the moving row of cards slowed down.
As speed decreased, the 'tick' sound increased, like every card was trying to stop at the brightest spot but was pushed by the card behind it.
Finally the row stopped, and a bluish card with golden lining on the border stopped at the locking spot. Two soft chimes came out, then the card moved to a spot at the top, and the row of cards moved again.
This process continued 4 more times, but each time I paid the same attention. I also had gotten 4 different colored cards with 4 different tones.
The final card was the only one with no sound and a minimalistic design, being white-colored with a black border. But having assurance by the system of minimum S-rank rewards, I didn't care what it gave.
[5 Gacha cards have been selected from the starter pack gacha pull]
[Which card would you like to be revealed first?]
I took a deep breath; I became slightly nervous and anxious. I had an inkling that from this moment forward my life would be taking a totally different path.
I closed my eyes and exhaled, then answered, "Start from what I obtained first and then follow the same pattern."
The system obeyed. The bluish card became more visible in front of it; it had a metallic texture. The card started disappearing from top to bottom, and then the card finally disappeared. A new message appeared on the screen in front of me.
[You have obtained an S-Rank reward]
[Name – Trial Dungeon]
[Rank – S]
[Type – One time-entry Dungeon Key]
[Description – A 10-floor dungeon for the growth of the host at an early stage. Difficult is scaled to the strength level of the host]
My mouth was wide open; so many things that I hadn't heard before were now happening to me, like mixing salt in food. It looks like I have to make a habit of such a situation, as it's minimum S-rank.
"Wow, so we only have a minimum of 30-floor dungeons and not one-time dungeons too, but I guess this is the new normal." "Next one, please," I said.
The second card was violet-colored with silver and white vein-like structures all over it. This card broke apart vertically and disappeared, and right on cue, the system screen appeared with details.
[You have obtained an SS-rank reward]
[Name – Infinite Archive Codex]
[Rank – SS]
[Type – System support module]
[Description – A living archive that records, analyzes, and organizes all acquired or observed powers, skills, bloodlines, artifacts, and combat data. It also calculates optimal synergies and growth path.]
This was equally mind-blowing; combined with inventory, I didn't need to sort anything out.
"That's amazing. Totally worth it." I commented and proceeded to the next one, which I anticipated the most.
The third card was bright red with some kind of sigils made of black gold, giving an explosive look, and just like its look, the card disappeared with an explosion. The details appeared.
[You have obtained an SSS-rank reward]
[Name – Insight Eye]
[Rank – SSS]
[Type – Analytical / Perception]
[Abilities – ]
1. Breakdown vision – Automatically shows the best way to dismantle any ability, skill, or technique.
2. Universal Analysis – Reveals weakness, energy flow, structure, and illusion or hidden layers.
3. Intent perception – Reads intentions and emotional fluctuation.
4. LOCKED
5. LOCKED
*Locked abilities will unlock after host cultivation reaches a certain realm.
[Would you like to equip this eye?]
"Simply mind-blowing, even restricted. It was the most important reward yet. Equip, huh...nah, let's see the remaining two. Now I am more excited about the last two.
SSS-Rank is the highest classification in this world; there are some myths about a higher tier, but no one has ever seen it.
The fourth card was slightly weird with no fixed color and changing border colors. The card glowed resplendently before disappearing. This one has the most visual presentation yet.
[You have obtained the Transcendent Rank reward]
[Name – Primeval Dominion]
[Rank – Transcendent]
[Type – Personal Realm]
[Realm Status]
– Fully formed Planetary-scale Realm
– Stable nature and mana circulation
– Independent day-night and climate cycles
[Inhabitants]
– Mythic beast (extinct species)
Host authority – partially recognition-based
"Finally, my world view, which was slowly breaking apart, shattered totally. After reading the system panels, I just sat there silently on the bed and held the border of the bed tightly so that I didn't fall backwards on the bed.
"System, before I go any further, can you tell me the maximum ranking of rewards? Because I just have partial ownership of a freaking realm with extinct Mythic beast. I don't want any more surprises."
"This is becoming less and less a starter pack but more like I just got a glimpse in the Vault of some all-powerful God." I finished my sentence in one breath and took a deep breath afterwards.
[Most of the things you know up to SSS-rank have classifications that extend higher]
[Rewards from Gacha will be ranked as follows:]
[S –> SS –> SSS –> Transcendent –> Infinite]
"So there is one more rank higher than this, huh...lesson learned. Never consider gacha with common sense." I remarked and proceeded with the last card, which was now giving me a feeling that all this combined will be nothing in front of it.
This white card with a black border simply disappeared like mist disappears in wind. The system screen materialized.
[You have obtained an Infinite-Grade reward]
"Okay, this has officially done it. This is not a Starter Pack!!"