Owen blinked, staring at the panel as the ten draws finished spinning. Light faded and a list of items appeared in his system storage, each labeled neatly with rarity and time until expiration. He exhaled slowly, trying to make sense of what he had just received.
"Okay," he muttered to himself, "ten pulls. Let's see what I got."
The system displayed:
1 Star: Soda Drink
2 Star: Water
2 Star: Fried Chicken
1 Star: Crop Top
1 Star: Jogger Pants
4 Star: Serum – Permanently increases agility by 1 times peak human
2 Star: Scrap Metal Armor
1 Star: Survival machete
1 Star: Wooden Chair
2 Star: Bread
Owen ran a hand through his hair. "Not bad for a first day. The food and water will at least keep me alive for a while, and that serum could be useful."
He looked back at the final draw, the one he had been waiting for.
5 Star Unit: Blair
She appeared in the sand before him. Owen froze, instinctively covering his crotch. Blair's body was tall, six-foot-five, and well built but undeniably feminine. Her skin was smooth and fair, almost glowing under the sun. Golden blonde hair cascaded down her back, with bangs framing a sharp, expressive face. Across her face ran a large cross-shaped scar, giving her a dangerous and battle-worn aura. Her body bore several scars, evidence of past battles or brutal experiences. Her long legs and toned figure made her movements graceful even in stillness, like a predator sizing up her environment. She was completely naked, which made Owen's blush deepen.
"Uh… hang on a second," Owen said, holding up his hands. "Let me… fix this." He quickly selected the crop top and jogger pants from his storage and dragged them onto Blair. She raised an eyebrow, watching the process with a lazy grin.
"You really care about modesty, huh?" she asked, voice rough but amused. "I like it. Not every guy would do that before he faints or assaults me immediately."
Owen tried not to squirm. "I… I just think it's polite. You are a warrior, but… uh… clothes are necessary."
Blair chuckled and stretched, the fabric of the crop top and joggers fitting snugly over her tall frame. "Polite, huh? I like that word. You seem… cautious. Not a bad trait. Could make life less boring."
He exhaled slowly, then turned to her system stats, curious despite the awkwardness.
Blair Stats:
Strength: 1.5x Peak Human
Durability: 1.5x Peak Human
Agility: 2.5x Peak Human
Endurance: 2.5x Peak Human
"Well," Owen said, "you are faster and tougher than a normal human. That will make things… easier, I guess. I just hope you listen when it matters."
Blair smirked. "Listen? Boss, I am loyal to you, but don't expect me to sit quietly. That's who I am."
Owen raised an eyebrow. "I think I can live with that. Just… don't murder anyone I tell you not to."
Blair laughed, a deep, warm sound that echoed over the dunes. "Fine. I'll try not to, boss. But if someone tries to kill me? Or you? I am not holding back."
Owen exhaled, shaking his head but smiling faintly. "Fair enough. At least you are honest."
Blair glanced around at the desert. "So this is where we are, huh? Not much to look at. Sand, sun, and death waiting around every corner."
Owen chuckled nervously. "Pretty much. But we will manage. Step by step."
The two began walking through the desert, the sun high above. Despite the harsh heat, they kept a casual conversation going.
"Do you always talk this much?" Blair asked, stretching one leg out as she walked beside him.
"Not really," Owen admitted. "I prefer to think first. Speak second. But I figure, you know… we might as well get used to each other."
Blair laughed again. "Thinking first. That is different. Most people I meet just charge in screaming. You are… refreshing."
Owen smirked slightly. "I try. It has kept me alive longer than recklessness has."
They continued wandering, the sand crunching underfoot, and Owen started scanning his storage more closely. The 4-star serum that permanently increased agility caught his attention.
"Huh," he said. "This could be useful. Should I… try it?"
Blair glanced at him. "You thinking of using it on yourself? That could be fun."
"I thought about it," Owen admitted, "but having an incredibly fast and strong bodyguard seems more useful. Especially one who… looks like you." He felt his cheeks heat and quickly added, "I mean, in terms of survival. Not… anything else."
Blair laughed, almost spitting in the sand. "I like your style, boss. Practical and slightly awkward. I can roll with that."
Owen exhaled and selected the serum from his storage. He injected it into Blair's arm carefully, watching her reaction.
Her eyes widened almost immediately, and she spun on her heel, sprinting in small circles around him. The desert blurred as her movements became sharp, fluid, and impossibly fast. She stopped abruptly, knees bent, chest heaving slightly, and then looked back at Owen with a grin.
"Holy hell!" Blair exclaimed. "I can feel it! Everything moves so smoothly. I never thought I could move like this. You… you actually made me faster! Faster than I imagined!"
Owen smiled faintly, trying to hide his relief. "Glad it worked. That will make scouting, hunting, and fighting easier. You should be able to handle threats much faster now."
Blair walked back, towering over him slightly, and nudged him playfully with her shoulder. "Boss, you did great. I owe you for this one. Not that I would ever betray you anyway."
Owen nodded. "I appreciate that. Now we just need to figure out some permanent source of water, food, and shelter. And try not to die before sunset."
Blair grinned and stretched her long legs again. "Step by step, boss. Don't worry. I got your back. I'll be your sword and shield. You just have to give the orders."
Owen smirked. "Fair enough. I think we can manage that. At least, for today."
The desert stretched endlessly, but with Blair at his side, Owen felt a little less alone. He glanced at the glowing sun overhead, then back at his system storage, making mental notes of supplies and potential plans.
"Alright," he said softly.
Owen exhaled, adjusting his pack. The first companion he had ever pulled from the system was loyal, brutal, and powerful. And now, thanks to the serum, faster than ever.
"Let's see how far we can go," he said.
Blair smirked. "You are the boss. I am just happy to run your errands… if they involve killing idiots or surviving crazy desert heat."
Owen chuckled, shaking his head. "Then let's get moving. We have a long day ahead."
The sun burned down, the desert stretched endlessly, and for the first time since waking, Owen felt cautiously optimistic. Blair's loyalty and newfound speed were more than he could have hoped for, and together they began wandering through the dunes, joking and talking, preparing for whatever horrors Veridia might throw their way.
The desert was vast, the sun merciless, and Owen had no idea what awaited them. But with Blair at his side, he felt ready to face it all.