Rai Hikaru's mind suddenly filled with the image of a gigantic, golden roulette wheel, spinning endlessly.
As the pointer finally stopped, a white flash of light shot out.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have received the reward: "Shenbao Energy Drink x1"!]
[A system-produced special energy drink! One bottle sharpens the mind, two bottles banish fatigue forever! Drink after activity to quickly restore energy and relieve exhaustion!]
"…Really?"
Rai Hikaru stared at the reward, utterly speechless.
In this dangerous world, what he needed most was power. How was some energy drink going to help him? Could the system give him something useful for once?
Another white flash.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have received: "Shenbao Energy Drink x1"!]
[Ding! …"Shenbao Energy Drink x1"!]
Eight more flashes followed, all the same stupid energy drink.
Rai Hikaru finally understood: this was the guaranteed consolation reward.
Of course. He was a non-lucky guy.
At least the ten-draw had a guaranteed reward.
Finally, on the tenth spin, a blue flash appeared.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have received the reward: "Corpse Incineration Technique"!]
[Ding! The skill "Corpse Incineration Technique" has been automatically learned. Details can be viewed in the skills menu.]
Rai Hikaru quickly checked his status panel.
[Corpse Incineration Technique: Summons a small flame. Though the flame cannot ignite smoke on its own, contact with a corpse will burn it to ashes almost instantly, leaving no trace.]
He stared helplessly out the taxi window.
Really… this was ridiculous. A flame that couldn't even light smoke? Totally useless in combat!
But thinking about it further, in this world, it could be practical.
If he had this skill earlier, he could have dragged Masaru Ooshika to a secluded spot and dealt with him permanently. Problem solved.
There would be plenty more delinquent idiots like Masaru in the future, and Rai Hikaru's personality dictated "strike while the opportunity is there, leave no survivors."
Thinking this way, his mood improved slightly.
He started the second ten-draw.
As expected, the first nine flashes were all white—another nine "After-Action Joy Cigarettes."
Then, a blue flash appeared.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have received: "Qingming Protective Amulet"!]
[Qingming Protective Amulet (one-time use): The wearer is immune to hypnosis, mind control, and various other negative effects. When facing imminent harm, an automatic protective shield will appear. Duration: 30 minutes.]
"Finally… something actually useful."
This world was too dangerous to rely solely on luck.
From his past life, Rai Hikaru remembered that Lady Mira and his twin "sisters" were never really threatened by delinquent men. But this fusion world was different.
He constantly worried about their safety, concerned that one day something might happen to them.
He couldn't follow them all the time, so he had to be vigilant and prepared.
Now, with the protective amulet, he had an extra layer of security.
Sure, it was single-use and limited to 30 minutes—but it would work in a pinch.
With the Pure Love System at his side, Rai Hikaru believed he'd soon find even better ways to protect Lady Mira and those he cared about.
Spending 100 points for this amulet stung a bit, but all items he drew could be added to the shop for later purchases.
The amulet cost 10 Pure Love points, meaning he could buy as many as he needed in the future to protect those dear to him.
The lottery finally ended as the taxi pulled up outside Shinonome Natsuka's apartment.
"Come on, get upstairs and change. Don't dawdle," Rai Hikaru said to the hesitant girl.
"Um… could you… come upstairs with me?" Natsuka asked, still wearing Rai Hikaru's jacket, cheeks flushed as she spoke.
"Hm? What… do you mean by that?" Rai Hikaru asked warily.
"I… I'm a little scared, after all… just now with Masaru Ooshika…"
Rai Hikaru nodded, understanding her fear.
"Fine. Let's go."
Natsuka's smile brightened at his consent.
It wasn't that she was actually afraid of the short walk upstairs—she just wanted Rai Hikaru close. More than her long-unseen childhood friend. Perhaps it was a sense of security.
Natsuka went ahead, swaying slightly as she walked. Rai Hikaru followed up the stairs, silently admiring her natural, unpretentious movements.
Even though her gait made certain ideas surface in his mind, he didn't comment. His focus was singular: increase his strength by defeating delinquents.
Love and romance could wait. This world was too dangerous. He needed power to protect himself and his family.
At the door to her apartment, Natsuka turned to him, cheeks pink.
"Um… do you want to come in? I might take a while changing, but I can make you some tea."
…Was that a hint? A trap to seduce him?
Rai Hikaru scrutinized her. Her eyes flickered shyly behind the blush.
"No need. You go ahead and change. Don't waste time—I have classes. I, Rai Hikaru, love studying."
The girl looked speechless. Her blush faded as she turned and walked inside, muttering to herself.
She hadn't expected that even after inviting him in, he would refuse.
Did he really dislike her so much? Did he find her unattractive?
She didn't know the reason—it wasn't about attractiveness.
Still, her mind wandered back to earlier: how fiercely he had protected her, even violently punishing Masaru.
It had been terrifying, yet… comforting.
For him to act so ruthlessly for her sake, he must… like her a little?
She looked down at the now-dry uniform she had just removed. Perfect.
Confidently, she walked to the bed.
She had intended to change into a fresh uniform, but then she impulsively picked up Rai Hikaru's jacket, inhaled deeply… and a strange, intoxicated expression crossed her face before she reluctantly let go.
"This… isn't right… why am I like this?!"
"I promised Yuta we'd be together… how… how can I act like this?!"
Clutching the jacket again, she inhaled once more, then carefully placed it in her wardrobe, letting his masculine scent mingle with her sweetly fragrant clothes.
No choice. That manly scent was irresistibly intoxicating.
Yuta would understand… he would forgive her, right?
"Seriously, how did that water get everywhere? My whole uniform's soaked!"
Though only her top had been splashed, she hesitated… then changed all her clothes anyway.
Meanwhile, Rai Hikaru waited outside, bored, muttering:
"Women… such a hassle. Changing clothes takes forever."
Then he noticed someone approaching.
A short-haired young man walked toward him. Rai Hikaru glanced at him, realizing he wasn't the target—the man was heading for Natsuka's neighbor.
The man knocked on the door.
Thud-thud-thud…
The door slowly opened to reveal a stunning woman: silver hair, water-blue eyes, and an aura of elegance.
The short-haired building manager froze, dumbstruck by her beauty.
Rai Hikaru's eyes widened.
Holy…
"Yuki-onna?!"