Cherreads

Chapter 20 - Chapter 20: I’m the Hydro Archon, Spare Me!

In Lu Heng's gacha system, there was no such thing as a pity mechanism.

If luck was at its absolute worst, one could pull a hundred thousand times without even getting a single purple card.

So, every purple or gold card had to rely purely on luck.

But what was this? Furina got a gold card in a single pull?!

Especially since she had just said she was trading ten years of Neuvillette's lifespan for this pull!

The moment she said it, she got the card?!

Neuvillette was baffled.

So, had he actually lost ten years of his life?

Of course, ten years wasn't much to Neuvillette, but he still cared about this issue.

What if others started copying this method?

Would his lifespan even be enough?

Could it be that one day, he'd wake up to find himself aged and decrepit?

Neuvillette's face remained expressionless, but his mind was in turmoil.

"I was just joking…" Furina's voice grew quiet, her embarrassment obvious.

Even the joy of pulling a gold card was instantly dampened.

"No need to worry," Lu Heng reassured them with a smile. "This isn't some kind of sacrificial ritual where you can trade something for luck. Neuvillette's lifespan hasn't been reduced because of this."

Neuvillette asked, "So this was purely Furina's own luck?"

"Yes," Lu Heng nodded.

Hearing this, Furina immediately relaxed, her smile returning as she joked, "Looks like your lifespan is pretty valuable, Neuvillette!"

"Please refrain from using this method in the future," Neuvillette replied, a hint of exasperation in his tone.

"Is this also a form of superstition?" Chevreuse felt like she had learned something new.

"Definitely counts," Lu Heng affirmed.

"I understand now."

Furina was now brimming with confidence.

Never mind how the superstition worked—just look at the results!

It worked, so it must be useful!

"Quick, help me see what this is," Furina handed the gold card to Lu Heng.

The card depicted a black-and-white image of a potion.

After Lu Heng appraised it, colors appeared.

A deep blue potion shimmered enchantingly inside a test tube.

The tube rested on a blueprint covered with molecular structure diagrams.

[Gene Optimization Technology]

[Tier]: 5-star · Gold

[Type]: [Knowledge Card]

[Trait]: [Crafting]

[Description]: Genetic optimization technology from an advanced civilization, capable of achieving the feat of artificially creating gods. Equipping this card grants the ability to manually synthesize genetic serums!

Lu Heng wasn't surprised to see sci-fi-themed items anymore.

But genetic technology? That was interesting.

Based on his understanding, a single injection of this could turn a person into a superhuman.

Since it came from an advanced civilization, the technology was undoubtedly mature—though whether it was suitable for Fontaine's people remained to be seen.

They'd probably need Neuvillette to first recognize them as "human" using the authority of the Dragon Sovereign.

Lu Heng explained the card's effects to Neuvillette and Furina.

"There's actually technology like this?!"

Furina was stunned, but after seeing the description mention an "advanced civilization," she quickly accepted it.

Fontaine already had autonomous meka—if others were called advanced civilizations, developing this kind of tech didn't seem too far-fetched.

"The feat of artificially creating gods…"

Neuvillette pondered.

This knowledge card was, without a doubt, terrifying.

It meant that with sufficient preparation, one could mass-produce Tier 5 powerhouses!

The only question was how strong these Tier 5 beings would be.

Neuvillette guessed they'd probably be on the lower end, but that was still plenty strong.

Even if they were watered-down, they were still Tier 5.

And in the absolute worst-case scenario… they could still equip cards!

The more Neuvillette thought about it, the more absurd it seemed.

Was this really not a dream?

Snapping out of his thoughts, Neuvillette said, "Lady Furina, I suggest restricting this card's use to yourself only—and ensuring it's well-protected."

"Huh? Me?"

Furina pointed at herself, then shook her head vigorously. "No, no, you take it."

Equipping this card would mean being stuck synthesizing genetic serums all day.

She wasn't that dumb!

Neuvillette fell silent.

Equipping this card meant having the power to independently create a formidable faction.

Yet Furina had handed it over without a second thought.

Such trust…

Fortunately, Neuvillette would never betray anyone who placed their faith in him.

Lu Heng and Chevreuse watched the two rulers completely missing each other's points and exchanged an amused glance.

"I'm going to keep pulling," Furina muttered under her breath.

"Trading a hundred years of Neuvillette's lifespan for a pull…"

Neuvillette: "…"

Thankfully, nothing happened. He sighed in relief.

"Trading thirty years of Clorinde's singlehood for a pull…"

Still nothing.

Seemed like this method wasn't foolproof?

Though the 20,000 pulls had yielded quite a few purple cards, gold was still the current goal.

Furina tilted her head and decided to just say whatever came to mind.

"Trading all my hair for a pull—wait, you actually dropped?!"

Seeing the sudden golden glow, Furina frantically patted her head, sighing in relief when she confirmed her hair was still there.

"It might not fall out immediately. Maybe it'll start thinning over the next few days?" Lu Heng mused.

"Ah—!"

Furina's eyes widened in horror.

She imagined herself bald—how ugly would that be?!

Absolutely unacceptable!

Even if it probably wouldn't happen… gacha was all about probabilities, right? What if it did?

Furina bit her lip, tears welling up as she let out a pitiful whimper.

"I'll never joke about this again… Oh great superstition, I'm the Hydro Archon, spare me…"

Neuvillette had to admit—even with his limited understanding of human emotions—Furina had genuinely made him laugh.

Chevreuse kept a straight face, discreetly pinching her thigh to stop herself from cracking up.

Just how did Lady Furina manage to be this hilarious?

Was she… naturally gifted in comedy?

"When I was organizing the cards earlier, I noticed one that might be relevant."

Neuvillette searched through the pile and handed one to Furina.

Furina took a look and froze.

[Enchanting Locks]

[Tier]: 1-star · Gray

[Type]: [Skill Card]

[Trait]: None

[Description]: When this card's skill is used, its power envelops the hair. If the user has no hair, a full head of luscious locks will grow… with a slight charm effect.

"Is this… fate?"

Furina felt even worse after reading it.

"Keep an eye on your hair these next few days. My condolences," Lu Heng sighed.

"Stop making it sound so serious, like it's actually going to happen!" Furina stomped her foot.

Neuvillette added, "But what if it does?"

"Impossible! Absolutely not!"

Furina desperately tried to convince herself. "And you'd better not hope for it either! Otherwise, you'd lose ten years of your life!"

"Could this count as an occupational hazard?"

Neuvillette asked, then shook his head. "No, this would qualify as Lady Furina intentionally harming me. According to Fontaine's laws…"

"See, you'd have to pay fines and face sentencing too."

Lu Heng pointed at Furina, grinning.

"…That's rough."

Chevreuse had tried her best, but she couldn't hold back her laughter any longer.

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T/N:

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