16: Chapter 16: I’ll upload an extra chapter the following day!!
This chapter is a gift, enjoy it and have a happy reading!!] [Start of the chapter] After leaving the Coupon Cafeteria, Toki’s stomach was still churning violently.
The bizarre taste of that nightmare milkshake seemed to have permanently lodged itself in his throat, refusing to disappear.
Right now, all he wanted was to hurry back to his Prison Cell and find somewhere quiet to recover.
“Whatever.
At least her Intimacy increased.” After returning to his cell, Toki muttered to himself.
He shifted his attention inward.
Concentrating, he brought up the previous system notifications in his mind.
He carefully went through them line by line, confirming the details related to the Prize Draw.
[Ding!
Your partner “Sigewinne” has reached 20 Intimacy Points with you!] [You have obtained one Black Iron Prize Draw!] [Prize ranks are divided into: Black Iron, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Epic, Legendary, and Mythic.] [The next Prize Draw obtainable through Sigewinne will be unlocked when her Intimacy reaches 50 points.
Prize rank: “Silver.”] [You currently possess one Prize Draw.
Would you like to draw a Black Iron-rank prize now?] The corner of Toki’s mouth twitched as he replied weakly and helplessly, “Draw it…” Even now, his stomach was still rebelling against the complicated flavors of that nightmare milkshake.
Bitter, astringent, fishy…
Just remembering it made him frown.
He had earned this Prize Draw by drinking a milkshake that had nearly killed him.
The moment he spoke, the familiar Prize Draw scene appeared inside his mind.
It was still the same ornate Prize Draw Machine.
Accompanied by the rumbling of machinery, the machine began rapidly spinning.
The prize balls inside collided against one another, producing crisp clattering sounds.
It spun faster and faster until everything inside became a blurry black mass.
Toki stared intently at the spinning machine and silently prayed.
“Just don’t give me another item like that Poké Ball.” “I can’t even use something like that right now.” “Give me something that can increase my combat strength!” “At least make that milkshake worth it!” A moment later, the machine gradually slowed before finally coming to a stop.
A completely black prize ball with a faint metallic sheen—a Black Iron-rank reward—slowly rolled out of the opening and hovered before his consciousness.
Toki didn’t hesitate.
He immediately willed the black sphere open.
As it slowly split apart, a gentle white light flashed.
An aged martial arts manual gradually emerged from within.
The writing on its cover was bold and powerful, while the information about the reward appeared alongside it.
…
[Flowing Counter Fist Manual] Effect: Upon use, grants the Flowing Counter Fist skill.
Flowing Counter Fist uses yielding movements to overcome brute force and redirects an opponent’s strength against them, improving close-combat defense and counterattacking ability.
…
“Flowing Counter Fist?” Toki narrowed his eyes as he examined the reward information.
With some uncertainty in his voice, he asked the system, “System, this isn’t going to turn out to be one of those harmless exercise routines old folks practice at dawn, is it…?” The last thing he wanted was some flashy routine that looked impressive but was useless in an actual fight.
The system slowly responded.
[The Flowing Counter Fist Manual originates from a martial world.
It is not a superficial exercise routine practiced merely for physical fitness.] [This martial art contains genuine combat principles and can be directly applied in battle.
It uses yielding force to overcome strength and is suitable for a wide variety of close-combat situations.] Hearing the system’s answer, Toki immediately sighed in relief.
The worry hanging over him disappeared completely.
Good.
It was the real deal!
Not some flashy routine useful only for staying healthy.
This was a genuine combat technique that could increase someone’s fighting ability as soon as they learned it!
A trace of delight flashed through his eyes as he quickly began calculating.
Of course, he wasn’t going to use something capable of increasing combat strength on himself.
According to the system’s rules, if one of his partners learned a skill, he would obtain an enhanced version of it.
The benefits were far greater than if he simply used the manual himself!
It was time to call Furina over.
…
Toki no longer hesitated.
He abruptly rose from the wooden bed.
With a determined look in his eyes, he straightened his somewhat worn prison uniform.
Without another word, he left his Prison Cell and headed directly toward Wriothesley’s office.
Nobody stopped him along the way.
By now, the guards were already very familiar with Toki.
After all, he was someone who could effortlessly crush Cullen, the former champion of the Pankration Ring, while also helping Sigewinne treat injured patients.
Nobody was eager to stand in his way.
Before long, Toki arrived outside Wriothesley’s office.
He didn’t knock.
He simply pushed open the door and walked straight inside.
His tone was blunt and direct, without the slightest hesitation.
“I want to see Furina.” Inside the office, Wriothesley was sitting behind his large desk, reviewing various documents concerning the Fortress of Meropide.
His expression was serious, and he carried the unmistakable authority of the Fortress’s Administrator.
Hearing Toki’s voice, he slowly raised his head.
He frowned at Toki, his eyes filled with displeasure and surprise.
This was the first time he had ever encountered such an audacious inmate!
This man had been imprisoned in the Fortress of Meropide for attempting to assassinate the Hydro Archon.
Yet not only had he barged directly into Wriothesley’s office, he had casually addressed Furina by name.
And now he was outright demanding to see the Hydro Archon.
The sheer nerve of this man was unbelievable.
Wriothesley leaned slightly backward in his chair and clasped his hands in front of him.
He gave Toki a cold glance.
His voice carried undisguised mockery and authority.
“What makes you think I would take orders from you?” “You’re an inmate, yet you come in here making demands of me.” “And you even address Lady Furina by name?” Toki wasn’t intimidated by Wriothesley’s presence in the slightest.
He had already expected this reaction.
Calmly meeting Wriothesley’s gaze, Toki immediately revealed what he had to offer.
“I’ll treat the seriously injured patients in the Fortress of Meropide.” “And I can treat them continuously, without any cooldown.” “Uh…
I mean, without needing to wait between treatments.” “I can keep using my Healing Ability over and over.” Naturally, Toki understood that if he wanted someone to do him a favor, he needed to offer something in return.
Although he now possessed Extraordinary-Level combat strength, he still wasn’t powerful enough to completely disregard the rules—or Wriothesley, the Administrator of the Fortress.
If he wanted to achieve his goal, he needed to offer something valuable enough in exchange.
Wriothesley’s brows relaxed slightly after hearing that, though his expression remained serious.
“I already know that you possess the same Healing Ability as Sigewinne.” He paused, staring intently at Toki with a probing look in his eyes.
“But I’m curious.” “For you, does repeatedly using that ability truly have no cost whatsoever?” “Sigewinne becomes physically exhausted after using it once, yet you can use it repeatedly.
That doesn’t make sense.” Toki had already prepared an answer.
He slightly clenched his fist and allowed an almost imperceptible trace of “exhaustion” to appear on his face.
Then he spoke in a heavy voice.
“How could there be no cost?” “It consumes my lifespan!!!” “Every time I use the ability, it drains part of my vitality.” “Every use shortens my life a little.” Internally, Toki muttered to himself.
Technically, every time he used the ability, it did take a little bit of his time.
Calling that a reduction in his “lifespan” wasn’t entirely a lie.
After hearing this, realization appeared on Wriothesley’s face.
He nodded slowly and murmured, “I see…” “Then your ability may be similar to the Delusions used by the Fatui.” “A Delusion allows even ordinary people to wield elemental power.” “But it can rapidly age its user, drain their vitality, and ultimately exhaust their lifespan.” “If that’s the case…” “Everything makes sense now.” (End of Chapter)