On a clear morning, Bai Lu—captain, traveler, and pioneer—set out with a simple mission: to restock his dwindling supply of life-sustaining essentials.
His stomach, practically running on fumes, let out a dramatic growl. Bai Lu sighed and muttered internally, "Brother Stomach, we're broke. It's steamed buns and pickles for the next half month. But your sacrifice will be worth it!"
Suddenly—buzz buzz buzz—his phone rang. Bai Lu instantly shed his half-dead aura. In under a minute, Honkai Impact 3rd was up and running.
The newly updated Herrscher of Human: Ego greeted him on screen. His eyes sparkled as he glanced at his stash: 100 Expansion Supply Cards. This is it, he thought. Redemption time.
He remembered the heartbreak from previous reruns—always just a few pulls shy of pity, yet never lucky enough to get her. His pile of B-rank 3S Valkyries mocked him silently.
But today was different. Today, he had 100 pulls. A whole month's living expenses. All in, for Herrscher of Human: Ego. Amen.
One by one, the yellow rabbit-themed supply crates dropped. Bai Lu tapped feverishly. The character appeared—Damn it, her again... Tch, Yae Sakura, get out of here!
10 pulls... 30 pulls... nothing. After a moment of silence, he exploded: "Stupid game! Rigged! Totally rigged! I dare you to swallow my pity on the last 10 pulls, you old bastard!"
He slammed the button for the final 10-pull. Crates dropped. Opened.
Oh oh oh oh oh!!! She appeared—Herrscher of Human: Ego! Bai Lu's excitement surged. He tapped through the rest, eager to admire his new Aponia, but the crates kept changing—Herrscher of Human: Ego! Again! And again!
He stared in disbelief. Nine copies. Nine Herrschers of Human: Ego. He slapped himself just to be sure.
Ignoring the confused stares of passersby, he tapped the final box. A Valkyrie icon shimmered—whoosh!—another Herrscher of Human: Ego.
"Who else! Who else! 10 Herrschers in a 10-pull! I am legend! I'm posting this on Moments—let them all be jealous! Ahahaha!"
But as the saying goes, blessings never come in pairs, and misfortune never walks alone.
His wild celebration drew wary glances. Just then, a truck barreled toward him. In a burst of adrenaline, Bai Lu leapt backward, narrowly avoiding impact.
Then, a voice echoed in his mind: "Young man, 10 golds in a 10-pull comes at a price. My performance depends on you. Don't think you can escape. Be a good boy and travel to another world for me!"
Startled, Bai Lu barely had time to react before two more trucks appeared from opposite directions. "You've got to be kidding me—" he cursed, just as the world turned to ash.
Siberia Snowfield
Bai Lu awoke to a blinding white expanse. His body felt hollow, his mind foggy. He collapsed again.
Later, a convoy of uniformed personnel passed by and stopped.
"There's a kid here. Bring him too. One of our targets died anyway."
"Perfect. I was wondering how to explain the missing headcount."
"Poor thing. This batch won't last long."
"Enough chatter. We're not paid to question the big shots. Just do your job."
They loaded Bai Lu into a compartment filled with ragged children, all staring curiously. The convoy rumbled toward a distant high tower.
System Activation
Ding dong. European Emperor Gacha System has been bound.
Bai Lu's consciousness snapped awake. He was in a digital space, facing a system panel.
Ding dong. Welcome, host. System rules are as follows:
Missions will be released periodically. Completing them earns rewards. Gacha pools: Normal and Advanced. Both have 100-pull pity. Reward tiers: White, Green, Blue, Purple, Gold, Red. Normal Pool: White to Purple Advanced Pool: Blue to Red Pull costs: Normal Pool: 280 crystals Advanced Pool: 28,000 crystals
Bai Lu rubbed his eyes. "Is this... a novel plot? Twenty-eight thousand crystals? Are you robbing me?"
Ding dong. All prices are fair, just, and transparent.
Speechless, Bai Lu asked, "Where am I? And don't systems usually give a beginner's gift pack?"
Ding dong. You are in the system space. World: Honkai Impact 3rd. Beginner's ten-pull (Normal) is ready. Draw now?
Nervously, Bai Lu whispered, "Draw." He had transmigrated into Honkai Impact 3rd—a world far from peaceful. If he didn't pull something good, he was doomed.
Ding dong. Gacha starting. (Beginner's ten-pull guarantees one purple and two blues.)
Ten rays of light fell from a clear sky. Bai Lu shouted, "Genshin!" It looked exactly the same.
Results: 7 Whites, 2 Blues, 1 Purple. Classic pity luck.
*Ding dong. Congratulations:
Mora ×1000 (×5) [White] Sweet Madame ×2 [White] Lion's Roar [Blue] Markov Type A [Blue] Character Template: Hu Tao [Purple]*
Bai Lu blinked. "System, what's a character template?"
Ding dong. Using a template transforms the host into that character and grants their abilities.
Bai Lu gasped. Hu Tao? Wait... does that mean—
Ding dong. Correct. Host will become a girl when using the Hu Tao template. Reverts upon deactivation.
A chill ran down Bai Lu's spine. He was a pure man! But... turning into Hu Tao? That was... kinda not bad.
As a die-hard Hu Tao fan, he couldn't interact with her—but becoming her? That was next-level. He'd be his own idol!
Ding dong. Host, prepare to awaken in the real world.