Chapter 4 : The First Pull: Cosmic Participation Trophy
Ten free pulls.
Ten chances to either become a god… or a cosmic punchline.
If I knew anything about my luck, I already had a good idea which one it'd be.
I sat up, cracked my knuckles, and stared at the glowing word hovering before me: [Gacha].
"Alright," I muttered. "Let's see what kind of cosmic scam you're running."
A cheerful ding rang in my head — the kind of sound that felt like it belonged in a mobile game designed to drain your wallet.
[Initiating Gacha sequence.]
[Remaining pulls: 10]
Light swirled before my eyes, blending gold, silver, and blue in a dizzying storm. The energy built up with an almost smug intensity — like it already knew I'd regret this.
Then, with a soft chime, the result appeared.
[Template Acquired: Yuuki Rito]
I blinked. "…Yuuki what now?"
The name didn't ring any bells. I wasn't exactly the encyclopedia of every Japanese protagonist ever created.
A smaller tooltip appeared underneath:
[Template Summary: Yuuki Rito — Human with comedic potential, unintentionally charismatic, paradoxical luck.]
I stared blankly at the text.
"Comedic potential. Great. So my first pull officially makes me… funny?"
My eyebrow twitched. "Awesome. Maybe I'll defeat villains with stand-up routines."
I squinted at the rest of the description. "Unintentionally charismatic… sure. Whatever that means. And 'paradoxical luck'? Yeah, that sounds like a tomorrow problem."
For now, it all felt like the system had just handed me a participation trophy.
Still, I exhaled through my nose, halfway between a sigh and a laugh. "So… my first draw gives me the personality of a sitcom extra. Perfect start."
[Template stored: Pending Assimilation.]
[Remaining pulls: 9]
I leaned back on the bed, staring at the flickering hologram.
A faint hum filled the silence of my room, the kind that comes after you've just realized the universe might actually be trolling you.
"Well, that was useless," I muttered. "Let's see if the next one gives me something that doesn't sound like a social handicap."
I swiped my hand through the glowing interface.
[Second draw in progress…]
Another pulse of light. This one sharper — quicker.
The system chimed again.
[Ability Acquired: Advanced Computer Skills]
I blinked. Then blinked again.
"Wait, that's… actually useful?"
A new tooltip scrolled open:
[Ability: Advanced Computer Skills — Mastery of computer systems, programming, cybersecurity, and digital analysis. Proficiency equivalent to an elite-level hacker.]
I stared, a slow grin tugging at the corner of my mouth.
"Okay, now we're talking. This one actually makes sense. Finally, something that won't make me trip into a love triangle or a punchline."
For the first time, the possibilities started to feel… real.
If I was in the Marvel universe — and this was the real deal — being good with tech wasn't just a hobby. It was survival.
"Guess I'll be the guy who hacks Stark Industries before Tony even notices," I said, smirking. "Or, more realistically, the guy who fries his laptop trying."
[Ability stored.]
[Remaining pulls: 8]
I rubbed my hands together, adrenaline sparking just enough to replace the creeping dread.
"Alright, System," I muttered. "You've got my attention. Let's see what else you've got."
[Third draw in progress…]
The holographic lights spun again, bright and dramatic — too dramatic for something that probably wasn't going to change my life.
The swirl pulsed gold this time, which, in any other game, meant something good. My heart actually skipped a beat.
The panel flashed.
[Reward Acquired: 10,000 USD (Cash)]
I blinked.
"…Wait, seriously? Cash? Like… actual paper money?"
The grid of my inventory shimmered, and one of the empty squares now displayed neat stacks of crisp hundred-dollar bills, bundled and gleaming under imaginary light.
I stared at it in disbelief. "You've gotta be kidding me…"
Of all the things to get from a multiversal Gacha, my grand prize so far was… literal money. Not a magic sword, not a fancy gadget — just cash. Good old, completely normal, absolutely mortal money.
Then again… I wasn't exactly complaining.
I let out a short laugh. "Alright, Gacha, I see you. You know how to bribe a guy."
Ten thousand bucks wasn't exactly Tony Stark money, but it was real, tangible, and — for the first time since I woke up — actually useful.
Food, clothes, maybe even a new computer to go with my shiny new 'advanced computer skills' ability.
I could almost feel my inner broke college student crying tears of joy.
"Guess I'll call this one the 'survivor's bonus,'" I muttered, grinning as I closed the panel. "Still a scam though. You're just the kind that throws money at your victims first."
[Reward stored in Inventory.]
[Remaining pulls: 7]
I took a deep breath and leaned back, the grin refusing to leave my face.
"Alright, System. You've got my attention now. Let's see if you can keep it."
[Fourth draw in progress…]