Chapter 66: Lottery

Chapter 66: Lottery

For Gregor, the stakes were intensely personal. As the first registered Adventurer, he felt the weight of what he called the Pioneer’s Burden, the silent expectation to lead by example for newcomers.

His failure wouldn’t just be embarrassing; it would jeopardize his very identity as an Adventurer.

The thought of losing his license, effectively erasing his nascent legacy, propelled him to take on mission after mission, often returning to the Guild battered yet victorious, with his records growing faster than anyone else’s.

Mina, however, was fueled by a different intensity. As the second Adventurer in history, she was determined not to play a secondary role.

Being labeled "second" was a label she refused to bear, especially given her strength and determination to claim the top position for herself.

Each mission she undertook was executed with impressive precision; her petite figure carrying an oversized shield became a common sight around Greyvale.

Her fierce competitive spirit was both inspiring and intimidating to those witnessing her in action. She wasn’t just looking to win; she wanted to prove her worth and claim her rightful place at the forefront.

Meanwhile, others were also emerging within the ranks. Gregor’s four companions were excelling, tackling missions with a spirit of teamwork and discipline that set them apart.

A few other Adventurers began to surprise everyone, quietly accumulating completed missions and steadily inching closer to Copper Rank with every achievement.

The Guild was alive with tension and excitement, almost like a living scoreboard that changed daily as ledgers filled and rankings shifted.

Discussions buzzed with numbers, progress, and theories about the mysterious reward.

Some speculated it might be gold, while said that it might be a rare gear or secret techniques. No one had any definitive answers, and that uncertainty only heightened their eagerness.

Amid it all, Sage sat behind his desk, an amused bystander to the whirlwind he had created.

More often than not, he lounged in his chair with a stash of Lays chips at his side, crunching contentedly while glancing between the Mission Board and the lively Hall.

To anyone watching, he appeared completely at ease, almost lazy, as if the frenzy unfolding didn’t require any effort from him. Yet, in reality, his mind was constantly at work, analyzing trends, recognizing patterns, and subtly adjusting his expectations.

With each mission he completed, every happy client, and every new registration, he added to his mental tally of achievements. A warm sense of satisfaction washed over him, almost a touch of smugness.

This was exactly what he had imagined, perhaps even better. The Adventurer Guild was no longer just a trial run or a risky venture; it was evolving into a respected institution, one that people relied on, discussed, and truly believed in.

The most rewarding part? It seemed to operate seamlessly on its own, propelled by human ambition and straightforward incentives.

Sage reclined in his chair, the crunch of chips echoing softly as he indulged, while he watched yet another mission vanish from the board almost instantly after being posted. His grin widened.

Just four days had passed, and already the groundwork was firmly established. If this was just the beginning, the future held exciting possibilities.

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The Guild Hall buzzed with its own unique rhythm, filled with a steady stream of voices layered over the sound of boots scraping against the polished marble floor.

Sage sat at the reception desk, as he usually did, adopting a relaxed posture but keeping his eyes keenly observant, taking in the organized chaos he had a hand in creating.

Before the extended Mission Board, a group of Adventurers gathered, some with arms crossed and brows furrowed as they weighed the risks and benefits, while others gestured animatedly at the postings, debating who among them was best suited for various tasks.

Scattered throughout the Hall, a handful of Adventurers occupied tables and chairs, reclining as they chatted, laughed, or shared stories about their latest missions, their weapons resting casually within reach.

The air was tinged with the scents of metal, leather, and a palpable sense of excitement.

Sage exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples as he felt the tide of fatigue begin to wash over him during a rare pause in the bustle around him.

"I’m so tired," he muttered quietly, just loud enough for himself, his voice barely breaking through the ambient noise of the Hall.

It wasn’t just the physical weariness from countless sleepless nights and arduous training sessions; it was the kind of mental drain that came from juggling people, systems, expectations, and outcomes.

He had come to realize that being a Guildmaster was less about wielding authority and more about never completely switching off. Even in moments that seemed idle, there was always part of his mind running.

Yet, as his fingers dropped back onto the desk, a small smile began to form on his lips. Today felt different, perhaps a bit lighter.

The Guild was running smoothly, the Adventurers were energized, missions were being filled, and for once, nothing seemed on the verge of blowing up in his face.

Leaning back in his chair, he chuckled softly to himself. "Now that I finally have a moment to breathe... and luck seems to be on my side today," he whispered with a gleam of excitement in his eyes, "why not try my ten lottery chances?"

With a thought, he summoned the familiar translucent interface, and the lottery wheel appeared before him, floating just above the desk, its segments glowing gently as they spun with a soft, almost ritualistic hum.

Sage adjusted his stance in the chair, unconcerned by the curious looks some nearby Adventurers were casting his way. By this point, most had come to accept that their Guildmaster had his quirky moments that were best left unexamined.

"All right," he said, rubbing his hands together with anticipation. "Let’s see what fortune has waiting for me."

The wheel spun for the first time, light blending into a ring before gradually slowing down.

[Ding!]

[Reward Acquired: "A Song of Ice and Fire – First Book: Game of Thrones."]

Sage blinked in disbelief. "...You’ve got to be kidding me," he breathed, gazing at the hefty book that appeared under his desk.

The weight of it, the texture of the cover, even the faint scent of fresh paper—it felt undeniably real.

He picked it up slowly, flipping it over as if expecting it to disappear. "Game of Thrones? Seriously? Even in this world, I can’t escape it?"

A mixture of disbelief and reluctant amusement crept onto his face.

"Well," he sighed, setting it down gingerly, "at least it’s a good read."

The wheel spun again.

[Ding!]

[Reward Acquired: Golden-Rimmed Reading Glasses.]

A pair of elegant glasses appeared in his hand, their rims finely crafted from what appeared to be polished gold, sleek and refined, with clear, pristine lenses.

Sage lifted them, tilting them slightly as they shimmered in the light. They were undeniably classy. Experimentally, he slid them onto his nose.

"...Huh," he remarked. "I look smarter already."

Almost immediately, the third spin followed.

[Ding!]

[Reward Acquired: Elegant Casual Attire.]

A neatly arranged set of clothes appeared, well-fitted, simple yet elegant, striking a perfect balance between comfort and authority.

Sage looked over it with approval. "Alright, I have to admit," he nodded appreciatively, "this is actually helpful."

The wheel spun again.

[Ding!]

[Reward Acquired: Box of Lays Chips.]

Sage froze in place. Slowly and reverently, he reached out for the recognizable red-and-yellow box thar has appeared on the floor behind the desk.

"System," he said with a gravity that made his words feel weighty, "you’ve really outdone yourself this time."

He set the box aside, protecting it as he envisioned the pleasure it would bring him later.

The fifth spin came and went without any fanfare.

[No Reward Acquired.]

"Of course," Sage said, unimpressed.

The sixth spin yielded nothing.

The seventh spin did not reward him either.

Sage gazed at the wheel with a flat expression. "You know," he remarked dryly, "this is starting to feel personal."

Taking a deep breath, he spun again.

As the eighth spin wound down, the lights flickered....

[Ding!]

[Reward Acquired: Comfortable Pajamas.]

Sage’s demeanor softened immediately. He lifted the pajamas with a hint of affection. "You know what? I’ll accept this. A good night’s sleep is worth its weight in gold."

The ninth spin followed.

[Ding!]

[Reward Acquired: Boxers.]

"Wow," Sage said after a brief pause, his tone deadpan. "The system really took a good look at my life and decided to focus on the essentials."

The tenth and final spin whirred, slowed, and came to a halt.

[No Reward Acquired.]

Sage leaned back in his chair, letting out a slow breath as the lottery interface faded away. He glanced at the collection of items scattered across his desk, fantasy novel, stylish glasses, elegant clothing, snacks, sleepwear, and underwear, and couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

"Incredible," he murmured. "In a world filled with magic, monsters, and epic battles... I’m still accumulating everyday items like some overworked office employee."

He shook his head, adjusting his glasses as he looked back at the lively Guild Hall.

Adventurers were bustling about, arguing, laughing, planning, and dreaming, completely unaware that their Guildmaster had just gambled on comfort and nostalgia instead of power.

Sage smiled.

"Yeah," he thought, gathering up his prizes and putting them away, "this feels just right."

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A/N : Ahem... just a tiny, extremely shy request. If any kind soul out there happens to have a spare luxury car, a friendly fire dragon, or any gift lying around...I promise to take very good care of it. No pressure of course. I’m shameless, not unreasonable. Your support fuels my writing.