Chapter Forty: The Capsule Toy Machine

A large crowd gathered in front of the capsule toy machine, their faces alight with joy, despair, or numb apathy. What is this? Hao Ren squeezed closer for a better look.

The Summoning Capsule Machine: spends 3 LP per attempt, randomly generates a summon; contracts can be signed regardless of compatibility, and summons can be banished directly.

Those last two features alone drew many to try their luck here.

How tempting! Hao Ren felt the gambler in him stir.

“Damn useless machine!” a man cursed, pulling yet another worthless summon from the machine. Having spent nearly a hundred LP, he was desperate enough to swing a fist at the capsule machine.

A crisp crack rang out—the unmistakable sound of bone breaking. The machine remained unscathed, but the man’s arm was fractured.

“This thing’s only been here a few hours and has already fleeced so many,” someone muttered.

“Yeah, I heard that guy Mike just became a mid-level player. That hundred LP was probably everything he owned.”

“Well, he brought it on himself, if you ask me.”

Hao Ren had sworn off gambling after losing 150 tokens at an arcade at seventeen. Lottery tickets didn’t count, of course.

But now, flush with what he considered a fortune, he was about to break that vow.

He fought his way through the crowd to the capsule machine.

Spend 3 LP, capsule GET! Da☆ze!

“Come forth, my Pikachu!” Hao Ren opened the capsule.

Out strode a towering figure, over six feet tall, muscular, with thick sideburns, and a fierce expression.

The Saint has arrived! Rub Mountain the Elephant!

Banish!

Again!

3 LP gone, second capsule.

Slender limbs, silky fur, eyes glowing green.

Meow~

A black cat!

The cat’s eyes sparkled at Hao Ren. It climbed up his pant leg and curled around his neck.

For the sake of those soft paw pads, I’ll keep you as my black cat scarf.

3 LP spent, third attempt.

This time, not even a creature—a blood-red miniature spear, a tiny figurine.

Wait, isn’t this a summoning capsule machine? Why did I get a keychain? And this lousy thing doesn’t even have a name or description.

“No more!” Hao Ren decisively abandoned the machine.

Best not to mess with this money-eating beast.

Suddenly, a familiar male voice reached Hao Ren’s ears: “It’s not glorious to be trampled upon, after all.”

He turned to see Walker, the black man, seated before a maid.

Have you finally regained your dignity, Walker? Realized being stepped on is shameful?

“If I must be stepped on, at least let it be barefoot or in thigh-high stockings!” Walker’s eyes burned with principles.

…

What a gentlemanly declaration! I bow to you!

“Bobby, are you ready for hell?” The maid’s face darkened instantly. She raised a long, beautiful leg encased in creamy thigh-high stockings and kicked his hateful face.

Bobby spat out two front teeth, his face full of stars. As he tried to cling to the maid’s leg, a dagger hovering before his eyes halted him.

I’d love to introduce Sharp to him; those two would surely get along.

“Brother Bobby, here’s your dignity.” Hao Ren pulled out a used scrap of paper and tossed it onto Walker’s head.

“Oh! It’s you. You’re called… hmm, Wind Oil, right? Long time no see.” Bobby’s eyes darted around, clearly unable to recall Hao Ren’s name.

“I’m Black Flame Dragon, the beginner player who sold you that vehicle,” Hao Ren replied, stroking the black cat’s head, which seemed content.

“Oh, right, right, I remember now. Here to try the new facilities too?” Bobby patted his bald head. Missing two teeth, his words whistled slightly.

“Yeah, just lost 9 LP. Not planning to play anymore.”

“Aren’t you going to introduce me, Bobby?” The maid flashed a professional smile at Hao Ren.

“Oh, of course. He’s someone I’ve dealt with twice before, so I suppose we’re friends. His name is Black Flame Dragon. And this is our team captain’s summon, Sakuya Izayoi.” Hearing Bobby’s introduction, Hao Ren’s eyes widened.

Silver hair, blue-and-white maid outfit, flying daggers—how did I not realize before?

“May I ask the maid’s master’s name?” Hao Ren was eager to know who was lucky enough to get the legendary pad chief.

“Our captain is named Meiling, from a place called Gensokyo.”

No way! At this, Hao Ren was certain—the summoner was the gatekeeper of Scarlet Mansion. One of Gensokyo’s three biggest bottoms finally gets a turn on top?

Wait, that’s not the point.

Can virtual characters become players? If Cell became a player, wouldn’t we all be finished?

The conditions must be strict, probably requiring a reduction in strength, so us low-level players have a fighting chance.

Lost in thought, Hao Ren didn’t notice the maid eyeing the figurine dangling from his waist, her gaze flickering with an unreadable light.

Before long, Hao Ren’s attention was drawn to a group playing fighting games nearby.

The latest Tekken TT2, Super Street Fighter IV, even classics like the Sega version of Yu Yu Hakusho and King of Fighters ’94 were on offer.

He eyed the sign: “Win 100 matches in a row for a reward (including against AI).” Brimming with confidence, Hao Ren joined the fighting game queue.

Each round cost 1 LP—cheaper than the capsule machine, but still pricey. In the real world, 1 LP could probably fetch millions.

Still, Hao Ren stepped up, choosing Yu Yu Hakusho for a one-on-one match.

The result: his Yusuke was utterly crushed five times in a row by the opponent’s Genkai.

Dejected, Hao Ren was about to switch to Tekken.

“You’re not ready yet,” came a young woman’s voice from the 2P side. It sounded oddly familiar.

A petite girl about four-foot-six, pink hair, wearing a martial arts uniform.

Genkai, age fourteen.

What the—! Facing the real deal in battle? This is madness!

“Master Genkai, could I have your autograph?” Hao Ren pulled out a white cardboard and black marker he always carried (such leisure), and handed them expectantly to Genkai.

“No trouble at all.” Genkai cheerfully took the pen and signed her name in an abstract flourish.

“You’re quite strong, kid. You’re the first to get my character below half health.”

“Still can’t beat you,” Hao Ren replied respectfully.

“Formalities are too stiff. Just call me Genkai. What’s your name?”

“I’m Black Flame Dragon.”

“Alright, Dragon. Rare to find a good playmate. Come on, let’s try some other games.” Genkai grabbed Hao Ren’s hand in a firm grip—he couldn’t resist at all. Her strength stat must be several times his own.