章 12: Pride

With a mischievous grin, Chen looked at Hizashi. "Since you hit me, I have to hit you back."

Hizashi instinctively stepped back, fear clearly etched on his face. He tried to hold his composure, but the pain in his hand was evident.

"Are you scared, Hizashi?" Chen teased, his tone mocking. "Where's that pride you were talking about?"

Hizashi gritted his teeth, struggling to hold back his fear. "I'm not scared of you, Chen. I just... don't want trouble."

Chen let out a dry laugh. "You don't want trouble? Looks like you've got plenty of it already." He was referring to the cursed seal covering Hizashi's forehead, visible even beneath the bandage.

"You know, Hizashi, pride is worthless if you can't back it up," Chen said, his voice low and menacing. "And clearly, you can't."

Hizashi balled his fists, trying to muster the courage to face Chen. "I will get back at you someday, Chen! I swear it!"

Chen raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Hizashi's sudden bravery. "Get back at me? Do you really think you have what it takes?"

Before Hizashi could respond, Chen closed the gap with astonishing speed.

With a swift motion, he landed a punch in Hizashi's stomach, causing him to double over in pain. Falling to the ground, he gasped for air, trying to catch his breath.

"This is just a lesson for you to learn your place," Chen said coldly.

Hizashi, still on the ground, tried to get up, but his legs were shaking. "You... you don't understand anything," he murmured, tears in his eyes. "You don't have the cursed seal! You're not like me!"

Chen looked down at him disdainfully. "I know more than you think. But that doesn't give you the right to belittle others to feel better about yourself."

With another quick strike, Chen left Hizashi on the ground, gasping. "Next time, think before you act. I won't always be this lenient."

Hizashi, unable to defend himself, lifted his head and glared at Chen through tears of rage and humiliation.

Chen leaned in close, his lavender eyes shimmering with menace. "Now, you're going to say you fell accidentally. If anyone asks, that's your story. Got it?"

Hizashi clenched his fists but nodded slowly, knowing he had no other choice.

Chen stood up, dusting off his hands. "Remember, Hizashi. Pride is nothing without power to back it up."

He turned and began walking toward his residence, leaving Hizashi lying on the ground. "And happy birthday to me!" he muttered to himself, remembering that in a few hours, the system would grant him another chance at the roulette wheel.

Hizashi, watching Chen walk away, burst into tears and silently vowed to one day become strong enough to surpass Chen.

—

Back at home, Chen decided to take a moment to unwind.

He sank into a hot bath, letting the steam and this moment envelop him, soothing his mind as he awaited the moment…

[🎉🎉 Congratulations. You are now four years old. Here is your gift: a chance at the roulette and 10,000 coins.]

...

"I really don't lack anything at the moment," he told himself as he dried off and headed to his room. "But if I could win something like an infinite money source, that would be spectacular."

Sitting on his bed, he rubbed his hands in anticipation.

"It's time to try my luck again," he communicated with the system, entering the blank space of the lottery, filled with expectations.

As he pressed the center of the roulette wheel, it split into 10 sections, displaying 10 items:

- Haki of Armament (Rolled Scroll): A skill that would allow the user to harden their body and attacks

- Hōgyoku (Hōgyoku): An object of immense power capable of granting wishes.

- Divine Tree Seed (Golden Seed): A fragment from the Divine Tree from which chakra originates, capable of enhancing the strength and chakra of its possessor

- Spear of Longinus (Silver Spear): A mythical weapon that could pierce any defense.

- Lucky Socks (Pair of Socks): A worn pair of socks that supposedly bring good luck to the wearer.

- Philosopher's Stone (Red Stone): A stone that grants immortality and the ability to transmute any metal into gold.

- Goku Alarm Clock (Goku Alarm Clock): An alarm clock that yells "Kamehameha" to wake you up.

- Tengu Banner (Banner): A banner that grants elemental power to the user

- Gaea's Ring (Ring): A ring that allows the user to control the earth and its elements.

- Pikachu Keychain (Pikachu Keychain): A keychain with no special abilities, but very cute.

Chen silently chuckled as he surveyed the items on display.

"Lucky Socks..." he mused with a chuckle, considering the Pikachu keychain and Goku alarm clock. "Though, I must admit, waking up to a 'Kamehameha' does sound tempting."

Without further ado, he pressed the central button to spin the roulette wheel. The mechanism whirred into action, blurring the items into a whirlwind of colors.

"Come on, come on," he murmured, his eyes locked on the swiftly spinning roulette wheel.

The wheel began to slow, and finally, the pointer landed squarely between the Haki of Armament and the Hōgyoku.

Chen held his breath, his eyes widening in surprise and excitement. "Can it be...?"

But before he could celebrate, a translucent blue screen appeared in front of him:

[❌ Oops! Something went wrong... ❌ There was an error in the lottery. Don't worry, you'll get another chance! Please press the button to spin again. 🍀 Good luck, Host! 🍀]

Staring at the notification, he froze for a moment in disbelief….

"What the hell?! Seriously?!" he exclaimed, clenching his fists in frustration. "You only have one job to do right, and you mess it up!"

_______

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