Mage Manual-Chapter 202 - 177: Bride·Sword Maiden

Chapter 202 -177: Bride·Sword Maiden

Ash had actually amassed a considerable amount of funds last night while he played Robin Hood at Selin’s place, but the environment was too dangerous, and Ash still had to prepare an adventurer’s outfit, pinpoint the exact location of Observation Point No. 53, and always be ready for an intense new metabolic challenge so he could make a quick getaway if need be. He hardly had the leisure to play the loot box lottery.

Now things were different. Ash no longer had to worry about his safety, because he was already in danger.

It was the perfect time to do some loot box summoning.

First, he checked in to receive the day’s login reward of Source Crystals, then opened the “Supplies Purchase” section. Ash had 232 points, which was enough to buy a “Bag of Source Crystals” worth 198 points.

Purchase successful!

He gained 40 Source Crystals!

Then, triggering the first purchase bonus, he got an additional 40 Source Crystals!

Adding to the 15 Source Crystals he had accumulated, Ash now had a total of 95 Source Crystals, enough for a 31-draw summoning spree!

When Ash opened the “Operator Search,” he noticed a new change in the interface.

“‘Dance of Swords and Dragons’ Limited-Time Search (Launch immediately if revenue targets are not met after three weeks on server)”

“Increased summoning odds for the limited-time operators ‘Black and White Witch’ and ‘Enchanting Girl’ ↑↑”

“Increased odds for the limited-time costumes ‘Bride · Sword Maiden,’ ‘Return from the Blood Sea · Sword Maiden,’ ‘Afternoon of the Apocalypse · Observer,’ and ‘Swimsuit · Observer’ ↑↑”

“Event ends at 00:00 on May 15th.”

The description was so full of issues that Ash was momentarily stunned. He knew his company was a bit shady, but he didn’t expect it to stoop so low—launching a limited-time event just because monthly revenues might fall short, in an attempt to bait players into spending money. That was awfully petty!

And the note in the parentheses was obviously meant for the company leadership; he couldn’t believe they had forgotten to delete it.

A so-called limited-time search meant that the costumes and operators mentioned could only be obtained in this event’s pool. Once the event was over, there would be no chance to get these rewards from the common pool unless the event was rerun.

Therefore, any player with even a slight collecting habit would spend as much as possible to draw the more important rewards from the pool. If the limited-time operators were powerful, even free-to-play players might grudgingly spend; and for those ‘complete collectors,’ the spending wouldn’t cease until they had drawn every item from the pool.

Usually, limited-time events were launched during anniversaries or New Year’s, since people had some extra cash then and might get carried away and spend; also, the festive atmosphere made the discomfort of such exclusivity less of an issue.

But generally speaking, limited-time events were almost synonymous with “forced spending” and were hardly what you’d call a benefit. Holding a limited-time event less than a month after launch could accurately be described as ‘unseemly.’

However…

Ash tapped on the “Bride · Sword Maiden” in the event description, only to find that nothing popped up. The interface boasted event details, but not even thumbnails were present; there was no information on the new operators, not to mention no visual art for the new costumes—just plain text baiting for spending.

It seemed the game system was indeed functioning, but not entirely—insufficient in every aspect but taking the lead in in-app purchases.

Though he grumbled internally, Ash didn’t hesitate to use all his Source Crystal savings on this limited-time pool.

It had nothing to do with any Bride Sword Maiden; he simply wanted to acquire new operators.

Wait, there was a ritual to perform before summoning…

Ash went to wash his hands and then approached Igula: “Let’s play Rock-Paper-Scissors.”

Igula, interrupted mid-thought, opened his mouth in confusion, his expression turning from bemusement to distaste and finally to resignation. His ability to manage his expressions was truly remarkable.

In the end, Igula sulkily stretched out his hand, quickly won two out of three rounds against Ash, and disgustingly told him to bug off.

Ash crawled back to his spot and lay down, choosing to draw!

“Confirm consumption of 93 Source Crystals for 31 searches?”

“Confirmed!”

Eighteen beams of white light, all Energy Potions, Experience Potions, Basic Combat Cards, those that pollute the card pool. I’ll use a refining bottle on the potions later.

Nine beams of purple light, inside are three Technique Spirit Joy Potions, three bottles of Pure Spiritual Light Special Drink, one Intermediate Awakening Card, one new item “Aurora Self-Driving Car (Luxury Lite Edition)”, and one pair of Training Gloves.

And then, four beams of golden light!

“Black and White Witch”!

“Swimsuit Observer”!

“Apocalyptic Afternoon Observer”!

“Joyful Prince’s Twenty-Sided Dice”!

Snap!

Suddenly, a sound echoed; Harvey and Igula looked over to find Ash repeatedly bashing the back of his head against the padded wall.

Harvey, thoughtfully nodding, began to do the same.

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It felt surprisingly effective. Indeed, it seemed to be quite invigorating.

Igula suddenly felt that compared to the sleepiness he couldn’t shake off, being with these two, whose intelligence quotient must be on the level of adult Beastmen, might be more detrimental to his health and spirit.

After thoroughly abusing the back of his head, Ash shifted his gaze back to the game screen. It’s weird how people can be at times. Even though it’s not their fault, they’ll punish themselves subconsciously—as if trying to counteract the torments of fate with purer agony, like.

But when Ash saw “Swimsuit Observer,” he wanted to smash the back of his head all over again.

Are you kidding me? Not a single Sword Maiden outfit could be drawn, but I got all the Observer ones!? If I wanted Observer outfits, I could buy them myself. I’m not just talking about costumes, crossdressing; moreover, I get to see the free Observer bath CG every day—but who the hell wants to see that!

Forced In-app purchases, absolutely! They must have tweaked the draw rates in secret, just so players can’t get “Bride Sword Maiden”!

True to my company, they’ve got an uglier eating face than I could have imagined!

No wonder they pay so high; it’s all coming from this—despicable!

When Ash’s role switched from wage worker to player, he wished he could write a long diatribe criticizing his own company’s ‘seven deadly sins’, although it wouldn’t do much good. After grumbling for a while, Ash calmed down and checked the new items he got for his operatives:

“Training Gloves”: After equipping, operatives gain 15% more Experience Points during Fist Claw training.

“Intermediate Trial Card”: Gives the operative a trial that earns a moderate amount of experience and slightly increases bonds. Each operative can only use it once a week.

“Aurora Self-Driving Car (Luxury Lite Edition)”: A mode of transportation that can be used in the Void Realm, capable of being fitted with various functional accessories. Currently installed accessories: None.

“Pure Spirit Light Special Drink”: Every wise soul emits a bit of Pure Spirit Light when it dissipates. Consuming Pure Spirit Light greatly accelerates soul recovery and increases Magic Power absorption in the Void Realm by 5% for seven days. Who on earth or what kind of place could so easily collect a bottle of Pure Spirit Light Special Drink?

Well, the gloves speak for themselves, and it’s been a while since Ash won a Trial Card—now, he got an Intermediate one.

Ash was delighted with this Pure Spirit Light Special Drink; if Sword Maiden had not miscalculated, their soul injuries might still need another two weeks for full recovery, but with this special drink, it could possibly be shortened to just two or three days.

It was the last line of the effect description that felt odd to Ash, like this special drink was some sort of villain’s stolen goods. But since it was not explicitly stated, Ash chose to ignore it—now wasn’t the time to be squeamish.

As for the self-driving car, it was undoubtedly a vehicle meant for the Time Continent.

After all, the boat could only be used in the Sea of Knowledge, and Ash had been worried that after sneaking onto the Time Continent, they would have to travel on foot. Now with a vehicle, they could even outrun others.

And this “Luxury Lite Edition,” which currently only offers transport without any additional functional accessories, was really a “Beggar’s Edition!”

Unlike the boat, cars are inherently large steel machines with lethal potential; Ash figured he might eventually get weapon accessories for the car, like heavy machine guns, rocket launchers, bulletproof glass, car-mounted saws, or even a Skill Card for the car to perform cool skills like “Tornado Charge”…

And then the new operative, “Black and White Witch”!