The jungle was alive. Every rustle, every distant call, seemed to carry a warning—something hidden just beyond sight.
Karl's eyes narrowed as he crouched behind a thick tree trunk, the damp earth cool beneath his palms. The Rare Gacha Ticket in his pocket pulsed softly, a reminder of the temple's deadly trial just hours before.
Ahead, the leaves shifted—too deliberate to be the wind.
He focused, activating Spirit Tracker. The system's subtle glow traced faint footprints cutting through the underbrush—fast, silent, professional.
Someone was trailing them.
Karl's heartbeat quickened, but his voice was calm. "Show yourself."
From the shadows, a figure stepped forward—a young woman with piercing eyes and a cloak woven from leaves and shadows. She held no weapon, but her posture spoke of danger.
"You're the one with the powers," she said softly. "I've been watching you."
Karl smirked. "Flattered. But why? Friend or foe?"
The woman's lips curved slightly. "Neither. I'm here to warn you. The jungle doesn't forgive mistakes. And someone wants that Poneglyph fragment badly."
Karl's gaze hardened. "Then they'll have to go through me."
She nodded, disappearing back into the foliage with a whisper. "Watch your back, Karl Drakos."
⸻
Karl pushed forward, the jungle thickening around him as vines curled and branches scraped against his skin. Every step felt like walking through a labyrinth, the shadows playing tricks on his eyes.
The system beeped softly.
[New Mission: Track the Jungle Watcher]
Reward: 2 Uncommon Gacha Tickets + 1500 Beli
"Alright," Karl muttered, "Let's find out what you're really after."
Hours passed as he followed the faint trail, using his system's Spirit Tracker to pick up subtle signs: a broken twig, a disturbed patch of moss, faint footprints.
Suddenly, the trail stopped.
Ahead, a clearing bathed in sunlight opened before him. At its center stood an ancient tree, its trunk wider than a small hut, roots sprawling like snakes.
Karl approached cautiously.
The air shimmered slightly, and then a voice echoed in his mind.
"Leave this place, or suffer the consequences."
Karl smiled grimly. "I don't think so."
Before he could react, the ground beneath him shifted, and roots sprang up, twisting like serpents to grab at his ankles.
[Trap Activated: Root Snare]
Karl gritted his teeth and focused his energy, flames bursting to life around his feet, burning through the grasping roots.
[Ember Shell Activated]
He broke free and sprinted forward, following the path around the tree until he saw the figure again — crouched on a high branch, watching.
"You're persistent," she said.
"And you're evasive," Karl replied.
A faint smile tugged at her lips. "There's more at stake here than your Gacha system. The World Government will move mountains to keep that fragment buried."
Karl's eyes narrowed. "Then I guess we're on the same side… for now."
⸻
As dusk fell, Karl made camp near the clearing, his mind racing.
[System Message: Current Ticket Inventory]
– Common: 2
– Uncommon: 6
– Rare: 9
– Legendary: 0
– Mystical: 0
– God: 0
He held the Rare Gacha Ticket tightly.
[Option: Convert 10 Rare Tickets → 1 Legendary Ticket]
[Option: Save for Future Use]
Karl weighed his choices. The temptation to upgrade was strong, but patience had served him well so far.
He glanced at the jungle beyond his campfire's light.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges.
And possibly, new allies.
⸻
Mission Summary:
✔ Track the Jungle Watcher
✔ Evade traps and follow the trail
✔ Survive the jungle night
Rewards Gained:
– 2x Uncommon Gacha Tickets
– 1500 Beli