Chapter 30

Chapter 30

What?

Raciels eyes widened, taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. He had been contemplating how to obtain the round needles, but now it seemed that accumulated HP could provide a solution to his dilemma.

Whats this good idea theyre talking about? he pondered internally, seeking an answer. Before long, a response echoed within him.

[Heart: Dont you remember? You received a guide on where to use the HP.]

[Lungs: Huff Lets open the Book of Memories Huff its making me dizzy You guys dont smoke like this]

[Spleen: If you cant remember in 3 seconds, I wont hesitate to open my pyloric sphincter, lol.]

Skills, or Phantom Beasts? Raciel mused as he listened to his talking organs. The memory resurfaced, recalling the day he first awoke in this world and heard a message lingering in his ears.

At that time, he was still half-asleep and disoriented, dismissing the message without much thought. However, it now appeared that it was a guiding message on how to utilize HP.

Raciel revisited the contents of that message.

So, acquired HP can unlock skills and summon Phantom Beasts.

[Heart: Correct, lol.]

[Lungs: Applause.]

[Spleen: What a waste.]

The organs messages concluded there, with no further response when he attempted to communicate with them.

Raciel opened the system window, contemplating his next move.

Lets see. They were saying the answer lies in skills and summoning Phantom Beasts. Could the problem be solved if I develop acupuncture skills?

The possibility seemed plausible.

Just like it was with Medical Billing.

Skills held more significance than he initially realized. They possessed remarkable functions beyond simply receiving monetary compensation for treatments.

Thanks to it, I was able to gain extra life. Perhaps acupuncture could provide a similar benefit. A powerful function that I cant even fathom right now might offer crucial assistance in resolving the problem.

He proceeded to search the skill list.

Ding-dong!

<Available Skill List>

[1. Acupuncture]

[2. Moxibustion]

[3. Cupping]

[4. Herbal Medicine Preparation]

[5. Herb Recognition]

[6. Herb Search]

[7. Tincture Brewing]

The skills he had already unlockedPalpation, Medical Billing, Asrahan Core Techniquewere excluded from the list. Without hesitation, he made his decision.

Acupuncture skill.

Ding-dong!

[You have selected No. 1. Acupuncture.]

[Skill Development (2nd round) Cost: 1,500 HP]

[Current HP: 500]

[You do not meet the requirements for skill development.]

[Insufficient HP.]

His request was abruptly denied.

Raciel steadied his shaken mindset and activated his cerebral cortex, seeking a breakthrough.

Ive been saving up HP, but its nowhere near enough. What should I do then?

Developing any skill required 1,500 HP, and he couldnt immediately come up with a groundbreaking method to acquire more HP.

Could the answer lie in selecting Phantom Beasts?

He directed his attention to the Phantom Beasts tab next to the skill window, awaiting an immediate response.

Ding-dong!

[You have selected the option for Phantom Beasts Selection Draw.]

[You can invest a certain amount of HP to draw a Phantom Beast.]

[Strong and unique Phantom Beasts will exhibit unwavering loyalty to their summoner and provide various abilities.]

[Cost for the first draw: 300 HP]

[Current HP: 500]

[Do you wish to proceed with the Phantom Beasts Selection Draw?]

[YES / NO]

I have no clue what that could be.

Does it excrete steel instead of feces? What if the steel is incredibly thin? What if it maintains a specific thickness as it is expelled? Then, he could produce a plethora of Round Needles.

However, Raciel once again shook his head.

Its too uncertain. Choosing that would be a gamble.

Finally, his gaze landed on the third card.

Pooping Cactus.

Could it be a plant? Is it literally a cactus that excretes? Or is it an animal that resembles a cactus?

Either way, both possibilities seem to fulfill the conditions I desire.

Cacti possess numerous spines. If he could utilize them, they could serve as Round Needles. Even if it were an animal reminiscent of a cactus, it would yield similar outcomes.

Alright.

Raciel made up his mind.

He extended his hand towards the third card.

This is my choice, Raciel declared confidently.

Ding dong!

[You have chosen Candidate 3: <The Pooping Cactus>.]

A message materialized before him.

Simultaneously, the third card began to emit a brilliant glow.

Woosh!

The other two cards vanished into thin air, leaving only the radiant third card. The glow intensified, and the card flipped over, revealing an engraved black silhouette on its back.

The silhouette took the form of a round, ball-like shape. Upon closer inspection, it was covered in numerous needle-like spines. Tiny legs were visible at the bottom. Gradually, the cards glow extended into the silhouette.

Crack! Snap!

Sparks crackled from the card.

The silhouette began to wriggle.

It was as if a magic circle was activating or the birth of a new entity was being announced. Finally, something burst forth from the card.

Boom!

A powerful shockwave erupted, propelling a lump toward Raciel.

Koko!

Eh?

The lump, slightly larger than a tennis ball, hurtled towards him. Instinctively, Raciel caught it with both hands.

In that moment, Raciel was taken aback.

Ouch!

His palms stung, as if pricked by dozens of needles. However, Raciel maintained a firm grip on the lump.

Its a Phantom Beast!

He had invested a substantial 300 HP to draw it. Failing to catch it properly would have made for an unfavorable first encounter from the creatures perspective.

That would be problematic! I need to make full use of it in the future!

First impressions were crucial. Establishing a positive relationship from the outset would facilitate smoother interactions going forward.

With this wisdom in mind (?), Raciel cradled the lump delicately, treating it as if it were a hot sweet potato. He carefully examined its appearance.

The creature possessed spines as sharp as pine needles, short limbs on a squat body, and plump, firm buttocks.

So, this isA hedgehog?

Koko!

In response to his murmured question, the creature blinked its small black eyes and emitted a chirping sound. It then rummaged through the folds of its plump belly, retrieving a tiny piece of paper.

Koko! Kooo!

Are you giving this to me?

Koko!

The creature nodded its tiny head.

Raciel accepted the note and unfolded it.

Under the flickering candlelight, he strained his eyes to read the minuscule writing on the note.

Its too small to read

Just as he squinted, attempting to decipher the text

Ding dong!

The notes contents appeared as a message in front of him. It served as a guidebook, providing detailed specifications and skills of the Phantom Beast he had just drawn. As he perused the contents, Raciel couldnt help but clench his fist.

An overwhelming sense of joy enveloped him.

The decision he had made today.

The Phantom Beast he had drawn.

It was an absolute jackpot.nove(l)bi(n.)com