My Scumbag System Chapter 460: A Grinder’s Certainty or a Gambler’s Prayer

The aroma of scorched toast hit me first upon waking, along with a brew that coffee itself would despise with personal hatred.

Maki had vanished.

The sheets felt icy cold.

My ribs ached as though someone had played them like a xylophone in a frenzy.

Only sixty-seven hours remained before Reyna thrashed me in front of the whole Academy.

Brilliant.

Sitting upright, I instantly regretted every choice that brought me here.

Forty-seven unread messages lit up my phone.

Most came from strangers wondering if I was dating the President’s sister.

Three from Natalia, all saying variations of "don’t die."

One from Skylar:

Emi had shared a photo of protein pancakes topped with a heart emoji.

Akari’s note was simply:

Across the room the phone sailed from my hand.

It ricocheted off a heap of soiled clothes and somehow endured.

My status interface shimmered into view.

Azure letters suspended mid-air like an unavoidable celestial checklist.

SATORI NAKANO

Level: 3 | Title: KOGH, TSP, BK, GB, BGS, THT | Class: None | Schema Points: 3,015

ATTRIBUTES:

Strength: F-0 | Endurance: F-0

Dexterity: F-0 [+150] | Magic: F-0

Agility: F-0

Right.

The deception sustaining my survival.

F-Rank garbage in official records.

Actual high A-Rank beast underneath.

Hidden stats came next for me to check.

The real figures that counted.

Hidden Attributes (Level 3):

Strength: 6,250

Endurance: 6,250

Dexterity: 6,250 [+150 bonus]

Magic: 6,250

Agility: 6,250

Multiplier: 2.5x (Active)

True Ceiling (Level 3): 7,750 per stat

Figures capable of reducing most B-Ranks to tears.

Stats aligning me with seasoned A-Rank Hunters of decades' experience.

And Reyna?

Reyna held S-Rank potential.

Drilled in combat from her earliest steps.

Supported by Olympus Rising, a guild richer than imaginable.

Death still loomed likely for me.

Nel’s voice seeped into my mind like sweet poison.

"Like shit."

"The Audience can kiss my entire ass."

To the window I shuffled.

Dawn’s light just cresting, bathing the Atoll in golden-pink hues that softened harsh realities.

Students ran drills below in orderly lines.

Sentinels clad in silver.

Phantoms donning red.

Not one faced a duel with La Sirena that might smear my face across the Crucible like modern art.

"Pull up my abilities."

The display changed.

ACTIVE ABILITIES (2/3):

[EMBER] [IN USE] - Silver Tier

[SPATIAL CLEAVE] [IN USE] - Gold Tier

PASSIVE ABILITIES (3/4):

[MYSTICISM] [IN USE] - Gold Tier

[PROTECTION FROM ARROWS] [IN USE] - Platinum Tier

[BLESSING OF THE SOVEREIGN] [IN USE] - ???

DEVELOPMENTAL ABILITIES:

[COMBAT ARTS] - F Rank

That third passive slot drew my gaze.

Blessing of the Sovereign.

The power that stayed mysteriously silent.

"Nel. What the hell does Blessing of the Sovereign actually do?"

"The usual."

"So I make them stronger."

Visions flashed of Natalia ripping space to block a death beam.

Skylar glued to my flank in battles, as if absent I’d cease to exist for her.

Emi mending wounds that demanded death.

Cel halting a river’s flow while utterly drained.

Akari absent lately but surely plotting her grand return.

"Three thousand Schema Points."

"What can I buy?"

Another shift in the screen, and Apollo appeared.

No chibi form this time.

The complete deity.

Radiant gold, beyond mortal grasp, smirking at the universe’s greatest punchline.

"Morning, Protagonist! Sleep well?"

"What do you want?"

"So hostile. Can’t a patron check in on his favorite mortal?"

"You only show up when you want something."

"True." He snapped his fingers. Golden radiance flooded the room. "But this time, I’m here to give you something. A gift, if you will."

"I don’t trust your gifts."

"Smart boy." He gestured, summoning a banner floating between us.

APOLLO’S DIVINE TOURNAMENT SPECIAL

LIMITED TIME: 72 Hours

Featured Rates UP!

Combat Skills | Legendary Weapons | Mythical Traits

500 SP per Pull | Guaranteed Silver or Higher

"You’re kidding."

"I never kid about the gacha." Apollo’s smile stretched further. "The Tournament Arc begins soon. Every guild at full strength. Julian nursing his grudge. Petrova sharpening her students into blades. Reyna waiting to dissect you in front of everyone you’ve ever met."

"I get it."

"Do you?" He leaned in. "Because right now, you’re running on borrowed time and stolen power. Your hidden stats are impressive. Your titles are cute. But Reyna Cabana has been trained by S-Ranks. She’s fast enough to dodge your Spatial Cleave. Smart enough to stay out of range. And her Volt Marionettes will turn your bat into a lightning rod."

"So you’re saying I need the gacha."

"The wise move here is to upgrade your current abilities. Spatial Cleave into Dimensional Rend for 600 SP. Ember to Inferno Stream at 400 SP. Solid, secure, reliable enhancements."

"But?"

"But where’s the thrill in that?" Golden radiance throbbed around him. "The banner ensures a Gold-tier at minimum each pull. You might snag just what you require. Or pull another Fairy Tale Princess and wind up warbling with bluebirds as Reyna fries your spine."

My eyes shifted to my SP balance.

3,015.

Six full five-pulls should I commit everything.

Or opt for caution instead.

Upgrade Spatial Cleave.

Enhance Ember.

Grow stronger step by step in tactically sound manners.

The intelligent strategy.

The Kaelen strategy.

Nel’s words sliced past Apollo’s golden glow.

"Boring," Apollo crooned.

Nel fired back.

"You could hoard those points too," Apollo tossed in. "Hold out till after Reyna beats you. Nurse your hurts. Play it responsible."

He spat "responsible" like a plague one should avoid.

"What are the odds?"

"For drawing something handy?" Apollo’s smirk broadened. "Stats-wise? Seventy-three percent shot at combat-useful skills. Twenty-two percent for junk utilities. Five percent for a total game-changer."