SSS Ranked Awakening: All My Skills Are at Level 100 Chapter 2: Gacha Hell is Real, Even in Death

Leon's gaze was fixed on the swirling, celestial wheel before him. Seven opportunities. Seven chances for greatness, might, and a way to avoid becoming monster fodder in his next existence.

"Alright," he whispered, marshalling his nonexistent energy. "First spin, let's do this!"

The wheel began to turn, its colors merging into a dizzying spectacle. With a sudden flash, the first segment locked into place, emitting a soft, verdant luminescence.

Leon's phantom heart plummeted.

[Reward: Rare-grade Artifact – Spoon of Endless Broth]

"Are you serious?" Leon blurted out.

"A pragmatic item," the entity stated flatly. "It produces an infinite amount of soup."

"Fantastic," Leon groaned. "I'll take on demons with endless chicken noodle soup."

The cosmic entity paid him no mind. "Initiating the second spin."

The wheel whirled again, this time settling on a slightly more encouraging azure glow.

[Reward: Uncommon-grade Artifact – Cloak of Fleeting Obscurity]

Leon's spirits lifted a fraction. "Invisibility sounds pretty neat."

"Mild invisibility," the entity corrected. "It only functions when unobserved."

Leon's hope crumbled like brittle stone. "That's completely useless!"

"Your perspective is limited, nascent one," the entity admonished. "Again."

The third spin yielded another unremarkable green shimmer.

[Reward: Common-grade Artifact – Boots of Moderate Comfort]

Leon nearly howled internally. "Are you toying with me?"

"Nay," the being replied, almost credibly. "Comfortable footwear prevents the formation of blisters."

"Oh, right, because blisters are the primary danger in a realm of arcane energies and fearsome beasts."

"Spin once more," the being sighed.

For the fourth spin, the wheel halted against a dazzling, violet radiance.

Leon's non-existent jaw dropped.

[Reward: Legendary-grade Artifact – Orb of Universal Elemental Affinity]

Leon's mind went utterly blank. "What does that even signify?"

"It bestows upon you an innate connection and resilience against all recognized elements," the entity explained begrudgingly, clearly displeased by this outcome. "Fire, water, earth, wind, light, shadow, and all states in between."

This was a treasure that even he himself was incapable of utilizing. Despite its lesser rank, he had not sold or traded it, holding out hope that he might one day merge with it, but it appeared destiny had different intentions.

Leon performed a mental victory dance. "Now that's what I call divine protection!"

The being grumbled audibly. "You still have spins remaining."

The fifth spin resulted in another brilliant violet flash.

[Reward: Mythic-grade Artifact – Dimensional Hourglass]

Leon stared. "An hourglass?"

The cosmic entity groaned audibly, sounding genuinely irritated for the first time. As magnificent as the orb was, it would not have provided the affinity at the rank he likely required, and possessing all affinities was not particularly appealing to him. "A pocket dimension separate from our reality. Within it, time flows one thousand times slower. An artifact nearly matching my own domain's temporal anomalies."

Leon paused. "So... it's like boundless time for studying?"

"Or an eternity for napping," the entity muttered bitterly. "Two spins left."

The sixth spin landed on a deep, silvery glow.

[Reward: Rare-grade Artifact – Ring of Subtle Restoration]

"Regeneration?!" Leon's excitement flared anew.

"Minor restoration," the entity stressed, clearly relishing this small act of retribution. "Sufficient to mend minor abrasions and bruises swiftly. Do not anticipate regrowing limbs or surviving grievous injuries."

Leon let out a long sigh, still appreciative. "Better than soup spoons, I suppose."

The being let out a dry chuckle. "Final spin. Make it count."

The wheel spun with grand finality, coming to a stop with a resonant, cosmic chime.

A brilliant golden light illuminated the last segment.

[Reward: Epic-grade Artifact – Blade of Convenient Sharpness]

Leon's nonexistent eyes narrowed. "Convenient...?"

"A blade whose edge perpetually adjusts. It is dull when sheathed and razor-sharp the moment it is drawn."

Leon pondered this. "Alright, that's actually not bad."

"Indeed," the entity conceded, sounding relieved the ordeal was concluded. "May your new existence be fortunate, mortal."

Leon offered a mental bow. "I shall certainly make excellent use of the perpetual soup, at least."

The entity's impassive mask contorted into something akin to a weary grimace. "Your next life beckons, gambler. Wield these gifts with wisdom – or folly. The choice rests with you."

With those words, the realm twisted, warped, and dissolved around him. Leon was now poised to enter a new world, equipped with potent artifacts, comfortable footwear, and an abundance of soup.

The celestial wheel dissolved into glittering motes, drifting into the void like forgotten confetti. Leon remained suspended in silence, his imaginary inventory clutched with the fierce possessiveness of a squirrel guarding nuclear acorns.

"Alright," he mused aloud. "Not bad. Not amazing. But not bad."

The entity loomed above, arms crossed—assuming those were indeed arms. "Content?"

"Mostly. I’m just hoping this infinite soup isn’t the peak of my power arc."

"There are planes of existence where that spoon could ignite a fervent following," the being stated grimly.

Leon blinked. "...Alright, now I'm genuinely curious about those places."

The entity paid him no mind. "Now then. Brace yourself. I shall guide your reincarnation into the world of Velaria."

Leon's eyes lit up. "Velaria? Catchy name. Sounds like a place for fantasy. Do they have elves? Sorcery? Political squabbles involving gratuitous shirtless duels?"

"Indeed. And far more dreadful things," the entity replied somberly. "You will be reborn in the Lower Domain of the Earthly Plane. The absolute bottom of the mortal hierarchy. A place of filth, danger, and utter ruthlessness."

Leon narrowed his eyes. "...So, like fantasy Detroit?"

"Worse."

"Oh."

"There, your valuable possessions will be dismissed for what they truly are. Many will mistake them for mere baubles. You will start with absolutely nothing—no standing, no support, no lineage of nobility."

Leon raised an eyebrow. "Hold on. Don't I get to choose my race? A starting zone? A respawn beacon? Perhaps a cool battle scar?"

"No."

"...Wow. That's rough."

"You will be born as a human commoner. An orphan, naturally. In a wretchedly poor village constantly under siege by beasts and brigands."

Leon winced. "A tad predictable, isn't it?"

"It is," the entity conceded. "But it serves to keep expectations minimal."

Leon nodded in contemplation. "Fair point. A solid narrative strategy."

"Your memories will resurface when you reach seven years of age. Until then, you will simply exist... as a helpless, wailing infant."

Leon appeared genuinely aghast. "You mean I have to go through the tutorial... as a literal newborn?!"

"You shall persist. Most likely."

The being had already calculated that should he perish before that point, it would swiftly reclaim its precious treasure; if not, then he was not destined for them to initiate their purpose.

"That was the extent of my intervention," the entity grumbled, still lamenting the temporal dimension it had forfeited. It had been compelled to relinquish that particular aspect, yet its pride forbade any admission of such a loss.

Leon let out a sigh. "Very well. Let us conclude this."

The entity's form began to dissipate into celestial motes, its voice resonating one final time:

"Endure, Leon. Attain strength. And perhaps, in time, you will ascend through the various planes... uncovering the ultimate truth and possibly even encountering my true self."

The ethereal luminescence engulfed all.

The starlight intensified, enveloping Leon as if he were a cosmic wrap. Potent energy crackled within the void, contorting the fabric of reality like linens before a celestial departure.

He could perceive it—his soul being drawn, dismantled, and reassembled, poised to plunge headfirst into a realm of sharpened steel, arcane arts, and undoubtedly, a significant amount of thankless toil.

The voice echoed one last time, its resonance fading like the final notes of an epic movie trailer.

Leon's awareness started to fray. His thoughts became fluid and elastic, as if being forced through a cosmic sieve.

But then—just before the transition was complete, just before he succumbed entirely to the swirling vortex of light—it struck him.

'Wait.'

'WAIT.'

'HOW WILL I ACQUIRE THE TREASURES?!'

His thoughts shrieked into the emptiness, thrashing in pure, existential panic.

'Will they be delivered in a chest?! Are they sealed within my very soul?! Sent to my bassinet like some magical Amazon Prime delivery?! I DEMAND LOGISTICS, BLAST IT!'

However, it was too late.

The radiant light had already claimed him.

Leon's soul plunged into the new world, its descent accompanied by a frantic cry—not of terror, but of sheer organizational dread.

'NO, I NEVER ASKED ABOUT THE DELIVERYYYYYYYY—!'