Omniscient Gacha you are too expensive!!

The village buzzed with excitement as preparations for the annual harvest festival were in full swing. Brightly colored banners hung from wooden beams, and the scent of freshly baked pastries mingled with the earthy aroma of hay. Children ran through the streets, laughing and chasing each other while the adults worked tirelessly to set up stalls and decorate the square.

Rayne stood near the center of the commotion, helping his father arrange a cart loaded with pumpkins and other produce. His hands were dusted with dirt, but his face carried a faint smile. This was one of his favorite times of the year—a day when the entire village came together to celebrate their hard work and enjoy a brief respite from their daily struggles.

"Rayne, stop daydreaming and grab those crates!" his father called, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"On it!" Rayne replied, hurrying to lift a wooden crate filled with apples. The weight was manageable, but his arms strained slightly as he hoisted it onto the cart. He'd gotten stronger over the past few years, but there was always room for improvement.

Sienna ran over, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "Rayne, did you hear? They're setting up a contest by the well! You should join!"

"A contest?" he asked, setting the crate down. "What kind of contest?"

"I don't know," Sienna said, bouncing on her heels. "But Lucas said it's going to be fun, and he's joining too. You have to beat him!"

Rayne raised an eyebrow. "Why do I have to beat Lucas?"

"Because he always brags about how fast he is!" Sienna said, crossing her arms. "You can't let him win."

Rayne sighed, brushing dirt off his hands. "All right, fine. Let me finish here first."

His father chuckled, overhearing the exchange. "Go on, Rayne. I'll take care of the rest. Just make sure you bring home a win."

Rayne grinned. "I'll do my best."

The square was bustling by the time he arrived at the well, where a small crowd had gathered around a makeshift ring marked by hay bales. Marcus was already there, along with Lucas and a few other kids, all of them grinning with anticipation.

"What's the challenge?" Rayne asked, stepping into the circle.

Lucas smirked, crossing his arms. "It's a test of strength. Whoever can carry the big log from here to the edge of the square the fastest wins."

Rayne glanced at the log in question. It was massive, at least twice the size of the kids competing. He frowned, wondering if they'd even be able to lift it.

"Are we allowed to roll it instead of carrying it?" he asked.

"No rolling," Marcus said, grinning. "That's cheating."

"Great," Rayne muttered under his breath.

The first contestant stepped up, a boy named Ethan. He struggled to lift the log, managing to get it a few inches off the ground before dropping it with a grunt. The crowd cheered anyway, clapping as he bowed dramatically.

Next was Marcus, who managed to hoist the log higher but stumbled after a few steps, narrowly avoiding tripping over a hay bale. He laughed it off, brushing the dirt from his shirt.

When it was Lucas's turn, he smirked confidently, rolling his shoulders as he gripped the log. To everyone's surprise, he lifted it with relative ease, carrying it halfway across the square before setting it down.

"Beat that," he said, brushing off his hands and grinning at Rayne.

Rayne stepped into the circle, feeling the weight of the crowd's eyes on him. He crouched by the log, his fingers curling around the rough wood. It was heavier than he'd expected, but he steadied his breathing, focusing on the task.

With a grunt, he lifted the log off the ground, his muscles straining as he stood upright. The crowd cheered, and Sienna's voice rang out above the rest. "Go, Rayne!"

He took one step, then another, the log wobbling slightly as he adjusted his grip. His legs burned, and his arms felt like they might give out, but he refused to stop. Each step was a battle, his determination driving him forward.

By the time he reached the edge of the square, his body was screaming for rest, but he managed to set the log down gently, avoiding the loud thud that had marked the others' attempts. The crowd erupted into applause, and Marcus clapped him on the back.

"That was amazing!" Marcus said, grinning. "You might've beaten Lucas."

"Might've?" Lucas said, scowling. "He definitely didn't. What was his time?"

An older villager holding a pocket watch stepped forward, comparing notes. "Rayne wins by two seconds."

The crowd cheered again, and Lucas groaned, throwing his hands in the air. "This isn't fair. He's been working in the fields all year!"

"Excuses, excuses," Sienna said, sticking out her tongue.

Rayne laughed, shaking his head. "Good game, Lucas. You almost had me."

Lucas muttered something under his breath but managed a reluctant nod of acknowledgment. The contest ended with handshakes and smiles, the friendly rivalry bringing everyone closer.

As the evening wore on, Rayne found himself reflecting on the moment. It wasn't about the win—it was about pushing himself, proving that he was capable of more than he thought. The festival continued around him, a blur of music, laughter, and celebration, but his mind lingered on the feeling of accomplishment.

For the first time, he felt like he was truly growing—not just physically, but as a person.

The festival's energy buzzed late into the evening, with the square illuminated by flickering lanterns that cast a warm glow over the bustling crowd. Rayne wandered through the stalls, the lingering high from his earlier victory leaving a spring in his step. Sienna was skipping ahead of him, her eyes darting between the colorful displays of crafts and baked goods.

"Rayne! Look!" she called, pointing toward a booth where a traveling merchant had set up a collection of oddities and trinkets.

The merchant himself was an older man with a long gray beard and a pair of glasses perched on his crooked nose. He waved them over with a toothy grin. "Step right up, young ones! I've got treasures from lands far and wide—things you've never seen before!"

Rayne approached cautiously, his eyes scanning the assortment of items on display. There were gleaming gemstones, intricately carved figurines, and bottles of strange, glowing liquids.

"What's this?" Sienna asked, picking up a small wooden box engraved with swirling patterns.

"Ah, a puzzle box!" the merchant said, wagging a finger. "Solve it, and it reveals a hidden compartment. Great for hiding little secrets."

Sienna's eyes sparkled. "Rayne, can we get it?"

"How much?" Rayne asked, eyeing the merchant suspiciously.

"For you, young man, just five silver coins," the merchant replied, holding up five fingers.

Rayne frowned. "That's half our savings. What else do you have?"

The merchant chuckled, reaching beneath his table and pulling out a small, unassuming pendant. It was made of dull metal, shaped like a crescent moon, with faint etchings that glimmered faintly in the lantern light.

"This," the merchant said, his voice lowering conspiratorially, "is a talisman said to bring good fortune to those with the courage to carry it."

"Good fortune?" Rayne repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"Indeed," the merchant said, leaning closer. "But only for those who are worthy."

Rayne's instincts prickled. There was something odd about the way the merchant was looking at him, like he knew something Rayne didn't.

"How much for this?" Rayne asked, his tone cautious.

The merchant smiled. "For you, just one silver coin."

"That's suspiciously cheap," Rayne said, narrowing his eyes.

The merchant laughed, a deep, rumbling sound. "Sometimes, boy, the value of an item isn't in its price but in its purpose. Consider it a token of my faith in you."

Rayne hesitated, glancing at Sienna, who was busy fiddling with the puzzle box. Something about the pendant called to him, though he couldn't explain why.

"Fine," he said, pulling a silver coin from his pouch and placing it in the merchant's hand.

The old man's grin widened as he handed over the pendant. "A wise choice. Take care of it, young man. You never know when fortune might favor the bold."

---

As they left the booth, Rayne tucked the pendant into his pocket, feeling its weight against his leg. He didn't believe in luck, but the merchant's words lingered in his mind.

Sienna tugged at his sleeve, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Rayne, let's go to the archery contest! I heard Marcus is trying to win!"

Rayne sighed but followed her through the crowd.

The archery range was set up at the edge of the square, with hay bales stacked as targets and wooden bows lined neatly on a rack. A small group of spectators had gathered, cheering as the contestants took turns firing arrows at the bullseye.

Marcus was up next, his brow furrowed in concentration as he drew his bowstring back. The arrow flew true, striking just outside the center ring. The crowd clapped politely, and Marcus gave a sheepish grin as he stepped aside.

"Not bad," Rayne said as he approached. "You've been practicing."

Marcus shrugged. "Could've been better. You want to give it a shot?"

"Me?" Rayne asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, why not? Show us if you're as good with a bow as you are with logs," Marcus teased.

Rayne rolled his eyes but stepped up to the rack, selecting a bow that felt sturdy in his hands. He hadn't used one in years—not since his parents had shown him how to hunt small game—but the motions came back to him easily.

He nocked an arrow, taking a deep breath as he lined up the shot. The crowd quieted, their anticipation palpable.

The arrow flew, slicing through the air with a satisfying thwack as it struck the target. It landed closer to the center than Marcus's shot, earning a round of cheers.

"Show-off," Marcus muttered, but he was grinning.

"Beginner's luck," Rayne replied, handing the bow back.

As the contest continued, Rayne couldn't shake the feeling that the pendant in his pocket was somehow influencing him. The shot had felt almost too easy, like something beyond his skill had guided the arrow.

He glanced around the square, his gaze landing on the merchant's booth. The old man was gone, and the trinkets had been packed away as if he had never been there.

---

Later that night, Rayne sat by the fire with his family, recounting the day's events. Sienna was curled up with her puzzle box, determined to solve it before bed, while his parents laughed at his story about Lucas's dramatic loss in the strength contest.

As the fire crackled and the warmth of his family's laughter filled the room, Rayne felt the pendant's weight again, a reminder that his journey was far from ordinary.

He didn't know what lay ahead, but for now, he was content to enjoy the peace of the festival and the love of the people around him.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but tonight, he was just a boy in a village, surrounded by those who mattered most.

The next morning, the festival buzz had faded, and the village returned to its usual quiet rhythm. Rayne was helping his father repair a section of the barn roof when Sienna came running toward them, her pigtails bouncing with each step.

"Rayne! Dad!" she called, her voice tinged with excitement and worry.

Rayne climbed down the ladder, wiping sweat from his brow. "What's wrong, Sienna?"

"There's a commotion near the forest," she said, pointing toward the edge of the village. "Some of the villagers saw something weird!"

Rayne frowned, exchanging a glance with his father. "Weird how?"

"Like tracks or something big moving around," Sienna said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "They think it might be dangerous."

His father sighed, setting down the tools. "All right, let's go check it out. Rayne, stay close."

The three of them joined a small group of villagers gathered near the forest's edge. The tension in the air was palpable as people murmured among themselves, pointing at the ground where deep, uneven tracks marred the soil.

Garrek, the blacksmith, stood at the front of the group, his massive arms crossed. "Whatever made these tracks isn't anything I've seen before," he said grimly.

Rayne crouched to inspect the prints. They were large, with claw marks raking through the dirt, and they seemed to lead deeper into the forest.

"What do you think, Dad?" Rayne asked.

His father's expression was unreadable. "Could be a wild animal, but we can't be sure. We'll need to be careful until we figure this out."

Garrek nodded. "I'll organize a watch tonight, just in case. But someone needs to follow these tracks now, before we lose the trail."

Rayne's heart skipped a beat. He knew what was coming next.

"I'll go," his father said, stepping forward.

"I'll come with you," Garrek said.

Rayne opened his mouth to protest, but his father held up a hand. "Stay here, Rayne. Look after your sister and your mother."

Rayne wanted to argue, to say that he was capable of helping, but the look in his father's eyes stopped him. He nodded reluctantly, stepping back as the two men disappeared into the forest.

---

Hours passed, and the sun began to dip toward the horizon. Rayne paced near the edge of the village, his worry growing with each passing minute. Sienna sat on a nearby log, her normally cheerful demeanor replaced with a quiet unease.

"Do you think they're okay?" she asked softly.

"They're fine," Rayne said, though he wasn't sure if he was trying to reassure her or himself.

As the last rays of sunlight faded, the sound of hurried footsteps broke the silence. Rayne turned to see Garrek emerging from the forest, his face set in a grim line.

"Where's Dad?" Rayne asked, his stomach sinking.

Garrek hesitated, his jaw tightening. "He's fine. We got separated near the clearing, but he told me to come back and let you know he's handling it."

Rayne clenched his fists. "What was it? What did you find?"

"A boar," Garrek said. "A big one. Mean as hell. Your dad's keeping it busy, but we'll need more hands to bring it down."

Before anyone could stop him, Rayne grabbed his dagger and ran toward the forest.

---

The trees closed in around him as he followed the faint sounds of grunting and crashing in the distance. His heart pounded in his chest, his breath coming in short gasps, but he pushed forward, his grip tightening on the hilt of his dagger.

He finally reached a small clearing, where his father stood facing the largest boar Rayne had ever seen. The beast's tusks gleamed in the moonlight, and its eyes glowed with a wild, feral light.

"Rayne, what are you doing here?!" his father shouted, his voice tinged with anger and fear.

"I'm not leaving you!" Rayne yelled back.

The boar snorted, pawing the ground as it prepared to charge.

"Stay back!" his father warned, raising his pitchfork.

But Rayne didn't listen. As the boar charged, he sprinted forward, his instincts taking over.

The beast's tusks grazed his arm as he dodged to the side, the impact knocking him to the ground. He rolled to his feet, his dagger flashing as he slashed at the boar's flank.

The beast roared, twisting to face him.

"Rayne, move!" his father shouted, rushing to distract the animal.

Rayne scrambled back, his breathing ragged. He wasn't strong enough to take the boar down alone, but he couldn't just stand by and watch.

The pendant in his pocket grew warm, almost uncomfortably so, and a strange clarity settled over him. He could see the boar's movements before they happened, his body reacting instinctively to dodge and counter.

He darted forward again, his dagger finding a weak spot near the boar's shoulder. The beast bellowed in pain, stumbling as his father drove the pitchfork into its side.

With one final roar, the boar collapsed, its massive body hitting the ground with a thud.

Rayne stood frozen, his chest heaving as the adrenaline drained from his system.

"Are you hurt?" his father asked, gripping his shoulders.

"I'm fine," Rayne said, though his arm throbbed where the boar's tusk had grazed him.

His father's expression softened, pride and relief mingling in his eyes. "You were reckless, but… you were brave."

Rayne glanced at the fallen boar, his thoughts racing. He didn't know what had come over him during the fight, but something had changed. The pendant, the System—whatever it was, it had helped him in that moment.

He didn't know what it meant, but one thing was clear: he was stronger than he had thought.

The village was quiet as Rayne and his father emerged from the forest, dragging the massive boar behind them on a makeshift sled of branches and rope. A few villagers gathered near the edge of the woods, their expressions shifting from worry to relief as they saw the two return safely.

"By the gods, that's a beast!" Garrek said, stepping forward to inspect the boar. He whistled low, running a hand over the creature's tusks. "You two took this down alone?"

"Barely," Rayne's father said, his voice heavy with exhaustion. He glanced at Rayne, his tone softening. "Wouldn't have managed without this one stepping in."

The villagers murmured among themselves, some clapping Rayne on the back in approval. He nodded quietly, still replaying the fight in his mind. His arm ached where the boar's tusk had grazed him, but it wasn't the pain that occupied his thoughts—it was the warmth of the pendant and the strange clarity he'd felt in that moment.

Sienna pushed through the small crowd, throwing herself at Rayne and wrapping her arms around his waist. "You're okay! I thought you—" She sniffled, burying her face in his shirt.

"I'm fine," Rayne said, ruffling her hair gently. "See? Not even a scratch."

Sienna pulled back, her tear-streaked face quickly shifting to a scowl. "You're still an idiot for running into the forest like that!"

Rayne chuckled, the tension in his chest easing slightly. "Yeah, I get that a lot."

"Let's get this thing butchered," Garrek said, motioning to the boar. "It'll feed the whole village for weeks."

The villagers began organizing, some heading to prepare the butcher's station while others fetched tools. Rayne's father stayed behind, leaning against a tree and watching the activity with a tired but satisfied expression.

"You were brave out there, son," he said, his voice low enough that only Rayne could hear. "But that doesn't mean I want to see you doing something like that again."

"I couldn't just let you face it alone," Rayne said, his tone firm.

His father sighed, shaking his head. "I know. And that's what worries me. You've got a good heart, Rayne, but bravery without caution can get you killed."

Rayne nodded, the words sinking in. He knew his father was right, but he also couldn't ignore the pull of responsibility he felt in moments like this. It wasn't just about courage—it was about protecting the people he cared about.

---

That night, the village gathered for an impromptu feast in celebration of the boar's capture. Lanterns hung from tree branches, their soft light casting a warm glow over the tables laden with roasted meat, fresh bread, and pitchers of cider. Laughter and music filled the air as the villagers shared stories and toasted to their success.

Rayne sat with his family at one of the long wooden tables, his plate piled high with food he wasn't quite hungry for. Sienna was chattering excitedly about the feast, her earlier fear forgotten in the warmth of the celebration. His father and Garrek were deep in conversation about the tracks they had found, speculating about whether the boar had been part of a larger group.

Rayne's thoughts drifted as he toyed with the pendant in his pocket, tracing the etched crescent moon with his thumb. He couldn't shake the feeling that it had played a role in the fight—that the strange clarity he'd felt was somehow connected to its presence. The memory of the System's faint pull lingered in the back of his mind, a constant reminder that his life was no longer ordinary.

"Rayne." His mother's voice brought him back to the present. "Are you all right? You've barely touched your food."

"I'm fine," he said quickly, forcing a small smile. "Just tired."

She studied him for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly, but she didn't press the issue.

As the night wore on and the crowd began to thin, Rayne excused himself and stepped away from the festivities. The cool night air wrapped around him as he walked toward the edge of the village, the distant sounds of laughter fading into the background.

He stopped near the well, leaning against the wooden frame and staring up at the stars. The pendant felt heavy in his hand as he pulled it from his pocket, the faint etchings glinting in the moonlight.

"What are you?" he muttered, turning it over in his fingers.

The warmth he'd felt earlier had faded, leaving only the cool touch of metal. But the questions it raised burned brighter than ever. Was it connected to the System? And if so, what did that mean for him?

The fight with the boar had shown him that he was capable of more than he'd realized, but it had also reminded him of how fragile life could be. His father's words echoed in his mind—bravery without caution can get you killed.

Rayne clenched his fist around the pendant, his jaw tightening. If the System and the pendant were tools to make him stronger, then he needed to understand them. He couldn't afford to wait for answers to come to him—he had to seek them out.

But not tonight. Tonight, he would rest and let the village celebrate. Tomorrow, he would begin asking questions and searching for the truth.

The stars twinkled above, their light a quiet promise of the unknown. Rayne took a deep breath, the cool air filling his lungs, and made a silent vow to himself: he would uncover the mysteries of his new life and use whatever strength he gained to protect the people he loved.

No matter what it cost.

The dawn came quietly, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink as the village began to stir. Rayne sat on the hill overlooking the fields, his back against a tree and his thoughts lingering on the events of the previous day. The pendant dangled from his hand, catching the early sunlight and casting faint patterns on the ground.

The fight with the boar had changed something in him, though he couldn't quite put it into words. It wasn't just the danger or the victory—it was the way he'd felt in the moment, the clarity and strength that had surged through him.

The System hadn't activated since that night in his room, but he couldn't ignore its presence. The pendant, the strange instincts he'd felt during the fight—they were all connected. He was sure of it.

"Rayne!"

He turned to see Sienna bounding up the hill, her hair messy from sleep and her small satchel bouncing against her side.

"Morning, sleepyhead," he called, tucking the pendant into his pocket as she flopped onto the grass beside him.

"You're up early," she said, squinting at him. "You usually sleep in after a feast."

"Couldn't sleep," he admitted, glancing out at the fields. "Too much on my mind."

"About the boar?"

"Yeah," he said, though it wasn't the whole truth. "And other things."

Sienna tilted her head, studying him with the sharp intuition only a younger sibling could have. "You're thinking about that weird pendant, aren't you?"

Rayne blinked, surprised. "How do you—"

"You kept fiddling with it all through dinner," she said with a shrug. "You're not very subtle."

He sighed, leaning back against the tree. "It's just… strange. I don't know what it is, but I feel like it's important."

"Do you think it's magic?" Sienna asked, her voice tinged with excitement.

"Maybe," Rayne said, though he wasn't sure. "It's definitely not normal."

"Well, if it's magic, maybe you'll become a hero!" Sienna said, grinning. "Like in the stories!"

Rayne chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm not looking to be a hero, Sienna. I just want to protect you and Mom and Dad."

"You already do," she said, her tone softer. "Even when you're being a dummy and running into forests after boars."

He smiled, ruffling her hair. "Thanks, kid. That means a lot."

---

Later that morning, Rayne joined his father in the fields, helping repair another section of the fence that had been damaged by the boar's rampage. The work was repetitive but grounding, and it gave him time to process everything that had happened.

"You've been quiet today," his father said, handing him a plank of wood.

"Just thinking," Rayne said, positioning the plank against the fence. "About the fight. About what's next."

His father nodded, hammering a nail into place. "It's good to think, but don't let it weigh you down. Life has a way of surprising you when you least expect it."

Rayne glanced at him, considering his words. His father had always seemed so steady, so certain, even in the face of danger. It was something Rayne aspired to but hadn't quite mastered.

"Do you ever feel… unsure about what you're doing?" Rayne asked.

His father paused, the hammer resting against the wood. "All the time," he said with a small smile. "But I've learned that it's not about being sure. It's about doing the best you can with what you have."

The words settled over Rayne like a warm blanket, their simplicity grounding him.

"Thanks, Dad," he said, picking up another plank.

---

That evening, after the day's work was done and the village had settled into its usual calm, Rayne sat in his room, the pendant resting on the desk in front of him.

He reached out, tracing the etchings with his fingers. They seemed almost alive, shifting subtly under the dim light of the candle.

A faint hum filled the air, and the pendant grew warm in his hand. His heart raced as the familiar translucent screen of the System flickered to life before him.

[System Notification: Artifact Detected]

[Moonlit Talisman: A tool of hidden potential. Unlocking will require 50 Gacha Points.]

Rayne stared at the text, his mind racing. He didn't have any Gacha Points yet—he hadn't even figured out how to earn them. But the notification confirmed what he'd suspected: the pendant was connected to the System.

The screen shifted, displaying a second message:

"Your journey has begun. The choices you make will shape your path. Persevere, and strength will follow."

The screen disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, leaving Rayne alone in the quiet room. He clenched the pendant tightly, a mix of determination and curiosity surging within him.

If the System was giving him a chance, he wouldn't waste it. He didn't know what challenges lay ahead, but he was ready to face them head-on.

For his family. For his village.

For himself.

As the candle flickered and the room grew darker, Rayne made a silent vow: he would uncover the secrets of the System and use whatever strength it gave him to protect the life he had built.

And he wouldn't stop until he succeeded.