After watching Artemis's blushing figure leave, Ying Ping took a deep breath and opened the system interface.
"System, use Chaos Summon reward!"
[Ding! Host used Chaos Summon!]
[Obtained new system function: Free Shop]
A dazzling golden light flashed, and a brand new shop interface appeared in Ying Ping's vision.
"Free Shop?"
Ying Ping's eyes lit up, and he immediately clicked to view it.
Five items were neatly arranged in the shop.
Each item was marked with a value of 0 points, and there was a refresh time prompt in the bottom right corner.
It seemed that the free shop would refresh its free items every 24 hours.
"Are they really all free? Then I want to see what these are."
He eagerly checked the first item—
[Divine Oath (SSR Item)]
[Effect: Can transform anyone around you who trusts you and has a good impression of you into an upgradable attendant]
[Once an attendant bound by the contract dies, they will automatically revive after 24 hours]
[Note: The contracted individual must completely trust you, and there must be no resistance during the contract process, otherwise the contract will fail]
"This... isn't this exactly what I need right now?!"
Ying Ping's heart raced.
If he could form a contract with Artemis, she would be able to break free from the limitations of being a thought-form and truly live!
Suppressing his excitement, he immediately looked at the second item—
[Book of Experience X100 (SR Item)]
[Effect: Upon use, an attendant can be directly upgraded to the same level as the host (currently LV18)]
[An attendant's level cannot exceed the host's level]
"It's this again!"
"I thought I'd only have a chance to get these by going back to the dungeon!"
Ying Ping's eyes lit up.
With 100 books, it meant he had 100 opportunities to upgrade.
This way, Kokkoro and Chika could instantly become much stronger, making tomorrow's battle even more assured!
The third item—
[Life Potion X100 (SR Item)]
[Effect: Oral consumption instantly restores 150 HP (topical application is half as effective)]
[Note: This potion cannot cure diseases or detoxify. LV10 adventurers typically have around 100 HP]
"That's enough, this stuff is definitely more effective than Orario's high-grade elixirs!"
"And there are 100 bottles, that's like 100 lives!"
Ying Ping couldn't help but exclaim.
The fourth item—
[Magic Potion X100 (SR Item)]
[Effect: Oral consumption instantly restores 100 MP]
"This is a genuinely good item."
"Whether it's Orario or the entire DanMachi world, there are no items that instantly restore magic, only those that accelerate or assist recovery."
"Now with these magic potions, whether it's me, Kokkoro, or Elaina, we can all cast spells without any reservations."
Ying Ping nodded slightly.
But the last item made him freeze—
[Iced Cola X100 (N Item)]
[Note: An iced carbonated beverage from Earth. Drinking it provides a temporary sense of mental pleasure]
"..."
Ying Ping stared at the familiar red and white can, momentarily finding it both amusing and exasperating.
He had thought he would never drink this stuff again in his life, yet he could still buy it from the system's free shop!
In a medieval-style world like Orario, cola was definitely a rarity!
Even if you knew the recipe, you might not be able to replicate the taste!
"This is great, so many good things! I'll buy all of today's quota first!"
Ying Ping unhesitatingly clicked "Buy All." The five free items instantly entered the system warehouse, and indeed, he didn't spend a single penny.
"Awesome!"
Ying Ping eagerly took out a can of iced cola and popped the tab with a satisfying click.
White bubbles frothed up.
The long-lost sound of carbonation was especially crisp in the quiet night.
He tilted his head back and took a big gulp, the icy liquid with its familiar taste sliding down his throat—
"Ah~ This long-lost refreshing tang!"
Ying Ping let out a satisfied sigh. This taste felt like a return to his days before transmigrating.
But soon, his gaze became resolute again.
"It's too late today, so I'll tell everyone about this tomorrow morning."
Ying Ping looked towards Artemis's tent and put the cola can back into the system warehouse.
Late at night, when all was quiet.
The sky was just barely beginning to lighten, and most people in the camp were fast asleep.
Ying Ping, however, was alone in an open space at the edge of the camp, beginning his daily, unyielding training to become stronger. "978... 99... 100!"
After quickly finishing his last set of push-ups, Ying Ping stood up and began his final 10-kilometer long-distance run around the perimeter of the camp.
Under the moonlight, his agile figure was like a nocturnal dragon, his shirtless muscles displaying perfect power as he ran.
Not far away, Ryuu Lion was finishing her night patrol.
She had intended to return to her tent to rest, but her gaze was drawn to the figure running in the night.
"Mr. Ying Ping? He's still training this late..."
Ryuu murmured softly, her long elven ears trembling slightly.
She quietly stood in the shadow of a tree and watched, unconsciously observing Ying Ping run lap after lap.
It wasn't until Ying Ping completed his training and stopped to catch his breath that Ryuu came back to her senses.
She hesitated for a moment, then picked up her water bottle and walked over.
"Here."
Ryuu handed the water bottle to Ying Ping. "Mr. Ying Ping, you should rehydrate promptly after training."
Ying Ping looked up, a little surprised. In the moonlight, the elven girl's delicate face looked particularly gentle.
"Thank you."
He took the water bottle, and their fingers brushed inadvertently during the exchange. Ryuu recoiled her hand as if she had received an electric shock.
Ying Ping quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, Miss Ryuu, I didn't mean to."
Ryuu shook her head, her elven ears slightly flushed, "It's alright."
Watching Ying Ping drink water in large gulps, she couldn't help but ask, "The decisive battle is tomorrow morning, yet you still have the perseverance to train so late. It's truly admirable."
Ying Ping wiped the corner of his mouth and chuckled, "I just couldn't sleep, and besides... getting stronger is something you can't slack off on for even a day."
Just then, Ying Ping suddenly felt a cool sensation on his face.
He touched his cheek in confusion. "Sweat? Impossible, how could this level of training make me sweat at this point?"
Ryuu's sensitive elven ears twitched a few times.
She extended a hand and looked up at the sky. "Mr. Ying Ping, it seems to be raining."
No sooner had she spoken than fine raindrops began to fall from the sky, quickly turning into a downpour.
"Let's go hide in that small hut over there!"
Ryuu pointed to a nearby hunter's hut, which was used by the camp to store supplies.
Ying Ping nodded, "Alright!"
The two hurried towards the hut through the heavy rain.
The rain soaked their clothes, and Ryuu's green hair clung to her cheeks, glistening in the reflection of the rain.
"Phew—this place is quite nice."
Ying Ping pushed open the wooden door. The inside of the hut was dry and warm.
Some dry grass and tools were piled in the corner. Though the space wasn't large, it was enough to shelter from the rain.
Ryuu gently shook the water droplets from her hair, a small, unintentional gesture that made Ying Ping momentarily lost in thought—
In the dim light, the elven girl's profile was almost unreal in its beauty.
"Um... Miss Ryuu, if you don't mind, you can use this towel."
Ying Ping casually took out a white towel from his system warehouse and handed it to her.
"Thank you."
Ryuu was a little puzzled, completely unable to figure out how Ying Ping had conjured a towel out of thin air.
She looked at the increasingly heavy rain outside and said softly, "It looks like it won't stop anytime soon..."
The rain pattered, hitting the wooden roof with a rhythmic sound.
Inside the small hunter's hut, two people who had no interaction beyond the tavern now found themselves together because of the rain.
"Thinking about tomorrow's battle?"
Seeing Ryuu staring blankly at the rain, Ying Ping took the initiative to start a conversation.
Ryuu nodded gently. "Yes, I'm just a little worried..."
She turned around, her blue eyes appearing particularly deep in the lamplight. "Mr. Ying Ping, do you think we can win?"
Ying Ping answered with a firm gaze, "We will win!"
Although he said it so decisively, it almost felt like he was setting a death flag.
Because he couldn't help but think of Gojo Satoru being cut in half by Sukuna.
Seeing Ying Ping suddenly shaking his shoulders, trying to suppress a laugh.
Ryuu was also infected by this sudden amusement, and the corners of her mouth curved upwards slightly.
"Mr. Ying Ping, what are you laughing about?"
She asked curiously.
Ying Ping didn't want Ryuu to worry, so he casually said, "Nothing, I just feel that being here with Miss Ryuu is a wonderful feeling, and I'm very happy."
Ryuu's cheeks immediately flushed slightly.
She cleared her throat and feigned composure, "Um, I hope Mr. Ying Ping won't make such jokes casually..."
Ying Ping didn't explain, just smiled mysteriously.
Then, he took out several red and blue potions from his system warehouse and placed them on the small wooden box in front of Ryuu.
"What is this...?"
Ryuu looked at the several faintly glowing red and blue potions with confusion.
"These are Life Potions and Magic Potions that I specially acquired."
Ying Ping explained, "The red ones are Life Potions. Just drinking them can quickly heal injuries, and they are much more effective than high-grade elixirs."
"The blue ones are Magic Potions, which can instantly replenish depleted magic. The two types of potions can be used together, and there are absolutely no side effects."
He paused. "These things are for you. If Miss Ryuu doesn't believe it, you can have a professional appraise them."
Ryu shook her head. "I trust Mr. Yingping, it's just..."
She hesitated, looking at the several precious potions. "These are so valuable, aren't you going to use them yourself?"
Yingping waved his hand, smiling easily. "I have more of these, don't worry, please take them."
"Consider it a thank you for helping me out at the tavern last time, and for offering me water just now..."
Hearing this, Ryu's elven ears twitched slightly.
She looked down at the potions, and finally sighed softly. "Since you've said so much, and I happen to need them, then it would be rude to refuse."
She carefully placed the potions into her small, close-fitting bag.
Watching her accept them, Yingping finally showed a satisfied smile.
The rain continued, and the two sat on the hay, starting to chat idly.
"Speaking of which, Miss Ryu, what did you do before becoming a shop assistant? Were you an adventurer too?"
Yingping asked, feigning ignorance.
Ryu's gaze became slightly distant. "Yes... I used to be a very terrible elf."
Her voice carried a hint of self-mockery. "It wasn't until I met Hille and everyone at the tavern that my life gained some light..."
Yingping didn't press further, just listened quietly to Ryu speak.
As they chatted, Ryu gradually relaxed, and her eyelids began to feel heavy.
She struggled to stay awake, but days of fatigue still made her yawn uncontrollably.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Yingping... I might need to sleep for a bit..."
She said, a little embarrassed.
Yingping nodded. "It is getting late. Go ahead and get some rest. Do you need me to step out?"
"It's fine, it's raining outside, you shouldn't go out."
Ryu gently shook her head, then curled up on the hay and closed her eyes.
"Alright then, I'll stay here."
"Sweet dreams, Miss Ryu."
Yingping looked at her peaceful, beautiful sleeping face, then leaned against the door to rest himself, while also observing the situation outside.
"...Thank you."
Ryu turned over, her face slightly flushed, and whispered softly.