[Ding. Beginner's Gift Pack opened successfully.]
[Congratulations, Host, you have obtained:]
[Random Talent Card ×1]
[Random Equipment ×1]
[Random Item ×1]
Tanaka Masao blinked, completely dumbfounded.
"…Why is everything random?"
[Of course it's to add some fun for the Host. This gacha-like feeling—doesn't it feel great?]
"When you put it that way… yeah."
Gacha really did bring joy—especially when you hit the jackpot.
"Let's start with the Talent Card. If I could get some busted superpower, that'd be great. Time stop, hypnosis, invisibility—anything works."
With a silent prayer, Tanaka Masao used the Random Talent Card.
[Using Random Talent Card ×1]
[Talent acquired: Life Unending, Stamina Everlasting]
[Life Unending, Stamina Everlasting: As long as you are alive, you will possess infinite stamina. (You'll never have to worry about 'not being able to perform' ever again.)]
"…Holy crap, why is it this kind of talent?!"
"…I freaking love it."
As he said that, Tanaka Masao laughed—more than a little lewdly.
After all, this talent was basically the same tier as an iron kidney—standard equipment for a harem protagonist.
"Nice pull. Let's go again."
[Ding. Using Random Equipment ×1]
[Congratulations, Host, you have obtained: Mark 85 Armor (Full Set).]
[Mark 85 Armor: From the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Tony Stark's final creation. Uses nanotechnology, balances offense and defense, powered by an Arc Reactor providing limitless energy. (Note: Armor provided by the system possesses self-repair capabilities.)]
"Holy shit—JACKPOT!"
Looking at the armor he had pulled, Tanaka Masao jumped up in excitement.
In movies, Iron Man's armor might not be the strongest thing around—but in terms of sheer appeal to men, it absolutely had a place.
After all, what man doesn't dream of wearing powered armor?
Tanaka Masao eagerly took the Mark 85 Armor out of the system inventory.
A metallic block, slightly larger than his palm, appeared in his hand.
At its center was a beautiful triangular energy core, emitting a faint glow.
"System, how do I use this?"
[Host, simply place it over your chest.]
"Got it."
Without hesitation, Tanaka Masao placed the armor core directly onto his chest.
The moment it made contact, it adhered tightly.
Imitating Tony Stark, he double-tapped the core.
Countless nanomaterials flowed outward like liquid, spreading from his chest and gradually covering his entire body.
Thankfully, this was nanotech armor—it could adapt to the user's body type. Otherwise, with Tanaka Masao's current physique, there was no way he'd fit into it.
As the helmet closed, all kinds of data filled the HUD.
Tanaka Masao stared at it for a while, then realized—
"…Yeah, I don't understand any of this. Where's Friday?"
[Host, this armor does not come equipped with an AI assistant. However, I am here. I am more capable than those artificial intelligences and will assist you in operating the armor.]
"Oh, that's good then. I want to see what I look like in the armor."
As soon as he finished speaking, an image appeared on the screen—his room, and himself standing there in full armor.
Looking at his reflection, Tanaka Masao fell silent.
With this chubby body, the armor didn't look very heroic at all.
If anything, he looked more like a villain.
"System, tighten the armor a bit. Make me look… more presentable."
[Acknowledged.]
As the system responded, Tanaka Masao could clearly feel the armor tightening around him.
His limbs didn't change much—the biggest transformation was around his abdomen.
On the screen, his belly visibly shrank. It definitely looked better, but—
"Stop! Stop! STOP!"
Tanaka Masao hurriedly shouted for the system to stop. If it went any further, he was going to burst.
Once the compression stopped, Tanaka Masao retracted the armor and stored it back in the system inventory.
Even though the core could stay on his chest, it was still far more convenient to keep it in the inventory.
Stretching his body a bit, Tanaka Masao let out a long breath.
"Whew… looks like I really need to lose some weight. Otherwise, the armor's going to ruin the aesthetics."
Turning his attention to the final item—[Random Item ×1]—Tanaka Masao frowned.
"System, what exactly does this random item do? Is anything possible? Like rare heavenly treasures, Pangu's blood essence or something?"
Pangu: Who keeps thinking about my blood essence? There's not a single drop left!
[No. This random item is a tool that can help the Host earn Degeneration Points.]
"Degeneration Points—right, I still haven't asked. What exactly are those? They don't sound very wholesome."
[Not wholesome? In what way? If you don't explain it clearly, I won't understand.]
"System, the way you're acting right now is already pretty unwholesome."
['Degeneration' has many interpretations. The scope defined by this system is quite broad.]
[As long as the Host causes others to do something they dislike but cannot resist wanting to do—
or forcibly makes others do something they dislike—the emotions generated are called Degeneration Points.]
Tanaka Masao nodded thoughtfully. "So it's like saying one thing with your mouth, but—"
[Host, if you keep going, you won't pass the test of the River Crab Deity.]
"Alright. I still don't fully get it, but I'll figure it out by trying. Still… why does this feel so sketchy?"
With that thought in mind, Tanaka Masao used the item.
[Ding. Congratulations, Host, you have obtained: Manga ×1.]
"Manga? Why this?"
With confusion, Tanaka Masao took it out.
"…What the hell, why is it this?!"
Looking at the provocative cover illustration, Tanaka Masao couldn't help swallowing.
"Isn't this that hypnosis 'instruction' series I used to read? Why is this showing up here?"
He felt indignant.
"System, explain yourself. I know the characters in the manga degenerate, but what does that have to do with reality?"
[Host, please do not doubt this system. It will definitely help you earn Degeneration Points.]
"I seriously don't believe it. And besides, I'm pure as ice, clean as jade, noble of soul—how could I possibly—"
He glanced at the manga in his hands, hesitating.
"…Well, since it's system-produced, I'll take a critical look."
As he said that, Tanaka Masao opened the manga.
"…It's full color?! This is way better than black and white."
"What did the system use to draw this? Why is it so detailed? Don't tell me it was actually there on site?"
"Man… this is really good. Hehehe~"
From time to time, lewd laughter echoed through the room.