Hidden Grand Prize

Chapter 41: Hidden Grand Prize

Hermione shot him a look. "So the safest place would be on Dumbledore's person. But he didn't keep that thing on him—he left it out in the open, deliberately waiting for someone to steal it. This must be Dumbledore's plan."

Ron finally caught up with Hermione's reasoning and, for once, showed a flash of cleverness, seizing on the flaw. "But what does that have to do with whether Snape's the one trying to steal it?"

"Exactly! What does it have to do with it?" Hermione turned to Brook.

"I'm touched by your thirst for knowledge," Brook said with a smile. "But what does this have to do with you lot?"

Harry opened his mouth but said nothing. He was utterly sick of Snape constantly targeting him, so he was dead set on catching Snape red-handed doing something wrong, just to get him sacked. But he couldn't say that out loud—it would make his judgment look purely personal.

"Alright, if you want to play detective, I won't stop you." Brook's expression turned serious. "But I have to warn you: anyone who makes Dumbledore go to the trouble of setting a trap is no small fry. There's real danger involved. Without enough ability to protect yourselves, safety always comes first."

He had no idea how much his appearance—this little butterfly—would change the plot. But with the system backing him, if he still couldn't beat Voldemort in a few years, he might as well go find a block of tofu and bash his head in.

His draw count had already piled up to nine.

[Pet Minerva McGonagall's tabby cat form] [Explore Hagrid's hut] [Get Severus Snape to do a favor] [Skip class once] [Ask Cuthbert Binns a question in History of Magic] [Brew a potion that satisfies Snape] [Escape Argus Filch's pursuit] [Earn 20 points for the house from Minerva McGonagall] [Explore the Headmaster's office]

All these tasks were done. One more, and he'd have enough for a ten-pull.

Brook's gaze unconsciously drifted toward the Restricted Section. One of the system's tasks was [Acquire a book from the Hogwarts Library Restricted Section]. That was the easiest task for him right now.

When there's something to do, do it. Brook wasn't the type to dawdle.

That very night, once everyone in the dorm had fallen asleep, he sat up. He pulled out the Marauder's Map and gave it a light tap with his wand.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

The lines on the map swiftly shifted, clearly showing everyone's positions in the castle. Dumbledore was on the seventh floor. The other professors were all in their own rooms. Filch and his cat were patrolling the sixth floor. Snape was wandering the fourth floor—looked like he was on duty tonight. The twins were in the kitchen, probably couldn't sleep and had gone to scrounge some food.

"Mischief managed!"

After confirming everyone's positions, Brook stowed the Marauder's Map with practiced ease. He cast the Disillusionment Charm on himself, then stepped through the Space Gate into the library.

The library was pitch black, eerily silent. It felt like something out of a campus ghost story. Brook's eyesight was excellent. Even in this dim light, he could clearly make out the titles on the bookshelves. He stepped over the rope cordoning off the Restricted Section and entered it.

It was so easy it almost felt off.

The books in the Restricted Section came in all shapes and sizes. Some covers were already rotting, giving off a stale, musty smell.

Some flickered with an eerie glow;

Others had what looked like bloodstains on them.

A few books seemed almost alive, faint whispers drifting into his ears.

Brook's gaze swept quickly across the shelves, finally landing on a book that was still in decent condition.

Its cover appeared to be made of pure gold, looking quite expensive.

Without even bothering to read the title, he casually picked it up and stowed it in his ring.

At the same time, the system's prompt sounded in his mind.

[Congratulations, host, for completing the task of obtaining a book from the Hogwarts library's Restricted Section. Reward: one draw.]

With the task done, Brook didn't linger and left directly.

Though he was curious about the books in the Restricted Section, the lure of the system's reward was greater.

He'd have plenty of time to read these books later—it wasn't any trouble anyway.

Back in his room, Brook took a bath as usual and even changed into a fresh set of clothes.

This was his first ten-draw!

He had to greet it with the utmost solemnity.

"Jade Emperor, Lord Lao, Tathagata Buddha, Taiyi Zhenren, Victorious Fighting Buddha, Nezha the Third Prince, and Erlang Shen the True Lord, bless me."

Brook devoutly bowed in reverence to eight different directions.

This time, he'd deliberately added a few deities.

The Map of Mountains and Rivers and Altars of Earth was Taiyi Zhenren's treasure.

He wasn't asking for gifts from all of them.

Maybe with more worship, he could keep getting gear drops.

He had to milk this for all it was worth.

After the prayers, he waved his hand with authority.

"System draw, ten-draw."

But the scene that followed left him deeply disappointed.

[Thanks for your patronage]

[Thanks for your patronage]

[Thanks for your patronage]

Brook watched as eight [Thanks for your patronage] messages popped up in a row on the screen, his heart sinking to the bottom.

How was the luck on a ten-draw worse than a five-draw?

[Congratulations, host, for winning the grand prize: Flying Pig]

Flying Pig (living creature): Possesses flight ability, can transform into various tools, has memory-imaging capability, and boasts peak carving skills.

Brook's eyes lit up instantly.

This was good.

The Flying Pig was already pretty cute.

And it could turn into the Wind Fire Wheels under Nezha the Third Prince's feet.

Never mind the abilities—just the cool look alone made this ten-draw worth the "price."

Suddenly, the spinning wheel before him burst into a dazzling golden light, forcing him to shut his eyes.

[Congratulations, host, for winning the hidden jackpot: Fetal Transformation]

One of the 36 Transformations.

Fetal Transformation: Allows the user to freely change their appearance, becoming other people, animals, or objects.

Based on the host's current situation, the mana required to activate this technique has been converted to magic power.

The host can use it with confidence.

Brook was startled—the system actually had a hidden jackpot?

Wasn't Fetal Transformation the ability Yang Jian used when fighting Monkey King?

With this, he could transform into anything.

A solid hidden and survival skill.

Brook couldn't help but start fantasizing.

The 36 Transformations!

If every ten-draw could net him one of the 36 Transformations techniques.

Mediating Creation, Reversing Yin and Yang, Shifting Stars and Exchanging Constellations, Turning Back Heaven and Returning the Sun...

Each one possessed earth-shattering power.

No matter which he drew, he could become a god on the spot.

Alright, maybe he was dreaming a little too big.

Even if he actually drew one, would he dare use it?

With the pitiful amount of magic power he had, he'd probably croak before he even finished casting.

He was now extremely grateful that he'd added Nezha and Yang Jian to his worship.

Flying Pig was what Taiyi gave to Nezha.

The 36 Transformations were one of Yang Jian's signature techniques.

Just look at what these two top-tier big shots had given.

Then think about how Brother Monkey, whom he devoutly worshipped every time, had given nothing so far.

What a disgrace to the Three Heavenly Rebels!