S-Class Secret Treasure: Crystal Love · Fantasy Ring

He saw streams of luck light swirling around King, with values exceeding ten thousand—the baseline for an ordinary person was 1. This guy's luck was practically on par with a customer service hotline. The portion Li Chen could draw and amplify was enough to buy lottery tickets and clear out the jackpot.

But honestly, Li Chen did not have much hope for this luck. There was no way to influence the result when drawing heroes anyway! "Still, I found one of King's shining points." Li Chen rubbed his temples and murmured.

King was ridiculously gifted in gaming. No matter the genre, he understood it instantly and mastered it just as fast, going straight to the very top.

Like that Iron Man suit—he could completely operate it as an immersive VR game.

In that regard, aside from the Blank Siblings, probably no one could compete with him—after all, he was a man who could make Saitama question his life using only two fingers.

Now that he had Child Emperor's talent for mechs and Iron Man's technological genius, with one being a gifted youngster capable of building Gundams and the other a flirtatious uncle constantly tinkering with armor, custom-building an exclusive VR combat suit for him would be no trouble at all.

If he ever drew armor like Kamen Rider Ex-Aid, with forms entirely based on games, then strengthened its attributes a little, King might be able to earn himself the title of an ** hero even if he could not reach S-Class combat power.

The upcoming Hero War was precisely the stage for heroes from every corner to show what they could do!

[Match Four] Grandis (C-Class) VS "Godhead Fist Grandmaster" Michelle (S-Class/Super Dragon)

After a battle that had practically been instructional guidance, Grandis, who had been stuck at the threshold of becoming a Holy Knight, seemed to receive "divine revelation" and completed her first awakening—"Gospel Preacher." Her strength leaped straight to B-Class.

After ** the accumulated energy points, her hero rating also stabilized at B-Class.

Having completed her awakening, Grandis decisively conceded.

Facing the founder of Godhead Fist, even if she underwent her second awakening and became a "Seraph," she would stand no chance. Breaking through in her martial arts realm while also completing her Holy Knight awakening was already an unexpected delight...

[Match Five] Armored Titan (C-Class) VS Attack Titan (C-Class/Tiger-Level)

Relying on armor impervious to blades and bullets, the Armored Titan beat the fragile Attack Titan until he could not take care of himself, easily claiming victory.

[Match Six] Kazuto Kirigaya (C-Class) VS "Sword Spirit" Dugu Qiubai (**/Dragon-Level)

It was a complete stomp—Dugu Qiubai saw nothing but openings in the dual-blade style, and the outcome was decided in an instant.

With a single strike, his opponent ** Kazuto's fatal weakness and beheaded him for the win.

[Match Seven] Uchiha Sasuke (C-Class) VS Uchiha Itachi (B-Class/Demon Level)

An utterly unsurprising battle between brothers. Thirteen-year-old Sasuke still harbored bone-deep hatred for Itachi.

The moment Uchiha Itachi's virtual projection formed, Sasuke activated his scarlet three-tomoe Sharingan. Chidori lightning flickered in his palm as he charged forward.

What greeted him was his "elder brother's" affectionate welcome.

This phantom constructed from data had no concern for brotherly feelings. In merely two or three exchanges, he blasted the young ninja flying.

"The gap between three tomoe and the Mangekyo is like an unbridgeable chasm." Li Chen toyed with the Mangekyo Sharingan in his hand, fully understanding the difference in strength between the two brothers.

This was a complete suppression in every aspect—chakra reserves, practical combat experience, mastery of ninjutsu. Even without Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu, or Susanoo, this match was destined to be a one-sided crushing defeat.

Match Eight: Star-Spangled Warrior (C-Class) VS Immortal Man (B-Class/Demon Disaster)

The two warriors, both claiming they could fight until the end of time, soon put on a dull, turn-based brawl.

Half an hour later, the two perpetual-motion machines were still full of life. Only when Li Chen, his face dark, forcibly stopped the match was it declared a draw—otherwise, they might really have fought until the heat death of the universe.

"Next group!"

With the tournament more than halfway over, some people struck it lucky and got matched against dimwitted zombies, while others had the misfortune of encountering [Starforging Craftsman] Aurelion Sol—when an entire planet came crashing toward them, surrender was their only option.

"Time to prepare the prizes."

"Let me see if I can find some good stuff."

Doraemon's round hands rummaged through his Fourth-Dimensional Pocket. This extradimensional space, comparable to the "Gate of Babylon," concealed countless surprises.

"Automatic **? Spray it on an object, call out the target's name, and it can beat them up remotely?"

"** Button? Enter a name and press it to erase them... but it only works on ordinary people... Too dangerous. Put it away."

"Flash Lightning Blade? An intelligent weapon that can predict an enemy's movements?"

The blue robot cat muttered as he sorted through the gadgets, quietly stuffing the inventions that were too dangerous back into the depths of his pocket.

Li Chen counted the items before him. There were around a dozen, and then he stopped.

"These should be enough as prizes," he murmured.

"I'll test my luck too."

Using the Chairman's Ring, Li Chen opened the lottery interface. This "Random Summon" function could summon not only heroes; if he focused on equipment, bloodlines, and abilities, he would be more likely to obtain such items.

Looking at his more than seventy thousand energy points, he calculated that ten thousand would be used as Hero War rewards, another ten thousand for a hundred consecutive draws, leaving exactly fifty thousand.

"Give me a hundred draws, focused on equipment, bloodlines, and abilities."

The system notifications rang out one after another:

[Obtained 'C-Class Bloodline'—Four-Winged Angel Bloodline]

[Obtained 'B-Class Item'—Legendary Devil Fruit · Source of Life]

[Obtained 'D-Class Item'—Ability Advancement Fruit (D)]

[Obtained 'D-Class Equipment'—Doran's Shield]

[Obtained '** Skin'—War God Ryze (Limited Use)]

[Obtained '** Equipment'—World Item · Hell Abyss (Extremely destructive against objects)]

[Obtained 'S-Class Equipment'—Crystal Love · Fantasy Ring]

More than halfway through the draws, Li Chen clicked his tongue inwardly. King's luck was truly formidable. He had already drawn one S-Class item and two ** items. It seemed this luck was especially effective when drawing specific objects.

Most of the later draws were D-Class items, but Li Chen was already thoroughly satisfied. Then, at the very last moment, a dazzling golden light flashed—

[Obtained 'S-Class Hero'—Koro-sensei]

"This works too? Defying fate!" Li Chen shouted excitedly. "King's luck is way too strong!"

Zero looked at the suddenly excited Li Chen in confusion and reached out to touch his forehead—she had heard that people acted strangely when they had fevers.

"What's wrong?" Li Chen held the girl's cool hand.

"You suddenly got excited. Are you sick?" Zero asked softly.

(

Li Chen's lips curved slightly. "Nothing. I just came across something that made me happy." A radiant ring slowly rose from his palm. "This is for you." The transparent crystal ring face refracted seven-colored rainbow light, while heart-palpitating energy surged within it.

S-Class secret treasure, "Crystal Love · Fantasy Ring"!

"The color... is beautiful." Zero gazed at the gem and murmured softly. "Let me put it on for you." Li Chen decisively slid this ring of special meaning onto her slender ring finger.

This Chairman had always been like this—every treasure he obtained would be distributed among the heroes under his command. After all, when the heroes grew stronger, his own power rose with the tide. Aside from equipment effects, all attribute bonuses would feed back to him.

"Ring finger?!" Doraemon, who was watching nearby, suddenly had stars in his eyes. Though the robotic cat had no gender, his gossip-loving soul still burned fiercely. "Shut up." "Got it~ I got it~" The robot cat covered his snickering mouth with his round hand.

Zero blinked in confusion. She still knew very little about human customs. She only felt that after putting on the ring, all her attributes had surged by 30%. At the same time, her favorability toward that black-haired, red-eyed boy was quietly transforming into a more fervent emotion—this had originally been the hidden effect of S-Class equipment, but without that initial flutter of the heart, even the strongest catalyst would have been useless.

"It will belong to you forever." Li Chen gently stroked the ring's surface, and the owner-binding rune immediately glowed faintly. Zero answered in an almost inaudible breath, "Mm." A rosy blush spread over her cheeks. From this day onward, the Fantasy Ring would never change owners again.

"The final victor—S-Class Hero 'Tornado of Terror'!"

"The points champion—S-Class Hero 'Mirror Flower, Water Moon' Sosuke Aizen!"

"Let us invite the Chairman and the special guest to present awards to the winners!"

As the announcement echoed through the venue, the first Hero War came to a successful conclusion amid the radiance of Garen's "War God Ryze" skin.

After the combat evaluations ended, Sosuke Aizen adjusted the combat deployments across the seven continents accordingly. The first awards to be presented were the "Best Perseverance Award" and the "Justice Vanguard Award"—"The recipient is D-Class Hero Mumen Rider!"

The prizes included the mysterious treasure of the sea, the "Source of Life" Devil Fruit, and Doran's Shield, which possessed outstanding defensive capabilities. Accompanied by teleportation light, Mumen Rider instantly appeared on the award platform.

Li Chen held the emerald-green Devil Fruit, whose surface was surrounded by surging vitality, and solemnly handed it to Mumen Rider. This legendary fruit could grant its user a threefold increase in base vitality and greatly enhance physical fitness. Though it had a strength limit and the weakness of fearing the sea, it was practically perfect for Mumen Rider, whose strength was fixed at D-Class.

That seemingly ordinary Doran's Shield was even more effective defensively than a Vibranium Shield. "Thank you, Chairman." After Mumen Rider solemnly accepted the two treasures, he was teleported back to the audience.

"Next, we present the 'Rising Star Award'—the recipient is newly promoted B-Class Hero Grandis!" The prize was the Four-Winged Angel Bloodline. Once she completed the bloodline fusion, holy energy surged through her body. Two pairs of wings of light unfolded from her back, making her seem like an angel descended upon the world. This transformation would pave the way for her future awakening as a "Seraph."

The final award revealed was the "Iron Will Award." "The well-deserved recipient is New York's guardian, [The Might of Demacia] Garen!" The exclusive War God Ryze skin caused his armor and greatsword to radiate divine light. After a minute-long transformation, Garen now possessed the majesty of the legendary God of War.

Li Chen knew that Garen also possessed a top-tier "God King" battle suit. If he activated that form, he might be able to briefly break through to S-Class combat power. "How do you feel?"

"My energy is abundant now. Thank you for your cultivation, Chairman." "No need to be polite. This is your spoils of war."

Only Garen could wield this exclusive armor. The outstanding heroes in the audience did not know the full story; they merely looked upon the Chairman, who could casually promote Garen to **, with reverence nearly equal to worshiping a god—such power of creation was likely attainable only by a supreme existence.

The Chairman's reserves were indeed forever unfathomable.

"Next, we present the 'Best Breakthrough Award.' It was this pioneer who drove innovation in the Hero War." "The recipient is B-Class Hero—[Steel Envoy] Tony!"

"The prize is a Potential Breakthrough Crystal, capable of causing a qualitative change in any one ability."

This D-Class crystal could only improve basic abilities. For Tony, his frail ** had always been a fatal flaw. He did not want to collapse from a ** ambush before even activating his armor. "Chairman, this fruit looks like a mutated potato. Can it really be eaten?" "If you do not want it, you may forfeit."

Li Chen shot him a disgusted look. So many D-Class warriors below coveted this crystal, yet this guy still dared to be picky. "I want it! Of course I want it!"

Tony held the crystal as though it were a priceless treasure and swallowed it immediately after returning to his seat. As the flowing light entered his body, his physical fitness finally rose from "combat power of five trash" to the threshold of D-Class—reaching five times the physical ability of an ordinary person.