S-Class Secret Treasure: Crystal Love · Fantasy Ring

He saw luck radiance swirling around King, its value exceeding ten thousand—while 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 had extracted and enhanced was enough to buy lottery tickets and empty the jackpot.

Honestly, though, Li Chen hadn't expected much from this luck. It couldn't influence the results when drawing heroes, after all! "Still, I did discover one of King's shining points." Li Chen murmured, rubbing his temples.

King was absurdly gifted when it came to games. No matter the genre, he could understand and master it instantly, reaching the very peak in no time.

Just like that Iron Man armor—he could completely operate it as an immersive VR game.

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

Now that they had Child Emperor's talent for mecha design and Iron Man's technological genius—a prodigy who could build Gundams, plus a womanizing middle-aged man who tinkered with powered armor all day—making a custom VR combat suit for him would be no problem.

If they ever drew armor like Kamen Rider Ex-Aid, with forms entirely based around games, then boosted its attributes a little, King might even earn himself the title of a ** hero, even if he failed to reach S-Class combat power.

The upcoming Hero War would be the stage for champions from every corner to show off their skills!

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

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

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

Having completed her awakening, Grandis promptly conceded.

Against the founding master of the Godhead Fist, she had no chance even if she underwent a Second Awakening into a "Seraph." Breaking through in martial arts while also awakening as a Paladin 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 barely take care of himself, claiming an easy 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-wielding style, and the outcome was decided in an instant.

With one slash, his opponent ** Kazuto's fatal weakness and beheaded him for the win.

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

It was a brotherly showdown without any suspense. Thirteen-year-old Sasuke still bore bone-deep hatred toward Itachi.

The instant the virtual projection generated Uchiha Itachi, Sasuke activated his scarlet Three-Tomoe Sharingan and charged forward, Chidori lightning flickering in his palm.

What awaited him was a warm reception from his "older brother."

This data-constructed phantom had no concern for brotherly affection. In merely two or three exchanges, it blasted the young ninja flying backward.

"The gap between the Three-Tomoe and the Mangekyō is like an uncrossable chasm." Li Chen toyed with the Mangekyō Sharingan in his hand, fully understanding the difference in strength between the brothers.

This was a complete suppression in every aspect—chakra reserves, combat experience, and mastery of ninjutsu. Even without using Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu, or Susanoo, this battle had been destined to become a one-sided crushing defeat.

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

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 vigor. Only when Li Chen, his face dark, forcibly stopped the match did it end in a draw—otherwise, they might really have fought until the universe reached heat death.

"Next group!"

With the tournament half over, some got lucky and matched against brainless zombies, while others unfortunately encountered [Starforging Artisan] Aurelion Sol—when an entire planet came hurtling at them, surrender was their only option.

"Time to prepare the prizes."

"Let me find some good stuff."

Doraemon's round hand rummaged through his Fourth-Dimensional Pocket. This alternate-dimensional space, comparable to the Gate of Babylon, contained 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 robotic cat muttered as he sorted through the gadgets, quietly stuffing the overly dangerous inventions back into the deepest recesses of his pocket.

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

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

"I'll try my luck too."

Using the Chairman's Ring, Li Chen opened the lottery interface. This "Random Summon" function could summon heroes, but if he focused on equipment, bloodlines, and abilities, he would be more likely to obtain those items.

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

"Give me a hundred draws, focusing 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 truly was incredible. He had already drawn one S-Class item and two ** items. It seemed this luck was especially effective when drawing specific items.

Most of the subsequent draws were D-Class items, but Li Chen was already 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 powerful!"

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 took hold of the girl's cool hand.

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

A faint smile curled Li Chen's lips. "It's nothing. I just ran into something happy." He slowly raised a radiant ring in his palm. "This is for you." The translucent crystal setting refracted seven-colored rainbow light, while a heart-stirring surge of energy churned within it.

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

"The color... is very pretty." Zero gazed at the gemstone and murmured softly. "Let me put it on for you." Li Chen decisively slid this unusually meaningful ring onto her slender ring finger.

This Chairman had always been like this—all treasures he obtained would be distributed to the heroes under his command. After all, the stronger the heroes became, the more his own power would rise. Aside from equipment effects, every attribute bonus would feed back to him.

"Ring finger?!" Doraemon, who had been watching, suddenly had stars in his eyes. Though the robotic cat had no gender, his gossiping soul still burned brightly. "Shut up." "Got it~ I got it~" The robotic cat covered his snickering mouth with a round hand.

Zero blinked in confusion. She still knew little about human customs. She only felt that after putting on the ring, all her attributes had increased by 30%, while her fondness for the black-haired, red-eyed youth quietly transformed into more blazing emotions—this had originally been the hidden effect of S-Class equipment, but without that initial flutter of the heart, even the strongest catalyst would be futile.

"It will belong to you forever." Li Chen gently stroked the ring's surface, and the ownership rune immediately glimmered. Zero answered in a nearly inaudible voice, "Mm." A rosy flush spread across her cheeks. From then on, the Fantasy Ring would never have another owner.

"The final victor—S-Class hero, Tornado of Terror!"

"The points champion—S-Class hero, 'Illusion' Sosuke Aizen!"

"Please welcome the Chairman and our special guest to present the awards to the winners!"

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

After the battle assessments were complete, 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 Pioneer Award"—"The winner is D-Class hero Mumen Rider!"

The prizes included the mysterious treasure of the sea, the "Source of Life" Devil Fruit, as well as the remarkably defensive Doran's Shield. Amid teleportation light, Mumen Rider instantly appeared on the award stage.

Li Chen held the emerald-green Devil Fruit, its surface wreathed in surging life energy, and solemnly presented it to Mumen Rider. This legendary fruit could grant its user triple their base vitality and greatly strengthen their physical constitution. Although it came with a power limit and a weakness to the sea, it was practically perfect for Mumen Rider, whose strength had been fixed at D-Class.

That seemingly ordinary Doran's Shield possessed defensive power that even surpassed a Vibranium Shield. "Thank you, Chairman." Mumen Rider solemnly accepted the two treasures before being teleported back to the audience seats.

"Next, we present the 'Soaring New Star Award'—the recipient is newly promoted B-Class hero Grandis!" The prize was the Four-Winged Angel Bloodline. After completing the bloodline fusion, holy energy surged through her body, and two pairs of wings of light unfolded from her back, making her resemble an angel descending upon the mortal world. This transformation would pave the way for her future awakening into a "Seraph."

The final award to be revealed was the "Iron Will Award." "The deserving recipient is New York's guardian, [The Might of Demacia] Garen!" The exclusive War God Ryze skin caused his armor and greatsword to shine with divine light. After a minute of transformation, Garen possessed the bearing of the legendary God of War.

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

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

Only Garen could wield this exclusive armor. The outstanding heroes in the spectator seats did not know the details; they merely looked upon the Chairman, who could casually elevate Garen to **, with reverence nearly equal to worship of a god—such power to shape destiny was likely attainable only by supreme beings.

The Chairman's resources truly were as unfathomable as ever.

"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, which can cause a qualitative transformation in any one ability."

This D-Class crystal could only improve basic abilities. For Tony, his frail ** had always been a fatal weakness. He had no desire to collapse from a ** ambush before even activating his armor. "Chairman, this thing looks like a mutated potato. Can it really be eaten?" "If you don't want it, you can forfeit."

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

Tony cradled the crystal as though it were a priceless treasure, then immediately swallowed it when he returned to his seat. As streams of light entered his body, his physical constitution finally rose from "battle power of five" to the threshold of D-Class—reaching five times the physique of an ordinary person.