"This..."

When Richard approached, he was also speechless and could only stare blankly. The machine before them was unlike any he had ever seen in his life.

Before them stood a magnificent wheel roughly three meters tall, its entire body forged from an unknown golden-yellow metal that shimmered faintly under the morning sun. Strange runes circled its rim, glowing with a soft amber light, while countless weapon-shaped symbols were engraved across its surface. At its center was a small circular opening, just large enough for a small rock to be dropped inside.

The moment Leon looked at it, an ancient and imposing aura washed over him, making it feel less like a machine and more like an artifact that had existed since the dawn of time.

Instinctively, he reached out and touched its surface. The description of this artifact immediately flashed before his eyes.

[Bronze Equipment Star Wheel]

["Fortune favors only those worthy of destiny."]

[Owner: None]

[Limited Draws: 100/100]

[Description: A gambling wheel created by the Star Stream to grant a chance at obtaining a powerful legendary weapon with insane abilities, or... a piece of crap]

The description was short and punchy, but Leon couldn’t help but feel his soul tremble as he read through it. Obtain a powerful legendary weapon? Wasn’t that insane in itself? How could you obtain a powerful weapon if you didn’t kill?

After all, treasure cubes normally only dropped from killing enemies. Yet, right here, this artifact had defied the knowledge Leon was getting used to in under a month.

’How does it even work?’

Richard stepped forward, naturally curious. "Boss?"

Taking a deep breath, Leon pulled away and stepped back. He gestured for Richard to touch it and see the description, which the young man did.

Instantly, his expression stiffened, and his eyes continued to grow wider in shock.

Meanwhile, Leon used this moment of distraction to speak with Thyra.

"What is this thing?"

Thyra smiled faintly, then answered in a casual tone. "That’s a Star Wheel."

Leon deadpanned, growing irritated. "Of course I know its name. I mean, how is there such a thing?"

The beautiful lady giggled at his irritation, then took things seriously.

"This is one of the boons granted by the Star Stream to worlds that are developing. While it is true that killing is the fastest way to get rewards like ability scrolls, trait scrolls, or even treasure cubes, it is not the only method. The Star Wheels are another means."

Pausing, she let that sink in and continued. After all, Richard wouldn’t remain in a daze for too long.

"I’ll only give you a quick explanation. There are different kinds of Star Wheels, and this one here is an Equipment Star Wheel. Simple, actually. It provides equipment as long as you feed it with soul crystals. However, the quality of the equipment depends on your luck."

Leon paid attention to everything she said, and he couldn’t help but tremble as his mind was broadened. There was only one thought in his mind at the moment.

’Miraculous!’

This Star Wheel of a thing was just like the starter pack given to all players in a virtual reality game. When looking at it again, his gaze had changed.

It was as if he was looking at his loving daughter whom his wife had just conceived.

"Little..."

Snapping out of his thoughts, he was horrified that he had almost followed Richard’s naming sense. How could he name such a precious artifact Little North or Little South? It was absolutely unacceptable.

’It would do better with no name at all.’

Sighing in his heart, he heard Thyra’s voice urging him.

"Go give it a try and see how lucky you are. However, that isn’t the most important part. Once you get your first draw, you can claim ownership of the wheel and restrict its usage. Only you or those you authorize will be able to obtain anything from it."

Boom!

As if a bomb had been dropped in his mind, Leon swayed briefly before he stabilized himself. His expression changed, and after making several sharp simulations in his mind, he realized how important this artifact was.

It was even more important than he had previously thought.

"This... is it true?"

Finally recovering from his surprise, Richard turned to Leon and asked. Patting his shoulder, Leon gestured for him to step back, then approached the wheel.

Looking at the small hole in the center, he gritted his teeth and pulled out a soul crystal from his waist pouch.

This was a Tier One Soul Crystal! It was incredibly precious and important to him. After all, he needed it to evolve into Tier One. However, it was also needed to get a spin of this wheel.

’I’m not a fan of gambling... but I have to do this.’

Steeling his resolve, he pushed the crystal through the small hole. Instantly, it disappeared into the darkness beyond the hole, and Leon saw a change on the surface of the wheel.

It was suddenly divided into eight sectors, with each one carrying the image of different weapons, armor, and utility equipment.

Leon was intrigued and began studying them, but before he could, the wheel spun like a racing car’s tire.

A powerful gust of wind burst outward, forcing Leon and Richard to cover their eyes and step back.

The wheel continued to spin for a few more seconds until the speed began to decrease rapidly, and it eventually slowed to a crawl.

At the very top of the wheel rested a sharp golden pointer, fixed firmly in place. As the wheel slowed to a stop, the pointer remained motionless, eventually indicating the reward Leon had won.

It was an equipment that looked like a... shovel.

’What?!’

[Congratulations! You have received a Tier One Supreme Shovel!]

[You are the first being to try your luck!]

[Rejoice! You have been granted a chance to own this artifact.]

[Do you accept?]

Leon read the messages but didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stared at the shiny golden shovel in his hands, feeling his heart shattering into a million pieces.

’My precious soul crystal... for a shovel...’

For the first time in his life, Leon experienced a heartbreak.