Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord

[You have received Rank-A Blueprint: Flame Beacon]

[A powerful defensive structure that emits waves of fire to repel attackers. The beacon is capable of targeting both ground and aerial threats.]

"Ah, a defensive tower!"

Just from the brief description, Atlas could tell this was a game-changer. It wasn't a finished item, but a Structure Blueprint, one that could serve as a core defensive tower for the island. If built, it would significantly enhance their security, providing coverage against various types of assaults.

Intrigued, he opened the full blueprint to study its details more carefully.

[Materials:]

[150 Stone]

[100 Fire Crystals]

[30 Iron Ingots]

[10 Lava Shards]

[5 Magma Core Fragments]

A solid list. Nothing outrageous, but some of those materials, Lava Shards and Magma Core Fragments in particular, might take some hunting.

Still, the reward was more than worth the effort. This beacon would be a pillar in his island's defenses.

Atlas nodded slowly as he scanned through the material list, pausing at a few unfamiliar names. Iron Ingots were straightforward enough, something they could produce easily once a blacksmith was up and running.

"That part's manageable."

But then his eyes narrowed. "Fire Crystals? Lava Shards? Magma Core Fragments?"

He sighed. There was no immediate information about where to find those rarer resources. Items like that were usually harvested from other islands or dropped by specific monsters. Even then, he'd need more details to know exactly where to begin looking.

Of course, there was the faster option, the marketplace. Many Lords put up excess loot for sale, things they didn't need from their own hunts. That's where gold came in. And Atlas had some of that.

"Five hundred gold?" he muttered, wondering if it would be enough to buy the materials before the battle began.

Time was running out. It had now become a race against the clock.

He stood from the chair. Morganna glanced in his direction briefly, then turned away again.

At least she wasn't trying to stab him today. That was progress.

Especially with Mira around, the most delicate-looking member of his crew by far. And, well... she did kind of look like food.

"I mean, she is a rabbit, right?" Atlas thought, glancing over at her.

This was his first time meeting a Beastkin like Mira in person. He wasn't quite used to it yet. 

"My Lord!" Mira's voice rang out cheerfully as she jogged over, waving energetically.

"I planted a bunch of seeds. Flowers, fruits, and trees! The seed box you gave me was amazing! There were so many types. I'm sure it won't be long before this place is green and full of life."

Her sheer cheerfulness made Atlas suddenly aware of how stiff his own expression had become.

"I suppose that's good…" he said, doing his best to match her tone.

"Yes, My Lord! Once the trees grow, we can harvest them, and the fruits will give us a steady food supply. Oh. And I planted carrots too! They're really good for our health, so don't forget to eat your carrots, okay?" she added, her smile somehow even brighter.

"Ah… yes…" Atlas replied, a bit awkwardly.

Mira tilted her head, then grinned wider.

Too cute…

Cough!

Atlas blinked, snapping out of his thoughts as Edrik loudly cleared his throat nearby.

"My Lord…" Edrik said calmly.

Atlas turned to him, then glanced back at Mira, only to realize she was holding a hoe.

Wait. When did that happen?

Was she about to stab him with it? No... right? Could that actually be how Too Cute to Resist worked? Lure in the target with adorable charm, make them drop their guard... and then bam. Death by hoe?

Suddenly, Mira's radiant smile looked a little more... suspicious. 

Mira, catching the confused look on his face, tilted her head in perfect imitation. 

"My Lord? What's wrong? Are you tired? Do you need something to drink? Or maybe some food?"

"No, I'm fine."

"Are you sure, My Lord?" she asked sweetly. "I'm actually really good at massages. Would you like one?"

"No, that's not it," he said quickly, clearing his throat. "I just needed to talk to all of you. That's why I came over."

"Yes!" 

Damn it… too cute.

Atlas tried to center himself, though his eyes drifted once again to the hoe she was holding, positioned right in front of her chest.

"Hehe, My Lord," Mira giggled suddenly, following his gaze, "why are you staring there?"

His eyes widened. "Oh no. I wasn't. I mean, I wasn't looking at your..."

He waved his hands. "I meant the hoe! I was just... wondering if you were planning to stab anyone with it while they're distracted by your cuteness."

"Oh, so you do think I'm cute, My Lord?"

The teasing giggle that followed was lethal.

Enough!

Mira! Too cute!

Cough!

Atlas forcibly dragged his mind back on track as Edrik cleared his throat again.

Atlas took a deep breath, then opened his inventory, revealing the list of materials needed to build the Flame Beacon. Time to focus!

Edrik nodded thoughtfully. "My Lord, first of all, this is excellent news. Acquiring a defensive structure of this caliber this early is rare. But as for the materials, it's not impossible, though we'll need to track down where to find them."

He continued, "We can harvest Fire Crystals from volcanic areas or magma-rich zones. Defeating magma-type monsters will drop Lava Shards, and if we take down their stronger variants, we'll be able to collect Magma Core Fragments."

"So, we need to locate an island with that kind of terrain?" Atlas asked.

"Yes, My Lord. Either a volcanic island or possibly another Lord's territory with similar geography. Ideally, we should construct the tower before the first battle begins."

Atlas nodded slowly, already thinking ahead.

"My Lord," Karian chimed in, "once the Teleportation Pad is complete, we'll be able to scout nearby islands and begin gathering resources."

Edrik nodded in agreement with Karian's plan.

Mira? Still beaming, eyes half-lidded in bliss, nodded rapidly, maybe a little too enthusiastically.

Focus. Focus!

"All right," Atlas said, addressing Edrik and Karian, "we've got time on our side. Just don't forget to eat while we still have food stocked in the fridge."

"Thank you, My Lord!" Mira chimed in brightly, but Atlas made a conscious effort not to look in her direction this time.

"Okay, we just need to wait for the Teleportation Pad to finish. Once it's ready, we can start exploring and gathering everything we need to build up this island."

Just a few more hours.

Atlas was satisfied with what he'd obtained so far. He still wondered what else the gacha would yield, though the system had advised that better results might come if he waited and pulled again after leveling up more.

Still, he needed more backup strength to prepare for the upcoming battle.

With that thought, Atlas made his way back toward the tent where Morganna lounged. He was slowly getting used to her, more accurately, to her quiet disinterest. 

"Now… another 10 standard tickets…"

Atlas tossed another ten standard tickets into the air, excitement bubbling in his chest. 

What would the gacha give him this time?

Come on, Rank-S…

[You have obtained 8 Rank-B items and 2 Rank-A items!]