Trainer's Gambit

As mentioned before, Natsume had undergone professional training, so no matter how funny something was, he wouldn't laugh. But this "Gold Finger" still made the corners of his mouth curl up uncontrollably.

"I knew it. How could a Transmigrator not come with a Gold Finger?"

"Let me see what this System can actually do!"

Before Natsume's eyes, faint text appeared, similar to the status screen in a virtual MMORPG.

[Current BP Points: 1720]

[Click for details: Detailed sources of BP acquisition.]

"View details."

[View details surpassed 1M views, BP Points +1000]

[Live stream popularity surpassed 100K, BP Points +50]

[Consumed "Normal-grade" Farfetch'd dish, BP Points +20]

[…]

"I can understand the first few, but… eating Farfetch'd gives BP Points too!?"

[BP Points, also known as "Battle Points," can be increased by consuming quality dishes, which enhance the Host's physique and provide an equivalent amount of BP Points.]

[Completing System tasks, unlocking achievements, Pokémon battles, meeting hidden conditions, etc., can all earn BP Points.]

The System answered in a mechanical, emotionless tone.

Natsume held his forehead in frustration. "What does BP Points have to do with view details!?"

[Expanding influence through the internet is one of the essential qualities of a Legendary Trainer.]

"Huh? I never wanted to be a Trainer!"

The System remained silent for a long time before slowly displaying a line of text.

[This System is also known as the "Legendary Trainer Cultivation System."]

[Once bound, no returns are allowed. Please take note.]

"Can you do something that's actually helpful?"

Natsume twitched the corner of his mouth and finally let out a long sigh.

"Whatever. Being a streamer can also accumulate BP Points. It's just a different path to the same goal."

"From today on, this System will be called the 'Super Streamer Cultivation System.' Who agrees, who opposes?"

[Ding—Would you like to spend 1000 BP Points to rename the System to "Super Streamer Cultivation System"?]

[Yes/No]

"I only have a little over 2000 BP, and renaming costs 1000 BP? Scummy management!"

Natsume answered confidently, "No!"

"It's just a stupid System. It can't force me to become a Trainer, right?"

The System remained silent for a while before automatically bringing up a gacha screen for Natsume.

[Current functions: 10x gacha, Shop… First 10x gacha guarantees an SR, limited-time offer available.]

"Are you from Pig Studio or Tanuki Tech with this scummy management!?"

Natsume was furious but couldn't control his hand as he clicked on the "10x gacha" interface.

"The gacha interface is pretty flashy, though…"

[The Host can customize the 10x gacha display, including: Opening a crate, Drawing a talisman, Opening a briefcase…]

"Are you sure this won't cause copyright issues?" Natsume twitched his mouth. "This is the crate-opening interface from CSGO, right?"

"You even stole the UI from Hearthstone and Arknights!?"

[Parallel world. Please do not take it personally.]

Natsume sighed. "Set the display to Hearthstone card packs."

[UI setting complete. Drop rates have been disclosed. Please check at your convenience.]

[Drop rates disclosure: 60% White common, 30% Blue rare, 9% Purple epic, 1% Orange legendary.]

Natsume, unsure where to even begin complaining, held his forehead.

"You even disclosed the drop rates… You're really keeping up with the times."

"Whatever. Let's try a 10x gacha first."

[Would you like to spend 1000 BP for a 10x gacha?]

[Yes/No]

"Yes!"

"Bang—!"

Two vintage-style card packs appeared out of thin air. Natsume grabbed one and began spinning it clockwise.

Glittering fragments flew as the card pack was opened by a mysterious force, and five cards floated in the air.

[Rare!]

Only one rare card appeared out of the five: a nutrient-rich "Moomoo Milk."

[Moomoo Milk: A 100% nutritious milk that can be consumed by both humans and Pokémon. (This is also Tauros's favorite drink.)]

The remaining three common items were "Oran Berries," which restored a small amount of stamina, and two "Pecha Berries," which cured poisoning.

"As expected, just a sea of blue and white. Typical bad luck."

Natsume, already used to this, shrugged and opened the second card pack.

After three ordinary common cards, the System suddenly let out a dramatic shout.

[Epic!]

"Why are you shouting so loud!?"

Natsume examined the card and suddenly froze.

[Chinese Lv3: You can fluently use Chinese and accurately employ different tones, honorifics, and accents. (Don't shoot, I'm on your side!)]

For a moment, Natsume felt something new in his mind and immediately put it to use.

"Kusa (in both Japanese and Chinese)."

According to the user guide, Natsume had a rough understanding of the skills provided by the System.

Lv1 was something an average person could achieve with effort, Lv2 was quite excellent, Lv3 was top-tier in the industry, Lv4 was cross-disciplinary, and Lv5 was the limit of human capability.

Of course, imitating others was too much work. Natsume planned to copy a novel from some big shot when he had the chance.

"Only one card left."

Natsume calmed himself and flipped over the last card.

The System roared again, but this time, it sounded like music to Natsume's ears.

[Wow—!!]

[Golden Rare!]

Natsume: "???"

I thought it was a legendary. What's with all the shouting?

The so-called "Golden Rare" was just a can of alkaloids, a suspicious blue drink also known as "Carbos."

[Carbos (Enhanced Version): Can increase a Pokémon's Speed stat to a certain degree. The enhanced version has a more pronounced effect. Not recommended for human consumption.]

Natsume: "…This description feels like it's asking for trouble."

Although it said it wasn't recommended for humans, the description seemed to be urging Natsume to drink it all.

After a long moment of contemplation, Natsume finally stuffed the suspicious blue drink into a cabinet.

"I'll let my first Pokémon try it when I catch one…"

"The System's products should be fine. Even if I'm not a Trainer, being faster can't hurt."

"Speaking of which, I still don't have a Poké Ball. I'll check out Pokémon Sleep tomorrow."

As for the remaining 720 BP, Natsume decided to save up to 1000 before trying another 10x gacha.

Before bed, Natsume drank the can of Moomoo Milk in one go and smacked his lips. "A bit sweet."

[Consumed "Delicious-grade" Moomoo Milk, BP Points +40]

[First-time consumption, Host's physique +1!]