The Greedy Frog
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Marvel: Pay to Win Gambling 32
🕑 Added 2025-04-27 09:36:32 +0000 UTCChapter 32: Item Rolls
“And that's how you got him to join us?” Bobby blinked as Hank tended to Angel’s injury. I was about to lend a hand with healing, but since Hank had taken the lead, I let him.
“I mean, he still hasn't agreed.” I shrugged, glancing at the winged mutant — which made everyone else look at him too.
“There’s no pressure on you, Warren,” Xavier reassured. “You’re free to leave if you wish.”
I saw what the old man was doing and decided to play along.
“But know this—today won’t be the last time.” I said it plainly because it was true. “You were nearly taken down by that man, and we still don't know what they had planned.”
Hell, we don't even know who they are.
“And he said it himself—he’s nowhere near the worst of them.” I was confident in my powers, sure, but I wasn’t arrogant enough to think I was invincible.
“It’s better if you stick with someone,” Magik added, her tone cool. “Even if it’s not us, someone capable of protecting you.”
Magik didn’t talk much, but she always stepped up when it mattered.
“That is, if you can find someone capable.” She smirked. “And you’d be stupid to think some hired guns will be enough.”
“You don’t have to feel pressured, Warren,” Xavier repeated gently. “But you know better than most — life is precious.”
Jean and Bobby watched silently, definitely shocked by how this was going down.
Blackmail. Manipulation.
It sounded ugly, but somehow... we were all okay with it.
And then Warren finally spoke.
“Can I… can I still continue my business if I join you?”
That was all Xavier needed. His smile lit up instantly. Even Magik smirked.
“Of course,” Xavier assured him. “We never force anyone to act against their will. Joining us means we protect you, and in return, we ask you to protect us — when you’re able.”
This man was the devil in disguise. And I wasn’t even joking.
“Then I accept.” Warren said, though he didn’t look thrilled. “But I won’t be forced into fighting. I’m not good at it. I’m more of a businessman... though that’s been harder with these wings.”
He wasn't wrong. If I wanted to build a business too, we'd have to deal with this whole mutant vendetta.
“For now,” Xavier said, looking at Scott. “Scott will guide you to the guest rooms. We’ll figure out more permanent accommodations once you finish handling your affairs back home.”
Scott nodded and stepped forward. Diligent as always.
“You may all retire for the night,” Xavier added, sweeping his gaze across the room. “Rest well. Classes begin soon — you need to start working on your lesson plans.”
Jean sighed dramatically. Storm didn’t react. Kitty just shrugged.
The boys? They didn’t seem to care either way.
“Good night, everyone,” Xavier said warmly as people began to drift out. Then he added, “Daniel, please meet me in the study. There’s something we need to discuss.”
I already knew what he meant. “I will, sir. I just want to grab a quick snack, if that’s alright?”
“Of course,” Xavier chuckled. “You’ve had a rough night.”
As the group dispersed, Kitty wandered over to me. Jean threw me a curious glance on her way to her room — flashing a small smile.
Storm kept her usual passive expression, but… lately, she seemed a little warmer. A little more human.
“Want me to help plate the food?” Kitty asked, sounding bored — and very obviously fishing for details.
“It’s fine,” I said. “I’ll just grab a breadstick or something.”
She stared at me for a second, then finally shrugged.
“You will tell me the full story later,” she said, almost threatening. “Maybe not now, but soon.”
“Yeah.” I smiled faintly. “I will.”
Of course, I’d have to discuss it with the bald man first.
Kitty headed off, and I found myself thinking — I was starting to get used to her energy.
Each of them — Jean, Storm, Kitty — they were unique in their own way. Jean made you feel comfortable. Storm helped you think deeper. Kitty made you forget your problems, even if just for a while.
But right now, I couldn’t afford any of that.
I couldn’t relax. I couldn’t expect anyone else to understand what Bullseye’s words meant. And I definitely couldn’t run away from it.
I walked to the kitchen and grabbed a slice of pizza — and damn, I was glad for it — while thinking.
One thing was clear:
You could never be too prepared.
Not around here.
System, can I draw for items?
[You have enough Moolah to draw up to Epic Items.]
I hadn’t drawn for items before, so I still had my first-draw bonus. Prices were still low for now. Skills might have shot up to over 100k, but items? Way cheaper.
Rare item first draw: $100. Epic item first draw: $10,000.
Perfect.
Having finished the slice of pizza, I made my decision.
Roll for a common item.
Gotta start small.
[Rolling for a common item]
As always, three seconds. This time, on the items section.
[Congratulations! You have acquired the common item, ‘Carbodium Katana’]
[Carbodium Katana: A lightweight, razor-sharp blade made from Carbonadium, designed to bypass healing factors and inflict lasting damage. Carbodium is a super strong and durable metal, yet it is not indestructible.]
Cool. Really cool.
But... where is it?
[Items obtained from the system are stored in a subspace by default. You can retrieve and store them with a thought.]
Without wasting a second, I wished for the katana.
In an instant, a lightweight, sharp, and ridiculously beautiful blade appeared in my hand.
It looked like a standard katana, but the black hilt had a unique butterfly pattern etched into it.
I swung it experimentally — it felt easy, natural even — but I realized something immediately:
I... I am not a swordsman.
No skill. No technique. Absolutely nil.
In my hands, this blade was less a weapon and more a safety hazard.
For now, I'd either have to learn to use it — or find someone else who could.
Can I gift it?
[Items below Legendary grade can be gifted or lent. However, Legendary-grade items and above are soul-bound and cannot be used by others.]
Interesting. Not sure if I liked that.
I couldn’t wield every weapon out there, and I sure as hell didn’t have a skill for it yet.
Never mind. I’ll worry about that later.
Draw for a Rare Item.
[Rolling for a Rare Item]
Three seconds.
[Congratulations! You have acquired the rare item, ‘Vibranium Suit’]
[Vibranium Suit: A high-tech, durable suit woven with Vibranium, capable of absorbing and redistributing kinetic energy. Provides enhanced protection against physical and energy-based attacks, while offering superior mobility and stealth. Perfect for enduring extreme combat situations.]
I summoned it into my hands and just stared.
Lightweight. Almost transparent.
Definitely wearable under regular clothes as a hidden layer of defense.
Honestly, this was the best $110 I had ever spent. Even if the price for rare items had already shot up to over $10,000 now.
Thing was, I didn’t usually wear armor. I didn’t need it — not with the electromagnetic and gravity fields I naturally cast around me.
Still... this suit could come in handy for someone else.
Though I'd be an idiot to give it away for free. Not to mention, Vibranium was practically holy material around here — starting a war over it was a very real possibility.
Finally, I went for the big one.
[Rolling for a Epic Item]
[Congratulations! You have acquired the rare item, Lasso of Truth]
Wait, what?
I was amazed by the item, since it wasn't even from this universe. It was from another similar universe.
[Lasso of Truth: An unbreakable golden lasso that forces anyone it captures to speak the truth. The only way to break free is by answering one question truthfully.]
I kept staring at the description.
At first, it didn't make sense why it was classified as Epic.
But then I saw the catch — or rather, the advantage.
There was no cap on strength.
Meaning, I could hold anyone captive — no matter how powerful — until they answered one question truthfully.
Fuck!
If only I'd had this back when I ran into Bullseye!
I couldn't help but curse myself. I knew the system tended to offer draws based on the situation.
Maybe if I'd rolled earlier, I would've gotten it back then, too. But I hadn’t even touched the item draws until now.
And I regretted it.
Big time.
Sighing, I grabbed another slice of pizza and decided it was finally time to head toward Xavier’s study.
But before I left...
I had a thought.
Should I draw for a common skill too? It was only $20, after all.
Besides, I’d gotten Spit Shooter before — not exactly glamorous, but it had saved my ass once.
And today’s Katana proved that even a strong item could drop from a low-cost roll.
Alright, screw it.
[Rolling for a Common Skill]
[Congratulations! You have acquired the common skill, ‘Taste of Piss’]
[Taste of Piss: Allows you to change the flavor of your urine with a thought. You can also make your piss filtered and drinkable if you wish to.]
Nope.
I don’t have this skill. Let’s pretend I don’t have this skill.
The only common skill I acknowledge is Spit Shooter. End of story.
