Lin Wei turned away from the window.
"System," he said calmly.
Instantly, a familiar holographic window materialized in front of him, though the information displayed was noticeably different this time.
[Name: Lin Wei.] [Ability: Gacha System.]
Looking at the greatly simplified information, Lin Wei felt a quiet surge of satisfaction. His unique ability had truly activated. The rest of the usual data was missing, most likely because the main System had not yet descended upon Earth. That was his best guess.
The interface is probably still visible only because my ability has already awakened, he thought.
Lin Wei turned his head toward the empty spot in the air where the earlier congratulations and warning messages had appeared. If his theory was correct, those notifications had shown up automatically the moment his ability awakened. They were less like direct messages from the System itself and more like a congratulatory postcard, a formal acknowledgment of his success.
He sat down on the edge of the bed and whispered softly, "Gacha System."
He was not entirely sure if that was the correct way to activate it, but both his ability and the "Awakening System" that would descend in seven days shared similar wording in their names. It seemed logical that they might follow comparable rules.
This time, his guess proved correct. A new interface immediately appeared before him.
The differences were striking. First, his Gacha System was not the usual blue but a deep, vivid red. The color felt unusual at first, yet it quickly grew on him. Despite the change in hue, the interface remained pleasantly translucent, so it would not obstruct his view. A satisfied smile spread across his face. Red had always been his favorite color. This small detail felt like a pleasant personal touch from fate.
The second major difference was the large Wheel of Fortune occupying the right half of the red interface. The wheel was divided into many sectors, but every single one was currently shrouded in thick, swirling mist.
Lin Wei focused his attention on the wheel. A notification popped up immediately in the red window:
[Wheel of Fortune cannot be activated until a category is selected.]
Following the prompt, he shifted his gaze to the left side of the interface, where the final noticeable difference from the future Awakening System waited. Four clean, easily readable options were listed there:
[Building.] [Transport.] [Consumables.] [Weapons.]
Not bad at all, he thought. It seemed his Gacha System was an auxiliary-type ability without direct offensive power, but that did not worry him in the slightest.
Lin Wei grinned, revealing his teeth in a sharp, predatory expression.
With my clear memories of the future, the ability to obtain any of these four categories, and the potential to raise my level far beyond twenty thanks to this power, I definitely won't end up in the same miserable state as before.
He felt a strong wave of confidence. Five years of suffering, loss, and constant near-death experiences had forged him into someone who understood the brutal rules of the coming apocalypse better than anyone else alive right now. This time, he held a decisive advantage.
Lin Wei took a slow, deep breath and focused intently on the [Building] option. The moment his attention locked onto it, the thick mist covering the Wheel of Fortune vanished instantly, revealing the glowing sectors beneath.
The wheel now shimmered with vibrant possibilities. Each sector displayed different icons and faint text hints: luxurious villas, fortified bunkers, towering skyscrapers, underground shelters, and even mysterious floating structures whose purpose he could only guess at. Some sectors glowed with rare golden and purple light, indicating higher rarity, while others remained common white and green.
A quiet thrill ran through his body.
Buildings first, he decided. A secure base is the foundation of survival. Without a safe place to rest, store supplies, and grow stronger, everything else becomes meaningless.
He studied the wheel carefully, noting how the sectors varied in size. The more valuable rewards clearly occupied smaller portions, making them harder to land. That was typical gacha logic, yet knowing the stakes only made him more focused.
Lin Wei stood up and paced slowly around the small apartment, his mind racing with plans. He pictured himself pulling a high-tier fortress or a self-repairing safe house on the first try. Even a simple reinforced warehouse would give him an enormous head start compared to his previous life, where he had spent months hiding in ruined buildings that offered almost no protection.
The red interface hovered faithfully beside him, following his movements. Its crimson glow cast a subtle light across the room, making the ordinary furniture look more dramatic. He stopped in front of the mirror again and stared at his younger reflection. The eyes looking back at him now burned with purpose instead of exhaustion.
This time I will build something unshakable. A place where I can gather trustworthy people, stockpile resources, and prepare for every wave the System will throw at humanity.
He returned to the bed and sat down once more, keeping his focus on the interface. The Wheel of Fortune spun idly in preview mode, its segments blurring slightly before settling back into place. The anticipation was almost electric.
Lin Wei flexed his fingers, feeling the latent energy of his new ability coursing through him. He was no longer just a survivor relying on luck and brute effort. He had become something more. A variable the future had never accounted for.
He took one final calming breath and prepared to make his first real pull.
Let's see what my Gacha System is truly capable of.
The red interface pulsed softly in response, as if acknowledging his resolve. The wheel stood ready, full of infinite possibilities. For the first time since waking up in this familiar room, Lin Wei allowed himself a genuine, hopeful smile.