After being chosen by the Ice Queen

The soft white light in the purification room allowed Gu Yan to adjust for a moment. He moved his limbs to make sure Huiming was lying quietly in the imprint space before pushing open the door to the purification room.

Outside the door, Lei Kun was leaning against the corridor wall, an unlit cigarette dangling from his mouth, a rare smile on his face.

"Hey, you're back?" Lei Kun looked him up and down. "Not bad, your eyesight is better, and you've lost most of that impetuousness. Looks like this trip wasn't a waste of time."

Gu Yan nodded: "Brother Kun, the matter is basically resolved."

"I've read the report, and the system has confirmed your mission completion rate. 'Excellent,' well done." Lei Kun patted his shoulder, quite forcefully. "To achieve this level in your first official event, you haven't let me down. Come on, let's go collect your reward."

The two arrived at Lei Kun's smoke-filled guide office. Lei Kun made a few operations on the terminal, and Gu Yan's rewards—Source Points and Physical Enhancement—were finalized and integrated. A warm current swept through his body again, his muscles and bones emitted a faint hum, and his sense of power and vitality were further enhanced.

"As is customary, if a newcomer successfully completes their first event and receives a rating of 'above' or higher, the mentor can give them an extra 'encouragement'."

Lei Kun pulled a worn-out wooden box from the drawer, its surface covered in haphazard carvings, barely big enough to fit an egg. He slammed the box on the table. "I don't have any of those fancy stuff here, just this. Inside is a one-time 'random little surprise,' maybe junk, maybe something useful, all depending on your luck. Want to try your luck?"

Gu Yan looked at the unassuming and even somewhat crudely made wooden box and could sense extremely weak but peculiar energy fluctuations swirling around it, which did not belong to any system he knew.

"smoke."

Lei Kun grinned and gestured for Gu Yan to open it himself.

Gu Yan reached out, and when his fingertips touched the cool surface of the wooden box, the chaotic patterns seemed to gleam slightly. He gently lifted the lid.

There was no dazzling light, nor any enticing fragrance. Inside the box lay a... coin.

It's not made of gold, silver, copper, or iron, but a translucent, milky-white material, resembling some kind of jade or bone. One side of the coin has a simple smiley face (^_^), while the other side has an abstract crying face (T_T). The coin's edge also has some blurry, childlike doodle-like star and cloud patterns.

Gu Yan picked up the coin; it was slightly cool to the touch, light, and almost weightless. He looked at Lei Kun with some confusion.

Lei Kun was also taken aback for a moment, then leaned closer to take a look. He stroked his stubble and said thoughtfully, "Tsk, it's actually this thing... the 'Changing Joys and Sorrows Dice'... a simplified, budget-friendly version of 'Youthful Beggar'? Or rather, a one-time trial card?"

"What is this?" Gu Yan asked.

"A... well, a very interesting little gadget." Lei Kun organized his thoughts, "It originates from a world where the rules are particularly chaotic, and causality seems like a joke. The effect is simple: if you throw it out and it lands with a smiley face, then for the next ten minutes, within a small area around you, roughly ten meters in diameter, a 'good thing' that benefits you will randomly occur, but is usually rather absurd or makes you laugh or cry; if it lands with a sad face, then a 'bad thing' that harms you or causes you trouble will occur, with the same peculiar style. The effect is completely random and unpredictable, and the coin disappears after it has worked once."

He paused, then added, "Note that the definitions of 'beneficial' and 'harmful' here largely follow the humor of that coin, or rather, the world in which it originated, and may not conform to common sense. For example, a 'good thing' might be you suddenly finding an expired, huge lottery ticket while walking, or someone you dislike suddenly tripping and falling flat on their face; a 'bad thing' might be a bird accurately pooping on your newly bought clothes, or you just about to speak but suddenly bursting into a burp that won't stop for a minute. Not very powerful, but... enough to be 'surprising'."

Gu Yan held the flimsy coin, somewhat amused and exasperated. Perhaps it would have an unexpected use in certain situations? Or was it purely for amusement?

"How do you use this thing? Do you just throw it away?" Gu Yan asked.

"Theoretically, you can use it anytime. But I suggest you don't use it in important situations, such as battles, negotiations, or dates with your girlfriend." Lei Kun grinned mischievously. "Also, there might be slight energy disturbances during its effect. People with sensitive spiritual senses might be able to detect them, but generally it's not a big problem."

Gu Yan carefully put the coin away. Although it sounded unreliable, it was, after all, a gift from Lei Kun, and from a world with peculiar rules. Perhaps it would really be effective in a critical moment.

"Alright, you've received your reward and the junk." Lei Kun waved his hand. "You did a great job on this mission. According to the rules, you get two months of leave. Do whatever you want, go shopping, play games. The organization is still preparing and evaluating the 'Ama-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi' dungeon. We'll notify you in advance. During these two months, unless there's an emergency call-up, don't bother me."

Two months of vacation... Gu Yan really needs time. Not only to rest, but also to fully adapt to his newly acquired power, consolidate his tacit understanding with Huiming, digest his swordsmanship insights to break through to level 50, and carefully check whether there are any hidden dangers left in his body due to the frequent use of Zhan'e and the absorption of the power of Yamata no Orochi—although he feels good at the moment.

Leaving the base, he arrived at his small rented room in Haicheng. The familiar city hustle and bustle rushed towards him. He first made a long video call to his sister to let her know he was safe. Listening to her chatter about the fun things at school and what she had learned at summer camp, and seeing her carefree smiling face, the gloom in Gu Yan's heart gradually dissipated.

A few days later, Zhang Hao, a roommate he got along fairly well with in college, called and said that a few old classmates were getting together for a meal and some fun to celebrate someone finally finding a job. Gu Yan thought about it and didn't refuse.

The gathering was held at a well-regarded hot pot restaurant in the city center. The lively private room was filled with steam and laughter. Most of the classmates were about to enter the workforce, chatting about jobs, the terrifying housing prices, the sweetness and troubles of love, a conversation brimming with the ordinary yet genuine warmth of everyday life.

Gu Yan listened quietly, occasionally interjecting a few words. He felt as if he had become that ordinary college student again. Time travel, world traveler, gang warfare, mythological inheritance... it all felt like an overly realistic dream.

After dinner, someone suggested going to the nearby arcade for a while. A group of young men in their twenties rushed in, laughing and joking, playing basketball, racing games, drumming, claw machines... Gu Yan also tried a few games. His enhanced physical coordination and reaction speed made him perform amazingly, drawing gasps of surprise. However, he quickly restrained himself and only showed a level slightly better than average.

As we left the arcade, the city lights were already twinkling. Still feeling a bit restless, we decided to stroll along the bustling commercial street and find a bubble tea shop to relax in.

The commercial street was bustling with people, neon lights flashing. Gu Yan and his classmates strolled and chatted, enjoying the long-lost relaxed atmosphere. Just as they passed a crowded intersection, his enhanced hearing caught a panicked gasp.

His gaze swept across the area like lightning, and he saw a man wearing a hoodie walking briskly with his head down, quickly stuffing a light-colored women's wallet into his large pocket before speeding up to try and disappear into the crowd.

A few steps behind him, a young woman in a white dress was frantically groping her empty handbag, her face full of anxiety and helplessness, her eyes searching around, about to lose sight of her target.

The thief was skilled and experienced, clearly a veteran, and specifically targeted crowded places.

Normally, Gu Yan might not meddle in other people's business and would leave it to the police. But at this moment, perhaps it was because he had just reunited with an old friend and was in a good mood, or perhaps it was the "chivalrous spirit" within him that had just gained power and had not yet fully settled, or perhaps it was simply... he was bored and wanted to move around.

He paused slightly and said to Zhang Hao beside him, "Wait for me." Then, his figure moved effortlessly through the dense crowd like a fish, and in a few steps, he silently blocked the hoodie pickpocket's path.

The thief was rushing forward with his head down when he was suddenly blocked in front of him and almost bumped into someone. He looked up and saw a tall, thin young man calmly looking at him. He was startled at first, but then a wicked thought arose in his mind. He lowered his voice and threatened, "Get out of my way! Mind your own business!" At the same time, his hand reached for his waist, as if he had a weapon.