A Bronze Draw cost 100 Shock Value points per attempt—1,000 for ten—with a high chance of drawing a Silver-tier reward.
A Silver Draw required 1,000 Shock Value points per try—10,000 for ten—with a high probability of pulling a Gold-tier item.
A Gold Draw cost a whopping 10,000 points each—or 100,000 for ten draws—with a guaranteed Gold-tier item every time.
All rewards came from stories Su Mu had already told, and they were randomly assigned.
By helping others fulfill their wishes through storytelling, the system would evaluate the outcome and occasionally award Su Mu with free draws.
To perform a summoning ritual, certain items were needed: a Soul Summoning Bell, a peachwood sword, and an item the deceased once used in life.
Su Mu glanced at the Soul Summoning Bell—200 Shock Value points. Not too expensive.
So, he used 500 points to redeem both the Soul Summoning Bell and the peachwood sword.
Everything was ready.
At that moment, Tsunade took off the necklace from around her neck and gently placed it on the table.
"Thank you for the story. A bet is a bet—I lost…"
With that, she turned to leave.
But then—
"Don't you want to see the person you've been missing?"
Just as Tsunade reached the doorway, Su Mu's calm voice echoed behind her.
Thump. Thump. Thump!
Her heart pounded violently in her chest.
She spun around, eyes wide, trembling with emotion. "Can you really… do it?"
Even Orochimaru and Kabuto, sitting quietly in the corner, were visibly shaken.
Kabuto: "Lord Orochimaru, he's bluffing, right?"
Orochimaru: "…No. With so many people watching, there's no reason for him to ruin his own reputation."
"Still, I can't imagine how this man intends to summon the souls of Nawaki and Dan…"
"But since he said it—let's see what happens next."
Inside the tavern, everyone held their breath.
Su Mu stood calmly on the stage, gently ringing the Soul Summoning Bell in his hand.
Its clear chime echoed through the room.
"I need two more things," he said quietly, turning his gaze toward Tsunade.
She jumped up from her seat. "Whatever it is—just say it. I'll give you anything!"
From open disdain to now respectfully calling him "Sir," Tsunade's attitude had done a complete 180.
In the corner, Orochimaru's expression subtly darkened.
Su Mu smiled faintly. "That necklace counts as one."
Tsunade blinked, and suddenly it clicked.
In Su Mu's earlier story, he'd mentioned that to summon a soul, you needed something the person had used or worn in life—even clothing counted.
"The necklace used to belong to Nawaki…"
Tsunade's face changed instantly.
She stared at Su Mu in disbelief.
He had known—right from the beginning—what wound she carried deep in her heart.
Not just her younger brother, Nawaki.
But also… Kato Dan.
Tsunade's whole body trembled. She staggered two steps backward, barely able to steady herself.
In Su Mu's ears, system notifications came one after another:
Shock Value +7!Shock Value +10!Shock Value +70!
Su Mu smiled with satisfaction.
"Let's start with your brother. Summoning time is limited. The other… maybe another time."
Tsunade took a deep breath, struggling to calm her racing heart.
Shizune whispered beside her, "Tsunade-sama… he even guessed Nawaki. Maybe… maybe it's real…"
Even Orochimaru now looked disturbed.
"That tavern owner doesn't look very old. How could he know so much about Tsunade's past?"
"Unless… every one of his stories is true!"
Kabuto shook his head slowly.
"I've seen countless jutsu—even edo tensei—but I've never heard of anything like this."
As a double agent, Kabuto had access to more secrets and forbidden jutsu than almost anyone else in the room.
But Su Mu's methods? Completely foreign.
Tsunade picked up the necklace from the table and tossed it toward Su Mu.
He caught it easily, then rang the bell again.
Suddenly—the tavern doors slammed open.
A cold wind howled inside.
Everyone shivered.
"How the hell is there such a bone-chilling wind this time of year?"
"Maybe a storm hit. Sudden drop in temperature."
"Something's not right… I think I see a silhouette out there!"
It was already late at night.
Outside was pitch black.
Rain poured down in sheets.
Then, from the quiet darkness of the street, the same crisp ringing of a bell echoed once more.
One of the patrons turned pale with fear.
"That sound… it's the exact same as the one the tavern master used!"
Even Orochimaru heard it—and his face immediately went ashen.
Up on the stage, Su Mu nonchalantly took a sip of tea, calm and composed as ever.
The atmosphere thickened.
Seconds passed like hours.
Then, Su Mu looked toward Tsunade.
"Call your brother's name. Don't stop. As loud as you can."
Tsunade nodded fiercely, turned to face the open doorway, and began shouting:
"Senju Nawaki!"
"Senju Nawaki!"
"Senju Nawaki!"
"Do you hear me, Nawaki?!"
Again and again—ten times in total—until her voice was hoarse.
But still, nothing happened outside.
Orochimaru relaxed, scoffing under his breath. "Tch. I almost believed him."
The patrons began murmuring too, skeptical and disappointed.
"Well, that was underwhelming…"
"Looks like it was all part of the act."
"Let's call it a night. I'm out."
"Yeah, time to go home. If you've got a wife—go hug her."
But just then—the bell rang again.
This time, it was right nearby.
Everyone froze mid-motion, ears straining.
Through the rain came the unmistakable sound of bare feet splashing through puddles.
Each step rang out with the chime of a bell.
Closer…
Closer…
"Look! What's that?!"
A customer nearest the entrance suddenly shouted.
Everyone rushed to the doorway.
And then—they saw it.
A barefoot boy, slowly walking toward the tavern.
He was bathed in a soft blue glow, and hanging from his waist was a bell identical to the one in Su Mu's hand.