Chapter 19: The Wheel of Fate
The warmth from the restored Shrine of Hestia still lingered, a subtle comfort against the encroaching chill of dusk.
But for Lykos, the true warmth emanated from the glowing notification in his mind: [System Lottery Unlocked!]
His heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic drumbeat of anticipation. This wasn't just another summon from the basic pool.
This was the System Lottery, promised to deliver "exclusive" units, items, or even demigods. It was the game's ultimate reward for hitting a major milestone, a direct path to acquiring the "Hero of Renown" he so desperately needed.
"Prince? Are you well?" Homerus's voice, laced with concern, broke through Lykos's reverie. The old bard had observed the light from the System notification, if not the words themselves. Theron, too, stood quietly, sensing the profound shift in the air, though unsure of its cause.
"More than well, Homerus," Lykos replied, a breathless quality to his voice. "We have opened a new path. A path to greatness, if the Fates allow." He couldn't fully explain the System, but the excitement was palpable.
He ignored his aching muscles and the setting sun, his focus entirely on the shimmering interface that had now appeared prominently in his vision. It was far more intricate than the simple basic summoning menu.
The screen transformed, presenting a grand, ethereal wheel. It wasn't a static image; it rotated slowly, its surface composed of swirling stardust and faint, golden glyphs. Around the rim, vague, tantalizing silhouettes flickered – an armored figure wielding a trident, a woman with wings, a gleaming golden apple, a scroll tied with a silver ribbon, a shield emblazoned with a Gorgon's head.
These were not the generic outlines of "Militia" or "Laborer"; these were distinct, iconic shapes that resonated with the legends of ancient Greece.
At the center of the wheel, a single, glowing button pulsed: [Spin the Wheel (1 Free Attempt Remaining)].
Lykos's breath hitched. A free attempt. The System, for all its harshness, had its moments of generosity. He had only 15 System Points, far from the 1000 required for a direct Hero summon, so this free spin was a godsend. He didn't hesitate.
"This is it," he whispered, a thrill coursing through him. He reached out with his mind, his finger "tapping" the pulsing button.
The wheel began to spin, slowly at first, then accelerating with a soft, resonant hum. The stardust streaks blurred into ribbons of light, and the silhouettes became indistinguishable blurs. Lykos felt a profound sense of destiny, a gambler placing his entire future on a single, momentous roll of the dice. He had played countless digital lotteries in games, but this was real. This was his chance to summon a legend.
The hum intensified, filling the air around him, a sound that Homerus and Theron also seemed to faintly perceive, as they exchanged wide-eyed glances. The wheel spun faster and faster, a whirlwind of light and shadow, until with a final, rising crescendo, it began to slow.
The golden glyphs on the wheel became clearer. The blurring silhouettes began to resolve. Lykos's eyes were locked on the top of the wheel, where the glowing indicator would land. He saw a faint outline of a strong-jawed warrior, then a flash of a winged sandal, then… it settled.
The wheel clicked to a halt with a soft, resonant thrum. The golden glow intensified around the section where the indicator rested.
The silhouette coalesced, resolving into a figure. Not a god, not a monster, but a human. A warrior. He stood tall and proud, clad in simple, functional armor, his face stern but noble. In one hand, he held a short, sturdy sword, and in the other, a round, bronze shield. His features were distinct: a powerful build, a strong nose, and eyes that held the unwavering resolve of a man who had faced countless battles. Around his head, a laurel wreath, though faded, seemed to shimmer.
The text appeared above the summoned figure:
[Exclusive Summon Acquired!]
Unit: Leonidas (Spartan Warrior-King)
Tier: Legendary Human (Hero of Renown)
Cost: 0 System Points (First Lottery Pull Bonus)
Memory Status: Unlocked (Partial)
Skills:
* Phalanx Master (Active): Greatly enhances the defensive capabilities and cohesion of all allied spear-wielding units within a moderate radius. Increases damage resistance and counter-attack chance. (Cost: Moderate Stamina, Cooldown: Short)
* Last Stand (Passive): As health falls below 25%, unit's resolve and damage output significantly increase. Inspires nearby allies to fight to the last.
* Iron Will (Passive): Grants high resistance to fear and morale-affecting debuffs. Inspires morale in nearby allies.
* Spartan Discipline (Passive): Improves training effectiveness for all military units and grants a bonus to unit cohesion.
Description: The legendary King of Sparta, who led the 300 at Thermopylae. A paragon of courage, discipline, and military prowess. His will is an unyielding shield, his presence an unbreakable wall. Though his full power in this new world is yet to be revealed, his spirit embodies the very essence of defiance.
Lykos's jaw dropped. Leonidas. Not just a hero. A legend. The Spartan King! The defender of Thermopylae! His mind reeled. He had expected something good, but this was beyond his wildest dreams for a first lottery pull.
He immediately understood the implications. Phalanx Master would revolutionize his Militia. Last Stand and Iron Will made him an unshakeable anchor. And Spartan Discipline… that meant his current, crude training efforts would become infinitely more effective.
This wasn't just a powerful warrior; this was a military leader.
The light from the System faded, and where the ethereal wheel had been, a figure materialized in the ruined shrine. Taller than Lykos remembered from history books, with an aura of immense, quiet power. Leonidas stood, his gaze sweeping over the desolate shrine, then finally settling on Lykos. His eyes, though ancient, held a piercing intensity, yet also a hint of profound weariness, as if he carried the weight of centuries.
"I am Leonidas," the Spartan King rumbled, his voice deep and gravelly, like stones grinding together. He spoke in flawless ancient Greek, which Lykos instinctively understood.
"The System calls me 'Host,' as it calls you 'Prince Lykos.' My Memory, it tells me, is partially unlocked. I remember the pass... I remember the battle... but the path here is shrouded." He paused, his gaze assessing Lykos with a warrior's keen eye. "You are not a warrior, Prince. Yet, I sense a strength of will within you. What is your command?"
Lykos, still trying to process the magnitude of the summon, instinctively straightened his posture. He was standing before Leonidas, the King of Sparta. He couldn't appear weak now.
"King Leonidas," Lykos began, his voice gaining a newfound firmness. "Welcome to my city. Welcome to what remains of it. My name is Lykos, and I am the Prince of this forgotten city-state. We are on the brink of ruin, beset by raiders and the ravages of time. But we are fighting. We are rebuilding. And with your presence, our fight gains a new meaning, a new hope."
He gestured around the restored shrine. "We just rekindled the spirit of Hestia here, a small step, but a vital one. It triggered your summoning. My command, Leonidas, is simple yet monumental: Help me rebuild this city. Help me forge an army. Help me bring Hellas back from the brink."
Leonidas's stern expression softened almost imperceptibly. He looked at the humble, cleaned shrine, then back at Lykos. "A spirit rekindled by honest labor and true intent. Such is the way of the Spartans, Prince. Not through lavish display, but through unwavering resolve. You seek to rebuild the spirit of Hellas in these desolate lands?"
"Yes, King," Lykos affirmed, meeting his gaze directly. "The Forgotten Flame will burn again."
Leonidas nodded slowly. "Then our paths are indeed intertwined. Show me this city, Prince. Show me the men you have. Show me the strength of their will. I have known greater battles, but none more vital than preserving the very essence of our people. I shall teach them what it means to be a Spartan. I shall make them a phalanx that even the mightiest foes will fear."
The air around them seemed to thicken with Leonidas's powerful presence. Lykos felt a surge of confidence, a belief that had been mere hope moments ago. With Leonidas, a true military legend, his meager Militia would become a disciplined force, his desperate struggle infused with Spartan resolve. The game had just shifted. The stakes were higher, but now, he had a true hero on his side. The path to restoring ancient glory, once a distant dream, felt suddenly, terrifyingly, real.