Jinjo's Gacha Miracle and the Spirit Stone's Power
Where should I use this spirit stone?
"A fine evening to thee! Jinjo has arrived!"
The door burst open, and the manager strode in.
She looked refreshed after a good nap, her skin gleaming smoothly.
"Loyal retainer, thou hast worked hard! Was today not too taxing?"
Seems like admiring her figures before bed had done wonders.
Maybe she dozed off dreaming of lining her home with limited-edition ones?
"Jinjo's domain remains peaceful today!"
She nodded contentedly at the spotless store interior.
"You're in a good mood today."
"Heh heh, Jinjo hath received most excellent fortune."
"Fortune?"
"Indeed! Gazing upon Asteria's limited-edition figure must have blessed my pulls... Ta-da!"
She shoved her smartphone screen in my face.
Asteria's relic shone there, fully maxed with perfect substats.
"You finally pulled a full break with perfect relics."
"Hahaha! Verily! On returning home, I spent my remaining resources—and lo, it sparked on the very first try! Thus, I charged more to max her weapon relics as well!"
The 4th-anniversary Skyward Asteria relic.
The original Skyward Asteria was a blue-themed mech angel concept.
One of the few angel characters in Stella Echoes.
Her spear-wielding descent from the heavens, halo aglow, had spawned countless fans.
And this new one was her demonic counterpart.
Asteria of Karmic Flames.
Scythe in hand instead of a spear, those deep dark circles under her eyes stealing the show.
The polar opposite of the original, laced with "fallen" vibes—it drove existing fans and newbies alike wild.
The devs were pushing her hard, so everyone said she'd be meta; at least go for full legend unless sparking at two breaks.
"Planning to end the world?"
"Heh heh, with the Asteria Jinjo hath nurtured, 'tis possible."
"How much did you drop?"
"Be not astonished! A mere three trucks sufficed to complete all remaining breaks and refinements!"
"Whoa."
A bit envious, honestly.
In subculture gacha games, a "truck" means the priciest resource pack from the shop.
Varies by game, but usually about 120,000 won—roughly fifty pulls per truck.
So her three trucks? Around 150 pulls total.
Pity usually hits at eighty or so—and even then, with a 50% featured rate on half-pity, you might barely snag a dupe or pierce the banner for one copy if unlucky.
Prime territory for a whale's downfall.
"All that in just 150 pulls? No banner pierces?"
"Aye! Jinjo could scarce believe her eyes! Every ten-pull summoned Asteria herself—such thrill!"
The manager puffed her chest proudly, nostrils flaring.
Her lips twitched uncontrollably with glee.
Best to hype her up properly in moments like this.
That's the fun of subculture games—the shared hype with fellow players.
Building that camaraderie through reactions.
"Pity you already sparked her two-break and full gear from pity before; you'd have profited more."
I recalled her near-death state when I arrived that morning.
Gacha could swing one's condition this wildly.
Or maybe it was just Jinjo.
"The store vibe's bright today, then."
"Indeed, Jinjo's spirits soar! Even a horde of Karens would earn forgiveness. Loyal retainer, begone to rest—Jinjo grants thee ten minutes early shift in her generosity!"
Her mood sky-high, she hopped behind the counter and shooed me out.
Whatever—as long as the boss was happy, it made the part-time gig easier.
"No bloodsucking today, then?"
"Hmph, thy state seems fit for tomorrow. Jinjo is a master who inspects her retainer's condition most meticulously!"
Shame.
That's 100,000 won down the drain.
"Hey, Manager. One question before I clock out?"
"What is it? If 'tis Jinjo's wisdom thou seekest, 'tis thine."
"Got this as a tip from a customer today."
I placed the S-class Life Spirit Stone on the counter—the reward dusted with World Tree powder.
A soft lime-green glow flickered.
"No good place to sell it, so where should I..."
"Eeeeek!!!"
Before I finished, she screeched like a cat on a hot griddle and plastered herself against the cigarette rack.
Hands clamped over nose and mouth, brows furrowed, she yelled.
"Where didst thou obtain such a foul abomination?!"
"...That bad?"
"Of course! To Jinjo, 'tis a lump of filth! Urk!"
World Tree power counters vampires perfectly, huh.
The spirit stone too?
"You're scared of more things than I thought. Manager, picky eating's no good. Even if you hate it..."
"Aye, wouldst thou not loathe cockroaches suddenly infesting thy home?!"
"..."
Yeah.
Couldn't argue.
Cockroach in my place?
I'd nope out too.
My bad.
"Sorry."
I hurriedly pocketed the spirit stone.
"Didn't expect the mighty vampire manager to react this hard."
"E-even Jinjo hath her nemeses."
Pleased by "mightiest," perhaps—she peeled off the rack, somewhat appeased.
"Was gonna plant this in the World Tree Branch. That okay?"
I'd considered asking the gallery.
But it'd dox me too hard—convenience store clerk with an S-class spirit stone? Too specific.
Auctioning a rare item screams risk.
So, query the local expert first.
This world's sole reliable(? ) ally.
If no, sell through her.
She could handle it, owning the joint and all that power.
"Dost thou intend to raise a World Tree in Jinjo's domain?!"
"...Won't work? Yeah, too conspicuous if it grows strong..."
I braced for a flat no, but she paused, eyes darting.
"...On second thought, no reason not to embed it in the branch?"
"Huh? It works?"
"What harm in one spirit stone? 'Twill not birth a true World Tree—just bolster its power slightly. Fret not."
Effect too negligible, then.
"Fear not o'er much. 'Tis a worthy choice—Jinjo guarantees it. Besides, thou couldst not auction it anyway."
"Can't sell? Why?"
"Few can afford such grade. Better use it than wait for demand."
Supply and demand.
Basic economics left me speechless.
"What good does stronger World Tree power do?"
She started to answer, then clammed up.
"Leave that thrill for thee to discover. Spoiling it robs the fun—like gacha, true joy lies in thine own pulls."
Reliable manager moments like this.
"Thanks. You've set my mind at ease."
"And if its power waxes too strong, it might hinder Jinjo's figure-gazing..."
"That's the real reason, huh?"
"Ahem! Nay? Merely... as a bonus..."
Right when I was touched.
"If it gets bad, I'll relocate it later."
"Heh heh, none but my loyal retainer. Ah, thou knowest the day after tomorrow is thy off?"
Weekly rest day—no store shift.
True holiday.
"Yep. But you okay?"
"With what?"
"Who covers day shift?"
"Worry not—Jinjo hath ways."
"Got it. Clocking out, then. Oh, handed off the curse necklace safely."
"Thou hast the necklace? Met that geezer?"
"Geezer... Ah, the lich customer?"
"Aye! Spoke no oddities to thee?"
"Said call if I want immortality."
"Never! Black company, that lot."
"No plans to."
She grinned at my quick reply.
"Thus speaks Jinjo's retainer! Well done—off to deep slumber!"
She was already twirling her Karmic Flame Asteria, beaming.
Fresh air hit me the moment I opened the door.
Like stepping into a greenhouse with the AC cranked.
Room airy, breeze cool.
"Whoa... nice."
I tossed my outer clothes aside and headed to the corner.
The World Tree Branch in its little pot.
Jinjo had recoiled at its "annoying aura," yet left it neatly by her figures.
Grumbled but didn't banish it—classic her.
Cares more than she lets on.
I eyed the branch, wafting phytoncide scent.
Even I felt the subtle energy rising from it.
Just looking cleared my mind.
"Manager said to use it here."
I pulled out the S-class Life Spirit Stone.
Carefully placed the dazzling lime-green gem beside the branch, atop the soil.
"Plant nutrients usually get the cap popped and stuck in. Grind this one?"
Mid-thought of fetching a hammer—
Bzzz.
The branch hummed faintly.
Then the spirit stone's glow misted up like fog, drawn into the leaves and stem.
"Oh..."
Magical sight.
The solid gem melted to liquid—no, light—seeping through soil and roots into the wood.
Gone in under a minute.
Whoosh—!
Blinding light erupted from the fully absorbed branch.
Dazzle faded.
"It's growing."
The chopstick-thin twig thickened visibly, shooting up in height.
New sprouts extended; fresh lime leaves budded at tips.
"Whoa..."
Now a small shrub—too big for "branch," too small for "tree."
Air felt purer.
Just inhaling—
"Hoo."
Energy surged.
"Wild."
Head clear, vitality coursing.
Worth every won.
At this growth rate, a real tree soon.
I stroked a leaf on the thicker branch.
It rustled, scattering faint light.
"Grow big. Maybe sell ya later."
Sweet dreams tonight.