[Lucky Overpowered] — I Became a Background Character Meant to Die in the Game’s Opening, But Now I’m Overpowered and Fighting to Save My All-Time Favorite Alchemist Heroine - Episode 3

“Whoa, that’s a lot of money!”

It was evening. I walked down the city’s main street, the heavy leather pouch jangling with each step.

What did I do to deserve this? Simple. I bet on the all-out no-rules fight—the main attraction at the gambling den. I picked the winning fighter.

At first, I doubted the game knowledge I had in my head and only wagered a small amount. But after my first win? I went all in. The result? This gloriously heavy pouch. I couldn’t stop grinning.

In the game, the gambling den served as a kind of safety net—a way to earn quick cash. The fight outcomes weren’t random. They were fixed.

And I had memorized the results of the opening day matches. Any efficient player knew: hit the gambling den on day one. After enough replays, those results were etched in my memory.

This proves it. My knowledge from the game works in this world too. From now on, I’ll keep using that knowledge to support Lise.

Of course, I can’t rely on Lise forever. There’s always a chance we might go our separate ways someday. My goal is to become someone worthy to stand beside her. Lise is only going to keep growing, and that means

I have to grow too.

So, forgive me, but I’m going to reinvest some of these earnings in myself. Lise’s growth is predictable. But as for Gee—who didn’t become a companion in the game—I don’t really know what he’s capable of. First, I need to evaluate my own abilities, then plan out the best gear and tactics going forward.

Though… I already have a pretty good idea.

“Welcome!”

Rather than going to a shop on the main street, I headed for a small weapons store tucked away on the outskirts of town. Thanks to Gee’s advice, I knew the shops on the main street had good quality—just with matching price tags.

The city’s layout was more complex than it had been in the game. In these areas, Gee’s memories were proving more useful than my own game knowledge.

“I’m looking for a longbow.”

Yes. That was my optimal solution.

In this world, a bow’s accuracy and critical hit rate were heavily dependent on the Luck stat.

With my Gift, [Luck], boosting that stat, a longbow was the ideal weapon for me.

And I chose a longbow over a shortbow because I valued power over rapid fire. Rapid shots don’t mean anything if each hit deals zero damage. That might be fine for now, but the deeper I go into dungeons, the less effective a shortbow would be. Better to get used to a longbow from the start.

Luck’s power goes beyond just that, of course—but that’s a topic for another time.

“A longbow? Right this way.”

After getting a brief tutorial from the clerk, I purchased a longbow, ten arrows, and a quiver.

I also couldn’t forget to upgrade my main weapons. I had the [Dual Blades] Gift, after all. Until now, I’d been using a bronze dagger and a club, but I swapped them out for two iron daggers. It’s not a huge leap, but my attack power should see a small bump.

With my gear freshly upgraded, I returned to Tiger’s Den, the inn I always stayed at. The owner was a good person who supported the local orphanage and treated its children kindly. For those of us who came of age and left the orphanage, it was the first place we turned to.

“I’m home!”

As always, when I stepped into Tiger’s Den, I found Lise on the first floor, which doubled as a dining hall. She was seated, holding a cup with both hands, deep in thought. Even looking slightly melancholic, she was adorable.

“Ah, Gee.”

“Oh, you’re still up, Lise. Something on your mind? Dinner’s not ready yet, right?”

“Just doing some thinking…”

I sat across from her at the table.

“Oh, right—I’ve got your money.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Let’s just say I had an unexpected windfall.”

“Wait, what!?”

I placed the leather pouch—now about a quarter lighter—on the table in front of her.

“There’s so much…! Ah! The bow! Where did you get that!?”

Spotting the bow slung over my shoulder, Lise stood up, leaning over the table and pointing at it.

“Where? I bought it.”

“You bought it…? No way…!”

Her expression turned to one of sheer panic as she stared at me head-on, as if in despair. What the hell?

“Don’t tell me—you borrowed money from someone other than me!?”

“Huh? No, I didn’t.”

“Liar! Then how did you get that much money!?”

“The gambling den. I won a bet.”

“Gambling… den?”

“Yep. Gambling den.”

“Wait, you were gambling!?”

“That’s right.”

“With the money I lent you!?”

“…Yeah, pretty much.”

“Ugh! Why would you do something so reckless!? What if you lost!? That money would’ve been gone!”

“I just had a good feeling about today.”

“That’s exactly what all the hopeless gamblers say!”

“Hey, but I won—so it’s all good, right?”

“That’s not the point! No more gambling, okay? You may have gotten lucky today, but it will ruin you someday. Promise me.”

“Alright, alright. I promise.”

Honestly, I probably won’t be gambling again anyway. I only remember the results from day one.