Infinity, The Arcade Age

After a series of experimental attempts, Qin Ming finally figured out the purpose of the Golden Plot Attribute Point after much trial and error.

This thing is used to upgrade stuff!

That's right! The Golden Attribute Point worked similarly to Qin Ming's innate Fusion Reinforcement Skill, but there were critical differences.

Qin Ming's Fusion Reinforcement enhanced an object's attributes and quality significantly while keeping its core functions intact. The final product was essentially the same item—just supercharged.

But the Golden Plot Attribute Point was different. It didn't just enhance—it evolved.

It could evolve equipment, skills, and even titles!

Everything except the adventurer themselves could be evolved by this golden point.

The catch? Evolution was entirely random.

Unlike his fusion skill, which provided options and directional control, the Golden Attribute Point was pure chaos.

It promised improvement but not certainty. The result could be incredibly powerful… or a useless mess.

Skills? Definitely not. My current skills are perfectly synergized. If one of them mutates in the wrong direction, my entire combat strategy could fall apart.

Equipment? No way. Most of my current gear is temporary. Why waste a precious resource on gear I'll replace soon anyway?

The handgun? Don't even think about it. That thing's perfect as it is—what if the upgrade ruins it?

The only thing worth gambling on was…

The title.

With a flicker of golden light, the Golden Plot Attribute Point fused with the Five Tiger General title.

Qin Ming clasped his hands together, silently praying.

Please don't mess this up… The title only has two effects: aligning me with the protagonist faction and increasing initial goodwill. No matter how it mutates, it shouldn't stray too far from those functions… right?

As Qin Ming's anxious gaze fixated on the glowing title, the golden light finally subsided, and a new title emerged in his vision.

The upgrade was complete.

The effects left Qin Ming momentarily speechless, unable to decide whether this was a blessing or a curse.

Title: Tiger-Subduing General (Silver Quality)

Effect: Upon entering a mission world, automatically join the protagonist faction, and randomly select one female character whose goodwill towards you will immediately reach 500.

Description: Subdue the dragon, tame the tiger—all in this very moment! Lady Tiger, come assist me in my cultivation!

Sitting on his bed, stroking his chin, Qin Ming stared at his new title with a deeply conflicted expression.

Starting with one female ally at maximum goodwill… That's undeniably powerful.

And this is just a silver-tier title. If I upgrade it to gold someday, what happens? Do I spawn in with a wife?

But wait… If I have a "wife," what happens to her original husband? Do I get an extra enemy as part of the deal? What's next—a kid too? What kind of plotline is this?

What kind of bizarre romance-drama power fantasy have I walked into?!

As Qin Ming was caught in a spiral of existential dread over his upgraded title, the doorbell suddenly rang.

He didn't need to check to know who it was.

When he opened the door, sure enough, Double-Gun Lady was standing there, leaning casually against the wall with her arms crossed.

Her appearance was as effortlessly cool as ever.

It's hard to imagine that someone this composed could start machine-gun begging for mercy the moment she loses a fight.

Having successfully leveled up to a Mid-Level Adventurer, Double-Gun Lady was practically glowing with confidence. She raised an eyebrow at Qin Ming.

"Yo! Busy, little bro?"

"Geez, when you needed me, it was all 'big bro this, big bro that.' Now that the mission's over, I've been demoted to 'little bro'?"

"Well, duh. When I couldn't beat you, I was this close to calling you 'daddy.' Why didn't you bring that up?"

Brushing past him, she casually strolled into the room.

Glancing around, she clicked her tongue.

"You still haven't upgraded your room, huh? Are you planning to live in this starter box forever?"

Qin Ming followed her in, hands shoved into his pockets.

"You're a Mid-Level Adventurer now. Why are you still hanging around the low-level district? Shouldn't you be off exploring your shiny new environment?"

"No rush. Mid-Level Adventurers get three months of rest time between missions—and we can store unused time too. The perks are way better than for you Low-Level grunts. Plus, there are other benefits. I'm officially on the payroll now, baby!"

"Congrats, I guess."

"Thanks! You know, you haven't even asked me what I was up to before coming here."

With a sly grin, she leaned closer, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

"I was preparing a gift for you."

"A gift?"

"Yep! We worked so well together last mission, and I owe you big time for helping me secure my gold-tier weapon. So… ta-da!"

She placed an item on the table with a flourish.

It was… a head.

Qin Ming stared blankly at the blood-soaked bundle.

"…This is your idea of a gift? You brought me a severed head as a souvenir? Am I supposed to be touched by this? Is this, like, the Emperor of Japan's head or something?"

"Nah, nothing that dramatic. But this thing suits your style perfectly. Trust me—I hand-picked it just for you, and it cost me a pretty penny!"

Unwrapping the bundle, the head inside was revealed.

It had a twisted, tormented expression, and yet… Qin Ming's grin widened.

Name: Head of Kasamoto Eri (Metal Slug World)

Type: Consumable (Dull Silver Quality)

Effect: Gain +5 Agility and a random skill from Kasamoto Eri upon use.

Description: A tragic protagonist who died at the hands of a companion. Even in death, she couldn't understand why someone she trusted would betray her so suddenly.

Qin Ming's brows shot up in surprise.

Before he could react, Double-Gun Lady elbowed him in the ribs, grinning wickedly.

"Your gun can summon minions with heads, right? Well, this head is way higher quality than that trash you've been using. Plus, she's a gun-user too. And the best part? She's a girl. Right up your alley, you dirty-minded pervert. Aren't I thoughtful?"

"…You know what? Thanks. Really."

Qin Ming sighed, shaking his head with a resigned smile.

Sure, she painted him as some depraved degenerate. But Qin Ming couldn't deny one thing:

She was spot on.

This gift? He absolutely loved it.

After all, given the choice, who would prefer a dude minion over a girl minion?

He wasn't insane.

(End of Chapter)