Gacha Summoner: Pulled into Another World

Chapter 3: A New Reality

**Chapter 3: A New Reality**

The aftermath of the battle left the grand chamber in eerie silence. Broken stone and scorch marks from Yuuji’s summons littered the floor, while the council members whispered among themselves, their eyes shifting toward Yuuji with newfound reverence. He couldn’t help but feel their gazes, as if waiting for him to do something extraordinary again.

But right now, all Yuuji wanted was to sit down and make sense of everything. His heart was still racing, and his hands trembled as he stuffed his phone into his hoodie pocket. The events of the last hour were insane—a literal life-or-death battle had just unfolded, and somehow, he’d survived it with his phone’s gacha game. The whole thing felt ridiculous.

“Hero,” Malakar called, stepping forward. “You have proven your worth. But there is much yet to be done.”

Yuuji rubbed the back of his neck, trying to seem calm while his mind was screaming. *Proven my worth? I almost peed myself when that Abyssal General showed up.* He took a deep breath, then turned to the high priest.

“So… what now? I mean, you guys summoned me, and I beat those monsters, but I have no idea what I’m doing. What if I run out of summons? What if something stronger shows up next time?” Yuuji’s words came out in a rush, his anxiety barely contained. “I don’t even know how this world works, let alone how I’m supposed to save it!”

Malakar’s face softened slightly, the weight of the situation clear in his eyes. “Your concerns are valid, Hero. We summoned you in desperation, and we do not expect you to shoulder this burden alone. But first, allow me to explain what you face.”

Yuuji nodded, glad someone was finally going to give him some context. The high priest gestured toward a long tapestry that hung across the chamber’s far wall. It depicted a grand battle between light and darkness—an ancient war that seemed to stretch back millennia.

“In ages past, the Abyssal Lord was sealed by the first heroes of Eldoria,” Malakar began, his voice steady but grave. “But the seal has weakened, and his shadow now spreads once more. His minions, like the ones you fought today, are only the beginning. If he is not stopped, our world will fall into eternal darkness.”

Yuuji swallowed hard. “Eternal darkness. Got it. So, I’m supposed to stop this Abyssal Lord with my… gacha pulls?”

“In part, yes,” Malakar replied, his eyes gleaming with both hope and uncertainty. “Your power to summon heroes and warriors is unlike anything we have seen. It is our greatest weapon against the Abyssal forces. But as you have already sensed, there are limits to this power. You must train, learn the ways of this world, and most importantly, understand your summons.”

Yuuji raised an eyebrow. “Understand my summons? What do you mean?”

“Your summoned allies are not merely tools, Hero,” Malakar explained. “They have wills of their own, forged in realms beyond our comprehension. While they follow your command, they also possess wisdom and power you may not yet grasp. Learning from them may be the key to unlocking your full potential.”

Yuuji glanced at the knight, archer, and mage still standing in the chamber. They remained silent, awaiting his next command, but something about the way they carried themselves made him realize that they weren’t just mindless game characters. These were real beings, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and—if Malakar was right—personalities.

“Okay,” Yuuji said slowly, trying to wrap his head around everything. “So, I need to bond with my summons. Fine. But how do I get stronger? If more of those generals show up, I’m gonna need more than just luck.”

Malakar smiled faintly. “In Eldoria, strength comes from both within and without. The land itself is rich with magic, and through your connection with it, you will grow. There are also ancient relics and artifacts, scattered throughout the world, that may aid you. But there is another way, a path that only you can walk.”

Yuuji’s interest piqued. “What kind of path?”

Malakar turned toward a massive door at the far end of the chamber. It was engraved with intricate runes and symbols that seemed to pulse with latent energy.

“Beyond this door lies the Hall of Trials,” Malakar said. “A sacred place where heroes of old once honed their skills. You will face challenges that will test your resolve, your strategy, and your bond with your summons. Only by passing these trials can you unlock the true potential of your summoning ability.”

Yuuji eyed the door suspiciously. “So, it’s like a training dungeon?”

“If that comparison helps you understand, then yes,” Malakar said with a slight nod. “But be warned: the Hall of Trials is no simple training ground. It is a place where the boundaries between worlds blur. You may face not only physical threats but also the fears and doubts within yourself.”

Yuuji’s mouth went dry. He wasn’t exactly thrilled by the idea of facing his inner demons, but he knew there was no turning back now. If this was the way to get stronger, he had no choice but to see it through.

“All right,” Yuuji said, steeling himself. “I’ll do it. I’ll go through these trials. But I’ll need to summon more allies if I’m going to survive.”

Malakar nodded approvingly. “You will have the opportunity to do so. But remember, the strength of your summons depends not only on chance but also on your own growth. As you grow stronger, so too will the heroes you summon.”

Yuuji felt a knot of anxiety in his stomach. *No pressure,* he thought to himself. But he knew Malakar was right. If he didn’t push himself to get stronger, he wouldn’t last long in this world, especially with the Abyssal Lord’s forces on the move.

With a deep breath, Yuuji turned toward his summoned allies. The knight stood tall, his flaming sword resting against the floor. The archer regarded him with cool detachment, while the mage gazed at him with quiet expectation.

“Looks like we’re going on a little adventure, guys,” Yuuji said, trying to muster some enthusiasm. “Hope you’re ready.”

The knight bowed slightly. “We are always ready to serve, Master.”

The archer nodded. “Lead, and we shall follow.”

The mage’s eyes gleamed. “The storm awaits.”

Yuuji couldn’t help but crack a small smile. For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt a sliver of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he could make this work.

As the massive doors to the Hall of Trials creaked open, revealing a long, shadowy corridor lined with ancient statues, Yuuji stepped forward, his heart pounding in his chest.

Behind him, Malakar’s voice echoed softly, filled with both encouragement and warning: “Remember, Hero, the path to greatness is not without sacrifice. But should you succeed, you will become the legend Eldoria needs.”

Yuuji paused, glancing back over his shoulder. “Yeah, no pressure, right?”

With that, he walked into the darkness, his summons at his side, ready to face the trials ahead.

As the doors closed behind him with a heavy thud, Yuuji couldn’t help but wonder what lay in wait. But one thing was clear: he wasn’t in a gacha game anymore. This was real, and he had no intention of losing.