The giant gates opened into a sprawling carnival plaza, its paths winding between decorative topiaries shaped like various animals mid-laugh. Neon signs pointed in different directions, their arrows morphing into grinning faces every few seconds. The towering Ferris wheel dominated the sky ahead, its massive frame adorned with countless lights that shifted in hypnotic patterns.

As I stepped through the gateway and crossed an invisible threshold, system notifications appeared one after another.

[Welcome to the Big Laughter Wheel Grand Attraction!]

[Special Entry Permit Granted: No Ticket Required]

[Warning: Maximum Difficulty Setting Automatically Applied]

[Mr. Chuckles Hopes You Enjoy The Show!]

[Side Quest Available: The Wheel of Fortune and Misfortune]

You have been assigned a special role: Maintenance Guy.

Unlike regular visitors, you are responsible for ensuring the Big Laughter Wheel operates at peak condition.

[Universal Maintenance Tool (Unique) Provided]

Main Objective:

Fix malfunctioning Ferris wheel cabins (0/6). Reward: System Points based on performance, VIP Golden Ticket.

Failure: Well, you know the rules, don't you? Becoming an NPC, yada-yada.

Bonus Objective:

Complete the 9th Revolution Challenge. Reward: VIP Platinum Ticket.**

Secret Objective: ???

[Notice: Flight is prohibited in this zone. Violators will face increased gravitational penalties]

Just as I finished reading the notifications, space warped before me. A tool materialized through a ripple of system runes, settling into my palm. It resembled a high-tech multi-tool, its metallic surface etched with intricate maintenance-related runes that pulsed faintly with stored mana. Various attachments—some recognizable, others clearly designed for more esoteric repairs—were seamlessly integrated into its compact form. The words "Very Happy" were discreetly engraved along its spine in a simple script that shimmered under the carnival lights.

[Universal Maintenance Tool (Unique)] "Because every attraction needs its mechanic!"

A well-crafted multi-tool that adapts to repair needs through mana manipulation. Created specifically for maintaining the Big Laughter Wheel's unique mechanisms. Perfect for those who need to fix things that probably shouldn't be broken in the first place.

Primary Effect - Adaptive Repair: Channels mana to transform its attachments into the most suitable tools for the job. Effectiveness scales with the user's Mind and Spirit attributes.

Secondary Effect - Structural Analysis: Provides detailed information about mechanical and magical malfunctions within its range because knowing what's broken is half the battle.

Warning: May occasionally produce unexpected but mathematically perfect repairs. The System is not responsible for any reality-bending maintenance solutions.

"Well, thanks for such a complete explanation," I muttered, studying the tool's shifting attachments before securing it in my pocket. Its weight was reassuring—solid and practical despite its unusual nature.

The crowd that had gathered at the entrance now streamed through the open gates. Most appeared to be regular inhabitants rather than Tutorial participants, judging by their relaxed demeanor and the casual way they discussed previous rides on the Ferris wheel. I stopped one of them—a three-eyed man with arms like tree trunks—who stood out even among the carnival's eclectic visitors.

"Hey, what can you tell me about this attraction?"

"Oh, you're the guy who beat Sugar!" he exclaimed, his surprisingly high-pitched voice completely mismatched with his imposing appearance. Through my Mana Sense, I felt he was around Tier 3, typical for the more powerful residents. "Never seen a fight like that before. Thanks for the early entry—and the free snacks!" He patted a pocket bulging with pieces of caramelized Sugar.

"So what's the deal with the wheel?" I asked, noting how Mille and Constantin had drawn closer to listen. "Everyone seems eager to ride it."

"The main quest is simple enough—enter a cabin and complete a certain number of rotations," the man explained, his three eyes blinking in sequence. "But simple doesn't mean easy. Each cabin is..." He hesitated, glancing around before lowering his voice. "Well, let's just say they're bigger on the inside. And what's inside isn't always friendly, at least when the cabin reaches the top."

"Interesting. And what's in it for you? Seems a bit too risky."

"For us, residents? It's mostly entertainment, though the rewarded Golden Tickets also have their uses. And even if something goes wrong, we get free revival in this zone." He straightened up, looking past me toward the wheel. "Speaking of which, I should hurry before all the good cabins are taken. And thanks again—you saved us all a Silver Ticket!"

He clapped me on the shoulder with one trunk-like arm before hurrying after the others. Despite the Ferris wheel's imposing size, there was still considerable distance to cover before reaching the boarding area. The winding path led through more of those animal-shaped topiaries, each one frozen mid-laugh in a way that felt more unsettling than festive.

The last stragglers filtered through the gate just as it closed without making a sound. These were a couple dozen humans, most wearing the same novice outfit as I was, with rare exceptions. Obviously, they were other Tutorial participants from Earth. Almost all of them seemed pathetically weak; I couldn't quite understand how they’d qualified to enter this zone. Based on the fact that they had been waiting at the entrance, every one of them somehow had earned a Silver Ticket, though it now seemed that my victory over Sugar made entry free.

Three of them approached me, led by a pale man in his mid-thirties who couldn't quite meet my eyes. "Could you help us survive this?" he asked, his voice wavering slightly. "We saw how you dealt with that giant gummy bear... You're clearly powerful enough to—"

"Listen," I cut him off, "I have my own goals. I'm not your babysitter." I paused, considering the irony. "Well, I am a babysitter of sorts, just not yours. If you doubt your ability to complete this challenge, you shouldn't have entered to begin with."

"But thanks to you, we got in without needing the tickets," he pressed, still avoiding direct eye contact. "It wouldn't be hard for someone of your power to—"

"No one owes you anything," Mille interjected coldly. "This is not a place where you can leech off strangers. Don't waste our time. Follow the crowd quietly."

The man opened his mouth to object, but Mille's glare silenced him instantly. He finally sensed what she was—someone so far beyond his comprehension that arguing would be futile. Without another word, he retreated with his companions.

I had to admit, I was impressed that he had had the courage to approach us at all.

"So you won't help us even if we ask nicely?" A voice like silver bells cut through the murmur of the crowd. A girl stepped forward from the group as others parted for her like she was a queen, her movement graceful and deliberately eye-catching. It was difficult to pin down her age—she had the fresh-faced look of someone in their late teens but carried herself with the confidence of someone older. Her beauty was almost unsettling in its perfection: startling blue eyes, peach-black hair that seemed to catch impossible highlights in the carnival lights, and a figure that made the Improved Novice set look like designer clothes.

Her face tugged at my memory—something about those eyes, that particular tilt of her head when she smiled. Maybe she was a minor celebrity or related to one. After ten years in Luminosa, I'd missed whatever fame she might have achieved on Earth, but something about her presence felt practiced, cultivated.

"What if I ask very politely?" She gave me a smile that probably broke hearts on a regular basis, her voice dropping to a honey-sweet tone. "Pretty please, with a cherry on top?" The words were childish, but her delivery was anything but.

I stepped away from the group, releasing a pulse of Gravity Mana that doubled the weight pressing down on each of the Earth humans. It was a gentle reminder of the gap between us, which caused most of them to lose their balance. Not the girl, though. She was the strongest of the group—and the strongest "normal human" I've encountered here so far—approaching the realm of a real Tier 1 Cultivator. But why would that matter to me?

"Take care, guys." I shooed them away with my hands. "I hope you won't die—at least not forever."

The group began to drift away, following the flow of residents toward the wheel. As the mysterious girl passed, she brushed against my hand—a touch so light it could have been accidental, if not for the way she turned her head slightly to whisper, "This was the right decision. It's survival of the fittest, after all." There was an edge to her voice now, sharp as a razor. Then she melted back into the group of Earth humans with practiced ease.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

"Wait, wasn't she... yeah, right, I could swear she's Arabella Dwyer!" Mille suddenly exclaimed, holding back her voice from being overheard by the departing group. "S-should I catch up to her and ask for an autograph?"

"What, you know who she is?" I asked, curious about her reaction. If the Cardinal of some mysterious Church knew about the girl and acted like she was a big deal, there had to be something more to it. Was she actually part of a shadow government? A daughter of a famous vampire hunter?

"How could you not know?! She's the lead actress in this amazing series, Midnight! It's such a great romance story!"

"Oh now, this is surprising." Constantine looked at the excited Mille with a raised brow. "It's really unexpected for someone from the Church to like something like this... isn't this a love story about a human girl and a vampire?"

"What do you know, bloodsucker?" Mille snorted. "I can differentiate between fiction and reality. It's a beautiful story, and the vampires in it are completely different from you! There are also werewolves that don't exist in reality."

"Hmm, I heard that it was based on a real story..." Constantin pondered.

"Nonsense!" Mille's Virtues flared for a brief moment.

"I see you two found a common topic to discuss..." I said as I turned away from the pair discussing some dumb book or movie, or whatever it was.

I decided to focus on my goal and expanded my Mana Sense to easily find the one I was looking for, but I immediately encountered resistance. The Aether density here was staggering—comparable to the oppressive atmosphere of the Demon Queen's castle, if not higher. In theory, this would be a cultivator's paradise. I could probably achieve twice the results with half the effort, but I had neither the time to cultivate nor the desire to linger in this unsettling place.

Something else permeated the Aether here, an undercurrent that set my teeth on edge. Each Element had its distinct "taste"—Air was crisp and vital, Lightning was sharp and energetic, Gravity was deep and absolute. But this... this was different. It reminded me of how Sins and Virtues manifested, but twisted somehow. It was not something you could cultivate like traditional Elements—like accelerating Water mastery by training in deep water.

I checked the map again, confirming my target's location in one of the wheel's cabins. They were on the right side, approximately halfway to the top. With Sugar out of the way, I figured a direct approach would be simplest.

I was wrong.

The moment I lifted myself ten feet off the ground, gravity crashed down like the hand of an angry god. Mille, who had attempted to follow, hit the ground hard enough to crack the pavement. I managed to resist for a moment—Gravity was my Element, after all—before landing near her.

"Well, it seems you won't be following me up there, Mille," I said, watching her pick herself up. The sensation had been oddly familiar—not unlike when she'd first experienced my gravity manipulation during our confrontation. Her slight grimace suggested she remembered that encounter too.

"You can't fly in Grand Attraction zones," Constantin explained, meticulously brushing dust from his coat with aristocratic disdain. "The path must be walked." His lips curved into a slight smile. "Though that's hardly a problem for most of us mere mortals who never had the luxury of flight to begin with."

"A vampire calling himself a mere mortal," Mille said with disdain. "That's something new."

"Okay, you guys go ahead and complete your main objective," I told them. "You need to enter a cabin and survive an entire revolution, right?"

"One revolution?" Constantin chuckled darkly. "That's only for those who took the Normal difficulty. It's three for Hard, and six for my Nightmare... Based on what I've learned, every cabin has its own challenge, which gets progressively harder with each revolution." He adjusted his collar thoughtfully. "The difficulty also scales based on the average power of those who enter. For this reason, it's actually wise to have some weaklings in your group."

"Why didn't you say so sooner?" I replied. "Perhaps you should join those weak users from before."

"What about you?" Mille asked, her stern expression revealing a hint of concern. "You don't need to ride the wheel?"

"I have a special role and different objectives." I looked up at the massive structure. "See you later, perhaps."

Mille touched the cross at her neck, her Virtues flaring briefly. "His Holiness assigned me to assist you. How am I supposed to do that if you leave?"

"By completing your own task first," I replied. "Besides, I doubt you could help much with maintenance work." I patted the tool in my pocket. "Focus on surviving your cabin ride. We can meet up after—assuming you make it through."

"Don't underestimate me," she said, but there was no real anger in her voice. "Just remember—if you die doing something stupid, I'll have to explain it to His Holiness."

"Then I'd better not die." I gave her a mock salute before turning away. "Good luck with your ride. Try not to kill too many vampires while I'm gone."

Constantin and his group wisely pretended not to hear that last part. I waved at them with a smile and took off into the air under their impressed gaze.

Most beings, even at Tier 5 and with a Supreme Element, would be unable to fly under such conditions. But I hadn't made gravity my bitch just to let it hold me back now. The pressure was intense—starting at 10,000 pounds and doubling every ten feet. Perhaps Mille could have flown higher if she'd been prepared for it rather than caught off guard.

As for me, even as the pressure grew exponentially, I managed to counter it with my own Gravity Mana. Though I had to admit, by 100 feet, it was getting ridiculous. I would need to rise about a mile above ground, and if the pressure kept increasing exponentially, I'd run out of Mana before reaching my goal.

Just as I was calculating how much power I'd need, the anti-flight magic showed its limits—the pressure plateaued at around 1 million pounds.

"Managing this gravity is exhausting," I muttered as I fought against the immense pressure, "but at this pace, I should still have more than half my energy left when we reach our destination."

"So this is your home world?" the sword's aristocratic voice dripped with disappointment. "I expected something more peaceful and carefree based on your endless reminiscing."

"Well, as you can see, I've returned to find myself in an entirely new shit show."

"You seem strangely eager despite the circumstances," the sword observed, clearly enjoying his freedom to speak again.

"Because I finally found what's truly important," I said, adjusting my course to compensate for another wave of pressure. "And I won't let anything stop me from protecting it."

"Still as cryptic as ever," the sword said. "Though I must admit, it's refreshing to be out in the open air again, instead of stuffed inside your core like some common trinket."

"I wanted to take you out... under different circumstances. Not to fight, but to, let's say, use you as a family heirloom or something. You can't feel the passage of time inside the core anyway."

"Here we go," I said as I finally reached the location where our dots nearly overlapped on the map. The Ferris wheel's skeletal frame stretched skyward like a mechanical titan's ribcage, its support beams thick as redwoods and decorated with shifting patterns. The structure hummed with barely contained power, massive gears grinding with a sound like a giant's heartbeat.

[You've found one of the malfunctioning cabins. Use the Universal Maintenance Tool to fix it.]

The cabin was a Victorian mansion in miniature, with ornate trim and decorative spires that had no business being on a Ferris wheel car. Mirrored windows wrapped around in elegant arches, each pane reflecting the bright sky while concealing the interior. Its shell was forged from some strange alloy, the surface rippling with iridescence like oil on water.

Every minute spent fighting the anti-flight barrier drained my Mana faster than even this Aether-rich environment could replenish. Time wasn't on my side. I needed to get inside and finally reunite with Leah—or whoever my quarry turned out to be if my guess proved wrong.

"If everything goes smoothly, we'll probably meet my sister soon enough," I told the sword.

"Oh?" The weapon couldn't hide the excitement in his voice. "Is she hot?"

"If you hit on my sister, I'll wash you in the toilet," I threatened. "Besides, she's married."

"Bummer."

"Well, you could always try your charms on that lovely nun," I suggested with a smirk.

"Oh no," the sword's aristocratic tone dripped with disdain. "She's far too severe for my tastes. I prefer my women cheerful and cute, not walking monuments to perpetual disapproval."

"To each their own," I shrugged as I scanned the cabin with my Mana Sense.

The cabin swayed with an unnatural rhythm that didn't match the wheel's rotation, lurching at irregular intervals like a wounded animal trying to shake off a predator. Each swing sent vibrations through the support beams that made my teeth ache.

I moved to the roof and pulled out the maintenance tool. It transformed into an enormous screwdriver with a crystalline core that pulsed in sync with the wheel's rhythm, perfectly sized for the gigantic bolts anchoring the cabin to its frame. Each bolt was decorated with the same shifting patterns as the wheel itself.

Even with my strength, turning them required real effort. The metal resisted both physically and metaphysically, as if the concept of rotation itself were being contested. I had to channel Mana through the tool, sending cascading ripples of energy through the cabin's frame with each turn.

Finally, the unnatural swaying ceased, and the structure settled into rhythm with the wheel's rotation. But the System didn't notify me of completing the repair. Something else needed fixing inside.

I couldn't scout the interior with my Mana Sense or hear any sounds—the cabin's walls seemed to absorb sound itself. At the ornate double doors, I found a lock of baroque complexity, with golden gears and crystalline components arranged in patterns that hurt my eyes. Or at least it tried, not very successfully.

I inserted the maintenance tool into what I hoped was a keyhole. It shuddered and transformed into what looked like a skeleton key from a giant's fever dream—all twisted spires and impossible angles that somehow felt exactly right for this lock.

"Well, a maintenance guy should be able to enter the cabins, right?" I pondered aloud.

"I'm just glad you don't have to use me as a lockpick," the sword muttered. "That incident with the Duke of Pride's treasury was quite enough."

What happened next wasn't quite what I'd expected. The moment I turned the key, Space Element energy surged around me, pulling me inside. I could have resisted with my Gravity Mana, but I knew this was part of the attraction's mechanics. In an instant, I found myself within.

The cabin's interior defied its external dimensions—I stood in what appeared to be a vast ballroom. The mirrors that had been opaque from the outside were perfectly transparent from this side, offering breathtaking views of the carnival landscape below. But what caught my attention wasn't the impossible architecture or the panoramic vista.

Congratulations, you've found one more of your geese, bad and murdery Mama Goose! Make sure to take care of her. Not the same way you did with five others! (6/9)

Among the five people inside the cabin, I immediately spotted the one I'd come to save. And currently, she was locked in a passionate embrace with a towering, muscle-bound orc.

I'd prepared myself for many scenarios, but this... this wasn't one of them.