I Pieced Together a Partner by Collecting Shards

Also known as: Love Can Overcome Long Distance with Money

Soulmate is a new mobile game for women, combining collection, character development, combat, and romance in a supernatural setting. Players take on the role of exorcists, collecting and training various ghost spirits through gacha pulls before sending them into battle. Casual players can even raise ghost spirits as virtual lovers. Pei Lan downloaded the game because the character art was to his taste.

A friend asked Pei Lan which ghost spirit he liked best. Pei Lan thought for a moment. "My first love is the Ghost King, I guess."

His friend said, "I just pulled the Evil Taoist merch gift pack. You know he's not my type, so I was going to give it to you. But if you like the Ghost King, never mind."

Pei Lan replied sincerely, "No, my first love is my first love, but I like all the handsome ones."

That night, the game on Pei Lan's phone seemed to have bugged out. Not only had every ghost spirit he'd pulled turned gray, but no one was saying a word in the world chat.

A System voice rang out: "Lucky player, congratulations! You've received access to the secret beta version of Soulmate. Now choose the main story route: romance or combat?"

Pei Lan: "...Combat?"

Announcement: "On the combat route, players must defeat the ghost spirits they pull before collecting them through contracts. Your real-world health bar has been linked to your in-game health bar. If it reaches zero, the game is over. Are you sure you want to start the combat route?"

Pei Lan: "What happens if I lose the game?"

Announcement: "Confirmation countdown for the combat route: 10."

Announcement: "9."

Announcement: "3."

Pei Lan: "Wait! What about the romance route?"

Announcement: "Romance route selected successfully."

Pei Lan: ? You didn't even confirm with me. I think you're trying to scam me.

Announcement: "On the romance route, players must first choose a target ghost spirit. After pulling it, raise its affection level. Collect the contract when the ghost spirit seals it with a true love's kiss."

Pei Lan: "Did you copy Sleeping Beauty?"

Announcement: "Selecting target ghost spirit... Player preference detected. Target: the complete collection."

?

Pei Lan: "How did it become the complete collection? Didn't you say I could choose one?!!!"

The announcement began playing what Pei Lan had said to his friend earlier that day: "I like all the handsome ones."

Pei Lan: ...This is so damn ridiculous.

Announcement: "Please make your first gacha pull before the countdown ends, or the game will be considered a failure: execution."

Pei Lan: ??????????

With a heavy heart, Pei Lan pressed the gacha button. A golden light flashed.

Announcement: Congratulations! You pulled the SSR ghost spirit [Ghost King: Body].

Announcement: Due to the Ghost King's special nature, you must also pull [Ghost King: Soul] before you can form a contract with him.

Pei Lan: What's the pity count?

Announcement: Sorry, the beta version doesn't have a pity system yet.

Pei Lan: Then look at my account history. My complete collection is all thanks to spending money to hit pity. What makes you so sure I can pull another SSR?

Later, Pei Lan noticed that one particular Ghost King fragment in his collection got especially excited every time the Evil Taoist appeared. He quietly asked, "Are you a couple with the Evil Taoist? I can ship you two a little, since I do like your looks."

A certain fragment: !!!!! (even more excited)

The Evil Taoist: trembling in fear

Pei Lan: A notorious unlucky puller

A SSR from the start

Then ten-pulls full of Ns

A certain Ghost King: anxiously waiting to be put back together...

A broke bottom with nothing but money and good looks - a shattered top (literally shattered) desperately hoping the bottom will pull him

[Synopsis written on 2022.8.5 and screenshotted]

Theme: Play fewer games and study more