In "Destiny," a character's potential determines their ultimate strength ceiling.

Comparing the six-pointed potential stars usually reveals a character's worth.

But... this is just a simplistic method—not always accurate.

A character's Traits matter just as much.

Take Derek Wudewen, for example. Even if his potential star ratings were slashed (hypothetically), his Trait "Witch's Favor" maxes out his Dark Affinity. That alone makes him a top-tier character.

Thus, besides high-potential characters, "Destiny" has another category: those beloved for their unique Traits.

"Gold Digger" Sophia is one such case.

Sophia’s stats: Strength 6, Agility 6, Magic 8, Stamina 6, Spirit 8, Defense 6. Total 40. Her potential rating? Only R.

Yet her Trait is extraordinary:

**"The Occasionally Tilted Scales:** The host deeply understands equivalent exchange and possesses immense talent for alchemy. But these scales sometimes tilt—swaying probability in the host’s favor or toward their desires."

Alchemy here covers many crafts, including potion-making. But potions demand more than recipes—they require skill and quality materials, both affecting success rates.

With "The Occasionally Tilted Scales," Sophia would dominate alchemy, destined to become a master alchemist.

So why call her a "Gold Digger"?

Blame "Destiny’s" core gameplay—it’s R18 at heart.

To romance a girl, players must grind affection *and* make her the team’s main fighter until the finale.

Sophia’s alchemist sprite was stunning: beautiful face, voluptuous figure, radiating mature charm. Her half-lidded, emerald-green eyes oozed temptation, fueling male players’ desire to conquer.

Many chose to pursue her.

But Sophia’s stats grew poorly. In combat teams, she struggled during tough battles.

To compensate, players optimized her class.

Alchemists fight with consumable items. Adding Sophia meant burning gold nonstop.

Without grinding endlessly for coins, you couldn’t afford her.

Thus, "Gold Digger" Sophia was born.

...

Derek never expected to find Sophia in the slave section of the auction house. He recalled her backstory: adopted daughter of a persecuted apothecary in the capital. How did she become a gambler’s daughter now?

Wait—*adopted* daughter?

Would an apothecary buy and raise her later?

Whatever. Derek had decided to claim her.

Unlike Teresia—the irreplaceable main healer—Sophia wasn’t essential to the protagonist’s party. Stealing her might even ease the hero team’s financial strain.

Raise her well, and this alchemist girl would make him rich.

Perfect timing too—he’d just acquired *Hohenheim’s Alchemical Notebook*.

High costs for training an alchemist?

Heh. Money was no issue. His father was Duke Wudewen. Just fleece the old man.

Unfilial?

So what?

That father wasn’t meant to be honored—he was meant for patricide. Regularly fleecing him was practically *healthy*.

Derek would buy Sophia, mold her into his top "employee," and let her support him after world peace.

Sounded like keeping a mistress?

Prejudice. Pure bias against villains.

This was clearly *investment with returns*.

Others lusted after Sophia’s body, going broke to please her. He? He scorned such pettiness!

Suddenly, he felt a surge of righteousness.

But buying her raised a problem:

Where to keep her?

Filthy as she was, bringing her to the duke’s mansion risked his father burning her on sight for being "unclean."

Clean her up first? Sneak her in as a maid?

Too obvious. The only girl near Sophia’s age there was Teresia.

The duke would notice. Demand answers.

*"Training an alchemist?"*

Hearing that nonsense, the duke would slash his allowance.

Rent a hideout?

Discovery meant a worse death.

Ugh. No place to put her. Derek frowned.

After reincarnation, he had only one home: the villain’s lair.

No ordinary person could survive there. Even Teresia needed his covert protection.

...Teresia?

*And Kana!*

If the mansion was impossible, why not buy Sophia and stash her at Kana’s house?

Kana refused?

Too bad. He was Derek *Wudewen*. He’d force the issue.

"Polan, when will your guild sell these common slaves?"

"Probably after Friday’s auction. Interested, Young Master Derek?"

"That’s beyond your concern."

"My apologies. I’ll forget this conversation immediately."

Polan was sharp. He pledged silence at once.

"Good."

Derek turned to leave. He’d order Xinzel to buy Sophia tonight and dump her at Kana’s.

Xinzel’s sense of justice would make him agree to "rescue a slave."

Derek didn’t notice—just as he turned away, Sophia in the iron cage lowered her head again, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes.

...

Derek followed Manager Polan out.

Strange, though—Strega Auction House’s slave section had no beautiful older sisters.

Unthinkable. Pretty female slaves sold fast. Polan wasn’t foolish enough to miss that. Had he hidden them?

"Polan, your guild’s slaves look... unimpressive. Unacceptable for a major merchant house."

"Appearance?" Polan blinked, then grinned slyly. "Ah, Young Master misunderstands. Our best stock sells out fast—pre-booked by nobles. Next shipment? I’ll reserve choice picks for you. Or... deliver them personally to your mansion?"

Pre-booked?

So the pretty ones were already snapped up by elites?

No wonder Polan seemed bad at business—he was *too* good.

Personal delivery?

Convenient "free shipping."

But Derek recalled a critical issue: the duke’s mansion belonged to *Duke Wudewen*. Buying slaves required his approval.

The duke wouldn’t mind a "clean" beauty slave... but what if he "signed for and tested" her himself?

*Shhk.*

The chilling mental image made Derek suck in a sharp breath.

Patricide wasn’t just practical—it was urgent.