Seeing the expectant look on Venti's face, Diluc felt the urge to throw a punch.
Who said I wanted to hold a concert?
And besides—
You're the dignified Anemo Archon! Can't you do something proper for once?
But with so many people around, he swallowed the words back down.
"Better stick to being a bard. You've got a future in it."
Diluc sighed.
"Ehe~ I think so too."
Venti grinned, clearly very pleased with his own role.
"But if you really do hold a concert, you have to invite me!"
Venti reminded him again before turning to leave.
Diluc pressed his lips shut and ignored him.
"Yo, I heard my dear brother is going to hold a concert? I'll definitely come cheer you on!"
Kaeya strolled over with a teasing smile.
He didn't recognize the instruments at Diluc's feet, but he had overheard Venti earlier.
If Diluc really did start dabbling in music, that would be entertaining beyond belief.
He had to borrow that thing Paimon called a "video camera."
Not filming it would be a crime.
Diluc's expression darkened further when Kaeya chimed in.
"Worry about yourself. If you end up with some useless reward—say, a timed-use item—you'll have no one to laugh at but yourself."
Diluc said coldly.
"You don't need to worry about that. My luck's always been good. At the very least I should get a fruit or something."
Kaeya replied confidently.
Of course, if it happened to be an Ice-Ice Fruit, that would be even better—
perfectly suited to his abilities.
Han Feng's curiosity was piqued.
Could he really end up drawing the Ice-Ice Fruit?
Just then, the system message refreshed.
[Customer Kaeya has finished reading One Piece – East Blue Arc, and has received the reward: Face Fruit]
[Face Fruit: Shanks' exclusive ability, allowing the user to make any living being (including weather, the sea, etc.) give them face.
Activation phrase: Would you kindly give me some face?]
[Note: After using this ability, the target will seriously weigh the pros and cons. In most cases, they will give face and make concessions. However, if the target absolutely refuses, they will suffer backlash of varying severity—severe cases may even result in death!]
"These two brothers' rewards are getting stranger and stranger…"
Han Feng chuckled in surprise.
He knew the Face Fruit well.
It wasn't an actual Devil Fruit—
In the world of One Piece, it didn't exist.
It was a joke among fans from his past life, a way of poking fun at how Shanks always seemed to solve impossible problems with sheer "face."
Because in the pirate world, Red-Hair's strength and charisma meant people just had to sell him face.
Even Marine Headquarters had to.
Even sea beasts did!
Come to think of it, this reward would actually fit Diluc better.
Same red hair.
Same overwhelming strength.
And he was Mondstadt's richest man.
But perhaps exactly because of that, Diluc didn't need the Face Fruit.
He was face itself.
Buzz—
A brilliant light enveloped Kaeya.
Moments later, the glow faded, and Kaeya opened his eyes with a strange look.
Clearly, he now understood what he had gained.
"Boss, isn't this reward a little too absurd?"
Kaeya muttered.
"What reward?"
Diluc perked up at his words.
"The Face Fruit. Lets Kaeya make any living being—yes, even weather and the sea—give him face.
Activation phrase: Would you kindly give me some face?"
Han Feng explained with a smile.
"That really is a bizarre reward. Does it even work?"
Diluc frowned skeptically.
"Probably?"
Kaeya looked hesitant.
It might work, it might not.
Whether people gave him face still depended on his own standing.
But then again… if it could actually sway the weather or the ocean, that would be terrifyingly useful.
"Let me test it out."
Kaeya's eyes lit up.
He scanned the room and quickly found a target.
Han Feng and Diluc looked on curiously.
Kaeya walked up to an Electro Cicin Mage.
"Miss, could I borrow that copy of Cooking Master Boy you're holding?"
"No."
The mage refused flatly.
Before coming, "The Lady" had already told them—
The manga shop owner was extremely powerful and mysterious.
As long as they didn't cause trouble inside, nobody would touch them.
With that assurance, the mage felt bold enough to reject him outright.
But instead of looking disappointed, Kaeya smiled.
He spoke again:
"Miss, would you kindly give me some face, and let me read the manga in your hand?"
This time, the mage didn't refuse instantly.
She hesitated.
He's the cavalry captain of the Knights of Favonius. Should I give him face?
I could refuse. The Lady is nearby—he wouldn't dare lay a hand on me.
But… he just came from the shop owner's counter.
Was this the owner's request?
The thought made her panic.
She wasn't afraid of Kaeya, but the owner terrified her.
So she quickly nodded.
"Alright, you can read it. Just give it back later."
"Thank you. But I don't actually need it."
Kaeya chuckled and walked away, leaving her dumbfounded.
What was that supposed to mean?
He didn't want it after all?
Did I agree too slowly and offend him?
If the owner's displeased, what will I do?
The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became—
to the point she could no longer enjoy the manga.
"Seems your ability is actually pretty useful."
Diluc admitted.
Indeed, against strong-willed, powerful individuals like them, it might not do much.
But to those at the bottom?
It was a terrifying weapon.
Kaeya thought the same.
It would make his dealings with Mondstadt's underworld far easier,
and invaluable for intelligence gathering.
He looked at Han Feng gratefully.
"Boss, thank you for this reward."
"No need. It's a fair trade. It's all up to your luck."
Han Feng said with a smile.
He had also witnessed the scene just now.
To him, Kaeya's Would you kindly give me some face? carried the same mysterious charm as Shen Gongbao's "Daoist friend, please stay."
Both could yield unexpected results.
Hearing the word "luck," Diluc's face immediately darkened again.
So I'm the unlucky one, is that it?
Without another word, he said his farewells and turned to leave.
"Dear brother, you left your reward behind…"
Kaeya "kindly" reminded him.
(*￣︿￣)
Diluc froze mid-step.
Then, stone-faced, he turned back, picked up the instruments, and walked out without a word to Kaeya.
"Haha, boss, I'll be off too. See you tomorrow!"
Kaeya laughed and followed.
"What a strange pair of brothers."
Han Feng sighed, then glanced at Venti, who was sprawled lazily on the sofa.
"One Piece – East Blue Arc is free now. Want to read it?"
"Huh? It's available?"
Venti sprang upright, his eyes lighting up.
He'd been longing for that manga ever since Diluc drew that orange fruit reward.
"Mhm. On the shelf."
Han Feng nodded.
"Great!"
Venti rushed to grab it, then flopped back onto the sofa like a salted fish.
Han Feng shook his head and left him be, turning instead to check his system panel.
[Host: Han Feng]
[Manga: One Piece – East Blue Arc, Cardcaptor Sakura, Digimon Adventure Season 1, Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Cooking Master Boy, Cautious Hero: The Hero is Overpowered but Overly Cautious, Detective Conan]
[Task 1: Receive 10 customers to unlock one random manga. Progress: 7/10. Current unlocks: 0]
[Task 2: Receive 100 customers in total to earn a special reward. Progress: 14/100]
"Almost there. Just three more, and I can draw a new manga."
Han Feng thought excitedly.
Just then, the bell over the door chimed.
Two more guests entered.
"Finally! If we had to search another hour or two, it'd already be noon."
"Boss, we'd like to read some manga."
"100,000 Mora each. One time per day."
Han Feng replied.
The pair nodded, paid 200,000 Mora, and eagerly grabbed some books.
"That leaves just one more!"
Han Feng smiled faintly.
Their words also reminded him of the time.
It was nearly noon already.
"I wonder how Lumine and the others are doing. Have they found the shop yet?"
Han Feng murmured softly.
~~--------------------------------------
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