"Phew! In that case, I think I'll pass!"
Upon hearing Han Feng's explanation, Venti immediately waved his hands in refusal.
Although the boss hadn't explicitly said it, he understood perfectly well — if someone failed to repay the rune's debt, the rune would first forcibly seize everything on the debtor's body to make up the amount.
If that still wasn't enough... then it would start taking other things.
Like, say — your life, your time, or your power.
And Venti had zero doubt that such a thing could happen.
Because this was a reward from Han Feng's manga shop — absolutely not something to take lightly!
"Good thing I can read manga here for free,"
Venti thought with relief, "Otherwise, I might've actually been tempted by this thing!"
After all, most of his income came from performing songs and storytelling, which wasn't exactly stable — and considering how often he spent money on wine… there was no way he could afford to pay for manga every day.
If he really got that rune, he might have ended up borrowing recklessly.
And knowing his spending habits, he'd never be able to pay it off.
"Thank you, Boss Han! I'll work hard as a temp so I can keep reading for free!"
He silently vowed to himself.
But Zhongli, on the other hand, saw things differently.
To him, the Rune of the Future Market — despite its terrifying downside — could still be considered a useful tool in desperate times.
For some people, when they truly ran out of Mora, this kind of thing could serve as a last resort.
It was a double-edged sword.
"You're not actually thinking of using it, are you?"
Venti eyed him suspiciously, seeing that familiar glint of curiosity in his old friend's eyes.
"I'll just keep it for emergencies."
Zhongli replied calmly.
He'd often found himself buying things without bringing money — then simply having the bill sent to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor or Northland Bank.
In a way, this rune worked almost the same.
Use first, pay later.
"Ahh… poor Hu Tao and Childe,"
Han Feng sighed inwardly.
He could already picture what Zhongli planned to do — use the rune freely, then make Hu Tao or Tartaglia foot the bill afterward.
They weren't just going to cover the purchase, they'd probably have to pay interest too.
Han Feng bowed his head slightly in silent sympathy for them both.
"Boss Han, what about my reward?
Is there a chance it's that Gourmet Tablecloth thing?"
Venti asked eagerly.
His excitement mirrored Paimon's reaction after finishing Doraemon.
One dreamed of endless food, the other dreamed of endless booze — both were helplessly drawn to the idea of a tablecloth that could conjure meals.
Han Feng glanced at the system, and the screen refreshed:
[Customer: Venti]
[Manga Completed: "Doraemon"]
[Reward: The Umbrella That Makes It Rain]
[Description: An umbrella that causes it to rain the moment it's opened.]
A beam of colorful light descended from above, enveloping Venti completely.
When it faded, a black umbrella appeared in his hands.
"Boss Han… my reward is an umbrella?"
Venti looked down at it, clearly disappointed.
He had been hoping for the Gourmet Tablecloth, after all.
"This isn't an ordinary umbrella,"
Han Feng said mysteriously.
"Oh? Don't tell me it can turn into food or something?"
Venti perked up again, curiosity rekindled.
He didn't remember every gadget from Doraemon — there were too many!
So he hadn't yet made the connection.
"No," Han Feng shook his head.
"It's an umbrella that makes it rain the moment you open it."
"(⊙_⊙)"
Venti blinked blankly.
He looked at Han Feng, then at the black umbrella in his hands.
For a long moment, he was completely speechless.
"Well, from a logical perspective," Zhongli said seriously, "an umbrella that causes rain when opened is indeed no ordinary umbrella."
"…"
Venti had no words.
That's not a good thing!
"Boss Han, this umbrella seems… kinda useless?"
If it were just a normal one, at least he could use it in the rain.
But this one literally creates rain whenever opened — wouldn't that just soak him on the spot?
What was even the point?!
"Think of it as a water-supply tool,"
Han Feng explained with a grin.
"If you're ever stranded on a deserted island, this thing could save your life."
In the Doraemon manga, Nobita had once been stranded on an island for ten years, and it was this very umbrella that had kept him alive by providing fresh water.
A seemingly useless tool — but in the right hands, incredibly valuable.
"Boss Han's point is valid," Zhongli nodded approvingly.
"From a rational perspective, such an umbrella would indeed ensure a constant water supply."
"(⊙_⊙)"
Venti's expression twitched.
Have you two forgotten that I'm the Anemo Archon?
Even if I were stranded on an island, I could just fly away!
And worst case, I still have Dvalin!
"You want it?"
Venti said, noticing the slight gleam of interest in Zhongli's eyes.
"If you do, I'll give it to you."
It wasn't a bound item, after all, so he didn't mind passing it along.
"Are you sure?" Zhongli asked with a raised brow.
While his earlier comment had been half in jest, the umbrella actually was useful — essentially a portable, infinite water generator.
It could even be valuable for Liyue's agriculture.
(Though he didn't yet know that Ganyu's secretary had already received a similar rain-making tool.)
"Yeah, I'm sure. It's yours."
Venti said decisively.
There was no way he was keeping it.
"Very well. I'll hold onto it, then.
If you ever need it later, you can take it back."
Zhongli accepted it graciously — after all, they were old friends.
Gift-giving between them was perfectly natural.
Still, friendship should go both ways.
So Zhongli decided he should offer something in return.
"By the way, if you ever need Mora, you can come to me.
I'll lend you the Future Market Rune."
He said it sincerely, thinking it might help his old friend.
"Ahem— that won't be necessary! I'm doing just fine as I am!"
Venti coughed awkwardly and waved him off immediately.
Sure, using it might feel great at first.. but when it came time to repay the debt?
He'd rather not risk his life — or his liver.
—------------------------------
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