"Rock–paper–scissors is a game of luck.
Even if that thing is strange, there's no way I could lose every single round, right?"
Childe hurriedly reassured himself inwardly.
Then he shook his head hard, forcing those ominous thoughts out of his mind, and shouted:
"Let's go!"
The wager officially began!
However, reality proved that Childe's bad feeling had been completely correct.
Out of ten rounds—
He didn't win a single one.
"Wh… why is this happening?"
Childe sat frozen in his chair, staring blankly at his right hand.
It was supposed to be a luck-based game— so why couldn't he win even once?
This was way too absurd!
"Could it be… that my luck has just been terrible lately?"
Childe raised his head and stared at the ceiling, his eyes filled with confusion.
For him, losing the bet itself wasn't a big deal.
At worst, he'd lose a few hundred million Mora in the future.
What truly mattered was what this implied.
It meant—
His luck was awful.
Otherwise, how could he possibly fail to win even a single round?
"Wow… Childe's luck is really terrible."
Seeing the result, Paimon couldn't help but sigh.
This guy was ridiculously unlucky.
Not even one win…
Looks like they were going to leave empty-handed this time.
Thinking that, Paimon let out a few dissatisfied hums.
"I'm not bragging—if I were up there, I'd win at least two rounds even with my eyes closed!"
"You definitely wouldn't. There's something strange about the thing Zhongli is holding."
Lumine shook her head.
She didn't believe this was just bad luck.
From Zhongli's calm demeanor earlier, it was obvious he had full confidence.
That meant the object he took out was definitely suspicious.
"Huh? Is that so?"
Paimon scratched her head.
"Boss Han's items really are amazing…"
Zhongli smiled faintly to himself.
He had already tested this item back at the manga shop, so the result didn't surprise him at all.
But seeing Childe's utterly lost expression, Zhongli—rarely—felt a bit embarrassed.
Using Boss Han's item for a wager…
Wasn't this a little too unfair?
After thinking for a moment, Zhongli spoke up:
"The wager is over. However, if you feel dissatisfied, we can play another ten rounds.
Same rule—if you win even one round, you win."
As the Geo Archon, Zhongli valued contracts deeply.
He always honored them strictly.
But considering that this was admittedly rather one-sided, he decided to give Childe another chance.
Though the result would likely be the same…
"Alright! You said it yourself, Mr. Zhongli—no takebacks!"
Hearing this, Childe sprang up from his chair in excitement.
That last round must've just been bad luck!
This time would be different!
He, Tartaglia, absolutely refused to believe that he couldn't win even once!
With that thought, Childe's fighting spirit surged again.
However—
Fate has a way of repeating itself.
In the next ten rounds, Childe still didn't win a single one.
"E–Even now… I still lost…"
Staring at the outcome, Childe was completely dumbfounded.
He had never imagined that his luck could be this bad.
"I believe you now—there's definitely something wrong with that thing."
Paimon leaned over and whispered to Lumine.
Twenty rounds in a row without a single win—
That was way too abnormal.
Paimon's words jolted Childe awake.
He abruptly turned his gaze toward the item in Zhongli's hand.
"Mr. Zhongli—what exactly is that thing?!"
"A Rock–Paper–Scissors Box.
As long as you hold this box while playing rock–paper–scissors, a giant hand will jump out of it.
No matter what gesture it shows, it will always win."
Zhongli didn't hide anything.
After a brief pause, he added:
"Yes. It's a reward obtained from Boss Han's shop."
"So that's how it is!"
Lumine and Paimon immediately understood.
No wonder Zhongli could win twenty rounds in a row without breaking a sweat.
Turns out it was another item from the manga shop.
In that case—
Everything made sense.
"From Boss Han's shop…?!"
Childe's mouth twitched violently.
No wonder he couldn't win no matter what he threw.
He'd even been blaming himself earlier, thinking his luck was terrible.
Turns out the other side was straight-up cheating.
"Mr. Zhongli… I really fell into your trap."
After a long while, Childe let out a helpless sigh.
"I never said external tools were forbidden."
Zhongli smiled lightly.
"The wager is now officially concluded. The contract has been formed.
Those who break it shall suffer the Wrath of the Rock."
"Don't worry. I'm not someone who goes back on my word."
Though he felt depressed, Childe didn't object.
As Zhongli's friend, he knew his character well.
The fact that Zhongli even offered him ten extra chances was already an exception.
Even if he did cheat.
Thinking about it, Childe couldn't help feeling speechless.
The Zhongli he once knew—proper, courteous, and rule-abiding—
Had definitely changed.
He was even setting traps now.
Who taught him that?
"Lumine… Childe lost. Looks like if we want to see the Exuvia, we'll have to find another way."
Paimon sighed helplessly.
"That's all we can do."
Lumine nodded with a sigh as well.
"Exuvia?"
Hearing that term, Zhongli looked at the three of them thoughtfully.
After a brief pause, he spoke to Lumine and Paimon:
"Since you were brought here by Childe, I will help you."
"Eh?! Really?!"
Paimon's face instantly lit up with joy.
She hadn't expected things to work out even after Childe lost.
"Naturally."
Zhongli nodded.
Since he had already stepped off the stage, a grand commemorative ceremony wouldn't be such a bad thing.
"Hehehe, Mr. Zhongli really is a good guy!"
Childe had been feeling gloomy, but upon hearing this, his mood instantly improved.
With a grand wave of his hand, he shouted:
"Waiter! Bring out more dishes—today's expenses are all on me, Tartaglia!"
"Then… that would be excellent."
Zhongli paused briefly, then smiled and nodded.
Since someone else was paying, there was no reason to be polite.
Solace Book House
Since Avengers only covered the plot of a single movie, the manga content was quite short.
Ganyu finished reading it very quickly.
The stylish Iron Man.
The incredibly powerful Hulk.
And the other heroes—
Each of them left a deep impression on her.
Especially the final battle between the Avengers and the alien army—
It was immensely satisfying to watch.
In her opinion, while it didn't reach the level of divine clashes like Journey to the West, it was still incredibly exciting.
"I wonder what kind of reward I'll get?"
Thinking of that, anticipation quietly rose in Ganyu's heart.
—------------------------------
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