Solace Book House.
Tartaglia had no idea that Signora had already returned to Snezhnaya to attend the gathering of the Fatui Harbingers.
Even if he had known, he wouldn't have cared.
As a pure warrior, he had never liked associating with those people who were fond of schemes and intrigue.
So this arrangement suited him just fine.
"This dream theft is really interesting. I never knew there could be such an incredible ability!"
A moment later, Tartaglia closed the manga, his face full of amazement.
To actually enter someone else's dream,
then alter their thoughts—while making the person themselves feel no sense of abnormality, believing that the resulting decision was entirely their own...
That ability was simply unbelievable!
"If I had an ability like this, wouldn't obtaining the Gnosis be incredibly easy?"
A thought suddenly flashed through Tartaglia's mind.
Under normal circumstances, it would be extremely difficult for him to obtain the Geo Archon's Gnosis.
But if he could infiltrate the Geo Archon's dream, then, like Cobb in the manga, alter his consciousness...perhaps he could make the other party willingly hand over the Gnosis.
The idea was excellent.
But there were two major problems.
The first was that he didn't know who the Geo Archon actually was!
Originally, Tartaglia had known.
In fact, after learning that the Geo Archon was the Zhongli he admired, he had already given up on trying to obtain the Gnosis.
But because the Forget-Worry Gu had temporarily erased his memories,
he had once again started thinking about it.
The second problem was that, as a god, the Geo Archon probably didn't dream very often.
And even if he did dream, the dream would likely be incredibly complicated.
Even if Tartaglia possessed the ability to enter dreams, he might end up trapped inside.
If that happened, things would become troublesome.
Tartaglia knew all too well what had happened to the protagonists in the manga.
For him, the first problem was easy enough to solve.
Once he returned, he could use the Northland Bank's resources to investigate.
He would probably be able to uncover some clues.
The real issue was the second one.
How could he successfully implant an idea while making sure he himself could escape unharmed?
"Maybe I should go ask Mr. Zhongli about it later?"
Tartaglia rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Actually, in his opinion, the best solution would be to ask Boss Han.
But if Boss Han possessed such abilities, he obviously wouldn't stoop to using them.
So Zhongli was the most suitable person.
He was the most knowledgeable and well-read person Tartaglia had ever met.
Perhaps he could give him some useful advice.
As for whether Zhongli might refuse...
Tartaglia wasn't worried about that at all!
Sorry!
Either help me,
or pay me back!
Sending the bill was satisfying for a while, but helping pay it back was going to be hell!
"Wait!"
"I don't even have this ability yet. Isn't it a little early to be thinking about all this?"
Realizing this, Tartaglia couldn't help laughing bitterly.
Wasn't he just like those guys who saw a beautiful girl and immediately started thinking about what to name their future children?
"Phew!"
Tartaglia let out a long breath before taking the manga and walking toward the counter.
He remembered Boss Han saying that this was where he was supposed to go to receive his reward.
Seeing Tartaglia approach, Han Feng looked toward the system panel.
The information had already refreshed.
[Customer Tartaglia has finished reading Inception, receiving the reward—Dream Theft.]
[Dream Theft: Allows the user to infiltrate another person's dreams, steal their secrets, or implant ideas.]
[Note: The effectiveness of this ability depends on the mental strength of the chosen target!]
"So we're actually going to have a Teyvat version of Inception?"
A smile flashed across Han Feng's eyes.
He had already anticipated it when he drew the manga.
But actually seeing the reward still left him somewhat amazed.
Watching all sorts of things from his previous life appear in Teyvat really was an unusual experience.
"I wonder whose dreams this guy will try to steal with this ability?"
Han Feng couldn't help feeling curious.
Buzz—
A dazzling light descended from above and enveloped Tartaglia.
Tartaglia sensed a stream of information surging into his mind, so he closed his eyes and quietly absorbed it.
A moment later, the light faded.
"So I really did get Dream Theft?"
After a long while, Tartaglia opened his eyes, his face filled with pleasant surprise.
He had literally just been thinking about this reward!
"That's right."
"Just like Cobb in the manga, you can enter another person's consciousness, steal their secrets, or implant ideas."
"But the effectiveness of Dream Theft depends on the mental strength of your target."
Han Feng smiled and explained.
He wasn't particularly surprised by this reward.
It was an Inception manga, after all.
Getting an ability related to dream infiltration was perfectly normal.
"As expected."
Tartaglia fell into thought.
He wasn't surprised by this limitation either.
The manga had already demonstrated it quite clearly.
So although the ability was incredible,
he would have to plan carefully.
He absolutely couldn't act rashly.
First, he needed to set himself a small goal.
For example, prepare a spinning-top totem in advance!
Tartaglia didn't want to reach a point where he could no longer tell whether he was in reality or in a dream.
That feeling would probably be even more terrifying than death itself!
"Hmm?"
"Boss, where did Signora go? Has she already left?"
After gathering his thoughts, Tartaglia looked around the shop and only then noticed that Signora was gone.
"Yeah. She went back to Snezhnaya."
Han Feng didn't hide it from him.
"I see."
Tartaglia nodded.
In his current amnesiac state, he didn't have much of a reaction to Signora's departure.
"Boss, then I'll be leaving too."
After saying goodbye to Han Feng, Tartaglia also left the manga shop.
He had quite a few things to deal with himself and needed to hurry back.
Not long after Tartaglia left,
Diona had also finished reading her manga.
She then rested her chin in her hands and sat there staring blankly into space.
"What?"
"Didn't you like the manga?"
Seeing Diona's expression, Han Feng took a sip of tea and asked with a smile.
"The story was pretty interesting."
"I was just curious!"
"Why is Tom so incredibly powerful, yet he can never catch that mouse?"
Diona looked genuinely puzzled.
If Tom had simply been a stupid cat, that would be one thing!
But Tom was proficient with everything from piano playing to bombs and weapons!
He even possessed all sorts of bizarre abilities, such as liquefying and transforming his body!
And yet, despite all that, he still let that mouse escape every single time—and would often end up getting played by it instead.
As a fellow member of the feline race, Diona found this outcome rather difficult to accept.
—------------------------------
Pat reon Advance Chapters: patreon.com/YonkoSlayer