Not sure if it's an Inazuman cultural thing, but people here really love making you wait three days.
On the morning of the second day after leaving the Grand Narukami Shrine, Lumine and Paimon had already set out for adventure at dawn, leaving Shao Yun bored out of his mind—so bored he felt like he might get sick from it. Eventually, he decided to head to the Adventurers' Guild for some entertainment.
He went alone to the reception counter, where he started chatting with the receptionist, Katheryne.
The two of them talked away the whole morning. From Inazuma's customs to the quirks of the Adventurers' Guild, there was nothing off-limits.
However, come noon, Katheryne was beginning to regret it. Shao Yun was far too talkative, showing no signs of stopping.
As she pulled two commission slips from the drawer, she suggested, "Mr. Tacitus Kilgore, how about this—I have two rather good commissions available. Perhaps you'd like to take a look?"
Shao Yun eyed the papers she handed him and said with mild annoyance, "Hey now, I just came here to chat, and it's only been a short while. No need to be so dismissive."
You've been here since morning! Katheryne screamed in her heart. How is that a "short while"? Don't I have other things to do?!
Still, she kept her polite smile and explained, "You misunderstand me. It's my job to assist adventurers however I can so they can proceed with their journeys…"
"And rather than wasting time chatting, why not make some Mora in the meantime? These two commissions are quite fun—you might enjoy them."
Earning money and killing time in a fun way? That piqued Shao Yun's interest. He nodded. "Alright then. What are the commissions?"
Katheryne looked over the slips and explained, "The first is from the novelist 'Junkichi' of Yae Publishing House. He's looking for a foreigner skilled in using a Fontaine-style musket."
"As for the second one, the client is none other than the 'Sumo Demon King Itto' of Hanamizaka. He needs a few spectators to cheer him on during a match to boost the atmosphere."
Sumo Demon King Itto? That title was so on brand for Arataki Itto—it screamed his personality.
Wait a sec… that name "Junkichi" sounded awfully familiar. Wasn't that the guy who wrote Onibudou? Why would he be looking for a musket-wielding foreigner?
Shao Yun pointed to the commission from Junkichi and raised a question. "Hold on. Isn't that the guy who wrote Onibudou? Is he pulling some new twist where the protagonist suddenly picks up a Fontaine musket?"
A vivid image popped into his mind—Onibudou's protagonist locked in fierce combat, suddenly pulling a gun from his hip. The sheer absurdity of it made him laugh.
It reminded him of the Sword Saint Clyret... no, wait—Isshin Ashina! The Ashina style!
The protagonist drawing a musket mid-fight and yelling, "Sir, the times have changed!" It was comedy gold.
Katheryne nodded slightly and confirmed, "Yes, Mr. Junkichi is indeed the author of Onibudou. But that novel hasn't been updated in a long time—word is it's been abandoned."
"Now he's working on a new series titled The Gunslinger Butcher from Fontaine."
Shao Yun's eyes widened. "Wait, that's his work too?"
The Prophet… was right under our noses all along?!
Katheryne nodded again and elaborated, "Correct. The first volume of The Gunslinger Butcher from Fontaine caused a huge sensation in Inazuma City."
"When the second volume dropped, sales skyrocketed, even surpassing the once-popular A Legend of Sword. It became the bestselling light novel in Inazuma, and Junkichi received a generous one million Mora prize from Yae Publishing."
Then her tone turned regretful. "Unfortunately, the third volume hasn't been released, which has upset many eager fans."
"Just yesterday, Mr. Junkichi came here looking completely worn out and posted this as an urgent commission."
Shao Yun was incredulous. That book? Seriously? It was so full of nonsense. The Knights of Favonius chasing "him" across Dragonspine? Come on. And it blew up?
Sometimes, real life truly is stranger than fiction.
He licked his lips slightly and asked with interest, "Alright. So, what are the rewards for each commission?"
Katheryne checked the slips again. "As for Junkichi's commission, he said the reward will be discussed in person. For Arataki Itto's, he's offering a discount coupon for Kitsune Ramen."
Shao Yun blinked. A ramen coupon? That was incredibly stingy.
Still, considering the job was just being a spectator, the reward was kind of fair.
But Shao Yun wasn't short on Mora. He grabbed Junkichi's commission slip.
"Alright, I'll go meet this prophet-novelist 'Junkichi' first. As for Itto's, I'll think about it."
Katheryne stored away Itto's slip and said, "Very well. I'll hold onto that one in case you change your mind. As for Junkichi, I believe he's at Yae Publishing in Hanamizaka."
Shao Yun tucked away the slip and said politely, "Thanks for the heads-up."
…
In front of Yae Publishing in Hanamizaka, a novelist with heavy dark circles under his eyes stood slouched, getting chewed out by his editor, Shigeru.
Shigeru waved the manuscript for Volume 3, Chapter 1 furiously, shouting, "Junkichi! What the hell is this garbage?! The protagonist commits horrific crimes in Liyue, gets carried to Tenshukaku by sixteen men, and gets welcomed by the Shogun?! If we publish this, the readers will drown Yae Publishing in hate mail!"
Junkichi bowed his head like a kid who'd just failed a test.
When Shigeru finally ran out of breath, Junkichi muttered meekly, "Editor-sama… I'm desperate too! I've got no ideas left! I saw the pageantry at the Commission and thought I'd fluff out the word count…"
Shigeru tugged at his hair in exasperation, took several deep breaths, and tried to stay calm.
"This series is wildly popular. Don't ruin it like you did with Onibudou! Readers will storm the office!"
Junkichi was red-faced with shame. "I already put out a commission—if I can find someone who actually uses a musket, maybe I can…"
Shigeru slapped his hands in frustration. "Finding a musket-user won't help if your story's garbage! Readers want plot, not gun stunts!"
Junkichi groaned, holding his face. "I'm stuck! The island's been locked down, I don't know what's happening with the foreigners anymore. Those musketeer types probably have hidden stories, but I don't have access. That's why I posted the commission yesterday!"
He was on the brink of collapse.
Shigeru sighed, seeing how desperate he was. "Alright, here's an idea: write a story where the island's destroyed, and the protagonist—being a foreigner—is discriminated against by the Kanjou Commission. So, he starts a killing spree, earns the support of merchants, and escapes to Narukami Island…"
Junkichi hesitated. "Editor-sama, I'm afraid the Tenryou Commission might really come knocking if I publish that!"
He could already hear them banging on his door: "Open up! Tenryou Commission!"
Shigeru, now at his wit's end, threw the manuscript on the floor. "Fine! If nothing works for you, then just don't write at all!"
Just as he was about to launch into another tirade, Shao Yun walked up with the commission slip.
"Excuse me, which of you is Mr. Junkichi?"
Junkichi eyed him cautiously, half-expecting an enraged fan here to deliver "justice." He asked warily, "May I ask what you need with him?"
Shao Yun held up the slip. "I took his commission, so…"
Before he could finish, Junkichi's eyes lit up. He grabbed Shao Yun's hands and exclaimed, "That's me! That's me! Do you use a musket?!"
Shao Yun nodded. "A bit."
Not as good as Landon Ricketts, though.
Junkichi looked like he might cry. He hugged Shao Yun tightly. "You're my savior!"
Shigeru, stunned, muttered, "Damn. There is a musket-wielding foreigner on Narukami Island…"
Shao Yun gently pushed the overexcited Junkichi away and asked calmly, "Alright, settle down and tell me what's going on."
Junkichi wiped his eyes, took a deep breath, and began explaining.
"I'm the author of the wildly popular light novel The Gunslinger Butcher from Fontaine. But I've hit a massive creative wall. I desperately need inspiration."
Shao Yun nodded. "So, what do you need me to do?"
Junkichi, a bit nervous, pointed outside the city. "Let's head out to the outskirts. I want to observe how you handle a musket to improve my descriptions."
Shao Yun gestured politely. "Lead the way."
Just as they were leaving, Shigeru shouted, "Junkichi! You better deliver that manuscript by the day after tomorrow!"
Junkichi turned and waved confidently. "Don't worry! I will!"