"So there are attacks like this too?"
Keqing was completely stunned by Misaka Mikoto's stylish strike.
Compared to her own… "chopping beef tripe"— no, compared to her own simple sword techniques, this kind of attack had both range and power advantages.
Even though her Electro element was different from Misaka's electromagnetism…
She still felt she learned a lot.
"But who exactly is this girl? She looks much stronger than Shirai Kuroko."
Keqing wondered.
"Indeed! She is one of the seven Level 5 espers who stand above Academy City's 2.3 million students—ranked No. 3: the Railgun, Misaka Mikoto-onee-mam!
The invincible Electromaster princess of Tokiwadai Middle School!"
With Shirai Kuroko introducing her with great pride, Keqing finally understood.
"I didn't expect her to be that powerful."
Keqing was amazed.
She didn't really know what "Level 5" meant yet, but being one of only seven among 2.3 million people— and ranking third—
Yes, this girl was no ordinary person.
Railgun's opening was simple— mainly introducing Academy City and the Electromaster princess herself.
But Keqing was already hooked.
She eagerly continued reading.
…
While Ningguang and Keqing were absorbed in their mangas, Zhongli stepped through the door.
"Boss Han, sorry to intrude again."
"You two are about to start the Rite of Descension— one of you is the host, and the other is… the star.
And yet both of you are here reading manga?!"
Han Feng's mouth twitched hard.
Ningguang he could understand— she wanted to strengthen herself to prepare for the possible revival of the Vortex God.
But you, the "star of the show"…
Why are you here?
It's your last performance—could you be a little more serious?
Don't tell me you're taking after someone who never does his job.
"The manga here is simply too wonderful. Every time I read one, I feel my knowledge deepens."
Zhongli smiled calmly.
He wasn't surprised Han Feng knew about the Rite; yesterday Han Feng had directly exposed his identity anyway.
Looking around, Zhongli also noticed Ningguang and Keqing.
"The manga is on the shelves. Leave your payment and go take one."
Han Feng waved casually.
He was just a manga shop owner.
Why should he care about their divine schedules?
"…You're not going to pick one?"
He looked at Zhongli, noticing he wasn't moving.
Zhongli took out the Future Market Rune.
"May I pay with this?"
He would've used Mora, but yesterday during the storytelling event… he'd tipped all 100,000 Mora away.
So this was all he had left.
He wasn't sure whether Boss Han accepted it.
"You sure you want to use that?"
Han Feng's mouth twitched again.
He had only gotten this item yesterday, and today Zhongli already needed to use it.
This thing came with 100,000 Mora interest…
Someone was going to be very unlucky later.
Seeing Zhongli nod, Han Feng continued:
"Fine, leave it here. Just remember—pay it back within five days."
"Thank you for the reminder. I will.
But, Boss Han, could you write an invoice for it?"
Zhongli asked politely.
"…What for?"
Han Feng raised a brow.
"To send it to the Northland Bank."
Zhongli answered with a serene smile.
"…So Childe is the unlucky one."
Han Feng pressed his fingers to his temple.
Truly his destiny to suffer.
Hu Tao escaped— but Childe stepped right onto the landmine.
Knowing the reason, Han Feng didn't comment further.
He wrote out an invoice—interest included—and handed it over.
"Much appreciated."
Zhongli nodded, accepted the bill, left a bag of Mora, and walked toward the shelves.
"So many mangas…"
Zhongli's eyes widened slightly.
For ordinary people, these were just "strange books" with fantastical powers.
But to him— each one represented an entire world.
If Boss Han had these mangas…
Did that mean he had visited all these worlds?
Or perhaps—
He created them?
Thinking about the rewards Han Feng granted from within manga worlds, and that terrifying sword aura last night, Zhongli found this possibility very plausible.
"Fortunately, Boss Han simply runs a business. He has no designs on Liyue."
Zhongli sighed inwardly with relief and picked out a book.
Finally, he chose Doraemon.
The Gourmet Cloth Venting Table Mat he heard about from Venti… and the rain-summoning umbrella he saw yesterday…
He was very interested.
After choosing, Zhongli sat in the reading area and began to turn the pages.
…
After Zhongli entered, two more customers arrived.
One came from the Goth Grand Hotel.
The other—from the Northland Bank—
Childe.
Both had the same goal: to read mangas.
But when they saw each other—
"You?!"
"Why are you here?!"
They both froze with shock.
Neither expected to meet the other here.
"You're in Mondstadt? The Tsaritsa sent you?!"
La Signora frowned deeply.
She had no idea the Tsaritsa sent Childe.
He wasn't as unhinged as Dottore, but—
Wasn't he in Liyue?
Did this mean the Tsaritsa abandoned the Geo Archon's Gnosis and shifted focus to the manga shop?
She wondered.
"What Mondstadt? This is Liyue!
I should be asking why you are here!"
Childe looked confused.
"Mondstadt?"
"Liyue?!"
The two stared at each other, both realizing—Something was very, very wrong.
—------------------------------
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