After this incident, Paimon came to a realization.
No matter how different people's tastes in music might be—
there was one universal truth:
Bad music was still bad music.
No one would genuinely enjoy it.
Like… something lying on the ground.
Surely no one would like that, right?
The analogy wasn't perfect, but that was how Paimon felt.
Since she had mentally prepared herself beforehand, she wasn't too upset.
Besides—she had just "earned" 500,000 Mora for free!
Total profit!
"Not bad. One tavern visit, 500,000 Mora. Visit a different tavern every day and you'll become a millionaire in no time."
Han Feng teased.
The tavern owner had been smart—paying money to eliminate "disaster."
If every tavern reacted the same way, Paimon might actually strike it rich.
"Eh? You're right! Why didn't I think of that?!"
Paimon's eyes sparkled.
Had she just discovered a shortcut to wealth?
Mondstadt was huge.
There must be tons of taverns.
And she could even revisit the same one!
One tavern a day: 500,000 Mora.
One month: 15 million Mora.
One year: 180 million Mora!
"Wow… that's so much money!"
Her eyes gleamed as if she could already see Mora raining from the sky.
"Stop dreaming. Boss Han's just tricking you."
Lumine reached out and rubbed Paimon's cheek with a laugh.
If Paimon actually did that, she'd be banned from every tavern within days.
It would basically be open provocation.
What tavern would tolerate that?
"Hmph. Can't I at least imagine it?"
Paimon pouted and continued eating.
So much Mora—gone!
Her heart hurt.
She needed more snacks to heal.
Han Feng and Lumine exchanged amused looks.
At that moment, Aether and Dainsleif walked over from inside, holding their manga.
"Bro— I mean, Boss Han, I finished reading. This time, could I get a better reward? Maybe that MechanicalDramon's mechanical army?"
Aether looked hopeful.
After finishing Digimon Adventure, he had become obsessed with the mechanical army.
A massive, orderly force.
Numerous. Powerful artillery.
If he had such an army—combined with the Abyss Order, how could he fail?
He might even have confidence facing Celestia.
And if he could get a MechanicalDramon too—
even better.
"Sorry. Rewards are entirely based on luck."
Han Feng smiled pleasantly.
"Ahem… Boss Han, considering our relationship…"
Aether coughed awkwardly, trying to play the emotional card.
Luck was too unreliable.
The thought of missing out on a mechanical army was painful.
"What relationship do you have with Boss Han? Are you relatives?"
Lumine asked curiously.
If they were relatives, she might need to adjust her attitude.
"Uh… not exactly. Not yet."
Aether hesitated.
In his mind, Lumine and Boss Han hadn't officially confirmed anything.
So technically, they weren't family—
yet.
Though it was probably only a matter of time.
"What do you mean 'not yet'? Either you are or you aren't! You're obviously eyeing Boss Han's rewards and trying to freeload!"
Paimon said while munching chips, giving the ridiculous-haired guy a tiny look of disdain.
She thought she was already pretty calculating—
selling Lumine to Boss Han for food and lodging rights.
But this guy?
He was on another level!
Trying to claim family ties for free benefits?
Incredible!
Even Paimon felt inferior.
"Exactly!"
Lumine nodded firmly.
"I—"
Aether nearly coughed up blood.
He ignored the earlier "finding him a wife" incident.
As an older brother, asking his future brother-in-law for a reward—wasn't that normal?
How did it turn into "randomly claiming kinship and freeloading"?
Even knowing Lumine didn't recognize him—
seeing her side with Boss Han still hurt.
At this rate, even if he revealed his identity someday, she might just say,
"Oh,"
and then go back to playing with Boss Han.
"…Forget it. Boss Han, just give whatever."
Aether sighed.
He'd rely on luck.
No point depending on Lumine.
Han Feng suppressed a laugh.
Watching a sister roast her own brother—
was quite entertaining.
Just then—
the system notification refreshed.
[Customer Aether has finished reading "Digimon Adventure."]
Reward obtained — Puppet Strings.
Puppet Strings: Skill of Puppetmon from the Dark Masters. Allows control of enemies to fight for the user.
Note: Strength depends entirely on the user's own power. No upper limit.
"Now that's interesting."
Han Feng's eyes flickered.
Among the Dark Masters, each had formidable abilities.
But aside from Piedmon's magic cloth—
Puppetmon's strings were unforgettable.
A powerful control skill.
In the manga, Puppetmon even controlled WarGreymon.
That said everything.
And the most crucial detail—
no upper limit.
"If Aether grows strong enough… could he even control Celestia?"
Han Feng wondered briefly.
Then he shook his head.
To control Celestia, Aether's strength would need to rival it— at least surpass his canonical peak.
Otherwise—it would remain a support skill.
Not a trump card.
Still—
in the right hands, it could become terrifying.
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