4 Funeral Girl Opens The Box

"I know I was already aware of this happening, but fuck..."

Isamu could only mutter to himself in a slightly depressed tone as he looked at the notification that was blinking in front of him. It hadn't been long since Keqing left his store, in fact, she had left only a few minutes ago.

The reason he was in this current state of 'depression' was all because of what this notification was telling him. To put it simply, he had received a penalty of sorts due to his recent actions, and as much as he hated to admit it, rightfully so.

.

『You have received a penalty』

● Current Penalty Count: ☒☐☐

● Reason: Unfair distribution of blind boxes

.

Isamu was well aware of the penalty concept in his system, it was a refreshing count that reset every time three penalty strikes have been accumulated. He had no idea what punishment he'd receive if he got three strikes, but he had no intention of finding out.

For this particular penalty strike, it seemed to be given since the game he had with Keqing was completely in her favor. No matter what the outcome, she'd gain something and he'd 'lose' something. It didn't matter who the game is unfair towards, he'd receive a penalty regardless even if the game was entirely in his favor instead.

The conditions for a proper game included fair outcomes for both/all parties that have participated, as well as the game itself being one that can certainly be completed. It cannot be a game that can't be won, otherwise that'd just be him unfairly treating the customer.

The rewards given must also be in correspondence with the difficulty of the game played, meaning the value of the reward must be around as good as how difficult the game is. The more difficult the game, the better the rewards must be.

Obviously, purposely exploiting rewards by using a method like purposely losing will definitely grant him a penalty.

"Okay, at least it was all to get my store actually validated for business here. I just have to be careful from now on..." Isamu just sighed as he dismissed the notification. Crossing his arms behind his head, Isamu relaxed back in his seat. "Guess I better close up for the day, doesn't look like anyone else is gonna come in."

With that, Isamu stood up upon seeing the streets outside slowly darkening. While he had seen plenty of people stare through the transparent glass wall, it didn't seem like any of them had the courage to actually come in.

On that topic, he really didn't like the glass wall that the system made for this building. It was really uncomfortable having a bunch of people just stare at you from the other side, he felt like a damn zoo animal.

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Keqing's plans were clear for the next day, once she finished with her quick patrol around Liyue Harbor, she was going to immediately head on over to the store to see Isamu. After realizing the authenticity of the store, she had plans to purchase quite a number of those boxes to see what she could get.

If those boxes were capable of something as extraordinary as what she had gotten yesterday, who knows what else was possible within those boxes? Perhaps she could get something to really help develop Liyue further.

"Incredible, I'm much stronger than before...!"

Keqing looked at the multitude of hilichurls that she defeated here in one of the camps that she found. While it wasn't difficult to defeat hilichurls before, she found it nothing more than a trivial task now after supposedly becoming this so-called Pathstrider.

The difference in physical power compared to her original self before was clear, her strikes held far greater force, and as strange as it sounded, it felt as if her senses too had improved to some degree. Senses that would usually be developed extensively by animals that... hunt.

It wasn't just a one-time boost though, she felt that her senses were slowly becoming more sensitive over time. If she were to hazard a guess, perhaps she was becoming more in tune with this... Path or however Isamu referred to it.

The last remaining enemy here at the camp was a mitachurl, essentially a more powerful version of a standard hilichurl. This one, in particular, was wielding a large axe as it stomped towards her with clear intentions to kill her.

"Let's test this once more..." Keqing narrowed her eyes as she quickly got into her stance. As the mitachurl was close enough, the power of Electro quickly surged around her before she seemingly disappeared from place. "With sword comes shadow!"

Keqing reappeared in front of the mitachurl, who soon found itself victim to a barrage of Electro-infused strikes as Keqing continued slashing at it as she continued disappearing and reappearing around the enemy.

As she did so, countless afterimages of her made entirely out of electro could be seen. The mitachurl could only give a loud cry of agony as it was struck continuously with heavy strikes, all of which produced an intense shock upon making contact.

Keqing soon finished her attack as she once again reappeared a few meters away from the mitachurl, and when she looked up to see the damage, her eyes widened when she saw the mitachurl lifeless on the ground.

However, it wasn't just the dead mitachurl that stunned her, it was the damage to the surrounding area too. Rather deep slashes could be seen present on the ground, and some of the structures built by the hilichurls were completely decimated.

On top of that, residual Electro energy could be seen still sparking amongst the damages.

"I guess... I'll have to work on my restraint."

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"So, if I buy a box or two... will you think about our proposal?"

"No."

"Aiya, such a difficult customer you are."

Isamu was currently 'arguing' with a very special visitor in his shop, appearing to be a girl somewhere around his age with long brown hair tied into ponytails. She also had a very unique pair of eyes with cherry-blossom-shaped pupils.

He knew very well just who this person was, she was infamous for going around countless stores and advertising her 'shady' business. It was none other than Hu Tao herself, the local Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Director, and probably into dead bodies or some shit.

"Everyone's time comes eventually, it's best to prepare yourself in advance with a luxurious coffin made of the wood of your choice. I can guarantee you, they are top quality! How about this? I can give you a fifty-percent discount on our products!"

"Hell no. I ain't looking to die just yet." Isamu deadpanned as he listened to this girl's ramblings. He could understand why this girl wasn't too popular with the citizens here, who in their right mind goes around advertising a funeral? "Are you going to buy a box or not?"

"Such a wasted opportunity..." Hu Tao could only sigh as she shook her head. She then curiously turned her head to look at the numerous boxes lining the walls. "You said these boxes contain amazing things, right? How interesting! It's a bit on the expensive side though."

"Expensive, but worth it. That's all I'll say."

"Hmm... very well! I'll buy a Bronze Box then."

"If you say so." Isamu nodded as he accepted the Mora that Hu Tao placed on the desk. With a wave of his hand, one of the displayed boxes opened before the box inside flew over and gently lowering down onto the desk in front of them. "Here's your box, open it at your own pace."

Hu Tao looked at the box curiously from different angles, she then looked at where the box came from to see that the case closed itself before another box identical to the one on the desk having now suddenly replaced it.

"You're no normal person. I don't see a Vision or anything on you though, how did you do that?" Hu Tao asked curiously, though she only received a shrug from Isamu. This made her pout a bit before shrugging herself. "Let's see what's in this box then."

Without any hesitation, Hu Tao reached down at the box before quickly opening up the lid. Similar to what happened to Keqing when she opened the box, a burst of light appeared before something materialized above the opened box.

"What is this?" Hu Tao blinked in confusion. She grabbed what looked to be a cylindrical red can as it slowly lowered itself from the air as the Bronze Box dispersed into particles. "Coca Cola? What do I do with this?"

"It's a drink."

"A drink?"

"Yeah, you know, a drink. An edible liquid you put into your mouth."

"I-I know what it means!" Hu Tao shouted a bit embarrassed as Isamu merely grinned as he heard the response to his teasing. Looking away from Isamu and back at the can in her hands, her face showed clear confusion. "Is this really a drink?"

Isamu didn't give a verbal answer, instead gently taking the can from Hu Tao before casually taking hold of the tab and opening it. The loud sound of the can releasing pressure made Hu Tao flinch a bit in surprise, though that quickly turned to curiosity as Isamu handed it back.

"...This isn't a trick, is it?"

"I can assure you, it's safe to drink."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Are you really sure?"

"Yes, just drink it!"

Although doubtful, Hu Tao stared at the can for a moment before raising it up to her mouth. Once the liquid inside poured into her mouth, Hu Tao's eyes widened instantly as the sensation of countless bubbles invaded her mouth... like a hurricane.

"Wow, this is so good! These bubbles are really interesting too!" Hu Tao instantly praised as she began chugging down the contents. Isamu could only watch in silence as Hu Tao finished the entire can in no time flat. "Woo, that was good!"

Just like that, Hu Tao then released a large burp as her face remained blissful.

"Impressive..."

Isamu felt his eye twitch as he watched the scene. He was a pretty big fan of Coca Cola, but even he couldn't easily chug an entire can like that, he wasn't built like some people were. Then again, maybe it was just because Hu Tao was too intoxicated by the taste that she could just ignore the intensity of the carbonation.

"Even if this drink was delicious, definitely much better than anything I've had before, is it really worth so much?" Hu Tao muttered with a bit of doubt as she looked at the price of the box she bought. "Five thousand is a bit much for this, and I was expecting something more impressive..."

"It's one of countless things, and it's only the Bronze Box, what did you expect?" Isamu asked with a raise of his eyebrow. "You heard my explanation before. The Bronze Box is the lowest valued, it contains the most common of items out of them all."

"I see, I see." Hu Tao nodded repeatedly as held her chin with her eyes closed. Her eyes then snapped back open, revealing the cherry-blossom eyes as she then pointed at the row of boxes on display. "Give me all of the boxes!"

"...Are you sure? That totals up to 3.4 million Mora, which includes the price you paid for the first box. Can you even afford that right now?"

"..." Hu Tao went silent after hearing the dull-toned response from Isamu. Her face flushed a bit out of embarrassment before she lightly coughed into her first. "I have changed my mind, I shall buy four more Bronze Boxes and come back later."

After taking the money, Isamu did the same thing he did before as four Bronze Boxes flew over from the display cases, all of which were replaced with new boxes soon after. As the boxes landed on the desk, Hu Tao reached forward to open them.

"Isamu!"

Hearing the new voice, Hu Tao stopped her movements as both of them looked towards the front door.

"Oh, good day to you, Keqing. How can I be of servi-."

"It's as incredible as you made it out to be!" Isamu didn't even get to finish his sentence as Keqing flashed forwards with a burst of Electro energy. Appearing in front of the desk before leaning over the desk, her nose nearly touching Isamu's as her eyes had small sparkles in them. "The power of the Aeon is incredible! I even saw Lan in my dreams!"

Unsure how to properly react, Isamu just blinked with widened eyes as Hu Tao stared with a look of dumbfoundedness behind Keqing.

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