Inside the shop.
Lu Heng held his teacup, lost in thought.
His earlier explanation hadn't been entirely accurate.
Strictly speaking, card tiers couldn't be directly equated to Archon levels.
Take Clorinde's four-star card, [Unrivaled Speed], for example.
If someone like Zhongli equipped it, it would still multiply his attack speed by several times. Just how strong would that make him?
And if he added one or two more compatible cards on top of that? Lu Heng wouldn't even doubt Zhongli's ability to trade blows with the Heavenly Principles.
"I'll need to phrase it more carefully next time."
Lu Heng pondered.
Still, the statement had certainly made an impact. Once this news spread, Mora would likely pour in even faster.
After all, Archons were involved.
From Lu Heng's perspective, Archons weren't particularly rare—he knew of many.
But ordinary people didn't have that luxury. For most Fontaine citizens, the only Archon they could interact with was Furina, the actress.
Anything related to Archons was exceedingly rare and precious.
Now, there was a chance for people to obtain Archon-level power—of course, they'd empty their savings to try their luck!
Outside the shop.
Lyney had already observed how the people ahead operated the machines.
First, purchase and bind an equipment device.
Then, simply place Mora on the counter linked to their device—it would consume the Mora and convert it into gacha pulls displayed on the screen.
"Seems like unused pulls are saved?" Lyney asked.
"Mm." Lynette nodded. Earlier, she'd noticed an unlucky noble who left hundreds of pulls unused, planning to return later for better luck.
No one believed this miraculous shop would steal their Mora. When they came back, they just needed to scan their equipment device to access their account.
The person ahead of them pulled a decent three-star card and left, overjoyed.
"Our turn!"
Lyney was excited. He and Lynette bought two equipment devices and bound them as instructed.
Then, with a wave of his hand, Lyney deposited three million Mora.
As a famous magician in Fontaine, he earned a considerable income. Aside from funding the House of the Hearth, he'd saved up quite a bit.
Three million Mora wasn't nothing, but it wouldn't bankrupt him either.
And if it could be converted into combat power? Even better.
"Hah—"
"What do I do? I'm kind of nervous!"
Lyney rubbed his hands together.
"Idiot Lyney, being nervous is pointless."
Compared to her brother, Lynette was far calmer.
Though…
Lyney glanced at Lynette's subtly twitching tail and stifled a laugh.
She's just as nervous—just better at hiding it!
"Alright, here goes nothing!"
After a quick prayer, Lyney tapped the 10-Draw button.
The light emerging from the swirling clouds made his heart leap.
This gacha system was as thrilling as gambling—emotions rising and falling with every pull.
"Nothing."
Lynette stated flatly.
"Guess purples really are rare."
Lyney understood now.
Clorinde's purple in ten pulls and that other guy's single-pull purple must've been insane luck.
Their results were the norm.
If everyone pulled like Clorinde, Fontaine would be overrun with Archon-level fighters in a few months!
As he mused, Lyney kept drawing.
Three million Mora meant 150 pulls each for him and Lynette.
Not a lot, but not insignificant either.
Judging by the nobles casually spending tens of millions, this gacha had no pity system—pure luck.
Lyney had already braced himself for disappointment.
Or rather, he wasn't that greedy. He'd noticed that even some strong three-star or decent two-star cards could be massive upgrades for him!
As a Fatui intelligence officer, Lyney might seem carefree, but he was sharp.
He'd seen someone pull a one-star card called [Fireball], which conjured a palm-sized flame.
For Vision holders, this was nothing. But for ordinary people? Incredible.
This was supernatural power—no Vision or Delusion required!
Of course, cards like [Fireball] were rare. Most were niche or consumable items.
Like right now.
"A can of Sprite?!"
Lyney stared at the one-star gray card in disbelief.
He glanced at the vending machine inside the shop—this stuff cost three Mora a can! Yet here it was, wasting a pull worth 10,000 Mora! A loss of 9,997 Mora!
"Idiot Lyney, read the description. 'Restores a small amount of HP.' It's a one-time consumable healing card," Lynette said, her tone laced with exasperation.
Could this scatterbrained brother really lead the House of the Hearth one day?
"Oh! Oh!"
Lyney snapped out of it.
Looked at that way, it wasn't too bad.
He pocketed the card—useful ones like this couldn't be dismantled. They had to be saved.
Consumable cards didn't need to be equipped. Just tear them to activate, no equipment slot required.
Ten pulls after ten pulls.
Lyney had already spotted a three-star card that suited him. While the boost wasn't huge, its utility was excellent.
Though he still wanted stronger cards, he knew better than to expect them.
Just as he relaxed, a commotion broke out behind him. Lyney turned.
"Lady Furina," Lynette noted.
"I see."
Back for more gacha?
Lyney pondered briefly.
Makes sense. If five-stars equaled Archon-level, wouldn't Furina want to grow stronger too?
Not that he could guess her thoughts. Shaking his head, he noticed the crowd parting for Furina.
As she approached, Lyney spoke up, "We're in no hurry, Lady Furina. Would you like to go first?"
"No need."
Furina shook her head. She wasn't about to cut in line.
Besides, it was too crowded now. She'd wait for fewer people.
"You go ahead. I'm just… here to browse!"
And to watch my unlucky citizens suffer~!
Lu Heng, spotting the big spender, strolled over with a smile. "Welcome, Lady Furina."
"I came to try some snacks from another world."
And to relish the pained expressions of those with terrible gacha luck!
"Of course."
Lu Heng nodded.
Seeing that Furina wasn't here to draw, Lyney turned back and casually tapped his final 10-pull.
"Huh?"
Lu Heng, about to leave, paused, his gaze locking onto the counter.
A card glowing with purple edges lay face-down on the table.
"A purple?!"
Lyney's eyes widened.
"?"
Furina's face froze.
What's this?!
I came to see your bad luck!
Not your good pulls!!
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T/N:
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