Lumine and Paimon stepped out of Galehaven Comics, smiling as they looked back at the small shop tucked away in a quiet alley of Mondstadt.
They had only planned to explore the city, but somehow they ended up finding a place full of stories and unexpected rewards.
The comics weren't just fun to read—they gave real powers. Lumine could now control the wind like never before.
Her Wind-Wind Fruit ability let her summon strong gusts and even become part of the breeze, making her both powerful and hard to hit.
Paimon didn't get stronger, but she was happy with the sleek camera she had gotten from the Cardcaptor Sakura comic.
She was already imagining her Traveler's Journal, a collection of videos showing Lumine's adventures through the camera's lens.
"Getting powers from comics—does this count as an adventure?" Lumine said quietly, feeling the wind brush past.
She couldn't stop thinking about Harlan Flint, the shopkeeper. There was something about him she didn't quite understand.
Could he be connected to Barbatos, the Anemo Archon? Maybe a god hiding behind the counter?
But the idea seemed strange—she pushed the thought away as she and Paimon headed off to meet Amber. They were running out of time.
Back inside Galehaven Comics, Harlan set down his teacup and opened the system panel with a thought.
The glowing screen showed his progress: two comics stocked, two customers served, and rewards waiting.
The first task was done—Lumine and Paimon's visit had unlocked a new comic, ready to be claimed.
A second task required hosting thirty guests to get an exclusive reward, but only two visitors had come so far.
"I wonder what this exclusive reward could be," Harlan said, curious about the system's vague promise.
Whatever it was, it had to be impressive enough to attract more adventurers to his shop.
He took a deep breath and gave the command: "System, draw the next comic."
The panel lit up and displayed: New comic acquired—Digimon: First Frontier.
This story followed eight kids, like Taichi and Yamato, who were pulled into a digital world and fought alongside Digimon, creatures that evolved and grew stronger.
Harlan smiled, remembering his past life watching those colorful battles.
Digimon could evolve in many ways—like Agumon becoming Greymon or Gabumon turning into Garurumon—each change making them more powerful.
"This one will definitely draw a crowd," he thought, imagining adventurers eager to meet and bond with these digital partners.
Outside, the sun was high in the sky—noon had come—and it was time to check on his living space upstairs.
He cooked a simple meal—grilled fish with herbs—and ate quietly before returning downstairs to wait for the next visitor.
Meanwhile, Lumine and Paimon stepped out into Mondstadt's busy streets. The city was crowded and lively under the bright midday sun.
They needed to find Amber in the city's main square, a spot easy to find on a map but tricky to reach with so many people around.
Paimon hovered nervously. "There are too many people—we won't get to the square in time!"
Lumine frowned and looked at the crowd, feeling the pressure of the ticking clock.
Then she smiled. "Good thing I don't have to run anymore."
She summoned a whirlwind around herself, lifting off the ground with the power of her Wind-Wind Fruit.
Paimon laughed and smacked her forehead. "Oh yeah—you can fly now! I forgot!"
Lumine rose higher, enjoying the feeling of floating as she looked down at the busy streets below.
"Let's go!" she called, aiming for the distant square as she and Paimon flew above the crowd.
People on the street looked up, surprised to see a girl flying without wings.
"Look, she's flying without a glider!" a merchant shouted, amazed.
"In a city of wind, flight isn't strange, but without wings?" someone else said, squinting.
Lumine's flight was unusual, and everyone started whispering as they pointed at her.
Flying was faster than running, and soon the square came into view, its stone surface shining in the sun.
"There's Amber!" Paimon said, spotting her friend's red outfit among the crowd.
Lumine landed smoothly, with Paimon close behind.
Amber turned around, eyes wide. "You two just flew in? How?"
Lumine brushed her hair back, smiling slightly. "Let's just say we found something special today."
Paimon giggled, holding her new camera, eager to record this moment for her journal.
Harlan's shop had changed them—its rewards adding new experiences to their journey across Teyvat.