"Petrification Ray?"
A hint of surprise flashed across Han Feng's eyes.
He had expected Mona's reward to be some kind of prophetic ability.
Perhaps the Time Machine...
Or even Maki Kirino's psychic powers.
After all, when she'd read Detective Conan, she'd received Kōizumi Akako's magic crystal ball.
Instead...
She'd gotten a monster's ability.
That really was unexpected.
"Now we've got giant statues... and monster abilities."
Han Feng thought to himself.
"Maybe an actual monster will appear someday."
Buzz—
A brilliant beam of light descended, enveloping Mona.
Moments later, the light faded.
"Boss Han, what reward did I get this time?"
Mona examined herself with a puzzled expression.
She could feel that something had changed...
But she couldn't quite tell what it was.
"You obtained Gakuma's Petrification Ray."
Han Feng explained.
"Anything struck by the beam turns into stone."
The ability worked well against ordinary people and objects.
But against truly powerful opponents...
Not so much.
Just like in the original story, where Ultraman Tiga eventually broke free from the petrification.
"So it's Gakuma's ability?"
Mona nodded in realization.
She remembered that monster quite well.
It hadn't done anything wrong.
It had simply been living peacefully in its own home.
Then humans destroyed its home...
And killed it.
What a tragic fate.
"But..."
"This petrification ability doesn't seem very useful for me."
Mona scratched her head, looking a little depressed.
She was an astrologer.
Her specialty was divination.
Why would she go around turning people into stone?
At best...
It could serve as a means of self-defense.
"Oh, no."
Han Feng shook his head seriously.
"You should think bigger."
"For example..."
"You could petrify piles of earth into stone and sell them."
"You might even make a decent amount of money."
He wasn't joking.
Maybe it wasn't obvious in Teyvat.
But back on Earth...
Someone with this ability would be incredibly valuable.
Imagine how much construction material it would save.
Building houses would become ridiculously easy.
"...Selling stone?"
Mona twitched at the corner of her mouth.
Would anyone actually buy something like that?
It really felt like Boss Han was teasing her.
Still...
The suggestion did broaden her thinking.
"I heard Acting Grand Master Jean is planning to build a base for the slimes."
"Maybe my ability could actually help."
Mona rested her chin on one hand.
The more she thought about it...
The more feasible it sounded.
It would just be rather exhausting.
She'd work during the day...
Then spend her evenings making stone.
"...Sigh."
"My life is so hard."
Mona let out a long sigh.
But she had no choice.
She was broke.
The Mora she'd spent on manga...
And on all her astrology equipment...
Had all come from salary advances.
If she didn't work harder...
She might actually end up starving.
"Thank you, Boss."
"I'll go find Grand Master Jean and start mining stone..."
"...No, wait."
"I mean building the base."
After saying goodbye, Mona hurried out of the shop.
Not long after Mona left...
Lumine and Paimon arrived at the counter with their manga.
"Han Feng."
Lumine asked curiously,
"Mona left in such a hurry."
"Did she get a really good reward?"
"She received a Petrification Ray."
Han Feng smiled.
"Anything hit by it turns into stone."
"Wow!"
Paimon's eyes sparkled.
"That's amazing!"
"She could make a fortune just selling stone!"
Clearly...
She and Han Feng had reached exactly the same conclusion.
"...Hearing you put it that way somehow makes it sound weird."
Lumine twitched helplessly.
She had been about to praise it as a useful combat ability.
But now...
She couldn't stop thinking about selling construction materials.
Han Feng merely smiled before turning to the system panel.
The rewards had refreshed.
[Customer Paimon has finished reading Granzort.]
Reward obtained — Granzort Gun + Hexagram Emblem.
Granzort Gun + Hexagram Emblem: Fire the Hexagram Emblem using the Granzort Gun to draw a magic circle on the ground and summon Granzort.
Note: The summoned Granzort functions solely as a mecha and possesses no ability to speak.
[Customer Lumine has finished reading Granzort.]
Reward obtained — Carrot Transformation Magic.
Carrot Transformation Magic: Creates large quantities of carrots—or enormous carrots.
Incantation:HORARECHUCHUPARERO~!
"...Well now."
Han Feng raised his eyebrows.
"Paimon's luck really exploded today."
She had actually drawn the protagonist's signature equipment.
Once she realized what she'd gotten...
She was probably going to lose her mind with excitement.
"Boss..."
Paimon swallowed nervously.
"What reward did I get?"
Seeing Han Feng's surprised expression made her feel unexpectedly anxious.
"You're going to like it."
Han Feng smiled mysteriously.
As soon as he finished speaking—
Buzz—
Buzz—
Two brilliant pillars of light descended upon Paimon and Lumine.
Moments later...
The light faded.
Floating before Paimon...
Was a gray pistol...
And a crimson Hexagram Emblem.
Meanwhile...
A magical incantation flooded into Lumine's mind.
"I..."
"I..."
"...Isn't this... that thing?!"
Paimon's eyes grew as wide as saucers.
She was so shocked she could barely speak.
"That's right."
Han Feng nodded with a smile.
"The Granzort Gun and the Hexagram Emblem."
"They're Daichi's signature equipment."
"With them, you can draw a magic circle on the ground and summon Granzort."
"Although..."
"It won't be able to talk."
"She actually got it?"
Even Lumine looked astonished.
While reading the manga...
Paimon had casually said how wonderful it would be if she could have the protagonist's equipment.
At the time...
Lumine had thought the chances were almost nonexistent.
After all...
The three magical mecha were the most iconic treasures in the series.
Judging by Paimon's usual luck...
It had seemed impossible.
Yet this time...
Her luck had completely exploded.
She had actually obtained it.
"...Could it be..."
"Was all of Paimon's terrible luck leading up to this one incredibly lucky moment?"
Lumine couldn't help thinking with a strange expression.
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