After the two of them left the store, they began to introduce themselves. The older woman's name was indeed Hoshiguma, while Ren introduced himself as Zhongli.
"Anyway... thanks again for your help, little brother Zhongli. I'll definitely repay this debt someday."
"No need to go that far," Ren replied casually. "Let's just call it even, since you saved me earlier too."
He wasn't bothered by the matter anymore, especially since he had already received a reward (Imitation Points).
"Even so, it still feels like too little..." Hoshiguma still seemed uncomfortable. She reached into the back pocket of her pants and pulled out something before handing it to him, her expression tinged with a soft blush.
"Here... take this. It's nothing compared to the help from Swire Gruppe, but if one day you're wandering around the slums and get harassed by some gangsters, just show them this."
She handed him a coin engraved with the face of a giant-like person. It looked so intimidating that Ren hesitated to take it, but seeing her serious eyes, he figured refusing might lead to a long argument.
"Uh... in that case, I'll hold onto it. I'll return it if I get the chance."
"Y-Yeah! But honestly... it's probably best not to be in a hurry to return it," Hoshiguma said, glancing away.
"Huh?" Ren looked puzzled.
At that moment, he heard a familiar voice call out, and turned to see a young woman running toward him.
"Ren! So this is where you've been!" Sora ran over and let out a relieved sigh before starting to scold him.
"If you were going out shopping, you should've told me! I was so worried you got lost—" Sora stopped mid-sentence when she saw Hoshiguma. Her body trembled slightly, something even Ren could notice.
"Ren? Umm... is she your girlfriend? Haha. She's adorable," Hoshiguma said, narrowing her eyes, especially after hearing Ren's real name from Sora's mouth.
"You've got it wrong, Miss Hoshiguma. Sora is just a senior from work," Ren replied, not noticing the strange tone in Hoshiguma's voice.
"A senior from work, huh... I see." Hoshiguma smiled calmly again, but she also seemed to notice the fear in Sora's expression. Choosing to leave the conversation there, she took her leave.
"It's getting late... I should head off. If we meet again, I'll treat you to some drinks," she said, waving to him before hopping onto her motorcycle parked in front of the store.
"See you next time, Miss Hoshiguma," Ren waved back and watched as the green-haired woman nodded and rode off with a box of beer strapped to the back of her sleek bike.
"Maybe I should learn to drive too..." Ren felt a bit envious. He had never had the chance to drive anything in his past life, and now he wanted to give it a try.
Once Hoshiguma had left, Sora wasted no time turning to him.
"R-Ren! Since when did you get so close to Miss Hoshiguma?!"
Her voice was filled with more worry than curiosity, like an older sister watching her younger brother hang out with a bad influence.
Ren told her what had happened just moments ago. Upon hearing it, Sora looked absolutely shocked, prompting Ren to ask her a question in return.
"Um... Senpai, do you know Miss Hoshiguma?"
Sora flinched slightly, seeming like she wanted to say something... but hesitated at the last moment.
"W-Well, not exactly. It's just... she's kind of a big name in the slums."
"Well then, if you ever see her again, make sure you tell us beforehand, okay?! Got it?"
"Okay..." Ren nodded, sensing the uncharacteristically serious tone from Sora.
Although he thought Hoshiguma was a kind person, Sora acting like it was such a big deal might mean she knew something about her that he didn't.
After that, Ren and Sora headed back to the safehouse, since they didn't have anything else to buy.
They took the same route back. When they reached the spot where they had previously encountered the crazed bear gang, Ren noticed the place was now empty. That gave him some relief—it seemed L.G.D. officers were still doing their jobs.
Once at the safehouse, Ren helped Sora neatly put away their groceries in the fridge. They agreed to cook breakfast together the next morning, with Sora teaching him. Hearing that warmed Ren's heart. With someone experienced helping him, cooking didn't seem so intimidating anymore.
After saying goodbye to Sora, Ren headed back to his room.
After showering and changing, Ren sat down on his bed and opened the system's shop interface.
[New items updated: 3]
[Shop – Total: 6 items]
[Zhongli's Signature Polearm (+10% Imitation) – 10,000 Sentiment Points]
[Geo Vision (+1% Imitation) – 5,000 Sentiment Points]
[Gacha Machine – 100 Sentiment Points]
[Gacha Machine x10 (Minimum SR guaranteed) – 1,000 Sentiment Points] New
[Skill: Spear Talent Lv0 – 5,000 Sentiment Points] New
[Skill: Spirit of Stone (+1% Imitation) – 1,000 Sentiment Points] New
[Current Sentiment Points: 7,200]
Spear Talent!!
Ren's eyes lit up the moment he saw the item. As a Geo-element character who uses a polearm, it was essential to have that kind of weapon.
I completely forgot that Zhongli specialized in spears. That means if I use a spear too, my Imitation Rate should increase as well.
Thinking that, Ren didn't hesitate to purchase the skill.
[Acquired Skill: 'Spear Talent']
Spear Talent Lv0 (Innate)
Basic Ability – Significantly enhances the user's ability to train with polearms.
**Unlockable Skill: [??? – Cannot be unlocked yet] (Unlocks at Spear Talent Lv1)
Unlockable Skill: [??? – Cannot be unlocked yet] (Unlocks at Lv3)
Unlockable Skill: [??? – Cannot be unlocked yet] (Unlocks at Lv6)
Unlockable Skill: [??? – Cannot be unlocked yet] (Unlocks at Lv10)
Amazing... just one talent skill unlocks the potential for so many combat abilities!
Though it required leveling up first, Ren didn't see it as a big issue—after all, the skill description said it enhanced spear training. That should make it manageable.
Next up, Spirit of Stone?
Ren wasn't sure what this skill did, so he clicked to view its description.
Spirit of Stone (No Level)
Basic Ability – Grants the user the ability to directly communicate with the spirit of stones or awaken them. This skill becomes more effective as the user deepens their understanding of 'Geo Power'.
Communicate with stones...?
Even though Ren had played Genshin before, he hadn't read the lore closely. He knew Zhongli was the Geo Archon, but this was the first time he learned he could talk to stones.
Wait... do stones even have spirits?
Still... I do remember sensing something strange from those rocks earlier.
He recalled delivering a box that morning and catching sight of a faint glow leaking from it. After getting hit by that explosion, the box burst open, revealing ominous-looking black stones inside.
He remembered Exusiai mentioning that they were Originium, illegal and dangerous—said to be both the energy source of this world and the cause of Oripathy when touched recklessly.
Ren didn't know why, but when he saw those stones, he felt an overwhelming hatred emanating from them. It sent chills down his spine, and he threw them away as fast as he could.
There's a good chance this skill will help me better understand those stones.
Ren hesitated briefly, but considering it added to his Imitation Rate, he figured it couldn't hurt—and it might help him grasp Zhongli's powers better.
[Acquired Skill: 'Spirit of Stone']
[Imitation Rate – Zhongli: 30% ⇢ 31%]
Having bought everything, Ren felt more at ease. But with 1,200 points left, his eyes drifted toward the Gacha Machine x10 without realizing...
Well... it's a new product. No harm in trying it out, right?
Unaware that he was getting better at lying to himself, Ren clicked the item without hesitation.
Suddenly, a list of ten rewards appeared:
[Weapon: Wooden Greatsword (N)]
[Armor: Liyue Guard Helmet (R)]
[Weapon: Iron Bow (R)]
[Misc: Klee's Bomb (R)]
[Misc: Cor Lapis (N)]
[Skill: Engraving (SR)]
[Weapon: Iron Spear (R)]
[Misc: Cor Lapis (N)]
[Weapon: Jade Orb (R)]
[Weapon: Spear of Dragon's Bane (SR)]
"Jackpot!!"