Chapter 45: Everything in the Mall is Mine!

Zhongli's decision genuinely surprised Takumi. He's not retiring anymore? And even willing to exchange the Gnosis for resources? Now that's a move. Zhongli: [I've decided not to retire just yet.] [Things are already underway in Mondstadt.] [Once she's finished traveling through the Seven Nations, it'll probably be time.] [At that point, I'll take Liyue and leave this world.] Retirement would only complicate things. If he followed the original storyline, a resurrected Archon would definitely shock everyone. He didn't want to cause a sensation, so better to keep it simple. Besides, with all the industrial texts Takumi brought back, Liyue's development could be left in capable hands. He would simply observe quietly. As for the Cryo Archon's demands, he was willing to give up the Gnosis—but he wouldn't get involved. The same went for Celestia. If they ever came to ask him to do something like fight Khaenri'ah again... Zhongli figured he'd just leave. He had no choice before. But now, he could choose. Takumi: [Fair enough.] [How about you send me the Gnosis for a look?] [Honestly, I'm curious. Who knows, maybe I can mass-produce it.] Herrscher of Reason, activate? Zhongli was stunned at first, then agreed without much resistance. He handed over his Gnosis and sent it to Takumi. Zhongli: [Takumi's Exclusive Red Packet] [Here, give it a try!] If it could be duplicated, that would be great. Takumi received the Gnosis and began a full analysis using his Herrscher powers. He studied it thoroughly. The Gnosis was essentially a power vessel—infused with a type of regional power that granted special abilities. That explained why Zhongli's Geo powers were strongest within Liyue. As his analysis progressed, Takumi's eyes flashed oddly. He realized he could create something similar using his own authority. It wouldn't require splitting his power—just lending it temporarily. Others could use it, but they'd be like his dependents. Kind of like Herrschers. Actually, one tier below—a pseudo-Herrscher. Because Takumi wasn't dividing his power, just letting others borrow it. He could reclaim it anytime. Once the analysis was done, he returned the Gnosis to Zhongli. Takumi: [Zhongli's Exclusive Red Packet] [All clear. I can't duplicate it.] [I don't have the same power source as your world.] [Gnosis is just a vessel—it holds part of your world's energy.] [The Archons' powers probably originate from this.] [Still, I can make my own version and lend it out.] [Just like a pseudo-Herrscher core. Since I'm not splitting my actual authority, it'll be a little weaker.] And with that, Takumi got to work. Zhongli: [Is that so? What a pity.] He figured as much. After all, it was a unique feature of their world. Takumi couldn't copy it. So the dream of mass-producing Gnosis... gone. Still, Takumi could create his own version? Fujiwara Chika: [Big bro look at me!! I wanna be a Herrscher!!] After reading Takumi's message, Chika's eyes sparkled. Takumi could handcraft Gnosis-like items? Pseudo-Herrscher powers? Absolutely amazing! Pick her, pick her! Takumi: [You want what now?] [You won't even post a spicy pic, yet you dare ask for this?] He glared. Is this girl delusional? Even a pseudo-Herrscher core—why give it out freely? Wouldn't it be better to list it in the system store for points? Fujiwara Chika: [o(╥_╥)o] [Whyyyy~ can't I see the treasure~?] Takumi: [(ノ`Д)ノ] [Go away. I don't know you.] He ignored her and finished crafting the pseudo-Herrscher core. Then he uploaded it to the system shop. [Takumi listed item: 'Wind-Type Pseudo-Herrscher Core'] [Price: 200,000 Points] Everyone was stunned. 200k?! Fujiwara Chika: [I have a bold idea!] Bronya: [You mean go core-hunting in the Honkai universe? (°ω°)] Fujiwara Chika: [Exactly!! One big haul and we're set for life!!] Takumi: [You'll probably get yourselves killed.] [Try robbing a core? Prepare for Valkyrie beatdown.] He was speechless. It wasn't just about strength. If they really did steal a core and Otto noticed... That'd be a disaster. Valkyrie warnings. Judgment of Shamash warnings. Steel brain-splitter punch warnings. Cool idea. But leave it in the idea phase. Houraisan Kaguya: [So... all the items in the shop are uploaded by people?] [I thought the chat group sold them by default.] Being new to the group, Kaguya was surprised to find that actual users managed the listings. Takumi: [Yup, I uploaded all of it.] [You can upload your own stuff too.] [Just skip Eirin's 800 miracle drugs.] [Except the Hourai Elixir!] He assumed NEET princess had tons of spellbooks lying around. If she wanted to, she could probably contribute a lot. Seeing this, Kaguya was speechless. But after thinking it over, she decided to upload something. Even if the chat group seemed full of broke folks, someone might buy it someday. She sent a rabbit off to upload her collection of magic tomes and Eastern Daoist techniques. Soon, Kaguya's messages filled the chat. Takumi's eyes lit up at her uploads. A complete magical system. He wanted it badly. But... he didn't have enough points. Her cheapest item started at 10,000 points. Takumi was still poor. He checked his point balance. Not bad, it had gone up. Must've been NEET princess buying his stuff. All the computers had sold. He wondered—should he upload some games? Let NEET princess buy one every day? She'd basically be helping him sign in daily!