Genshin Impact: It All Began With Me Being Stepped On by Arlecchino

A Delusion: a device that simulates the performance of a Vision, granting the user elemental control at the cost of their physical well-being. This was not some half-baked power like the Jinni Lamps of Sumeru or the Omamori of Inazuma. Those items mostly provided elemental infusion for weapons. A Delusion directly granted the user the ability to control elements. Of course, the greater the power, the greater the price.

Lu Li toyed with the Delusion in his hand for a moment before putting it away solemnly and beginning to study the Debt Collector's combat manual. As an elite unit of the Fatui specializing in debt disputes and retaliation, the Debt Collectors' mastery of the Pyro Delusion was among the most profound in the entire organization. Through special techniques, they could unleash its explosive power, delivering a "decapitation invitation" from the heavens. At the same time, they could use flame mimicry to achieve a stealth effect and even create phantom clones to attack in concert.

The training manual he now held was standard issue for all Debt Collectors. For Lu Li, this was an expansion of his combat capabilities. His Yanling: Monarch's Blaze was currently limited to elemental infusion and large-scale explosions. He wasn't proficient in more advanced elemental techniques, but now he had more possibilities.

After flipping through the manual for a while and getting a general idea of his path for growth, Lu Li set it aside and picked up the accompanying sacrificial knife. It was a close-range weapon specifically designed for easy elemental infusion. While the Debt Collectors' primary melee weapon was the sacrificial knife, Lu Li didn't want to give up his own specialty: the marksmanship he had practiced since he was a child. He was an excellent shot, able to hit an apple on a person's head from fifty meters away. It would be a waste to abandon such a skill.

However, his current handgun was becoming less useful. It was an ordinary weapon; against powerful enemies or monsters, no amount of skill could match the destructive power of his elemental abilities.

Lu Li pondered for a moment, and an idea came to him. An ordinary handgun wasn't much of a boost, but what about a specially modified one that could be elementally infused and didn't require bullets? Like the one Clorinde had demonstrated. Her bullets were formed from her Electro energy, making them far more lethal than ordinary ammunition.

At this thought, Lu Li's path became clear. He had to try. It would be a shame to waste over a decade of accumulated marksmanship. Besides, even as a Debt Collector, he was different from the others. They had to drain their life force to use their Delusions; he didn't have to pay such a high price. In other words, he could be bolder in his use of elemental power.

(Looks like I need to visit the black market in the Fleuve Cendre today. Also, I should take this time to talk to Navia and Chevreuse about the connection between the 'Case of the Missing Young Women' and 'L'es.' With their help, it could be twice as effective. But I must also warn them of the danger.)

Having confirmed his plans for the day, Lu Li put away the sacrificial knife and the rest of the Debt Collector equipment in a drawer and left his room.

————

Court of Fontaine

"Ugh... you just wait! Is this how you do business? Don't you know the customer is always right?! I'm going to report you to the Special Patrol right now, I'll make you pay!"

A man, scrambling up from the ground covered in dust, glared hatefully at the clothing store, straightened his wrinkled clothes, and stormed off.

The surrounding crowd looked at his miserable state with complicated expressions, but no one sympathized. This had happened more than once. Sometimes the Special Patrol would handle it, sometimes they wouldn't. But almost every time, it was the customer who was in the wrong. Over time, everyone had gotten used to it. The store's reputation was mixed, but its products were undeniably top-notch.

Just then, the departing merchant noticed a Liyue-an man approaching with a gift box and paused. He must be from Liyue, right? But why does he dress more like someone from Fontaine than I do?

Though puzzled, the merchant saw the handsome young man about to enter Chioriya Boutique, the very shop that had just thrown him out. A smirk formed on his lips. This guy would probably suffer the same fate. If he waited a bit, and a foreigner also got thrown out, maybe the Special Patrol would finally take his case and crack down on that cold-hearted proprietress.

However, what he expected did not happen. After the man went inside, a long time passed with no commotion. The merchant stood there feeling like a clown, his face flushing with anger before he huffed and stormed away.

Inside Chioriya Boutique

Lu Li walked in with the gift box and smiled at Chiori, who had her back to him, and the attendant who rushed to greet him. He waved at the attendant and walked towards the inner room. "How is it that every time I visit, I get to see your飒爽 (sàshuǎng - heroic/valiant) side?"

"It only proves that the moral standards of these people need to be raised," Chiori said coolly, turning to face him with her arms crossed. Though her expression was calm, a hint of surprise could be seen in her eyes. "By the way, what brings you here so suddenly?"

"Ahem, to see if you need any help, and also, I'd like to order a set of clothes from you."

"Alright." Chiori walked over, her brow furrowing as she looked at the gift box he offered. "What is this?"

"Chocolates. I just bought them at the Beaumont Workshop. Mm, not too expensive, but they're the sunsettia flavor you like."

"That's not cheap at all. You're very thoughtful," Chiori said, a small smile gracing her lips as she took the box. "Come to the fitting room. You don't need to bring these things next time, just coming yourself is enough. I can't give you anything in return for spending money on me like this."

"But this should help you feel a little better after that unpleasantness, right?" Lu Li said gently, a smile on his face as he clearly saw the change in her expression.

The proud, cold seamstress just hummed in response, but her slightly quickened pace said it all.

-------

Enjoying the story? Support the author and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!

Find me at My : pat*eon*com/RuneA

I, Herta's Fiancé, the Universe's Number One Male Fist (105 Chapter)

Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Succubus in Sixth Street (200 Chapter)

Reborn in Type-Moon, My Sister is Aoko Aozaki (205 Chapter)

MyGO!! A Story Voiced by Me (90 Chapter)

BLEACH: Blade of Purification (80 Chapter)

Konoha: Starting the Game as Yoriichi (240 Chapter)

My Real Job is Spying on Konoha, but I'm Also its Hokage (90 Chapter)

The Pinnacle of the Navy! Starting from Being Captured by Garp (70 Chapter)

Watching Yu-Gi-Oh! short videos is making the veteran players lose...(60 Chapter)

Uma Musume : The Trainer Who Just Wants to Live (40 Chapter)

Zenless Zone Zero The Random Kamen Rider (50 Chapter)

Genshin Impact: It All Began With Me Being Stepped On by Arlecchino (40 Chapter)

If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it.