Even after coming downstairs, Mobius continued to eye Chen Luo with a strange look.
"This person is truly bizarre."
He rejected gold, wealth, knowledge, power—even beautiful women.
Mobius had fully intended to create a mindless artificial lifeform resembling herself if he'd chosen the last option. Yet he'd shattered all her expectations.
While she viewed the body as merely the soul's shackles, that didn't mean she'd hand those shackles to someone else.
This only deepened her interest in Chen Luo.
Everyone had their desires—so what was Chen Luo's?
Her instincts screamed that his actions carried hidden meaning.
As Mobius studied him, Chen Luo reciprocated the scrutiny.
Mobius
[The Chosen One] (Talent): The chosen ones always stand apart. When calamity comes, those blessed by fortune shall rise to meet it. Such individuals are destined for greatness, with significantly boosted luck during critical moments.
(Come on, being born able to speak is seriously cool okay?)
Price: 8,250 (Original 11,000 Primogems) (25% off)
[Doctor of Integrated Sciences (Master)]: Includes biotechnology, human modification, genetics, Honkai research...
Price: 11,250 (Original 15,000 Primogems)
[Bubble Wrap Popping Master]: Knows how to pop bubble wrap most satisfyingly to relieve stress and spark inspiration.
Price: 150 Primogems (Original 200 Primogems)
...
Frankly, the bubble wrap skill was the last thing Chen Luo expected—and the cheapest master-level skill he'd encountered.
Moreover, while Mobius indeed harbored numerous dangerous capabilities...
The total Primogem value of her skills and talents surpassed even the Herrscher of Sentience's—and any S-rank talent user he'd met—despite her currently being an ordinary human.
The power of a scientist, I guess?
Notably absent was any resurrection ability.
This was precisely why Chen Luo hesitated to use the random Mobius reward from [Mobius' Oath].
The description specified "Mobius-related" without clarifying if it had to be her current self. If used during a mission in the Honkai Impact world, might it grant something from her simulated self in the Elysian Realm?
While the sim's combat capabilities were limited compared to her prime due to the Realm's restrictions, fifty thousand years of accumulated knowledge meant she far surpassed the present Mobius.
More importantly—strength mattered little when any talent would be reduced to its basic form in Chen Luo's hands.
What defined Mobius' talent? Cheating death.
It's not like the sim's resurrection ability would be weaker than the original's, but he can't be sure.
The critical point was that current Mobius lacked this talent—wasting the reward here would be foolish.
Death-defying abilities... now that's tempting.
On another note, Mobius already offered a 25% discount.
Venti has been with me for so many years, and the discount has just reached 25%.
Gift-giving really does accelerate relationship-building.
However...
Chen Luo's eyes gleamed as he noted his Primogem count had reached 1,465 after completing commissions.
Just 135 more for a 10-pull.
Whether to summon or buy skills first didn't matter—reaching 1,600 Primogems would be a milestone.
Surprisingly, he'd gotten here faster than anticipated—only four or five days post-awakening.
Then again, considering his two-year preparation, it made sense.
Starting with the Midnight bar really is OP.
While normal commissions averaged 10 Primogems, Chen Luo's salesmanship worked wonders.
"So Venti, how about ordering a drink brewed from the Anemo Archon?" Chen Luo leaned in, staring intently.
"Fine, get me one." Harassed into submission, Venti waved dismissively.
"Not good enough—your desire isn't strong yet."
Good guy,[1] you want to get something for free without a commission?
"..." Venti fixed him with a deadpan stare.
"Fine, my bad this time. As an apology, have some peanuts and edamame." Chen Luo slid the snacks over.
Only then did Venti relax.
"Benefactor! I'm here!" Mona burst through the door, panting heavily.
[Ding! New commission received!]
Chen Luo grinned.
"Why so exhausted?" He couldn't help asking.
"That mountain where the Bar appears! I had to climb it again today!" Mona collapsed onto the nearest chair.
"Wait... did I never mention? You can enter by focusing on any door—or even summon the Bar doorless with enough concentration."
Watching Mona who'd literally scaled a mountain for nothing, Chen Luo was speechless.
"..." Mona, who was about to die of exhaustion, lost her desire to live after hearing what Chen Luo said.
"Owner! Bitter melon juice!"
[Ding! New commission received!]
Chen Luo glanced at Theresa and then at Mobius, walked back to the bar, and poured a glass of bitter melon juice from the barrel.
"Dr. Mobius, our takeout containers aren't high-grade preservation. You should refrigerate or properly store that meat soon, otherwise it will spoil." he advised while serving Theresa.
"Oh? I assumed this magical Bar's packaging would preserve it indefinitely." Mobius immediately stood, dragging Klein, who was halfway finished drinking milk tea.
Ideally, Chen Luo would've prevented Mobius and Theresa from meeting—though neither recognized the other.
"Theresa, remember to come Friday night—the day after tomorrow. We're discussing finding your niece after summer break starts," Chen Luo added.
"Understood." Theresa nodded.
TL Note:
[1]: It's an expression often used to show surprise, amazement, or sometimes sarcasm, depending on the context.