"The Light Gene Converter?"
Seeing the reward, even Han Feng looked slightly surprised.
According to the system's description, it no longer required the Spark Lens—having a stone statue alone would be enough.
But there was one major problem.
Teyvat didn't have anyone with the Gene of Light.
In Ultraman Tiga, Masaki Keigo had only succeeded in becoming light because his genes contained the same root Light Gene as Daigo's.
So...
Would they first need someone equivalent to an Ultraman to leave behind Light Genes for another person?
"Looks like Venti is going to have a headache."
Han Feng shook his head.
"This is even more troublesome than building a giant statue."
Zhongli's Ultraman statue had relatively simple activation requirements.
The only real issue was the enormous amount of money needed to build it.
Venti's reward, on the other hand...
Was far more difficult.
Because there simply wasn't anyone who met the requirements.
Buzz—
Buzz—
Two brilliant beams of light descended, enveloping Venti and Zhongli.
A moment later...
The light faded.
Floating before Venti was a strange-looking machine.
It had a central platform...
Surrounded by four glowing devices.
Meanwhile, beside Zhongli...
Appeared a sleek, futuristic Virtual Pod.
"Boss Han..."
"What exactly is this?"
Venti blinked curiously at the machine.
When he'd read Ultraman Tiga, he'd paid far more attention to the story and the giant stone statues.
He hadn't really remembered the various machines.
"It's a Light Gene Converter."
Han Feng smiled as he explained.
"It can transform someone who possesses the Gene of Light into a being of light."
"As long as a suitable stone statue exists..."
"They can transform into an Ultraman."
"So it's that machine..."
Zhongli stroked his chin thoughtfully.
He remembered it.
In that chapter...
A man named Masaki Keigo had used this very machine.
Combined with the Spark Lens...
He had successfully become light.
In Zhongli's eyes...
Masaki had been a genius.
Unfortunately...
He'd chosen the wrong path.
Still...
Judging from Boss Han's explanation...
This version no longer needed the Spark Lens.
With a statue alone...
Transformation was possible.
"Now that's incredible!"
Venti's eyes lit up as well.
There are already statues in Mondstadt!
The one in the plaza!
Since it only needed a statue as a medium...
It didn't even have to be a specially made Ultraman statue.
The more Venti thought about it...
The happier he became.
He'd practically gotten an Ultraman for free!
Compared to Zhongli...
He was saving an absurd amount of Mora.
Rounded up...
That was practically tens of billions!
"Old man..."
"Looks like I'm ahead of you this time."
Venti grinned, nudging Zhongli with his elbow.
"By universal reasoning..."
"That's true."
Zhongli nodded calmly.
"After all..."
"I still have to build my statue."
"You can use yours immediately."
But then he changed the subject.
"However..."
"Have you found someone with the Gene of Light, as Boss Han described?"
"And even if you do..."
"Can you guarantee they won't turn out to be another Masaki Keigo?"
"...Eh?"
Venti froze.
"Isn't it enough for someone to simply have light in their heart?"
As far as he remembered...
Wasn't that how Zhongli's statue had been activated?
Wouldn't the same principle apply here?
"No."
Han Feng shook his head.
"The activation requirement for your machine is very specific."
"It must be someone who possesses the Gene of Light."
"...That's troublesome."
Venti immediately looked discouraged.
There were no Ultramen in Teyvat.
Nor was there anyone who naturally possessed light powers.
Where was he supposed to find someone with the Gene of Light?
And even if he somehow managed to find one...
There was still the issue Zhongli had raised.
If that person harbored malicious intentions...
They could become a disaster for Mondstadt...
Or perhaps all of Teyvat.
"...What a letdown."
Venti sighed.
"Teyvat may not have such a person."
Zhongli suddenly offered a suggestion.
"But perhaps someone who has visited Boss Han's manga shop..."
"Has already obtained a reward related to the Gene of Light."
The manga shop was full of miraculous items.
It wasn't impossible.
"Oh!"
"You're right!"
Venti suddenly realized.
He immediately began pacing back and forth in thought.
Since this power was meant to protect Mondstadt...
Naturally...
His first choice would be someone from Mondstadt.
Only if he truly couldn't find anyone...
Would he consider people from other nations.
One by one...
Faces passed through his mind.
Because he visited the shop so often...
He knew quite well what rewards people like Jean and Diluc had received.
But...
He ruled them all out.
None of them were suitable.
"...Looks like I'll have to—"
Suddenly...
He stopped.
"Wait!"
"She might actually work!"
A figure flashed through his mind.
Barbara.
If he remembered correctly...
She possessed a Digimon partner.
YukimiBotamon (SnowBotamon).
According to the evolution line from Digimon Adventure...
It would eventually become Tailmon (Gatomon)...
Then evolve into Angewomon.
Angewomon was the very embodiment of light.
And during the battle against VenomMyotismon...
Angewomon had fired the Arrow of Light, filling Taichi with power.
That, in turn...
Had allowed Agumon to evolve into WarGreymon.
Most importantly...
Barbara was Jean's younger sister.
She served as the deaconess of Mondstadt Cathedral.
There was absolutely no question about her character.
"That's it!"
"There couldn't possibly be a better candidate!"
Venti's heart raced with excitement.
The more he thought about it...
The more perfect it seemed.
Still...
Whether it would actually work...
He needed to ask Boss Han.
This wasn't something to experiment with carelessly.
Turning toward Han Feng with anticipation, he asked,
"Boss Han..."
"What do you think about Barbara?"
"Doesn't she have that Digimon called YukimiBotamon?"
"If it eventually evolves into Angewomon..."
"And uses the Arrow of Light on Barbara like it did in the manga..."
"Would Barbara then obtain the Gene of Light?"
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