Kisaragi's Long-Strange Collection Notes

Often, the world is just a giant makeshift operation.

To ordinary people, these extraordinary, mysterious, and enigmatic figures are, in the end, just like everyone else, caught up in the pursuit of fame, fortune, love, and hate.

Just like right now.

The market was bustling with people dressed in strange costumes, and there were about 30 vendors selling goods like street vendors. Except for the number of stalls, it was similar to the last night market.

There were people hawking their wares, people haggling, and even shills. It was hard to tell that this group consisted of mysterious figures with formidable reputations.

How did Chen Meimei know there were "plants"?

Because he was the shill that Cassan hired to place the bid.

"Meow, back when Dawn and I were a bit famous, if I offered to buy something myself, I'd probably get ripped off. So, just pretend you want it and I'm just here to help you buy it, understand?"

Chen Meimei understood immediately. Cassan had spoken very subtly, and he translated it in his head:

Dawn and Cassandra, this pair of partners, are usually arrogant and domineering, and have offended too many people. This time, they are likely to be retaliated against. So Cassandra pretends to be an elder and accompanies the younger ones to buy things. If any stall owner shouts out prices, she, as the elder, jumps out and waves her fist at the person.

"clear."

Today, the customers are all mysterious figures, so there are fewer people setting up stalls, but the items on the stalls are all very impressive.

"Master's wife, what do you want to buy?"

"Strangely dropped materials, either dance-related or probability-based."

"That doesn't make sense. Isn't it said that once a strange material falls, it has to be used immediately, otherwise it will dissipate after an hour?"

"Yes, but in that case, how many people would actually get the materials they want?"

"Very few, I suppose."

"So, someone came up with a 'clumsy solution': it had to be used within an hour, but some materials couldn't be used up in a short time."

For example, if your partner Xi wants a colored pencil, someone gets one, draws on it a few times, and that's considered using it. A few days later, that person sells the pencil that has been used to tide, and in this way, tide gets what she wants.

Of course, the more it's used and resold, the lower the compatibility with the actual user will be, affecting the success rate of breakthroughs.

What Cassan said was easy to understand, but what Chen Meimei didn't understand was, if that was the case, what was the point of him being a shill?

Cassandra wanted to buy materials specifically for her own use, but Chen Meimei jumped out and pretended it was for her own use—who would believe that?

"Don't worry, [mystery] is always intentionally kept secret by all of us, no one knows what others want."

The two started by looking at the first stall.

Cassan didn't find what she wanted.

Chen Meimei discovered something that interested her.

It was an old wooden rocking chair with smooth armrests. Although it was empty, it swayed back and forth very slowly, as if an invisible person was sitting on it.

The owners here all wear overcoats and big hats, trying their best to avoid being recognized.

If even a buyer like Cassans is afraid of being targeted, then these sellers must be even more worried.

"Boss, could you tell me about this chair?"

The boss glanced at the [Garden of the Silver Moon] brooch on Chen Meimei's chest.

"This is a rocking chair that allows you to immerse yourself in your own rhythm. The person sitting in it will be guided by the rhythm and fall into a state of calm contemplation. Forcibly changing the rocking rhythm will cause you to feel resistance."

Finding your rhythm and resonance with it can lead to deep relaxation.

"What about the side effects?" Cassan interjected.

"Some people tried to forcibly change the rocking rhythm, and then suffered heart attacks. Several owners passed away peacefully in the rocking chair's soothing rhythm."

The stall owner was very honest and explained the side effects in great detail.

If it really doesn't work, these two are from the insane [Silver Moon Court]. Gaining some time is a small matter, but if he tricks the wrong people, his troubles will not be solved by time.

It's not just this stall owner.

This trade fair was originally jointly organized by the municipality and the association alliance, with the aim of allowing everyone to exchange information and turn time into strength before next week in order to cope with the coming storm.

There are explicit regulations that allow you to bid at a premium at this trade fair, but you are not allowed to cheat people; violators will be severely punished.

How much?

"360."

Chen Meimei thought for a moment, then shook her head and left.

If you haggle a bit, you might be able to get it for 300 years. It's not too expensive, but this is a chair for enjoyment, not a necessity.

"Master's wife, have you ever heard of anything that can store items?"

"You mean the storage pocket?"

"Really? Is it expensive?"

"It's not expensive. It's just a magical item that ordinary people can afford. It should be available in about 20 years."

"This kind of treasure is so cheap, I'd better..."

Cassan interrupted him: "The reason why storage items are cheap is because they have one drawback."

If the carrier moves quickly or uses [mystery], it may disrupt the spatial structure inside the bag, thereby destroying the bag and its contents.

There's only one scenario where this is relatively certain: if the user's own "mystical" ability is spatial.

"Oh." Chen Meimei gave up on this uncertain option.

The two went from stall to stall, seeing countless strange and unusual things.

Some things, you can roughly know what they are just by hearing their names.

For example, there is a beautiful striped tie called [The Tie Executioner].

Some have unclear uses, such as a long, narrow whetstone with a surface that has been worn into a dent.

There are also some items whose purpose is unclear but impressive, such as a miniature slingshot that is only the size of a finger. The stall owner said it is called "Mosquito Sniper" and is specially designed to deal with small insects, with a 100% hit rate.

Chen Meimei's eyes were opened to a whole new world.

When we had reached about two-thirds of the way through.

Cassan stopped, gently tugged at Chen Meimei's sleeve, and whispered in his ear, "There, that umbrella."

Chen Meimei understood.

Chen Meimei was very cautious about this important matter concerning her teacher's wife.

He first adjusted the [flower hat] on his head to make sure the traitor's ahoge (cowlick) was hidden.

In the corner of the stall, there was an oil-paper umbrella.

"Boss, see my brooch? I'm the next president of [Silver Moon Garden], currently in charge of the organization's procurement. I'm getting some stock delivered today."

The stall owner knew that the talk about "the next president" was nonsense, but the [Silver Moon Garden] brooch was genuine, so he was very polite.

"My friend who's about to become the president, feel free to choose whatever you want. I'll give you a discount. Please take care of me in the city in the future."

Chen Meimei began his journey of picking and choosing.

Comments included things like "This broken tower looks fake," "That fan leaks air," and "The patina on the pair of walnuts is uneven."

The boss, standing under the cloak, was sweating profusely as he listened.

"Stop, stop, friend. I still have business to do. Just tell me what you want. This prelude is too long; my little stall can't handle it."

This is the power of the [Garden of Silver Moon]. If it were someone else, the stall owner would probably have changed his attitude and wouldn't be so kind to persuade him.

"Okay, I'll take this material umbrella. I have a friend who recently..."

"Stop, no need for a story, you can have the 1300-year-old one." The stall owner quickly made a direct offer.

Cassan's eyes lit up.

1300 years is a very low price; she could afford it with her own savings. Before coming, she discussed with Chen Meimei that she would be lucky if she could get it for 1500 years, and her maximum budget should not exceed 2000 years.

Chen Meimei's face darkened, and she was not happy.

"I don't like odd numbers. Either 1200 or 1400. I'm not short of time, I'll give you 1400, but you have to give me a little something extra."

The stall owner hesitated slightly in the face of this reverse price-cutting: "What do you want to add?"

Chen Meimei pointed to a pile of beads: "That one that just happened, oh no, that broken bead."

The stall owner had checked the pile of beads countless times but couldn't find any treasures. However, he wasn't a master appraiser himself, so he might have made a mistake.

"No, I don't do that kind of thing here. You can just take the umbrella in 1200."

"Deal." Chen Meimei smiled.

Cassan stepped forward to pay and take the umbrella.

As soon as she left the stall, the smile on her face was impossible to hide.

"What's wrong, Master's wife? It's not that much cheaper, is it?"

"Heh heh, look."

Cassan opened the oil-paper umbrella halfway open. The inside of the umbrella resembled a spinning wheel, with different patterns on each square, such as fruits, candies, and balloons.

"This material is a [probability umbrella], not for rain protection. When opened, it might randomly drop items from a spinning wheel. This umbrella can accompany dances, is compatible with dances, and is related to probability. Its compatibility with me is simply amazing."

"Master's wife is mighty! Now she'll soar to the heavens!"

Chen Meimei immediately showered Cassandra with flattery, making Cassandra overjoyed, her eyes almost narrowing into slits.

Just as the two were preparing to retire after achieving their goal.

Red subtitles appeared.

[Xiao Hong's friendly reminder: A mysterious item with extremely high strength has appeared at the stall ahead!]

Chen Meimei immediately stopped in her tracks.