Inside the group, discussions were intense, while outside, Futsu Mitama and the others quietly awaited Thoma's return. He had gone to ask Kamisato Ayato whether their plan could be carried out. No matter what, they needed his approval.
Kamisato Ayato was the head of the Yashiro Commission. Futsu Mitama was affiliated with the Kamisato Clan, and Kamisato Ayaka was his sister. Informing him was essential. If they moved against the Hiiragi Clan while Kamisato Ayato was still in the dark, the consequences would be disastrous.
During the wait, Futsu Mitama began reviewing his permissions. At LV1, as Group Leader, he could kick members, cancel file uploads, and mute others. Now that the group had reached LV2, his authority had expanded.
Soon, Futsu Mitama discovered that he could invite people. Yes—he could finally invite people! At LV1 he didn't have the option at all. Apart from the Chat Group itself issuing invitations, he had no way to bring in new members.
But now, he could actively invite them. The invitation function had a number 3 beside it. He wasn't sure whether it meant three invitations in total or three per day. In addition, he now had one more daily sign-in than regular members, giving him an extra chance each day to obtain experience or items.
On top of that, any group experience gained slightly increased his strength. No matter how he looked at it, this level-up was pure profit.
He also unlocked the group live feed function. Futsu Mitama felt it would only be useful during special occasions or festivals. Other than letting the lonely Raiden Makoto and Azhdaha see the modern human world, it didn't have much practical purpose.
"Aila, give me your hand." Inside the tavern, Futsu Mitama looked at Aila seriously. "I have two sign-ins now. I have a feeling I'll get something good. Give me your good luck."
"Hmm?"
Kuki Shinobu looked at him with suspicion. Her tone was dry as she said, "If you want good luck, you should go to a miko. They actually have methods for invoking fortune. Yae Guuji is the strongest among them. It's said that receiving her blessing grants a month of continuous good luck."
"Simply touching someone's hand is just psychological comfort. Or are you trying to take advantage?"
"No, no, no, absolutely not." Futsu Mitama shook his head firmly. He looked at Kuki Shinobu with complete seriousness. "Do you know how many items we've gotten from sign-ins during these five years?"
Kuki Shinobu shook her head. How could she know what Futsu Mitama and Aila received?
Aila, however, quietly extended her hands. She was already prepared. Kamisato Ayaka, observing from the side, had a thoughtful expression. She hadn't signed in yet, either.
"In total, seven items," Futsu Mitama said solemnly. "In five years, seven. Six were opened by Aila. Only one was opened by me."
"Her luck is incredible. If we're fortunate enough to get some kind of tracking item, we might even find that merchant directly—without dealing with the Fatui."
Saying this, Futsu Mitama took Aila's soft, delicate hand.
"…" Aila's usual cool expression wavered; a faint blush appeared on her small face.
"My turn!!!" Futsu Mitama opened the Chat Group interface with dramatic momentum.
"Draw!!!"
[Ding!]
[Sign-in successful.] [Obtained experience: 20.]
[Ding!] [Sign-in successful.] [Obtained experience: 15.]
Orz. At this point, Futsu Mitama no longer believed in metaphysics. These sign-ins were always filled with experience and nothing else! The only item he had ever gotten was a wine recipe that improved physical strength and Electro resistance.
"Judging by your face, you failed." Kuki Shinobu teased him. "Why not try someone else next time? Maybe it'll work."
Kuki Shinobu had no concern over increased sign-in rewards. Because no matter how the amount increased, the most common thing was that cursed experience. Every sign-in was experience. Except for her very first one—which gave her the Reimu miko outfit—she had never received another item.
"Forget it. There's nothing good in this sign-in anyway." Futsu Mitama shook his head with a resigned sigh. "I've figured out this sign-in system. It won't give anything except what raises the group level."
While he spoke, Kuki Shinobu and Aila, who hadn't signed in yet today, used their sign-ins as well. They also got nothing but experience. Both nodded, agreeing with Futsu Mitama. This useless sign-in system had nothing but experience.
Any talk of increased rewards was a lie.
"Um…"
At that moment, Kamisato Ayaka timidly lifted a tattered cloak in her hands. She looked at them and asked, "I just signed in and got this. Is it useful?"
"According to the description, it's a magical cloak that erases presence. While wearing it, most people won't notice you."
Although Ayaka asked the question innocently, the smile in her eyes was unmistakable. While everyone else got experience, she received an actual item. A faint trace of pride appeared on her delicate face.
"Oh… this…" Futsu Mitama stared at the cloak, briefly stunned. Not only him—Kuki Shinobu and Aila were equally surprised.
What was happening?
Kuki Shinobu suddenly understood why Futsu Mitama reacted so strongly when she first obtained an item from sign-in.
There really was a reason. After almost a month without getting anything, she had started to suspect that the sign-in system no longer contained items at all—that only experience existed. But now, just when everyone had given up hope, someone else received an item.
The feeling… was unpleasant.
"What's wrong?" Seeing everyone frozen and staring at her, Ayaka's smile faltered. Uneasiness crept in. "Did I do something wrong?"
Futsu Mitama shook his head gently. He looked at the cloak in her hand and said in a complicated tone:
"Maybe this sign-in system has something like a beginner's welfare period."
"People signing in for the first time often have exceptionally good luck."