Story Reader / Event Story / Magpie's Fortune / Story
You sit at the front desk and take a sip of the recommended drink. The familiar flavor instantly fills your mouth.
You let out a long breath. It's amazing how authentic this tastes—you never expect the World Folklore Enthusiasts to capture New Oakley's style so perfectly.
You down the rest of your drink, pay your bill, and get ready to leave—when the door suddenly flies open with a bang. A red-haired Construct strides in, spots you, and dashes over.
They tell me a commandant from Babylonia is here, and I just know it has to be you!
Stop talking—come on, I'm taking you to arm wrestle!
He says this, then grabs your hand and heads outside.
It's not like it's any sort of custom... Wait...
Someone's already challenged you to arm-wrestle?
Did you win?
He's beaten me to it!
He slams on the table in frustration, causing the cups and bottles to jump one inch into the air.
Nice work! See? I keep telling you to train every day—look how useful it is now!
He slams on the table in excitement, causing the cups and bottles to jump one inch into the air.
Hey, isn't there some kind of Double Seventh Festival from Kowloong? I've done my homework, and they call it a Luck Duel!
They say the luck part means good fortune, so in the Luck Duel, you compete to grab someone else's luck. If you win, you take it all!
I mean, no matter what it's like elsewhere, these are the rules here.
They draw lots to decide who arm-wrestles whom. The winner takes every ounce of "luck" from the loser. You have to go through with it—if you refuse, you lose by default.
You really don't know a thing? I figure you're here to try your luck like everyone else...
So, what are you doing here then?
It's a festival, and you're still on the job? Wow, you sure know how to run into all the bad luck.
How are you supposed to fight with luck this bad? At least it's a holiday today—come on, let's go score some "luck"!
Oh right, if you go head-to-head with a Construct, you're basically doomed.
One loss, and your luck's wiped clean. No way we're letting that happen...
Noctis sits on a stool with his arms crossed and head bowed, muttering something no one can quite catch.
Suddenly, his face brightens with excitement, and he jumps to his feet.
I'm an absolute genius!
Don't worry about the details—just follow me!
He doesn't let you ask anything else. Noctis grabs your arm and rushes out of the shop.
Ugh...
Ah!!
You can't even take one hit. Next!
No, I... uh...
If you're brave enough, let's arm-wrestle. If not, give up and quit wasting my time!
You follow Noctis from the south side to the north, and by the time you get back to the bar, he's already beaten just about everyone around here.
Commandant, do you see how I'm taking down every so-called unbeatable opponent out there? Right now, all the good fortune—every bit of "luck"—is on my side.
So, moving on...
Noctis seizes your hand and sits beside the wooden cabinet. He braces his left elbow on the tabletop, raises his forearm, and locks both of you into an arm-wrestling stance.
Now that you're here, I'm not letting you leave without beating you at least once.
No way—this is impossible!
Noctis's hand flops to one side on the wooden counter, and you keep yours firmly pressed on top.
How could someone as great as me lose to you?!
It must be because I've been arm-wrestling way too many people before this, so now my frame's in rough shape!
Whatever, I'll own up to my loss. All my "luck" now is...
You watch Noctis try so hard to fake that bitter look, and you can't stop a grin from creeping onto your face.
Hey, why do you look so weird right now?
Seriously... You've already caught on, haven't you?
Stop! Stop laughing like that! Your laughter is making my whole body ache...
This idea doesn't come easy. Your luck is already pretty awful, and after everything that happens today, it only gets worse. I really don't want to hear about you getting whacked by a meteor the moment you walk out the door.
Haha, what's there to thank me for? It's just a few doses of good luck. They're all yours now!
Anyway, you beat me—so now you're the "luckiest" person around here, the one with all the good fortune.
Plenty of people must be keeping an eye on you.
The red-haired Construct jumps up, planting a foot on the bench.
But don't worry, Commandant. I'm staying by your side all day.
Nobody is taking away your good luck on my watch!
