"This… could this be a four-star weapon?"
"That's right. This is the four-star weapon, Sacrificial Bow. If you join my team, I'll give it to you."
This was the best four-star bow Zephyr had, and giving it to Amber showed just how much he valued her.
"What? Really? You're not joking?" Amber was stunned.
Zephyr replied, "Of course not."
"Hmm..." It was clear that Amber was struggling internally, her face showing a conflicted expression.
"No, take it away! Take it away! Don't tempt me!"
Zephyr's voice came like the whisper of a devil: Just say yes... just say yes... and this precious four-star weapon will be yours~
Amber took a deep breath, her gaze turning firm again.
"It's not impossible for me to agree, but I have one question for you."
"Go ahead."
"Why do you want me in your team? Why me and not someone else?"
Zephyr said, "Alright, I'll be honest with you. The truth is, I have a mission that requires someone with a Vision to join my team."
"A Vision? So that's why—you want my Vision?"
"No, no! Amber, don't misunderstand. While the mission does require it, that's not the reason why I chose you."
"Then what is the reason?"
"Because you're my favorite character, Amber."
"Eh?"
Amber's face instantly turned bright red.
"I… I can take that as you liking me, right?"
"Uh… yes!"
Amber quickly covered her face with both hands. "Uuuuhhh..."
"Wait, why are you crying?"
Paimon interjected, "Paimon don't think she's crying. She's just too embarrassed."
At this point, Lumine couldn't hold back any longer.
"Alright, that's enough! You can't just throw around things like 'liking' so casually! Are you really doing this for the main quest? Stop using my body to say such embarrassing things! It's humiliating!"
She was fuming—though whether it was from embarrassment or jealousy was unclear.
Meanwhile, Paimon clutched her stomach, eyes fixed on the grilled meat, her mouth practically watering.
"Uh, Traveler, can we please eat first? Paimon is starving..."
Lumine blinked. "Oh, right, right! Let's eat first. Amber, come on, let's eat!"
"Finally, we can eat!" Paimon cheered.
"A meal-loving soul, a meal-loving heart—if you don't eat, you're not even human! Let's dig in!"
And so, the group enjoyed a wonderful lunch together. The delicious aroma of food gradually brought Amber back to her senses. The conversation shifted, and they started chatting about everyday life.
"Ahh, I'm so full."
Amber patted her stomach, a look of satisfaction on her face.
"That was so good! Honestly, this might be the second best thing I've ever eaten. Thank you so much!"
Paimon curiously asked, "Second best? Then what's the best thing you've ever eaten?"
"The best? That would be Mondstadt's signature dish—Sautéed Carrots with Secret Sauce!"
Paimon swallowed a mouthful of saliva. "Just the name alone sounds delicious!"
"Hehe, of course! It's my absolute favorite! When you come to Mondstadt, I'll treat you to a meal, and you'll see for yourselves. Alright, it's getting late. Let me escort you back to Mondstadt."
"Okay." Lumine got up.
Zephyr sighed helplessly. Are these really my allies? Why does doing a main quest feel like more of a hassle than a help…
Just as they stood up, Amber's expression suddenly changed. She pulled out her slingshot.
"Be careful! There's a monster nearby!"
Paimon froze. "A monster? Wait… Amber, is your nose really that sharp?"
"I'm not smelling it—I can sense it. Years of battle experience have trained me to notice these things."
"Wait, you can actually feel monsters approaching? That's amazing!"
Sure enough, a Hilichurl swaggered across a small hill in the distance.
Paimon gasped. "Ah! A Hilichurl!"
Amber's eyes sharpened. "Let's go—we can't let it get away!"
Paimon tilted her head. "Hilichurl: ??"
Amber continued, "Lately, these wild monsters have been getting closer and closer to the city. My mission this time is to clear out their camps."
"Ohhh, so that's what's going on."
The group stealthily followed the Hilichurl. Before long, it returned to its main camp.
Wooden fences surrounded the area, along with a crude watchtower. But the most eye-catching part?
Right in the center—a huge treasure chest.
Paimon's eyes sparkled. "A treasure chest! Traveler, look! There's a treasure chest over there!"
Lumine grinned. "Looks like luck is on our side."
Paimon pouted. "But it's so weird… Hilichurls actually know how to build camps?"
Amber nodded. "Yeah, don't underestimate them. They might seem weak, but they're actually pretty smart."
Paimon hummed in thought. "Hmm, so Paimon guess Slimes are still the weakest monsters, then… But wait! Slimes can attack with elemental powers and are immune to their own elements. So… maybe Hilichurls are actually the weakest?"
Lumine shook her head. "No. If we compare Hilichurls and Slimes, Slimes are actually weaker."
"Huh? Why?"
Amber chimed in, "Because Hilichurls can use tools. Isn't that right?"
"Exactly," Lumine confirmed. "Throughout history, the only species to master tool usage was humans. That's what allowed them to evolve from primates into what they are today.
But somehow, Hilichurls have also developed this skill."
Amber added, "Not only that—Hilichurls can make fire. That already puts them ahead of most monsters."
Paimon frowned. "But… if they're that capable, why are they still so weak?"
Amber shook her head. "You're mistaken. Most Hilichurls are weak, yes—but some of them are incredibly strong. You may not have encountered them yet, but just one of those powerful Hilichurls could be Mondstadt's worst nightmare."
Paimon gulped. "W-Wait, Hilichurls can be that powerful?"
Amber's tone grew serious. "We'll talk later. Stay here—I'll be right back."
Before Lumine and Paimon could protest, Amber swiftly sprang into action.
The two exchanged glances.
Paimon: "Uh… does Amber think we're newbies?"
Lumine: "It's not a misunderstanding. We are newbies."
Paimon: "Ugh…"
"Of course, if someone hadn't drained all my EXP, I'd at least be strong enough to fight!"
"Uh… about that…"
Meanwhile, Amber hid behind a tree, bow in hand. She took a deep breath, drew, aimed, fired!
As the arrow soared through the air, it ignited with Pyro energy—striking the Hilichurl on the watchtower in a fiery explosion, taking it out in one shot!
Paimon gasped, "Whoa! Amber is so strong!"
Lumine was equally surprised. "Her arrow was infused with Pyro energy the moment she fired it? That's incredible! How did she do that?"
"Amber is probably a Genshin."
"A Genshin?"
Paimon explained, "Ordinary people in Teyvat can't do something like that. Only those who possess a Vision can wield elemental powers. People with Visions have the potential to ascend to godhood. Such individuals are called Genshin."
"So you're saying… Amber is a Genshin?"
"Yep! That's exactly right!"
> Amber LV19 <
"Wait, Amber is only level 19…? The people in this world really have low levels."
"If only I could use my old account, I'd already be unstoppable—I'd be ruling the world and building a harem by now…"
He let out a deep sigh.
"No, this won't do! We're not in a party right now—if Amber defeats the monsters, we won't get any EXP. These enemies aren't that strong. Lumine, let's do this!"
Lumine nodded in agreement.
Amber then watched in utter confusion as the Traveler randomly climbed up a small hill, only to jump off and perform a plunging attack, one-shotting a Hilichurl.
Amber's expression turned… complicated. "Uh, Lumine… Thanks for helping me and all, but… why did you attack like that?!"
That was so stupid!—she wanted to say, but held back out of politeness.
After spending these past few days together, Lumine had slowly gotten used to Zephyr's chaotic and reckless playstyle. She didn't feel as embarrassed as she did before.
"This is just my personal attack style~"
"Wind Vortex Sword!"
Amber's eyes lit up. "Whoa! That move was amazing! So you have a Vision too? Looks like I can't slack off anymore—Baron Bunny, go!"
From seemingly nowhere, Amber pulled out a plush toy and tossed it right into the middle of the Hilichurls.
Strangely enough, every single Hilichurl turned their attention to the bunny.
Then—
BOOM!
The explosion wiped out all the Hilichurls in one go.
Lumine's eyes widened. "Amber! Stop! Let me do it!"
Amber laughed awkwardly. "Ahaha… D-Don't worry about me~ I may look like this, but I am Mondstadt's Outrider Knight! I'm actually level 15, so there's no need to worry about me~"
Zephyr's mouth twitched. I'm not worried about you—I'm worried you'll kill all the Hilichurls before I can get EXP!
But… that wasn't exactly something he could explain.
Either way, thanks to their teamwork, they successfully defeated all the Hilichurls.
Then—
Ding!
A golden light shimmered around Lumine.
She had leveled up—reaching Level 3!
...