Ch. 38: The Other Side

Daytime. Since I finished training, I've been wandering around the city. Liyue Harbor was still filled with the hustle and bustle of Liyue residents. Children were playing chase, adults were decorating, some of them were also watching the children.

Their eyes narrowed, they watched the people who approached the children.

I knew the reason... they were beginning to fear kidnapping.

This festival was filled with happiness and terror.

It seemed both fun and scary at the same time.

Observing the decorations that had yet to fully embellish the atmosphere despite being filled with the golden glitter of the hanging lanterns, I had a feeling that it would be a long time before the Lantern Rite festival decorations were finished. It was as if there was no end to it.

I couldn't wait to help.

After looking left and right, I exhaled.

I walked towards the Adventure Guild.

I'd been with Keqing for so long, I'd forgotten that I had a life too, aside from taking care of the life of a woman who wasn't even my girlfriend.

My destination is Raiden Shogun... why do I think my life is stuck on Keqing now? She's just my idol...

"Hi, Miss Katheryne... any quests for today?" I said softly while observing Katheryne's face, which was wearing a smile so sincere.

"Hi there, Mr. Charles. Today there are quests from some residents. The other adventurers haven't picked it up yet."

I tilted my head.

"May I know what kind of quest it is?"

***

"Twelve ...."

The last Hilichurl to be killed dripped blood from the tip of my sword.

After sheathing my sword back into its scabbard, I looked back: The Hilichurl that was cut down was split into two pieces and almost all of them lay on the ground.

It was a one-sided massacre: pools of blood coloured the brownish soil and green grass.

Like a painting.

Turning away from the corpse, I saw a tall building that blended in with the trees. I often went there as the character I played in the game.

As Travelers, also as the character I got from gacha.

I bit my lip instantly. Gacha, this word reminded me of the dark past. Why are these people, my virtual friends, lucky to get a 5-star character with just one pull without having to save as much pity as possible, damn it! While me? It must be Hard Pity!

How envious and spiteful I am of them!

My breathing was rushed for a few moments, then I inhaled and exhaled slowly.

Well, I've calmed down.

Now I just need to complete this quest as quickly as possible and then go train with Keqing again.

I was getting stuck with Keqing.

Frequently being with him was rather dangerous.

With the start of my breathing, I checked the Inventory menu.

In the Inventory, there was food in one of the slots.

I exhaled again, closed the Inventory, then set my sights on the Wangshu Inn once more.

***

After completing the quest, I returned to the training ground. I originally wanted to buy a Golden Shrimp Ball and gift it to Keqing. However, realising that my wallet was about to run out, I decided to buy it sometime.

I had to save up, man.

When I arrived at the training ground, I hadn't seen Keqing yet. So I waited for her there, sitting under a tree while singing Eve's Dramaturgy. With only vague memories of the past, I couldn't help but sing some of the lyrics.

There was no instrument I could play here, so I clapped my hands.

I smiled, shaking my head as if in sync with the rhythm of the music.

Not long after, a silhouette came, it was the girl I knew. Dressed in her signature flashy outfit.

A beautiful girl. Keqing.

I instantly stopped every movement of my body, hands, and even mouth.

Keqing approached me while wearing a sweet smile.

Well you could say her smile was as sweet as sugar.

After that she sat down beside me.

She didn't speak yet.

Maybe there was something she wanted to say, but she was hesitant whether to say it or not.

However, I knew what she meant.

She wanted us to practice right away.

I know that, but I haven't done it yet.

Instead I just moved my lips: talking about my experience this afternoon. Not only that, I started to mention the Hilichurl that appeared frequently. I was a little curious how she would respond about the monsters that had been appearing frequently lately.

Is that normal?

In the game, it's normal, but the game and the real world are different things... anomalies can happen at any time so I hurriedly asked.

***

(POV: Melania)

He lied... it's been four days and he hasn't returned. Where did he go? Did he really forget about me?

It's useless to trust him. I've only been given false hope. It's a waste of my trust in people... I let out a long breath.

He said he would come here with food. I've been expecting that for a long time... but, why? Why haven't you come yet?

As I was muttering, suddenly someone approached me... it wasn't the jerks or one of them who always did "that" to me, but someone else. His appearance was... rather unusual.

Those jerks always seem to be following him around.

Ah, I remember... he was also the one who threw that fire spear... he's the boss!

I bit my lip.

***

Please throw a power stone to keep me motivated!

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Looks like I have to reread it again because I completely forgot the story and characteristics of each character 💀

I'm sure some of you reading this are authors, well I have some advice for you: I hope you don't stop writing halfway through, it causes you to forget how to write like I did 😭😭😭.

Hopefully I can write again.