The device sitting in Kael's hand was small enough to fit his palm, yet its design carried an unmistakable technological edge.
A compact, square body in deep blue and black, accented with metallic lines that suggested durability and precision.
A short antenna rose from the top, trembling lightly whenever it caught subtle shifts in the surrounding air. At its base sat a tiny signal amplifier, ringed by intricate marks that looked like condensed symbols meant to optimize its detection field.
In the center of the device, a rectangular screen gleamed faintly.
Its surface was smooth and cool, reflecting a sharp pale glow as though it could scan the world and show what lay beneath the surface.
The frame around it was metal, cut in clean lines that spoke of careful craftsmanship.
On the right edge sat a small dial and a series of miniature buttons, meant to fine-tune its scanning modes.
A comfortable, rubber-coated handle extended from one side, molded to settle against the palm with ease. A subtle groove at the top allowed the user to press a finger into place for single-handed operation.
Even with its compact form, Kael could sense the complexity within.
The back was covered in a carbon-fiber pattern, catching the light in faint metallic ripples. A few tiny ports lined the edges, clearly intended for additional attachments.
Kael lifted it closer and pressed the activation switch.
A cool blue shimmer lit the display.
Waves of energy began to ripple across the screen, thin flowing lines that shifted with the environment's biological frequencies.
Kael turned the device in his hand. "They really made this thing compact. And stylish."
He remembered the note embedded in the panel earlier.
The model came from the Genius Society, crafted by member No. 8, R.I.M., the one known for encoding value into measurable signals. With a similar tool, they had located a massive trove of resources on an icebound world.
Belobog had never known they possessed a priceless gift from a passing genius.
Now Kael held one of his own.
With this thing, he really could attempt resource surveying across Teyvat.
Ore veins.
Rare specialties.
Natural deposits.
The thought made him rub his chin. He gave the device a gentle shake and felt its light weight settle into his grip. It felt like handling a refined piece of art, every part engineered with purpose.
The device vibrated.
A low hum rose from within.
Kael paused, eyes shifting to the screen as a bright cluster of signals began flashing.
That glow meant one thing. The Prospector had detected something valuable nearby.
He glanced around the Good Hunter.
It was hardly a location where ore or rare minerals would appear.
So what exactly was being marked?
With a slight frown, Kael stood up and followed the indicator outside, looping around behind the restaurant.
The readings grew stronger.
Then his eyes landed on a small, feather-like mushroom growing near the wall.
"…A Windblume Mushroom?"
He crouched down.
The pale, feathery cap looked as though a breeze hovered over it, its hues shifting gently from light blue to soft teal. The base held a tender yellow stem that pulsed with the faint rhythm of Anemo.
A mushroom born from Mondstadt's gentle winds, nourished by the atmosphere itself.
Kael stared at it in silence.
"This qualifies as a resource?"
The Prospector pulsed again, confirming it without hesitation.
Kael picked up the mushroom.
He had seen them before, but rarely. Adventurers usually cleared them out before he ever arrived. It made sense for the device to treat it as an Anemo-infused biological resource.
He slipped it into his pocket and returned to his seat.
The owner of the Good Hunter came back inside, setting a fresh plate of grilled skewers on Kael's table.
"Those Fatui troublemakers are making noise again." The man sighed heavily. "Honestly, the Knights should just kick them out. Rude, arrogant people."
Another diner shook his head. "They are official envoys of Snezhnaya. They can walk around as they please. Even the Knights cannot fault them easily."
"Still feels wrong. Those people are never up to anything good."
"They pay well sometimes," someone else muttered. "Some merchants would sell even snow for the right price. You cannot stop them."
Voices overlapped throughout the restaurant, a steady mix of complaints and frustration.
Kael listened quietly.
"So Mondstadt's Fatui…"
He rubbed his chin, lost in thought.
"What would they correspond to in Belobog's Underworld?"
The question lingered in his mind as the Prospector rested at his side, faintly glowing, as if it also waited for an answer.