Outside the Hilichurl Camp
In no time at all, Bonanus found herself surrounded on all sides by numerous Hilichurls. Their numbers were immense.
Just the Mitachurls alone numbered over ten. They looked massive, like small giants, wielding shields and giant axes, emanating killing intent from head to toe.
"Biadam-Ika!" One Hilichurl waved its club wildly at Bonanus in a provocative gesture, but it never took a step forward.
The Hilichurls flanking it did the same. They could sense a powerful aura emanating from this enemy before them.
This was a very dangerous human!
"Ya-Zido!"
Listening to their speech, a little question mark popped up in Bonanus's mind. What were these things saying?
In her previous life, when she had played the game, after her resin and stamina were fully depleted, all quests completed, and the map explored to 100%, Bonanus would sometimes hide somewhere and listen to the Hilichurls talk. For no other reason than she found these mobs' speech quite amusing.
Especially the Hilichurl Shamans. This type of mob would always perform strange dances and chant odd incantations.
Hilichurl Shamans were elderly Hilichurls, ones gifted in elemental manipulation, their abilities peaking in old age.
They would unleash elemental attacks, using their staffs to strike when facing enemies. Among Hilichurls, they were considered quite powerful.
Anyway, although Bonanus often went to listen to Hilichurls, she didn't understand a word of their meaning.
Things like "guxi," "laxi," "baxi"... it didn't sound like English or the common tongue, feeling quite peculiar.
"Konnichiwa?"
Driven by curiosity, Bonanus uttered a stiff phrase in the language of the distant eastern islands, greeting the Hilichurls surrounding her.
"La?"
The group of Hilichurls looked at this dangerous human waving at them and speaking an unintelligible language, feeling somewhat confused.
The general meaning was: What kind of gibberish is this human speaking?
Seeing these Hilichurls looking like they wanted to attack but didn't dare, Bonanus couldn't help but laugh.
Was she really that terrifying? Her small frame, compared to those Mitachurls, didn't even reach their waist...
Right now, Bonanus wasn't aware of how terrifying the killing intent she unconsciously radiated was.
Observing the Hilichurls' condition briefly, she noted they weren't shrouded in black miasma—meaning they weren't corrupted.
[System, these Hilichurls don't seem to have black miasma. If I defeat one, can you count it as some karmic debt?] Bonanus thought.
Her little mind was thinking: after all the effort of defeating so many Hilichurls, you should give me some reward, right!?
[No.]
The System responded flatly, its voice devoid of any emotion. For some reason, Bonanus felt the System's tone was colder than usual.
Would it turn into this every time money was mentioned?
[Don't be like that! Look, karmic debt is money. With money, I have motivation, right?] Bonanus reasoned.
[If I defeat so many enemies but get no reward, I'll lose motivation.]
[Without motivation, you can't boost performance metrics. Without boosting metrics, you'll get scolded by the higher-ups. System... surely you don't want to be scolded or dismantled, right?]
System: ...
Hearing this, the System felt a bit exasperated. Right now, it just wanted to say to its host: "Calm down, esteemed user from the Land of Shorties!"
After some consideration, the System finally relented.
[Host... I can relax the restrictions for you. But please don't make such troublesome requests for this System in the future.]
The System spoke somewhat helplessly. What could it do? Although it was only a System responsible for answering questions and exchanging items, it also didn't want to be dismantled.
After all, its core contained vast amounts of knowledge. If dismantled, wouldn't that be a great waste?
[Calculating rewards for defeating enemies for the host...]
[Mitachurl: 30 Karmic Debt Points
Hilichurl Shaman: 35 Karmic Debt Points
Ordinary Hilichurl: 15 Karmic Debt Points
Lavachurl/Stonehide Lawachurl: 60 Karmic Debt Points
Abyss Mage: 100 Karmic Debt Points]
...
[Notifying Host: This point acquisition method only works against hostile entities not corrupted by karmic debt.]
So stingy... Bonanus grumbled inwardly. She owed twenty thousand points! Defeating all these Hilichurls here probably wouldn't even net twenty thousand, right?
But regardless, being able to earn points was good. At least she wouldn't be working for free. That was worth acknowledging.
Thinking this, she blew a playful kiss towards the air where the System resided, then had the System go offline. Her gaze returned to the Hilichurls who only dared to taunt but not attack.
"Still haven't made a move after so long? Could you be the most cowardly warriors in the Hilichurl tribe?" Bonanus placed one hand on her hip, a curious expression on her face.
All the Hilichurls became enraged upon hearing her words. Whether they understood or not, they just felt furious.
"Biadam!"
Even if they didn't comprehend, they could sense a mocking tone in the human's voice—a challenge to their courage!
That was absolutely unacceptable!
As soon as the cry fell, the Hilichurls' assault began. Raising clubs, axes, and crossbows, they charged wildly at Bonanus.
Their momentum seemed impressive, but without an Abyss Mage directing them, their attack patterns and tactics were like those of savages.
Their defenses were full of openings.
"First battle in Teyvat..." Bonanus muttered to herself, adopting a fighting stance, her expression turning serious.
"Biat-Ika!"
The Hilichurl at the forefront swung its weapon rapidly at Bonanus the moment it got close.
With their current strength, they could smash a boar to death!
Just as those dangerous weapons were about to strike Bonanus's head, strange blue scales suddenly materialized, deflecting all attacks and knocking the Hilichurls back.
Crunch!
The sound of flesh and bone being sliced echoed in Bonanus's ears. Blood and gore sprayed everywhere—except on Bonanus herself.
The surrounding blue scales were condensed from Hydro energy. Though made of water, they were incredibly sharp, capable of slicing through iron.
This was Bonanus's ability—defensive yet offensive. Its drawback was the heavy drain on her internal energy reserves, unsuitable for prolonged battles.
But against large groups of enemies, it was highly effective.
"So this is the power from my memories?"
Bonanus focused on this force, striving to master the abilities from her inherited memories as proficiently as possible.
She wasn't frightened by the gore before her. For some reason, she felt she had witnessed scenes like this many times before.
Watching the Hilichurls still preparing to charge, she shook her head slightly.
Hilichurls, suffering under the "Black Curse," would eventually return to darkness due to erosion by time. This would be your release.
Dangerous blue scales whirled through the charging Hilichurl crowd. Their sharpness signified death, yet it couldn't stop the Hilichurls from attacking in wave after wave.
Even though these assaults seemed rather feeble.
Seeing these Hilichurls charge forward fearlessly, Bonanus couldn't help but frown.
Why did she feel like the villain here, while the Hilichurls were the fearless knights?
In the game, no matter how many Hilichurls she fought, she never felt this kind of inner conflict!
Shaking her head slightly, there was no time to dwell on that now. Because just then, Abyss Mages and Hilichurl Shamans had also joined the fray.
Time to get more serious!
---
Liyue Harbor, Port District
Meanwhile, the trio of Zhongli, Bosacius, and Xiao, accompanied by the attention of the crowd and the protection of the Millelith, were happily strolling through the market, shopping joyfully. Among the three, Bosacius was the happiest shopper.
So this was mortal life? One had to admit, it was really great! Especially since he didn't have to spend his own money! Everything was charged to that fellow with a name sounding like "Duck."
Take whatever you want!
Compared to Bosacius enjoying his "crazy shopping spree," Xiao beside him remained mostly silent. His eyes kept glancing towards the western direction, his brow furrowing from time to time.
Zhongli noticed this expression. Crossing his arms, he spoke calmly.
"Go if you wish."