Jueyun Karst
On a High Mountain Peak
Bosacius, Xiao, and Bonanus sat together, feeling the gentle breeze as they quietly played chess.
Though Zhongli had told them to come at night, they had nothing else to do, so they arrived early.
The chess match was between Bosacius and Xiao. Bonanus was just a spectator.
She could play chess, but compared to those two, she was a complete amateur. Knowing her limits, she wasn't about to humiliate herself.
Watching their intense strategies and the pressure radiating from both sides, Bonanus couldn't help but admire them.
This was what a master's duel looked like. She felt completely out of place.
Even though both were skilled, she could tell Xiao was no match for Bosacius. Xiao was constantly on the defensive, retreating further and further, unable to find any opening to attack.
A short while later...
SLAP!
With the decisive piece placed on the board, Bosacius laughed triumphantly.
"Haha! Checkmate! Dead!"
Winning brought him immense satisfaction. Not for any particular reason—he had finally found Xiao's weakness.
It felt like sweet revenge.
"You're still too green!" Bosacius slapped his thigh and continued.
"Hmph." Xiao just grunted in response. He was outmatched in chess, so he wouldn't argue.
"Big Brother looks happy." Bonanus smiled. Was winning one game really that satisfying?
"Haha! It's rare to get one up on this kid, so of course I'm happy!" Bosacius picked up a piece and tossed it lightly in his hand.
"Come on, don't let it go to your head." Bonanus covered her mouth and laughed.
"I may not be your match in chess, but don't let your guard down. I'll be back." Xiao crossed his arms and said calmly.
"Sure! If you're ready to get crushed again." Bosacius said confidently.
"Tch." Xiao clicked his tongue. Why did this guy always have to be so smug?
"Alright, alright, let's change the subject." Sensing the faint tension between them, Bonanus quickly intervened.
She searched for a topic and then asked, "Do you remember that Traveler?"
She steered the conversation toward Lumine and Paimon. The two had become quite well-known in Liyue lately. She figured Bosacius and Xiao would find them interesting.
"Her? Lumine, I think. The one with the floating companion." Bosacius rubbed his chin. He remembered her well.
The first time they met was after Rex Lapis's "assassination," when the Traveler came to summon the adepti. The second time was when he ran into them at Caiji Gorge while handling business.
They had been there for a commission. Since they were going the same way, they traveled together for a while.
The Traveler was incredibly helpful. She didn't have to get involved, but she jumped in anyway. Her strength and control over elemental power were impressive.
Of course, Bosacius didn't let her work for free. He made sure she was properly compensated.
"She has great potential. She'll become very strong in the future." Xiao rubbed his arm and spoke slowly.
"I agree. I heard she used two elements against the Fatui. Anemo and Geo."
Bonanus nodded. The protagonist was indeed powerful—at least in this real version of Teyvat.
In the other world, the Traveler was rarely used in the game, except as a tool.
"It's a shame she has no interest in joining Liyue." Bosacius shrugged. She was talented. It felt like a loss.
But Liyue already had plenty of talent. Still, in the eyes of the higher-ups, you could never have too much.
"We can still be friends. I was just hanging out with her before I came home."
"They're both good people..."
Bonanus propped her chin on her paw, lost in thought.
While she spoke, Bosacius and Xiao had already set up the board for another round.
"As long as she means no harm. Come on, Alatus, let's go again." Bosacius flashed a smug look.
"Tch. Fine." Xiao frowned, then focused.
Even if he couldn't win, he wouldn't let Bosacius have an easy victory.
Bonanus sighed and shook her head. With nothing to do, she just watched quietly.
...
Late at Night
Among the Mountains of Jueyun Karst
Zhongli stood still, waiting for the three Yakshas.
As for the other two, he had already sent Indarias and Menogias to the area earlier.
Their job was to make sure no ordinary people or other distractions got in the way.
A short while later...
Bosacius, Bonanus, and Xiao appeared before him.
They bowed to him. Bosacius was the first to speak.
"Rex Lapis, we're ready. We can leave whenever you are."
Zhongli nodded. Inside, he felt a stir of emotion, but he never showed it.
He knew that with timely support, he could save Guizhong and put down those gods.
"This mission is more dangerous than anything you've faced before. Your only task is to protect Guizhong and get her out of the danger zone."
The enemy this time was gods. He could fight them, but the three Yakshas might not be able to.
"I'll handle the rest." Zhongli's calm, magnetic voice carried an air of reassurance.
"Yes, sir!" The three Yakshas answered in unison.
"Then let's move." Zhongli looked at Bonanus and nodded.
Bonanus quickly activated her power—the one given to her by the system. As usual, it looked like some creepy cage. She still found it ugly every time.
She preferred beautiful things, not this disgusting, eerie mess. But that's how it was. She had no choice.
Ignoring those distracting thoughts, she used the power to transport everyone out of Jueyun Karst.
Once they were gone, the area fell silent again, with only the sound of the wind.
...
The Era of the Archon War
The Fallen Guili Plains
The Guili Assembly, once a prosperous settlement under the God of Dust, Haagentus, had been a thriving hub. Its people were farmers.
But now...
Fires raged. Buildings crumbled. Plants withered.
Everything here reeked of despair and sorrow. The air was so heavy it was hard to breathe. An ordinary person would be in agony.
In the middle of a fierce battlefield, the God of Dust knelt on the ground, covered in countless wounds. Her injuries had left her unable to move.
Blood ran down her forehead, obscuring her left eye, making her look utterly broken.
Before her stood a host of gods, ready to strike her down.