Kuki Shinobu and her companions were still engrossed in their conversation, strategizing how to escape the black-robed figure's relentless pursuit.
Unbeknownst to them, the black-robed figure stood silently around the corner of the building, eavesdropping.
-
Live Stream
[Ahhh! How did it get here?!]
[Holy shit! It can actually get in here? That's so unfair!]
[Run! It's too late if you don't run now!]
The players who spotted the black-robed figure reacted as if they'd seen a ghost, frantically venting their emotions in the chat.
How could they have predicted this development?
-
Yuna hadn't spotted the black-robed figure, but she felt a chill run down her spine.
Yuna's instincts were usually spot-on, just like when the black-robed figure ambushed her at home. She knew this wasn't just a false alarm.
She was running for her life now, and needed to stay grounded in reality.
A Claymore materialized in Yuna's hand. Having spent so long with her sister, Kuki Shinobu could read her thoughts with a glance.
Reacting swiftly, Shinobu clamped a hand over Itto's mouth just as he was about to speak, silently drawing her own weapon.
Chu Xi gently set down the broken club, finally noticing the Geo Vision that had been glowing persistently. She gripped the Vision tightly in her palm and peered around the corner of the building.
Yuna's small hands clenched the Claymore with such force that her knuckles paled. Her ultimate move was already charging up.
Once the power was sufficiently charged, Yuna swung the Claymore directly at the corner.
The Claymore swelled to colossal proportions, unleashing Yuna's full power in a devastating strike. The sheer force of the blow sent a crushing wave of pressure toward the black-robed figure hiding behind the corner.
The black-robed figure extended its left hand and grasped the Claymore hurtling toward it.
Simultaneously, a Clone split from behind the black-robed figure, gripping a greatsword and swiftly approaching Yuna from behind. It swung its blade at her.
"Watch out!"
"You relentless fiend!"
The Trio had anticipated this attack, so even though the black-robed figure moved with blinding speed, they managed to react in time.
But...
Reacting in time was one thing; their weakened state made them no match for the black-robed figure. Even in their prime, they had struggled against a single slash. Now, injured, they were utterly overwhelmed by the Clone's blade, sent flying once again.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the black-robed figure had seized Yuna by the throat with his right hand. The pain at her neck forced her to drop her Claymore.
The black-robed figure tightened his grip slightly. The agonizing pain made Yuna thrash wildly, her small fists feebly striking at his hand.
Her face contorted in agony, her mouth slightly open as she desperately tried to gasp for air, but the black-robed figure's iron grip strangled her throat, making it impossible.
If Diluc were to witness this scene, he would likely erupt in fury once more.
The scene mirrored the black-robed figure's malicious treatment of Rola's soul, making it utterly infuriating.
And indeed, that was precisely the case.
Player World.
Players worldwide who had reached this point in the game were seething with anger.
Yuna had always been the quintessential girl-next-door figure in players' hearts. From the beginning, when she was the only one who genuinely treated the Traveler with kindness, to the countless times they were captivated by her delicious cooking, forging an unbreakable bond of friendship...
Lumine and Paimon's best friend in Inazuma was undoubtedly Yuna, and the players felt the same way.
She was a character without a single negative review. Though never added to the gacha pool, she had accompanied players for so long, earning their deep affection.
Many players had even come to see Yuna as their own little sister in Teyvat. Now, witnessing this scene, their fury erupted.
[?????]
[WTF, this can't be real?!]
[If she's gonna die, fine, I was mentally prepared. But you're pulling this?!]
[Mihoyo, you're just begging for hate again! How much do you hate Yuna?!]
[I can't watch this! I absolutely can't! Don't do this to my precious Yuna baby!]
In Chen Xiyao's live stream, she froze, her eyes wide with disbelief.
How... could this really be how she's going to be written out of the story?
-
Within the Serenitea Pot:
"Y- Yuna!!"
Kuki Shinobu, who had charged ahead during the earlier attack, had taken the brunt of the blow and was now unable to rise.
Seeing her sister treated so cruelly, Kuki Shinobu's eyes blazed with fury, her entire body trembling violently. Her eyes widened, brimming with boundless rage.
"Let her go!!!"
Itto's eyes turned bloodshot, his pupils crimson, veins spiderwebbing across his irises. He gripped the grass beneath him, using it to drag himself to his feet.
"I said, LET HER GO!!!"
Itto lunged at the black-robed figure, clenching his right fist. Once again, a punch fueled by every ounce of his potential materialized, aimed squarely at the figure's face.
The black-robed figure raised its left foot and kicked Itto flying backward.
Just as it prepared to finish Yuna off, a Geo Spear suddenly pierced the air, hurtling toward the figure's face.
The familiar, resonant Geo Elemental Power sent a jolt through the figure's heart. Even Yuna, whom it had been strangling moments before, was released.
Morax is attacking?!
A closer look revealed it wasn't Morax, but Chu Xi.
Chu Xi floated in the air, gripping a Geo Spear in her hand. The Geo Vision at her waist glowed brightly.
She was undeniably excited. From the moment she received this Vision, she had sensed something strange about it. Silaya had noticed it too when teaching her how to use it.
Though she could activate it, she never experienced the seamless, intuitive connection Silaya described.
It felt... like this Vision didn't truly belong to her.
Now, Chu Xi understood: she hadn't actually earned this Vision at all. It had been gifted to her by Rex Lapis himself.
No wonder I never knew what my strong desire was when I received it.
Even her journey to Sumeru had been fraught with hesitation and fear.
So that's how it is...
Chu Xi wasn't disappointed. Though she hadn't obtained a genuine Vision, this one's effects were nearly identical.
Besides, wasn't she still under the watchful gaze of a God?
Otherwise, why would the Geo Archon have bestowed this "Vision" upon her?
Before leaving Liyue, when she obtained this Vision, Chu Xi had only seen Mr. Zhongli...
She had long sensed an extraordinary air about Mr. Zhongli, but she never imagined he was actually...
Chu Xi could only be grateful for the present circumstances; otherwise, Yuna would already be dead at the hands of this bastard!
"Thank you, Lord Geo Archon!"
Chu Xi's Geo Spear pointed directly at the black-robed figure, and she felt the immense elemental power coursing through her.
Recalling the sight of Yuna being tormented in the black-robed figure's grasp, Chu Xi's heart burned with boundless rage.
Enraged that Chu Xi had managed to intimidate him, the black-robed figure immediately split off a clone to attack her.
With a swift sweep of her spear, Chu Xi's powerful Geo Elemental Power instantly obliterated the clone.
Chu Xi had never wielded a spear before, barely even having seen one. Yet the moment she gripped the Geo Spear, the spear techniques flowed through her like second nature.
The black-robed figure closed the distance, engaging Chu Xi in a brief, intense clash.
Morax's contingency plan, perhaps...?
It seems this young woman has a deeper connection to Morax than I initially thought.