Ren
Ren woke up to Vader's tail smacking him in the face.
"Ugh." He shoved the black dog's rear end away, squinting at the morning light filtering through his apartment's single window. "Why do you always hit my eyes?"
Vader huffed, while Yoda, who was sprawled across Ren's legs, didn't even bother opening his eyes.
It had been a week since the Cloud Retainer interrogation. Since he'd babysat Yaoyao and discovered that flying a child on a giant lightning bird was, somehow, one of his less stressful recent experiences.
He'd thought things would pick up after taming Orochi and Nue. That having four shikigami would mean more options, more power, and more control over his situation in Teyvat.
And they did.
The problem was, he'd been so focused on using that power. On preparing to meet Xiao, preparing a fusion with Well's Unknown Abyss that been developing, that he completely neglected the one thing that kept him fed and housed.
Mora.
Ren sat up, dislodging Yoda in the process. The white dog yipped indignantly but stayed close, pressing against Ren's side. Vader shifted to rest his head on Ren's knee.
He'd summoned them for comfort when he went to bed. They drained a tiny trickle of CE, but it was barely noticeable at this point.
Ren reached under his bed and pulled out his lockbox. He opened it and counted the Mora left inside.
'Oh, Archons don't do this to me…'
He counted it again, hoping the number would change.
It didn't.
"I have twelve thousand Mora," he muttered
That was bad.
Rent was eight thousand. Food was another two to three thousand if he was careful. Utilities, supplies, and everything else just added onto it.
He had maybe two weeks before he'd need to start making hard decisions. Like whether eating was more important than having a roof over his head.
'When did I become so irresponsible?'
He already knew the answer. It was when he'd started obsessing over meeting with Xiao. When Ganyu had given him that letter of introduction, he'd realized he finally had a shot at getting real answers.
He completely lost himself preparing. Taming shikigami. Training his CE control. Working on thatfusion.
While it was all crucial and important work, it sadly didn't pay the bills.
"Stupid," Ren muttered, scratching Vader behind the ears. The dog leaned into the touch, tail wagging slightly. "I can't meet Xiao if I starve to death first."
He pulled out his delivery ledger from his shadow storage. Flipping through the pages, he realized that he had barely taken any jobs the past week.
'No wonder I'm broke.'
"This is pathetic," Ren said aloud. "I'm a professional courier, and I forgot to do courier work."
Vader made a sound that might've been agreement or might've been sympathy.
Ren closed the ledger and stood up, stretching until his spine popped. The Divine Dogs watched him with lazy interest, Yoda's tail thumping softly against the mattress.
"Alright," Ren said, more to himself than to them. "Time to get serious. I need to go to the Adventurers' Guild and check if anyone's been looking for me. Pick up a few commissions if Katheryne has any."
Vader tilted his head.
"Yes, I know I could've done this sooner. Thank you for pointing that out."
He walked to his small kitchenette, splashed water on his face from the basin, ran a hand through his hair to make it less chaotic, and tried to look like a responsible businessman rather than a broke teenager.
It barely did anything, but it was the effort that counted.
Ren pulled on his tunic and did a mental check of his shadow storage.
Notebook, spare Mora pouch, emergency rations, delivery ledger, sword. Everything was there, the weight of it all distributed across his body in a way he'd long since gotten used to.
He looked back at the Divine Dogs.
"I'll desummon you two before I leave. Save the CE for actual work."
Yoda tilted its head to the side.
"Don't give me that look. I'll summon you again soon enough."
Vader huffed but didn't protest.
Ren was about to dismiss them when—
Knock knock knock.
He froze.
Someone was at his door.
That was... unusual.
His friends wouldn't visit him this early in the morning. So whoever this was had to either be the Millelith or a potential client.
But clients didn't come to his apartment. They met him at the Adventurers' Guild, or at agreed-upon locations, or occasionally at their own homes or businesses. His apartment address wasn't exactly public information.
Only a handful of people knew where he lived. Ganyu, Yanfei, maybe Chongyun, and Xingqiu. The Millelith probably had it on file somewhere. But he was pretty sure he hadn't committed any crimes to warrant a visit.
What made it worse was that he didn't sense the person's presence at all.
The Divine Dogs tensed, sensing his sudden wariness.
Knock knock knock.
The knocks became more insistent.
Ren's body prepared to summon his sword from the Shadow Storage out of instinct. He quickly dismissed the dogs with a quick gesture.
He approached the door slowly, quietly, trying to sense if there was any elemental signature on the other side.
Still nothing.
Ren took a breath, schooled his expression into something neutral, and opened the door.
/ — /
Standing in the doorway was a man Ren had never seen before.
He was certainly well dressed. Pressed clothes, polished boots, and a leather satchel that probably cost more than Ren's monthly rent.
But something was off.
The man carried himself with too much… precision. His posture was too calm, nothing like any normal merchant would have. His body language exuded confidence in a way that raised alarm bells in his head.
The man's eyes scanned Ren's apartment in a quick glance before turning his eyes back to him.
"Are you the Shadow Courier?" the man asked. His voice was completely devoid of the usual warmth or casual friendliness that most merchants had.
"Depends on who's asking."
"A client who requires discreet delivery services." The courier reached into his satchel without waiting for confirmation. "It is a time-sensitive delivery."
He pulled out a sealed envelope and another satchel and extended them toward Ren.
Ren didn't take it immediately. "How did you get my address?"
"The client has resources." The courier's expression didn't change. "Will you accept the contract, or shall I find someone else?"
'That's a red flag. A massive red flag.'
But Ren's eyes flicked to the lockbox still sitting open on his floor, and he slowly took the items.
The courier gave a small, professional nod and stepped back. "The client thanks you for your discretion." He turned and walked away without another word.
Ren watched him go, then quietly shut the door. He stood there for a moment and stared at the items in his hand.
'Something is definitely wrong. This is so sketchy that it isn't even funny.'
But he opened it anyway.
He started with the envelope. Inside was a contract and a detailed map. Nothing too out of the ordinary.
Ren set those items aside on his small desk and pulled out the satchel. He loosened the drawstring and looked inside.
'Holy shit.'
It was Mora. A lot of freaking Mora.
He poured it onto the desk and started counting.
Ten thousand. Twenty thousand. Thirty thousand.
His hands slowed.
Fifty thousand. Seventy-five thousand.
'No way.'
One hundred thousand. One hundred twenty-five thousand.
When he finished, Ren just stared at the pile.
"One hundred and fifty thousand Mora," he whispered aloud.
That was... insane. It was three times his usual rate for high-priority, same-day deliveries. That was more money than he'd made in the last two months combined.
That was enough to cover rent, food, and supplies for a long time. Especially for other expenses he would need relating to sorcery.
'This is so shady. But…' The Mora was real. He could feel its weight and see the authentic marks and the faint energy flowing from it. This wasn't counterfeit.
Ren picked up the contract again, analysing it carefully.
===========================
DELIVERY CONTRACT
Client: [Redacted]
Courier: Shadow Courier
Package: One (1) sealed crate, medium size, contents undisclosed
Pickup Location: Warehouse 7, Feiyun Slope docks
Destination: Guyun Stone Forest - Coordinates: [marked on attached map]
Recipient: Mr. Chen
Deadline: Before sunset, today
Payment: 150,000 Mora (provided upfront)
Special Conditions:
No questions regarding package contents Package must not be opened or inspected Delivery must be completed within designated timeframe Discretion required
Failure to meet conditions will result in breach of contract and forfeiture of payment.
===========================
Ren had to read it again to make sure.
Then he checked the seals at the bottom.
They were legitimate. Proper legal wording, official contract format, and binding agreement recognized by Liyue law. If he signed this and failed to deliver, he could actually be sued.
But if he completed it...
He looked at the pile of Mora again.
'Slow down. Let's think about this logically.'
There were glaring red flags: An anonymous client that overpaid by a frankly stupid amount. The recipient's name, "Mr. Chen," was awfully generic and probably fake. A remote location that would be a perfect place to kill someone. The "No questions asked" clause
And most concerning was that they knew his home address.
This screamed illegal operation. Smuggling, maybe. Or something worse.
But.
The contract was legal. The payment was real and already provided. If he delivered the package and it turned out to be something illegal, that was on the client, not him. He was just the courier.
And if it really was something bad, he could probably take care of it.
Legally speaking, he was covered.
Morally speaking...
'I'm broke. I need this money. And I don't even know what's in the package.'
It could be something completely innocent. Could be someone's personal effects. Could be a family heirloom. Could be expensive ore or crystals.
Could be something very dangerous and illegal.
'But I won't know unless I open it. And the contract specifically says not to.'
Convenient.
Ren picked up the map and studied the marked coordinates. Guyun Stone Forest. Eastern platform.
That was absurdly far. At least forty kilometers from Liyue Harbor. Across open water.
And the deadline was sunset.
'How am I even supposed to get there?'
He looked at the contract again. The payment. The conditions.
His paranoid brain was screaming at him to refuse. To walk away. To not get involved in whatever this was.
But his practical brain was already reaching for a pen.
'The money is real, and the contract is binding. I'll deliver it properly.'
He could do this. He'd hauled stranger things for shadier people. At least this client had the decency to pay upfront.
And if it turned out to be a trap?
Well.
He had four shikigami now. A fusion technique that, while unrefined, had enough power to deal with strong enemies.
Ren picked up the pen and signed the contract at the bottom.
The moment his signature dried, he felt a faint pulse of energy. Not Cursed Energy, not elemental power. It was the binding nature of a contract taking effect.
Though admittedly, Yanfei told him that no such effect existed, and it was only in his mind. But he pushed her words to the side. He was not risking angering a god.
He folded the contract and tucked it into his shadow storage along with the map. The Mora also went into his Shadow Storage—most of it, anyway. He left about ten thousand on the desk to pay rent later.
One hundred forty thousand Mora, now sitting in his shadow storage.
'This feels so wrong.'
Ren walked back to the door, opened it, and looked for any signs of the mysterious person. They were already long gone.
He closed the door again and leaned against it, thinking.
'Okay. First problem: I need to pick up the package. Warehouse 7, Feiyun Slope docks.'
That was easy enough. Thirty-minute walk, maybe.
'Second problem: I need to get to Guyun Stone Forest. By sunset. Today.'
That was... significantly less easy.
But he'd figure it out.
He always did.
/ — /
Not long after, Ren stood in front of Warehouse 7.
The dock district was busy with sailors hauling cargo, merchants negotiating prices, and the constant creak of wooden piers under heavy loads.
Warehouse 7 was far less interesting. Weathered wood, a faded number painted on the door, no merchant guild markings or family crests. Just another anonymous storage building among dozens of identical ones.
'A perfect place for a shady business.' Ren thought, 'I better not get jumped…'
Ren approached the door and knocked. He flinched when the door opened almost immediately.
An old man stood in front of him with a bulky build. It was clear he had spent most of his life hauling cargo here. He wore simple worker's clothes, nothing fancy. But something about him unnerved Ren just like the man before.
"Shadow Courier?" the worker asked.
"That's me."
The man stepped aside, gesturing for Ren to enter. "This way."
The warehouse interior was dim, lit only by sunlight filtering through gaps in the wooden walls. Crates and barrels were stacked along the sides, creating narrow pathways through the space. Most of them were unmarked, just like the building itself.
The worker led him to the back corner, where a single crate sat alone on a workbench.
"Your package,"
Ren approached it, studying the crate carefully.
Medium-sized, maybe forty centimeters on each side and thirty deep. Sealed wooden construction with iron corner brackets. The wood was of good quality and could take a beating.
The lid was sealed with unmarked wax. No family crest, no merchant guild stamp, nothing to identify who had sealed it or what was inside.
Ren reached out and carefully shifted the crate.
Heavy. Fifteen kilograms, maybe slightly more.
Something inside rattled and sounded metallic.
'Ok, so it's something metal then.'
He lifted it slightly, testing the weight distribution. Whatever was inside wasn't loose cargo. It was packed carefully, probably wrapped or cushioned to prevent damage.
"Can I ask what's inside?" Ren said, though already knowing the answer.
"I don't know either," the worker replied flatly with a shrug.
"Right…"
Ren lifted the crate with one arm and tested its weight. It might have been heavy for most people, but it wasn't at all for him.
'Perks of being a sorcerer.'
"You're pretty strong," the worker said.
Ren looked at him. "Thanks. It helps make the job easier."
"I'm sure it does." The worker's expression didn't change. "The client will be pleased to know the delivery is proceeding smoothly."
Something about the way he said "the client" made Ren's instincts prickle, but he pushed it aside.
"Yeah, well. Professional service and all that." Ren nodded toward the door. "I should get going. Deadline to meet."
"Of course." The worker gestured back toward the entrance. "Thank you for your discretion."
Ren walked back through the warehouse, the worker following a few steps behind. When they reached the door, Ren paused.
"Just to confirm—recipient is Mr. Chen, Guyun Stone Forest, eastern platform?"
"Correct."
"And he'll be there before or by sunset?"
"That is the arrangement, yes."
Ren nodded. "Got it. Thanks."
He stepped out into the bright sunlight, squinting slightly as his eyes adjusted.
The door closed behind him with a soft click.
Waiting a couple of seconds until he heard the worker's footsteps fade away, he let his shadows ripple under his feet and slowly dropped the crate into his Shadow Storage.
Ren stood there for a moment, feeling the weight of the package settle more naturally into his stance.
Fifteen kilograms plus whatever else he already carried. It was manageable. He'd worked with heavier.
He pulled out the map from his shadow storage, unfolding it carefully.
Guyun Stone Forest. Eastern platform, near the old shrine.
The coordinates were marked clearly in red ink.
'Forty-plus kilometers. Across open water. By sunset.'
He looked up at the sun's position. Maybe... ten in the morning? He had roughly ten hours.
'How the hell am I supposed to get there?'
There were a couple of options he immediately thought of.
Option one, he could hire a fishing boat.
But fishing boats were slow. Eight to ten hours at best, and they might not even go to Guyun specifically. Most fishermen avoided the area. There were too many monsters, unpredictable waters, and too much risk.
Option two was a Millelith patrol boat.
There was an official channel for requests. But they'd ask questions. Lots of questions. About the package, about the client, about why he needed to go to Guyun Stone Forest on such short notice.
And this contract specifically said "discretion required." So that is also a no-go.
Maybe he could fly on Nue.
Ren did the math in his mind. Forty kilometers. Over open ocean. Carrying fifteen kilograms plus his own weight. Unknown weather conditions between here and Guyun.
It would cost forty to fifty percent of his CE reserves just for the flight alone.
If something went wrong, like a storm, monster attack, or simple exhaustion, he'd be over open water with depleted energy and no backup plan.
Also, there was the flight path form. The one he'd need to file with the Millelith if he wanted to legally fly over Liyue's airspace.
'Yeah, no. Not filling out that mess of paperwork. Definitely not.'
So flying was out.
'I need a boat with a crew that is willing to bring me to Guyun Stone Forest quickly...'
But where did he find one on short notice?
Ren stood there, staring at the map, feeling the weight of the package on his shoulders.
'Oh wait.'
The Adventurers Guild.
Katheryne knew everything about everything in Liyue. If there was a ship that could get him to Guyun Stone Forest today, she'd know about it.
Ren folded the map and tucked it back into his shadow storage.
'Alright, go to Katheryne. Hopefully, she knows someone to help me get to Guyun, and I can deliver the package without any issues.'
Hopefully.
If there were no other options, he would need to go with Nue and fillout some stupid forms. He shook his head and turned away from the warehouse.
Behind him, through a gap in the warehouse wall, the worker watched him leave.
When Ren was out of sight, the man pulled a small notebook from his pocket and began writing something. Not long after, he finished, and another person appeared behind him covered in a dark coat with a mask.
"You know what to do."
They nodded to eachother and the cloaked figure slowly disappeared into the shadows.
/ — /
Ren climbed the wooden steps to the Adventurers Guild, his boots clicking against the polished planks.
The guild was constantly busy. Adventurers clustered around the commission board, arguing over which jobs paid better.
A group was trading materials at the crafting bench in the corner, including Crystal Cores for Cor Lapis, Mint for Violetgrass, and the usual bartering.
And at the front desk, standing with a constant professional smile, was Katheryne.
"Ad astra abyssosque!" she greeted cheerfully as Ren approached. "Good morning, Ren. It has been a while since I've seen you. How may the Adventurers Guild assist you today?"
Ren had been coming here long enough that she recognized him on sight. They weren't exactly friends—Katheryne was unfailingly polite to everyone—but they'd built up a working relationship over the past few months.
"Hey Katheryne." Ren leaned against the counter. "I need some help finding some good transportation. I was hoping you would have recommendations?"
"Oh?" Katheryne's smile didn't waver, but her eyes showed genuine interest. She pulled out a ledger from beneath the desk, opening it to a page filled with neat handwriting. "What kind of transportation are we looking for?"
"The maritime kind," Ren said. "I need a ship to get to Guyun Stone Forest. Today, before sunset."
Katheryne's pen paused for just a second. "Guyun Stone Forest? That's quite the destination. Might I ask what business you have there?"
"Just another delivery," Ren said simply. "Client wants a package dropped off quickly."
"I see." Katheryne made a small note in her ledger. "The Millelith operates patrol boats that travel to the outer islands. I could put in a request for—"
"—I was hoping for a less official mode of transportation…" Ren interrupted a little too quickly. "This is private business. I need a merchant vessel or an independent operator. Someone who can leave soon and… doesn't ask too many questions."
Katheryne's smile became just slightly more knowing.
"Ah. In that case..."
She closed the current ledger and pulled out a different one—this one looked older, more worn, with tabs sticking out marking different sections.
"For private maritime transport on short notice, there are a few options." She traced her finger down a list.
"Captain Zhou runs cargo between here and Guyun regularly, but his next scheduled trip isn't until next week. The Pearl Galley takes passengers, but they focus on luxury tourism rather than speed..."
Ren's heart sank. "Is there anyone who could leave today?"
"Well..." Katheryne's finger stopped on a particular entry. Her smile grew slightly wider. "There is one option. Though it's a bit... unconventional."
"I'll take unconventional," Ren said immediately. "As long as it's fast."
"Oh, it's fast." Katheryne looked up at him. "Have you heard of Captain Beidou?"
Ren blinked. "Who?"
"Captain Beidou of The Crux Fleet. She's something of a legend around Liyue Harbor."
"What kind of legend?"
"The kind who slays sea monsters," Katheryne said, as if this was a perfectly normal thing to say.
Ren waited for her to elaborate. When she didn't, he realised she wanted him to be the one to ask, "Okay, I give. What's the story behind the legendary captain?"
Katheryne straightened up, clearly delighted to tell this story.
"Four years ago, a massive sea beast called Haishan terrorized the waters between Liyue and Inazuma. Ships were destroyed, sailors were killed, entire trade routes had to be abandoned. It was a disaster for maritime commerce."
She pulled out a small pamphlet from a drawer and pointed to an illustration of a serpentine creature easily the size of a building.
"That's Haishan. Some sources say it was a remnant of an old sea god. Others claim it was just an ancient beast that had grown too large and too aggressive. Either way, it was unstoppable."
"And Captain Beidou...?"
"Challenged it with only her crew and a single ship. The Alcor"
Ren stared at her. "That seems... suicidal."
"Most people thought so too." Katheryne flipped the pamphlet to show a sketch of a woman with an eyepatch and a massive claymore.
"The battle lasted four days. Her crew harpooned Haishan seventeen times. They rammed it, set it on fire, and poisoned it with alchemical bombs. And Captain Beidou herself boarded the creature—actually climbed onto its back while it was thrashing in the water—and fought it with her claymore."
"That's insane."
"That's Captain Beidou," Katheryne said matter-of-factly. "On the fourth day, she struck the killing blow. Drove her blade through Haishan's skull and ended it. And at that exact moment—the very instant the beast died—her Electro Vision awakened."
She gestured to the sketch. "The lightning of heaven itself recognized her victory."
Ren processed this information slowly.
"So... she killed a sea monster. Without a Vision."
"Technically, she had a Vision," Katheryne corrected. "But it only activated at the moment of victory. So functionally, yes—she defeated Haishan through pure skill, determination, and what I can only describe as spectacular recklessness."
'Great. Another ridiculously powerful person. Because that's exactly what I need right now.' He grumbled in his mind.
Hopefully, this Beidou person was a reasonable one despite being a pirate. He really didn't want to get in a fight with another powerful being. Not that he could even call his meeting with Cloud Retainer a "fight."
"And she's... available to take passengers?" Ren asked cautiously. "
"The Crux Fleet operates as a merchant marine, cargo hauler, and occasional monster hunting operation," Katheryne explained. "They're the fastest non-military option in Liyue's waters. Captain Beidou is... unconventional in her methods, but extremely reliable."
She pulled out a small wooden token from a drawer, carved with the Adventurers' Guild seal.
"The Alcor is currently docked at Pier 7. Give her this token and mention my name. She owes the Guild a favor."
Ren took the token, turning it over in his hand. "What kind of favor?"
Katheryne's smile became mysterious.
"The kind where we don't ask questions."
"Ah."
Ren looked at the token, then at Katheryne, then back at the token.
'Of course, the only option is a legendary sea monster slayer who apparently operates in legal gray areas.'
Still, it was his best choice at the moment.
"So, Pier 7, Captain Beidou of the Alcor."
"Correct." Katheryne made a note in her ledger. "I should mention—The Crux Fleet has a reputation for attracting... interesting situations. If you're looking for a quiet, peaceful voyage, you might want to wait for Captain Zhou next week."
"I don't have until next week," Ren said.
"Then Captain Beidou is your best option." Katheryne closed her ledger with a soft thud. "She'll get you to Guyun Stone Forest. That much I can guarantee."
'Alive and in one piece' remained suspiciously absent from that guarantee.
"Thanks, Katheryne." He pocketed the token. "I owe you one."
"Just doing my job. Besides, I can't let one of the Guild's most reliable business partners down, can I?" Her smile returned to its standard professional warmth. "Ad astra abyssosque, Ren. Safe travels."
/ — /
Ren made his way down to the harbor docks, weaving through the usual chaos of trade. Sailors shouted coordinates to each other. Cargo nets swung overhead, heavy with crates and barrels
Pier 7 wasn't hard to find.
Mostly because the ship docked there was impossible to miss.
'The Alcor.'
It was huge. Easily the largest non-military vessel in the harbor, dwarfing the fishing boats and merchant ships around it. The hull was dark wood, reinforced with iron plating along the waterline that caught the sunlight.
But what really stood out were the scars. Scorch marks running along the starboard side, patched up but still visible.
Sections of the hull that had been replaced, newer wood standing out against the weathered original. A railing near the bow that looked like it had been completely rebuilt.
'It's a real pirate ship! So cool!'
Ren spotted that the crew was busy loading cargo. They moved with the kind of coordination that only came from working together for years. Calling out warnings, tossing rope, hauling heavy crates like it was nothing.
He noticed more details as he got closer. The crew was diverse. Different ages, different builds, clearly from different nations. A woman with Inazuman features secured a barrel. A man with a Mondstadt accent argued with someone about weight distribution.
They were all armed—swords at their hips, bows strapped to their backs, and he spotted at least three Vision users among them from the elemental auras they gave off.
There was one more elemental signature that he sensed from the ship, but he wasn't sure if it was a person or just some barrels of elemental condensate.
'This really is a dangerous group.'
Ren approached the gangplank and was immediately stopped by a crew member.
The man was tall, scarred across one cheek, and his hand rested casually on his sword hilt. It was clear that he wasn't trying to threaten Ren, but was definitely being cautious.
"State your business," he said.
"I need to speak with Captain Beidou," Ren said, pulling out Katheryne's token. "I need her assistance with transportation."
The crew member's eyes flicked to the token, and his expression changed immediately. Still professional, but noticeably more respectful.
"Adventurers Guild token, huh?" He nodded. "Wait here. I'll fetch the captain."
He turned and headed up the gangplank, calling out to someone on deck.
Ren waited, trying not to look too nervous. Keeping his arms behind his back to stop anyone from seeing his jittery fingers.
He was about to meet an actual pirate, who wouldn't be nervous?
While he stood there, he observed more of the ship.
The deck was clean despite all the activity. No loose rope, no scattered equipment. Everything had a place, and everything was in it.
The crew worked with the kind of discipline you'd expect from the Millelith, but they were relaxed too—joking with each other, laughing, completely comfortable.
They trusted each other. That much was obvious.
A voice called out from somewhere on deck. "Guild business? Send them up!"
The crew member reappeared at the top of the gangplank and gestured for Ren to follow.
"Captain will see you. This way."
Ren climbed the gangplank, feeling the solid wood beneath his boots. The moment he stepped onto the deck, he got a better sense of just how big the Alcor really was.
The main deck was spacious, with plenty of room for the crew to work without getting in each other's way. The mast towered above, sails currently furled but clearly well-maintained. Cannons were positioned along both sides of the ship.
The crew member led him toward the center of the deck, where a group was supervising the cargo loading.
And that's when Ren saw her.
'So this is Captain Beidou.'
She was tall. Taller than Ren, easily around six feet. She had a very athletic, strong build with broad shoulders and muscular arms, the kind of physique that came from years of combat.
Her brown hair was tied back loosely, a few strands escaping to frame her face. An eyepatch covered her left eye, and an Electro Vision hung at her hip.
She wore a red coat that somehow managed to look dramatic without being impractical, and her boots were clearly worn from use but well-maintained.
But what caught Ren's attention most was her expression. A wide grin that made her look like there wasn't anything in the world that could weigh her down.
'Is she actually a pirate?'
Ren had expected a pirate captain to be scarier. Maybe more scars, rougher features, the kind of person who looked like they'd survived purely through violence.
Instead, Beidou looked... alive. Exuded a presence that was commanding but also elegant in a way.
'She could honestly work as a model if she wanted to.'
But there was something else, too. The way she moved, the way the crew reacted to her presence. She commanded respect without even trying.
Beidou finished giving instructions to a crew member, then turned toward Ren as he approached.
"Well, well!" Her voice was loud, carrying easily across the deck. "Didn't expect to see the Shadow Courier here!"
Ren blinked. "You know who I am?"
"Harbor gossip, kid! Best intelligence network in Liyue!" She laughed, walking toward him with confident strides.
"Heard about you from the merchants, Mr Shadow Courier. You're the one who hauls impossible loads without breaking a sweat and in record time. You have those… Shadow dogs, right?"
Ren winced slightly at the volume but nodded. "Yeah, that's... me."
His eye twitched slightly, what she called him, 'Shadow Courier… I really hate that name.'
He initally had another name for his business that he asked Yanfei to help him come up with. It was such a beautiful name: "Steadfast Logistics."
It sounded so professional and he was attached to it.
But since people kept seeing him using his Cursed Technique and had "Demon Dogs" appear from his shadows. The name Shadow Courier started popping up and people kept calling him that.
Yanfei had told him to just change it because it'll get his name out. But he will never forget that old name!
Beidou either didn't notice his grumbling or chose to ignore it. "So what brings you to my ship? Looking to sail?"
"I need transport," Ren said, getting straight to business. "I need to get to Guyun Stone forest, before or by sunset today. Can you bring me?"
Beidou studied him for a moment, her grin settling into something more thoughtful. She was sizing him up—not in a threatening way, but clearly assessing whether he was serious.
"Guyun Stone Forest, huh?" She crossed her arms. "That's not exactly a pleasure cruise destination."
"I know."
"Lots of monsters out that way. Ever since we killed Haishan, smaller monsters think they can challenge ships." Her grin returned. "They're wrong, but they keep trying."
"I heard about that story. Katheryne told me about it." Ren said.
"Did she now?" Beidou looked pleased. "Bet she made it sound dramatic."
"She said you and your crew fought for four days. And that you got a vision at the moment of victory."
"All true!" Beidou laughed again. "Good times. Anyway—normally, a charter like that runs about twenty thousand Mora. But Guyun's got unpredictable currents, and it's monster territory. I'll call it thirty-five thousand."
"Done."
Beidou raised an eyebrow. "No haggling? You must really need to get there."
"I do," Ren admitted. "When can we leave?"
Her grin widened. "I like you already. You're direct."
She turned and shouted across the deck. "Juza! How long until we're loaded?"
A serious-looking man near the cargo hold called back. "Forty minutes, Captain!"
Beidou turned back to Ren. "There's your answer. We've got a cargo run to the outer islands anyway. Guyun's on the way." She extended her hand.
"We got a Deal?"
"Deal,"
"Excellent!" Beidou released his hand and called out again. "Juza! We've got a passenger! Show him where to stow his gear!"
The serious man—Juza, apparently—nodded and approached.
"First Mate," Beidou explained. "He'll get you settled. Make yourself comfortable. We cast off in forty."
"Wait, I still haven't paid—"
"—Just pay us after we get there."
"O-Oh, ok."
/ — /
Juza led Ren below deck without much conversation.
He was clearly a man of few words. He just pointed out the important things as they walked—mess hall to the left, cargo hold to the right, and the armory in the back, with a firm "don't touch anything unless the Captain says so."
Ren's assigned space was a hammock tucked into a corner near the crew quarters. Nothing fancy. A place to put his stuff and rest if needed.
"Forty minutes until we cast off," Juza said. "Stay out of the crew's way until then. You can wait on deck or down here, doesn't matter."
"Got it. Thanks."
Juza nodded once and headed back up, presumably to oversee the final cargo loading.
Ren kept the package in his shadow storage. No point in pulling it out when it was safer where it was.
He stood there for a moment in the quiet below-deck space, then decided waiting down here would just make him more anxious.
Better to be up top where he could see what was happening.
He climbed back up to the main deck.
The crew was still working, but the pace had picked up. Cargo was being secured, ropes were being checked, and the sails were being prepared for deployment.
Ren found a spot near the railing, making sure to stay out of the way, and watched.
It was a sight to see. Nobody had to explain what needed to be done, everyone just knew their role and executed it.
Time passed. The sun climbed higher in the sky. The harbor around them stayed busy with its usual chaos, but the Alcor was busy in its own way.
Then, finally, Beidou's voice rang out across the deck.
"Alright, everyone! Final checks! We're casting off in five!"
The crew responded immediately. Last-minute adjustments, final knots tied, equipment secured.
Ren felt the ship shift slightly as mooring lines were released.
"Raise the sails!"
The massive canvas unfurled above, catching the wind with a sound like thunder. The ship creaked, then began to move.
It was slow at first, then quickly increased speed as the sails filled and the Alcor pulled away from the pier.
Ren gripped the railing, watching as Liyue Harbor gradually shrank behind them.
Beidou stood at the helm, grinning as the wind hit her face.
"Seven hours to Guyun!" she called out. "Weather's good, winds are favorable! Should be smooth sailing!"
Several crew members cheered.
Ren raised his hand towards the sun and checked its position. They'd left around... what, eleven? Maybe eleven-thirty?
That meant arrival around six or seven in the evening. Sunset was at eight.
'Cutting it close, but should be fine.' He let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. 'Hopefully everything will go well.'
A crew member walked past. It was a woman, maybe in her thirties, with short dark hair and a friendly expression.
"First time on the Alcor?" she asked, pausing near him.
Ren nodded. "First time on any ship, actually."
She grinned. "You're in for a treat! Captain runs the best vessel in Liyue. You'll see."
She pulled a flask from her belt and offered it to him. "Here. Stay hydrated. Sea air dries you out faster than you'd think."
Ren accepted it. "Thanks. I appreciate it."
"Name's Huixing," she said. "I'm on rigging duty. If you need anything, just ask around. Crew's friendly."
"Ren," he replied. "And thanks. I'll keep that in mind."
Huixing gave him a casual wave and headed off to check something near the mast.
Ren took a sip from the flask. Just water, but it was cool and refreshing.
He turned back to watch the ocean.
The water was calm. Gentle waves, sunlight glittering on the surface. In the distance, he could see other ships—fishing boats, merchant vessels, a Millelith patrol making its rounds.
The wind was steady, pushing them forward at a good pace. The sails above creaked softly with each gust.
It was... peaceful.
Ren found himself relaxing. His mind was still worried about the package and what the heck was in it, and the suspicious circumstances of the contract still nagged at the back of his mind.
But right now, standing on the deck of a ship cutting through calm waters under clear skies?
It was kind of nice.
The crew worked around him with easy camaraderie. A pair of sailors were arguing good-naturedly about something he had no knowledge about. Laughter carried on the wind.
These people trusted each other. Worked together. Fought together.
Like they truly belonged.
'I wonder if I'll ever feel that way about Teyvat…'' But the thought disappeared as quickly as it appeared in his mind.
Ren leaned against the railing, letting the sea breeze wash over him.
He took another sip of water and watched the horizon.
Nothing but open sea ahead.
/ — /
???
Far behind them, barely visible as a speck on the water, another smaller ship maintained its distance.
On its deck, a figure lowered a spyglass.
The Fatui agent pulled out a small notebook and wrote quickly: "Subject en route to Guyun. Proceeding as planned."
They closed the notebook and tucked it away.
"Time to reconvene with Lady Harbinger."
***
Author Notes: Hehe, finally teasing the first Shikigami fusion of the fic. I'm curious if any of you can predict what fusion it is and what it will look like. A little hint is that this fic's version of Well's Unknown Abyss relies a lot on interpretation. Ren isn't just influenced by Earth's mythology but also Teyvat's (specifically Liyue).
On an unrelated note. I just realized that both of my MCs in my fics worked as a courier/delivery job after they got isekai'd. How the heck did I not notice this? I think my brain wasn't braining...
Anyways I hope you all enjoyed!