When it comes to acting, Paimon is no slouch either.
She doesn't give anyone a chance to speak.
Rubbing her head and yelling "ow" a few times, she flies over to Lumine's side.
She asks if she's okay.
[Paimon can fly, right? Did she just hit the ground?]
[Can't she get hit by a rock or something?]
[I saw Mu Yang trying to save someone, then suddenly falling.]
[Maybe the story's supposed to happen underground, and he got punished by the plot (doge).]
Lumine stands up, brushing the dust off herself. "I'm fine."
As she speaks, she scans the surroundings, looking for Mu Yang.
When the ground collapsed, she glanced at Mu Yang, who seemed to be rushing to help her.
But he couldn't muster the strength and fell.
She also felt a sense of weightlessness.
In that brief moment, her elemental powers seemed to slip out of control, completely unusable.
"Where's Mu Yang?" Unable to find him, Lumine asks Paimon, who woke up first.
"I don't know…"
Not far away, Yanfei struggles to stand. "Ugh… even cushioning my fall with a book doesn't help much…"
Nearby, Yelan stays silent, intently observing their surroundings.
They've fallen into a bottomless pit.
This was likely caused by the elemental powers used just moments ago.
She looks up, but the hole they fell through is completely out of sight.
And the one most likely to get them out of this mess, Mu Yang, is missing.
Kuki Shinobu and Itto wake up as well.
They approach the group from a distance.
Shinobu, guessing the reason for the collapse, subtly urges her boss to apologize to the others.
Given their current predicament, unity and cooperation are the only way forward.
This is a secret realm in Liyue, and Yelan and Yanfei, no matter how you slice it, know this place better than the two Inazumans.
Then there's the missing Mr. Mu Yang, who seems very reliable at a glance.
But is Itto the type to easily back down?
He crosses his arms. "It's not my fault! You were so rude, anyone would get mad."
With that, he turns his head away, the classic stubborn kid who knows he's wrong but refuses to admit it.
Yelan mocks, "My job is to stop outsiders from trespassing in restricted areas. If speaking the truth counts as rude, your mental fortitude is a bit fragile."
"You… I've got my pride, and I don't back down!" Itto's actually proud of it.
[But you're not human.]
[Why does that sound like you're insulting him?]
[He's not human—he's an oni (doge).]
Kuki Shinobu pulls Itto aside. "Boss, you can't outtalk her. Why do you keep arguing?"
"Shinobu, whose side are you on?"
"Just stating the facts. I get how you feel, but picking fights for no reason is just making trouble for me."
Paimon, watching the Arataki Gang's "internal conflict," sighs deeply.
"I've realized Itto can't outtalk Yelan or Shinobu. He's at a real disadvantage here."
Lumine nods. "Itto and Shinobu are like you and me."
Paimon stomps her feet in anger. "Ugh, I'm so mad! Don't compare me to Itto!"
Hearing Paimon's loud complaints, Itto decides to turn his focus outward.
The Arataki Gang's internal issues can wait.
"Hey, hey, what's that supposed to mean? Picking a fight, huh?"
Paimon pouts and spreads her hands. "I-I'm just telling the truth. Everyone knows you're a dummy."
"I'm a dummy? Then you're a Flying Lavender Melon!"
"Flying Lavender Melon?! Ugh, you're pissing me off… I'm gonna give you an ugly nickname… Bull Chucker!"
Paimon crosses her arms. "Hmph, Bull Chucker, you're pretty cocky, huh?"
[Hahahahaha.]
[This is the power of two June 1st birthdays.]
[Flying Lavender Melon.]
[Weird nicknames just keep coming.]
Lumine facepalms, unwilling to deal with the kids' bickering any longer.
While they were mocking each other, she's already assessed the situation.
They're far from the hole they fell through, and the top is completely out of sight.
Climbing back up is nearly impossible.
Unless it's Mu Yang's lightfoot technique, there might be a chance.
But where's Mu Yang?
They all fell together.
Why is Mu Yang the only one missing?
The kids behind her are still arguing, and Lumine knows this can't go on.
The priority is to find Mu Yang and get out of this cursed place.
She stops the bickering and gathers everyone together.
Lumine's got enough authority to pull this off.
Based on Yanfei's description and Yelan's own introduction,
Yelan is the most familiar with the Chasm, so Lumine asks her to share her thoughts first.
Yelan's expression isn't exactly pleasant.
She starts by warning everyone.
"The Chasm is one of Liyue's most mysterious regions. It was sealed off years ago due to mining accidents."
"When operating here, it's best to not look, not listen, and not ask, to avoid getting tangled in secrets you shouldn't know."
"In principle, I won't treat you as enemies, and I hope you won't make things difficult for me regarding confidentiality. As for a way out, I'll do my best."
With that, she turns and leaves.
Lumine didn't expect this outcome.
"That's just how her job works. Let's not pry," Yanfei says, stepping in to smooth things over for Yelan.
"Lumine, I know what you're thinking. Let's split up to find a way out and look for Mu Yang while we're at it."
"He might know more than we do."
Then she turns to Itto and Kuki Shinobu to apologize.
She can't reveal the details of her commission to uninvolved parties,
which is why she couldn't explain earlier, leading to them following her here.
The treasure in question is called the Fantastic Compass, brought to the Chasm and then lost.
"Historically, the Chasm has seen multiple wars. Even if that person died in battle, I want to do my best to recover the treasure and fulfill the client's wish."
Yanfei speaks earnestly.
"As for what Yelan said, it's all true. The Chasm is full of hidden dangers…"
"You've probably felt it by now, with the trouble we're in. I think we should work together."
Her words are mainly directed at Itto and Kuki Shinobu.
After all, Itto and Yelan have been at odds from the start.
But in their current situation, internal conflict is clearly not the answer.
It's better to split up and search for Mu Yang and a way out.
Itto nods solemnly. When it comes to serious matters, he knows what's at stake.
"Since my lifesaver says so… fine, I'll give you this one."
"From now on, we're all allies. As for that smug jerk… hmph, I'll let her count too."
The group splits up to act.
So what's Mu Yang doing right now?
He doesn't know why he was teleported somewhere else.
Since earlier, he's been trying to pinpoint Lumine's location.
"Finally found it. Sword Traverses Mountains and Rivers…"
Mu Yang slices open a spatial rift with one swing and steps out calmly.
Then, he collapses weakly into Lumine's arms…
Is his calm demeanor the act?
Or is his weakness the act?
No one knows…