My encounter with Eula could only be described as fate.
But time was short. Jack and his companions had to set out immediately, so he could only explain the origins and circumstances of the incident along the way.
Outside Mondstadt, the three walked side by side.
As Jack recounted the story of how he arrived in Teyvat, Eula's mind spun, as though she'd just absorbed too much forbidden knowledge.
"Wait a second! What do you mean by 'different observation dimensions'? What is 'quantum mechanics'? What in the world are you even talking about?"
"Hard to understand?"
The calmness in Jack's tone made Eula want to punch him, though she forced herself to hold back her fist.
"Who could understand that?! Half the time I can't even tell if you're speaking the common tongue of Teyvat anymore!"
"Quantum mechanics… For me, this is the first time I've actually met you. But don't worry too much—our adventures together were real, just… in a very unusual way."
"In the end, a traveler is still a traveler, right?"
Eula glared at Jack with wide eyes. That steady, condescending gaze bore down on her with such weight that she found herself looking away despite herself, pressured as though he stood on higher ground.
"There is no doubt about this. I am Jack, and I am also a traveler."
"I'm glad it's you. At least the object of my revenge (love) hasn't changed."
Eula said with a blush.
"Did Jack do something to offend you that made you want to take revenge on him?"
Keqing was not familiar with Eula, so she didn't know the special meaning of "revenge" in Eula's mouth.
It was when Keqing spoke that Eula noticed the two of them walking hand in hand, fingers intertwined.
That moment struck her like a bolt from the blue.
Eula, who often stole romance novels from Captain Jean, let her imagination run wild.
What kind of relationship do they have?
Does this mean I'm the heroine of a tragic love drama?
Eula suddenly felt so aggrieved that she wanted to cry.
Seeing her expression turn blue, red, then black, Keqing grew concerned for her health and leaned toward Jack's ear, whispering:
"Jack, in that 'Genshin Impact' game of yours, does it say if this young lady has any… hidden illness? Even with a Vision, it could be dangerous if she fell sick in the wild."
"Don't worry about her. Tsundere girls are good at self-policing. It's normal for her to find an excuse later."
The weight of a girl's feelings is heavy.
And with the problem of Ying still unresolved, Jack hadn't figured out how to face the other girls whose favorability was maxed out.
Keqing curled her lips.
Jack always said things she didn't understand.
As she was thinking, she suddenly planted a strawberry mark on Jack's face like a spoiled child.
In the end, he burst into laughter, radiating the sour sweetness of love without a care for who was watching.
Trailing half a step behind, Eula saw the scene and felt indescribable bitterness flood her heart.
It hurts. It hurts so much.
...
There is only one main road from Mondstadt to the Whispering Woods, wide and kept safe thanks to the Knights clearing monsters regularly.
At the entrance, the Knights of Favonius had even erected a landmark to mark the boundary.
"Let's split up here. There are still a few hours until sunset. Whether we find Ying or not, we must return to Mondstadt before nightfall."
"Also, this is a healing potion I made. If you or Ying are injured, it can be used for emergencies."
Jack took out the novice gift pack potion that had been gathering dust in his inventory for over a month and handed two bottles to Eula.
After briefly explaining what had happened since meeting Ying, the three set off from the landmark.
Eula went left, Keqing went right, and Jack headed into the central zone with the widest range.
...
Paimon, where are you?
I was wrong. I shouldn't have drowned myself in a drunken dream.
I shouldn't have forgotten you, who stayed by my side, just because of someone who left.
So… if you can hear me, please appear before me!
In the Whispering Woods.
Ying unleashed sword energy carrying wind and thunder, cutting down three Hilichurls. The earth rose and swallowed their bodies into eternal sleep.
"No."
Her grass-elemental power spread out. After failing to find anything, Ying pressed forward without delay.
The main roads of Mondstadt rarely had monsters, and the terrain was open.
Paimon, who could fly, could easily escape.
But the Whispering Woods were different.
The terrain limited Paimon's movements. Though monsters here were often culled for being too close to Mondstadt, they were still dangerous enough to threaten someone whose combat power was less than a third of a wild boar.
Buzz!
An aura only a Vision holder could sense spread out.
The earth veins were moving again.
Ying gripped the Rock Knot left to her by her ex-boyfriend, wind bursting beneath her feet, and charged toward the Earth Flower.
Because she hadn't found Paimon for too long.
Her goal had shifted from "finding someone" to "eliminating all threats."
As long as no monsters remained in the Whispering Woods that could endanger Paimon, her chances of returning safely would rise greatly.
...
"What's going on? A Rock Helm King in Mondstadt? Aren't these only found in Liyue, where geo energy runs strong?"
Jack stopped in his tracks.
He drew the dragonbone sword—unrecognizable to others, at most mistaken for some magic weapon—ready to test it against the hulking foe.
Roar!
The Hilichurl Rock Helm King bellowed and leapt with agility unbefitting its size, slamming down toward Jack.
Jack shifted sideways, dodging the direct strike.
But this was Teyvat, a world of elements. As the Rock Helm King landed, geo energy erupted outward, condensed into stone shards that shot like bullets.
Ding ding ding!
Puff!
Jack blocked some with his dragonbone sword, while the rest hammered into him, mostly absorbed by his diamond armor.
I was careless… forgot this guy's attacks have special effects.
Grass elemental light flared around Jack, granting him healing and attack speed buffs. His eyes sharpened. Now he was serious.
The Rock Helm King turned, yellow light flashing in its eyes, and lunged again.
Jack inhaled deeply. This time he didn't dodge. He raised his sword and thrust upward.
Boom!
Fist met blade, sparks scattering as they clashed in a deadlock.
Against the four-to-five-meter giant, Jack's 1.75-meter frame seemed small, yet the strength he displayed would put many Vision holders to shame.
"A mere Rock Helm King… vanish before the mighty power that creates and destroys worlds!"
Dark red flames burst from the dragonbone sword. Fueled by grass elemental energy, the fire blazed skyward.
Jack swung, and sword energy turned into a dragon of flame, devouring the Rock Helm King whole.
The grass Vision at his waist cracked, flames erupting outward to engulf half the world.
And when the fire finally died—
A familiar figure emerged from behind the flames.