[Location: Secluded Cove, Liyue Coast]
[Time: 7:30 AM]
Reconstructing a human body was harder than eating a god.
In my previous life, I was Andrews Ragnvaldr—a scrawny, dark-haired teenager. But I couldn't just go back to that. My soul had changed. My species had changed. I needed a vessel that could contain the storm inside me.
"Great Sage, initiate Mimicry. Use the genetic data from my past life, but adjust for current Mana density. Age appearance: 19."
[Great Sage]
My massive dragon body glowed, shrinking and condensing. Bones snapped and reformed. Scales smoothed into skin.
When the light faded, I stood in the shallow water.
I looked down at the reflection.
I was tall—well over six feet. My hair was no longer just brown; it was a deep, raven black that faded into electric blue at the tips, tied back in a loose, messy ponytail. My eyes were the most striking change: sharp, vertical reptilian slits of molten silver.
Faint, diamond-shaped scales traced the line of my jaw and wrapped around my forearms like natural gauntlets.
"Not bad," I muttered. My voice was smooth but carried a low, subsonic rumble.
Now, the problem was clothes.
I was naked.
"Great Sage, use [All of Creation]. Analyze the composition of the Silk Flowers and heavy canvas I have in my [Stomach]."
[Great Sage]
Black fabric materialized around me, weaving itself into existence. A high-collared black trench coat with gold trimming (mimicking Liyue style), sturdy combat trousers, and heavy boots. On the back, I willed the crest of the Ragnvaldr family—a wolf eating a star—to be embroidered in silver thread.
"There you are!"
I turned.
Scrambling down the rocky cliffside was Keqing.
The Yuheng of the Qixing looked terrible. Her pristine purple twin-tails were messy, her tights were torn at the knee, and she had dark circles under her eyes that looked like bruises. She was panting heavily, clutching her sword for support.
"You..." She glared at me, stumbling onto the sand. "Do you have any idea... how much paperwork... you caused?"
"Good morning to you too, Lady Yuheng," I grinned, crossing my arms. "I see the city is still standing. You're welcome."
"You reckless idiot!" She marched up to me, intending to poke my chest, but she swayed. Her legs gave out.
I moved instantly.
Using [Steel Strength] for speed, I caught her before she hit the sand. She was shockingly light. Her body was trembling—she was running on pure adrenaline and caffeine, and the tank was empty.
"Let go," she mumbled, her voice slurring. "I have... to organize the Millelith... the Northland Bank..."
"You're going to die of Karoshi (overwork) before you finish," I said softly.
I looked at her. Really looked at her.
My [Lust] skill pulsed in my chest. It wasn't sexual desire—not exactly. It was a hunger to give. To fill the void in her. She was a battery running on 1%, and I was a nuclear reactor.
"Great Sage, activate [Kiss of Love]. Modify output: Contact Transfer. Target: Vitality Restoration."
I pulled her closer, wrapping my arms around her waist to support her weight. I rested my chin gently on top of her head.
"Just breathe, Keqing."
A soft, golden-pink aura flared around us.
The effect was instant.
Keqing gasped. Her eyes widened, then rolled back slightly in pure bliss.
It wasn't just energy. It was the feeling of a perfect night's sleep condensed into three seconds. It was the warmth of a hot spring, the relief of a massage, and the rush of a full meal all at once.
Her muscles melted against me. The tension in her shoulders vanished. The dark circles under her eyes faded as her cells rapidly regenerated.
"W-what... is this?" she whispered, clutching the lapels of my coat. She sounded drunk. "It feels... so warm."
"Vitality Transfer," I lied (partially). "Dragon therapy."
She stayed there for a full minute, burying her face in my chest, inhaling my scent (which apparently smelled like ozone and sea salt).
When I finally pulled back, she looked radiant. Her skin was glowing, her eyes were bright, and she looked five years younger.
She blinked, realizing the position we were in. She blushed a violent shade of red and shoved me away—though her push had no real force behind it.
"I—I didn't ask for that!" she stammered, smoothing her dress. But she kept glancing at me, her body instinctively wanting to be close to that energy source again.
Addictive, I noted. Dangerous.
"Consider it a service," I smirked. "Now, take me to Ningguang. I need a boat."
[Location: The Jade Chamber (Ruins/Temporary HQ in Liyue Harbor)]
[Time: 12:00 PM]
The meeting was tense.
Ningguang sat at a makeshift desk in the Moon Carver's pavilion. Ganyu stood by her side, looking at me with wide, fearful eyes (she sensed the Qilin blood I had absorbed from eating local herbs, mixed with the Dragon blood).
"So," Ningguang took a drag from her pipe. "You are not an Adeptus. You are not a human. You are a Dragon who eats Gods."
"I prefer 'Connoisseur'," I corrected, leaning back in my chair. Keqing stood next to me, oddly protective now. Whenever a Millelith guard got too close, she glared them down.
"We cannot keep you in Liyue," Ningguang said bluntly. "You are a weapon of mass destruction. If you stay, the Fatui will turn this city into a battlefield to capture you. And honestly? I don't know if we can control you."
"I'm not looking to be controlled. I'm looking for a ride." I leaned forward. "I need to go to Inazuma."
Ganyu gasped. "Inazuma? The Electro Archon has closed the borders. The Sakoku Decree... no ships can enter or leave through the storm."
"I am the storm," I replied, my eyes glowing silver. "I have unfinished business with the Raiden Shogun. My name isn't a coincidence."
Ningguang tapped her desk. She was calculating the profit.
Getting rid of a dangerous variable (Me) + Destabilizing a rival nation (Inazuma) + Making an ally of a Dragon Lord.
"The Crux Fleet," Ningguang said finally. "Captain Beidou is the only one crazy enough to sail through the thunderstorms. She is currently resupplying at Guyun Stone Forest."
"Perfect." I stood up.
"One condition," Ningguang added. "When you return... you owe the Qixing a favor."
I paused. [Great Sage] calculated the risk.
"Fine. One favor. Within reason."
I turned to leave, but Keqing grabbed my sleeve.
The room went silent.
"You're... leaving immediately?" she asked, her voice uncharacteristically small.
I looked down at her. The [Lust] connection was still there. She could feel my heartbeat; I could feel her desire for that warmth again.
"I have to. But I'll be back."
I leaned down, whispering in her ear so only she could hear.
"Don't work yourself to death, Keqing. If you burn out, I won't be there to recharge you."
She shivered.
I pulled away and walked out into the sunlight.
[Location: Guyun Stone Forest - The Alcor]
[Time: 4:00 PM]
The ship was massive. The Alcor.
On the deck, a woman with an eyepatch and a presence as loud as thunder was shouting orders. Beidou.
Beside her stood a young man with white hair and a red streak—Kaedehara Kazuha.
I didn't wait for a gangway. I jumped from the docks, soaring thirty feet into the air and landing on the deck with a heavy thud that shook the timber.
The crew drew their weapons instantly.
Beidou didn't flinch. She took a swig of her bottle and grinned.
"Well, look what the cat dragged in. Or should I say, the Dragon?"
I straightened up, dusting off my coat.
"Captain Beidou. I hear you're the only one with the guts to sail into hell."
Beidou laughed, a hearty, booming sound. "Hell? Inazuma is worse than hell, kid. It's boring. But if you're looking for a fight... or a ride..."
She pointed her claymore at me.
"You gotta prove you're worth the cargo space."
I smiled, my slit pupils dilating.
"I was hoping you'd say that."