This Abode seemed to have once been inhabited, leaving behind traces of past occupants.
Judging by the remnants, they didn't appear to be Adepti, but rather cultivators.
Yet the Abode's layout and mechanisms made Qin Yu suspect it had been created by an Adeptus.
But such details hardly mattered now.
As soon as she stepped inside, Qin Yu felt an unnatural surge of agitation within her body, immediately followed by an icy chill that enveloped her entire body—a truly unsettling sensation.
Without a doubt, this was the Wicked Mark within her activating.
Qin Yu drew her Semi-Automatic Shotgun, feeling its reassuring weight in her hands.
Staying here might not be a bad idea after all...
After all, the Mark had already begun to stir.
Better a short pain than a long one. Just waiting around and doing nothing won't work! Qin Yu thought, activating Wave Detection to scan her surroundings.
She sensed the presence of monsters.
Killing the monsters directly will accelerate the mark's absorption. Once it reaches a certain threshold, it will try to devour me. That's when I'll use the Talisman to force it out and then destroy it... Perfect.
After reviewing her plan, Qin Yu nodded and ventured deeper into the Abode.
The further she went, the more active the Wicked Mark became, and the more intense the malevolent energy she sensed.
However, Qin Yu's unique constitution granted her considerable resistance to such energies. Even without a Vision, she wouldn't lose her mobility in the short term.
She merely found it slightly harder to breathe.
The Abode teemed with monsters, but Qin Yu was no longer the person she once was. These creatures posed no threat to her.
After emptying her shotgun, she swiftly switched to her Combat Pistol, coordinating her attacks with deployed Satellite Components to annihilate another wave of monsters.
"Ugh!"
As the monsters vanished, the black miasma swirling around their bodies dissolved into wisps of thread that seeped into Qin Yu's body. With each surge of headache, fragments of her past memories resurfaced.
Darkness. Cold. Confined. Whispers...
The real battle wasn't against the monsters, but against the mental attacks and crippling exhaustion that followed the Wicked Mark's absorption of demonic energy.
Qin Yu drew her Healing Pistol and fired a shot into her knee. The sharp pain jolted her back to clarity.
"This is terrible..."
Despite her fear of pain, she now had to use it to stay awake.
The only saving grace was that she didn't have a masochistic streak. Otherwise, this pain would be a reward, driving her into a blissful unconsciousness instead of restoring her alertness.
Qin Yu's mind raced with these absurd thoughts.
Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself and focused on the Wicked Mark within her.
"It's getting more active..."
But not quite enough.
Tch, just hurry up and finish already! Qin Yu thought with disgust.
Why do I have to endure all this nonsense?
No, focus on the positive. Even if this method is uncontrollable, I can't let my emotions spiral out of control...
Qin Yu thought of Keqing. Having finally recovered all her memories, she had at last fully reclaimed her status as Keqing's childhood friend.
Soon, she would be able to share childhood memories with Keqing, no longer leaving her to reminisce alone.
She would also live with Shenhe, and the day the Jade Chamber was rebuilt was drawing near... As long as she perfectly resolved this final trouble, her past would finally be laid to rest!
Refortifying her resolve, Qin Yu swiftly changed magazines and reloaded her pistol.
She pressed onward, deeper into the Abode.
Upon reaching its innermost depths, the sinister black miasma grew even thicker, causing Qin Yu to exclaim in astonishment:
"Just how much Remnants of a god has accumulated here?"
Within the thin mist formed by the black miasma, numerous silhouettes swayed and flickered, half-visible and half-hidden.
Qin Yu tensed, knowing a fresh wave of monsters was about to attack. Without hesitation, she unleashed a torrent of fire upon the targets.
Since the real showdown lay ahead, she couldn't afford to waste her Skills and needed to conserve her energy.
At most, she would use the Celestial System for shielding and crowd control, and fire pain-inducing shots from her Healing Pistol to maintain alertness.
The rest would be left to her bullets!
Gunfire and muzzle flashes erupted ceaselessly as the endlessly spawning monsters were gunned down one by one.
When the Combat Pistol fired its last bullet, the slide locked back, and the Abode momentarily fell silent.
"Ha... what a pain," Qin Yu gasped, a bead of sweat sliding down her cheek.
Before she could catch her breath, a sudden, excruciating pain shot through her chest. Her consciousness seemed to be flung far away by the shock, returning to the body of her childhood self.
She was back in that cramped box, awaiting either a faint glimmer of hope or the imminent arrival of death.
"Qin Yu!"
A voice called out, and the lid was lifted.
Ganyu's face appeared before her, and she scooped Qin Yu into her arms.
"Qin Yu..."
Then Ganyu's grip tightened around Qin Yu's neck, her features twisting into a grotesque, chaotic mess. "Why aren't you dead?"
The face shifted rapidly, morphing into Shenhe, then Keqing, then Hu Tao... then into strangers, the faces changing incessantly.
"I'll never accept you."
"You've changed. You're not the Qin Yu I knew anymore!"
"Actually, I can't stand you anymore."
"You've truly disappointed me."
"I don't want to see you again. No matter how pitiful you might be, you shouldn't deceive me. If I'd known your true self was like this, I would never have spoken to you."
The words strangled Qin Yu's spirit, while the hand around her neck tightened further.
What is this? A hallucination? Qin Yu gritted her teeth, arriving at the correct conclusion in an instant.
There's no mistake—the Wicked Mark is trying to devour me.
Before fear could surface, rage ignited within her.
How dare it mimic Shenhe and the others! Qin Yu seized the creature's hand and violently pried it open.
"Shut up!"
The creature froze momentarily, then its features twisted again: "Hated, hated, hated, hated, hated, hated, hated, hated, hated, hated..."
It pressed its face close to hers: "These are your own thoughts, aren't they? I'm just telling you what you already believe. Why won't you accept it?"
Thoughts? It was true that she occasionally indulged in such fantasies.
If I ever reveal my true self, they might say these things. They might hate me.
But...
"I don't need anyone to remind me how terrible I am."
Qin Yu drew a talisman.
"Besides, I know these are just my own fears for now. That's precisely why I want to test them. In the end, the only one who can truly protect me is myself. I can't rely on anyone else."
Sensing the demonic presence, the patterns on the talisman glowed with spiritual light.
"Likewise, the only one who can escape this situation is myself. I'll try—if it works, great; if not, I'll adapt."
"I want to move forward, step by step. I'm fully aware of the risks; you don't need to tell me. Stop interfering with my life!"
As soon as the words left her lips, the Talisman erupted with blinding light, blasting the Fiend before her into a dissipating mist that surged forward.
In the next instant, the mist coalesced into a form.
But this form was irregular, nebulous, and complex, constantly shifting and changing—it truly resembled some kind of chaotic monster.
For some reason, the moment Qin Yu saw it, she understood—this was a Fiend modeled after her own heart.
The saying goes, "appearance arises from the heart." That the Fiend modeled after her own heart would take such a form left Qin Yu feeling utterly helpless.
Still, this was finally the final stage!
Alright, let's finish this in one go.
"Ugh..." Qin Yu tried to rally her spirit, but the pain coursing through her body and her labored breathing left her unable to muster any strength.
Just moments ago, I was fine...
Could this creature be responsible?
As if sensing her thoughts, the Fiend let out a low, mocking laugh. "I've been rooted in your body for far too long. Even if you manage to uproot me, no matter how strong your constitution, you'll be weakened for a while."
Just as one feels weak after surgery.
"And in that time, I can devour you entirely."
At that moment, another massive wave of monsters emerged from the black mist, far more numerous than the previous one.
Again?!
Qin Yu scanned her surroundings, tightening her grip on her Combat Pistol.
No, don't panic. Stay calm. I can do this! she told herself, trying to boost her morale.
Even alone, I can manage...
No, I'm not alone!
A clear, sharp voice suddenly echoed through the Abode. A figure flashed past Qin Yu, streaks of purple Electro coalescing into sword-like light that annihilated several monsters.
Simultaneously, a Cryo Talisman Spirit materialized, instantly slaying several more monsters on the spot.
Shenhe stepped before Qin Yu, pistol in one hand and a talisman in the other, her voice low and menacing as she addressed the Fiend: "Unforgivable."
"Keqing... Shenhe..."
Why are they here? Qin Yu wondered, dazed. Keqing turned to her with a gentle smile.
"I told you, when you remembered everything, I'd rush over. I won't break my promise again!" Keqing declared.
[Evaluation: D+ (Keqing)]
Shenhe's voice softened as she said, "I'm sorry I didn't believe you before, but... I want to protect my family, protect you, so I came."
"I-I'm Qin Yu's family too!" Keqing blurted out urgently.
[Evaluation: C+ (Shenhe)]
A warmth bloomed in Qin Yu's chest and eyes. She had never imagined they would come here.
There was no need.
She hadn't wanted to burden them or make them worry.
"Honestly..." Qin Yu muttered under her breath.
She hadn't wanted them to help her at all, yet at this moment, her heart fluttered with genuine joy.
Qin Yu sniffled, suppressing the surge of emotion that threatened to overwhelm her.
"Well, since you're here—"
"Let's finish this together!"
Before the words could escape her lips, another commotion erupted.
A Hydro shadow flashed past, and countless silken threads tore apart the monster's body.
When the true form emerged, Qin Yu found herself facing a woman she didn't recognize.
Tall and slender, with asymmetrical black short hair, a skin-tight backless outfit in shades of blue and black, and a striking fur shawl draped over her shoulders. Her captivating beauty drew all eyes.
Qin Yu had no memory of this woman, but instinctively sensed she was no ordinary person.
Who is this?
Shenhe seemed equally puzzled, while Keqing exclaimed in surprise, "Yelan? What are you doing here?"
[Target List Updated]
[Target: Yelan]
Ha? Wait, read the room!
"Came because my work required it."
Yelan? The name still didn't ring a bell. And what "work" was she referring to? Qin Yu was still puzzling over this when footsteps approached from behind.
"Qin Yu, it's good to see you're safe. That's all that matters. Well done, Yelan."
"Thank you for the praise, but I wasn't the first to arrive," Yelan replied.
That voice... could it be...?
Qin Yu turned around, her heart pounding even faster.
Ningguang, Ganyu, Hu Tao, and Yanfei were hurrying toward them.
Uwaaa, why is Ningguang here too?!
And Hu Tao and Yanfei are here too, and even Ganyu?! The moment Qin Yu's eyes met Ningguang's, she guiltily averted her gaze.
She'd just lied to Ningguang, and now she'd been caught red-handed.
Hu Tao grinned. "Aiya, my Fishy Treasure! You're so inconsiderate, sneaking off to this godforsaken place without a word. Planning to handle everything yourself, huh?"
"Th-this is..." Qin Yu stammered, feeling even more guilty.
"Exactly! That's so inconsiderate! You're treating me like a stranger! You could have just told me! Are you hurt?" Yanfei asked anxiously.
"Ah, no, I'm fine..."
Feeling Ganyu's intense gaze, Qin Yu cautiously lifted her eyes. The moment their gazes met, Ganyu's expression turned unusually stern.
"We'll have a serious talk about this later," Ganyu said firmly.
"I understand... I-I'm sorry," Qin Yu mumbled, shrinking her neck.
Embarrassment, guilt, awkwardness, and joy swirled within Qin Yu's heart like a tempest. She desperately wanted to dive into the water and cool down.
Why did everyone have to show up? Qin Yu thought in a confused daze.
[ Evaluation: D+ (Yanfei) ]
[ Evaluation: D+ (Ningguang) ]
[ Evaluation: D+ (Hu Tao) ]
[ Evaluation: D+ (Ganyu) ]
Stop popping up now!
This was exactly the scene Hu Tao had hoped for.
Now she'll finally realize she was wrong, right? Hu Tao nodded in satisfaction.
As for the enemies...
There were one, two, three, four... Counting Qin Yu, there were a total of eight people present.
Eight people! Seven of them possessed Visions, Qin Yu herself was no slouch in combat, and Ganyu, a half-adeptus, was present. Against a full-fledged God, they might have been outmatched.
But against a mere monster formed from the remnants of a god, how could they possibly lose?
Hu Tao grinned mischievously and beckoned the Fiend with a playful wave. "Tell me, darling, do you want a one-on-one fight? A group beatdown? Or perhaps—"
She twirled her spear with a flourish.
Ningguang and Yanfei readied their Catalysts, while Ganyu already had an arrow nocked and drawn.
"—all of the above?"