All the credits to Hoyoverse.
To support me, visit: Patreon.com/pompom_2061.
* * *
Chapter 1: A Player Inside The Game
"So, let me get this straight,"
The boy said, with a simple tone, sitting cross-legged beside the fire.
"You used to be a streamer, whatever that word means. What interesting is that your parents were fine with this weird job of yours. Not exactly what they wanted you to be but since you were making crazy amount of 'mora' from this streaming thing, you did succeed to become their proud son."
The fire crackled softly. Its light lit the boy's childish face, casting his shadow on the ground.
Opposite to the boy, a man at least twenty years older nodded, his glasses catching the boy's reflection.
"But then,"
Timmie continued, waving the half-eaten skewer in his hand.
"When you went out to buy dinner, a truck suddenly hit you and poof--the next thing you knew, you were here, in this world. And now, to get back to your world, you have to finish some difficult missions which is going to take some time because you are weak right now. Did I get all of that right?"
Felix smiled, teeth flashing as he puffed out his chest. "Almost perfect. Well done, little Timmie."
Timmie groaned, as he palmed his forehead in exaggeration.
'Is brother Felix mocking me, or did he genuinely think such nonsense makes sense?'
Looking at the smug face of Felix, Timmie thought of another option which was that this brother before him really has some loose screws.
"Brother Felix," he said slowly, dragging his sentence like he really meant every word of it, "I'm a kid. I will admit that but even I'm not dumb enough to fall for a story that ridiculous."
Felix merely shrugged, biting off a piece from his skewer. "I told a similar version of story to Klee and she believed me."
Although her version of the story didn't include streaming, summoning, or transmigrating, Felix had indeed shared some stories with the little troublemaker to get closer to her.
"That's because you and Klee are both stupid," Timmie snapped, his small face twisting into a look of clear frustration.
He paused, then narrowed his eyes, as if a memory had resurfaced.
"And don't think I've forgotten what happened this morning."
"Huh?" Felix raised an eyebrow mid-chew. "What happened this morning?"
"You killed those poor, innocent pigeons! How could you forget so soon?!"
"Oh about that.."Felix winced and scratched the back of his head. "Can't you just let it go already? I even brought you out here to night camp. Peace offering, remember?"
He didn't mention that he had intended to sneak out before dawn to avoid this exact conversation. He knew about Timmie's love for animals, which was precisely why he tried to do the deed quietly in the early morning.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans. After completing his task, he was collecting his spoils peacefully when a figure suddenly gasped in horror. That figure was none other than Timmie.
Even now, Felix could still hear the boy's horrified gasp echoing in his ear.
"Peace offering, my foot! That's just what you told Mommy to drag me along!" Timmie pointed a finger at Felix. "I heard you muttering about hunting hilichurls. Don't try to act like this is some friendly trip. You must have some shady intentions to bring me along with you!"
Felix brows twitched.
'Isn't this kid a little too chatty? And everything he said was way off--well, maybe a few things had some truth to them.'
"And you still haven't apologized for killing those poor pigeons!"
"I just have to say sorry, right?"
"Yes but it has to be sincere."
Before Timmie could change his mind, Felix spoke first. "Fine, fine. I'm sorry. There. Happy?"
Timmie narrowed his eyes. "I failed to see any sincerity there."
Felix sighed and threw his arms up dramatically, "Oh, I'm so sorry! Woe is me! I've committed the gravest of crimes, slayer of poor birds, defiler of peace! Only the purest of hearts could possibly forgive a monster like me! O all loving Timmie, please forgive me!"
Timmie rolled his eyes, jabbing his skewer at him. "Okay, okay! Don't overdo it. You are giving me second-hand embarassment here. And don't kill pigeons next time."
"Sure, next time I won't..."
Felix promised as per Timmie's demand. Although, the last part was blurred as the fire crackled between them.
***
Later after finishing their meals, Timmie dozed off with his arms curled under his head. Felix draped a cloth over him.
After doing that, he turned back toward the fire, the flames painting his glasses with flickers of orange light.
"Status," he said softly.
A transparent blue window shimmered to life before him:
[Felix Carter]
HP: 3500/3500
Tier: Mortal
Level: 35
Age: 21
Title: Rookie Adventurer [E] (+1 stat per level-up)
Strength: 10 + 60
Agility: 10 + 64
Stamina: 10 + 63
Elemental Energy: 10 + 45
Bonus Stats: 6
Felix, who had read hundred of system novels before coming here, got easily used to on operating his system. He briefly looked through his status panel before his eyes lingered on the stamina stat.
"Still the same mechanism as in the game, huh?" he muttered. "It is impossible to increase stamina unless I offer those floating orbs to a rock shaped like an Archon."
He rubbed his temple.
"It's annoying. No other stat is like this. Everything else improves with battle Exp, gear, training. But stamina? Gotta climb cliffs, swim through lakes, or scale wind-blasted peaks just to find a damn Anemoculus."
It was absurd. But... it also had its merits.
Because leveling up wasn't as easy as grinding in front of a screen anymore. Despite arriving in this world two months ago, he could only reach level 35. Not to mention there is this tier thing too...
According to the game system, there are seven tiers: Mortal, Ascendant, Transcedant, Divine, God, Supreme, ???.
As for how to jump from tiers to tiers and what advantages each tiers provides, the system gave no information. The only thing clear was that Felix's plan of travelling Teyvat won't be easy, if he doesn't become stronger.
So, it was a good thing that stamina could be raised without risking his life in combat. With higher stamina even at a low level, Felix trained his body longer and grew a little stronger.
"I guess I should look into brighter side rather than getting demotivated," he muttered. "Everything is within reasons and has its merits."
He then glanced at Timmie again.
Even the boy was brought here today for a reason by Felix.
And it was quite simple.
Timmie was giving Felix headache, continously interrupting his pigeons hunting.
So, Felix decided to change his strategy, he would take Timmie out at night to tire him out with activities. This way, an exhausted Timmie would sleep deeply and wake up late, giving Felix enough time to hunt pigeons peacefully.
"Can't believe I have to go through such troubles just for a bunch of fowl."
With a sigh, he closed the status screen and gave another command.
"Quest window,"
Another panel appeared in front of him.
Side Quest: Troubles in Springvale [Currently Active]
- Reports indicate an increase in hilichurl activity north of Springvale. Investigate the source. (0/1)
- If necessary, reduce their numbers. (0/30)
Rewards:
• Level Up +2
• 10,000 Mora
• Elemental Energy +10
• Mondstadt Reputation +40
• Possible lead to next quest
Failure: None
And this is the another reason why Felix was here, for the quests!
He isn't a big pitiful guy to do all of this just to get a kid out of his way, it was for the quests too.
Felix gave a short nod, closing the window with a flick of his hand.
"For a side quest, that's not half bad."
The fire continued to crackle, casting long shadows behind him.
Then, his focus shifted to another window, this one categorized under Main Quests.
"And then, there is this..." Suddenly, Felix mood dropped.
Main Quest: Divine Reckoning
Quest Details: Something beyond mortal comprehension stirs in Teyvat. The Archons hold the key to the truth, but only by claiming their cursed relics can the veil be lifted.
Quest Requirements: Collect all seven Gnosis. (0/7)
Rewards:
• Level Up +50
• 1,000,000 Mora
• Maximum Reputation throughout Teyvat.
• ???
Time Limit: 43036: 23: 12
Failure: Death.
Felix stared at the quest.
Then let out a dry, humorless laugh.
"No matter how many times I go through this," he gasped for air and said with a bitter smile, "The only thought that comes to mind is that I'm genuinely screwed."
He shook his head.
Sure, he wanted to adventure through this world. That was the reason he'd embraced this new life in the first place.
But this?
He didn't ask for this!
"This is insane. I'm not even interested in knowing what the '???' reward is with a requirement like this." He leaned forward, rubbing his temples. "Taking a Gnosis means going against an Archon. I might as well write my will now."
And then, that wasn't the end. Another window materialized right in front of him.
Main Quest: The Forgotten Sins
Quest Details: Sinners walk among the people, hidden in the other side of this world. Their existence defies the natural order, and their secrets are buried deep. To uncover the truth, seek them out and expose their sins.
Quest Requirements: Meet the five Sinners. (0/5)
Rewards:
• Level Up +250
• 1,000,000,000 Mora
• The Truth of Teyvat
• ???
Time Limit: 43036: 23: 02
Failure: Death.
He stared at the glowing screen.
Then he kept staring at the words.
"Throw ''everything has its merits'' slogan out of the window. The only merit this quest have is getting myself killed."
Finding five Sinners?
"That is a total joke. One became a god of this world, continuing her creation experiments, second one is outside of Teyvat, conquering planets, third one is twisted in mind, finding his lost lover, the others two are also similarly insane individuals." Felix said aloud, dragging a hand down his face. "How am I even supposed to find them, let alone meet them. "
The worst part?
The failure condition was still the same--death.
He couldn't run from these quests.
He had to face them.
As he was still processing that, a third window faded in.
Main Quest: Near The End
Quest Details: At the end of your journey, you will meet, ???. ??? and you may not be super "???" about it. You may end up "???". Good luck.
Quest Requirements: Defeat the "???" in "???"
Rewards:
• Return to the original world [Choice-based]
• ???
• ???
Time Limit: 43036: 22: 52
Failure: Death
Felix felt his eye twitching, reading the jumbled mess of text.
"And what is this?" Finally, he lost his control and exploded. "Was this written by a dying chicken pecking at a keyboard?"
"I honestly want to know who even wrote this mess," he growled, gesturing at the screen. "Because they should be fired the moment they submitted this."
"Defeat the '???' in '???'?" Felix clenched his fist. "Send me your address, bastard. I will first kill you a hundred times over and then think about it."
He bit down his frustration, exhaling sharply.
"Oh god, I am freaking out again. Calm down, Felix, calm down." he told himself. "Just... breathe."
He is in his second life.
He shouldn't even think of doing something this reckless. It is just giving away his second life.
But he can't stay idly as well since failing to complete the main quest will eventually lead to his demise.
"As long as I keep getting stronger, I'll figure something out."
One step at a time. Yeah, that is all he can do.
No matter how ridiculous and impossible the quests may seem, the only real failure will be giving up.
And that isn't an option.
If he wanted to live...
Then he had to find a way.
He leaned back, folding his arms behind his head, gaze fixed on the stars overhead.
"For now, let's think of ways to make Timmie tire out." Silently, planning in his mind, Felix avoided looking at the boy's face, as if looking at him would make him feel guilty.
"I'll make sure the boy will stay in his bed all day tomorrow."