On Lumine's side,
the group enters the secret domain.
This domain feels all too familiar to Lumine and Paimon.
They've ventured through many of Liyue's domains, even Adepti abodes.
It's not exactly the same, but it's close enough—nine out of ten times, it's similar.
Under Lumine's expert guidance, the group quickly finds the domain's exit.
Everyone is thrilled, but only for the fleeting few seconds it takes to discover it.
After passing through, their joy turns to confusion.
The scenery is still the bottom of the Chasm.
Itto looks around. "Huh? Something's not right here."
The others notice the issue too. "We… we're back?"
"Is this the same place we passed through?"
Kuki Shinobu walks to a stone wall, pointing out the mark she left before entering.
"Exactly. This is the starting point."
Everyone thinks it's impossible.
They moved forward the entire time in the domain, heading straight for the exit.
There wasn't a single step backward, so how did they end up back here?
This completely fries Itto's brain.
Yelan, for once, agrees with Itto.
They kept moving forward, never backtracking.
But she also left a mark at the entrance.
Now, both marks are here, meaning this isn't just like the entrance—
they've genuinely returned to it.
As the leader, Lumine knows exactly what path she took.
Going straight ahead yet ending up at the starting point—
there's something wrong with this space.
They're likely trapped.
Itto shares a little Inazuma story.
In Inazuma, there's a tale about merchants walking at night who fall prey to tanuki tricks.
They wander in circles all night, unable to escape until dawn.
[Isn't that just a ghost wall?]
[Trapped by Yae Miko, unable to move 'til morning.]
[How did you even make that leap?]
Paimon seizes the chance to jab at Itto.
"That's just a ghost wall, duh. Even Paimon knows that."
Itto scratches his head, embarrassed.
"Since everyone knows, that makes it easier. I think we're caught in something like that."
"But no worries, I've got a helper who can ward off evil. In times like this, it's time to call him out."
[Does Itto know he's an oni? His buddy wards off evil?]
[Different kind of ghost, huh?]
The partner Itto mentions is an unofficial member of the Arataki Gang—Ushi.
"Moo, moo—"
Itto summons a small bull.
He introduces it. "He's saying hi to everyone."
"You can call him Ushi or Big Bro Ushi. He's great at finding paths. He'll lead us out in no time."
[Now he's really a Bull Chucker.]
[What if Paimon came up with the nickname because of this skill?]
[Shocking Lumine for ten thousand years.]
[It's been a while since we saw sis's shady expression.]
Even Yelan is stunned. "There's an unofficial member too…"
Seeing that everyone seems skeptical of Ushi,
Itto decides to prove his worth with action.
"Ushi, go! Find a clear path for your bros."
"Moo—!"
Ushi lets out a bellow and starts searching the area for hidden exits…
After a moment, he returns to Itto, reporting to his boss.
"Moo… moo, moo… moo!"
Itto crouches down. "Hm? Oh, oh… what?! No way!"
[I wanna see the voice actors' behind-the-scenes, haha.]
[Curious who voiced Ushi.]
Of course, no one else understands.
But judging by Itto's increasingly furrowed brow,
this isn't good news.
"How's it going?"
Itto shakes his head. "Ushi says he checked everywhere along the path. There's no exit."
"But we got in, so there's no reason we can't get out. No way… I'm gonna check myself."
Unconvinced, Itto runs off.
Lumine feels the same. If they got in, they should be able to get out.
Worst case, they could ask Mu Yang if they can retrace their steps.
He once taught Lumine his lightfoot technique.
Everyone here isn't ordinary; they should be able to handle an Adeptus's gift.
Her idea is nice, but it falls apart the moment she looks up.
When they came in, they fell from above.
Back then, they could still see a speck of light.
Now, that light is gone.
The hole above must have been mostly sealed.
"How did this happen?"
Lumine shares her discovery.
Kuki Shinobu looks up. "It seems the underground structures here aren't as simple as we thought."
"…I'll check around." Yelan heads off in the opposite direction of Itto to investigate.
Paimon proposes a theory.
"What if this isn't the place we fell into?"
Her voice trembles, and her logic is clearly crumbling.
Yelan and Shinobu's marks are unique.
This place hasn't changed; it's just that the top is sealed.
Lumine explains, and Paimon grows even more scared.
Itto returns from his loop. "Hey, you scared or something?"
"I-I'm not that cowardly!"
"Moo—"
Itto steps closer, translating for Ushi.
"Ushi thinks you're scared too. It's okay, if you're afraid, just say it. We'll protect you."
Lumine pats Paimon's head. "Don't be scared. I'm here."
The atmosphere lightens a bit.
The group checks the area again but finds nothing.
"There really is no exit…"
At this point, they notice something odd about Itto's behavior.
He keeps glancing around, as if wary of something.
Shinobu asks him what's wrong and if he found anything.
Itto says shakily, "No leads, but just now…"
"I swear I saw a few figures in my peripheral vision. Don't tell me this place is haunted…"
Though Paimon is scared too, as the designated snarker, she's got a job to do.
"The vibe's super creepy, but I gotta say, Itto, aren't you a ghost yourself?"
[Haha, classic ghost-fearing-ghost.]
[Inazuma's oni fears Liyue's ghosts.]
[One's an oni, the other's a spooky vibe?]
That's exactly what Itto means.
He's scared of those flickering, now-you-see-them, now-you-don't kind of ghosts.
Paimon didn't expect him to admit it.
"So, Itto, you're scared of ghosts?"
Kuki Shinobu piles on. "Oh, busted, huh, boss?"
Itto realizes he's handed them a massive weak point.
"I-I'm not! Don't go spreading lies!"
Paimon grins. "Hehe, seeing you like this, I'm suddenly not scared anymore…"
"Hey, Bull Chucker, if you're scared, I can cover your eyes for you."
The two kids bicker, finally easing the tension.
The anxiety and nervousness dissipate a bit.
Reliable Shinobu steps aside, gathering a few stones.
She pulls out branches and Sunsetti fruit from her pocket.
Lumine is stunned.
Is she… preparing to roast something here?