"Muuuuuuuuu!"
The slime wailed, turning into a puddle of non-Newtonian fluid.
John skillfully scooped out the essence, the slime condensate.
This was one of Teyvat's most common alchemy materials and a widely used ingredient.
By relying on his slime-hunting skills, John managed to survive in Liyue, though he was in debt.
Yes, survive.
By day he hunted; by night, he sold the slime fluid for a small amount of Mora to buy supplies and repay debts.
After all, he was no longer a kid, neither in looks nor in spirit.
A month ago, his parents died suddenly in an accident during a business trip.
That shipment contained almost all of his family's liquid assets. The tragedy broke the company's cash flow, turning him, the only son, from rich heir to broke debtor.
He now bore a debt so large it could take two lifetimes to pay.
When John first heard the news, his vision went dark and he fainted.
When he woke up again, there were strange but familiar memories in his head, and… a gacha shop.
He didn't know if he was still the same John, but there was no time to think. That kind of "Am I still me?" question could wait until after he filled his stomach.
And so, John began his slime-hunting life, one that continued to this day.
"Obtained: 1 Primogem."
A line of unknown text flashed in his mind. He looked at the 160 Primogems in the shop, the reward for a full day's hard work.
Finding a stream, he washed his face, wiped it with his only clean handkerchief, then opened the gacha page with a serious face.
"Use 160 Primogems to exchange for one Intertwined Fate?"
"Confirm."
A flash of golden light, John had pulled a gold!
God could witness his struggle; after killing countless slimes and filling boxes with their condensate, he finally got a gold on his 90th pull!
Sure, it was a pity, and the last 89 had all been weapons, but still!
It was his first ever gold!
It meant something!
Hope lit up in his tired, numb eyes.
As the golden glow faded, a finely crafted statue of the Geo Archon appeared before him.
...
Silence filled the night. The light of hope faded as quickly as the smile on the boy's face.
After a long while, John, hands trembling, picked up the statue. Fighting the urge to throw it into the stream, he stored it in his backpack.
He muttered to himself:
"Don't be mad. Don't be mad. It only cost 160 slimes."
"It's well-made. Probably worth some Mora."
"It is not Zhongli's fault. I mustn't vent on him"
Once his mood settled, John grabbed his blue three-star weapon and rushed toward a nearby Hydro Slime group.
After a storm of battle, the stream was calm again.
On Teyvat's path, one less group of Hydro Slimes, and one more young man drowning in gacha sorrow.
"To be a weapon master is fine. To be a pity puller is fine. But to get a statue as my gold? That's just bullying an honest man!"
---
"Xiangling, here's today's slime condensate."
John entered Wanmin Restaurant and saw Xiangling cooking.
She wore a light brown chef outfit showing her soft arms, and smooth, round thighs, though her chest was a bit lacking.
Still, maybe she made up for that with her ass, he must say the game and real-life are totally different!
Either way, Xiangling was known as one of the most beautiful girls around, and more than that, her cooking was unmatched.
John was one of her ingredient suppliers.
Well, "supplier", Xiangling clearly knew his situation and was helping him in her own way.
There were many slime suppliers. Why only buy from him? And always buy all his stock?
He didn't believe Wanmin Restaurant needed that much slime condensate every day.
Hearing his voice, Xiangling turned, smiled, saying, "Got it! Wait for me to finish this dish. The customers are almost done, John, stay for dinner tonight, okay?"
John wanted to refuse. He already owed her too much, and besides, he'd eaten at Wanmin Restaurant several nights in a row.
Chef Mao's gaze had gone from friendly to slightly wary, as if afraid of some wild boar stealing his cabbage.
The sound of cooking died down. Xiangling placed a fragrant dish on the counter for the waitress to serve.
Wiping her hands, she walked toward John, who sat quietly on a stool.
"You worked hard again today," Xiangling said with a smile, looking at the full box of slime condensate.
She knew his story. Not tragic, maybe, but definitely pitiful.
From a wealthy heir to a man crushed by debt, a story not rare in Liyue.
Most in his situation either ended their lives or left forever.
Only a few faced their fates head-on and rose again.
Xiangling believed John was one of those few. She saw his daily effort, and helped however she could.
After all, what girl can't be moved by an honest hardworking young man?
Of course, it wasn't love, just sympathy mixed with a bit of fondness.
She didn't show that sympathy, though. She knew for a man like John, pity was an insult. He would stand up again by his own strength.
"Let's eat," John smiled. His clean face shone with a bright grin that made even the waitress freeze for a moment.
"Oh… oh!"
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