Kifu reached toward the phantasmal soldier·Trampleer's side and grasped remotely, stopping the sword edge that was about to strike mid-air.
"…"
The Trampleer suddenly exerted force twice, yet still could not free the greatsword from restraint.
So it looked at Kifu with eyes full of murderous desire.
"What? Want to spar with me a couple of moves? Better if your boss comes, then it's more suitable."
Kifu twisted his mouth, turning his head toward Kirara and said,
"Go on, act, why are you dawdling there?"
"Act… does that mean we have to kill it? But we are only delivering packages…"
Kirara hesitated.
"Or we can just bind it and send it to the enforcement here."
"Heh, don't look at it like it has a human appearance, actually it's only through special means, warriors and ancient beasts forged into war instruments, not truly living spirits in the proper sense."
Kifu exerted a forceful pull, prying off a plate covering the Trampleer's back.
Inside the thick armour, it was not flesh, but anti-matter energy constantly wriggling.
"You can simply understand it as a common ruin guardian seen everywhere in Teyvat."
"Oh! Boss, now I understand! I've fought quite a few ruin guardians before!"
Kirara pumped her fist full of energy.
"Then next, I will dismantle this guy…"
Sss~~ sss sss~~
The sharp metallic cutting sound rang out. Kirara forcefully dragged her claw along the Trampleer's armour, but sparks flew, yet still no significant damage appeared on the armour.
"Ugh~ it hurts! My claws are almost worn down! What material is this guy made of, how is it so hard!"
Kirara covered her paw, tearful, complaining to Kifu.
Kifu helplessly supported his forehead.
This child… looks a little not very smart.
"The Trampleer's external armour is forged from the War Furnace, extremely hard, and able to resist most physical attacks.
To destroy it, it's best to use elemental power."
"I see… but I don't know why, I cannot sense elemental grass at all."
Kirara picked up the Vision at her waist, trying seriously several times, showing a troubled expression.
"Hm, probably the world's changes caused some of the rules to become ineffective."
Kifu pinched his chin, thinking for a moment, then said, "Alright, I will teach you a new method to sense energy."
"Close your eyes."
"Eh? Do what?"
Kirara obediently shut her eyes.
Relying on her sharp sense of touch, she could feel the trace of his fingertip slowly pressing on her forehead.
At her forehead flowed coolness and light, like a ripple on Mirror Lake, beginning to spread in the dark world.
Kirara's eyelids could not help but tremble twice, almost opening.
"Hold on a little longer, almost done."
"Oh…"
Kirara suppressed the urge to open her eyes and look.
Although she kept her eyes closed, she felt the surroundings becoming increasingly bright, like a stray kitten being lifted from a box, a feeling of seeing the world anew, wide and clear, rushing to her heart.
"Phew~ first time handling this thing, really troublesome… alright, open your eyes now."
Kirara heard Kifu's voice in her ear.