Seeing the conversation in the chat, Furina's heart practically skipped a beat.
[Furina: "N-n-n-no... w-w-what kind of joke is this? I-I... I am the Hydro Archon Focalors! How could I possibly be an ordinary human? This joke isn't funny at all, hahaha..."]
She squeezed out a dry, forced laugh to cover her inner panic.
To anyone else on the continent of Teyvat, that sentence would have been enough; in Fontaine, impersonating an Archon was a grave sin. But in the Dimensional Chat Group, Furina's lying skills needed a lot more work.
[March 7th: "I finally understand why Himeko-san can always tell when I'm lying... it really is super obvious, isn't it?"]
[Furina: "No, no, no! What are you all talking about?! I-I'm not lying!"]
The blue-haired girl clenched her small fists, desperately trying to stabilize her emotions and fight back. However, it was all in vain.
[Rin Tohsaka: "You can say whatever you want, but the Chat Group's rank system doesn't make mistakes."]
**[Rin Tohsaka: [Screenshot.jpg]]**
[Rin Tohsaka: "You claim to be a Hydro Archon with divine status. No matter how weak a god is, they should at least be at the level of a Divine Beast—which means a Rank 2 combat rating, right?"]
[Rin Tohsaka: "But your rating is Rank 0. You can't even perform an 'Anti-Army' feat. We can't exactly acknowledge you as a god like that! It's not like the Chat Group is malfunctioning, is it?"]
Looking at the screenshot Rin had posted, Furina finally realized that this group actually had a built-in power-scaling detector. If what they said was true, she was completely exposed.
But it didn't matter. While she wasn't strong, her stubbornness was legendary.
[Furina: "Maybe the Chat Group is just malfunctioning?"]
[Rin Tohsaka: "..."]
[March 7th: "..."]
[Erica Blandelli: "..."]
Faced with the newcomer's "ignorance is bliss" attitude, Rin Tohsaka spoke up in a low, ominous tone.
[Rin Tohsaka: "I suggest you stop talking like that."]
[Furina: "W-why?"]
Furina flinched for a moment, then seemingly thought of something and spoke with newfound confidence.
[Furina: "Wait, did I strike a nerve? Is this 'Power Rating' thing just a prank after all?"]
[Rin Tohsaka: "No."]
[Rin Tohsaka: "I'm just worried you'll offend the Chat Group itself—specifically the Admin. It's fine to joke with us; we generally won't do anything to you. But if you truly question Miss Hatsune's capabilities... she is actually capable of interfering with your reality."]
The twin-tailed girl offered her advice with total sincerity.
[Furina: "...That sounds a bit scary, but didn't you just say you were from other worlds?"]
Though momentarily spooked by Rin's words, the clever Furina immediately spotted a contradiction, confirming in her mind that this was a complete scam. After all—
[Furina: "I don't know who this 'Miss Hatsune' is, but if what you're saying is true, you couldn't possibly cross between worlds just to hit me through a chat group, right?"]
Having found a loophole, the girl wore a smug expression. Exactly! No matter how they're doing this, it's just a chat group. Are you going to crawl through the 'internet cable' to beat me up?
[Rin Tohsaka: "..."]
[Rin Tohsaka: "To be fair, she actually can do that."]
[March 7th: "Furina-san, I don't know why you're pretending to be a god, but it's okay! Just apologize and Miss Hatsune won't mind!"]
The kind-hearted pink-haired girl tried to stop Furina from digging her own grave. However, her efforts were misinterpreted as a sign of weakness.
"I knew it! They can't actually come here!" Furina thought, her confidence fully restored.
[Furina: "Apologize? I am the Hydro Archon; to whom would I need to apologize? You think this boring prank of a chat group can work on a goddess like me?"]
At all times, one must maintain the poise of an Archon. Furina remembered the warning from "herself" vividly.
However...
[Hatsune Miku (Admin): "..."]
The Administrator, who had been silent this whole time, suddenly popped up.
[Rin Tohsaka: "Welp. The newbie is finished."]
[March 7th: "She didn't mean it! Miss Hatsune, please go easy on her!"]
[Erica Blandelli: "Sending thoughts and prayers."]
Furina felt a slight twinge of unease, but she wasn't about to be scared off by words alone.
[Furina: "Is verbal intimidation the only tool you have? Your level is too low!"]
The more scared she felt inside, the louder she barked. Faced with such a target, Hatsune Miku didn't waste words; she simply provided some "assistance."
[System: World Permissions for member 'Furina' have been opened for a limited time. Limit: 1 person.]
Seeing the system notification, the members froze for a second before realizing what it meant.
[Rin Tohsaka: "Is she letting us go over to 'educate' the newcomer? Does anyone want to volunteer?"]
[Erica Blandelli: "Considering she mentioned a 'Hydro Archon,' even if she isn't one, there might be actual gods in that world. Miss Hatsune is watching, so we can return if things get dangerous, but I suggest no one under Rank 5 go."]
Reading the discussion, Furina suddenly felt that things were taking a very bad turn.
[Furina: "As an artist, I applaud your acting. You almost make it sound real."]
She forced a laugh and continued her critique.
[Furina: "However, you need to work on the details. Just a moment ago, you said a god's strength was Rank 2, and now a 'Rank 5' has suddenly appeared? Such rapid power creep won't fool anyone!"]
Rin Tohsaka simply shrugged.
[Rin Tohsaka: "Actually, a normal god is at least Rank 3. You were just so weak that I compared you to a Rank 2 Divine Beast. As for Rank 5, that's just a safety precaution... the limit for a standard divine authority is actually Rank 6."]
[Furina: "...Nice attempt at a patch, but there's one problem you haven't solved."]
[Rin Tohsaka: "What problem?"]
[Furina: "And that is—I am a god myself! How come I've never heard of gods being divided into 'Rank 3' or 'Rank 6'? Is it you who understands gods, or me?"]
[Rin Tohsaka: "You are truly beyond saving."]
Furina's absolute dedication to her role as a goddess left Rin with no energy left to argue. Only March 7th continued to try and persuade her.
[March 7th: "Furina-san, it's not too late to apologize! The fact that Miss Hatsune is letting us handle this means she isn't truly angry yet; she just wants us to explain things to you in person."]
[March 7th: "But don't worry! With the way this group works, we'll all be getting along for a long time. Aside from Miss Jibril being a bit... aggressive in her methods, whoever goes won't be too hard on you."]
Reading March's message, Furina felt a bit comforted despite her belief that this was a scam. However, right then, Hatsune Miku sent a new message.
[Hatsune Miku (Admin): "@Jibril."]
[Hatsune Miku (Admin): "?"]
She had directly designated the volunteer.
[Jibril: "Understood! I'm quite interested in the newcomer's world myself!"]
The Flugel girl accepted the order instantly.
[March 7th: "Ah... I didn't mean to..."]
The pink-haired girl covered her mouth, realizing she had just accidentally suggested the scariest person for the job. But by then, it was too late.