It was a compact device — small enough to fit in one hand — yet it radiated an unmistakable sense of advanced technology.
Its main body was roughly square, colored in deep blue and matte black, with faint metallic lines gleaming across its surface, giving it a look both sturdy and refined.
A short antenna protruded from the top, swaying slightly as if attuned to subtle fluctuations in the surrounding environment.
At the antenna's base was a miniature signal amplifier, encircled by a series of intricate runic markings clearly designed to optimize reception.
The display occupied the center — a small rectangular screen, smooth and bright, exuding a faint cold light, as though it could scan and reconstruct the world around it.
The frame was made of brushed metal, the lines elegant and seamless, showing exquisite craftsmanship.
On the right side was a rotary dial, accompanied by several small buttons that adjusted scanning modes and parameters.
The handle had been cleverly integrated into one side — ergonomic and sleek, covered with anti-slip rubber that felt soft yet firm to the touch.
Even prolonged use wouldn't make it slick with sweat.
Above the grip was a subtle indentation for finger placement, allowing one-handed operation with ease.
What amazed Kairo most, however, was not the design — but what lay inside.
Though the Bio-Wave Scanner was small, its inner systems were astonishingly complex.
The back was sheathed in a layer of carbon-fiber patterning that reflected light with a faint metallic sheen, giving it an aura of futuristic elegance.
Several small ports were set along the sides, apparently for attaching auxiliary modules to enhance its capabilities.
Kairo lifted it to eye level and pressed the activation button.
A faint click sounded.
The display flickered to life, casting a pale-blue glow across his face.
Rippling lines began to flow across the screen — delicate, continuous waveforms that pulsed in time with invisible biological fluctuations in the air.
Each line shimmered with precision, mapping the subtle energetic tremors of the surroundings.
Kairo narrowed his eyes, turning the device in his hand. "Huh… this thing's quite the piece of work. Compact, portable, and damn refined."
This was, after all, the creation of Genius Society No. 8 — Lam, who had once successfully quantified value into code and used it to discover immense resources on a frozen planet.
The people of Belobog never realized their "Treasure Detector" had actually been a gift left behind by that genius on a passing visit.
Now that Kairo held this technology in his hands, it meant he could use it to survey the resources of Teyvat —
ores, local specialties… anything with measurable biological energy.
Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, he weighed the device in his palm, marveling at its lightness and that faint hum of alien precision.
The Bio-Wave Scanner was not merely a tool — it was a work of art, a perfect fusion of functionality and aesthetic.
"Bzzz—"
The instrument suddenly emitted a low hum.
The screen flared with several bright points of light.
Kairo's fingers paused mid-turn, eyes immediately focusing on the readings.
He knew that signal — the device had locked onto some form of resource fluctuation.
"The brighter the light, the more valuable it is," he murmured, an amused spark flashing in his eyes.
A stronger glow meant denser, higher-quality resources nearby.
He looked around — he was currently standing near the Good Hunter.
Not exactly a place one expected to find ore veins or rare deposits.
Then what was it picking up?
Frowning, Kairo followed the directional data out behind the restaurant.
There — by the corner of the outer wall — something caught his eye.
A small, delicate flower swayed lightly in the breeze..
"...A Windwheel Aster?"
He blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback.
The mushroom's form was distinctive — its cap feathered and airy, like a tuft of wind-stirred down.
Its petals faded gently from pale to rich sky-blue, exuding a tranquil aura.
At its base was a faintly yellow stem that seemed soft and fragile, yet pulsed with a weak trace of Anemo Element.
Born and nurtured in Mondstadt's ever-blowing winds — a flower of freedom, gentle yet resilient."
Kairo stared for a moment, his expression turning subtly strange.
"…This counts as a resource?"
He crouched, examining the Windwheel Aster more closely.
Though unremarkable at first glance, the Bio-Wave Scanner's readings didn't lie — the device registered it as an energy-bearing lifeform.
Its waveform frequency was similar to that of the Anemo Element itself.
"Hmm… makes sense," Kairo mused to himself. "If it carries Anemo Element, it is technically a resource."
Without hesitation, he plucked the Windwheel Aster and tucked it away.
It was, after all, a local specialty of Mondstadt —
rare enough that most were already harvested by adventurers.
Curiously, they also grew within the city's walls — perhaps drawn to the abundance of wind energy that circulated through Mondstadt.
Shaking his head, Kairo returned to the restaurant and sat down again.
A sigh drifted from nearby.
"Ah, the Fatui are at it again," muttered the Good Hunter's owner, setting down a plate of roasted skewers in front of Kairo. "Those rude bastards are making trouble in the city. What's the Knights of Favonius even doing? They should just throw a lot of them out of Mondstadt."
"Can't be helped," another diner replied with a bitter laugh. "They're Snezhnayan diplomats stationed here. As long as they act within the law, even the Knights can't touch them."
"Diplomats? Hah! More like wolves in disguise," someone scoffed. "We should all just boycott them — stop selling to those parasites."
"That'll never happen," another argued. "For all their arrogance, the Fatui pay well. Plenty of merchants won't turn away easy mora."
Murmurs filled the restaurant.
Frustration, anger, resignation — a mix of emotions from Mondstadt's people.
Kairo listened quietly, tapping his chin in thought.
The Fatui of Mondstadt…
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"If I compare the factions between worlds…" he mused silently, "…then what would the Fatui correspond to in Belobog's undercity?"
The question lingered in his mind — half curiosity, half unease — as the faint hum of the Bio-Wave Scanner pulsed softly beside him.
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