Player World.
The update's quest poster was dominated by a Hydro Vision. Chen Xiyao recognized it instantly as belonging to Yuna.
Behind the Vision, Raiden Ei floated in the air, her eyes blazing with Electro energy as she wielded the Musou Isshin.
Before Ei loomed an impossibly massive serpent, its body entirely white, adorned with black stripes.
This was the entirety of the poster's content.
Yet even this sparse composition spoke volumes.
Yuna possessed a Pure Soul. Given the fates of Rola, Qingge, and Silaya—all with Pure Souls—the players couldn't shake the suspicion that the Abyss had set its sights on her.
The thought lingered, but its realization sent a wave of anxiety through the community.
Chen Xiyao stared at the quest interface, hesitating for a long moment before finally clicking "Track Quest."
The quest began with Lumine accepting a commission at the Adventurer's Guild.
Over the past few days, residents of Yashiori Island had noticed the colossal serpent skeleton, once firmly rooted in the earth, slowly sinking into the ground. The disappearing bones weren't merely collapsing into the soil; they were vanishing entirely.
The Kanjou Commission's investigators had found no explanation, leading them to entrust the matter to the Adventurer's Guild.
-
Yashiori Island, Serpent's Head.
Lumine and Paimon hadn't found anything significant here either. Just as they were about to move on to investigate other areas, Lumine suddenly sensed a faint trace of Abyss Energy.
Burning with hatred for the Abyss, Lumine immediately charged toward the energy's source.
Her heart raced as she sprinted forward.
She was intimately familiar with the Abyss's methods of manipulating the remains of deceased Gods.
The Abyss has appeared in Inazuma... Could Yuna be...?
Lumine dared not finish the thought. She knew all too well the horrors the Abyss could unleash in its frenzy, the ease with which it could unleash God-level combat power.
Following the faint trace of Abyss Energy, Lumine arrived at another exposed skeletal fragment.
But the moment her foot landed, the fragment vanished completely, and the Abyss Energy signal disappeared with it.
"Lumine, what's going on? Did you find something?" Paimon asked anxiously, hurrying to catch up.
Lumine's expression darkened. "It's the Abyss!"
"The Abyss?!" Paimon's voice shot up in alarm, her small face instantly turning pale with fear.
The Abyss...
The word alone conjured nightmares and shadows in her mind.
"Lumine, what do we do? What if Yuna..."
Lumine remained silent. The situation was still unclear; it wasn't yet certain whether Yuna had been targeted by the Abyss.
But...
Regardless of certainty, Lumine had to check on her.
"Let's go, Paimon! We need to go back and find Yuna now!"
-
Arataki Gang Headquarters.
Lumine and Paimon rushed in, only to find Itto and his gang members engrossed in beetle-fighting, with no sign of Yuna.
"Trusted Friend, what's the rush?" Itto asked, his eyes still glued to the beetles.
"Itto, where's Yuna?" Lumine demanded.
"Little Yuna went home earlier, along with Shinobu and Chu Xi," Itto replied casually.
Went home?
Lumine felt a sliver of relief. She knew where Yuna's house was; with so many people around, the Abyss would find it difficult to strike.
"What exactly happened? Does it have something to do with Yuna?" Itto asked seriously, noticing Lumine and Paimon's grim expressions.
Lumine shook her head. It was still uncertain. Besides, she had promised Yuna not to tell Itto or Kuki Shinobu.
Watching them leave, Itto scratched his head. "So mysterious..."
-
Kuki House
Yuna's parents were overjoyed to have her home for a rare visit.
Since her eldest sister, Kuki Miyuki, wasn't at work that day, Yuna, Chu Xi, and her second sister spent hours in the kitchen preparing an extravagant feast.
Just as they finished, Lumine and Paimon arrived.
"Yuna!"
Paimon flew over and hugged Yuna tightly. "Waaah, I'm so glad you're okay!"
Yuna patted the little one's head, unsure why she was acting this way.
Lumine exhaled in relief. Thank goodness Yuna's safe. Maybe I was just overthinking things.
The Abyss's repeated actions had left her seeing shadows everywhere.
"Perfect timing! Come join us for dinner—I made way too much food!"
As they chatted, Chu Xi emerged from the kitchen carrying a massive platter. On it lay an entire roasted chicken, its aroma filling the room with an irresistible fragrance.
Whether intentionally or not, Chu Xi walked past Paimon, whose large eyes remained glued to the chicken, her entire being practically leaning in.
Lumine grabbed Paimon's tiny foot and yanked her back.
"Heh heh..."
Paimon gave an embarrassed smile.
"Lumine, let's stay for dinner!"
"Well..."
Lumine hesitated. Under normal circumstances, she would never decline an invitation, but with Yuna's family hosting a home-cooked feast and both she and Paimon invited, it felt awkward.
Yuna stepped forward and took Lumine's hand, preventing her from leaving.
"You two must be the famous Traveler and Paimon! It would be poor hospitality if we let you leave so soon."
Yuna's mother emerged from the room with Kuki Miyuki and Kuki Shinobu, inviting the two with a warm smile.
"We're all friends here," Shinobu added. "Please stay."
Yuna clung tightly to Lumine's hand. Lumine smiled helplessly and stopped protesting.
They had come to see Yuna, but somehow ended up with another free meal.
And so, the two enjoyed a delicious meal...
After they were full and satisfied, Lumine found Yuna and asked if she had brought Yae Miko's Talisman and Ei's "egg" with her.
Yuna cherished these items dearly, even keeping them close while she slept. After all, she valued her own life above all else.
Hearing this reassured Lumine.
After bidding farewell to Yuna and Chu Xi, Lumine prepared to leave. The quest she had accepted remained unfinished, and its connection to the Abyss demanded her full attention.
"Wait, Lumine, Paimon!"
Chu Xi called out, stopping the departing pair, and nodded to Yuna.
The two girls dashed into the kitchen and emerged moments later carrying dishes of food.
But they weren't done yet. After setting the food on the ground, they scurried back inside, making several trips until everything was carried out.
Paimon already knew what the food was for, her eyes sparkling like stars.
Yuna grinned. "Paimon, you have that treasure that can store food, right? Hehe, I made all of this myself! Chu Xi bought the ingredients. Take it with you on your journey!"
"Wow, is all this really for us?" Paimon exclaimed, flipping excitedly in mid-air. She pulled out her little treasure and began stuffing the food inside, giggling as she worked.
After thanking them, Lumine glanced at Chu Xi. If she remembered correctly, Chu Xi didn't have much money left...
Lumine was mistaken. Chu Xi still had a little left, but after this, she'd be completely broke.
Once Paimon had finished packing the food, she flew over, her face beaming with gratitude.
But when she learned that Chu Xi had spent all her money, the little pixie's smile vanished. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she started bawling—though no tears actually came out.
"Chu Xi, you're too kind to Paimon! I've decided—you're now number four on my list of the best people ever!"
Before Chu Xi and Lumine could react, the Player World erupted in chaos.
-
[Shut up, you noisy little thing!]
[Ugh, Paimon, just listen to us! Let's forget about making this ranking, okay?]
[I never believed the rumors about the "list of death," but then Mihoyo suddenly updated this quest...]
[We should stop calling her Paimon and start calling her King of Hell.]
[Even though I know it's not Paimon's fault, this coincidence is just too much...]