"So… he died in the end?"
Casually popping a fruit into her mouth, Wendy asked as she looked at the slightly tipsy Venti across the table.
After Wendy claimed she hadn't listened to the tavern's earlier conversation at all, Venti began telling her everything—how he met that boy long ago, and what happened afterward.
"Yeah… he fell at the very end.
Since then… I've been carrying his dream, seeing this world in his place."
Venti drained his glass in one go.
His expression looked like he'd gone back a thousand years.
Wendy might look almost identical to that young boy now, but Venti knew clearly—
She was not him.
They were two completely different people.
Still, whenever he looked at Wendy, the boy came to mind—almost as if he were still alive.
"I see… kinda sentimental, huh—"
Wendy paused mid-sentence.
Venti had fallen asleep. Either drunk or just plain asleep—who knew.
Diluc: "…"
The tavern owner quietly looked over at the mountain of empty glasses that now covered several tables.
It was the first time he'd ever seen someone drink like this.
No—this wasn't "someone."
This was Mondstadt's Anemo Archon.
Forget it… at least nothing went to waste.
Diluc glanced at the untouched drink in front of Wendy. He comforted himself.
The last time Wendy came, she took one bite out of everything and wasted the rest.
If Venti weren't here, all the alcohol tonight would've shared that fate.
And their dear Archon was notoriously broke. Absolutely incapable of paying for this.
"You know him, right? I'll leave him to you."
Wendy didn't wait to hear Diluc's reaction.
She simply walked straight out of the tavern.
Outside Mondstadt — Empty Plains
Nothing.
Boring…
Wendy wandered outside the city, looking utterly unamused.
She was waiting for something interesting to happen.
Hurry up… why aren't those guys here yet?
She had already walked far from the city.
Still no sign of the people she was expecting.
It was annoying.
Thud, thud, thud—
"Mondstadt's Anemo Archon… we meet again.
It was a pity I didn't get to see you fight last time, but don't worry—
Tonight I will."
Childe strode forward confidently.
After receiving intel about the Archon's movements, he rushed here immediately—Lady Signora was already on her way as well.
He knew the rumors: Mondstadt's god was the weakest of the Seven—
having abandoned his role as Archon.
But Childe had the Tsaritsa's power, Fatui intel, and endless confidence.
He believed he had what it took to challenge Venti head-on.
"Leaving Mondstadt at night without protection…
Looks like you don't understand how weak you truly are.
Or you underestimated Fatui's resolve?"
Signora's cold, mocking voice drifted over as she approached several Fatui agents.
"'Fatui,' huh? What an ugly name.
Can't you pick something nicer?"
Wendy blinked, genuinely puzzled.
"Watch your mouth—"
Signora didn't wait. Flames ignited around her as she lunged straight toward Wendy.
She didn't care to waste time.
Her goal was the Gnosis—nothing more.
"Stop, Lady Signora—he's mine. Don't interfere."
Childe blocked her path.
He had always craved powerful opponents.
Facing one of the Seven Archons—especially one rumored to be close to his level—was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"Childe, you—"
"Hey. You two."
Wendy leaned her head sideways.
"Are you planning to ignore me forever?"
Both Childe and Signora froze.
"Lady Signora, Childe—look! The Anemo Archon… something's wrong!"
One of the agents cried out.
Signora looked up—
—and her face immediately drained of color.
That silhouette—
That overwhelming presence—
Impossible.
Not again.
She remembered that day. The horror. The power that crushed everything.
Not just the Tsaritsa.
Not even Morax and the Raiden Shogun together could fight the being in front of her.
Why…
Why is she here?
What… What happened to the weak little bard?
Childe noticed Signora trembling.
Why was she—the ever-arrogant Lady Signora—
Afraid?
"What's happening…?"
"Looks like you really want to fight me, don't you?"
Wendy asked Childe with genuine curiosity.
"Of course."
Childe straightened, forcing confidence into his voice.
Even if something felt wrong, he would never give up a chance like this.
"Well then… let's begin."
BOOM—!!
Childe didn't even see the attack.
He transformed—
and was instantly sent flying like a broken kite.
He smashed into a distant hillside with a dull thud.
"What a disappointment… talks big but fights like wet paper.
So boring.
…uh? Did he die? Great… Venti's going to scold me again…"
Wendy scratched her cheek.
Signora's breath caught.
Venti?
Don't tell me… they're—
She paled even further.
Wendy turned to her.
"Wanna try?"
"Y-you… what are you planning…?"
Signora stepped back involuntarily.
She couldn't fight this girl.
I couldn't even think about it.
"Doesn't look like you want to.
Forget it. You're no fun anyway…"
Wendy sighed.
If not for Venti, she would've casually wiped them out.
"C-can we… leave?"
Signora asked carefully.
"One thing first.
You all have that money stuff… Mora, right?"
"Of… of course…"
Signora suddenly felt very uneasy.
What was this monster planning?
Fatui Base — Next Morning
"Ah… my head… damn it…"
Childe woke up clutching his skull.
He was—
back at the Fatui base?
The Archon—
I got blown away by the Archon…?
But what exactly happened…?
He tried to recall the fight—
and failed miserably.
"Lord Childe?"
"…Come in."
A Fatui agent stepped in hesitantly.
"Lord Childe, we… um…"
"Speak."
Childe frowned.
"W-we… we're out of money."
"…What?! Explain. Now."
Childe shot up from his chair.
They had tens of millions of Mora!
Even if Rita scammed them earlier, they were FAR from broke!
Unless—
Signora?
Or Rita?
Or—
"Lord Childe, it's like this…"
The agent recounted everything that happened last night.
Childe was silent for a long moment.
Then—
Why does EVERYONE only take money from ME?!
Zhongli.
Rita.
And now THAT strange girl.
All of them!!!
All took his money!!!
Childe had thought Mondstadt would be cheaper than Liyue.
He was wrong.
He had been in Mondstadt for only a few days—
and was ALREADY bankrupt.
This city was full of thieves.
…Strong thieves.
He collapsed back into his chair.
He was losing confidence.
In just a few days, Rita beat him senseless, and then that girl annihilated him even worse.
He didn't even get to SEE the attacks.
"L-Lord Childe… are you—"
"Leave me. I want to be alone."
"…Yes, Lord Childe."
Angel's Share — Morning
"Ugh… Wendy? Where… am I?"
Venti jerked awake in a strange room.
Creaaak—
"You're awake. You were drunk beyond saving yesterday, so I brought you upstairs.
This is Charles's room. He didn't come last night.
Don't worry—he's very clean."
Diluc explained.
"I see…
Where's Wendy? Where is she?!"
Venti leaped up.
Letting Wendy roam Mondstadt alone was too dangerous.
"She's on the second floor. Eating."
Diluc rubbed his temples.
Last night, Wendy had somehow obtained a huge amount of Mora, insisted on paying, then ordered EVERYTHING on the menu.
Diluc had to call the Traveler and Kaeya to help.
"Thank Barbatos… thank you, Master Diluc."
Venti rushed downstairs.
"Venti~ You're awake? Want something to eat?
There's a lot left."
Venti: "…"
Every table on the floor was covered in food.
He suddenly felt sorry for Diluc.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Wendy tilted her head.
"Wendy… food costs money. You can't just—"
"I paid.
I bought all of this with… uh… that money thing… Mora?
Ask the red-haired waiter if you don't believe me."
"You can't just—
Wait. You PAID?!
Where did you get that much Mora?!"
Venti felt a chill.
Don't tell me she—
"Went for a walk last night."
She shrugged.
"Ah?!"
Venti paled.
"Yeah, two weaklings jumped out at me out of nowhere—"
Wendy casually recounted the entire story.
Venti: "…"
That's…
That's robbery.
But… well…
It WAS the Fatui.
They probably deserved it.
"At least she didn't kill them…"
Venti sighed.
Then—
"Looks like time's up. I'm leaving."
Wendy stood up.
"Huh?! You're leaving? Now?"
"Yup.
The leftover food and the rest of the Mora are yours.
I won't need them.
Goodbye, Ven~ti~"
And just like that—
she vanished.
"…Goodbye, Wendy."
Venti looked at the empty table.
He didn't feel happy at all.
It felt like something important had slipped through his fingers—
just like the day the boy left him long ago.
Mondstadt Wilderness
Finally… done.
Standing alone in the open plains, Su Mo let out a long exhale.
Another system mission completed.
[Host, Honkai Mission activated. Your next task will take place in the Honkai universe.
Once completed, you may return to Teyvat.]
Already?! That fast? And I HAVE to finish it to come back?
[Correct.]
Su Mo: "…"
Fine. What's the next mission?"
[Use the Honkai Impact 2 Wendy card to defeat the Honkai Impact 3 Wendy, then transform into Herrscher of the Void before the actual Herrscher of the Void does.]
Su Mo: "…"
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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