"So, you're saying this world originally didn't have the phenomenon of Echoes?"
After listening toPaimon's explanation, Rover turned to look at Aether.
"During your travels, have you ever encountered anything like this before?"
Aether shook his head, and Rover felt even more certain. He stood up slowly and said,
"Where are the nearest monsters?"
"A few days ago, while hunting, I saw a Hilichurl camp in that forest."
Aether thought for a moment, then decided to go with Rover. Paimon hurriedly packed up the roasted meat from the campfire before catching up with them.
"This smell is awful. It's completely ruined my appetite."
Abby, walking at the front, spoke with his ears drooping and even his heterochromatic eyes (red and blue) dimming slightly.
"Here, good thing I packed some. Hehe."
Paimon handed Abby a portion of the roasted meat. Abby's eyes lit up, and he patted Paimon's shoulder.
"From now on, Abby's got your back. If anyone bullies you, just let me know."
Hearing this, Paimon immediately puffed up with pride, placing her hands on her hips and thumping her chest.
"I'm plenty strong too! If a fight breaks out, don't worry about me—I'll be just fine."
Abby raised an eyebrow, eyeing Paimon skeptically. Just as he was about to say something else, Rover pushed aside the bushes, revealing the Hilichurl camp ahead.
Seeing this, Abby immediately fell silent, crouching on Rover's shoulder as they observed the situation together.
The Hilichurls were humanoid but wore strange masks, dancing wildly around a bonfire.
Rover tightened his grip on his sword's hilt, then dashed forward in a flash.
This time, Aether focused his mind. Ever since earlier, he had sensed something unusual—whenever Rover successfully dodged an attack, his movements became almost impossible to follow.
Just as Rover finished off the sentries, three or four more Hilichurls charged out from the camp's huts.
This time, Rover gathered his Spectro attribute energy in his hand and unleashed it at full force. Countless particles of light surged forward, and everything in their path froze in place. Time itself seemed to stop for an instant before the air cracked like a spiderweb, shattering piece by piece until it exploded outward.
The sound of countless fragments breaking echoed as the group of Hilichurls vanished. Rover flicked his wrist, shaking off the ashes from his gloves.
Could time really stop?!
Aether's eyes widened as he stared at the scene before him, unsure of what to say.
"Look out!"
Abby suddenly warned. A crossbow-wielding Hilichurl had climbed onto a watchtower unnoticed and fired a flaming arrow straight at Rover.
Unfazed, Rover leapt into the air, performed a backflip, and swiftly extended his hand.
A Grapple materialized mid-air, allowing him to swing like a pendulum straight to the watchtower, where he drove his blade into the Hilichurl's heart. (PC controls: Space + Shift + T)
"Rover is just too cool."
Abby said proudly, and Aether nodded unconsciously. Setting aside Rover's almost unbelievable power, his combat awareness and execution were top-tier.
If Aether were to face him now, he'd likely lose. But if he could regain his original strength, perhaps it'd be a fair fight.
"I, Paimon, admit you're strong. But if the Traveler had fought just now, he'd definitely have been even more impressive. Right?"
Paimon, seeing how cool Rover looked, quickly shifted her gaze to Aether. Aether twitched his lips.
Where did this competitive streak come from? Besides, my powers were sealed by that unknown god. How am I supposed to fight Rover like this?
"As I thought…"
Rover picked up his gourd and absorbed the Echo. He looked up and nodded at Aether.
"Only the monsters I kill produce Echoes. It seems the cause lies with me."
Paimon leaned in to examine the gourd in Rover's hand.
"This craftsmanship… Only Fontaine could make something like this, right? Hey, Rover, what's the use of these Echoes?"
Rover had intended to show Paimon the Tacet Discords from Huanglong, but for some reason, they had all been cleared. He could only demonstrate the Hydro Slime and Hilichurl he had just absorbed.
"Whoa! You can actually turn into monsters? This Slime is so squishy!"
Paimon poked the Hydro Slime, and even Aether curiously leaned in.
"So, if you hunt extremely dangerous monsters, can you also take their forms?"
Aether speculated, and Rover nodded after reverting to his original form.
When it came to formidable opponents, Rover's first thought was the Crownless from the Tacet Field. It had been incredibly strong, and he had expended great effort to defeat it. He wondered if Teyvat had any opponents comparable to the Crownless.
"Hehe, my turn now! Let guide Paimon show you the way."
Paimon flew up to a high point, urging the two to climb up. As for Abby? He had already retreated back into Rover's body. After all, he only emerged in extremely dangerous situations—usually, he remained dormant.
Aether prepared to climb the wall, but Rover simply ran straight up it, reaching the top in seconds.
Standing atop the high ground, Rover looked down at Aether, who was still slowly scaling the wall. The two locked eyes, an awkward silence hanging between them.
Aether: Dude, is that even climbing? Are you hacking?
Rover: Is it possible… I don't even need stamina to run?
After this little interlude, the two, guided by Paimon, finally exited the forest and beheld the full expanse of Mondstadt, with the faint silhouette of a city visible in the distance.
Rover crouched down, touching the grass swaying in the breeze, a complex mix of emotions rising in his heart.
"What's wrong, Rover?" Paimon asked.
Rover shook his head, standing up and taking a deep breath of fresh air.
"This place… is truly pristine. In Jinzhou, such lush greenery is rare."
Aether, however, noticed a lake ahead with a small island at its center, upon which stood a strange statue.
"That's a Statue of The Seven. Mondstadt is the domain of the Anemo Archon, so the statue depicts his likeness."
Paimon explained, leading the two to the statue.
Aether gently touched the statue, and Rover observed as countless green particles flowed from it into Aether's body.
"I think… I've gained control over Anemo, one of the seven elements of Teyvat."
Aether said with a hint of excitement, manipulating the wind in his palm. Rover also approached and mimicked Aether's actions, but unfortunately, nothing happened.
Do people from different worlds receive special treatment…?
Rover pondered silently, but his thoughts were interrupted by the roar of a dragon. A massive dragon soared across the sky, heading straight into the forest.
"Wh-what is that?!"
Paimon was visibly startled, but Rover remained calm. After all, he had faced the Sentinel, and this dragon's presence paled in comparison to its overwhelming might.
Aether, meanwhile, crossed his arms and shot Paimon a skeptical look.
"Aren't you the guide?"
"Ah… well…"
Paimon quickly brushed it off, then tugged at Aether's sleeve, her curiosity undeniable.
"So… should we go take a look?"