*Chapter: 2
The problem with having unlimited freedom, absurd power, and a body that didn't follow the laws of physics was simple.
He had no idea where he was going.
The protagonist bounced across the plains near Starfell Lake, literally bouncing, because walking felt boring now. Each step stretched the ground like rubber and sent him flying forward again.
"Note to self," he said, spinning upside down midair, "Gear 5 is awesome, but maybe tone it down before I accidentally punt Mondstadt into the ocean."
He finally spotted two familiar figures near the lake.
One was a blond traveler holding a dull sword, clearly still at level one energy.
The other was a small floating creature gesturing wildly.
"…and I'm telling you!" the small one shouted. "That wind just exploded by itself! Paimon thinks this place is cursed!"
"Oh?" the protagonist said, popping into existence right behind them with a loud boing.
Both of them screamed.
The Traveler immediately turned and slashed.
The blade bent on his chest like it hit rubber.
"…Huh," the Traveler said.
Paimon stared. Then squinted. Then pointed.
"TRAVELER! HE'S MADE OF SOMETHING WEIRD!"
"Yeah," the protagonist said cheerfully. "I get that a lot."
He leaned down until his face was inches from Paimon's, eyes glowing with manic joy.
"So," he added, "you wouldn't happen to know the way to Mondstadt, would you?"
Paimon froze.
"…Is he a Hilichurl?"
"What kind of Hilichurl laughs like that?!" the Traveler whispered back.
"I heard that," the protagonist said, stretching his ear toward them like rubber. "Rude."
The Traveler slowly lowered his sword. "You're… human?"
"Depends on the day," he replied. "But I'm friendly. Mostly."
Paimon floated closer, suspicious. "You don't have a Vision. And your hair is white. And you smell like… clouds?"
"Gear 5 side effects," he said proudly.
"…Gear what?" both of them asked at once.
"Don't worry about it."
Right on cue, a group of slimes hopped out of the bushes.
Paimon yelped. "Slimes! Traveler, get ready!"
The protagonist cracked his knuckles.
"Oh, perfect. I need a warm-up."
Before the Traveler could react, the protagonist inflated his arm like a balloon.
"Gomu—" he paused, frowned. "Wait. Wrong world. Old habit."
He shrugged and punched anyway.
The punch bounced.
Literally.
It ricocheted off the ground, curved through the air like it had a mind of its own, and smacked every slime at once before returning to him like a loyal boomerang.
The slimes vanished in a puff of smoke.
Silence.
Paimon's mouth hung open.
The Traveler stared. "…That wasn't elemental energy."
"Nope," the protagonist said. "Just vibes."
Paimon immediately zipped in front of the Traveler. "Okay! New rule! Paimon stays at least ten meters away from him at all times!"
"Hey, that hurts," he said, clutching his chest dramatically. "I saved you."
"…You did," the Traveler admitted. "So… thanks."
The protagonist grinned wider. "Name's not important yet. But I'm heading to Mondstadt."
Paimon gasped. "Us too!"
The Traveler hesitated, then nodded. "We're looking for information there."
"Perfect!" the protagonist said, throwing an arm around both of them—his arm stretching way too far to do so. "Road trip."
"WHY IS HIS ARM STILL WRAPPED AROUND PAIMON?!" Paimon yelled.
"Relax," he said. "If anything tries to kill us, I'll just punch reality again."
As they started walking toward Mondstadt, the wind picked up gently, almost playful.
Somewhere far above, the Anemo Archon sneezed.
"…Weird," Venti muttered.
And the wind laughed.