"..."
Feeling Paimon's strange gaze, Yu Keke instinctively shrank back, as if curling up could somehow give her a sense of safety.
Paimon stared at her for a while. Keke's backside was small, and it was obvious her tail couldn't possibly be hidden inside those tattered cotton pants.
Gurgle~
Just as curiosity drove her to open her mouth and ask, her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl.
"Ugh… Traveler, I'm so hungry…" Paimon drooped her tiny body and looked up at Aether with pitiful eyes.
"Can we take out the food from the teapot and eat that? Then Keke can try some delicious cuisine from Teyvat!"
She had hoped that visiting their first friend in this strange new world would mean a hearty meal. But not only did they never reach her home, they didn't get any food either.
Fortunately, Paimon always had a backup plan!
She had stored some emergency rations in the Serenitea Pot back in Teyvat—just in case something exactly like this happened. That way, she and the Traveler wouldn't have to go scavenging with empty stomachs.
"Ooh, what kind of food?" Keke's eyes lit up at the mention of a meal. She hadn't eaten all day, and hearing about delicacies made her mouth water.
"Mmm~ There's Sweet Madame, Teyvat Fried Egg, Golden Chicken, Almond Tofu, Survival Grilled Fish… and my absolute favorite, Honey-Glazed Roasted Carrots and Meat!"
As Paimon drooled while listing off dishes, Keke couldn't help but swallow hard too.
All those names just sounded delicious.
While the two fantasized about the feast, Aether nodded and tried to summon the Serenitea Pot with a thought—but no matter how hard he focused, nothing happened.
"…Traveler? Are you trying to eat it all by yourself?!"
Paimon's eyes widened as Aether stood motionless. Hands on her hips, she glared accusingly at him, as if saying, Don't you dare eat it all without me!
"…The Serenitea Pot is gone."
Aether spread his hands helplessly.
It seemed the pot, a gift from Madame Ping, had been swept away by chaotic spatial currents during the dimensional leap. Now, there wasn't even the faintest trace of it—who knew which corner of this world it had landed in?
"Nooo! What now?! I had so many Mora saved up in there!"
Paimon's face fell instantly, her tone full of sorrow.
"That was my Mora."
Aether twitched at the corner of his mouth. He felt the need to remind this so-called "emergency food" who burned through 300,000 Mora a month.
"W-Well, same difference! Yours is mine, hehe~"
"So what now? Traveler, think of something!"
Paimon scratched her head, trying to change the topic quickly.
"I saw plenty of wild animals along the way here. How about you and Keke stay here while I go hunt something to roast?"
"Yes! Roast meat! Roast meat!" Paimon cheered, then turned to Keke. "But if we leave Keke alone…"
She couldn't help but worry about the little girl.
"That's why I want you two to wait here. I'll be quick."
Aether estimated the forest wasn't far from the village. With his years of scavenging experience, hunting wouldn't take long.
"Okay… but you have to come back soon."
Paimon, after thinking for a moment, decided to stay behind and look after their new friend. She knew Keke would be terrified if left alone.
"Be careful, big brother," Keke whispered. She knew how dangerous hunting could be.
Her father once came back from hunting in the mountains with a serious bite wound and had to rest for over half a month.
"Mm." Aether nodded. After stepping out of the hut, he determined the direction and disappeared into the night.
…
In the jungle at the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest, a ghostlike figure moved silently through the brush. Ahead of him, a panicked rabbit darted wildly.
The figure was Aether. He held a small stone between two fingers, took aim, and casually flicked it.
The ordinary-looking pebble cut through the air with a sharp whoosh, striking the rabbit with a thud. It flipped once and lay still—lifeless.
"Four should be enough…"
Aether walked over and picked up the rabbit, muttering to himself.
One per person would be enough to fill them up—but knowing Paimon's appetite, he caught an extra one just in case.
Buzz~
Suddenly, a faint purple soul ring shimmered around the rabbit in his hand. Aether waved it away casually, and the ring dissolved into the surrounding air.
He knew this was a spirit ring—unique to this world and a vital part of a soul master's cultivation.
But for someone like him, who didn't possess a martial soul, it served no purpose.
At most, it simply made the elemental energy around him feel denser as it dissipated.
"Traveler! Waaah! Traveler, where are you?!"
"That's Paimon's voice!"
Aether didn't waste a second. He sprinted in the direction of her cry.
Rustle rustle~
Branches and undergrowth snapped as he burst from the forest, charging ahead without slowing down.
"Oof!"
In her panic, Paimon had been glancing back while flying—and flew straight into Aether's chest.
"What happened? Are you okay?" Aether dropped the rabbits and scooped her up in concern.
"Waaaah, Traveler…" Paimon's tears finally flowed the moment she saw him again.
This was the second time today she'd faced danger. Her tiny body couldn't take much more.
But she knew now wasn't the time to cry. Wiping her eyes, she forced herself to speak:
"Traveler, some bad people are trying to take Keke! You have to save her!"
"Hold on tight."
Aether didn't hesitate. Still holding Paimon, he dashed toward the thatched hut they'd left behind.
As they neared the village, smoke and firelight rose from the direction of the hut.
By the time they arrived, the place was surrounded by villagers—some whispering in concern, others pouring water from buckets in an attempt to control the blaze.
Seeing the chaos, Aether set Paimon down and summoned water elemental energy. He drew water from a nearby creek and sent it cascading over the burning hut.
The roaring flames were instantly extinguished.
"A miracle! It's a miracle!"
An elder with a cane and oil lamp hobbled forward from the crowd, praising Aether repeatedly.
Then he bowed deeply and said,
"Thank you, kind one, for saving us! If the fire had continued, our whole village might have been lost…"
Aether moved to help the old man up—but Paimon had already zipped into the charred remains of the hut.
"Paimon!"
Waving the elder off, Aether rushed in after her.
Cough cough "Waaah… Traveler, Keke—"
Paimon choked on the lingering smoke, clutching a scorched, half-burned hat still trailing white wisps of smoke. Tears welled in her eyes again, spilling down her cheeks.
_
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