The spicy strips produced by the system had an incredibly strong aroma.
Before long, their fragrance had spread throughout the entire game space.
Now it wasn’t just Fang Yue.
Even Venti kept glancing over.
Scaramouche, who was farther away, had also caught the scent.
He felt somewhat regretful about throwing away that packet of spicy strips.
Then he turned his head and saw the empty packaging lying on the ground.
The corner of his mouth twitched violently.
“Paimon, everyone has already made their identifications.
You’re the only one left!”
Kamisato Ayato walked over with a smile.
To Paimon, that smile looked even more terrifying than a demon’s.
She immediately slipped behind Lumine, peeking out with only her head showing.
“I’m still observing!
Once I’m done observing, I’ll catch Fang Yue in one go!”
Venti was speechless.
Sure, she was observing.
But wasn’t she observing the spicy strips?
“Little Paimon, that’s not fair.
We just agreed that everyone would work together!”
This made Paimon hesitate.
She had indeed participated earlier, and she had even shouted with great enthusiasm.
But saying something and actually doing it were two completely different things.
If they wanted her to make an identification, they’d have to wait for the sun to rise in the west.
“I already said I’m observing!
I’ll be done soon!”
Seeing Paimon like this, Venti had no idea what to do with her.
He was a grown man, after all.
He couldn’t possibly argue with such a tiny little thing.
Kamisato Ayato narrowed his eyes.
“Paimon, you’re not afraid, are you?”
“That’s right!
I’m afraid!
So what?”
Paimon simply admitted it.
She had no intention of making an identification anyway.
She even looked rather pleased with herself.
“It’s just a provocation tactic.
Unlike Scaramouche, I’m not stupid enough to fall for it!”
“Looking to die!”
Scaramouche had heard that.
They were still inside the game space, so there was nothing he could do to her right now.
But once the game ended…
Just you wait.
Not only had she eaten his spicy strips, she had even mocked him!
Once the game ended, he would turn her into spicy strips too.
Jean also walked over.
“Little Paimon, everyone else has been eliminated.
You still have a chance.
I hope you can step forward now and bring us hope.”
Yes.
During the time that had just passed, the others had used up all their identification opportunities and been eliminated.
Only Paimon remained. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
Jean had also thought things through.
Anyone could win.
Except Fang Yue!
After suffering such a huge loss, even Jean’s normally steady temperament was starting to crack.
Paimon covered her ears and simply lay down on a stone platform.
Her expression clearly said:
Say whatever you want.
I’m not falling for it.
Seeing that they really couldn’t persuade Paimon, everyone turned their attention toward Keqing.
Being stared at by so many people made Keqing uncomfortable.
She awkwardly turned her head away.
She hadn’t wanted to participate in this game from the beginning.
And now that she knew there were such terrifying traps involved, there was no chance she would participate.
Even if they killed her, she wouldn’t go.
Seeing that Keqing was also refusing, they glanced at Kamisato Ayaka.
Forget it.
That girl had already shut herself off from the world.
No matter who spoke to her, she wouldn’t react.
Kamisato Ayato glanced at the spicy-strip packaging on the ground.
“How about this, Paimon?
Just make one random identification, and I’ll bring you some Inazuman delicacies.”
The moment she heard the word “delicacies,” Paimon’s attitude visibly softened.
There was hope!
Venti immediately struck while the iron was hot.
“If Inazuma is too far away, what about Mondstadt?
We have plenty of delicious food too.
Just make one identification, and I’ll cover your meals from now on!”
“Really?”
Paimon was clearly tempted.
After thinking about it, she said,
“Then you have to include Lumine too!”
Lumine looked at Paimon with amusement.
This companion of hers really was something.
Whenever there was something good, Paimon always remembered to include her.
A warm feeling passed through Lumine’s heart.
“No problem.
I’ll cover everything.”
Jean looked suspiciously at Venti, who had confidently volunteered to pay for everything.
If she remembered correctly, this guy could barely support himself.
And now he was offering to treat someone else?
Wasn’t he just tricking Paimon?
“Let me pay for it instead.
If the two of you come to Mondstadt, I’ll be your host.”
Jean took responsibility for treating Paimon herself.
She didn’t entirely trust this bard.
What if Paimon came to Mondstadt and somehow ended up having to spend money treating Venti instead?
That would be terrible for Mondstadt’s reputation.
“Then it’s settled!”
For the sake of food, Paimon finally gathered her courage.
She began scanning the stone statues.
She looked for a long time, but nothing happened.
Eventually, her gaze landed on Keqing.
Her eyes immediately lit up.
“Got it!”
She had said she would make an identification.
But she hadn’t said she could only identify a stone statue.
So why not identify something else?
She could simply point at some random object and be done with it.
Having thought of this, Paimon revealed a mysterious smile.
“Watch closely!
I’ll catch Fang Yue in one try!”
With that, Paimon pointed with her tiny hand.
“I identify this stone pedestal!”
Keqing looked at Paimon.
Then she looked at the stone pedestal she had been sitting on for ages.
She rolled her eyes.
Paimon really was clever.
How could someone possibly hide inside such a tiny stone pedestal?
Besides, if Fang Yue had really been hiding inside it, wouldn’t she have been sitting directly on top of him the entire time?
Everyone in the Intelligence Room also burst out laughing when they saw Paimon’s identification.
[Kaeya: This little one actually knows how to think.
Not bad!]
[Eula: Too naive.
How could anyone hide in there?
You’re judging it based on your own size, aren’t you?]
[Hu Tao: Come on, Fang Yue.
Hurry up and jump out of that stone pedestal so I can see you!]
[Yoimiya: Wow!
Doesn’t that mean Fang Yue is actually smaller than Paimon?]
[Arataki Itto: This is driving me crazy!
Such a good opportunity wasted!
Why wasn’t I selected?!]
[Correct identification.
Paimon wins.]
[Xiangling: See?
I told you it was wrong…
wrong…
wrong…
Wait, it was actually correct?!]
[Xingqiu: What is going on?
That stone pedestal is so small.
How did Fang Yue fit inside it?]
[Lisa: …]
[Diluc: …..]
….
Keqing also realized what had happened.
“Whoosh!”
She shot upright.
Fang Yue had actually been underneath her the entire time!
A wave of embarrassment immediately rushed to her face.
As Paimon’s identification was confirmed, the stone pedestal slowly began to grow larger.
Eventually, it transformed into a human figure.
Fang Yue appeared before everyone for the first time!