[Ding!
‘Newbie Tutorial: Strength Enhancement (Part 1)’ quest complete!
Rewards issued: Abyssal Power slightly increased (Hydro element power enhanced)!
“Hilichurl Language Crash Course: Greetings and Begging” has been loaded into the memory bank!]
The system’s notification chime rang out within Skirk’s chaotic mind, like a drop of water tossed into a boiling vat of oil—it was instantly Vaporized, leaving not even a hiss behind.
Because at this moment, all of Skirk’s attention was firmly captivated by the Damselette sitting by the campfire, wringing out his wet red hair, his smile as bright as the morning sun.
Amber…
it really was Amber!
Skirk (the soul of Silky) felt an indescribable surge of excitement deep within.
This was the very first four-star character he (she?) had obtained when he first started playing ‘allogene’!
He was the guide who had accompanied him through the long early-game grind, lighting up every dark corner of Mondstadt with Burning arrows, and dispersing the confusion of a newbie with his enthusiastic smile!
Later on, he had even specifically used Starglitter to exchange for Constellations, bringing Amber to max Constellation!
That fondness and nostalgia had long been deeply imprinted into the depths of his soul.
Don’t ask, because if you do, the answer is that two Baron Bunnies dancing is simply fun.
And shooting feet makes them explode, too!
The only four-star in the display case was him!
At this moment, the living, breathing Amber was sitting right in front of him, barely a few meters away.
The firelight outlined his healthy silhouette, and the wet hair clinging to his cheeks added a touch of heroism and…
uh, temptation?
Skirk felt her own heartbeat accelerating uncontrollably again.
“Hey, I’m an Outrider of the Knights of Favonius, Amber!
What about you?
Why did you run all the way to such a remote place alone so early?
And why were you surrounded by Hilichurls?
Looking at you…
hmm, you look a bit like…
a legendary Abyss Mage?
But you’re not quite the same?”
Amber’s crisp voice rang out again, carrying the keenness and straightforwardness unique to an Outrider.
Those Amber eyes focused on Skirk with curiosity, like searchlights.
“Boom!” As if doused by a basin of cold water (though she was the one who had doused Amber earlier), Skirk was instantly dragged back from the filter of beautiful memories into the cruel reality.
Oh no!
How am I supposed to explain this?!
“I…
I’m called Skirk…”
She subconsciously blurted out the name, her voice still trembling slightly.
The heat on her cheeks hadn’t fully faded, and her eyes darted away, avoiding Amber’s straightforward gaze.
“Skirk?
What a unique name.”
Amber tilted his head, the firelight dancing in his eyes.
“It doesn’t feel like a typical Mondstadt naming style…
Well, Miss Skirk, where are you from?
How did you get lost and end up at Starfell Valley?
Also, why did those Hilichurls surround you?
They looked…
uh, like they were protecting you?”
Amber’s questions were like a barrage, each one hitting Skirk’s sore spot with precision.
Skirk’s brain CPU issued an overload warning again.
Origin?
Abyss?
Outside Teyvat?
If she said that, she’d probably be arrested as a lunatic or a spy!
Amnesia!
Yes, the universal method of amnesia!
“Huh?
I don’t know.
They said ‘mosi mita’ and I just came along.”
The above was just her imagination.
Skirk suddenly lifted her head, trying hard to make a confused and innocent expression (thanks to this cold and beautiful face, the effect was actually quite good).
“When I woke up, I was on the mountain nearby…
My head hurts so much…
I can’t remember anything…
Even my name…
I only just…”
She timely held her forehead, brows slightly furrowed, putting on a pitiful (forced) appearance.
[Host, the Oscars owe you an Academy Award!
(￣▽￣)]
Watching Skirk’s “painful” appearance, the scrutiny in Amber’s eyes softened slightly, revealing sympathy:
“Huh?
Amnesia?
That…
that really is a terrible experience.
But what about the Hilichurls?
What’s going on with them?
They wouldn’t ‘protect’ a stranger for no reason.”
The Outrider’s intuition kept him from completely letting his guard down.
Here it comes!
The hardest part to explain!
Skirk’s face instantly flushed red again.
Was she supposed to say, “Because I acted as a human showerhead for them, they treated me like a mobile water source and decided to worship me”?
That was too shameful!
Even more shameful than spraying him with water!
“Th…
they…”
Skirk stammered, eyes darting around, fingers unconsciously twisting her hem.
“…They seem to…
be very short on water?
It’s not convenient to get water living on the cliff…
and then…
then they discovered I could…
could produce some water…”
Her voice grew smaller and smaller, finally turning into a mosquito-like hum.
Her head bowed deeply, and her silver hair fell, covering her bright red cheeks.
…
Skirk kept wanting to lift her head to see why Amber wasn’t saying anything, but she didn’t dare.
As expected.
“…Pfft!”
After a brief silence, Amber suddenly burst into a hearty, piercing peal of laughter!
“Hahahaha hahahaha—!”
He laughed until he was rocking back and forth, tears almost coming out, pointing at Skirk.
“So…
so they ‘invited’ you back just to have you…
give them a bath?!
Hahahaha!”
Amber’s laughter echoed in the quiet mountain pass in the early morning, and the novel was suddenly filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
How many ways are there to write the character ‘hui’?
Skirk: Not much left, I don’t have much left in me.
Amber laughed without any composure, holding his stomach, his shoulders shaking.
However, to Skirk, this laughter was no different from a public execution!
Every “hahaha” was like a small hammer striking her fragile nerves!
I don’t care about this or that!
Shame!
Anger!
“No…
stop laughing!”
Skirk suddenly lifted her head, her flushed cheeks puffed up like buns.
Her deep violet eyes shimmered with moisture due to shame and anger.
Almost instinctively and in a fit of pique, she raised her hand toward the still-laughing Amber—
“Zzz—!”
Another jet of water!
The accuracy was much higher than when she lost control last time!
The target was clear—Amber’s still-laughing mouth!
“Wuff—!”
Amber’s laughter came to an abrupt halt.
Caught off guard, he was plastered in the face by a stream of cool water and even choked on a mouthful!
The water jet came and went quickly.
Skirk regretted it the moment she sprayed the water, but it was already too late.
This time…
Amber’s only remaining undergarments were soaked too.
Skirk was also done for.
Beside the campfire, silence fell once again.