Gacha Hell: Furina Edition

The night was deep.

At the dinner table, only Venti was the drunkard, completely wasted.

Lu Heng and the others only had a few small cups.

Zhongli and the Dragon King Azhdaha took Venti away together.

The Cloud Retainer, who adored children, took Klee to play around Mt. Aocang.

Lu Heng, meanwhile, carried the small, child-like Greater Lord Rukkhadevata back home.

Tiny as she was, the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata fit snugly in Lu Heng's arms like a little kid.

Perhaps the two cups of wine had loosened her usual rationality.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed with intoxication as she buried her face peacefully against Lu Heng's chest, letting him carry her back.

Upon returning to the pocket dimension, Lu Heng glanced at the branch.

It had grown quite well!

This indicated that the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata was recovering quickly.

"Hmm, at this rate..."

Lu Heng cradled the drowsy Archon in one arm while stroking his chin thoughtfully.

The little sprout was about to mature.

And once it matured, what else was there to do but enjoy the harvest?

The Next Morning

Early at dawn, Takatsukasa wore a stiff smile as he accompanied Yae Miko.

He had received news of her arrival at Ritou before the sun had even risen.

Yae Miko hadn't bothered to conceal her movements—clearly, she was leaving the country!

With the Sakoku Decree in effect, Takatsukasa could only admit that the decree didn't apply to the Guuji.

She could come and go as she pleased.

"Did the Kanjou Commission not rest well last night?" Yae Miko asked with a playful smile.

"Not at all. It's just that age has dulled my energy compared to the young—and certainly compared to the Guuji," Takatsukasa replied.

You think I don't know why I didn't sleep well?

Takatsukasa could only grumble internally.

He suspected Yae Miko had done this on purpose—making him stand here in the cold morning breeze.

He couldn't fathom her deeper intentions, but on the surface, he remained obedient.

Yae Miko smiled without elaborating.

She was about to leave Inazuma, and who knew how these people would act in her absence?

Making him stand here in the cold was a small warning—hopefully, it would cool his ambitions.

If greed clouded his judgment, the Takatsukasa clan's glory might soon fade.

In the distance, the massive Crux Fleet sounded its horn as it docked.

Merchants and families with luggage gathered at the harbor—something they wouldn't normally do under the Kanjou Commission's watchful eyes.

But today was different.

With Yae Miko boarding, there was no need to sneak around.

Soon, Beidou descended from the ship.

Spotting Takatsukasa, she blinked in surprise, then noticed Yae Miko and raised an eyebrow.

Well, well. Two of Inazuma's most influential figures!

If one were to rank Inazuma's elite, the Raiden Shogun was first, Yae Miko second, followed by the Tri-Commission heads—Takatsukasa among them.

Beidou knew of him and had seen him from afar, but they'd never interacted.

After all, such high-ranking figures kept their distance.

The Crux Fleet was renowned, but in the eyes of the nobility, they were just a well-armed mercenary group—hardly equals in status.

But that was the official narrative.

In terms of actual power?

Beidou smirked. The Crux Fleet's firepower could level the Kanjou Commission's headquarters if needed!

Still, Beidou wasn't the type to throw her weight around.

She strode forward and greeted them.

After all, she was smuggling under their noses.

It'd be rude not to acknowledge them.

"Captain Beidou, right? Your reputation precedes you," Yae Miko said with a smile.

Beidou chuckled and returned the pleasantries.

Though she'd never met Yae Miko before, the pink-eared kitsune was unmistakable.

What puzzled Beidou was why Inazuma's second-in-command was here.

And clearly, she was boarding the ship.

Before Beidou could speculate further, Yae Miko spoke:

"I'd like to hitch a ride to Liyue Harbor. An old friend I haven't seen in centuries resides there—I'd like to catch up. Would you accommodate me?"

Hmm.

Was that the whole story?

Beidou wasn't sure, but she doubted Yae Miko's main goal was just a reunion.

More likely, she was heading for the card shop.

But why not say so outright?

Beidou glanced around.

Ah.

The Kanjou Commission's agents were everywhere.

Inazuma's internal politics really are messy.

Not that Beidou cared. She grinned.

"Of course, Lady Guuji. We're heading that way anyway."

"Perfect."

Yae Miko turned to Takatsukasa.

"The morning sea breeze is chilly. The Kanjou Commission should return and rest. Though, the cold does help one sleep better."

If you'd just leave, I'd sleep even better!

Takatsukasa could only seethe inwardly while maintaining a polite smile.

"Thank you for your concern, Lady Guuji. The Commission has much to attend to, so I'll take my leave."

"Go on."

Yae Miko paid him no further mind, following Beidou aboard the Crux Fleet.

As she stepped onto the deck, her gaze locked with Kaedehara Kazuha's through the glass of the bridge.

Huh?

Yae Miko raised an eyebrow.

Kazuha was equally startled.

Beside him, Gorou tensed.

Though they'd never met, he knew exactly who she was.

"Stay calm," Kazuha murmured. "She's not here for trouble. Beidou wouldn't have let her board otherwise."

Gorou relaxed slightly.

As a general of the resistance, facing Inazuma's second-in-command was nerve-wracking.

Soon, Beidou led Yae Miko to the bridge.

Yae Miko acted as if she didn't recognize Kazuha or Gorou, nodding politely.

Kazuha kept his composure, but Gorou remained stiff, wary.

After a brief tour, Beidou settled Yae Miko into the finest quarters.

No helping it—she was a VIP who'd paid generously.

"How's the boarding going?" Beidou asked.

"Almost done. We'll set sail in five," Hai Long reported.

"Good."

Beidou glanced at Yae Miko's closed door and sighed.

Shame.

With such an important guest aboard, she couldn't recharge at Guyun Stone Forest this time.

But the energy condenser's storage was ample.

Next time would do.

Five minutes later, the Crux Fleet set sail for Liyue.

Morning, Liyue

Lumine lay in bed, her expression complicated.

Yesterday, she'd juggled commissions and Genshin Impact, though neither efficiently.

Still, she'd earned a few thousand Mora and progressed to the We Will Be Reunited quest.

She'd finally met her brother.

Thud!

Her fist slammed into the pillow.

"He's a prince in the Abyss Order, living in luxury, while I'm out here scraping by just to find him!"

"And when I finally do?"

"He brushes me off with cryptic nonsense!"

How could anyone stand this?!

Lumine couldn't.

After all her struggles, only to learn he was orchestrating some grand, shadowy plan—

And that line: "We will be reunited in the abyss."

What did that even mean?

She didn't understand his motives.

All she wanted was to travel with him, far from these conflicts.

Was that so hard?

"Mmm..."

Paimon yawned, bleary-eyed.

She'd stayed up all night grinding with Lumine and was barely functional.

"At least now you know he's safe," Paimon mumbled.

"That's true," Lumine conceded.

Then she sighed.

"But safe now doesn't mean safe later. Ugh, why couldn't he just explain things properly?!"

"Are you going?" Paimon asked.

Lumine fell silent, then shook her head.

"I don't know. Maybe? It'd be like meeting an 'old friend' for the first time."

"You mean him?" Paimon shuddered, glancing around as if Lu Heng might materialize beside them.

"Yeah. It's kind of funny."

Lumine flopped onto her back, staring at the ceiling.

"But it's also frustrating. The Abyss Order caused so much trouble, and he's their leader..."

Paimon pondered.

"Maybe it's a good thing for you?"

"How?" Lumine frowned.

The Abyss Order's actions hardly painted them as benevolent.

"Well, think about it. With such a powerful faction behind him, wouldn't he have tons of Mora?"

"Wait—"

Lumine's eyes lit up.

Paimon had a point.

The Abyss Order's wealth was unknown, but they surely had Mora to spare.

Yet, given their nature, they couldn't exactly waltz into cities to pull gacha.

That's where Lumine came in.

"I've got it!"

She sat up, grinning.

"No matter what Aether's planning, his identity keeps him from visiting the shop. That means his Mora's useless to him—but not to me!"

"If I get stronger, maybe I can even help him!"

Paimon gave a thumbs-up.

"Lumine, you're such a good sister!"

Lumine rolled her eyes.

"That's just what I'll say."

"Eh?"

Paimon blinked.

Lumine smirked.

"If Aether hears this, he'll be so moved he'll shower me with Mora! Hahaha... I'm gonna be rich!"

"???"

Paimon stared, dumbfounded.

"It'll work—it has to!"

Lumine ignored her, plotting.

How to meet Aether again?

It shouldn't be too hard.

If he was well-informed, he'd know the Abyss Order's secrets were exposed—and that they'd already reunited once.

He'd have to realize how much she missed him.

If he knew she wanted to see him, he wouldn't refuse.

And once they met—

"Mora!"

"Gacha!"

The more she thought, the more her plan solidified.

What brother wouldn't spoil his little sister?

What sister wouldn't spend her brother's money?

After all she'd endured searching for him—starving, struggling—he owed her!

"We're gonna be rich!" Lumine declared.

"Yay!" Paimon cheered.

"Let's go find Aether now!"

"But how?"

Lumine thought for a moment.

"Head straight to the upside-down Statue of the Seven. If he's not there, we'll ask our 'old friend' for help. Once we're rich, we'll spend it at his shop!"

"That's your solution?!"

Paimon was stunned yet understood.

Asking Lu Heng was the easiest way.

At this point, many players had reached We Will Be Reunited.

The revelation shocked everyone.

The Traveler's sibling is a high-ranking Abyss Order figure?!

What a twist!

It reminded them of Venti's words:

"Those like you, who stand in the light, become heroes. Those in the shadows, bring calamity."

Wasn't that the twins' situation?

Mondstadt's citizens gloated.

See?

Our Archon knows everything—he just speaks in riddles!

The online bragging rights had them walking on air.

Meanwhile, Lumine teleported directly to Liyue's branch shop.

Lu Heng wasn't there, so she headed for the in-game location.

Soon, she reached the ruins.

Having played through it, she navigated effortlessly to the inverted statue.

The statue was gone, but traces of Anemo lingered.

Clearly, the God of Faith had reclaimed it.

(Note: Venti and Barbatos aren't quite the same—their personalities differ slightly, though they share the same origin.)

As Lumine arrived, an Abyss Herald stood waiting.

A portal opened, and Aether stepped out.

Instead of tearful joy, Lumine planted a hand on her hip and thrust out her other palm.

"?"

Aether had expected emotional pleas or arguments.

Not... this.

"What's wrong?" Lumine wiggled her fingers. "Hand over the Mora!"

Aether: "???"

"You're not... happy to see me?" he asked cautiously.

"I'd be happier with Mora."

Lumine smirked.

Why would I miss a cryptic jerk like you?

Aether clutched his chest, wounded.

He'd planned to explain everything, but Lumine couldn't care less.

"Since we've met, you know what I want."

Aether turned to leave.

Then Lumine's voice turned sweetly sinister:

"Brother... you wouldn't want your little sister to start talking about certain things, would you?"

Aether: "!!!"

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T/N:

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