Genshin Impact: The Gambler of Teyvat

Dunyarzad gently cupped her mouth with one hand, letting out a clear and melodious laugh. It was like the tinkling of silver bells, echoing through the air and lifting everyone's spirits.

"I've really been so grateful to you all this time, Dehya. If it weren't for your help and support, I don't know what I would've become."

Her gaze was full of heartfelt gratitude as she looked softly at Dehya.

Hearing those words, Dehya instinctively averted her eyes.

She seemed a little flustered by such sincere thanks, a light blush blooming across her face.

"Ack… don't say it like that. I'm actually pretty easy to embarrass, you know. And besides, this is just what friends do—it's nothing, really. You're making me feel awkward."

She scratched her head and gave a sheepish smile.

At that moment, a sudden pop sound drew everyone's attention. They turned toward the noise—only to find Paimon standing frozen, her face stiff, her once-lively eyes completely dull. She stared blankly at Lumine, who was kneeling on the ground with blood still gushing from her nose.

Paimon was utterly dumbfounded, her mouth hanging open.

It took her a long moment before she snapped out of it, slowly tilting her head up to the clear blue sky, thoughts racing through her mind.

"What in the world… is going on with this place? Why do weird things like this keep happening?!"

Just as everyone had drifted into their own thoughts, a sudden fit of intense, harsh coughing shattered the momentary stillness.

The coughing rang out like a blade slicing through silence, instantly snapping everyone to attention.

Lumine reacted immediately. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and hurried to Dunyarzad's side, her voice laced with concern.

"Dunyarzad, are you feeling unwell again? Are you in pain anywhere?"

Paimon nearly dropped her jaw to the floor.

She stared at Lumine, utterly incredulous.

"Wha—Wait, wait, wait! That's way too fast of a recovery!!!"

It was as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

At the same time, Dehya frowned.

She looked at Dunyarzad with worry etched into her features, speaking in a low voice.

"Miss, it seems like your condition has worsened again. Traveler, can I trouble you to take her somewhere nearby to rest for a while? I need to check the area again—see if any enemies are still lurking in the shadows."

Lumine nodded.

"Got it. Leave it to me."

Dunyarzad sat and rested for a bit.

Fiddling nervously with the hem of her clothes, she murmured softly,

"Really… sorry for troubling everyone…"

…

Lumine and Paimon carefully supported Dunyarzad—who was looking quite frail—over to a nearby bench, helping her sit down gently.

"Haa… haa…"

Dunyarzad gasped for breath, as if she had just come through a fierce battle.

Lumine, seeing this, quickly reached out and gently patted her back, trying to help her breathe more easily.

After a little while, Dunyarzad finally caught her breath. She slowly straightened up, forcing a faint smile onto her face.

"I'm feeling a lot better now. Thank you both… I'll just rest here a bit longer, and I should be fine." As she spoke, her eyes drifted between Lumine and Paimon.

Lumine and Paimon exchanged a glance, worry mirrored in their eyes. Eventually, Lumine broke the silence. She hesitated for a second but then mustered the courage to ask:

"About your condition… earlier, Dehya looked really serious when she mentioned it. Just how bad is it?"

Dunyarzad lowered her head slightly, staying quiet for a moment before slowly nodding—she'd made up her mind.

"…So you're that concerned about me. In that case, I can't keep hiding it from you anymore. The truth is… I've had a rare illness called Eleazar ever since I was born. And now, it's entered its final stage."

She lifted her head, looking off into the distance. Her eyes carried deep sorrow and helplessness.

Paimon gasped.

"Eleazar… isn't that the same disease Collei has?!"

Dunyarzad nodded.

"Oh? Sounds like you two already know about Eleazar—then I guess you're also aware of how serious it is."

"Even now, Sumeru's medical advancements still can't cure it. All we can do is use environmental therapy to slow its progression…"

Noticing the somber silence settling over them, Dunyarzad gave a forced smile.

"No need to look so gloomy. I've always lived with Eleazar—I accepted that fact long ago."

"But what hurts me more than the illness itself is the impact it's had on my life."

"I know my family loves me deeply. They've done everything they could to give me the best environment possible… to prolong my life, to buy me more time. But still, I know that day will come."

"You know, before I escaped this time… it felt like the world outside that house didn't even know I existed."

"Since I was a child, I've done nothing but sit in bed every day, staring blankly out the window."

"I imagine my family must be both anxious and disappointed about me running away like this. But… I just didn't want to leave with regrets."

"I wanted to meet people. For me, just meeting someone is already something incredibly precious."

"Let alone the joy of preparing for the Sabzeruz Festival, seeing the smiles on everyone's faces, and having friends like Dehya… and you two, supporting me."

"If that's the case, then even when that day comes… there won't be so much to be sad about."

"At the very least, there will be many, many people… who remember that I once existed in this world. Right?"

Paimon flailed her arms, clearly distressed and at a loss.

"Don't say that! You'll have plenty more happy moments!"

"A-As long as you don't forget me, I'll never forget you! Wait—no! Even if you do forget me, I'll still remember you!"

Dunyarzad couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Hehe… thank you, both of you. I'm sorry, saying all this depressing stuff… it's really not like me."

"Honestly, I only had the courage to do all this thanks to Lesser Lord Kusanali. If not for her encouragement, I might never have taken that first step."

Paimon shook her head.

"You didn't let your illness defeat you—you never gave up. That alone is really incredible."

Dunyarzad looked toward the setting sun.

"…Yeah. Life will always throw painful things our way, but I believe we live so we won't have regrets. Right?"

Lumine clapped her hands together.

"Exactly. That's a beautiful way to see it."

_

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