Sacrificing Myself: Nine Transmigrations (Genshin Impact)

Liyue, Tianheng Mountain.

"Two blossoms! Not bad."

Elliot looked up at the steep cliff where two Glaze Lilies were blooming.

One was at a moderate height, the other significantly higher.

"Qiqi, wait here for me."

As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves and prepared to climb.

But just as his hand touched the rock, Qiqi tugged on his sleeve.

"Qiqi... wants to help too..."

She knew how dangerous cliffs were. If Elliot fell, he might not survive.

But she was different. She was a zombie—she couldn't die from a fall.

It made more sense for her to go.

Most of all, she didn't want him to get hurt.

"Be good, Qiqi. Just wait down here for me. Don't worry—I'll be fine."

Elliot could see the worry in her eyes and reassured her gently.

"But..."

"It's okay. I promise."

"Okay... Elliot... be careful... Qiqi will be here... to catch you."

Then, Elliot began his climb.

After a while, he successfully picked the closer flower and moved toward the higher one.

Qiqi stood below, watching anxiously as he scaled the cliff, her heart pounding with worry.

Unaware...

That danger was slowly creeping up behind her.

A young girl with a mischievous grin, wearing a hexagonal hat, tiptoed toward Qiqi with a burlap sack in hand.

"Hmm... Why is it... getting dark...?"

Before Qiqi realized what was happening, the sack dropped over her head.

"Gotcha!" Hu Tao cheered, hoisting the bagged Qiqi over her shoulder and sprinting off.

The dazed Qiqi had no idea what was going on.

Before she could cry out, Hu Tao was already far away.

...

"Whew..."

"Finally got it."

Elliot placed the second Glaze Lily into his pouch, exhaling heavily.

Climbing up was one thing—getting down was harder, at least for most people.

But Elliot was different.

He dropped his weapon straight down, waited until he heard it hit the ground—then used Flame Flash.

In a blink, he vanished from the cliffside and reappeared safely on the ground.

"Qiqi, let's head to the next—"

"Wait, what!?"

"Where is she?!"

Elliot's heart sank. He looked around in all directions, calling her name—but got no response.

It was as if Qiqi had vanished.

Then he spotted something: a single crimson petal on the ground.

"A plum blossom...?"

"Hu Tao..."

"Damn it!!"

This was bad—really bad.

When did that little maniac set her sights on them?

And how did Qiqi get taken without making a sound!?

Elliot didn't waste another second—he bolted toward the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

If Qiqi got buried, it'd be over!

...

At that moment.

Hu Tao had tied Qiqi beneath a plum tree.

"Little zombie, we can't let the balance between life and death be broken. As the Funeral Parlor Director, I'll help you find peace."

With a shovel in hand, Hu Tao dug energetically beside the sack—only Qiqi's head poking out.

"Bury... me?"

Qiqi stared at her with wide pink eyes.

She seemed to understand what Hu Tao meant and immediately shook her head.

"Qiqi... doesn't want to be buried... Qiqi doesn't want to die..."

She started struggling in panic.

"That won't do. Just wait a little longer—once I finish digging, it'll all be over. It'll be so peaceful."

Hu Tao picked up her pace, flinging dirt aside.

The hole grew deeper and deeper.

"No... Qiqi doesn't want... You're a bad person..."

"Me? A bad person? I'm just helping you move on. Once you're buried, you'll be free."

"Waaah..." Qiqi whimpered, terrified.

Just then—a crimson spear slammed into the ground beside them.

In a flash, a figure appeared.

"Elliot... help me..."

Tears welled in Qiqi's eyes. Seeing him was like seeing her savior.

Elliot rushed forward, quickly untying the sack and pulling her out.

"Who are you?" Hu Tao asked casually—clearly not recognizing him.

Elliot froze for a second. A complex smile crossed his face.

The Hu Tao he'd grown up with was now a stranger asking for his name.

Pretending it didn't hurt would've been a lie.

Even if this world's Hu Tao didn't remember, Elliot did.

You don't just forget someone after over a decade.

"Hi. I'm Elliot. I'm with Qiqi."

"Oh? Are you a zombie too?"

Hu Tao's eyes gleamed—as if she was ready to dig another hole.

Great.

Just great.

Wonderful.

Hu Tao was definitely someone you could get along with—burying people left and right.

The sadness on Elliot's face turned into pure exasperation.

"I'm not a zombie."

"Oh... okay then."

The disappointment on her face made Elliot twitch.

Seriously? That bummed her out?

"Guess I'll just bury Qiqi then."

Hu Tao turned her attention back to Qiqi.

Qiqi practically jolted like she'd been electrocuted and dove behind Elliot, shaking.

Without hesitation, Elliot scooped her up and ran.

Hu Tao didn't even get the chance to react before they were long gone.

"Hey!"

...

"They ran off...? Hmm... I guess next time I'll have to act faster."

Hu Tao frowned, reflecting on her hesitation.

If only she'd moved quicker, she could've helped Qiqi "find peace."

She looked at the half-dug pit, feeling a little guilty.

But it was fine.

There'd be another chance.

She was sure of it.

...

Far enough away and certain that Hu Tao wasn't following, Elliot finally let out a heavy sigh.

"Phew... That was close."

"Who was she...? Why did she want to bury Qiqi...? Qiqi doesn't want to die..."

"Her name is Hu Tao. She's the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Her job is to conduct funerals. She thinks that since you're technically dead, being alive causes you pain. She believes she's helping you by... burying you."

Elliot explained Hu Tao's reasoning as gently as he could.

"Hu Tao is a bad person... Qiqi doesn't like her..."

Elliot gave a helpless smile.

From Qiqi's perspective, Hu Tao had just tried to kill her.

It wasn't easy to understand her logic after that.

So he didn't push the matter. As long as they stayed alert and didn't get kidnapped again, they'd be fine.

Elliot knew Hu Tao well—she was just as stubborn as he was.

She wouldn't give up after failing once.

For now, they just needed to find the last Glaze Lily, trade it to Xiangling for the coconut milk, and get back to the forest. It was safer there.

"Don't worry. I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you," Elliot said gently.

"Mm... Elliot is so kind... I like you..."

"Look... a Glaze Lily..."

Qiqi's sharp eyes spotted their target on another cliff.

"This time... can Qiqi go? Qiqi doesn't want to be taken again..."