Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking

The commission March 7th selected wasn't something novice adventurers could typically handle. However, the Trailblazers were far from ordinary, and the town of Gretlow was lucky to have even a few silver-ranked adventurers in residence.

Expecting gold-ranked adventurers to investigate a cult was pure fantasy.

Humanity's main forces were occupied holding the Demon King's army at bay on the border, leaving little room to address smaller but still significant threats. Ever since the Demon King's forces began their rampage, no place had been spared death and destruction. Entire cities fell overnight.

Only the inland capitals remained relatively untouched, though the elites there had little interest in the plight of border towns.

This commission, then, served as an opportunity for the Trailblazers to showcase their strength and establish themselves as capable of changing the current dire circumstances.

After all, the trust of the guild branch head meant little if they couldn't produce tangible results. The kingdom's leadership and the common folk valued victory, not reputation.

"When do we head out?" Stelle asked as she poked at a plate of fried giant frog legs in front of her. She seemed unsure whether to take a bite.

These fried legs were a local specialty made from giant magical frogs. Large, meaty, and with rapid reproduction rates, these creatures were often used as training targets for rookie adventurers.

With the guild subsidizing their purchase, fried frog legs had become a signature dish at the adventurers' tavern. For those on a tight budget but craving meat, it was the most cost-effective option.

"Once we finish lunch!" March 7th declared, happily munching away without hesitation. Her cheeks puffed out like a hamster as she devoured her serving.

Dan Heng, seated nearby, ate calmly, showing no reaction to the unusual dish.

"What about you, Mimiya? Are you and your team coming with us?" Venti asked as he reached for his own plate.

"No problem. Both Zaryus and I have experience hunting cultists. As for Fina…" Mimiya trailed off, glancing at the young priestess. "Let's just say we might have to stop her from charging in with her staff and bashing heads."

Mimiya wasn't eating the frog meat herself, instead nibbling on the accompanying leafy greens. As a forest dweller, she was part of a largely vegetarian community and preferred plant-based foods.

To accommodate her tastes, she had specifically chosen a dish with plenty of vegetable garnishes. That said, the popularity of frog legs as a tavern staple attested to their taste—even if they weren't everyone's favorite, they were far from unpleasant.

Fina, meanwhile, simply smiled innocently.

"Hehehe…"

Zaryus, however, couldn't help but recall the last time Fina had smiled so sweetly while using her holy tome to smash a cultist's skull. The memory made him feel queasy, though as a lizardman, his facial expression remained unreadable.

"Once we finish lunch and make any necessary preparations, let's head out this afternoon," Venti suggested.

"Sounds good. I've got a batch of enchanted arrows ready for pickup," Mimiya said with a nod. "Want to come with me? If anyone needs supplies or tools, we can get them at the same shop."

"Oh! Count me in!" March 7th exclaimed, visibly excited. She seemed eager to explore the town's market street, muttering about the possibility of finding legendary swords or crystal balls containing the souls of ancient wizards.

Dan Heng declined, opting to stay behind to maintain his scheduled communications with Welt and Himeko aboard the Astral Express.

Stelle, on the other hand, decided to tag along out of curiosity.

After settling the bill, the group made their way to the market street protected by the Adventurers' Guild.

Despite the economic downturn brought on by the Demon King's attacks, the street was bustling with adventurers, their resilience adding a vibrant energy to the town.

Stalls lined the road, with vendors hawking monster parts and magical goods. Potion shops displayed signs adorned with illustrations of their wares, while weaponsmiths proudly showcased their latest creations.

The scene was reminiscent of a classic RPG marketplace, complete with an air of adventure and possibility.

Mimiya led the group to a small store specializing in magical tools. The shop was cramped, with shelves packed to the brim with peculiar gadgets of indeterminate function.

The clerk behind the counter was a beastkin girl with fluffy ears and a swishing tail. Her ears perked up as the group entered, but upon recognizing Mimiya, they drooped lazily, and she let out a yawn.

"Oh, it's you, Mimi. Afternoon!" the girl greeted, her tone playful and slightly singsong.

"I've told you not to call me Mimi. That's a dog's name, not mine," Mimiya replied with a sigh. "Anyway, is the shopkeeper here? The enchanted arrows I ordered should be ready."

"Yup. The boss prepped them before heading out—they're in the storage room," the clerk replied, her voice unhurried as she cast a curious glance at the others. Her amber eyes lingered on the unfamiliar faces.

"Your new teammates? They look loaded. If they wouldn't mind, could you tell them to help advertise our shop? I'll slip you a little something extra if you do."

"Uh… is that something you're supposed to say out loud?" March 7th asked, unsure if the clerk was joking or serious.

"That's just how she is," Mimiya explained with an exasperated sigh. "But instead of prying into my team, why don't you go fetch my arrows? Or should I file a complaint about your laziness when the shopkeeper gets back?"

Feigning annoyance, Mimiya tapped the counter for emphasis. The beastkin girl pouted dramatically but turned and disappeared into the dimly lit back room.

"She seems… quite the character," Stelle remarked.

Venti stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I can't help but wonder if her ears make sounds seem different from how we hear them."

"Beastkin ears are said to be more sensitive than ours," Zaryus explained, joining the conversation. "They can pick up frequencies we can't hear—like heartbeats or certain ultrasonic waves.

"It's similar to how lizardfolk like me have heightened senses of smell, or how forestfolk like Mimiya have sharper vision and hearing. Among beastkin, there are specialized groups too. That little fox girl seems to excel in mental acuity."

"Fascinating! I've learned something new," March 7th exclaimed, clearly delighted. She began fiddling with the magical device strapped around her neck, prompting Fina to ask shyly.

"Um… Lady March, may I ask what that device is? It doesn't look like anything used for prayer."

"Oh, this?" March 7th lifted the camera and pointed it at Fina and Zaryus. "It's a camera!"

She snapped a picture with a bright flash. Fina flinched in surprise, while Zaryus instinctively reached for his weapon before realizing no harm had come to them.

"What… is this?" Fina asked, confused.

"Take a look!" March 7th flipped the camera around to show the freshly captured photo.

Fina gasped in amazement, while Zaryus scratched his smooth-scaled head in confusion. "Wait… this is us? How are we trapped inside this tiny box? If we're in there, then how are we still talking to you?"

"Could it be…" he muttered, his eyes widening in fear. "Has my soul been captured in this device? Am I nothing but a remnant consciousness now?"

"Hahaha! No, no, no!" March 7th laughed, waving her hands to reassure them. "It's just a way to record images! The camera uses special techniques to capture what I see and save it for later. It doesn't harm your body or soul—it's just a tool for documenting travel memories."

Her explanation left the two adventurers marveling at the device. Even Mimiya, who had heard of her people's sacred springs projecting fleeting ancestral images, found the camera's portability and convenience astonishing.

Just as March 7th was about to snap another photo, the beastkin clerk returned with two quivers of enchanted arrows.

The arrow shafts were crafted from holly wood, with ordinary-looking tips. Their value lay in the intricate magical runes etched along their lengths.

In this world, magic required mages to chant and harness the resonance between their internal energy and elemental particles in the air to produce phenomena.

This made Venti's instantaneous, chantless elemental attacks all the more baffling to Mimiya when she had first seen them.

"These include fire starters, lightning dischargers, wind accelerators, and the basic speed-and-sharpness buffs. Everything's accounted for," Mimiya muttered as she inspected the arrows. Satisfied, she reached for her coin pouch—then froze.

"Wait… Did you forget your money?"

The clerk smirked, wagging her fluffy tail playfully. "What's this? An elf with early-onset senility?"

"Hey! I'm not senile! I just forgot this once! Give me a second!" Mimiya snapped, turning to her teammates in embarrassment.

Zaryus, already aware of the situation, calmly opened his pouch. "How much do you need?"

Fina, ever generous, emptied her little coin bag and handed over all she had with a bright smile.

"You two…"

Though they had started as a makeshift team, their bond had grown stronger through shared experiences. Adventurers rarely had time to develop deep friendships slowly. Often, trust was built through missions, and compatible groups naturally stuck together.

Mimiya nodded firmly, promising, "Thanks. I'll repay you at the tavern tonight."

She wasn't out of savings—she'd simply given most of her previous earnings to the Trailblazers and hadn't carried enough for this purchase. Running back now to fetch more felt humiliating, though this is already embarrassing enough…

As her elven pride warred with practicality, Mimiya sensed someone watching her. Are Venti and Stelle mocking me?

Instead, she turned to find Stelle at the counter, settling the bill and handing her the quivers without hesitation.

"Wha—?"

"It's my treat," Stelle said matter-of-factly.

"For me?" Mimiya asked, stunned.

"Yes. You treated us to lunch and showed us around, so it's only fair," Stelle replied, her blunt sincerity catching Mimiya off guard.

"...You're unbelievable," Mimiya muttered, unsure whether to feel touched or mortified. "Who pays someone back for a meal they didn't even enjoy with a hundred-coin expense?"

Despite her words, she couldn't help but smile at Stelle's earnest expression. Taking the quivers, she straightened up and declared, "Alright! Let's head out and get this mission done. This time, I won't just follow from behind—I'll show you what I can do! And when we're back, dinner's on me!"

"Just not frog legs or seafood, please," Stelle replied with a small smile as they exited the shop.

Watching the two leave, Zaryus chuckled while Fina followed, her usual cheery demeanor in tow.

March 7th sidled up to Venti, a mischievous grin on her face. "Hey, don't you think Stelle's got some moves? Bam! Covers the bill without saying a word—so cool!"

"Has Dan Heng ever done something like that for you?" Venti teased, his expression playful.

"Why are we bringing up Dan Heng now?" March 7th asked, suddenly on guard.

"Just curious," Venti said with an innocent shrug.

"Well, no! He's always pulling that stoic act. Besides, Uncle Yang was usually around, so paying was never up to us," she admitted begrudgingly.

"Ah, the perks of having reliable adults around," Venti quipped with a wink.

"Oh, please! You look young enough to count as one of us," she shot back with a laugh.

"Thank you—I like to think I'm young at heart. I keep up with the times, you know."

"Oh yeah? Do you know what idols are? Ever been to a handshake event or a live concert?"

"...No."

"See? Not so young after all!" March 7th giggled.

Admitting defeat, Venti raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. Let's catch up to the others before you tease me into the ground."

Their lighthearted banter carried a warmth reminiscent of Venti's adventures in Belobog, stirring a faint longing in his heart. Maybe after this journey, I'll visit again.

But such thoughts were for another time.

That afternoon, fully prepared, the group departed through the main gate, heading toward the borderlands forest to investigate the cult activity.

---

Meanwhile, deep in a pitch-black cavern, cloaked figures chanted in a guttural language. A terrified young woman, bound as a sacrificial offering, stared in horror at the spinning blood-red magic circle beneath her.

A distorted, abyssal murmur filled the air, breaking her mind as a massive, otherworldly eye pushed through the narrow portal.

Blood-red tentacles burst forth, piercing the cultists' bodies. The sound of flesh being drained echoed in the chamber, leaving behind nothing but hollowed husks.

Thus, The Unprayed One descended.

---

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Transmission complete.