Arriving at Yuehai Pavilion, Qin Yu grabbed the first person she saw and asked about Ganyu. "Senior Ganyu? She left just a little while ago."
She left? Qin Yu's head began to ache. The timing was terrible. Fortunately, the person knew where Ganyu had gone. "I think she was heading out of the city."
Out of the city... Was there urgent business that required her to leave so early? Perhaps it concerned the documents Lady Ningguang needed. Qin Yu decided it would be best to ask Ganyu directly. Time was tight—only an hour remained.
There was no other choice. Qin Yu had to keep asking around and follow the trail.
"A blue-haired girl with horns? Oh, I saw her. She went that way."
"You must mean Miss Ganyu. I remember seeing her leave through the city gates."
She's fast!
Tch, this is getting complicated. If she's outside the city, how am I supposed to know where she'll go next?
Qin Yu questioned the Millelith soldiers passing by. They pointed her in the direction they'd seen Ganyu heading, but after following that route for a while, Qin Yu still couldn't find her.
She must have changed her course midway.
Out of desperation, Qin Yu invested her remaining Points into the Wave Detection skill, upgrading it to Level 2.
Wave Detection 2: Unleashes invisible waves centered on the user, radiating outward to detect all life forms within a 30% larger range. The detection waves can penetrate obstacles. Concentrated use allows for continuous wave emission.
With the increased range, this should be far more effective than before.
Qin Yu clenched her left hand, activated Wave Detection, and scanned the surrounding terrain. Trees, pebbles, and other obstacles no longer hindered the final detection results.
Continuing to walk, Qin Yu occasionally stopped to scan. Finally, she located Ganyu.
The blue-haired half-adeptus girl was crouched on the ground, her back to Qin Yu, intently focused on something.
Aha! Finally found you. What a waste of time and effort, Qin Yu thought, secretly relieved. She felt a surge of impatience. At least I didn't have to search forever, or I'd be even more annoyed.
Still, it wasn't Ganyu's fault. It was just unfortunate timing.
Letting out a silent sigh, Qin Yu called out, "Miss Ganyu..."
Ganyu didn't seem to hear, still muttering to herself. Qin Yu raised her voice slightly. "Miss Ganyu!"
Still no response.
This woman... Fine, a light tap should get her attention. Qin Yu pursed her lips and reached out to gently pat Ganyu's shoulder.
"Eep?!"
That's... kind of cute. Wait, was that reaction necessary? Qin Yu herself recoiled a step in surprise.
Ganyu turned around. "Who is it...? Ah... Qin Yu?"
"Yes, long time no see. I'm glad you still remember me, Miss Ganyu! But what are you doing here?"
Looking as if she'd been caught doing something she shouldn't, Ganyu hastily scrambled to her feet, stammering, "N-nothing much. Oh, right! If you don't mind, please take this flower."
"Huh?"
She's giving me flowers right away? What's going on? Could it be... she's actually a fan of mine?! Ah—no, no, no, don't let your imagination run wild.
Besides, when Qin Yu saw the Sweet Flower Ganyu had given her, she was certain she couldn't be a fan.
Because who would give this as a gift?
It wasn't that Sweet Flowers were bad; on the contrary, their rich fragrance and use in making sweets made them quite popular, and Qin Yu herself liked them.
But Sweet Flowers grew everywhere, making them hardly appropriate as a present.
Moreover, upon closer inspection, Qin Yu noticed the Sweet Flower's roots were still covered in soil, clearly indicating it had been freshly picked.
How was she supposed to react to this?
"Wow, a Sweet Flower! Are you sure I can accept it? I'm so happy!" Was she supposed to say something like that? It felt so forced and unnatural... Why throw this kind of curveball right away? Was this some kind of test?
Well, this was the only appropriate response.
"I appreciate your kindness, no, I should say, I appreciate the thought."
Qin Yu smiled. "After working alongside Lady Ningguang, I've often heard stories of Miss Ganyu's accomplishments. I deeply admire her... so simply meeting you is more than enough for me."
So hurry up and take it back! I don't want it.
Ganyu seemed slightly embarrassed. "Is that really how you see me? I've only been fulfilling my duties... But thank you for the compliment."
Evaluation: D-
Hmph, you're welcome. Qin Yu had truly mastered the art of flattery.
If there was even the slightest admirable quality, she could pinpoint it and articulate it flawlessly. Of course, if there was absolutely nothing to praise, she'd be utterly stumped.
Forced to find something, she might resort to saying, "You breathe very well."
"Still... please, accept it."
"Huh? After all that, you still want me to accept it?"
Qin Yu's smile was slightly strained. "Why?"
Of course she'd ask for a reason. But how could I possibly admit I'm afraid I'll devour it and my figure will change? Such reasons were impossible to voice.
Finding an answer proved even more difficult.
Even Ganyu, usually so composed, seemed flustered. "Because... it suits you?"
Am I really that ordinary? Just some common woman anyone can find anywhere?!
"I don't quite understand..."
Well, it does sound a bit random, doesn't it? Now that the words were out, Ganyu felt obligated to explain. Anxiety and embarrassment painted her cheeks with a delicate pink blush.
"I mean, you nurture the hearts of others... I think that's similar to a Sweet Flower."
"Oh, don't be silly, haha."
Wait a minute. Why would you say "you nurture the hearts of others" on our second meeting? Is she mocking me?
Qin Yu's mood darkened instantly, but her gentle expression remained unchanged.
"Um, Miss Ganyu, if I'm not mistaken, this is only our second time meeting, right? I'm curious why you'd say something like that," Qin Yu asked casually.
"Huh? Is this because you once gave me something—ah..."
Qin Yu's eyes widened. Did I ever give Ganyu something? Was that even possible?
Realizing she'd made a mistake, Ganyu hastily tried to backtrack. "N-no, it's nothing. Just a hunch. Besides, I've heard things about you, Qin Yu... about how you've helped so many people. That's why I thought..."
But Qin Yu wasn't listening.
Giving something to Ganyu? When was that? And what was it...? When she saw the Sweet Flower in Ganyu's hand, a voice flashed through her mind:
"Here, this is for you. Cheer up!"
It was her own voice—or rather, the voice of her younger self.
I think I'm starting to remember something...
But just then, Ganyu's voice turned sharply serious. "Be careful! Monsters are approaching."
Huh?
Qin Yu's train of thought was abruptly shattered. Irritated, she looked up and saw a group of Hilichurls closing in. There were quite a few of them—roughly a dozen or so.
Drawn by the commotion, the Hilichurls had likely arrived to investigate. Sensing their hostility, Qin Yu's anger flared.
I was trying to think! What business do you have barging in? The more she stewed, the more frustrated she became. She had finally grasped a fleeting memory, only for it to shatter instantly, leaving her no closer to recalling it.
"Please step back. I'll handle this," Ganyu said earnestly.
"That won't be necessary."
"Hmm?"
Qin Yu took a deep breath. "Let me do it."
I'll blast every last one of you away.
As a Hilichurl charged forward brandishing a torch, Qin Yu didn't flinch. Instead, she reached into the air, summoning a long, black metal crate that materialized before her. Gripping the handle, she twisted her body and swung the crate in a powerful arc.
The Hilichurl went flying backward with a crash.
Thud! Qin Yu slammed the crate onto the ground, its weight causing a resounding impact.
The sheer mass of the crate was evident; no ordinary person could have lifted it. Only Qin Yu, with her exceptional physical strength, could wield it.
Bending down, she retrieved a slender, USB-like Armament Key and inserted it into a slot near the handle.
Instantly, the black metal crate unfolded, its components transforming and assembling into a sleek, weaponized launcher.
Qin Yu lifted the launcher, straightened up, and pulled the trigger.
The muzzle flashed, and with a thunderous roar, the Hilichurls were blasted apart, leaving scorched craters in the ground.
But she wasn't finished yet. Qin Yu squeezed the trigger three more times, firing the remaining shells. After this merciless barrage, not a single Hilichurl remained.
With the ammunition exhausted, the launcher reverted to its original metallic box form, and the Armament Key automatically ejected.
Whew... That felt much better, Qin Yu thought, deactivating the Skill. The metallic box and Armament Key vanished.
Just as I suspected, this Skill is incredibly powerful.
-
Armament Platform 1 - When activated, this Skill automatically summons the "Armament Platform" weapon to your hand. By using different types of "Armament Keys," you can transform the Armament Platform into corresponding modes. Once the ammunition is depleted, you must reuse an Armament Key. Each activation of an Armament Key or use of this Skill to summon the "Armament Platform" weapon consumes a significant amount of stamina. Currently, the only usable Key type is "Barrage."
Armament Platform—A versatile heavy weapon with multiple modes, obtainable only through skills. Its power, range, ammunition capacity, and rate of fire vary depending on the mode used. Even without activating any specific mode, it functions as a devastating melee weapon capable of smashing enemies away, though it's notoriously difficult to control.
Armament Platform: Barrage—A special mode activated by loading the "Armament Key" and transforming the platform, obtainable only through skills. It boasts immense destructive power, a slower rate of fire, extremely high-velocity projectiles, and superior accuracy. The magazine holds four rounds, each dealing splash damage. Perhaps this is your first step toward becoming a Humanoid Gundam.
-
Beyond Barrage Mode, there are other configurations such as Heavy Machine Gun Mode, Grenade Launcher Mode, Rifle Mode, Great Sword Mode, and more. Each requires its corresponding "Armament Key" to unlock.
These "Armament Keys" can only be acquired by unlocking the relevant skill branches.
Armament Key: Barrage—An auxiliary skill of the Armament Platform. Once the Armament Platform is activated, this skill automatically triggers, instantly adding the item "Armament Key: Barrage" to your inventory.
Overall, the skill had tremendous potential for growth, and it wouldn't be unreasonable to consider it her ultimate move.
But let's put that aside for now.
After blasting away the Hilichurl horde, Qin Yu's scattered thoughts momentarily reconnected.
Though she still couldn't fully recall what had happened, one thing came back to her.
The innocent voice echoed in her mind once more.
"Here, this is for you. Stay strong!"
Qin Yu turned to Ganyu, who was still stunned and hadn't fully regained her composure. Her lips barely moved as she spoke.
"Um..."
Hearing Qin Yu's voice finally snapped Ganyu back to reality.
For a moment, she was bewildered by the weapon Qin Yu had wielded. It didn't resemble any Adeptus Clan mechanism, yet its destructive power was certainly enough to protect her.
Then, Ganyu couldn't help but marvel at Qin Yu's transformation.
That little girl... I never imagined she'd grow into such a capable young woman. Time truly works in mysterious ways... It's a pity she doesn't remember our meeting anymore.
She won't even call me by that nickname again.
"Are you alright, Ganyu... Sister Ganyu?"
"Eh?"
Qin Yu remembered.
"Here, this is for you. Cheer up, Sister Ganyu!" Qin Yu couldn't remember when or where she had said those words.
She didn't recall what she had given Ganyu, nor why she had given it. But she remembered the phrase itself.
Because Ganyu had smiled at her when she heard it.
"Thank you..." Ganyu had even patted her head.
Growing up, Qin Yu could only recall three people who had ever patted her head: her teachers, an eccentric rich woman, and... and who else?
Her memories grew hazy.
In any case, she could now add Ganyu to that list.
She hadn't realized she had other close acquaintances from her past. But it seemed her connection with Ganyu had been limited to that single, fleeting encounter.
"Qin Yu... do you remember now?" Ganyu asked, her expression complicated.
"No, haha... I just recalled meeting you, Miss Ganyu, and calling you 'Sister.' That's all I remember."
Still, the strange sense of familiarity she had felt during their "first meeting" hadn't been a delusion after all.
What about Keqing? I felt that same familiarity with her... But Keqing denied any prior connection. She claimed she had bought the toy ring from a street stall as a child.
Perhaps my familiarity with Keqing and the nostalgia I felt were just illusions. After all, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't recall the childhood playmate who gave me the toy ring.
Qin Yu's thoughts kept drifting, pulling her mind away from the present.
It was Ganyu's voice that brought her back to reality.
"So that's how it is... You've remembered some things. Cloud Retainer also mentioned this possibility... Um, I-I'm sorry for pretending not to recognize you earlier," Ganyu said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, her gaze darting nervously.
Come to think of it, why did she have to pretend not to know me?
The situation was becoming increasingly tangled, and Qin Yu felt a headache coming on.
"It's alright. I'm sure you had a good reason. I won't blame you, Miss Ganyu," Qin Yu said, partly to reassure herself and partly to maintain her public persona.
"Really?" Ganyu whispered.
"Yes. I'm sure you did it for my own good. I trust you. Besides, I'm just relieved to have remembered something so important..."
Ganyu let out a deep sigh of relief. As long as Qin Yu didn't hold it against her, everything would be alright.
Far from being upset, Qin Yu openly admitted that recalling their shared memories brought her joy. Ganyu felt a similar warmth, but her heart sank slightly when she remembered Qin Yu's earlier address of "Miss Ganyu"—a term that felt distant and regrettable.
Evaluation: D
Ganyu realized it wouldn't be proper to continue chatting there. "Shall we head back?" she suggested. "My work here is finished, and I figured you were looking for me because you have something for me to do. Let's discuss it back at the office."
Qin Yu nodded, though she longed to sit down and rest. Still, work came first.
Suddenly, Ganyu remembered she hadn't yet given Qin Yu the Sweet Flower.
Her task had been simple and quickly completed, but on her way back, the flower's sweet aroma had distracted her, leading to Qin Yu's unexpected encounter with her in that vulnerable state.
The moment Ganyu caught the flower's fragrance, she felt an overwhelming urge to devour it. But reason prevailed.
I must maintain my figure!
"Oh, before we go..." Ganyu reluctantly offered the Sweet Flower. "Please, accept this."
Not again!
Seeing Qin Yu hesitate, Ganyu tilted her head and asked with an imploring, tearful expression, "You... don't want it?"
"Whoa, she's pulling out that move already... Well, I guess I have no choice."
Qin Yu couldn't withstand Ganyu's persistence and forced a smile. "Alright, thank you very much."
Even after Qin Yu accepted the Sweet Flower, Ganyu's gaze remained fixed on it. Only when Qin Yu tucked it into her bag did Ganyu let out a soft, regretful "Ah."
If she's so reluctant to let it go, why give it to me in the first place?
"Actually, I think I should give it back—"
Qin Yu stopped mid-sentence. As she reached for the flower, Ganyu gripped her arm, preventing her from taking it out.
"No need," Ganyu said firmly.
"But you seemed so..." Qin Yu trailed off, unsure how to phrase it.
"It's nothing," Ganyu replied.