Alright, here we go again. Another day, another material run. This time, it's Lumine's sword that needs some extra oomph. Like, seriously, what is it with these swords? It's like they need a million Amethyst Lumps or something every time she decides to upgrade. I'm starting to think she's just collecting rocks at this point.
"Shigeru, stop complaining. It's just a few more materials, okay?" Lumine's voice cuts through my thoughts as we approach the area.
"Pfft, easy for you to say. You're not the one out here doing all the work," I grumble, my hand already on my sword hilt. I swear, if I have to swing this thing one more time...
Paimon, being Paimon, floats up beside me with a grin plastered on her face. "Well, at least this time, you'll get to punch things! You love punching things!"
I chuckle, "You know me too well, Paimon. I do love a good squabble."
And squabble we did. The moment we stepped into the field to collect Amethyst Lumps, the Nobushi and Kairagi showed up, as if they were on a permanent break from common sense. Seriously, do these guys have nothing better to do than just lurk around like a bunch of glorified idiots? Whatever. Punching time!
"Hey, you!" I shout, already running towards the nearest Kairagi. "Didn't I see you last time when I was looking for materials for my own sword? You guys just follow me around, don't you?"
The Kairagi stumbles back, clearly confused. But that's not stopping me. I leap forward and land a solid punch right on his face. Ah, the sweet sound of satisfying crunching.
"Shigeru, we're supposed to be collecting materials, not picking fights!" Lumine calls out, already busy with her own battle.
"You say that like it's my fault," I retort, dodging a poorly aimed sword swing. "If they don't want to get punched, they should stay out of my way."
Paimon giggles from above, "Good one, Shigeru!"
Honestly, I can't help it. I just end up picking fights with anyone and anything that breathes, moves, or even just looks at me wrong. Which, let's face it, is all of Teyvat. It's like there's an unspoken rule: If something can fight, it will. And if it doesn't... well, I'll just fight it anyway.
After clearing out the Nobushi and Kairagi, I spot a few random Hilichurls standing around doing... absolutely nothing. Normally, I'd leave them alone. But today, I'm feeling particularly chaotic.
"Hey, you!" I shout at the nearest Hilichurl. It stares at me blankly. "Get up, you lazy sack of bone and flesh. You're not gonna stand there and do nothing while I work my ass off for this sword upgrade."
Paimon facepalms, "Shigeru, not again..."
I don't even wait for the Hilichurl to respond, and before it knows what hit it, it's flying through the air. The best part? It didn't even put up a fight. I'm starting to think I'm just too good at this.
"Alright, alright, I'm done bullying random creatures," I say, wiping my hands on my clothes, a satisfied grin creeping onto my face.
Lumine gives me that look again, the one that makes me question my life choices. She probably regrets traveling with me and Paimon at this point.
"Yeah, well, we're still not done, Shigeru," she says, clearly annoyed but not surprised.
After what feels like an eternity of squabbles and unnecessary violence, we finally gather the last of the materials. I can't even tell you how many times we've been interrupted by random Ruin Guards popping out of nowhere, Fatui agents trying to cause chaos, and sentinels doing what sentinels do best—be annoying as hell.
I'm covered in dirt, sweat, and the occasional random monster slime, but we made it. Materials in hand. Victory, of a sort.
"Man," I mutter as we head back to the blacksmith, "I just noticed something. Every damn place we go, we end up fighting something. I'm starting to think it's just me. Every creature that breathes, I have to fight. Even those damn Ruin Sentinels."
Paimon looks at me like I just said something incredibly profound. "Maybe your bad luck's rubbing off on us now."
"Hey! I'm not the one causing chaos! It's the universe conspiring against me, okay? Not my fault I'm popular with the monsters of Teyvat."
Lumine just sighs, crossing her arms. "I think you've just made a habit out of picking fights, Shigeru."
I laugh. "You're probably right."
By the time we reach Hajime's blacksmith shop, I'm ready to collapse. My muscles are sore, and all I want is to sit down, put my feet up, and maybe throw a few punches at some random passerby. But I've got a job to do—Lumine's new sword needs to be forged.
Hajime's hammering away, like he always does. He's got that focused look in his eyes, his brow furrowed in concentration as he pounds away at the metal. For a second, I almost feel bad for him. The dude never stops working. It's like his life's purpose is to hammer and forge weapons that might save the world, or maybe just be part of some bigger plotline.
"Hey, Hajime, do you ever take a break?" I ask, leaning against the doorframe.
He doesn't even look up. "No time for breaks. You know how it is."
"Yeah, yeah, just asking." I yawn and stretch. "You're the best blacksmith in Teyvat, Hajime. You should take a day off, maybe sleep in for once. Or get a snack. You look like you could use one."
At that, he grunts in response. Typical.
And just like that, after a few more moments of hammering, clanging, and an absurd amount of bang sounds, Lumine's new weapon is ready. She takes it in her hands with a smile, clearly pleased.
"Looks like we're done," she says, and I can't help but laugh at the sight of her holding that newly forged weapon.
"Yeah, congrats on the shiny new sword. What's next, huh? Saving Teyvat again?"
Lumine doesn't answer, but she doesn't need to. The look on her face says it all: She's ready for whatever nonsense is coming next. And me? I'm just along for the ride, hoping I can punch something along the way.
***
I don't know how to describe it.
One second, I was being my usual dumbass self, showing off Lumine's new sword like it was some kind of legendary relic forged in the core of Celestia. I might've even struck a pose. You know, the one with the squinty eyes and dramatic whisper like, "Only the chosen may wield this blade…"
And then—
Boom.
Like a silent punch in the gut. Cold. Sharp. Instant.
Something just clicked—or snapped—in my head, and for the first time in who-knows-how-long, I felt my blood run cold. My heart dropped. My skin turned pale. No jokes. No inner monologues about meat skewers. Not even a smartass comment about Paimon's floating head.
Gone.
"Shigeru?" Lumine asked, and her voice sounded... distant. Like it was behind a wall of water.
"Are you alright?"
I blinked. I couldn't even answer. My mouth was open, but nothing came out.
I just muttered—"Fuck... Let's hurry. Now. To Komore Teahouse!"
We ran.
And by ran, I mean sprinted like hell was chasing us. I barely registered the scenery as we blurred past Narukami Island. The scent of dango, the sounds of merchants, the sun filtering through the sakura trees—none of it mattered. My body moved on its own, driven by something dark twisting in my gut.
I knew something was wrong.
And not the usual "Oops, I broke a pot" wrong.
I'm talking world-ending wrong.
The second I stepped into the teahouse, I froze.
No laughter. No chatter. No smell of tea.
Just... silence.
A wrong kind of silence. One that felt like grief already lingered in the air before we arrived.
I started calling out.
"Thoma?! Hey! This isn't funny, man! Don't tell me you actually overslept again, you lazy—"
Nothing.
My voice echoed back at me like the walls were mocking me.
"Thoma!"
"Thoma, I swear! If you're playing hide-and-seek right now, I swear I'm gonna knock you into next week!"
Still nothing.
I cursed under my breath and started tearing through rooms. Sliding doors. Cabinets. Behind the counter. Under the goddamn cushions.
I was ready to check the goddamn tea pots if it meant I'd find him.
And then—
"Ayaka?!"
She stepped into the room like a ghost from a fever dream. Her kimono fluttered slightly, but her face...
Her face said it all.
"Have either of you seen Thoma?" she asked.
Her voice was steady—but her eyes, they were screaming.
I turned to her slowly. My fists clenched.
"…Shit," I muttered, my jaw tightening. "They got him."
Ayaka's whole body went stiff.
"No… no, no, no, it can't be!"
She stepped back, shaking her head. Her composure was starting to crack, and I don't think I'd ever seen that happen before.
Even Lumine and Paimon were stunned.
This wasn't the Ayaka we knew—the composed, soft-spoken noble of the Kamisato Clan. No. This was just... a girl trying not to break.
"I—I wasn't sure if it was real," she said, her voice trembling. "I heard rumors, but I didn't want to believe them. That's why I came here. But if he's not here, like we planned…"
She looked down. Her fingers were trembling.
"…then the rumors must be true."
"What rumors?" Lumine asked carefully.
Ayaka looked up at us, her lips trembling.
"The Raiden Shogun is holding a Vision Hunt Ceremony today… at the Statue of the Omnipresent God. To mark the 100th Vision seized under the decree…"
She paused.
And I swear, the world paused with her.
"…And the 100th Vision bearer—the one she plans to seize today…"
She inhaled shakily.
"…I fear… is Thoma."
That was it.
That was the last thread holding me together.
Gone.
And something inside me shattered.
Not just broke. Shattered.
Like porcelain beneath a hammer.
The rage came slow, like a storm cloud building on the horizon. At first, it was silent. Then it roared.
My fists clenched so hard I could feel my nails digging into my palms.
I wasn't joking anymore.
I stepped forward and pulled Ayaka into a tight hug.
She needed it.
And honestly… I needed it too.
My hand gently brushed her hair as I whispered close to her ear.
"Don't worry…"
My voice was low. Serious. Deadly calm.
"…I'll settle the score with her."
Ayaka looked up, her eyes wide and brimming with fear.
I pulled away and forced a grin—empty and broken, but I didn't want Ayaka to see me unravel.
"Wait here."
And with that…
I stepped back and summoned my second blade—Prototype Rancour.
"To hell with waiting at the Tenshukaku," I muttered.
"I will destroy her today."
Lumine blinked. "Shigeru—"
The weight of it felt right in my hand. Heavy. Real.
As I walked, I could feel it—my body reacting. Energy swirled around me, raw and angry. Electro fused with anemo, sparking and thrumming against my skin. It wasn't elegant or graceful.
It was chaos.
Controlled only by my will.
I didn't care if the Archons themselves stood in my way.
I didn't care if I was labeled a traitor or heretic.
If anything happened to Thoma—if that damned puppet of a god laid even a finger on him—
I would tear down the entire system.
Piece by piece.
Until nothing remained but ash and shattered Visions.
Even if it meant standing alone.
Even if it meant I wouldn't come back.
Lumine and Paimon followed without question.
And me?
I wasn't thinking anymore.
Just—
If Thoma dies… I'll tear this nation apart.
Even if I have to face the Shogun herself.
Even if I have to face God.
____________________________
End of Chapter 53
Quests Completed:
*Prepare for an inevitable battle as tensions rise around the Vision Hunt Ceremony.
*Recognize that the Vision Hunt Ceremony is in full motion, and Thoma may be its next target.
*Provide emotional support to Ayaka, who is in distress over Thoma's possible fate.
*Forge armor and prepare for the imminent confrontation with the Raiden Shogun.
Rewards:
*+500 EXP in "Vision Hunt Crisis Management"
* +300 EXP in "Emotional Resilience"
*+10 Reputation Increase with the Yashiro Commission
*+5 Komare Tea House Appreciation
*+1 Lightning-Fueled Fury
*+2 Warrior's Resolve Buff
Achievements:
"Unbreakable Resolve"
-Push through anger and fear, choosing to face a god in battle to protect those you care about.
"Charged for Battle"
-Forge a path of power and preparation, enhancing Shigeru's combat readiness with Electro and Anemo-infused armor.