These two Kairagi were much larger than Elliot, their bodies shrouded in black mist. The blades in their hands crackled with violet lightning and blazing red flames.
Kairagi were already tough enemies on their own—but two of them, both at max level?
"Take this!"
Swish!
In an instant—
Fire and lightning burst out of thin air as the two Kairagi streaked forward, leaving afterimages behind them as they slashed down at Elliot.
Bang!!!
A sharp clang rang out—Elliot had blocked the attack with his spear, sparks flying wildly from the point of impact.
"So heavy..."
Boom!!!!
A shallow crater erupted around Elliot as the shockwave exploded outward. His feet were now buried deep in the ground, and his hands trembled as he gripped the spear.
"I can't move..."
As the two Kairagi ramped up their strength, pressing down harder, a bead of cold sweat trickled down Elliot's forehead.
"Flame Flash!"
In an instant, Elliot vanished from the spot. When he reappeared, he was above the spear and snatched it back into his grip.
Thrown off balance by the sudden loss of resistance, the two Kairagi staggered forward.
Elliot's fingers were already pressed against their abdomens.
"Inch Fist!"
With just an inch of motion, his palm shifted into a fist and unleashed a devastating burst of force.
Boom!!!!!!!
A dull grunt rang out as the two Kairagi were blasted away like missiles, crashing through trees and slamming into the ground. They skipped across the earth like pebbles on water, bouncing five or six times before finally dragging to a halt, leaving a deep scar in the soil.
But even before they landed, Elliot had already kicked off the flaming ground and chased after them, sparks trailing in his wake.
The moment the Kairagi got back up, Elliot was already upon them, spear in hand.
"Goodbye."
Swish!
He swung the spear in a wide arc toward their heads.
"One strike is all it takes!"
But just then, Elliot's instincts screamed—his hair stood on end, and his pupils darted to the side.
Another Kairagi, wreathed in lightning, was lunging at him with a blade!
There was no time to recover the spear!
He spun midair, twisting his body behind the spear.
Bang!
Thud!!!
"Grandpa!!!" Hu Tao's eyes went wide as she screamed out in panic.
Elliot was blasted away, a metallic taste rising in his throat as he slammed into a massive tree like a missile. His spine took the full brunt of the impact. Blood sprayed from his mouth like spilled ink.
"Damn it..."
"Let me test my blade on you!"
The second Flame Kairagi gave him no time to breathe, charging in to finish the job.
Elliot tore himself free from the tree—
Swish!
Just as he leapt away, the tree was cleaved clean in half by the Kairagi's blade.
He immediately retreated and shouted, "Don't come out!!"
His face was now darkened, his expression completely grim.
Four max-level Kairagi.
Two with lightning, two with fire...
It couldn't get any worse.
He might've had a chance earlier, but now—they were clearly trying to kill him.
Elliot glanced back. Hu Tao was covering her mouth, eyes wide with tears welling up.
Despite the searing pain and blood flowing from his lips, he forced a confident smile.
He couldn't let Little Tao worry.
That was his only thought.
"Do I really have to use that move...? But... the backlash is irreversible."
Even as he hesitated, the four Kairagi rushed in at once!
"Grandpa, get out of the way!!!"
Hu Tao, seeing her grandpa frozen in place, stepped forward in panic.
A single tear sparkled and slipped down her cheek.
"Unseal—Candle Dragon Fire Dance."
Boom!!!!!!!
A torrent of flames shot skyward, lighting up the night sky like a beacon.
The Millelith soldiers rushing over noticed immediately.
Even the people in Liyue Harbor turned to look.
A dragon beneath the heavens—
A dragon made of fire!
All four Kairagi's attacks stopped short, blocked by the blazing form of the giant dragon.
Hu Tao stood stunned by the sight, her eyes locked onto Elliot in disbelief.
She couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"Die."
Elliot spoke quietly.
The candle dragon opened its jaws and unleashed a massive breath of fire, instantly swallowing all four Kairagi.
Four max-level Kairagi—gone.
Not one remained.
The candle dragon dissolved into the void.
Elliot looked down at the fresh red Higanbana blooming on his chest and furrowed his brow slightly.
Then, as always, a warm smile returned to his face as he walked toward Hu Tao.
"Well? Pretty awesome, right?" Elliot said proudly.
Hu Tao was still dazed, her teary eyes staring blankly at him.
Then, tears began to well up again.
"Grandpa, you scared me so much!"
She threw herself into his arms, sobbing like a frightened kitten.
"There, there~" Elliot gently stroked her soft hair and comforted her.
"Waaah…"
"It's okay now… it's all over…"
...
Soon after, the Millelith arrived. Once Elliot explained everything, they took it very seriously and promised a full investigation.
Elliot and Hu Tao returned to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Hu Tao, still shaken, fell asleep early that night.
In the middle of the night, Elliot stirred and opened his eyes—only to find Hu Tao had crawled into his bed again.
Ever since she'd discovered that coffins were surprisingly comfortable, she'd often slept in them. But sneaking into bed like this hadn't happened in a long time.
"What's wrong, Little Tao? Can't sleep?" Elliot asked, looking at her wide eyes.
"I wish Grandpa wasn't Grandpa..." Hu Tao murmured softly, staring into his eyes.
"Hm? Why do you say that?"
Elliot raised a brow—her words were a bit strange.
"Because... because..."
Her cheeks flushed red, her gaze drifting. Who knew what thoughts were spinning in that little head of hers?
Elliot didn't press—just smiled gently, waiting for her answer.
"Because... if you weren't Grandpa, then Hu Tao could..."
She trailed off, face now blazing hot. She turned away quickly and buried herself in the covers, heart pounding wildly.
Elliot hadn't expected her to say something like that...
She really was too precocious.
"That's not okay, Little Tao," he said softly.
Hu Tao twitched, turning around with a shocked look.
"Why...? Doesn't Grandpa like Hu Tao?"
He gently flicked her forehead.
"Grandpa does like Little Tao—but not the way a husband loves a wife. And Little Tao likes Grandpa—but not in that way either."
"Not... in that way?"
There were different kinds of love?
Hu Tao found that a bit hard to grasp.
But that was okay.
As long as Grandpa liked her, that was enough.