None of them were ordinary people.
Amber had her Vision, Lumine held Anemo power, and Jiang Chen's abilities were… well, beyond ridiculous.
As for Paimon?
…Best not compare her to normal either.
Thanks to everyone's mobility, they reached Mondstadt just as night fell.
"It's late," Amber said.
"Stay at this hotel for tonight. I'll go report to Acting Grand Master Jean."
"I'll find you tomorrow."
She helped the three check into a room—
and even handed Jiang Chen a pouch of Mora.
She knew they didn't have local currency.
Jiang Chen took the money without hesitation.
It wasn't much—about a thousand Mora—
but enough for dinner.
(They actually had found a little while camping, but barely a hundred Mora.)
Still, Mora's value was about the same as his old world's currency.
A thousand was plenty.
Amber hurried off.
Jiang Chen looked at Lumine.
"Go shower first."
"Then we'll eat."
Paimon immediately panicked.
"You better wait for us! Don't you dare go without me!"
Her eyes were full of suspicion.
Lumine rolled her eyes.
"If you don't hurry, we really won't wait."
Paimon squeaked and zoomed after her.
After settling in, Jiang Chen took a long, hot shower.
Two days in Teyvat, and he'd more or less accepted his new reality.
Especially since he now had obscene levels of power.
Drying himself with magic, he checked his storage space—
mostly fruits, mushrooms, Hilichurl masks.
All sellable.
He'd deal with them after dinner.
Not long after, Paimon hammered on the door.
"Jiang Chen! Hurry! Let's eat!!"
He opened up and found Lumine with damp hair.
He raised a brow.
"Could you be any more impatient? Your hair is still wet."
Before she could react, Jiang Chen rested his hand lightly on her shoulder—
warmth spread instantly through her body.
Her hair dried in seconds.
Lumine's cheeks reddened.
"…Thanks."
Then she glared at Paimon.
"All your fault. Someone wouldn't stop rushing me."
"Didn't even have time for a proper bath."
"Hehehe, I was hungry!" Paimon said sheepishly.
They headed downstairs and walked through quiet nighttime Mondstadt.
Because of the dragon crisis, far fewer citizens were outside.
Only a handful of adventurers staggered toward the tavern.
Figures. Mondstadt drunks and oversized man-children. Classic.
They entered the Good Hunter restaurant and took a table.
Jiang Chen ordered modestly—just what they could afford.
Paimon stared at the plates, horrified.
"Is… is that all?"
"It doesn't look like enough…"
"Shouldn't we order more?"
Jiang Chen slowly turned toward her.
"Listen carefully."
"This—" he pointed at the food, "—is already enough."
"And do you have money?"
"We only have so much. What else do you expect?"
Paimon shut her mouth instantly.
"After tonight," Jiang Chen continued, "we won't have anything left for breakfast."
He sighed dramatically.
"Lumine… if it comes to it, maybe we should sell Paimon."
"Hey—HEY?!"
Paimon froze mid-air.
"Sell her," Jiang Chen said seriously.
"Brings in money. Removes a burden."
Lumine's eyes lit up.
"…That does sound reasonable."
Because who knew better than Lumine how much Paimon could eat?
Traveling alone was easy.
Traveling with Paimon meant hunting enough food for ten.
Days' worth of supplies?
Gone in a single meal.
"W-wait!!"
"You two are terrible!!"
"You're really thinking of selling Paimon?!"
Her frantic shrieking turned heads around the restaurant.
Adventurers chuckled under their breath.
"You eat too much," Lumine complained flatly.
"We can't afford to keep you."
At Lumine's serious expression, Paimon panicked.
"I'll eat less!!"
"Really!! Don't sell me!!"
Lumine smiled, satisfied.
"If you eat less, I can afford you."
"So I won't sell you."
"R-really?! Great!"
"You're the best, Lumine!!"
Paimon instantly flew behind her, kneading Lumine's shoulders like a little bootlicker.
Jiang Chen couldn't help laughing.
Just then, their food arrived.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon