Belobog Overworld.
Edge of Passage.
"I didn't expect you to experience such things in the Robot Settlement. It's truly incredible," Natasha said emotionally after hearing Seele's account.
"So, I want to go to the Overworld with Takagi and the others. Takagi plans to change the situation in Belobog, and I must contribute," Seele said solemnly.
Natasha: "In that case, I have no reason to refuse."
Seele: "You agreed?"
Natasha: "Yes. Besides, I will go with you, too."
"You're going too? What about your patients?" Seele asked.
Natasha shook her head. "There are no patients left. Thanks to the Light Cone Takagi gave me, I have already cured everyone in the clinic and those outside that I knew of. I think it should be fine if I leave for a short while. I believe Oleg and Luka will handle things well. Moreover, now that I know the situation regarding the Stellaron and Takagi's plan, I cannot remain indifferent."
Suddenly hearing about a matter as significant as the Stellaron, Natasha—like Seele—could not just wait quietly in the Underworld for news.
"Takagi, what do you think?" Seele asked, looking at Takagi.
"No problem. Bringing one person is the same as bringing two." Takagi shrugged. In his mind, he had only completed half of Natasha's companion mission. Bringing her to the Overworld meant he could look for her brother's research notes. If he could find them, it would be a perfect conclusion to her story.
Natasha: "Thank you, Takagi."
Takagi waved his hand. "We are familiar enough with each other; there's no need for extra thanks. I assume you still have arrangements to make. I'll wait for you over by Lumine and the others."
With that, Takagi walked toward Jean, Barbara, and the others, who were taking a short break while trying the unique food of the Underworld.
Natasha did not keep Takagi waiting long. She quickly finished her arrangements and joined him with Seele. Just then, Jean and the others had also finished resting. Takagi led them along the map provided by Svarog and arrived at the Overworld. Specifically, they reached the Edge of Passage.
"What is this place? Why is it so desolate? Is this really the prosperous Overworld you mentioned, Takagi?" Paimon asked doubtfully, looking at the quiet surroundings.
"This place... is very similar to Rivet Town. It must be a place corroded by the Fragmentum," Seele said, frowning.
Takagi nodded slightly. "That's right. This is not the Administrative District of Belobog, but the Edge of Passage. It is a place corroded by the Fragmentum. The residents have already evacuated. Perhaps only the Silvermane Guards come here to eradicate monsters."
Takagi had learned from Svarog that the Belobog furnace core road led to multiple places. One path came out within this passage. He decided to bring the Teyvat group here first. If his memory was correct, this place had monsters strong enough to train Jean and the others.
Seele looked at Takagi confusedly. "Why did you specifically bring us here instead of the Administrative District?"
Takagi smiled at Jean, Lumine, Klee, and Paimon. "I told you before, Seele. My purpose is to broaden their horizons. That isn't just letting them see the scenery; it includes training them."
Seele: "Training? You want them to become stronger through combat?"
Takagi nodded again.
"So, Takagi, you want us to fight monsters here?" Paimon asked in fear.
"To be precise, I want Lumine and the others to fight. Paimon, have you ever fought from beginning to end? You also have the possibility of stepping onto a Path through combat," Takagi said.
"Hehehe, someone as weak as me... let's forget about it." Paimon rubbed the back of her head sheepishly.
"Takagi, are there monsters stronger than the Outworld Blaze in this place?" Jean asked.
"If we are lucky, we might encounter the Decaying Shadow. Her strength is greater than the Outworld Blaze." Takagi nodded. "It's worth mentioning that the Decaying Shadow is not just a monster composed of Fragmentum energy. It is a monster modified by combining the data of strong individuals who originally existed in Belobog."
[Alhaitham: A monster modified... Can we see it so soon?]
[Grand Sage Azar: Isn't this great? It can prove that the Fragmentum indeed has the power to transform people into monsters.]
[Dehya: No, do you people really want to witness the scene of people being transformed into monsters?]
[Dunyarzad: The idea of people turning into monsters... that can't be true, right?]
[Furina: That's right! Takagi was probably just making a joke.]
[Dottore: If it's just a joke, that would be truly regrettable. I am very eager to see just how powerful beings transformed from humans into Rift Monsters can be. They absolutely must not be weaker than that Outworld Blaze. If they are, the battle would be far less interesting.]
[Dehya: This Doctor... isn't he a bit too crazy?]
[Keqing: The Fatui are always like this. Speaking of which, the Outworld Blaze had the power to pressure Acting Grand Master Jean. How powerful must this Decaying Shadow be?]
[Madame Ping: Jean is one of the best among Vision users. If the Decaying Shadow is stronger, then it must be at the level of the Adepti, I presume.]
[Moon Carver: It's merely a monster born from the Fragmentum. I imagine it doesn't possess abilities beyond those of an Adeptus.]
[Madame Ping: Whether it is or not, we will know by watching.]
[Kaeya: If monsters like the Decaying Shadow possess Adepti-level abilities, can Barbara and the others handle it? Ah, it's truly troubling.]
"Huh, the sound of thunder... Traveler, did you hear it?" Paimon perked up her ears.
Lumine: "There is indeed the sound of thunder, and also a woman's voice."
"The sound is coming from over there. Should we go take a look, Takagi?" Paimon turned around, but Takagi's figure was nowhere to be seen. "No way, he's disappeared again? Wait... this situation... could it be a precursor to a battle?"
Earlier, when they encountered the Outworld Blaze, Takagi had disappeared the same way.
"Regardless, let's go take a look. Everyone, be careful," Jean summoned her weapon and led the way toward the sound.
At the same time, on the other side.
"Damn monsters, why are there so many! Is it because this place is too close to the Fragmentum?" Serval held her electric guitar, her expression grim as she looked at the surrounding Everwinter Shadewalkers. She also looked at the Fragmentum rift ahead, which was releasing grey, smog-like energy.
Just then, an Everwinter Shadewalker swung its axe from behind Serval.
"Oh no!" Serval felt the wind and tried to turn, but it was already too late to defend. Just when she thought she was about to take a heavy hit, the monster was suddenly sent flying.
"Huh?" Serval stared blankly at the flying monster, then at the man retracting his fist.
Serval: "Uh, thank you. My name is Serval, what's yours?"
"I'm Takagi." He nodded at her, then apologized.
As Takagi spoke, he picked up Serval in a princess carry. Serval was startled, but before she could protest, she saw the other monsters swinging their weapons toward them. As the scenery receded, she realized they had escaped the encirclement.
"Phew, that was close. It's a good thing you were here." Serval let out a sigh of relief. "Uh, can you put me down now?"
"Of course." Takagi put her down and casually released a Preservation shield in front of them. It blocked the monsters trying to continue the attack. Seeing the Everwinter Shadewalkers blocked by the golden energy shield, Serval's eyes lit up.
"Your shield is quite impressive. It seems even better than my brother's shield. Wait... a golden shield! I saw some records... the first Supreme Guardian had the ability to summon golden shields," Serval said in surprise. Just as she was about to ask more, footsteps approached.
"Huh, Takagi, why are you here! And who is she?" Lumine asked in surprise.
"I heard a voice here, so I came over first. As for this lady, she is Ms. Serval. She runs a mechanical repair shop in the Overworld. However, because she likes music, her shop is closed year-round. Therefore, she has almost no money on hand," Takagi said.
"You know me too well, don't you?" Serval said in surprise.
"Not a Silvermane Guard? How did you end up here?" Natasha asked curiously.
Serval sighed. "Haha, I was just short of a few parts. I remembered there were parts I needed here in the Edge of Passage, so I thought I'd try my luck. I didn't find the parts, but I encountered some Silvermane Guards fighting monsters. I thought I should help, but I didn't save anyone and fell into danger myself. If it weren't for Takagi, I would be in a bad state."
Serval gave Takagi a grateful look, then looked toward the rift with regret. Everyone looked over and discovered several Silvermane Guards who had fallen near the rift.
"The wounds are still fresh; they must have died recently. However, are the Silvermane Guards in the Overworld this weak? They can't even defeat those monsters," Seele said, frowning.
"Are those monsters very weak?" Paimon looked curiously at the Everwinter Shadewalkers blocked by Takagi's shield.
"Those are Everwinter Shadewalkers. Their strength is not much different from the Incineration Shadows you saw before; they just have different attributes," Takagi said.
Hearing they were weak, Paimon breathed a sigh of relief.
"If it was just these Everwinter Shadewalkers, they wouldn't have defeated those Silvermane Guards. Actually, there was a Decaying Shadow staying here before. Most of the guards were killed by it. I spent a lot of effort repelling it into the rift. Our attacks weren't of much use against it. It won't be long before it runs out of that rift again," Serval said with a wry smile.
"So that's how it is. That explains it. The Serval I know shouldn't be unable to deal with those Everwinter Shadewalkers," Takagi nodded.
Serval: "You seem to know me well?"
Takagi: "Just a little."
Serval: "Like what?"
Takagi: "The stockings are great!"
Serval: "..."
To the side, Natasha looked at the stockings on Serval's legs, then at her own. For a moment, she fell into deep thought.
"Just a joke, don't mind it." Takagi smiled. "Belobog's most outstanding mechanic. Formerly a researcher in the Architects' Technical Department, Supreme Guardian Cocolia's best friend. This is the you I know."
Serval: "It seems you really know me. Did we know each other before?" Serval looked Takagi up and down, searching her memory.
"Takagi, you said she's the Supreme Guardian's best friend? Is she with the Guardian?" Seele asked, looking at Serval warily.
"Um, you seem to have some hostility towards me? Is there some misunderstanding?" Serval asked.
"Seele just doesn't like the Supreme Guardian. That's why she's wary of you," Takagi said to Serval, then turned to Seele. "Seele, you don't need to be hostile. Although she was the Supreme Guardian's best friend, that's in the past. When she was about to learn about the Stellaron, Cocolia drove her out and cut off contact."
Paimon immediately exclaimed: "What, this woman is related to the Stellaron?! She... she couldn't have also been swayed by it like the Supreme Guardian, could she?"
Serval: "Huh?! Cocolia was swayed by the Stellaron? What does that mean?"