Dawn light filtered through Caravan Ribat.
Lin Feng, up early, found himself before the ranger team as Tinalari announced the black-haired teen's arrival.
To his surprise, colleagues lit up with joy—like overworked veterans spotting fresh blood in his old world.
Lin Feng sensed trouble brewing.
Tinalari caught his wary look and grinned. "Rangers are civil servants, sure, but rainforest work means harsh weather, beasts, monsters. We're always short-handed."
"Few takers for recruitment. You're doing us a favor—no pressure." He ruffled Lin Feng's hair.
"No need to ease me in. Rainforest's no threat to me." Lin Feng brushed the hand away.
Tinalari meant well, but Lin Feng knew better. If the job was truly awful, young hopefuls wouldn't line up.
Still, he let it slide. Had the tact for that.
Day one: inspect roadside lamps. Glowing plants formed the fixtures—nature's pollution-free pinnacle. Lin Feng marveled.
Lamps done, he checked rain shelters. Smooth workday wrapped.
His stamina and agility drew murmurs. Fitter youths stared, suddenly doubting life choices.
Dusk.
Tinalari tutored literacy as promised.
Lin Feng braced for struggle. Instead, memory and grasp proved sharp—youth's learning edge, perhaps. Progress flew.
"That's it for today."
Tinalari exhaled, shelving texts.
"Ever thought of Akademiya scholarship? Without knowing you started from zero, I'd call this a prank."
"Genius pace, even there."
Praise flowed freely.
"But this syntax? Liyue quirk?"
Tinalari eyed the "foreign-flavored" phrasing. Even prodigies had flaws.
Lin Feng: "..." Got too comfy—slipped into Chinese turns. Teyvat script leaned Western; his fresh attempts birthed "Chinglish" charm.
Tinalari packed up and left. Lin Feng washed, bed-bound.
Next morning, post-scrub, a knock.
Nasrin stood there—yesterday's lamp-check partner, early twenties, soft-spoken fresh grad vibe.
He waved her in. She eyed the tidy bed and room. "So neat! Thought boys your age skipped making beds."
Lin Feng sweated bullets. "Not a kid. I clean up."
She stuck out her tongue, sheepish. "Sorry! You remind me of my brother. If only he matched your drive."
No chit-chat. She set books down, explained:
"Tinalari-senpai says your pace stunned him. Brought ranger essentials early."
Ranger knowledge ran deep—Lin Feng knew. Game NPCs name-dropped the Rainforest Survival Guide; he'd hunted it in vain.
Nasrin slid the stack over. Top one: Rainforest Survival Guide.
"Keep these. Core tools. Lose any, requisition replacements from me." She smiled.
"Yesterday was just a taste. Now, our main duties."
Eyes crinkling, she simplified.
"Us regular rangers handle road checks, facility upkeep, fire patrol, traveler aid. Tedious, low-risk."
Lin Feng got it. Forest service parallel. With his stats and smarts, no sweat.
"Tinalari-senpai tackles high-risk zones solo. Regretfully, no Visions—we can't share that load." Nasrin sighed.
"Which for me?" Lin Feng asked. All doable—even Withering zones, Xiaobai could bulldoze.
Nasrin just smiled. "Team needs a hazard scout."
"Spot new hilichurl camps, rogue beasts. Report to senpai."
"Most of us can't match your physique. Monsters overwhelm." Helpless shrug.
"Too risky pre-assessment, though."
"You'll pair with me on facilities for now."
She rose to leave. Lin Feng walked her out.
"No tasks today. Read up, explore."
Pause. "Rainforest depths dangerous. Steer clear unless needed."
Fresh from crawling out, Lin Feng had no plans to dive back. "Thanks. Got it."
Nasrin gone.
Day-two holiday in hand, Lin Feng scooped Xiaobai and stepped outside.