Chapter 3: I Am Your Long-Lost Brother
"Hey, wake up, hey!"
Through the fog of consciousness, Su Han seemed to hear a childish voice calling his name.
His ears felt a little ticklish—was that warm breath on them?
Su Han clicked his tongue, rolled over, and went back to sleep.
"Uh…"
"Hey!" The voice grew a little impatient.
The next moment, his eyelids were forcibly pried open by a pair of small hands.
I poke, I poke, I poke again…
Su Han: "…"
The soft little hands kept poking his cheeks, as if venting some long-held grievance.
"Stop sleeping! You haven't eaten for a full day and night!"
Under the bright moon and sparse stars, a gentle breeze carried a faint chill.
Su Han rubbed his drowsy eyes and finally woke up completely.
What met his gaze was a tiny white fairy wearing a crown, draped in a starry cloak, her eyes sparkling like the night sky.
Seeing him awake, she froze, guilty, and stopped her poking.
It was at that moment that memories of the system's messages during his unconsciousness flooded back.
Calming himself, Su Han accepted the system's existence and let his consciousness slip into the system space.
[Newbie Gift Pack opened. Congratulations! You've received: 100 Mall Points, one D-grade skill book, 5 bananas.]
[Use the D-grade skill book immediately?]
[Use.]
[Congratulations! You've learned the skill: Windward Escape Lv.1.]
[Windward Escape Lv.1: When activated with your back to enemies, movement speed increases by 10%.]
Not bad—a decent escape skill. Judging by the name, it could probably be upgraded later.
Then Su Han glanced at the banana's stats.
[Banana]: Tender, smooth, and delicious—an imperial-level taste experience far beyond ordinary bananas.]
Huh… bananas aren't bad… but damn it!
Why does every item in my newbie pack have to be either an escape skill or a banana?
Ah, I get it. The system is mocking me, saying I'm good for nothing but running and eating.
[System: Host, please refrain from unfounded speculation. Every item provided by the system has its intended purpose.]
"Ugh… Traveler, this one's probably gone dumb from soaking in seawater. Paimon asked him something and he didn't answer at all…"
"I have an idea! Traveler, look how handsome he is—let's sell him! Sell him to a rich lady and we'll earn tons of Mora!"
The small creature called Paimon waved its tiny arms excitedly.
Su Han: "??"
Foolish little thing… does it want a beating?
Su Han flicked his fingers lightly, and with a smack, Paimon's forehead was tapped.
"Wah! Why did you flick Paimon?" The little one stomped its tiny feet angrily, startled.
"You… saved me?"
"Hmph, that's right. Paimon saved you, and this is how you treat your savior?" Paimon crossed her tiny arms.
"No… I saved you." A girl with pale golden hair stepped forward gracefully.
Her amber-clear eyes gleamed like liquid sunlight, and her soft golden hair was adorned with two translucent, slightly blue-tinted flowers.
Her clothes were equally exquisite and noble, with gold-threaded cloak and boots—impressive at first glance.
"You can call me Lumine, or just the 'Traveler.'"
Paimon, seemingly unbothered by shyness, kept her arms on her hips.
"I see." Su Han nodded faintly.
"I'm Bennett. I always repay kindness. If you ever need help, you can find me in Mondstadt. After all, I am a seasoned adventurer."
"No need for thanks. Farewell!"
With that, Su Han bowed slightly and, turning, met Bennett's gaze behind him.
Bennett's eyes were complicated, impossible for Su Han to read in that moment.
"Bennett, I'm glad you're okay. What I just said was on your behalf."
Su Han forced an awkward but polite smile and gave him a solid hug.
"Do you take us for fools?" Paimon glared at him.
"Hungry? Here's a freshly grilled fish."
Bennett sighed but didn't mind the scene, handing Su Han the fish skewered on a branch.
Luckily, Su Han had seen enough storms and disasters to have a thicker skin; he accepted the fish and began eating.
"Hehe, we know even without you telling us—you're Su Han, right?" Paimon said.
"Bennett told you, didn't he?" Su Han replied.
"Yes. All three of us were fished out of the water by the Traveler. Paimon woke up first, Bennett a little before you."
"Fished out?" Su Han twitched his mouth.
"Hehe, yes! Thanks to the Traveler, we were pulled from the water, or we'd have drowned."
"So, to repay the Traveler, Paimon decided to be her guide."
Hearing Paimon praise her like that, Lumine's lips curved slightly, her hands instinctively resting on her hips in quiet pride.
"And Bennett's way of repaying was by grilling fish for the Traveler. Originally, the Traveler couldn't catch any fish after a long time…"
"And?"
"And Bennett dived into the sea to swim around, chased by a school of Brinefin Porgy!" Paimon continued.
"Hehehe…" Bennett smiled awkwardly.
Su Han rubbed his forehead. Bennett's luck… was indescribably awful.
"So, Mr. Su Han, have you decided how you'll repay me?" Lumine's eyes gleamed with mischief.
"How about… giving yourself to me? I'm quite confident in my looks."
"Wow, even mooching can sound so confident?" Paimon scoffed.
"Ha! Sorry, just joking."
After laughing confidently, Su Han lowered his voice.
"Really not considering it?"
"See this blunt sword at my waist?"
Lumine scrutinized Su Han, calculating how to respond.
A faint chill ran through him, and he quickly straightened his tone.
"This is no joke."
"Miss Traveler, before I decide how to repay you, tell me—what is it that you truly desire?"
Lumine's expression suddenly fell.
"I… I hope to find my long-lost brother. His name is Aether."
Just as he was about to answer, the system chimed in his mind.
[Option 1: Tell Lumine: Don't worry, Lumine, your brother is my brother. I will help you find him. Completion reward: +1 Anemo Resistance.]
[Option 2: Hah, woman. So easily bound by worldly matters. Affection is the greatest obstacle on the cultivation path. Whether family or love, it must be severed by the Supreme Sect of Emotionless. Since you still cling to your reckless brother, let me cut this worldly tie for you! Completion reward: Limited Edition Hello Kitty Sakura Pink Urn + Premium Funeral Package.]
[Option 3: Dear sister, actually… I am your long-lost brother. Completion reward: Windward Escape +1 level.]
Damn it… why is my heart itching for option two… no, I can't. There's still so much beauty in this world—I want to live…
Su Han looked at Lumine with tender eyes.
"Dear sister… actually, I am your long-lost brother."
"Come, into your brother's arms, so I can take a good look at you."
[Choice successful: Windward Escape upgraded to Lv.2. When used with your back to enemies, movement speed increases by 20%.]
Lumine: "…"
This guy must be crazy… I really want to punch him.
"If you don't mind, can you tell me about your separation from your brother? Any details would help me register a missing person notice."
"Though I can't promise I'll definitely find him, I can make sure this notice spreads across all of Teyvat."
"Can I trust you, Mr. Su Han?" Lumine asked, locking eyes with him.
"Don't let my handsome face blind you. My inner self is even more trustworthy than my appearance. Just leave it to me." Su Han said with full confidence.
Seemingly convinced by his confidence, Lumine paused to speak—but Paimon interrupted.
"Paimon knows! Let Paimon explain—"
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