"Roar—"
The monster's wail was drowned out by thunder until it vanished.
"Drip."
Amidst the destructive thunderstorm, a figure appeared.
It was Qin Yu, slowly sheathing his blade.
"Drip, drip—"
Black blood dripped from the edge of the sword, making a light sound.
The purple in his eyes faded, and he glanced behind him.
The demon corpses that had fallen back to the ground were piled into a small mountain.
Under the heavenly punishment, not a single one had survived.
The tide of monsters, driven by the resentment of the demon god, was endless.
But before Qin Yu, absolute numbers had become a fatal weakness.
The power of the heavenly punishment, combined with Anemo's diffusion, covered the damage multiple times.
Once the area-of-effect damage stacked up...
Its power was no longer a simple addition.
"My companion is so amazing."
Behind Qin Yu, Sandrone poked her small head out.
She hugged Qin Yu tightly, her voice full of pride.
As expected of her companion, he made her feel so safe.
With that thought, Sandrone poked Qin Yu's cheek again.
He would always protect her like this, wouldn't he?
"It's time to get down, isn't it?"
Qin Yu's lips twitched.
She looked so frail, it was quite convincing.
But Sandrone was no ordinary girl!
As a Fatui Harbinger, she had been slacking off the entire time.
Couldn't she at least put on a show!
Also, could she stop squeezing his neck?
"But companion, my butt hurts."
Sandrone huffed, pulling out her little notebook of grudges.
He had done something so outrageous to her just now.
Was he trying to renege on his responsibilities now?
Qin Yu: ...
Looking at the girl's vengeful expression, he fell silent for a moment.
The situation had been urgent earlier, and he had been a little too heavy-handed.
What could he do about it, rub it himself?
"Companion, how does it feel?"
The unrestrained girl's lips curved slightly, and she whispered into Qin Yu's ear.
That electric shock-like tingle...
For some reason, she suddenly wanted to experience it again.
"The feel is quite..."
Qin Yu responded instinctively, then suddenly realized.
Could such words be spoken so casually?
He couldn't help but glance at the innocent-looking Sandrone.
You're acting strange, you're problematic.
"Eh... keep talking, my companion."
Sandrone tilted her head, her meaning profound.
Her impure thoughts had been revealed.
With that thought, she raised her hand and made a chopping motion.
If you do bad things, you'll be "chopped"...
"...The feel is good, I should have used more force earlier."
Qin Yu clicked his tongue, his voice sounding fierce.
Naturally, he was referring to the feeling of cutting down monsters.
Please don't get the wrong idea.
Sandrone's lips curved slightly, and she didn't call him out.
"Plink."
Suddenly, something cool slid down her cheek.
She instinctively reached out her small hand and let out a soft exclamation.
"Companion, it's raining."
Whoosh—
As soon as she spoke, a downpour began.
The world before their eyes was rendered in a cold, cerulean rain curtain.
"Rain?"
Qin Yu mumbled, realizing something was wrong.
The world around him was filled with Hydro energy.
But his body was becoming heavier and heavier.
He tried to raise his hand, but his expression changed.
His movements had become sluggish.
"My companion, you..."
Qin Yu shook his head slightly, signaling Sandrone to stay calm.
He raised his hand and gave a thumbs-up.
He smiled meaningfully and said:
"Just this much Hydro application, it's nothing."
After all, his directional talent had already been unlocked...
[Ding, finally remembered to check the unlocked talents?]
Qin Yu nodded slightly.
Just now, the moment he decided to help Sandrone and carry her on his back.
The emotional points had finally reached a new threshold.
And the first talent unlocked was...
"Heheheh..."
From within the rain curtain, a strange laughter rang out.
The black mist surged, bringing with it a chilling, twisted malice.
"Doctor, I know it's you!"
Qin Yu pointed his blade at the darkness and said coldly.
"How dare you disrupt my experiment...!"
From within the black mist, a blue-haired man walked out slowly.
The crow's beak mask that covered his face exuded an inauspicious aura.
A sinister arc appeared on his lips, revealing a terrifying smile.
Scarlet pupils reflected a distorted light.
It was the indifference that disregarded all life.
And the madness that dared to trample on all bottom lines.
The Fatui Harbinger, the Doctor.
"..."
Qin Yu's heart grew heavy, his eyes narrowed.
The black mist around them was converging behind the Doctor.
And there, a colossal shadow was rapidly expanding.
"Be careful, it's one of the Doctor's modified experimental subjects."
"Its body has already been semi-demonized."
Sandrone warned, closing her eyes at the same time.
This clone acted erratically and could influence others' wills.
She needed to concentrate her mental energy even more.
This way, she could help Qin Yu resist the Doctor's power.
"Keep it up, my companion."
"Mm."
Qin Yu nodded slightly, fixing his gaze on the distant figure.
"Who... who exactly is it?"
The Doctor slowly raised his head, his expression twisting.
Suddenly, he noticed Qin Yu and Sandrone.
"Heheheh.... So it's you!"
The Doctor's eyes widened exaggeratedly, his smile turning excited.
"My masterpiece is complete!"
"It now possesses the abilities of the Vortex Demon God, Osial!"
He bowed, his posture humble.
But the smile that suddenly vanished from his face was twisting.
"Then, next..."
"Will you be my experimental subject?"
"Qin Yu!"
As soon as the words fell, the modified giant beast roared to the sky.
A storm swept over, and the rain poured down.
The semi-demonized creature strode towards Qin Yu!
"I am willing..."
Qin Yu, carrying Sandrone on his back, slowly raised his hand.
He stared at the frenzied figure, his gaze cold.
Within the vast rain curtain, a water blade spear coalesced in his hand.
[Tartaglia's Combat Talent: Foul Legacy · Eclipse of the Void]
"I am willing to kill you right here!"