Interlude: System upgrade!

(A/N: Please read my notes at the end of the chapter, thank you.)

Leylines are important to the world of Teyvat. Everyone knows this as it sustained the life of many elemental creatures.

It is a mysterious network that links the whole world together, within which flow the elements. It's said the Ley Lines remember all things that happen in this world, from the surface down to the deepest depths...

However, if too many ley lines gather in one location, it may disrupt the land around it, causing a phenomenon known as "Ley Line Disorder". In the game, these disorders are commonly found in domains where Players farm artifacts or materials for their characters.

On the surface, there are also machinations known as "Leyline Monoliths" which mildly disrupt the leylines around it causing nearby monsters to gather around it.

With all of these combined, one should already know how important Ley Lines are to this world. And it is also because of this importance that causes disasters.

For example, if a ley line is destroyed by external forces, it will severely damage the area around it and torture nearby elemental beings. Such beings are Azhdaha and the Geovishaps.

When humanity mined the depths of the chasm for valuable ores, they also destroyed some Ley Line which caused great agony to these elemental creatures. Azhdaha revolted but was sealed by Rex Lapis, Mountain Carver, and Cloud retainer.

After Azhdaha was sealed, new elemental creatures spawned. The primo Geovishap and the Geovishaps.

A few days ago, before the traveler defeated Dvalin, earthquakes were happening around Tinaqiu Valley which caused the Ley Lines there to disrupt. This caused great pain to the Geovishaps around that area, the Primo Geovishap included.

So, the Geovishaps started doing things they naturally don't. Such unnatural acts were forming groups and being extremely hostile to everything they encounter and traveling to new lands.

And that is also the reason Igarashi and Sasori were attacked. They unknowingly stepped into the territory of the Geovishaps where the Ley Lines are abnormal.

However, the Ley Lines also produced some unexpected results. One of which revolves around Igarashi's mysterious skill.

If Ley Lines contain the memory of the earth... Then...

* * *

"Urgh..." Igarashi groaned. His eyes were closed and it felt like they were too heavy to open.

He then focused on opening his eyelids, which succeeded. His eyes slowly opened.

But instead of the same dark cave where he passed out... He was looking directly at the sky!

His eyes then immediately widened and he tried to move his body. After a few moments, his body finally got up from the floor. "What the...?!"

He looked around and once again, his eyes widened with surprise. The main reason for this was because he was on top of a really tall mountain overlooking other mountains below!

"W-Whoa..." Igarashi got startled by the sight in front of him and immediately back to the stone corner. It was way too high up.

Just then, he remembered everything that happened in Tianqiu Valley. The realization hit him and immediately started looking around. "Sasori! Sasori!"

The last thing Igarashi remembered was Sasori being thrown away by a Geovishap. Cold sweat started going down his face as he looked around.

But thankfully, on the other side of the mountain peak he was, Sasori was laying down, his posture made him look as if he was sleeping.

"Sasori!" Igarashi immediately went to Sasori's side and inspected him. After a few minutes, he found no other anomalies in Sasori's body except some small broken pieces.

He lowered his head and sighed heavily with relief. 'He's okay...'

Just then, the system's panel appeared in front of Igarashi. He was still angry at it for failing to teleport the two of them back in the cave but decided to let it speak for itself.

[Congratulations on completing all of the main quests.]

[The quest, 'Chapter 2: Strong Mangaka' has been completed.]

[A 4-Star Weapon has been added to the inventory]

(A/N: You can pick which weapon it is.)

[The quest, 'Chapter 2: I am not a lazy Mangaka' has been completed.]

[Rewards have been distributed]

[Congratulations on obtaining the item, 'A scholar's Monocle'.]

[Defeated a Primo Geovishap, rewards have been distributed]

[Completed all main quests and defeated a powerful opponent.]

[+1,000 System Credits]

[The Mangaka System Level 2] → [The Mangaka System Level 3]

[System upgrade rewards have been distributed]

[New system functions have been unlocked.]

After the barrage of system panels, the system finally stopped showing signs of adding more, much to Igarashi's relief. He inspected each panel and read them thoroughly, putting aside his slight anger for the system.

However, despite the various rewards, there was still something in Igarashi's mind. 'How did we survive back then...?'

Due to him passing out, he doesn't know what happens back in the cave. 'Did a passing Adeptus help us?'

He truly believes that it was not him that did it as he was too weak to fight all of those Geovishaps and escape alive. 'I need to investigate this further later...'

He shook his head and did not pursue this matter temporarily. He was just glad that both he and Sasori were alive.

"Now then... How did we even get here?!" Igarashi questioned. Though, no one else except an unconscious Sasori is here to hear him.

He looked around more and finally figured out where they were. 'This is Qingyun Peak, isn't it?' He thought as winds brushed off his face.

Now, his theory of whether an Adeptus helped them or not was finally making some slight sense. 'If it really was an Adeptus, I thank them thoroughly and sincerely.' He gave his thanks by bowing his head and choosing his hands.

After giving his thanks to his mysterious savior, he started thinking about how to get back to Liyue Harbor. After all, they are on top of Qingyun peak. 'How long have I been unconscious, I wonder?"

Just then, the system's panel appeared once more in front of Igarashi.

[With the system's upgrade and a new chapter begins, a new shop has been provided by the system.]

[Would you like to teleport to Windwail Highland, Mondstadt for 10 System Credits?]

[Note: Once the host reaches the new shop, a portal will be created inside to connect the two locations.]

'Mondstadt...?!' Igarashi thought. He then read more and became more surprised. 'No way... This is too convenient, isn't it?!'

[...]

[It is the system's amends to the host]

"Huh? Amends?" Igarashi muttered. However, like always, the system did not reply. 'Oh wait, is it because of that time in the cave...?'

Not seeing the reply, Igarashi just sighed and accepted the system's amends. 'Mondstadt, huh? A new location... And new people...' Igarashi thought.

He thought for a moment and smiled as the sun's golden sunlight went by his silhouette on top of Qingyun Peak. "And a portal too... How generous..."

"Um... U..." Just then, Igarashi heard some groans nearby. He looked around to see Sasori waking up!

He immediately went by his side and stopped him from getting up. "Sasori! You're fine... Right?"

"I... Think so...?" Sasori answered, albeit struggling.

[Would you like to repair the puppet 'Sasori' for 20 System Credits?]

"Do it!" Igarashi immediately said without sparing a thought.

[Confirmed.]

Soon, small white lights started showing around the broken areas of Sasori, fixing him.

Seeing this, Igarashi smiled in relief. He then looked at Sasori with a smile. "Hey, what would you say if we go to another city?"

Sasori was confused for a moment before nodding. "Yes!"

Igarashi formed a smile and commanded the system. "Alright. System, teleport us to Mondstadt!"

[Understood.]

After that, the familiar blue light started enveloping the both of them and they soon disappeared from Qingyun Peak.

After they disappeared, standing on Mr. Aocang, two figures were seen. A white crane and a tall man.

"Morax, are you sure about this?" Asked the white crane, also known as the Adeptus Cloud Retainer.

And beside her, Zhongli was crossing his arms as he watched Igarashi disappear. "It is fine. I sense no ill intentions coming from them and merely want to share the joy of entertainment..."

Cloud Retainer stayed silent before sighing. "One trusts you. If you will it, one shall also follow."

"Hmm." Zhongli hummed.

* * *

Notes:

Volume 1, Liyue Harbor: City of Contracts has ended!

Time to move on to Volume 2, Mondstadt: The city of freedom!

Extra notes (Please read these! They are important!):

- Even though the main character will now stay in Mondstadt, he will still frequently visit his shop in Liyue using the portal. After all, business needs to keep going. Furthermore, there are still many characters in Liyue I want to make reactions of.

- I have read some of your reviews and I have learned. I shall now refrain from doing things like that in the previous chapter and focus more on the reactions. To tell the truth, I am excited about the mangas I am showing to Mondstadt.

- If you don't know, Teyvat has already reached the steampunk era; As seen in Childe's story quest where they enter a factory where gears and steampunk machinery are creating Ruin Guards. That means, mangas like Moriarty the patriot will work because it is set in the Victorian era where steam machinery is normal.

- As for the [???] Skill, well, you're right. It was my bullish*t plot armor. The secret about this skill lies in Inazuma. As for what it is? Well, riddle me this. What happens if a... Oh wait, I probably shouldn't spoil it. Oh well, Ehe~

Thank you for supporting and reading until now! See you in the next chapter!