Virtual Mayhem Unleashed

Crackling filled the air like a thunderclap.

On the vibrant streets of Liyue Harbor, a new shop sprang to life amidst the sharp pops of firecrackers, though its weathered exterior hardly matched the buzz. A polished signboard gleamed above the door: Teyvat Internet Cafe, Liyue Branch.

What exactly was an Internet cafe?

The locals, ever the curious crowd, gathered around, their murmurs rising like a tide. They'd never encountered anything like it in Teyvat's storied history. At the entrance stood a young man, his presence striking despite his average build: a black leather trench coat hung off his shoulders, mid-length black hair spilling over his brow, bangs shadowing his keen eyes.

His name was Liam, a stranger to this world.

A time traveler, he'd once run an Internet cafe in his old life, and now, fate had gifted him a peculiar system tied to this very venture. The system thrived on the emotions of Teyvat's people: their gasps, laughs, and frustrations as they played games or watched videos, all feeding into a lucky draw that promised him power.

Liam's arrival had been a rough one. Days ago, he'd crash-landed near Liyue Harbor, dazed and defenseless, spared only by a fleeting day of invincibility from his system. Without it, the hilichurls lurking roadside would've pummeled him into the dirt before he could scream.

Luck, though, had a way of finding him.

He'd crossed paths with Hu Tao, the spirited director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, while she flitted about on some odd errand. That chance meeting roped him into her world, and now, this very storefront belonged to her, rented out to him with a grin and a wink.

The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's roots ran deep, its wealth a quiet legend in Liyue. Hu Tao's backing was a lifeline Liam couldn't refuse, her family's fortune steadying his shaky start. How else could a newcomer like him weather the chaos of Feiyun Slope's bustling trade?

The firecrackers sputtered out, and the cafe was officially open.

Liam slid behind the counter, his pulse quickening with every passing glance from the street. A shop this strange was a magnet for the curious, and soon, a trickle of onlookers became a flood, spilling inside to gape at the unfamiliar.

The decor screamed of Liam's old world: sleek lines and glowing lights clashing with Liyue's warm stone and wood. Twenty computer stations stood ready, their screens flickering like portals to another realm. To the locals, it was a marvel, as alien as a Snezhnayan contraption in Mondstadt's fields.

The price, though, sparked whispers: 100 Mora per hour.

For the average merchant or fisherman, that was a hefty sum. (Here, one Mora equals a dollar's worth, split into small, medium, and large coins of one, ten, and a hundred.)

A voice cut through the hum of the crowd.

"Oh, so this is your grand creation," Hu Tao sang, her hat tipped jauntily as she sauntered in. "Fancy stuff from another world, huh? I like the vibe!"

Zhongli followed, his calm stride a stark contrast to her bounce. "Liam, may your venture flourish," he said, his voice smooth as polished jade.

Liam leapt up, a grin tugging at his lips. "Hu Tao, Mr. Zhongli, thanks for gracing me with your presence!"

These weren't just visitors. Hu Tao was his landlord, her whims his shield, while Zhongli carried an air of mystery, whispers of Geo Archon ties trailing him like dust. Liam needed them, especially beyond these walls where his invincibility faded.

Hu Tao's eyes danced over the setup. "Alright, spill it. What's this Internet cafe got up its sleeve?"

Liam seized the chance, turning to her and the growing crowd. "Picture this: twenty machines, each a gateway to adventure. You use a keyboard and mouse, or slip on a headset for virtual mode, a world so real you'll forget where you stand."

The onlookers leaned in, their curiosity a palpable hum.

"Virtual mode's the real deal," he added, voice rising. "It's like stepping into a dream, every sight and sound hitting you full force."

Hu Tao tapped her chin. "Sounds wild. But what's there to play?"

Liam's confidence wavered, just for a heartbeat. "Right now? Two games: Silent Hill: PT and Dig to Ascend."

The names landed like riddles, drawing puzzled stares.

"Only two?" Hu Tao's brow arched, her tone teasing. "For 100 Mora an hour, I'd expect a whole vault of treasures!"

Liam rubbed his neck, chuckling. "It's a start. But these aren't just games. They're… experiences. Trust me, they'll stick with you."

Silent Hill: PT was a descent into nightmare, a twisting maze of fog and fear that could rattle even a Millelith veteran. Dig to Ascend was stranger still, a grueling climb through endless earth, testing nerve and will. Back in his old world, Liam had seen worse in rundown cafes, but here, these two felt like a dare to Teyvat's boldest souls.

Hu Tao wasn't sold. "Two games, and you're charging that? A simple rite at Wangsheng nets us a few thousand Mora. You'd pull in 2,000 an hour if these seats fill up!"

Her voice climbed as she crunched the numbers. "Ten hours a day? That's 20,000 Mora! For this little shack? You're dreaming big, Liam!"

He flashed a grin, unshaken. "It's worth it, Hu Tao. Sit down, try it. You'll see."

Her curiosity flared, a glint in her crimson eyes. She dropped onto a plush seat, legs swinging. "Fine, show me the ropes. I want to know what this heap of junk can really do!"

Liam stepped beside her, guiding her hands to the controls. The screen flared to life, casting an eerie glow across her face. The crowd pressed closer, their whispers a rising storm.

Zhongli lingered back, his gaze steady and searching. A creation from beyond Teyvat, humming with unknown potential. Would it bring wonder or ruin?

Hu Tao's fingers danced over the keyboard, the virtual world unfolding before her. "This better be good, Liam," she warned, her grin sharp. "I don't spook easy, you know."

The first flicker of Silent Hill's fog drew a gasp from the onlookers. Hu Tao's laugh rang out, bold and bright, only to hitch as a shadow loomed onscreen. Liam felt it then: a ripple of emotion, raw and electric, feeding into his system.

His heart raced.

This was no ordinary shop. It was a spark, a gamble, a bridge between worlds. And Hu Tao's next yelp, sharp and startled, told him he'd hooked her.

The cafe thrummed with life now, its strange pulse drawing the crowd tighter. Liam watched, a quiet thrill building in his chest. Two games might be humble, but they were enough to start something big.

Hu Tao twisted in her seat, eyes wide. "What is this madness? Zhongli, get over here! I need backup!"

Zhongli's lips twitched, the faintest hint of amusement. "Perhaps later," he murmured, folding his arms.

Liam leaned against the counter, the system's energy buzzing faintly in his veins. The Teyvat Internet Cafe was alive, chaotic, and teetering on the edge of brilliance.

One customer at a time, he'd build this into something unstoppable.

***

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