Keqing’s Hammer Challenge

Keqing strode through Liyue Harbor's bustling streets, greeted warmly by merchants and passersby calling out, "Good afternoon, Lady Keqing!" or "Come rest at my stall, Yuheng!"

This year marked a pivotal moment for her ambitious plans, driving her to dive deeper into the people's daily lives and inspect every corner of the city with renewed vigor.

After weaving through the crowded markets, her sharp violet eyes landed on a peculiar new storefront, its sign gleaming brightly: Teyvat Internet Cafe, Liyue Branch.

Scattered traces of firecracker ash dusted the ground, a clear sign this odd establishment had just flung open its doors on this very day.

If her memory served right, this property belonged to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, sparking her curiosity about who could've convinced Hu Tao to part with such a prime spot.

She'd never heard of an "Internet cafe" before, and with a mix of duty and intrigue, she decided to step inside and see what this place was all about.

The moment she crossed the threshold, a chaotic din assaulted her ears, the room packed with people buzzing around two rows of glowing machines.

Those seated were hunched over strange devices, their hands dancing across buttons while vivid, shifting images flashed on glass screens before them.

Behind them, a throng of onlookers chattered, their voices a jumble of excitement and nerves, shouting things like, "Move already, or let me take over!" or "You're such a coward without the headset!"

One gasped, "That face in the bathroom crack—could it be the murdered girl?" while another roared, "This hammer's useless—I'm back at the start again!"

Laughter erupted nearby, "Hah, you fell again, idiot!" followed by a wail, "I'm done, this is too much!" as the crowd's emotions swung wildly from glee to frustration.

Keqing scratched her head, her catlike ears twitching in confusion, utterly baffled by the frenetic scene unfolding before her analytical mind.

Then, a sudden realization hit her like a thunderbolt—she could no longer sense her electro energy, and she snapped her gaze to Liam, lounging casually behind the counter.

Liam raised his hands, his tone smooth as he explained, "No need to worry, Lady Keqing, the cafe's got a special field to block combat powers and keep the peace."

He added with a reassuring nod, "Even Lord Zhongli's fine with it, so you can relax and enjoy the place without suspicion."

Keqing's eyes narrowed, her skepticism flaring despite his words, unconvinced that the Geo Archon would so easily sanction such a strange setup.

Still, in Liyue, no one dared defy Morax lightly, so she replied cautiously, "I'll verify your claims myself, Liam, and you'd better not be spinning tales."

Liam waved off her doubts with a grin, "Go ask Hu Tao—she was here, she'll vouch for me, and Zhongli's touched this very storefront himself."

He wasn't bluffing—Hu Tao and Zhongli knew the cafe's quirks, a fact that lent his words just enough weight to keep her guessing.

Keqing's brow furrowed, her expression twisting into something akin to a puzzled emoji as she processed the idea of Hu Tao as a credible witness.

It wasn't unthinkable—the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's centuries-long ties to Liyue's history might indeed brush against the Archon's domain, she reasoned.

"Fine, I'll check with Hu Tao later," she conceded, then shifted gears, "But tell me, what is this place? These gadgets are completely foreign to me."

The customers' wild reactions piqued her wariness, their fervor over these "games" hinting at something both thrilling and unpredictable.

Liam's eyes lit up at her interest, and he launched into an eager pitch, gesturing to the machines as a freshly vacated seat opened up nearby.

He ushered her over with a flourish, settling her onto a cushioned sofa and guiding her hands to the keyboard and mouse with practiced ease.

The technology from Liam's old world felt alien yet fascinating, its sleek design and glowing screens a stark contrast to Teyvat's elemental wonders.

Keqing mulled her options, then settled on Dig to Ascend, drawn by its promise of a challenge that rewarded grit—perfect for Liyue's resolute Yuheng star.

She'd clawed her way to her title through sheer determination, and no mere game would dare stump her iron will, she told herself confidently.

With a flick of her wrist, she gripped the mouse and launched the game, her sharp mind already calculating her path to victory.

The screen flickered to life, revealing a clay jar that wobbled slightly before cracking open to release its odd occupant.

Out popped a bald, bare-armed figure, his lower half wedged comically in the pot, water sloshing faintly as he wriggled free.

The bald man yanked a long-handled hammer from the jar, his shiny head glinting under the game's light as the controls activated.

Keqing blinked, caught off guard by the absurdity, and after a long pause, she muttered, "Well, that's… certainly a unique character design."

Liam leaned in, explaining with a grin, "Use the mouse to swing his hammer, climb past obstacles, and reach the top—that's how you win."

She nodded, testing the mouse with a few swift flicks, watching the hammer sway onscreen as the bald figure lurched forward with the pot in tow.

The hammer scraped the ground, propelling him a short distance, and Keqing smirked, "This looks simple enough for someone like me."

The first obstacle loomed ahead—a gnarled tree blocking her path—and she sized it up with the cool precision of a seasoned strategist.

With a few deft swings, the hammer hooked the trunk, and her character began to climb, her confidence swelling as the crowd watched Yuheng shine.

Liam hovered nearby, his system quietly humming, already anticipating the emotional payoff of Keqing's inevitable clash with the game's deceptive difficulty.

The onlookers murmured, impressed by her poise, though a few snickered knowingly, waiting for the moment the game would test her famed perseverance.

Keqing's focus sharpened, her fingers steady on the mouse, determined to prove this "digging" nonsense was no match for her unyielding resolve.

Little did she know, the jar and hammer had a knack for humbling even the boldest souls, and her journey upward was only just beginning.

***

Support me on Patreon to read 50+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/Nocturnal_Breeze