Keqing’s Bold Comeback

After a hearty supper at Wanmin Hall, Liam and Zhongli parted ways, each quietly satisfied—Liam with his crafted persona as a laid-back wanderer of worlds, Zhongli with assurance that this newcomer posed no threat to Liyue's order.

Liam had spun himself as a mysterious figure, a seasoned traveler who shunned conflict, his easy grin masking the Dante-forged strength now simmering beneath his skin.

Zhongli, with millennia of insight, saw no malice in him, his guard easing as he deemed Liam a curiosity rather than a chaos-bringer, a judgment rarely off the mark in his long life.

That midnight, Zhongli wove a dream for the Three-Eyed Five-Manifested Immortals and Liyue's Seven Stars, briefing them on Liam's existence with a gentle warning to tread lightly around this guest of the Geo Archon.

Morning broke over Liyue Harbor, and Liam, fresh from a quick wash, flung open the Internet cafe's doors, only to blink in shock at the throng already massed outside.

"It's finally open—past eight already!" one griped, while another groaned, "I've been here since six, starving, no breakfast!" as the crowd surged forward with restless energy.

A gruff voice called out, "Boss, open earlier—aren't you eager to rake in Mora?" followed by a boast, "I brought wine today; it'll fuel my courage to beat Silent Hill!"

Another chimed in, "I prayed at Yujing Terrace to Lord Zhongli this morning—bless me to conquer Dig to Ascend!" their fervor painting the air with anticipation.

The mob poured in, a noisy tide scrambling to the counter, coins clinking as they vied for machines, leaving Liam—a notorious late riser—red-faced at their zeal.

"Don't shove, line up properly, or I'll toss you out!" he barked, then added, "With so many here and too few machines, it's three hours max per person daily—more slots later, I promise."

Most nodded, unbothered—three hours beat no hours—and the first wave settled in swiftly, their screens flickering to life as Liam sank behind the counter with a can of fizzy soda.

Not long after, Keqing strode in, her demeanor softer than yesterday's bristling suspicion, her voice tentative as she said, "Good morning, Liam—sorry for any offense yesterday."

Zhongli's dream had reached her, naming Liam a guest of the Archon, and the memory of her sharp words now flushed her cheeks with rare embarrassment.

Liam waved it off with a chuckle, "No harm done, Keqing—you were just doing your job as a Seven Star, keeping Liyue safe."

Relief softened her stance, and she pressed on with her errand, "Ningguang's hosting a banquet for you at Qunyu Pavilion tonight—any chance you're free after closing?"

Liam mulled it over, then nodded, "Sure, I'll head up to Qunyu Pavilion after nine—sounds like a nice way to end the day."

He tilted his head, a glint in his eye, "Speaking of, are you back to tackle Dig to Ascend? Someone's already outpaced your progress from yesterday."

Keqing had planned to leave after delivering Ningguang's invite, but the jab at her record sparked a flare of urgency, her competitive streak roaring back to life.

After yesterday's stumbles, she'd sworn to master that wretched game, and now, with a rival ahead, she muttered, "Fine, I'll play a bit—can't let that stand."

No urgent duties loomed today, she reasoned, so a detour into digital torment wouldn't derail Liyue's gears—she'd make time for this rematch.

A player soon vacated a station, and the next in line graciously stepped aside, figuring three hours swapped for Yuheng's favor was a bargain too good to pass up.

Keqing gripped the mouse, her catlike ears twitching as the familiar Dig to Ascend screen flared up, her second bout with the bald, jar-bound climber beginning in earnest.

She swung the hammer with practiced ease, breezing past the early tree and stones, her warm-up smoothing out yesterday's rust to land her at the left stone snag.

"Stay calm, be precise, take it slow," she whispered to herself, her fingers tracing careful angles, determined to keep her cool this time around.

The hammer struck downward, propelling the bald figure skyward, and with a satisfying clink, the jar settled firmly on the left stone, her first hurdle cleared.

Next, she angled the hammer left to nudge him right, her movements deliberate as she aimed for the steel plate glinting on the opposite side.

The plate's slick surface fought her, the hammer skidding off its edge, and though the jar grazed it, the bald man dropped—not to the start, but to a lower rock.

She exhaled, steadying her nerves, and after a few meticulous retries, she hooked the plate solidly, a triumphant grin breaking across her face as she advanced.

Confidence surged as she climbed, her newfound skill carrying her smoothly to the building ruins, a jagged new frontier that caught Liam's eye with mild surprise.

The ruins loomed flatter than the rocks below, their sparse, tiny protrusions a nightmare to latch onto, and he mused that Keqing's fresh bravado might soon hit a wall.

She swung for a distribution box, leaping up, then aimed the hammer at a jutting wall piece, only to watch it slip off the minuscule target with a frustrating scrape.

Multiple attempts yielded the same slide, her jaw tightening as the hammer refused to grip, each miss chipping at her soaring spirits.

Realizing the triangular steel frame above offered a bigger mark, she recalibrated, swinging hard from the box to launch the bald man higher toward it.

The hammer grazed the frame's edge, too weak to hook, and with a sideways shove, her character veered left, tumbling toward a drop as her heart sank.

"No!" she gasped, her cool facade shattering into panic, her wide eyes reflecting the screen's cruel verdict looming just out of reach.

Liam's system purred, sipping the rush of her dismay, a tasty appetizer to the emotional feast her inevitable clash with the ruins promised to deliver.

The crowd leaned in, their murmurs swelling—some rooting for her, others bracing for the Yuheng's next fiery fall in this relentless digital gauntlet.

Keqing's grip tightened, her resolve flickering but unbroken, vowing silently to reclaim her lead and prove this game wouldn't best her twice.

***

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