Chapter 34 — Forbidden Secret Art! Instant Hell Shadow-Slaying Formation!
Paimon floated in midair, staring wide-eyed. "His spells completely bypass the negative effects of elemental laws. He can trigger every elemental buff!"
"Yeah!" Paimon continued excitedly. "They're clearly not elemental techniques, but when they touch fire, they cause Overloaded; when they meet water, Electro-Charged; when they hit ice, Superconduct. And against Electro Slimes, they still deal normal damage. That's just absurd!"
Jean frowned slightly. "It's a pity this is a Fatui stronghold. If there were an Abyss Mage here, we could capture one and have it raise an elemental shield for testing."
Su Han, however, was beginning to understand.
The primary source of damage from his Kidō stemmed from spiritual power. The so-called lightning was most likely the additional effect of Hadō #4: Byakurai.
That was why it could produce such reactions upon striking enemies.
If he were to cultivate every Kidō to the highest level in the future, then even against foes with elemental shields, he would be able to ignore those shields entirely and inflict devastating damage.
There were four rooms ahead, each presumably occupied by members of the Fatui. The group paused.
After clearly dividing their responsibilities, they moved swiftly and decisively. Before long, they had cleared the entire floor.
Through this real battle, Su Han finally confirmed something: the spiritual pressure he currently displayed was just enough to suppress Fatui elite members.
If the opponent's strength exceeded that tier, however, the oppressive force of his spiritual pressure would weaken significantly.
Diluc let out a quiet scoff. "The Fatui Electro Cicin Mage in my room behaved rather strangely."
Su Han raised a brow. "Oh?"
Diluc replied calmly, "They asked who I was. I made a joke and told them I was an agent planted in Mondstadt by La Signora."
"And they believed me without hesitation. They even asked why 'Su Han' hadn't shown up."
Su Han blinked. "And then?"
Diluc's voice was flat. "Then I killed them while they were off guard."
...
The group took the lift and smoothly arrived at the third floor of the Fatui stronghold.
Jean closed her eyes gently. "The Holy Lyre der Himmel should be on this floor. I can feel the guidance of the wind."
Lumine and Paimon stepped into the room first—only to run straight into the stronghold's leader: a Fatui Debt Collector.
The Debt Collector sneered. "Hmph. Rats. Where did you crawl out from?"
"Such insolence will not be tolerated by Lady Signora. I shall relieve her of this nuisance myself!"
Paimon planted her tiny hands on her hips. "You there! State your name! We do not strike down the nameless!"
Lumine mirrored the pose, hands on hips, chin lifted proudly.
"Heh… heh heh heh… hahahaha!"
The Debt Collector froze for a moment, then covered his face and burst into a dramatic, Iori Yagami-style laugh, rising and falling with theatrical flair.
But the instant Jean, Diluc, and Su Han stepped into the room, his laughter stopped abruptly.
"Mi… Miss…"
"I have no name. Just a nobody. Could you… not kill me?"
Lumine: "..."
Su Han said solemnly, "Against such heretical fiends, there is no need to speak of chivalry. Lumine, Paimon, Acting Grand Master Jean, Senior Diluc—we attack together."
"Besides, such a fine sparring partner would be a waste to kill. Capture him and imprison him in Mondstadt. Let Lumine and I hone our martial skills against him."
Diluc exhaled sharply. "Hah…"
Debt Collector: Are you even human?!
A vicious glint flashed in his eyes. "Very well. Very well! I had no wish to be your enemy—but you forced my hand!"
"The poets of Mondstadt will compose nightmares of your fate, tales that rob children of sleep!"
The moment he said this, Su Han became alert.
They might have pushed this Debt Collector into a corner.
This was a Fatui stronghold—there could be deadly mechanisms they didn't know about. What if—
Before Su Han could spiral further into speculation, the Debt Collector's figure suddenly split into six, surrounding them in an instant.
Su Han blurted out in shock, "Could this be the legendary—Forbidden Secret Art! Instant Hell Shadow-Slaying Formation?!"
The Debt Collector, whose form was fading into afterimages, paused.
Wait—what the hell? How did my finishing move get such a badass name from his mouth?
Excellent. From this moment onward, my technique shall be called—
Forbidden Secret Art! Instant Hell Shadow-Slaying Formation!
Jean and Diluc, having never heard of such a technique, immediately grew wary.
Diluc barked a shout and cast a Pyro shield around them.
Yet… nothing happened.
Paimon whispered urgently, "Don't lower your guard! He must be charging up an ultimate move!"
Everyone's expressions tightened. They stood back-to-back, bracing for a sudden ambush.
Paimon added gravely, "He's waiting for the perfect moment to strike!"
About half a minute later, Lumine suddenly shouted, "After him! He's running away!"
Only then did Diluc and Jean realize what had happened, and they immediately gave chase.
Lumine shot Su Han and Paimon a glare before rushing after them. Whose side are you two idiots on?!
——
The Debt Collector fled while silently praising his own wit.
Thank goodness I bluffed them with that life-or-death act. Otherwise I'd be finished.
But just as he saw the light of the exit—salvation within reach—he discovered a green-cloaked figure already waiting there.
When his gaze fell upon the Anemo Vision hanging at the figure's waist, his heart sank.
Is the heavens truly determined to destroy me, Blazing Blade • Chaimenhof?
Gritting his teeth, the Debt Collector fully activated the Delusion suspended before his chest.
He raised his agent's sacrificial blade, imbuing it with Pyro, and said coldly, "Those who stand in my way shall die! Forbidden Secret Art! Instant Hell Shadow-Slaying Formation!"
Overwhelming killing intent engulfed Venti from all directions. Fiery afterimages moved like wind and lightning, unleashing six slashes at him in the blink of an eye.
Crack.
The wine bottle in Venti's hand shattered. The Dandelion Wine he'd "borrowed" from Master Diluc spilled all over the ground.
Venti: "?"
...
"Waaah! Damn it, he got away—huh?"
Paimon was the first to rush out of the stronghold, nearly stomping her feet in frustration—only to find the Debt Collector lying unconscious at the feet of the bard Venti.
The others followed close behind and gathered around him.
Jean asked, "Venti, did you defeat him?"
Venti shook his head. "Ehe~ When he was fully activating his Delusion, he didn't notice where he was stepping."
"A sudden gust of wind blew through. He lost his balance, and since he was running so fast, he accidentally smacked his head against a rock and knocked himself out."
Jean: "??"
Diluc flipped the Debt Collector over and inspected the wound carefully. His voice was low. "That does appear to be the case."
Su Han clasped his hands together solemnly. "Rest in peace, unnamed Fatui. May there be no stones in heaven."
Lumine echoed softly, "May there be no stones in heaven…"
Venti blinked. "By the way, did you get the Holy Lyre der Himmel?"
Su Han froze. "Uh… We were so focused on chasing him that we forgot the Lyre was still inside."
Everyone's expressions turned rather complicated.
——
Mondstadt City — Windmill Tower.
[Missing Person Notice: Searching for a missing young boy. We sincerely hope kind-hearted individuals can provide information and assistance. The missing person has blond hair and wears foreign attire, making him quite noticeable. If you have any leads, please contact Outrider Amber. Many thanks!]
"Phew, finally finished posting them! Now all the notices I wrote weren't for nothing—they're all up!"
Amber wiped the sweat from her brow, feeling immensely proud.
The Windmill Tower of Mondstadt City, the message boards at the tavern and general store, Uncle Wagner's blacksmith shop, the women's restroom in Mondstadt, Hilichurl camps, Stormterror's Lair…
Even outside Kaeya's house. I've posted them in almost every eye-catching place.
Once Lumine sees them, she'll definitely thank me!
---
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