The Qixing were speechless.
No people in your world? So you import them from another?
Absolutely absurd.
"Actually... our world also faces a crisis."
"Perhaps one day, Liyue might relocate there too."
Ganyu hesitated but decided to say it anyway.
Better to mentally prepare everyone.
Hearing that, their expressions changed.
Liyue... might move too?
"Of course, that's for the Archon to decide."
"I'm not entirely sure myself."
She only mentioned it to plant the seed of awareness.
But even that left the group with heavy hearts.
If Ganyu hadn't said it, none of them would've believed Teyvat still had crises.
Silence fell across the room.
Eventually, it was Ningguang who changed the topic.
"Let's talk about what to do next."
She brought out the books Ganyu gave her.
Everyone's attention shifted to the stack of books.
...
Takumi had no idea what changes Zhongli's group brought to Liyue.
He had already woken up and was preparing to treat the children.
Thanks to yesterday's preparations, the robots had already brought the children over early in the morning.
Some even lay on stretchers.
These were the kids whose corrosion was too severe to move.
Among them, some were missing arms or legs.
Seeing that made Takumi's heart ache.
He made a mental note to prioritize restoring their bodies.
But for now, resolving the internal issues came first.
The missing limbs could be restored later using his powers.
It wasn't a difficult task.
He called all the children inside.
Then began setting up with Muroto Kin.
She had pulled another all-nighterher eye bags even darker.
Takumi had the children lie down in the machines.
Then instructed the robots to begin injecting the gene repair serum.
A pale blue liquid was administered.
As the serum entered their bodies, the machines showed a rapid drop in corrosion levels.
Eventually, it hit zero.
Moreover, their innate abilities became stabilized and enhanced.
They now had controllable superpowers.
These cursed children had abilities resembling animal traits.
For instance, Lan Yuan Yuju had the jumping ability of a rabbit.
Tina had the eyesight of an owl.
The original side effects were gone.
Though some physical mutationslike animal earsremained.
Those were now part of their bodies.
For someone like Bushi Cui, the corrosion would be gone but the cat ears would stay.
With each successful treatment, Takumi felt more relieved.
"That's good. Let's start distributing it to everyone. No need for further monitoring."
He used his powers to confirm their conditions.
There was no need for prolonged observation.
They were fully cured.
Muroto nodded at his words.
Even without his powers, she had seen the data.
It was clear the treatment worked.
Time to expand distribution.
Takumi issued a command to the city's AI.
Robots would begin administering the gene serum to all the children.
Each case would be logged.
He had already ordered mass production of the serum the night before.
Production was still ongoing.
If everything proceeded smoothly, by tomorrow all children would be healed.
Having arranged all this, Takumi looked at the smiling children.
Some who had been confined to bed could now stand again.
A few without legs simply smiled blankly.
Because they were still alive.
Takumi walked up to one of them.
"Can you tell Takumi-oniichan your name?"
He gently addressed a girl missing both legs.
She looked up and smiled brightly.
"Takumi-oniichan, my name is Rena."
Takumi nodded.
"Alright! Rena-chan, give me your hand."
Rena blinked.
Though confused, she offered her little hand.
Takumi held it and activated his power.
The power of the Herrscher of Death surged forth.
Rena felt something stirring in her lower body.
Suddenly, her body began to float.
Slowly, a pair of legs began to grow from her wounds.
The other children noticed what was happening.
Seeing Rena's legs regrow, their eyes widened.
All were shocked.
Her legs... grew back?
Rena stared at her new legs in confusion.
They returned?
Realization struck.
Her eyes widened in wonder.
She grew more and more excited.
After restoring her legs, Takumi slowly let go of her hand.
But Rena instinctively grabbed him.
As if afraid she might fall.
Chapter 44: Why Does the Old Crone Pretend to Be a Maiden?
Legs suddenly growing back was hard to adjust to.
Rena's brain hadn't caught up yet.
When Takumi tried to let go of her hand, she felt like she was going to fall.
"Don't be afraid."
"Take a moment to get used to it."
Takumi patted the little girl's head, a faint smile on his face.
What was there to be scared of?
Hearing that, Rena nodded excitedly.
She tried to move her feetfirst lifting, then stepping down.
Once she confirmed nothing was wrong, her joy soared.
She slowly let go of Takumi's hand.
Then cautiously began walking.
After just a bit of movement, she had fully adapted.
It was as if her legs had never been gone.
But soon, as she walked, tears streamed down her face.
"Uwaaah~!"
Tears of joy.
Her companions quickly gathered to comfort her.
Seeing this, Takumi spoke up.
"Alright. The rest of you come over."
"I'll restore your bodies too."
He motioned to the other disabled children.
Hearing that, the others quickly rushed over.
One by one, with Takumi's help, they returned to normal.
After finishing, Takumi issued an order:
Any child who had been injected with the gene serum but still had missing limbssend them here.
He would heal them directly.
Once this was done, he wouldn't need to worry much anymore.
Receiving his command, the robots administering the injections began scanning.
Anyone with missing limbs was immediately sent to Takumi.
He healed them, then sent them back.
Takumi spent the entire day treating children.
And still, he wasn't finished.
There were so many with missing arms, legs, or even eyes.
Just looking at them was overwhelming.
But with his powers, they recovered quickly.
That night, Takumi signed in to the group chat, then went to rest.
The next morning, he continued treating the remaining children.
After healing all of them, he could finally breathe easy.
This chapter was closed.
The children he had cured could now grow up healthy.
With no physical defects holding them back, they would mature like any other child.
Now they were "superhumans"no longer cursed children.
In time, Takumi even planned to release the superpower serum to the public.
Let others awaken abilities too.
Even if they didn't need to fight, it was better to be prepared.
Takumi had a hunch.
The spiritual revival of this world wasn't so simple.
Something had triggered it.
The appearance of monsters was too sudden.
There had to be a reason.
So it was right for humanity to gain strength.
With all tasks completed, Takumi left the lab.
If anything came up, the Holy Empress or Miori Shiba would notify him.
At home, he collapsed onto the sofa and opened the group chat.
As he rejoined, he noticed a new member had arrived.
Houraisan Kaguya: [I'm just a seventeen-year-old beauty!!] [What's wrong with loving games?!]
Seeing that name, Takumi was full of question marks.
Wasn't this just that old purple hag?
Takumi: [Why does the old crone pretend to be a maiden?]
Houraisan Kaguya: [????] [Who is this rude man?!] [Say that again??]
Takumi: [NEET-hime or purple granny?]
He suspected this was just Yukari in disguise.
Only she would shamelessly claim to be seventeen.
Never trust Yukari's moral compass.
But wait... A Touhou member?
Even the outdated ones were joining now?
Houraisan Kaguya: [Didn't you see my name?? (Д)] [I'm not that old hag!!]
Fujihara Chika: [We already verified it's NEET-hime!!]
Sagiri: [Yes, Takumi-oniichan. She's not the purple grandma!]
Seeing their responses, Takumi finally believed it.
So it really was NEET-hime.
Takumi: [You verified it? How? ()]
Did they check her legs or something?
Curious!
Houraisan Kaguya: [Picture] [Here! Enjoy this exclusive shot!]
It was a selfie of Kaguya, clearly showing the chat UI.
That confirmed it wasn't Yukari in disguise.
Takumi: [No long legs? Disappointed!]
Of course it was you.
Everyone else in the chat was speechless.
Fujihara Chika: [Are you finally done with everything?] [We heard Miori was busy treating the kids.] [Did you really finish that many cases?]
Takumi: [All done. I'm finally free.]
[Every child missing an arm or leg has been fully healed.]
He was proud.
It had been a massive task.
But in just two days, he finished it.
Himeko: [That's impressive.] [And fast, too!]
Fujihara Chika: [That's great.]
Sagiri: [Takumi-oniichan is amazing!!]
Everyone who knew the truth expressed admiration.
Those kids had suffered so much.
What Takumi did deserved all the praise.
Zhongli: [@Takumi, do you want Khaenri'ah's legacy?]
The old man suddenly tagged him.
Seeing that, Takumi's eyes lit up.
Takumi: [Yes!!!]
Why wouldn't he?
Khaenri'ah's tech was still top-notch.
Of course he wanted it.
But how did Zhongli get it?
Zhongli: [I'm planning to give the Gnosis to the Cryo Archon.] [In exchange, I'll ask for Khaenri'ah and alchemical tech.]
He laid out his plan.
If the Cryo Archon wanted the Gnosisfine.
But she'd have to trade for it.
Takumi was stunned.
Takumi: [Weren't you retiring?!]
Had his plans changed?
No more retirement?
Zhongli didn't deny it.
He wasn't planning to retire just yet.
After all, he might be relocating.
No point retiring now.
Once resettled, then he could relax.
He knew when to step back.
If the Cryo Archon wanted the Gnosis, she could have it
As long as she paid up.
Chapter 45: Everything in the Mall is Mine!
Zhongli's decision genuinely surprised Takumi.
He's not retiring anymore? And even willing to exchange the Gnosis for resources?
Now that's a move.
Zhongli: [I've decided not to retire just yet.] [Things are already underway in Mondstadt.] [Once she's finished traveling through the Seven Nations, it'll probably be time.] [At that point, I'll take Liyue and leave this world.]
Retirement would only complicate things.
If he followed the original storyline, a resurrected Archon would definitely shock everyone. He didn't want to cause a sensation, so better to keep it simple.
Besides, with all the industrial texts Takumi brought back, Liyue's development could be left in capable hands. He would simply observe quietly.
As for the Cryo Archon's demands, he was willing to give up the Gnosisbut he wouldn't get involved.
The same went for Celestia. If they ever came to ask him to do something like fight Khaenri'ah again Zhongli figured he'd just leave.
He had no choice before. But now, he could choose.
Takumi: [Fair enough.] [How about you send me the Gnosis for a look?] [Honestly, I'm curious. Who knows, maybe I can mass-produce it.]
Herrscher of Reason, activate?
Zhongli was stunned at first, then agreed without much resistance. He handed over his Gnosis and sent it to Takumi.
Zhongli: [Takumi's Exclusive Red Packet] [Here, give it a try!]
If it could be duplicated, that would be great.
Takumi received the Gnosis and began a full analysis using his Herrscher powers.
He studied it thoroughly. The Gnosis was essentially a power vesselinfused with a type of regional power that granted special abilities. That explained why Zhongli's Geo powers were strongest within Liyue.
As his analysis progressed, Takumi's eyes flashed oddly. He realized he could create something similar using his own authority.
It wouldn't require splitting his powerjust lending it temporarily.
Others could use it, but they'd be like his dependents. Kind of like Herrschers. Actually, one tier belowa pseudo-Herrscher.
Because Takumi wasn't dividing his power, just letting others borrow it. He could reclaim it anytime.
Once the analysis was done, he returned the Gnosis to Zhongli.
Takumi: [Zhongli's Exclusive Red Packet] [All clear. I can't duplicate it.] [I don't have the same power source as your world.] [Gnosis is just a vesselit holds part of your world's energy.] [The Archons' powers probably originate from this.] [Still, I can make my own version and lend it out.] [Just like a pseudo-Herrscher core. Since I'm not splitting my actual authority, it'll be a little weaker.]
And with that, Takumi got to work.
Zhongli: [Is that so? What a pity.]
He figured as much. After all, it was a unique feature of their world.
Takumi couldn't copy it.
So the dream of mass-producing Gnosis gone.
Still, Takumi could create his own version?
Fujiwara Chika: [Big bro look at me!! I wanna be a Herrscher!!]
After reading Takumi's message, Chika's eyes sparkled.
Takumi could handcraft Gnosis-like items? Pseudo-Herrscher powers? Absolutely amazing!
Pick her, pick her!
Takumi: [You want what now?] [You won't even post a spicy pic, yet you dare ask for this?]
He glared.
Is this girl delusional?
Even a pseudo-Herrscher corewhy give it out freely? Wouldn't it be better to list it in the system store for points?
Fujiwara Chika: [o(ЇЇ)o] [Whyyyy~ can't I see the treasure~?]
Takumi: [(Д)] [Go away. I don't know you.]
He ignored her and finished crafting the pseudo-Herrscher core.
Then he uploaded it to the system shop.
[Takumi listed item: 'Wind-Type Pseudo-Herrscher Core'] [Price: 200,000 Points]
Everyone was stunned.
200k?!
Fujiwara Chika: [I have a bold idea!]
Bronya: [You mean go core-hunting in the Honkai universe? (®®)]
Fujiwara Chika: [Exactly!! One big haul and we're set for life!!]
Takumi: [You'll probably get yourselves killed.] [Try robbing a core? Prepare for Valkyrie beatdown.]
He was speechless.
It wasn't just about strength. If they really did steal a core and Otto noticed That'd be a disaster.
Valkyrie warnings. Judgment of Shamash warnings. Steel brain-splitter punch warnings.
Cool idea. But leave it in the idea phase.
Houraisan Kaguya: [So all the items in the shop are uploaded by people?] [I thought the chat group sold them by default.]
