Chapter 2: The Beginning of the Legend, Dead on Landing
It was just after dawn in the world of Teyvat. The sun was rising over the horizon, casting its golden glow on the sprawling landscapes. But for Haruka Yasugano, the day began like any other—at least, it should have been.
Lying on the ground, Haruka frowned as he shifted in his sleep. His body instinctively reached for his phone on the bedside table, but instead of the smooth surface of his device, his fingers met damp soil, and rough stones rolled under his touch.
"What...?" Haruka's confusion turned into alarm as he opened his eyes, expecting to see his familiar bedroom.
Instead, the first thing he saw was a towering tree with lush, vibrant leaves, and the bright sunlight filtering through the branches. His eyes widened in disbelief as he quickly sat up.
"Where's my phone?"
The scent of flowers filled the air, and the faint chirping of birds surrounded him. As he tried to gather his thoughts, a strange and unmistakable cry echoed from nearby, sending a chill down his spine.
"Ya!" The voice sounded almost human, yet alien. It sent a ripple of familiarity through his mind, like a distant memory trying to resurface.
Turning toward the noise, Haruka's mind raced as three figures emerged from the bushes, sprinting toward him. They were holding crude weapons—large wooden sticks, thick at the top and thin at the bottom—and their movements were erratic, but driven by a clear intent. They shouted at him as they ran, their faces twisted with anger.
"Hichill people? Cosplay?" Haruka muttered in confusion, trying to make sense of the bizarre scene.
The figures didn't pause. The larger one snarled in a language that made Haruka's blood run cold, and a rush of instinct flooded his body. His heart skipped a beat. The malicious intent in their words was too real, too menacing.
Before he even had time to think, his body reacted. Haruka spun around and bolted, his legs moving faster than his mind could process. He didn't need to analyze the situation; survival instinct kicked in.
As he ran, he stumbled over uneven ground, brushing past overgrown vines, thorns, and prickly weeds. His breath came in short, ragged gasps, and when he looked down, he saw that he was still wearing the simple clothes he had been in before—nothing but a short-sleeved shirt and shorts, barefoot, running through a strange forest.
"Where... am I?" Haruka thought, but there was no time to contemplate. His small toe caught a root, sending a jolt of pain up his leg. It was sharp and immediate. The pain was enough to make him realize this wasn't a dream. The ground beneath him, the crisp air, the frantic beating of his heart—everything felt so real.
I've crossed over, Haruka realized instantly, his mind racing. This can't be a dream. This is real. I've been transported to... another world.
His thoughts were a whirlwind as he ran, and his gaze flicked to the trees around him. On one of the branches, he spotted something that caught his attention—a fruit that looked like something out of a fantasy game. It was glowing faintly, a soft golden color, like the glow of sunset.
"Sunset fruit?" Haruka muttered under his breath. His memory, fueled by the countless games and novels he'd consumed, provided a match.
This is Teyvat. The world from the game.
His heart pounded with a mix of excitement and fear. He'd always dreamed of being in a world like this, a world of adventure, magic, and endless possibilities. But the reality was far more dangerous than any game he had played.
The sound of fast-moving footsteps behind him jolted Haruka back to the present. He didn't dare look back, but he could hear the harsh sound of wood slicing through the air, followed by a loud thunk as the stick grazed his head and slammed into the tree beside him. His blood ran cold.
They're too close.
The figures were gaining ground, their malicious shouts getting louder. The closer they got, the more Haruka realized they weren't some simple NPCs from a game. These were real, dangerous creatures—Hilichurls, he knew them as from the game. Their primitive appearance only heightened the threat.
He could see them now, closer than ever. They were masked with white, horned designs, their bodies wrapped in tattered cloth, and their limbs were thick with muscle, their gray skin belying their brute strength.
"Zida!" One of them growled in their native tongue, the word laced with rage.
Haruka's body moved faster than his thoughts as he dodged a strike aimed at his head. In one fluid motion, he kicked out, landing a solid hit on the Hilichurl's mask, sending it flying.
With adrenaline coursing through his veins, Haruka somersaulted and landed with a swift roll, narrowly avoiding the encircling group. The chase was on.
His legs were pumping hard, his body moving like a well-oiled machine. It was as if some hidden part of him had awakened, granting him the agility and speed of an athlete. His senses were sharper than ever before. He could see every movement in slow motion, calculating each step with precision. It was as if he had become a different person entirely.
"Biadam!" The Hilichurl he'd kicked cursed loudly, furious. He turned to his two companions and gestured for them to chase.
Haruka sprinted ahead, his heart hammering in his chest as he pushed himself to the limit. His bare feet barely felt the pain of the sharp stones beneath him. His mind was clear, his focus unwavering. There was only one thought in his head: survival.
Ahead, he saw a clearing, a glimmer of hope. It was a narrow path between the trees, leading to what seemed like a human settlement. Desperation clawed at him, and he yelled.
"Save me! Help!"
But the words barely left his mouth before they fell silent. The oppressive atmosphere of Teyvat seemed to swallow his cries whole. His chest tightened, his breath coming in shallow bursts.
I'm going to die here.
The thought was dark and real, a feeling he couldn't shake off. The fear was crushing, but he pushed it down, trying to focus on his next move.
But just then, he stumbled upon something he hadn't expected—a camp. A group of Hilichurls were gathered around a fire, cooking food in a primitive pot. The sight made his stomach twist in both fear and hunger.
A few of them looked up, seeing him approach. One of them, an archer, raised an eyebrow, confused. A burly figure, massive and muscular, stood up from where he had been sitting, gripping a large, decorated wooden shield. His body was covered in thick armor, and his menacing presence alone made Haruka freeze.
"A Wooden Shield Hilichurl Thug…" Haruka muttered under his breath. His mind flashed back to countless battles in the game. This was the nightmare every new player dreaded. The shield was nearly indestructible, the attack relentless.
No way. How is this possible?
The giant charged forward, his shield raised high, ready to crush him.
Haruka's heart skipped a beat as he instinctively backed away. The end seemed inevitable.
The other Hilichurls closed in from the sides, and Haruka knew that escape was almost impossible.
Think, Haruka. Think.
But as the giant closed the gap, a sudden, powerful wave of energy coursed through him. His vision blurred, his body igniting with newfound power. Was this the legendary "golden finger"?
He didn't have time to wonder.
The ground trembled as the giant charged, and Haruka made his move. It was now or never.
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