Genshin Impact: Glutinous Path To Godhood

Haruka knelt by the edge of the clearing, gripping the jagged stone knife he had spent hours crafting. The crude weapon glinted dully in the pale moonlight as he worked tirelessly, carving into the carcass of a wild boar. Its hide was tougher than expected, and his arms ached, but Haruka pressed on.

The boar had been his prize from last night's skirmish—a small victory in the grand, perilous world of Teyvat. Most of the usable meat was salvaged, divided between a roasting spit and a bubbling stew pot he had fashioned from scavenged materials. A savory aroma filled the air as he ate cautiously, his sharp eyes scanning the darkened forest for any signs of movement.

The nearby Hilichurl camps were always a threat. The Abyss had summoned most of them southward, but the few stragglers who remained were dangerous enough to keep him on edge. Haruka didn't mind, though. The tension spurred his preparations forward.

By morning, his crude pit trap was nearly complete. He had expanded it into a deep, deceptive sinkhole lined with sharpened stakes at the bottom, camouflaged beneath murky water. His days of training, scavenging, and fortifying his defenses had given him a sliver of confidence—a small but growing belief that he could outwit the savage creatures of this land.

But tonight, fate would test his resolve.

---

The first sign of danger came in the form of flickering firelight. Haruka froze, his spoon halfway to his lips. Across the clearing, a figure emerged from the dense treeline—a hulking Hilichurl wielding a massive torch-shaped hammer, its flames roaring with unnatural intensity.

The Torchbearer.

"Just my luck," Haruka muttered, tossing aside his meal. He darted toward the pond, the crackling of flames growing louder behind him.

The Torchbearer roared, its fire-infused weapon igniting the dry grass and foliage. Flames licked hungrily at the air, spreading in chaotic spirals. Haruka dove into the water, the cool embrace of the pond shielding him from the inferno.

From his vantage point in the center of the pond, Haruka watched the hulking creature pace along the shore. Its red eyes glowed with fury as it searched for a way to reach him.

"Not so tough without your flames," Haruka taunted, gripping one of his makeshift spears. He hurled it with practiced precision. The weapon struck the ground near the Torchbearer's feet, forcing it to retreat momentarily.

The stalemate stretched on, both combatants unwilling to yield. Hours passed, the forest now drenched in heavy rain, extinguishing the spreading flames.

Seizing the opportunity, Haruka swam to the edge of the pond. With a burst of speed, he charged the disoriented Hilichurl. His stick struck true, shattering the creature's mask and extinguishing its fiery mallet for good.

Breathing heavily, Haruka collected his spoils—another crude mask and a piece of flint, trophies of his survival.

---

As the rain subsided, Haruka stood by his trap, the pit hidden beneath a thin layer of muddy water. He traced his fingers over the markings he had carved into nearby trees—a crude map guiding him back to this very spot. Tonight, he had a plan: lure the Hilichurl thugs from their camp and use the trap to turn the tide.

The Hilichurl camp was eerily quiet, its occupants sound asleep. In the center, a treasure chest gleamed, the promise of potential power and supplies. But Haruka's focus wasn't on the loot. Not yet.

Nearby, elemental slimes hopped lazily in oversized clay pots, their glossy forms shimmering in the dim light. Haruka prodded one experimentally, marveling at its strange, gelatinous consistency.

"Fascinating," he whispered, before slipping back into the shadows.

A hail of small stones rained down on the camp, striking the sleeping Hilichurls.

"Ye!"

"Ya!"

The angry cries echoed as the creatures scrambled to their feet, their weapons clattering. Haruka grinned, already sprinting into the forest.

The chase was relentless. Twigs snapped underfoot, and the thundering footsteps of his pursuers grew louder. Haruka darted through a maze of tripwires, each one slowing the Hilichurls as they stumbled and fell.

Finally, the largest of the group—a Wooden Shield Thug—barreled ahead, its massive shield smashing through obstacles like a juggernaut.

Haruka reached the pit and leaped effortlessly over it, landing on the other side with a triumphant smirk.

"Come on, big guy!" he shouted, waving a middle finger in mock defiance.

The Hilichurl roared, charging blindly forward. The ground gave way beneath its weight, and with a resounding crash, it plunged into the pit.

---

Haruka wasted no time. He thrust his spear downward, the makeshift weapon biting into the creature's thick hide. The Hilichurl thrashed violently, but the confined space gave it no room to maneuver. Blow after blow rained down until the beast finally stilled.

Breathing heavily, Haruka collapsed beside the pit, his body trembling from exertion.

"Human ingenuity wins again," he muttered with a weak grin.

The night was quiet now, save for the gentle patter of rain against the trees. Haruka gathered what he could from the defeated foe—a broken mask and a few scraps of its shield.

By morning, he returned to the pit and hauled the lifeless body to the surface. As he sifted through the remains for anything useful, a sense of grim satisfaction washed over him.

For now, he had survived. But in the treacherous land of Teyvat, survival was never guaranteed.

###

Read 10+ advance chapters on my Patreon at Patreon.com/TLLina