Becoming a Gacha Character

(In the live broadcast room, the 'typos' in the comments and bullet screen messages are mostly homophone jokes.)

(For typos in the main text, please @ the author. Thank you very much.)

(Storing my brain, enjoying the fun.)

Teyvat Continent.

Liyue, Chasm.

On the summit of Mingyuan Mountain.

Mu Yang was talking to himself in front of a glowing screen.

All of this started a few hours ago.

Mu Yang had originally planned to play Genshin Impact during the weekend morning.

He wanted to fully explore the Chasm.

Just as he was about to finish, his vision suddenly went black.

When he woke up again, he was on the mountaintop of Mingyuan Mountain.

Before him was only this operation panel called the "Character Popularity System."

Mu Yang studied it for a bit.

He then asked, "System, what are your functions?"

An electronic female voice replied to him.

"This system is called the 'Character Popularity System.'"

"As the name suggests, the host can set their own background and skills."

"Become a Genshin Impact gacha character and gain popularity among players."

"This way, you can become stronger with popularity points, and the system's functions will also increase."

After listening to the system's introduction.

Mu Yang found it a bit hard to accept.

Others had heaven-defying comprehension, or started as Archons.

Or Fatui Harbingers, and so on.

How come he ended up with just this panel?

He even had to get players to pull for him to get stronger...

Moreover, becoming a popular character.

Meant being subjected to all sorts of crazy fan creations by players.

He might even appear on a certain R18 pink app...

However, these were all acceptable.

What made it the hardest for him to accept was the current timing.

Having started Genshin Impact during the Inazuma update.

And having played for two and a half years, Mu Yang.

He could still manage this system.

He still remembered the plot points.

But the place he was currently in was the Chasm.

"System, did you bring me to the wrong place?"

"This is the Chasm, damn it! The Chasm was only opened in Version 4.4!"

"The Lantern Rite Festival is already over, right? Where do you expect me to show up?"

"Should I swim to Fontaine on the other side, to Chiori's Shop?"

The system understood his thoughts.

It connected the panel to a screen showing Earth.

A Genshin Impact pre-announcement was being broadcast there.

"This is a parallel Earth, Genshin Impact hasn't been released yet."

So, he could start from Mondstadt.

That meant there was so much more room to maneuver.

Mu Yang's spirits immediately lifted.

"Hehehe, let me try my skills!"

Although Mu Yang started playing Genshin Impact during the Inazuma update.

But by now, I've become numb to the emotional blows.

At this moment, he was already eager to throw himself into the game.

To give the players a good thrashing.

Mu Yang opened the system panel.

And made the following settings:

Name: Mu Yang

Vision: Cryo

Constellation: Seat of Solitude

Weapon Type: Sword

Affiliation: Chasm

Title: Oath of the Deep Sword

[Normal Attack: Cloud Terrace Three Falls]: Performs up to three consecutive attacks.

Charged Attack: Consumes stamina to unleash a circular sword slash around himself, dealing damage.

When possessing at least one stack of Sword Intent, Charged Attacks consume one stack to increase their damage.

Plunging Attack: Plunges from mid-air to strike the ground, dealing AoE damage.

[Elemental Skill: Azure Dragon Emerging from Water]: A swift, piercing dash that deals Cryo damage to enemies along its path.

Grants an unfading Cryo infusion for 12 seconds.

Cooldown: 8 seconds.

[Elemental Burst: Sword Treading Mountains and Rivers]: Mu Yang unleashes the ultimate of his swordsmanship.

With extreme speed, he slashes a sword energy that shatters mountains and rivers in a forward AoE.

Enemies hit will enter a Stasis state for 6 seconds.

During the enemy's Stasis duration.

A Cryo clone will be summoned every second.

The clones will perform Mu Yang's sword techniques.

Attacking enemies hit by the sword energy. (Off-field)

Elemental Energy: 80.

Cooldown: 18 seconds.

[Passive Talent 1: Sword Intent]: Each Normal Attack hit grants one stack of Sword Intent.

Maximum 5 stacks. Each stack increases Cryo DMG by 5%.

Each stack of Sword Intent lasts for 15 seconds.

If Sword Intent is gained when at maximum stacks, the duration of the stack with the least remaining time will be refreshed.

[Passive Talent 2: Trace-less]: After casting Elemental Skill Azure Dragon Emerging from Water.

Nearby characters gain interruption resistance.

Ignores the first instance of damage received and retaliates.

[Passive Talent 3: Soaring Cloud]

When out of combat, jumping transforms into a Lightness Skill.

This effect is canceled 3 seconds after entering combat.

[Constellation 1: Roaming Dragon]: Azure Dragon Emerging from Water gains 1 additional charge.

[Constellation 2: Lawbreaker]: Enemies hit by Azure Dragon Emerging from Water have their casting interrupted, their movement speed reduced, and are disarmed for 3 seconds.

[Constellation 3: Star Shift]: Sword Treading Mountains and Rivers' level is increased by 3, to a maximum of level 15.

[Constellation 4: Rainfall]: Enemies hit by the first sword energy of Sword Treading Mountains and Rivers.

Have their DEF decreased by 40% for 10 seconds.

Subsequent clone damage is increased by 10%.

[Constellation 5: Chasing Moon]: Azure Dragon Emerging from Water's level is increased by 3, to a maximum of level 15.

[Constellation 6: Misty Glow Fills the Sky]: After casting Sword Treading Mountains and Rivers.

Immediately gain 5 stacks of Sword Intent and 80 Energy.

Resets the cooldowns of Azure Dragon Emerging from Water and Sword Treading Mountains and Rivers.

This effect can be triggered once every 60 seconds.

Mu Yang finished setting up his skills according to his preferences.

A simple, primitive Ice DPS.

As for why he chose the Ice element.

It was naturally because the Ice element's backstory offered more potential for development.

Next was setting the character's background story.

The system reminded him.

The background setting would alter Teyvat's perception of him.

It required the host to personally simulate the experience.

And it would consume a large amount of Popularity Points.

Therefore, Mu Yang could only provide a general description for now.

He would add more details later once his Popularity increased.

Mu Yang couldn't help but complain to the system:

"You won't even give me a beginner's gift pack.

You're so stingy."

Background setting:

A mysterious swordsman from the Chasm.

Guarding a sword pool on a snow-covered mountaintop.

Rumor has it he is an adept.

He harbors a past unknown to others.

It seems to be related to old events in the Chasm.

Afterward, it was time to choose the character's portrait.

This was quite convenient.

Mu Yang merely envisioned a general idea in his mind.

The portrait then appeared on the panel.

A silver-haired youth dressed in ancient attire with a black and white color scheme.

A jade pendant and a Cryo Vision hung from his waist.

In his right hand, he held a very peculiar sword.

The scabbard appeared to be entwined with white branches.

The hilt was adorned with three Soul Incense Flowers.

"This should be about right,"

Mu Yang clicked confirm.

The settings began to take effect.

The grassy mountaintop started to collapse towards the center.

Subsequently, a lake covered in ice and snow formed.

The surrounding temperature plummeted, but Mu Yang didn't feel cold.

Because the moment the setting was completed.

He had become the owner of a Cryo Vision.

His hair began to turn white.

And he had changed into the clothes from the portrait.

Mu Yang suddenly felt his feet lift off the ground.

Scenes of memories flashed before his eyes.

In that small pavilion.

He, Fujin, Lingyuan, and the Medicine Master were all raising glasses in revelry.

Then the scene flickered.

The Medicine Master was cut into several pieces before him.

Mu Yang drew the sword from the portrait—

Wither and Flourish: Thousand Mountains Covering Snow.

He charged towards the blurry enemy figure.

In an instant, various complex emotions surged into his heart.

Anger, helplessness, loneliness, misunderstanding...

These were all very real.

Mu Yang rubbed his temples for a moment before he could barely recover.

System: "Tsk tsk, to take down one player, to self-harm eight hundred before even starting, that's impressive."

Mu Yang didn't feel it was anything.

It was just some simulated memories.

He could tell the difference.

He followed the mountain path and began walking towards Yilong Port.

Even though it was his first time on this path.

He could navigate it with practiced ease.

It was as if he had lived in Chasm for many years.

In Mu Yang's settings.

His swordsmanship, when pushed to its limit, could rival an Archon.

And his signature weapon—"Wither and Flourish: Thousand Mountains Covering Snow"—was the key item used to suppress Archons in the Sword Pool.

However, the settings weren't complete yet.

Neither the sword nor the Archon were present.

He didn't actually need to guard this place.

Besides, it was time to stir up some trouble and collect popularity.

"Aha! The fun times are about to begin!"