I'm Maria, a Hunter / If You Bleed Enough, It's Not Awkward Anymore

"The experiment requires us to try and preserve a Demon God who should have vanished into thin air. The first step of the experiment... Can someone tell me how long I've been traveling? And how long will it take for Heulia to get here?"

Anqi scratched her head, staring at a desolate, miasma-filled forest, her lips twitching, somewhat bewildered.

But I'm not too panicked.

After all, it was the first experiment, and anything could happen; it wasn't entirely unexpected.

"Even Anqi Network. Is it because, to them, I'm in the past right now? No, that's not right. I haven't traveled through time. I've just arrived at a historical version of the Teyvat data entity. In real time, we're always synchronized. In other words, it's the world data itself that's blocking the network connection?"

"Hmm, I'll write this down first and study it later... So, come out here, I've already smelled the bloodthirsty, manic stench of you."

Anqi calmly raised her hand and placed it on the black top hat on her head.

At this moment, she had a pale yet exquisitely delicate oval face, blood-red pupils, a golden ponytail, and a tall, graceful figure. She wore a Victorian-style black trench coat with a high collar and an elegant sapphire tie. Even her long, slender hands were covered with elegant black gloves.

Exquisite and classic, like a rose in a dark and beautiful painting style.

"Rustle, rustle!"

The grass and trees swayed in the jungle, and wild beasts and demons, smelling the life force of living beings, came seeking a hearty meal.

"During the Archon War, Liyue was a battlefield of carnage. Even the wild beasts of nature, influenced by the resentment flowing through the earth, were more bloodthirsty and frenzied than in times of peace... It seems that only a swift death can heal you and free you from that savage ignorance."

She murmured softly, her voice as clear and bright as the night wind, yet carrying a hint of coolness.

"I am Maria, a hunter."

Maria wasn't from Yharnam; she was just a hunter named Maria.

The elegant hunter gently touched the brim of her hat, the moonlight illuminating her delicate, snow-white face, her bright red lips slightly upturned—a captivating and deadly beauty.

Then Maria looked up at the ferocious beasts rushing towards her, her blood transforming into a sharp blade in her hand, and faced them head-on.

"Roar!!!"

Five minutes later, the beast's roars and wails all ceased.

Blood stained Maria's white scarf red and made her black trench coat even darker.

"So, the Salt of the Earth are still unclaimed land occupied by wild beasts and monsters? Looks like I'll have to wait a while."

Maria manipulated the blood everywhere, as elegant as a vampire queen, yet she sighed helplessly.

Once the target is Heulia, then it can only be Heulia.

By rashly getting involved in more history, every change we make adds to the burden on the Anqi people five hundred years later.

Maria decided not to take the risk and would stay on this land, waiting for the experimental target with the interesting power to come to her.

This wait lasted for countless days and nights.

Until one day, a Demon God finally set foot in this place.

"I've heard that someone in this area has been slaying rampaging monsters lately, which has put a lot of peace of mind for passersby. That person must be you!"

A petite and pretty girl appeared before Maria, her smile bright and lovely.

She had long, smooth, gray-blue hair, bright eyes and white teeth, her hands hidden in long sleeves embroidered with starry skies, revealing her delicate, jade-like shoulders.

It's just a bit flat.

She was petite, her clothes fluttering in the wind, and her bare, jade-like feet were smooth and delicate, making her extremely cute and alluring.

It is indeed a bit flat.

"Uh... was it just my imagination? I had a feeling you were thinking something rude just now?"

"What is it?"

Maria glanced at the jade-like feet, then looked away and asked casually.

At the same time, he casually pulled the blood gun from the giant monster's head, and the blood flowed back into his body through the wound on his wrist.

The ability to manipulate blood is a power that Anqi pieced together by combining the abilities of some Honkai Beast. Its initial state is not strong, but it has the advantage of being able to absorb the bloodline power of its prey to improve itself. Its upper limit is very high, enough to ensure Maria's survival in the historical data.

It wouldn't seem strange, as all sorts of beings exist in the Archon War, and a powerful being who manipulates blood is completely insignificant.

'Instead of waiting for the Salt Demon God Heulia, we've encountered the Hagintos, the Dust Demon God first? But that makes sense; in the era before the floods, the Dust King's territory of Dihua Marsh and the Salt of the Earth were directly adjacent, so it's not surprising that they were noticed.'

Hagintos, or rather, Dust King Guizhong, looked at the abilities Maria displayed and showed no unusual reaction, simply blinking his bright eyes and smiling:

"I am Hagintos, the Dust Demon God. You may call me Guizhong. I reside on the distant Dihua Marsh in this direction. I heard of a kind hunter here, and thus I have come to invite you..."

"Not interested, goodbye."

Although she's a bit flat-chested, this petite and adorable young woman undoubtedly fits Maria's aesthetic preferences and tastes.

Unfortunately, she was on this trip to conduct an experiment.

All actions must align with the initially set goals.

Too much intervention would place a heavy burden on the other Anqi.

It would be a pity if such a beautiful girl disappeared in the future. But Anqi wouldn't risk her life for mere beauty.

Maria disappeared into the jungle.

Guizhong in frustration.

Do I look strange? Or do I look like a bad person?

The young Demon God couldn't help but puff out her cheeks.

It's worth noting that she has always been very popular with both people and the gods since her debut. Maria is the first person to run away upon seeing her.

Guizhong a domineering CEO, but Maria had become someone she cared about.

From then on, Maria would occasionally "encounter" the passing Demon God of Dust in the mountains and wilderness.

"Hey! This spring water is so clear, want to soak your feet together?"

"No need, goodbye."

"What a coincidence! Are you here to admire the flowers too? I didn't expect there to be so many Glaze Lily here. I quite like this kind of flower."

"No, goodbye."

Good evening! Oh, you're taking a shower? Excuse me, can I join you?

"Claws."

"Okay, see you next time!"

"I brought some savory pancakes made by the old master craftsman at the village entrance. Would you like to try some?"

"Are you unable to understand human speech?"

"I understand, but there are some things I don't like, so just pretend you didn't hear them. How about that? Aren't you impressed? So come and try some; I brought it all this way, it must have been hard work."

"Well..."

Maria sighed, her expression indifferent, and accepted the normal food she hadn't tasted in who knows how long.

"I am Maria. And thank you, it's delicious."

You're welcome, Maria!

Guizhong smiled like a shrewd strategist who had succeeded in his scheme, both smug and adorable.

"Hello! I'm here again! Sigh, but this might be the last time I'm here for a while. A group of magical beasts has come near Dihua Marsh, and I have to keep a close eye on them, or everyone will be in danger. Just thinking about it is such a hassle..."

"Direction, distance."

"Um?"

"Consider it repaying you for the cake last time."

Maria turned her gaze away from the bright moon, stood up on the smooth rock, and spoke with a hint of helplessness, as well as a gentleness she herself did not want to admit.

Her aloof and elegant figure, towering above without arrogance, looked like a painting in the moonlight.

Guizhong paused for a moment, then subconsciously pointed in a direction.

'It's just a small favor; it shouldn't affect the future.'

With that thought in mind, Maria made up her mind and didn't hesitate any longer. In an instant, she transformed into a phantom and rushed out like lightning.

Chapter 112: If the bleeding is heavy enough, it won't be awkward.

At Dihua Marsh, in Guili Plains, a bird, a deer, and a person flew in from the direction of Jueyunjian.

It was upon hearing of the trouble that Guili Plains encountered that the three immortals, Liuyun Cloud Retainer, Yixiao Daotian Zhenjun, and Gechen Langshi Zhenjun, came to lend a helping hand.

The three immortals descended from the sky and landed in the direction of the aura of Guizhong. At the same time, the bird and the deer transformed into human form one by one.

Only after landing did the three immortals who came to help discover that Guizhong was standing on a blood-stained ground, his hands, tucked into his sleeves, gently pressed against his face, looking troubled about how to deal with the situation.

"Cloud Retainer, Yixiao, Ping'er, you've arrived."

"Guizhong, what's going on? Wasn't it said that hordes of monsters were approaching and Guili Plains in danger?"

"Isn't this... the place I mentioned last time, the place in the middle of the trade route to Findenir (note: the future Dragonspine), where there's a hunter who specializes in killing monsters, and I tried to befriend him? This is what she helped with."

Guizhong scratched his head and explained.

The three immortals looked at each other for a moment, then walked into the blood-filled puddles and looked around for a while.

A moment later, the Yixiao Daotian Zhenjun praised in a steady voice:

"There are many kinds of weapons, including swords, spears, and halberds, but every mark is clean and crisp, showing that the martial arts are superb. Is there really such a brave and skilled warrior in the world? The only problem is, is there too much blood?"

"Her ability is to manipulate blood in battle, which is normal."

When Guizhong "encountered" similar scenes in the mountains, I had seen them many times and had become used to it.

Cloud Retainer said:

"Manipulating blood? That's a bit sinister... But magic is magic, and ultimately it depends on the person using it. What do you think of her, Guizhong?"

"Her? She's quite nice! Although she's always stayed in that forest, seemingly treating it as her hunting ground, she's never harmed anyone. Those who trade with Findenir have actually become much safer because of her. I think she's a good person!"

Guizhong, thinking of Maria's exquisitely beautiful face, his smile was radiant.

Cloud Retainer nodded.

"Then why don't you use your talent for persistent pursuit to coax her down the mountain? That way, she'll be safer after Guili Plains."

"That's true. But it's not really appropriate to force someone. She's been staying there the whole time, so I feel like there must be some special reason... Wait, what do you mean by 'persistently pestering' and 'coaxing'? Have I ever lied to anyone? Have I ever pestered you?"

"This is a question you're asking me, and I can't give you a truthful answer. You know I'm not good with words, so let's skip this topic."

"Cloud Retainer, what do you mean by this?!"

Guizhong angrily stomped his foot at the mature and elegant girl with glasses.

Cloud Retainer calmly waved his hand to reassure her.

Guizhong's face rounded out, and he glared at her angrily before turning and running Guili Plains.

"I'm going to prepare a return gift for her. I'm not going to worry about you guys! You guys help me clean up this mess!"

The petite and delicate girl, her long sleeves trailing behind her, ran off into the distance with a pattering sound.

Gechen Langshi Zhenjun sighed and shook his head.

"Sigh! They really do forget their old friends once they find someone new. They just met a new person, and in the blink of an eye, they don't care about us at all. They used to at least treat us to tea or something."

"Ping'er, are you jealous?"