Ambushed in the Desert

Paimon's reddened eyes softened Lin Ze's heart, and he reached out to stroke her hair.

"Sorry, Paimon. I'm late."

Feeling terribly hurt, Paimon plopped down beside Lin Ze, rested her head against his chest, and sobbed quietly.

"Waaah... I called you so many times, but you never answered. I thought I was the only one left here."

"Of course not. We still have to travel together."

Paimon left Lin Ze somewhat at a loss, so he could only gently pat her back to soothe her.

Aether the Traveler's heartache burst through his chest, and Lin Ze took the opportunity to look himself over.

A white cape, golden ornaments, a tassel dangling from his left ear-his exposed midriff felt the scorching heat of the sun.

He reached behind him and brought his long, braided golden hair around to his chest.

The strands were smooth and glossy, gleaming in the sunlight.

As Lin Ze's synchronization with Aether the Traveler gradually increased, he began to sense Paimon's unease. The Transmigration Management Bureau had given Paimon a backstory in which she had traveled through the Seven Nations with Aether, gone through the final battle, and set out on another journey with him.

And now, this was the first world Aether and Paimon had reached after leaving Teyvat.

After a long while, Paimon finally stopped crying. She looked up at Lin Ze as though she wanted to say something but was hesitating.

"All right. Paimon will forgive you this time."

"Um... Traveler, do you have anything to eat...? Paimon's a little hungry." Paimon wiped her mouth sheepishly.

"Ptooey, ptooey! Ugh, that lump of sand tasted awful."

Perhaps it was because their synchronization had increased, but Lin Ze had truly come to regard Paimon as his traveling companion and family. Looking at her disgusted expression, he laughed.

That's Paimon for you.

Still, the Transmigration Management Bureau wasn't so poor that it couldn't even provide a starter pack. Lin Ze opened his inventory, took out two Sunsettias, and handed both to Paimon.

"Eat these to tide you over, Paimon. This looks like a desert, but I don't know which part we're in. If we're near the edge, we can look around in a bit and see if we can find anyone."

Hearing that Lin Ze was going to look for food, Paimon's eyes immediately lit up.

"Yay! Let's go!"

Instead of eating the Sunsettias she was holding, she handed them back to Lin Ze.

"Actually, Paimon isn't that hungry. You take them, Traveler."

Lin Ze was touched. He knew Paimon was only making an excuse because she was worried they wouldn't have any food in the desert. The little symphony orchestra in her belly had been rumbling away for quite some time.

He didn't refuse and took one Sunsettia.

"How about this, Paimon? We'll have one each to get some strength back, then have a big meal once we find somewhere people live."

Only after hearing the Traveler say that did Paimon stop refusing. She took her fruit and hurriedly began eating.

After finishing the Sunsettias, both of them felt much better, their fatigue easing considerably.

Lin Ze reached out and summoned his weapon.

The Dull Blade!

With its dingy gray hilt and utterly lackluster blade, this one-handed sword was something even a scrap collector wouldn't pick up off the ground. Yet it gave Lin Ze a huge surprise.

Level 30!

Looks like the Bureau did put some work into keeping its employees safe.

Dull Blade in hand, Lin Ze began his journey through the desert with Paimon.

They walked and walked, until they were drenched in sweat. At last, they spotted a little green.

"Ah! Traveler, look!"

Clumps of trees dotted the boundless sea of sand-sand willows. Those clusters of sand willows breathed life into the otherwise silent desert.

To survive in the water-starved desert, the tenacious sand willows sank their roots deep into the sand, stretching dozens of meters toward sources of water.

"Thank goodness."

Water in the desert meant hope.

After walking for hours, Lin Ze's mouth and throat were already parched. He let Paimon drag him over to a small lake.

Neither of them cared whether the water was clean. They scooped it up and drank until their bellies were full.

After drinking, Paimon looked around.

"Traveler, look. Aren't there two people up ahead?"

At Paimon's words, Lin Ze looked up. Sure enough, two figures were approaching.

The newcomers wore headscarves and had dark skin. They looked a little like people from Sumeru, but considering that he and Paimon had already traveled to another world, Lin Ze thought their features seemed more Middle Eastern.

"Hello! Could you tell us if there's... Aaaah!!!"

Bang!

Paimon had wanted to ask whether the two men could lead them out of the desert. Instead, they drew weapons and fired straight at them.

"Paimon, watch out!"

Lin Ze reacted swiftly, grabbing Paimon and ducking into a hollow in the sand.

Boom, boom, boom...

Lin Ze had only just found his footing when several more bullets flew in. He hurriedly dropped flat behind the mound of sand.

"Who'd have thought we'd get a little bonus just coming out for water? Did you see that? The little thing was floating in the air. Could be a mutant."

As their enemies drew closer, Lin Ze and Paimon could hear their conversation.

"Yeah, I saw it. What luck. Mutants always fetch the best prices. I got a look at the other one's face, too. A real little beauty."

"Don't know if that one's a mutant, but a face like that will fetch a good price anyway."

"Hahaha! Doesn't matter if she's not a mutant. I've had enough of this shithole. I haven't had a woman in years. Might as well grab her and get a taste."

"Gene, you must be going crazy for women. You didn't look closely enough. The blond one's a boy."

"A boy? Isn't that even better?"

Lin Ze's heart lurched.

He hadn't expected these two sickos to discuss something so vile. It was worse than killing him.

Their sleazy voices drifted over.

Behind the dune, the two men discussed how to capture and assault them. The one named Gene even set his sights on Paimon.

Hearing this, Lin Ze seethed.

"T-Traveler..."

Paimon clung to Lin Ze's arm in fear.

"Don't be scared, Paimon. I'm here. I won't let those bad guys get their way."

Seeing Paimon trembling, Lin Ze's heart filled with fury.

The two men's voices came closer and closer. They were almost directly above him now.

Suddenly, the sand beside Lin Ze's feet shifted. He looked down and saw a black head emerge from the grains.

It was a snake!

The snake stared at Lin Ze, flicking out its tongue. Slime coated the forked tongue, and a foul stench hit his nose.

It's venomous!

Damn thing.

Lin Ze cursed inwardly. The threat was right on top of him.

He kicked forward with his left foot, striking the snake squarely in its vulnerable spot just behind the head.

The instant the snake reared up in pain, Lin Ze grabbed its tail and flung it up over his head.

"Aaaah! A snake!"

"Shoot it!"

Bang, bang, bang!

Hearing the gunshots overhead, Lin Ze knew his chance had come.