Kael found great solace in Amber, and after venting his negative emotions, he felt much lighter.
Looking at Amber lying in his arms, her expression a mix of exhaustion and shyness, he suddenly had an epiphany.
Even though he had inflicted pain on others in the life simulations, it was all just a simulation.
Since emotions were shared, at the very least, he could make up for that pain in reality.
Amber, who still had to report to the Knights of Favonius, got up from the bed first.
Kael, concerned, asked, "Aren't you still in pain? Maybe you should take the day off."
Amber's face flushed red. "Stop talking about it! Mondstadt only has one Outrider—I can't just take leave whenever I want."
"Then I'll go with you."
"No need! You have to open the shop! Hurry up and get ready! I'm leaving first!"
After the intimate moment they had just shared, Amber was too embarrassed to stay and desperately wanted to escape the lingering tension.
Watching Amber flee in a fluster, Kael chuckled and got out of bed, getting dressed.
Having drawn warmth from Amber, Kael felt revitalized.
It was almost noon by the time he stepped out of his room, only to find Mona sitting in the living room, reading a book while waiting for him.
When Mona saw Kael emerge, she gave him a cold sidelong glance, her expression unreadable.
Wait, has Mona been sitting here the whole time?!
This is way too awkward.
Thinking about what had just transpired mere feet away, Kael cleared his throat uncomfortably.
"Ahem... Mona, why are you up so early today?"
Mona slowly turned a page in her book.
"Didn't I agree to work for you today? I got up early to wait, but since you were... busy, I didn't disturb you."
"Ahaha..."
Kael forced a dry laugh. "It's already noon—probably not many people will be buying meat now. Let's take the day off. Don't worry, I'll still pay you."
Mona's tone was pointed. "Whatever makes you happy."
The atmosphere in the room was unbearably awkward, and Kael quickly made his escape.
"I'm going to take a walk around Mondstadt."
With that, he fled the house.
The moment the wind hit his face outside, his mind cleared.
Wait, why am I running away? What's there to feel guilty about?
Mona's the one who's been making assumptions all along, right?
I never actually admitted to anything.
If anything, she should be the embarrassed one—she was eavesdropping!
Still, Kael had no intention of going back to endure Mona's icy remarks.
Besides, it was time to collect some attribute points.
After the last life simulation, Kael realized how crucial it was to stockpile more attribute points.
Even though the system had said that the "him" in the simulations was a projection of his real self, differences in upbringing meant that his simulated self sometimes made choices he wasn't entirely satisfied with.
When it really mattered, the real him had to step in.
And who knew what the next simulation would throw at him?
Now that he had obtained two Visions, his combat prowess had skyrocketed.
It was time to join the Adventurers' Guild and take on some commissions.
With the system's rewards, particularly the map tool, hunting boars for attribute points had become trivial.
Just by opening the map, he could pinpoint boar locations with ease.
But he needed a lot of attribute points.
If he relied solely on boars, he might end up hunting them to extinction in Mondstadt.
So, why not take on some commissions instead?
It was time to make his mark in Mondstadt!
Kael arrived at the Adventurers' Guild.
Katheryne greeted him with her trademark smile. "Ad astra abyssosque, Traveler! How may I help you?"
"Hello, I'd like to join the Adventurers' Guild."
Katheryne swiftly pulled out a form from a drawer.
"Of course! Just fill out this form, and once you're done, you'll officially be a member of our guild."
As Kael filled out the form, he asked, "That's it? No vetting process or anything?"
"None needed." Katheryne smiled. "The Adventurers' Guild has been eagerly awaiting your arrival. The branch head in Mondstadt has already given special instructions—if the Traveler wishes to join, we welcome you with open arms."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
Well, given how gossip spreads like wildfire in Teyvat, it's no surprise. My reputation has probably reached every corner of Mondstadt—maybe even other nations by now.
With my current fame, preferential treatment isn't unexpected.
He quickly finished filling out the form.
Katheryne took it back. "Congratulations on joining the Adventurers' Guild! Are you looking to take on any commissions today?"
"Yes."
Katheryne handed him a list. "Here are the currently available commissions. Choose whichever suits you, complete them, and report back. Your current Adventurer Rank is Lv. 1, but as you complete more commissions, your rank will increase. Take on as many as you can to rank up quickly!"
Kael skimmed through the list.
At Rank 1, the commissions Katheryne provided were all low-level tasks—things like clearing out Hilichurl camps threatening villages or gathering materials.
Kael marked all the Hilichurl extermination commissions.
Seeing his selections, Katheryne hesitated. "Traveler, you've taken on six Hilichurl camp clearances. These are relatively high-difficulty tasks. Would you like the Guild to assign fellow adventurers to assist you?"
Kael was confident in his current strength. "No need."
With two Visions and an enhanced physique, wiping out a few Hilichurl camps would be child's play.
Seeing his resolve, Katheryne didn't press further.
"Then please be careful out there. May the winds guide you."
The moment Kael stepped out of Mondstadt's gates, he spotted a pure white pigeon perched on the bridge.
Wait, the system said killing beasts grants attribute points. Do birds count?
Kael unleashed an Electro skill at the pigeon.
"Thunder Arc."
The struck pigeon instantly collapsed, its stiff body making it clear it was dead.
[Beast slain: +20 Attribute Points. Current total: 50.]
Kael's eyes lit up.
Birds count as beasts too?!
That's another way to farm points!
A flock of pigeons stood further down the bridge—but a little boy stood beside them.
Even from a distance, Kael recognized him.
Timmie.
He gave the pigeons a regretful look.
With Mondstadt's self-appointed pigeon guardian standing watch, today wasn't the day for a point-harvesting spree.
Kael headed into the wilderness and opened the system'sided map.
Originally, he just wanted to cross-reference the commission locations with the map to find the Hilichurl camps.
But when he opened it, he was stunned.
Every commission he had accepted was marked on the map with detailed icons.
Clicking on an icon even displayed specifics—like how many Hilichurls, Mitachurls, or Samachurls were in a camp.
This map is even more detailed than the one in the actual game!
Kael was thrilled.
This is ridiculously convenient!
With this, farming points, adventuring, or even treasure hunting in Teyvat would be a breeze.
Maps really are OP!
Following the markers, Kael easily located the first Hilichurl camp.
Standing just outside, he activated his Electro Vision.
"Thunder Net."
A massive web of lightning descended from the sky, enveloping the entire camp.
In an instant, every Hilichurl inside was obliterated.
Rinse and repeat.
By the time he finished all six commissions, Kael had slain 56 Hilichurls, netting 1,100 Attribute Points.
His Adventurer Rank skyrocketed from Lv. 1 to Lv. 7.
When he returned to report, Katheryne was astonished.
"Normally, clearing a Hilichurl camp requires a team of 3-4 adventurers. Yet you single-handedly wiped out six in one day! As expected of the renowned Traveler."
"Here are your rank-up rewards and commission earnings..."
Between the commissions and bonuses, Kael walked away with a staggering 200,000 Mora.
That's more than I make running the shop!
Right now, exploring Mondstadt felt just like when he first started playing Genshin Impact—every corner held new surprises.
Returning home with his spoils, he found the living room empty.
Mona was nowhere to be seen.
Did she go back to her own place, or is she just out wandering?
Kael didn't dwell on Mona's absence.
He had more important matters to attend to.
With 1,150 Attribute Points now stockpiled, he was ready for the next simulation.
Kael summoned the system.
"I'm ready. Start the life simulation."
[Acknowledged. Life Simulation commencing.]
[Please select three random talents from the following. Talents will influence your life's outcome. If your final rating reaches S-tier, aside from rewards, you may permanently retain one talent as your own. Choose carefully.]
[Rarity (low to high): White, Blue, Red, Gold, Black.]
[Reincarnator (Black)]: You gain one chance to revive after death. (Already claimed, unavailable.)
[Unbearable to Look At (White)]: You were born face-first into the ground. Your appearance is... unfortunate.
[Black Stockings Fetish (White)]: You have a particular fondness for women in black stockings. (Used last round, on cooldown.)
[Dragon Among Men (Red)]: You are born with both genders. Water triggers a transformation.
[Born Rich (White)]: You hail from an extremely wealthy family, with inexplicably good luck in finances.
[Head Chef (White)]: You possess exceptional culinary skills. (Already claimed, unavailable.)
[Reckless Brute (White)]: You are fearless but impulsive, often making rash decisions with irreversible consequences.
No matter how many times I see these, "Dragon Among Men" and "Unbearable to Look At" are just... something else.
And "Reckless Brute" is just code for "certified idiot," right?
"System, can I just pick one talent?"
Kael really only wanted Born Rich.
[No. Three talents must be selected to begin the simulation.]
"Tch. Fine."
After some thought, Kael decided:
"Born Rich" is the most valuable this round.
"I'll take Born Rich, Reckless Brute, and Unbearable to Look At."
He was saving Dragon Among Men for last—that was a nightmare he wasn't ready to face.
But... pairing Reckless Brute with Unbearable to Look At?
That's just a recipe for an ugly moron.
He seriously doubted he could form any emotional connection with a simulation character burdened with these traits.
[Life Simulation begins.]
[0 years old: You are born into a wealthy merchant family in Liyue. During delivery, the midwife drops you—face-first onto the floor.]
[Miraculously, you survive. However, your face is fractured, leaving your lower jaw permanently disfigured.]
Kael found this.... -_-
His real-world appearance was already decent, and after the system's enhancements, he'd become downright striking.
In Mondstadt, girls often blushed just looking at him, though few dared to confess outright.
But this simulation?
This is my first time playing as an ugly guy.
This should be... interesting.