Hu Tao opened the team channel.
[Hu Tao]: Anyone there? I've got a situation.
[Raiden Ei]: What is it? I'll handle it!
[Hu Tao]: I keep capturing cities, but they get retaken almost immediately. Come over and take them over for me~
[Raiden Ei]: I'll come! Leave the defense to me—I guarantee nothing will go wrong.
Raiden Ei immediately volunteered. She was feeling confident lately—strong, well-developed, and eager to prove herself.
[Yae Miko]: And what exactly do you think you're doing? You're one of our main forces. You should be focusing on leveling.
After hearing Hu Tao's explanation, Yae Miko felt something was off.
It was as if the enemy knew Hu Tao's every move.
[Raiden Ei]: Then… we just let them retake the cities that easily?
[Yae Miko]: That's enemy territory. If you want to die halfway there, be my guest.
Hu Tao had already pushed deep into hostile land. No one knew how many Star Rail players were lurking nearby.
Hu Tao could move freely thanks to her overwhelming army—but anyone else would be wiped out in moments.
[Zhongli]: Director Hu, keep an eye on your surroundings.
Zhongli frowned. Every time Hu Tao appeared, the enemy vanished. The moment she left, they returned.
That pattern was too strange.
[Hu Tao]: You're saying… I'm being tailed?
[Zhongli]: It's possible.
[Hu Tao]: Got it. Then I'll see who exactly is spying on me.
Taking Zhongli's warning seriously, Hu Tao subtly scanned her surroundings.
Nothing.
No figures. No movement.
She continued forward as if nothing was wrong.
[System]: Player Yoimiya has been eliminated by Bronya.
Another announcement rang out.
"…This is getting bad," Zhongli muttered.
Hu Tao could wreak havoc on the enemy, but Bronya was doing the same in return—and no one on their side could stop her.
Calling Hu Tao back wasn't an option.
All they could do was endure.
After Hu Tao moved away, a figure quietly emerged from the forest.
Topaz.
[Topaz]: Hu Tao is heading north. Lingsha, run—now.
[Lingsha]: Understood.
After exposing Hu Tao's route, Topaz slipped back into the trees and followed at a distance.
A few hills later—
Hu Tao vanished.
"Huh? Where'd she go?"
Topaz scanned the area carefully.
Nothing.
Then—
"Hu Tao! Hu Tao! There are monsters here—come quick!"
Paimon's clear, familiar voice rang out from behind a dirt mound.
"…There."
Topaz crept forward, lay flat against the hill, and peeked over—
"…What? Only Paimon?"
Her heart slammed.
She spun around instantly, leapt onto her mount, and bolted.
She knew it.
She'd been exposed.
"So sharp," Hu Tao muttered.
She'd originally planned to toy with Topaz a little—but the reaction was way too fast.
Without hesitation, Hu Tao spurred her horse and gave chase.
"Stop right there if you've got the guts!"
"If you've got the guts, stop chasing!"
"You'd better hope I don't catch you—otherwise I'll show you what cruel really means!"
"Catch me first—if you can. With that speed?"
Topaz had handed all her troops to Aventurine earlier.
Right now, she only had a Silver Pegasus—fast, light, and perfect for escape.
Hu Tao, on the other hand, still carried her undead army.
Even though troops didn't appear on the overworld map, they still affected movement speed.
She was just short of triggering battle—every time.
Left behind, Paimon stood frozen.
"…What about me?"
"…Don't leave me behind!"
This was enemy territory.
Without Hu Tao, she'd die without even knowing how.
She jolted awake, jumped onto her tiny horse, and chased after them—
But Paimon was carrying troops of all kinds, mixed and mismatched.
Her speed was even worse.
Before long, Hu Tao was completely out of sight.
"Waaaah—this is bad, this is bad!"
Paimon panicked.
Alone. In enemy land.
Terrifying.
"Lumine… where are you… I miss you…"
Meanwhile, Hu Tao finally realized something was wrong.
"…Paimon's gone."
Her heart sank.
That was bad.
Very bad.
Paimon was carrying a lot of valuable stuff.
If Paimon got eliminated—
Everything she'd picked up would fall into enemy hands.
Without hesitation, Hu Tao reined in her horse and turned back.
"Oh? Not chasing anymore?" Topaz stopped too, raising an eyebrow. "Come on—catch me. I'll show you something interesting."
"Next time I catch you, you're dead."
"Aww~ scared already? Big talk, but you chickened out in the end."
"…Don't run."
"Try and catch me."
That did it.
Hu Tao snapped.
She had been planning to let Topaz go.
But now?
Forget Paimon.
She wanted this woman dead.
Any ambush?
Didn't matter.
Anyone showed up—
She'd slaughter them all.
"Come on!"
Topaz turned and ran again.
[Topaz]: Everyone—Hu Tao's been lured away. Go kill Paimon.
[Lingsha]: Paimon's alone?!
[Jing Yuan]: Valuable intelligence. Paimon is likely carrying critical items. Seize the opportunity.
[Sunday]: I'll handle this. Leave it to me.
After everything Hu Tao had done to him, Sunday didn't hesitate for a second.
From all their deductions, Paimon was basically a walking treasure chest.
And she was close.
This chance couldn't be missed.
He was already planning it—
Kill Paimon.
Take everything.
Send it all to Robin.
[Gepard]: Don't let Paimon escape.
[Sunday]: Relax, Bear Two. She's not getting away.
Sunday wasn't worried about Paimon running.
Just minutes ago, he'd obtained a divine artifact—
War Shackles.
Once equipped, neither side could retreat.
If he couldn't beat Hu Tao, that was one thing.
But Paimon?
"She's mine. Even if Xipe shows up, she won't save her. That's a promise."
[Gepard]: …Alright. Bear One, good luck.
[Seele]: Shut up. How are you people even okay with those nicknames?
[Sampo]: Hahaha—brainwashing complete, huh?
[Gepard]: Ah… wait… when did that happen…
Gepard rubbed his head in frustration.
Lately, those Bear One, Bear Two songs kept looping in his head.
One word from Sunday and his DNA almost reacted on its own.
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