Genshin Impact: Blessings Chapter 9 9: Emergency Food Paimon

Soon, two and a half months had passed.

Lumine was already starting to get used to this kind of life—almost to the point of forgetting she still had a brother to find.

Mornings were spent fishing by the shore, afternoons exploring the nearby areas, digging around, cracking open chests—only to find nothing useful inside.

"Seriously? Not a single good item?!" she grumbled.

(Aether: Don't worry, sis, I'll open them first for you.

Aether: Oh look, Primogems. You won't like those, so I'll just take them.)

During this ti, one thing left her especially baffled. While scavenging outside, she spotted a purple Electro Sli. Out of habit, she approached—only to get zapped on the spot. Her golden hair imdiately frizzed up into an afro.

That tingly, numbing feeling spread through her whole body, and only then did she realize this one was wild—not one of Koji's "trained" slis.

Koji had said it was the Beast Taming Blessing.

"Really? You expect to believe a ridiculous power like that exists?" she muttered.

Splash!

Lumine noticed her float bobbing and instantly reeled in her rod. The feel of it—this had to be a big one.

Excited, she thought: Finally! After two months of nothing but tiny fish, I'm about to catch sothing worth it!

What she pulled out, though, left her dumbfounded.

It wasn't a fish at all, but a small, white creature—no, more like a little girl. She had shoulder-length white hair, a black star-shaped hairpin, a rose-gold crown hovering above her head, a star-patterned dark-blue cape, and a white romper embroidered with gold trim.

Her eyes were spirals, as if she had fainted from drowning.

Lumine was just about to ask Koji if he knew what this creature was, but when she turned her head—she saw Koji happily making a giant stew.

at, carrots, white radish, mint… all tossed into the pot.

Lumine lowered her gaze to the strange creature in her hands.

It didn't sll weird. In fact…

Her lips curled into the tiniest, mischievous smirk.

Why not add an extra ingredient?

Sploosh!

The white creature was dropped straight into the pot.

Koji looked down. Floating in the stew wasn't so fish at all—wasn't that the so-called "Ergency Food"… Paimon?

Of course. Only Lumine could have fished sothing like this up.

Koji caught Lumine's sly smile, and instantly understood. He picked up the pepper shaker and sprinkled so onto the pot.

"Ah-choo!"

The pepper dust tickled Paimon's nose, jolting her awake.

"Ugh…"

Still groggy, she blinked in confusion at her surroundings. Hungry from who knows how long of drifting, she spotted a slice of white radish floating beside her and imdiately took a bite. Crunch.

Not bad…

Then it hit her.

The water was getting warr.

Eyes wide, she shot straight up from the pot, trembling all over.

"AAAAH! Don't eat ! Paimon doesn't taste good, I don't have any at!"

"Pfft—hahaha!"

Lumine doubled over, holding her stomach in laughter. She had never actually planned on eating Paimon. She might be shaless, but she wasn't that desperate. Still, calling her ergency rations felt just right.

Koji couldn't help but laugh too. So this is Lumine's mischievous side, huh?

"You're the worst!" Paimon huffed. "I'm giving you a horrible nickna. From now on—you're… you're Blondie!"

"Alright, alright, sorry," Lumine said, still chuckling. "But really, what are you? And why were you in the sea?"

"? I'm Paimon! I was just super hungry and got weak, and accidentally fell into the water…" she admitted, scratching her head sheepishly.

Lumine narrowed her eyes. There were too many suspicious points about this creature. She wasn't so clueless rookie—sothing about Paimon didn't add up.

"What do you think, Koji?"

Koji rubbed his chin. "This little one doesn't seem dangerous. We can talk with her first."

Dangerous? No, not at all—at the mont Paimon barely had the combat power of a small boar.

But in the future? That was another story. She might be deeply connected to Celestia itself.

Lumine eyed her carefully. "She's even weaker than with my powers sealed…"

"Tell us what you can do. If you're useless, then you really are just ergency food," Lumine said bluntly.

"I am NOT ergency food!" Paimon stomped her little feet in the air, fuming. "I can be your guide! I know lots of things!"

That caught Koji's attention. "Oh? Then tell —what's the human na of the Anemo Archon's current vessel?"

Paimon froze, stamring. "Uh… well… the wind… uh…"

Yeah. She had no idea.

Lumine folded her arms, smirking. "Pathetic. You're definitely just ergency food."

"Hey! Nobody knows that answer!" Paimon shouted. "If the gods take on human form, why would they announce it to the world?"

Koji nodded thoughtfully. "Fair enough. Not as dumb as you look."

He turned to Lumine. "Let's keep her around. She might actually be useful later."

Lumine shrugged. No objections.

"Here. Eat," Koji said, handing Paimon a bowl of stew.

The mont the sll hit her, she couldn't resist. She grabbed it with both hands and scarfed it down.

"How is it?" Lumine teased with a wicked grin.

Paimon nodded furiously, cheeks stuffed. "S'good! So soft and tender!"

"Good," Lumine said seriously. "Because this stew was just boiling you a mont ago. That ans you are ergency food."

"I AM NOT!" Paimon shrieked, face puffing red.

Ignoring her protests, Lumine asked: "So, Paimon, have you seen anyone like this…"

She described Aether's features.

Paimon thought for a mont, then shook her head. "Sorry, haven't seen him. But don't worry! Once we reach Mondstadt, there'll be lots of people. Soone there might've seen him."

Paimon puffed out her chest, proud of being helpful.

Koji and Lumine exchanged amused looks. Anyone could've thought of that answer. Still, it was true—Mondstadt was their best bet.

Koji, though, kept a secret smile. He already knew more than he let on. The longer Lumine searched, the more resentnt toward her brother would grow. Eventually, there'd be fireworks when they reunited—and Koji wanted front-row seats.

Far away in the Abyss, Aether suddenly shivered without knowing why.

anwhile, back at camp—

"Paimon, are you… seriously still eating?"

Most of the stew was gone, and yet her stomach didn't bulge in the slightest. Lumine stared in disbelief. Did she have a stomach with its own pocket dinsion?

"W-Well… I was really hungry, okay?" Paimon said nervously. "Eating a lot makes sense."

She knew better than to admit she wasn't full. If she did, Lumine might actually abandon her. Best to hold back until she was trusted. So smart, Paimon!

Koji shot her a knowing look. This girl was a bottomless pit. He rembered—her monthly food expenses could reach 300,000 Mora. For comparison, Sayu's monthly salary in Inazuma was only 200,000. If Paimon lived with her, poor Sayu would be bankrupt in weeks.

No doubt about it. Paimon was a walking money pit.

(End of Chapter)

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