Sacrificing Myself: Nine Transmigrations (Genshin Impact)

"Yeah, yeah, you're the good guy, you deliberately left it for me," Xiao replied helplessly.

There were so many things wrong with that sentence, he didn't even bother to argue anymore.

"Let's see who kills more tonight!"

"What's the point of that?" Xiao had no interest in such childish games.

"How about we make a bet instead? Whoever kills more gets to make an unrefusable request."

"Unrefusable?"

"Yep."

"Anything at all?" Xiao seemed intrigued.

"Well, not everything. It can't be too over the top. Like eating boogers—that's off-limits."

"Eating boogers… Only you could come up with that."

"So, are you in or not? Come on, come on!" Elliot urged eagerly.

"Fine, I'll play along for one round," Xiao agreed.

It wasn't surprising that Xiao accepted.

After all, Elliot had just called him short.

But if he could use this chance to make an unrefusable request, he might just get his revenge!

As much as he didn't want to admit it, brute force wasn't going to work with this guy.

Their strength was nearly identical—almost evenly matched.

But when it came to slaying evil spirits, Xiao was the veteran. No way he'd lose on that front.

So to him, this bet was just Elliot digging his own grave.

"Meet back here at sunrise. No cheating. If you lie, you'll go bald, have split-stream pee, and suffer kidney failure."

"An Adeptus never lies," Xiao said solemnly.

"Alright, then let's go!"

With that, Elliot hurled his spear toward the aura of evil spirits he sensed and vanished from the spot.

Not long after Elliot left, Xiao slowly pulled out his Yaksha mask.

Gazing at the fierce, grotesque face, he faintly recalled the four comrades from his past.

Once...

They'd played a similar game.

He vaguely remembered...

He even came in first place.

But that was all long gone.

Yes... all in the past.

With that thought, he slowly put on the mask, covering his sharp, handsome face.

Sensing nearby evil spirits, he rushed in their direction.

...

As time passed, a sliver of sunlight cut through the night sky.

Both returned right on time.

"How many did you get?" Elliot asked first.

"You go first. An Adeptus doesn't lie—but you? You definitely would."

Xiao was clearly more open than before, though only when alone with Elliot.

"???" Elliot stared at him.

"Why would I lie???"

"Unbelievable. Is that really how you see me?!"

"Yes," Xiao nodded without hesitation.

"You don't trust me?" Elliot asked, feigning heartbreak.

"No," Xiao responded instantly, without the slightest pause.

"I'm devastated…"

"Just hurry up and say it."

"Fine, I killed 68." Elliot switched expressions in an instant.

One moment, he looked ready to cry; the next, smug pride filled his face.

"Tch…" Xiao was visibly annoyed.

He honestly hadn't expected Elliot to beat him.

"Oh no~! The mighty Yaksha, Great Conqueror of Demons… how could this be…"

"You're really slipping! Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!"

Elliot burst out laughing without holding back.

His laugh was so loud and unrestrained that Xiao's face turned black as coal, but Elliot still couldn't stop himself.

"Laugh again and I'll kill you!" Xiao shouted furiously.

Elliot froze.

Then immediately straightened his face, trying to look serious.

He stared blankly at Xiao for a beat.

But he couldn't hold it in—"Pfft!"—and burst into full-on laughter again.

"Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!"

"I can't—I can't hold it in!"

He laughed even harder than before.

Veins bulged on Xiao's forehead. He'd reached his limit. Without another word, he drew his spear and struck.

In a flash, the icy blade was at Elliot's throat.

He had no time to react and quickly raised both hands in surrender.

"Wait, wait—!"

"It was just a joke, come on…"

Elliot twitched a smile as he faced Xiao's killing intent.

"Laugh again and I won't go easy on you!"

"Okay, okay! I won't laugh anymore!" Elliot nodded frantically.

"Now tell me—what's your request?" Xiao put away his spear with a scowl.

"Uh…"

That stumped Elliot.

He rested his chin in his hand and fell into deep thought.

After a long moment, he shrugged. "I haven't decided yet. I'll let you know when I think of it. Just owe you for now."

Hearing that, Xiao lowered his head and thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

"Let's go to Wangshu Inn and get some almond tofu," Elliot suggested.

"Only I'm eating. You're not getting any," Xiao replied coldly.

"Why not?!"

"You ate ten bowls yesterday. I'm still covering that. You're cut off."

"Oh, come on! I fought all night! If I don't eat something, I'll die!"

"Then die," Xiao said without a shred of sympathy.

He turned and walked toward the Wangshu Inn in Liyue.

Elliot followed beside him, trying everything to win him over.

"Hey, why don't you make your request now and ask me to buy you some?"

"Nope. No way I'm using it on something that cheap. Not happening."

"Then you're going hungry."

"Come on, I'll starve to death. Mortals can't go without food! Skip one meal and we're done for! You Adepti can handle fasting—we can't!"

"Nonsense."

"It's true! There's a saying—'you need to eat to work.' If I don't eat now, I won't have the strength to fight evil spirits tonight. I might even get killed!"

"Then get killed."

"You can't be so heartless! We've known each other for three whole days! Do you know what that means for a mortal's lifespan? That's three days of life gone!"

"Oh."

And just like that, Elliot pestered Xiao all the way to Wangshu Inn.

Xiao, meanwhile, kept his usual cold expression—completely unbothered.

That stark contrast drew the attention of the people at the inn.

After all...

Not just anyone dared to talk to Xiao like that.

...