Burden of the Abyss: Internal Refraction [Genshin Impact x (O)OC]

Arc 2 - 8: Parting Preparations Part 4

Mono and Zhongli entered Bubu Pharmacy, and saw the reception was empty.

"...Are they closed?" Mono asked walking further in. "Hello?" Mono asked.

"Welcome to Bubu Pharmacy." A stoic girl's voice greeted, yet a girl was nowhere to be found. Mono flinched at the sudden greeting and looked around. "You heard that too, right?" Mono asked Zhongli. "It seems it came from the reception." She said with a nod.

Mono walked up to the counter, and as soon as he did, a little girl with pale lavender hair hopped up making him jump. "Holy shit!" Mono said falling back in shock. He panted from the jumpscare and Zhongli approached the counter as well.

Mono stood up with a sigh, and the two looked back at the girl behind reception.

"Is she... a zombie?" Mono asked in confusion. "Welcome to Bubu Pharmacy. I am Qiqi. Once upon a time, Qiqi died. Then, Qiqi was saved by the adepti. Now, Qiqi is a zombie." The girl explained, her voice sounding way more mature than her height.

"That's so cool!" Mono said in awe. "Cool?" Qiqi asked. "Well, not that you died, but zombies are cool!" Mono said with a smile. Qiqi gave a stoic stare back, making Mono shrug.

"H-Hello... little girl. Do you sell Everlasting Incense here?" Zhongli asked, getting down to business. "Excuse me, ma'am. Did you bring your prescription?" Qiqi asked. "I... surely no prescription is needed to purchase Everlasting Incense? It's not a controlled substance..." Zhongli continued, attempting to reason with the child. "Qiqi can get your medicine. But only if you show your prescription. These are Qiqi's orders, from Qiqi." Qiqi responded.

"Orders?" Mono wondered. "Zombies are limited to acting within the confines of their orders. And somehow, in this case, the zombie issues her own orders. To herself." Zhongli explained with a sigh. "My dear Qiqi, we didn't bring a prescription, I'm afraid. But we do hope that you can still help us find some Everlasting Incense." Zhongli said apologetically.

"Okay then. But. Qiqi helps you, you help Qiqi. Only fair." Qiqi replied. "Sure. You're really cool, so I'll help you out." Mono said with a smile. "Go to Mt. Tianheng. Find the Guizhong Ballista. And hunt a Cocogoat. Please and thank you." Qiqi ordered. "...What? Is she messing with us?" Mono asked in confusion.

"I don't believe so. The Guizhong Ballista, at least, I have heard of before. It's a kind of crossbow turret, installed on Mt. Tianheng by an adeptus in the distant past. An early mechanical device. Located in Tianheng pass, it was designed to automatically fire at large monsters, protecting Liyue from external threats." Zhongli informed. "Woah. You really do know Liyue inside out." Mono said with a smile.

"Apparently, not quite... This is the first I've heard of the Cocogoat." She replied with a hand on her chin. "The Cocogoat is a legendary animal. An adeptibeast." Qiqi stated. "What it looks like: don't know. Where to find it: don't know either. Where it came from: also don't know." Qiqi listed. Mono sweatdropped and shook his head.

"Very well then... let's start by investigating near the Guizhong Ballista. Perhaps we will find some clues." Zhongli said taking Mono's hand again.

"Bye, awesome zombie girl!" Mono said with a wave.

•

Mono and Zhongli were atop a large stone wall just pass Liyue Harbor, and were standing in front of a massive crossbow turret like described.

"I feel so inferior every time I interact with something or someone adeptus related... but then I remember I'm an Archon." Mono said looking at the massive weapon.

"Hmm... it is currently inoperable, in any case. This device is broken." Zhongli informed, placing a hand on her hip. "Really? That sucks..." Mono commented. "After a millennia of wear and tear, even adepti contraptions are difficult to maintain." She responded.