Honkai Star Rail: Path of the Burnout

The Promise

The guards were in disarray after the kidnapping of the Silvermane Guards' commander. They stood in stunned silence, struggling to comprehend the gravity of the situation. Grift seized the opportunity presented by the dissipating smoke and ensuing confusion to leap down from his vantage point.

As Grift landed, his gaze fell upon a figure approaching from the south. This man had blonde hair, adorned with medals of valor, and a resolute expression on his strong face. He was the first to spring into action at the scene, prompting Grift's disbelief.

The man pointed towards a group of bewildered soldiers, his expression reflecting urgency and calmness.

Blonde man: "Don't just stand around! You there, report this to the supreme guardian."

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Grift lounged on a bench, idly passing away another Saturday, when a boy came rushing toward him.

Young boy: "Master! Master!" the boy huffed and puffed as he caught his breath.

Grift smiled. "Ah, I was waiting for you, kid. I have some-"

Gepard cut him off: "I've been saving my allowance for two years! Here, this is for your services!"

Grift's eyes shot wide open as the boy handed him 50,000 credits.

Grift: "Gepard, are you trying to get me arrested?! I'm not gonna rob you kid."

Gepard tilted his head in confusion.

Gepard: "It's my money, I can spend it how I want!"

Grift: "Here, I'll show you how to spend it more responsibly. Let's buy you a new shield with that; you really need one." 

They walked off towards the town, leaving behind a rusted and dented shield covered in wrapping paper next to the bench Grift was sleeping on.

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Gepard moves on to the next group of soldiers frozen to their spots

 Gepard: "You two, take inventory at the holding cells. See if he stole anything more than his belongings."

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Grift poked a hole in the ice. 

Grift: "This looks like a good spot." 

He set up a folding chair and his fishing pole as he scanned it with his glove. 

Grift: "Gepard, be a lad and hand me the tackle box, please."

With a beaming smile, the small blonde boy eagerly handed over the box of tackle to Grift, his excitement uninhibited.

Grift lowered the pole into the fishing hole, giving it a few experimental bobs before yanking it out with impressive strength. He turned to the small boy with a grin. 

Grift: "Did you see that?"

Gepard's annoyance was evident on his face. 

Gepard: "You didn't catch a thing, though!"

Grift settled into the folding chair. 

Grift: "If you catch a bigger fish than me, I'll buy you that ice cream you like."