Honkai Impact 3rd: Catching the Herrscher of Sentience at the Start

"Huh? Oh, right, I'll get them for you now. Wait here," the shopkeeper sister said as she turned and walked into a small room. Shortly after, she came back holding a bag and handed it to Fu Lin.

"Not bad. As expected of you" Fu Lin praised, taking out a piece of clothing and stroking its smooth fabric.

"Of course! My shop is known for its quality and style." The shopkeeper sister then picked up a box from the side and placed it in Fu Lin's hands.

"And this is?" Fu Lin asked, looking at the box in confusion.

-----------------------

"Little brother, this is a gift from me to you, absolutely guaranteed to satisfy you, hehe." The proprietress said as she reached for the clothes Fu Lin had just bought. However, Sirin's intense glare forced her to withdraw her hand reluctantly.

"Thank you, miss," Fu Lin said, packing up the box. After settling the remaining payment, he chatted briefly, exchanged contact information, and then left.

"Brother, who was that lady just now?" Sirin asked with a cheerful smile, holding onto Fu Lin's hand.

"Not sure, but she seems like an enviable rich lady."

"Sirin, are you going back with me, or...?" Fu Lin asked hesitantly, looking at Sirin, who resembled Kiana.

"Hmm~ Of course, I'll stay with my brother!" Sirin responded, etching Fu Lin's words in her memory and secretly resolving to earn money to support him.

"Alright then," Fu Lin sighed, rubbing his forehead.

Sirin then addressed Kiana in her mind, "Kiana, any ideas on how to make money quickly?"

"Ah, my dear Fu Lin… huh?" Kiana, startled by the question, wiped away drool from her mouth before blurting out without hesitation, "Obviously, rob some unsuspecting fools!"

"Oh~ Robbing humans? That could work," Sirin smirked wickedly, fully agreeing with Kiana's suggestion.

While Sirin conversed with Kiana in her mind, Fu Lin was also busy in thought.

"Fu Shi, I'll be bringing someone back later. Don't be surprised, and make sure not to expose me…" Fu Lin explained the situation to Fu Shi while also asking her to inform Yae Sakura and Higokumaru.

'You might as well just stay home. Every time you go out, you stir up trouble and even bring back a 'little sister' ~' Far away at the hotel, Fu Shi rolled around on the bed, grumbling sarcastically.

"Why does Fu Shi sound so passive-aggressive?" Fu Lin muttered after Fu Shi cut the connection. The thought of Kiana lurking within him sent shivers down his spine.

He once thought meeting characters from the anime world would be a dream come true, maybe even appealing if someone wanted to "take care" of him. But after experiencing it firsthand, he realized it was far more trouble than it was worth—he simply couldn't handle it.

--- (On the way back to the hotel) ---

"I'm back, Fu Shi," Fu Lin announced as he pushed open the door, seeing Fu Shi sitting with her back to him.

"Oh~ Welcome back, Chicken Boy," Fu Shi greeted, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

"???"

"Chicken Boy?" Fu Lin nearly tripped over himself, his mouth twitching as he looked at the grinning Fu Shi.

"Ahem! Welcome back, Mr. Chicken," Yae Sakura added, also trying to hold back her laughter as she greeted Fu Lin.

'So, Sirin's brother has a connection with Fu Lin. Otherwise, why would the Herrscher of Sentience be here?' Kiana grew even more confident in her theory and began piecing together why Fu Lin seemed so elusive to her perception.

"It must be because the Herrscher of Sentience is hiding him. How cunning," Kiana concluded.

"The Herrscher of Sentience, you're not from this world either, are you?☆" Sirin asked, reverting to her queenly demeanor as she confronted Fu Shi.

"So what if I'm not? I go wherever I want; who can stop me?" Fu Shi's eyes turned sharp as she glared at Sirin. The air around her grew heavy with pressure as three weapons emerged from a hidden space and hovered around her, creating an impressive display.

Of course, it would've looked even cooler if she wasn't also holding a brick.

"Hmph. Want a fight? Anytime. You're nothing but a former loser," Sirin sneered, summoning several Void Spears aimed directly at Fu Shi, ready to fire at a moment's notice.

"You! I was holding back because of Kiana. If it were you back then, I'd have finished you in three moves!" Fu Shi retorted, clenching her fists indignantly.

'Speaking of which, ever since Squad Leader Fu Hua borrowed the Herrscher of Sentience's powers, I haven't seen her again. Could it be that this Herrscher of Sentience is…?'

Kiana glanced at Fu Shi, suspicion forming in her mind based on the words she overheard.