Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking

The Underworld once had a dedicated factory for medical supplies. But with the constant erosion of the Rift's boundaries and a blockade cutting off supply routes, the factory couldn't operate without a steady flow of raw materials, and soon had to shut down.

Most of Natasha's medical supplies now came through purchasing from others and making things herself, but this, naturally, had its limitations.

Even the scarcity of painkillers alone was giving her a headache.

Currently, the place known to have the most medical supplies was Rivet Town, followed by the other human settlements.

The former was scattered across various abandoned areas, and the latter—unless you were like the Marauders and could just grab whatever you wanted—wouldn't sell enough for the clinic's needs, even if they were willing to sell at all.

So, sending Venti and the others out to search for medical supplies was a last resort.

But Rivet Town, a major hub for Rift monster activity, was a place even someone as skilled as Seele would avoid going into alone.

After all, if you get caught up in a swarm of monsters from the Rift, it's not the kind of situation you can just walk away from with a few scratches.

Even though Seele had the power of the Path, allowing her to move through quantum states at will, the medical supplies, obviously, couldn't do the same.

Because of this, when it was decided they'd head to Rivet Town, she frowned and glanced over at the two "deadweights."

"You two stay on the perimeter and cover me from there. No need to go in."

"No way! Natasha said the three of us should get the supplies together. How can we just let you go into a dangerous place like that on your own?"

Though she often clashed with Seele, Bronya was, at her core, a kind person and a Silvermane Guard with solid experience fighting Rift monsters.

Solo missions like this were one of Belobog's least supported strategies—or, rather, individual heroics were outright dangerous and generally frowned upon within structured forces.

Even accomplished officers like Captain Gepard or Lieutenant Dunn would never abandon their squad for a moment of personal valor.

"Hmph. Don't pretend like you understand how things work here. All you need to know is that down here, there are only three ways to do things—"

Seele held up three fingers, counting off as she spoke.

"Right, wrong, and my way. And all you need to do is listen and follow my orders."

"—You!"

Just as Bronya was about to retort, Venti once again had to play the mediator.

"Alright, alright. Didn't we agree earlier, no more fighting?"

It was impossible to deny: when it was just one-on-one, each of them got along fine with him, but together? They were like fire and gunpowder—one spark, and boom.

"I don't intend to argue with her. I'm simply stating the facts."

It had to be said, though, that Seele was back in her element as they reached the edge of the Rift zone, her usual sharpness and cool-headedness returning.

"Yes, yes. But even someone as mighty as Lady Seele could use a hand, right?"

Venti knew just how to nudge her, and it worked like a charm.

"Ugh—fine, but that's why I said you two could stay outside."

Seele's stance softened noticeably.

"But if we stay out there, we won't get to see your heroics up close, will we? I've been dying to write a song for you."

He winked playfully. "How about Dreaming Butterfly of the Phantom Sea?"

Seele paused, giving him a long look before responding.

"You… For someone who's the weakest of us, you sure act like this is a holiday. Do you really get how dangerous the Rift is?"

"Oh, I get it. Inside are monsters fierce and deadly, all set to devour anyone they come across. But—"

Venti's usual playful tone shifted as he continued.

"Leaving our friend to face that danger alone while we sit safely in the back wouldn't feel right at all."

"…Venti's right. Maybe you're very strong, but another set of hands can only help. Don't worry about us holding you back; I'll follow your lead."

Bronya, unfamiliar with why Seele considered Venti the "weakest" one, could only guess that the bleak conditions in the Underworld might have shifted her perceptions.

Living in such a harsh environment, they likely had to push themselves to their limits just to survive.

So naturally, personal strength was critical—but that didn't mean Seele didn't need help.

Having lived through so much hardship, they all had to understand the strength in numbers.

At last, Seele turned away, hefting her scythe onto her shoulder and marching forward in begrudging agreement.

"Wonderful! Looks like Seele's on board; let's catch up!"

Venti followed her lead, while Seele, despite her best efforts, could only huff and mutter various safety tips as she reminded them of the dangers ahead.

Though her words sometimes took on a bit of a threatening edge, even resulting in the occasional nudge or shove, her concern was genuine, something Bronya could see all too well.

During their journey, Venti managed to talk his way into "sharing" navigation duties, claiming to have "stumbled across a map of Rivet Town once upon a time."

Bronya, meanwhile, took on a rear-guard position, staying vigilant as she trailed behind them.

Seeing the town in its desolation hit her hard; she had always been highly empathetic, a trait that had only intensified her reaction to the devastation she'd witnessed so far.

But facing a place that was completely overrun and abandoned brought an entirely different weight.

This had once been a home—a place where people lived. Her mother's severe policies had reduced it to ruin.

Who knew how many had died here, forced to say goodbye to loved ones?

Even if she could understand her mother's reasoning to a degree, it wasn't a justification for treating human lives as expendable.

To make matters worse, this sacrifice hadn't brought any honor or rewards to the Underworld, only brutality and betrayal.

With each step, Bronya found herself feeling further and further estranged from the mother she had once trusted unconditionally.

More troubling still—

As she looked at this city of the dead, she couldn't help but recall the image of Belobog from high above.

Would humanity's last fortress one day suffer this same fate?

The potential future hidden in this bleak reflection left Bronya uncertain and afraid.

"…Alright, we're here. If I remember correctly, this place used to be a rather well-known private clinic. There should still be plenty of supplies stored inside."

A decade was more than enough to make any place unrecognizable, and the building that stood before them was no exception.

Being close to the initial point of devastation, its balcony on the second floor had collapsed entirely, the roof tiles were caved in, and even the sign was lying broken and covered in dust. It looked every bit the part of an abandoned ruin.

Though Seele had been somewhat suspicious of Venti's knowledge, their trouble-free journey here had reassured her somewhat.

Still, she had no interest in what the clinic might have been in the past. No amount of nostalgia would bring her leader or comrades back.

With a wordless nod, she lowered her scythe, ready to start clearing the entrance.