C17 I will Remember This Grudge!!

"Wow!"

With the last Treasure Hoarder crumpling to the ground, Mu Jin, momentarily embodying Yae Sakura, exhaled softly and deftly sheathed her blade.

"I was using the blunt side, so no harm done, hopefully."

She surveyed the Treasure Hoarders strewn across the floor, somewhat surprised at how effortlessly Yae Sakura had dispatched them.

The moment one of them, now missing two front teeth, had muttered "donkey ears," an inexplicable rage had ignited within her.

These were authentic fox ears! How could they ever be mistaken for donkey ears?! The fox ears of the world deserved an apology!

When Mu Jin snapped out of it, she found her adversaries already knocked out cold.

This must be what going berserk feels like... a mind wiped blank, save for a belly full of fury.

The clock was ticking on the God-defying miko. Yae Sakura Valkyrja Experience Card: 20 minutes remaining.

Wow, battle over in ten minutes... Are level A Valkyrjas really this formidable? And that's without even hitting the jackpot on the Stigma and Exclusive Weapon Experience Card...

Imagine the prowess of a level S Valkyrja Character Card.

Wuu... It's leagues ahead of a level B Valkyrja Card...

A brief bout of self-pity only firmed up Mu Jin's resolve to save up crystals and earnestly boost her favorability!

With twenty minutes still on the clock for the Experience Card, she decided to make the most of it. Better to use it up than let it go to waste.

(Super thrifty Mu Jin.jpg)

She pulled out the map Xiangling had given her, only to realize she had no clue where she was.

Best to retrace her steps, she thought.

"I hope Xiangling is okay... I'm really concerned..."

But on another note, ever since those ears sprouted atop her head, her hearing seemed to have sharpened.

The rustling of the grass and the whispering of the wind nearby were crystal clear to Mu Jin's ears.

"This takes some getting used to..."

And it struck her that, as Yae Sakura, she didn't get as emotionally swayed as Kiana did.

There was a newfound serenity.

Fiddling with her pale pink locks, she still hadn't quite adjusted to her sudden increase in height.

The coolness under her skirt and in the crook of her arms was unmistakable...

And those two mounds on her chest, they felt so constricted...

"No way... a binding cloth?"

She had always admired this feature on others, but why did it feel so uncomfortable on herself?

She glanced down, her vision obscured by the two slime mounds, barely able to make out the tips of her toes.

Suddenly being this large felt awkward.

It made sense why Yae Sakura would use a binding cloth; wielding a sword or running would be quite uncomfortable.

And right now, she was definitely not pleased.

She found herself longing for Kiana's Character Card.

Bored to tears, Mu Jin lifted her hands, the same ones that had been brandishing a samurai sword moments ago. They were pale and delicate, with faint calluses from gripping the sword handle for so long.

Beneath her arms lay a hidden strength, ready to burst forth at any moment, not to be underestimated.

Perhaps this was a sensation familiar to those who trained extensively with bladed weapons.

Yes, it was exactly the type that Sister Lily adored (tee-hee).

After retracing her steps, Mu Jin encountered no Treasure Hoarders.

"From what I recall... the Traveler is supposed to meet Xiangling near Springvale..."

She had completed Xiangling's personal mission before, but the details were hazy after so much time; Mu Jin couldn't quite remember the location.

"Anyway, I should head to Springvale first and check things out."

Taking this route would also lead her past Dawn Winery... and with some luck, she might even catch a glimpse of the legendary Uncle Lu... no, Grandpa Lu.

She was quite curious to see Diluc's expression, the one where he's cradling a kitten.

It would be like visiting one of Mondstadt's famed landmarks.

Mu Jin then made the most of the remaining time on her Experience Card, dispatching numerous Slimes and Hilichurls in her path.

Sure, the crystals were few, but every little bit counts! Better some than none at all.

Yet, she hadn't come across a single Treasure Hoarder.

The God-defying miko. Yae Sakura Experience Card had one minute left.

Having just looted a small Hilichurl tribe, Mu Jin was left with nothing but junk, sinking into gloom. The news of the Experience Card's impending expiration only soured her mood further.

"This place hasn't been picked clean by the Traveler, has it? There's absolutely nothing of use here."

God-defying Priestess. Yae Sakura Experience Card countdown: 3 seconds.

3...

2...

1...

Countdown complete. If you've had a positive experience, please rate this system with a perfect score.

Be aware that post-use fatigue from the Experience Card will transfer to your actual body. Prepare accordingly.

Mu Jin's eyes widened in disbelief as she listened to the system's icy voice.

Transforming back into Kiana once more, Mu Jin felt an overwhelming fatigue and collapsed helplessly to the ground.

"Damn it... Stupid system... You've got to be kidding me..."

You've deceived me...

"Why are there still bystanders here?"

As Mu Jin slipped into unconsciousness, she could only sense someone approaching her in high heels.

"So someone's already dealt with this place... People are actually stealing jobs from the knightage these days... I won't forget this offense."