Genshin Impact Simulation: Starting with Melsin's Friend

Chapter 145 The Missing Child

Mount Sumeru, the path becomes a forest.

Although the weather is gradually turning to autumn, there is still a bit of summer heat and humidity in the lush rainforest.

On the ground, at the bottom of the trees, and beside the broken bridge, various kinds of mushrooms grow vigorously, setting up colorful little umbrellas that attract birds and beasts to come and go.

"Clap."

Tina wiped the sweat from his forehead, tossed the oddly shaped mushroom he had broken off into the bamboo basket behind him, his large ears drooping slightly, his gaze unusually solemn.

A week ago, his teacher, Nafis, completely lost contact with him after assigning him a project to study the impact of dead zone formation on fungal mutations in the rainforest near Daochenglin.

At first, he thought that the other party's loss of contact was just as usual, as they were isolating themselves from external information and focusing on their research, so he didn't pay much attention to it.

After all, once Professor Nafis gets engrossed in a subject that interests him, it's common for him to forget to eat and sleep.

But as time went by, and the research on fungi was due to conclude, Nafis, who was supposed to come and assess the research results, remained silent.

Just as he was wondering, a letter personally signed by the philosopher Kavaja of the Epistemology School was delivered to Daochenglin.

In the letter, the wise man informed him that the experiments of the bio-theorist sage Nafis were at a critical juncture, and that he was temporarily unable to go to the Forest of Dominion to investigate. He also hoped that Nafis's students would return to the College of the Church as soon as possible to assist his research.

However, it was this very letter that aroused the suspicion of the wary Tinari.

Although the teacher was focused on his own research, he was very attentive to the teaching of his students. In his memory, this energetic scholar of the theory of natural growth had never made such a serious mistake.

Most importantly, despite being Nafis's most valued student, Tinari had never heard his teacher mention the complex research project he was currently undertaking.

Perhaps... something really did happen at the Order House.

Tinari recalled the turbulent atmosphere in the Order of the Fathers before his departure and the increasingly stern expression on his teacher's face, and his heart was filled with worry.

Just as he was hesitating about whether to return to the Church House to find out what was going on, a second letter arrived in his hands.

This time, the letter came from his friend Mu Feng.

At first glance, this seems to be just an ordinary greeting letter between friends.

The letter briefly inquired about his research progress, whether he needed financial assistance, and his planned return date, and suggested that they have a small gathering at the Lambad Tavern when he returned to Sumeru.

However, when Tinari saw the slightly unusual signature at the end of the letter, his expression instantly turned extremely serious.

That was a secret code they made up when they were bored as children, created by Elhesen, who was most skilled in philology.

Unexpectedly, the game that I thought could only remain in my childhood memories actually came in handy one day.

He took out a book on the life theory of the Church from the bookshelf and began to decode the letter.

In the end, this lengthy greeting letter, comparable to a thesis, was reduced to just nine words.

Nafis has been placed under house arrest and is not permitted to return.

Tina's expression instantly turned extremely ugly. He deftly scraped off the sealing wax from the envelope and took out a forest ranger appointment document from a hidden compartment inside.

One of the six sages has been placed under house arrest; it seems something truly terrible has happened in Sumeru City.

In such a dire situation, my impulsive return to Sumeru City would not only be of no use, but could also worsen the already chaotic situation.

May the Grass God above protect his friends and teachers so they may safely overcome this crisis.

Tinari prayed silently before the seven statues of the Lord of the Forest, then picked up his documents and settled down temporarily in the Forest, focusing on fulfilling his duties as a forest ranger.

However, the tranquil Daocheng Forest was not as peaceful as one might imagine.

Besides the ever-growing, burgeoning dead zone and the daily care of mushroom poisoning patients, something else caught the attention of the new ranger.

This is the third child to go missing.

Tina knelt down, brushed aside the fallen leaves that had covered the path the night before, and carefully examined the footprints left around the soil.

According to the missing boy's parents and companions, this was the last place he was seen.

And here, there were no signs of fighting or struggle.

Similar disappearances occurred multiple times within a month. In addition to the three cases near Kaidaochenglin, several missing children were also reported in the densely populated Vimo Village.

Something unusual must be going on; this series of disappearances clearly cannot be explained by chance.

So... who exactly orchestrated this series of disappearances?

Tinali squatted on the ground, lost in thought.

"rustle……"

Suddenly, a series of footsteps seemed to approach from afar, rustling on the leaves, their sound unusually clear in the quiet forest where only the chirping of insects could be heard.

"who is it?!"

Upon sensing someone approaching from behind, Tinari's pupils constricted, and his soft fur bristled slightly. In the instant he turned sharply, the turquoise Hunter's Path was already in hand, aimed at the uninvited guest behind him.

"Good day, Mr. Forest Ranger."

The man behind him wore a winter-style cloak with a sharp, flowing raven feather cape over his shoulders. A pointed mask covered half of his face, revealing only a faint smile at the corner of his mouth.

He bowed slightly and introduced himself.

"I am Dotore, the second-ranking executive officer of the Fools, and currently serve as the Winter Ambassador to Sumeru."

You may call me "Doctor".

Tina's gaze sharpened, and she showed no sign of lowering the longbow, which was surrounded by a grass-green light, her expression filled with vigilance and defensiveness.

"Fools?"

What is your purpose in appearing in Daocheng Forest?

Dotore didn't seem to mind Tinari's offense. He shook his head slightly, the blue liquid on his earring reflecting the sunlight, and his smile deepened.

"Purpose? No."

"It's just about enjoying the beautiful scenery of the forest, since this vast rainforest won't be visible until winter."

"Is it not allowed, Mr. Forest Ranger?"

He strolled leisurely among the fallen leaves with his hands behind his back, seemingly just there to relax.

Tinari lowered his bow and arrow, and his tone remained far from polite, given his poor impression of the Fools.

“Excuse me, Mr. Executive.”

"If you're just sightseeing, please go ahead."

Dotore's lips curled into a smile. He waved his hand, turned around, and walked back into the depths of the rainforest. The sharp beak on his shoulder seemed to emit a deep and chilling light.

"Goodbye, Mr. Forest Ranger."

He didn't walk quickly, but he soon disappeared from Tinari's sight. Soon, only the footprints on the ground could prove that he had been there.

"call……"

Tina's tense body relaxed slightly, and he touched his forehead, only to find that his forehead was covered with cold sweat.

This guy... he doesn't have the confidence to last three rounds.

The pressure emanating from the second seat of the Fools' Executive Officer was truly extraordinary.

Tinari stared in the direction where Dotore had disappeared, the Hunter's Path lowered slightly, and a deep worry appeared on his face.

Mount Sumeru is about to change.

……