Bab 14: Chapter 14: Uluru Town
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Uluru Town, adjacent to the bustling port city, was a residential area with a vibrant community feel. Its infrastructure was well-developed, offering all the essentials for daily life within reach.
Despite being only a couple of days' travel apart, separated by several large mountains, Uluru Town presented a vastly different landscape compared to Mondstadt.
Zeke and Kiana arrived at dusk.
Before entering the town, they changed into clean clothes, each carrying a backpack filled with necessary items. The donkey cart and extra supplies meant for emergencies in the snowy mountains were hidden away in the pristine white woods just outside the town limits.
Traveling light would help them avoid drawing attention.
"Zeke, where should we go first?"
"We need to find food and lodging, then get a map," Zeke replied casually while observing the surroundings.
Kiana's bright, expressive eyes scanned everywhere, relishing the rare sight of such a lively town. She couldn't wait to explore its every corner.
'There must be lots of delicious food here!' Kiana unconsciously licked her lips.
Zeke glanced at her briefly; he didn't even need to ask to know what she was thinking. How enviable, her carefree and simplistic mindset!
In contrast, Zeke was worried about their lack of identification documents. He wondered how strict the local hotels might be regarding guest registration...
Half an hour later, Zeke sat on the inn's sofa, listening to Kiana joyfully bouncing on the bed in the bedroom, feeling somewhat defeated.
"It makes sense, though. Despite differing living standards, Uru Town is close to Mondstadt, within the same administrative region. The government management should indeed be similar."
To elaborate, Uru Town's relatively modern residential environment largely benefited from its proximity to the nearby port city. Many working-class individuals from the city chose to settle their homes here, hence the development.
Consequently, when checking into the inn, aside from mild curiosity about two children traveling alone, the receptionist showed no further interest. They simply accepted payment and handed over the room key.
"Woohoo! This bed is amazing—so soft and doesn't smell bad either! We're going to have a great night's sleep tonight!"
"Aren't you supposed to be able to sleep soundly anywhere?"
"What're you talking about? The quality of the bed directly affects one's rest! Tonight, this young lady is going to catch up on all the sleep she missed out on in one go!"
As Kiana uttered these nonsensical words, she couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Zeke genuinely admired her optimistic spirit.
"Zeke, I've discovered a problem!" While Zeke was lost in thought, barefoot Kiana unexpectedly approached him with a serious expression.
Their proximity made Zeke feel an unusual warmth from Kiana's breath on his face.
Maintaining his composure, he leaned back slightly to create some distance and asked, "What problem?"
"We forgot to bring that stack of U.S. dollars, so now we don't have much money left!"
Rolling his eyes, Zeke responded, "I thought you found something significant, just for that? Do you seriously believe currency from across the Ocean would be accepted here? Even if it were possible, considering we took care of those criminals only two days ago, wouldn't using American bills immediately in this nearby town raise suspicions?"
Kiana blinked and smacked her palm with realization.
"You purposely didn't bring any money?"
"Yep."
"But..."
She pulled out a small stack of local currency from her backpack, fanned it like a folding fan, and waved it before Zeke's eyes.
"The rent took most of your cash; this is all we have left! It's not much, really!"
"Don't worry about that. I'll figure something out," Zeke replied calmly.
The amount of local currency they'd scavenged from the deceased wasn't substantial but wasn't insignificant either. The ten-day rent payment, combined with what Kiana held, should cover their basic expenses adequately.
Zeke was confident that within these ten days, he would find a way to use those US dollars effectively.
"What if our money gets stolen while it's hidden outside?"
"We'll earn more then."
Zeke responded nonchalantly, as if dismissing it as inconsequential pocket change.
Truth be told, armed with his superbrain capabilities and Honkai Energy, money was hardly a concern for Zeke.
"Alrighty then." Kiana shrugged.
After resolving her issue, Kiana stuffed her money back into her backpack when something suddenly struck her. She grabbed Zeke's hand and exclaimed:
"Oh right! Zeke, let's go take a bath together, and you can help wash my hair!"
"But didn't I say, no stripping...naked...na...k...ed...in front of guys?!?"
With each emphatic word, his electric spiral drill descended on Kiana's small head.
"Ow! Pain, pain, pain! Let go, quickly, let go!"
"I need to teach you a lesson!"
"Wahh!"
Five minutes later, Kiana sat obediently kneeling on the floor, her head bowed, seemingly on the verge of silent tears.
Zeke leaned back with crossed legs, appearing nonchalant but inwardly feeling slightly hesitant—did he perhaps go too far? Upon reflection, she had only been in this world for a few years; maybe being overly strict wasn't quite right?
Sob...
Sob...
"All right, stop crying. Tomorrow, I'll find the best cake around for you."
"Is it about the cake? We're friends, aren't we?! Helping me wash my hair wouldn't hurt! Why...why would you treat me like this?! Zeke, that's just unfair!" the girl murmured, still looking down.
However, Zeke sensed something amiss and swiftly lifted Kiana's head, catching her off guard.
As expected, there were no tears; instead, she was stifling giggles.
"Wow, quite elaborate, pretending to cry for sympathy now?"
"Well...uhm...you can't go back on your promise about the cake!"
"Pfft!"
Gently tapping Kiana's small head, Zeke sighed.
"All right, go wash up yourself."
"Really won't help me with my hair? It's too long; washing it alone is such a hassle!"
"Then cut it shorter."
"But it won't look pretty anymore!"
"...Why must you be so troublesome?"
"You big dummy, Zeke! With this attitude, you'll never find a wife!" Kiana stuck out her tongue before scampering off to the bathroom with little splashing sounds.
Zeke remained seated, shaking his head helplessly.
Half an hour later, a damp young loli emerged, draped in an overly large bathrobe that dragged half its length across the floor, holding a towel towards Zeke.
"Here, dry your hair."
"You should do it yourself...never mind, I see it's tricky."
Zeke, ignoring the expanse of exposed fair skin beneath the bathrobe, shook his head and resignedly began drying Kiana's hair.
Having just adapted to being transported into the Honkai World, his first task was caring for a mischievous yet simple-minded little loli. What a peculiar transmigration...
"Achoo!"
As if tickled by her own strands, Kiana suddenly sneezed and instinctively shook her head like a puppy after a bath.
"Don't fidget; sit still!" Zeke quickly held her down to continue drying her hair.
This kind of transmigration, hmm...actually, it's not so bad after all.
While busy with his task, Zeke didn't notice the slight curve forming at the corners of his lips.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone