Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

Some battles are planned, others are unexpected—but a true Champion embraces them all. Consider this bonus chapter one of those surprises.

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"It's the Doctor," Sandrone whispered into Ren's ear.

"The Doctor?"

Ren halted his steps, letting out a weary sigh.

He was exhausted—both mentally and physically—and didn't feel like walking anymore.

Had he offended the Fatui somehow?

This simple journey to the sea had already involved encounters with three Harbingers.

"My partner, why did you stop?"

The girl clinging to his back wrapped her arms tighter around his neck, her tone dripping with faux innocence.

She even poked Ren's cheek with her finger, clearly enjoying herself.

"..."

Ren's expression darkened. For a split second, he entertained the idea of biting her mischievous hand.

You keep poking, huh? Let's see if you dare to do it again.

Despite her small squeak as she withdrew her hand, Sandrone's eyes sparkled with amusement.

This was the first time she'd seen Ren wear such a frustrated expression.

How amusing.

Her playful mood only grew, and she couldn't resist teasing him further.

"..."

Ren ignored her antics and resumed walking toward the ominous black mist in the distance.

He had already carried her for who knows how many miles, and it seemed the road ahead would stretch even farther.

Sandrone smiled to herself, her bright eyes brimming with mischief.

Reaching out with both hands, she gently squished Ren's face.

"My partner, aren't you afraid of what lies ahead?"

"I trust you."

"Hmm... seems like someone's starting to catch on," she mused with a sly grin.

"So, what's the deal with this Doctor?"

Ren's tone turned serious.

The title of "Second Harbinger" carried immense weight, but there was something deeply suspicious about all of this.

This was Colombina's dreamscape, after all.

As the Third Harbinger, why would she pick a direct confrontation with the Doctor here?

And the presence of God's resentment in this dream—what could it mean?

Could the Doctor manipulate mental worlds?

Or was this entire dreamscape one of his experiments?

"A sharp intuition, my partner."

"You must be wondering why the Doctor wants to kill me, right?"

Sandrone leaned closer, resting her chin on his shoulder with a small smile.

Ren nodded slightly. "It does seem strange."

"Do you know what a 'segment' is?"

Ren frowned, shaking his head.

Who knows what kind of madness goes on among the Fatui.

"Segments are versions of the Doctor, created at different points in his life."

Sandrone's finger drew circles against Ren's chest, as if illustrating her point.

"Each segment represents a distinct identity and set of experiences."

"He could be a young scholar quietly pursuing knowledge..."

"Or a madman obsessed with human experimentation."

"And the one trying to kill me is just one of his segments."

Ren was stunned. "So there's more than one Doctor in the world?"

Sandrone nodded slightly, her expression icy.

"This segment is a complete lunatic. Erratic and utterly deranged."

"When he learned that my research touched on divine power, he launched an attack without hesitation."

Her tone grew colder as she explained, her eyes narrowing.

Although she and the Doctor had occasionally collaborated as fellow researchers, most of their interactions were filled with subtle conflicts and rivalry.

And now, one of his segments was actively hunting her.

This enmity was irreconcilable.

As Ren processed her words, he frowned. "So that's how it is."

He hadn't expected the Doctor to possess such bizarre abilities.

As the Second Harbinger, his power must be terrifying.

If multiple segments acted together...

"Wait a moment."

Ren narrowed his eyes, sensing a critical detail.

He turned toward Sandrone, who was smiling serenely.

After a moment of thought, he asked softly:

"How strong is the segment hiding here?"

"My partner, you've hit the key point."

"This particular segment specializes in researching God's resentment. His combat abilities are far from top-tier."

Sandrone lifted her gaze, looking toward the distant mist.

The dark, swirling fog seemed to react to their approach, churning more violently.

Through the mist, the ruins of a derelict building became visible—a decrepit hospital.

"Run. I'll explain on the way!"

Sandrone perched herself higher on Ren's back, bracing against his shoulders.

Her soft midsection rested snugly against the top of his head.

"Hold on tight."

Without further comment, Ren charged toward the black mist with her on his back.

If they wanted to put an end to this, the key clearly lay within that ruined building.

"Roar—!"

A bone-chilling wail echoed from the depths of the desert.

Out of the surging mist, countless blackened shadows surged forward.

On closer inspection, they were grotesque, mutated creatures exuding an aura of corruption.

Their twisted forms howled as they charged, intent on devouring all life.

As Ren ran, his eyes glinted sharply. "This is the Doctor's experiment?"

Throughout their conversation, he'd remained vigilant.

The black mist hadn't escaped his notice.

The sinister aura radiating from it was unmistakably God's resentment—

And it was under control.

"Don't be surprised. This segment can manipulate minds."

Sandrone tightened her hold on Ren, speaking quickly.

"Most of the Fatui in Inazuma are under his sway."

"And now, he's trying to tame God's resentment itself!"

Roar!

Before her words fully landed, the air was already heavy with menace.

One of the monstrous creatures had lunged directly at Ren.

"Looks like it's time to get serious."

Ren muttered under his breath, his violet eyes flashing ominously.

In the next instant, a blinding streak of lightning illuminated the battlefield.

Above him, a single glaring eye formed, radiating destructive energy.

[Elemental Skill: Transcendence—Baleful Omen]

"Hold on tight."

Ren unsheathed his blade and slashed forward.

Shing—

The blade cut cleanly through the creature's head, lightning erupting with the strike.

With a deafening boom, the monstrosity was hurled backward, swallowed by the mist.

"We need to break through. Killing them one by one won't work!"

Sandrone gripped his shoulders tightly, reminding him.

But Ren stopped in his tracks.

Standing still, he slowly raised his blade.

The sword's edge reflected the endless tide of monsters closing in.

Amid the darkness, the purple glow of residual lightning flared brilliantly.

"What are you planning?"

Sandrone, pressed against his back, whispered uncertainly.

Ren inhaled deeply, his stance lowering slightly.

Green light began swirling around him as wind gathered at his command.

[Elemental Skill: Chihayaburu]

The blackened tide of monsters roared as they felt an irresistible force pulling at them.

They were helplessly dragged toward Ren, flailing in chaos.

"Are you really going to..."

Sandrone murmured in disbelief.

Smack!

Ren's hand playfully swatted her lower back.

"!"

Sandrone froze, her cheeks instantly flushing.

"My partner, what was that for?!"

She hadn't expected him to pull something like this now!

"I told you to hold on tight."

Ren's tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

With a low growl, the green winds around him turned violet, taking on a ferocious hue.

In the next moment, the wind exploded outward, triggering the Baleful Omen.

The resulting storm of lightning left no monster unscathed.

As thunder roared, Ren leaped high into the air with Sandrone on his back.

"This isn't over yet."

His blade glimmered with lightning and wind as power surged within it.

[Passive Talent: Soumon Swordsmanship]

[When Chihayaburu activates, elemental energy absorbed mid-air triggers a descent attack with enhanced damage.]

Channeling the combined forces of lightning and wind, Ren descended like a thunderclap, his blade cleaving through the earth.

The Baleful Omen exploded again, unleashing a second, devastating storm of lightning.

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A true Champion knows that every battle, every choice, and every unexpected twist shapes the path to mastery. Consider this bonus chapter a rare encounter—one that wouldn't be possible without the right support.

That's why you should support WiseTL at [patreon.com/WiseTL]—where every pledge helps bring more high-quality translations to life, staying true to the original while flowing naturally in English. After all, excellence is in the details.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more to prepare for. But you? You should take this opportunity—you never know what rare finds await.

—Cynthia