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**Chapter 3: The Chaos of the Q&A Begins**
At this moment, every eye across the Teyvat Continent was fixed on the blue screens in their minds, captivated by the sudden Q&A system. The chat interface was scrolling wildly, filled with messages of confusion, disbelief, and panic.
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**[Thoma: "Wait, that's it? That's the end of the video? What kind of options are these? None of them seem right! Who would dare choose one?!"]**
**[Mona: "This makes no sense. Even my astrology isn't revealing anything!"]**
**[Bennett: "Oh no, what do I do? If no one answers, I'll probably get picked! I have no idea what the answer is!"]**
**[Xingqiu: "No need to worry, Bennett. There are so many people here. It's not guaranteed you'll be picked."]**
**[Timaeus: "You don't understand, Xingqiu. Bennett's luck is notoriously bad in Mondstadt. If the system chooses randomly, it's very possible it'll be him."]**
**[Chongyun: "Bennett, your luck seems almost supernatural... have you ever considered an exorcism?"]**
**[Hu Tao: "Oh? Your luck is that bad? Bennett, how about arranging an early reservation with the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? We've got a special on tombstones—half price for the second one!"]**
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At the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Hu Tao's eyes gleamed with excitement. Business had reached a bottleneck recently, and this chat group was the perfect opportunity to expand beyond Liyue. And Bennett seemed like a great potential customer.
So, she enthusiastically promoted her services in the chat group, even offering discounts.
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**[Jean: "If I'm not mistaken, the place shown in the video was near Starsnatch Cliff in Mondstadt."]**
**[Thoma: "In Mondstadt? I grew up there and never saw a creature like that!"]**
**[Venti: "Heh, neither have I, and I've been everywhere in Mondstadt!"]**
**[Kaeya: "The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, Paimon, a new toy, emergency food... None of these choices sound great."]**
**[Xiangling: "Emergency food? Could that creature actually be edible, like a slime?"]**
**[Yoimiya: "Wait, slimes are edible?! I know Liyue is big on food, but this seems a bit extreme!"]**
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Yoimiya was stunned. She knew what slimes were—simple creatures found all over Teyvat. But cooking them as ingredients? The very thought made her shiver in disgust.
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**[Yanfei: "No, Yoimiya, don't listen to Xiangling's nonsense! Our recipes aren't that bizarre!"]**
**[Xingqiu: "Yanfei is right. People in Liyue don't eat slimes. That's just Xiangling's eccentricity!"]**
**[Chongyun: "Exactly. We have lots of great food. Don't let Xiangling's whims give you the wrong idea!"]**
**[Xiangling: "Hey, everyone is welcome to visit Liyue to try our amazing cuisine!"]**
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Many people from Liyue quickly chimed in, wanting to dispel any misunderstanding about their cuisine due to Xiangling's unconventional cooking ideas. Liyue was known for its gourmet dishes, like almond tofu and golden shrimp balls—delicacies appreciated throughout Teyvat. Slime dishes were Xiangling's personal experimentation, not representative of Liyue's culinary culture.
After that brief diversion, the focus shifted back to the Q&A itself.
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**[Arataki Itto: "Alright, does anyone actually know the answer to this question? I can't wait any longer!"]**
**[Diluc: "Unfortunately, the video didn't provide us with much useful information."]**
**[Albedo: "Indeed. Despite paying close attention, I could only confirm that the unknown creature is not of alchemical origin."]**
**[Kaeya: "Hold on. Isn't the Traveler part of this chat group? Why don't we ask them directly?"]**
**[Ying: "There's someone else better suited to answer than me."]**
**[Ningguang: "Someone more suitable than the Traveler? Are you referring to the unknown creature itself?"]**
**[Beidou: "Oh, this just got more interesting!"]**
**[Kamisato Ayato: "It appears we're about to get our answer."]**
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Quickly, everyone realized who Ying was referring to. Besides Ying herself, the only other entity in the video was the creature she had pulled from the water—Paimon.
And soon enough, the rush to answer began.
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**[Ding! Congratulations to Paimon for successfully securing the opportunity to answer! Please proceed.]**
Since there was little competition, Paimon managed to grab the opportunity without any trouble.
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**[Paimon: "I choose option B: Paimon! It was me who was fished out of the water by the Traveler!"]**
**[Paimon: "Listen, people of Teyvat! Remember this: Paimon is Paimon! Not a toy, not a mascot, and certainly not emergency food!"]**
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In Mondstadt, Paimon puffed her chest out proudly, her hands on her hips. She had finally gotten a chance to set the record straight—no more being called "emergency food"!
But her moment of triumph was abruptly interrupted.
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**[Congratulations to Paimon. Answer... incorrect.]**
**[Paimon: "Wha—?"]**
A wave of disbelief rippled through the group. Laughter quickly followed.
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**[Venti: "Haha! Poor Paimon! It seems even the Q&A system doesn't recognize you as yourself!"]**
**[Kaeya: "You have to admit, it's kind of funny that even the system denies your existence."]**
**[Diluc: "This system must have a twisted sense of humor."]**
**[Xiangling: "Wait... If it wasn't Paimon, then what was it?"]**
**[Yoimiya: "But we clearly saw Paimon being fished out of the water... What else could it be?"]**
**[Beidou: "Seems like we'll have to think outside the box for this one."]**
**[Arataki Itto: "Emergency food, maybe? It could still be true, right?"]**
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The countdown timer appeared again, urging participants to prepare for a second attempt at answering. All across Teyvat, people were thinking hard, trying to figure out what had gone wrong. It felt like a trick question, and they knew they couldn't afford to mess up a second time.
Paimon was visibly frustrated, muttering to herself as she sulked next to Ying.
**"How could I be wrong?"** she grumbled.
Ying gave her an apologetic look and patted her shoulder. **"Don't worry, Paimon. Let's just think carefully this time."**
The time for the second attempt was about to start, and everyone was either anxious or excited to try again.
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**[Albedo: "Judging by the options given, perhaps it's meant to be humorous. The term 'emergency food' might be the correct answer."]**
**[Ganyu: "That actually makes sense. The answer could be playing on Paimon's infamous nickname."]**
**[Jean: "Considering how many people in Teyvat refer to Paimon... Perhaps the answer isn't as straightforward as it appears."]**
**[Paimon: "Wait... Are you all saying I should pick 'emergency food'?!"]**
**[Klee: "Paimon, you should do it! Pick 'emergency food'!"]**
**[Zhongli: "Indeed. Sometimes the simplest answer, even if humorous, can be the correct one."]**
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When the countdown ended, Paimon was once again the one to answer. She took a deep breath, her pride still stinging. Yet, with everyone urging her, she reluctantly decided to go with the popular suggestion.
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**[Paimon: "Fine... I choose option D: Emergency food."]**
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A brief silence followed before the mechanical voice spoke again.
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**[Correct answer. Congratulations, Paimon.]**
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A collective sigh of relief swept through Teyvat, quickly followed by laughter.
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**[Paimon: "Are you kidding me?!"]**
**[Venti: "Hahaha! Congrats, Emergency Food-sama!"]**
**[Kaeya: "Well, Paimon, now you're officially recognized as emergency food by the system itself."]**
Paimon crossed her arms, puffing her cheeks in frustration. **"I am *not* happy about this! I'm Paimon, not food!"**
**[Yae Miko: "Oh, cheer up, Paimon. At least you got the right answer, even if it isn't the title you wanted."]**
Ying smiled, trying to cheer her up. **"At least we got through it, right?"**
Paimon let out a deep sigh. **"Fine, but next time, I want to be properly introduced! No more emergency food jokes!"**
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Suddenly, the Q&A system spoke again.
**[Ding! For answering correctly, Paimon will receive a reward. Please choose from the following options.]**
**[Option A: An unlimited supply of Teyvat's finest food ingredients for one week.]**
**[Option B: A unique artifact that grants enhanced elemental abilities for a limited time.]**
**[Option C: The title of 'Official Guide of Teyvat.']**
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Paimon's eyes sparkled as she looked at the options.
**[Paimon: "Whoa! Ying, look! A lifetime supply of ingredients for a whole week!"]**
Ying smiled. **"That sounds like a contradiction, but you could definitely make some amazing meals with it."**
**[Paimon: "Hmm... But the unique artifact might help us in battles..."]**
The chat group started giving their opinions.
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**[Xiangling: "Go for the ingredients, Paimon! We could have a cooking party!"]**
**[Diluc: "The artifact might prove useful, given the dangers you two face."]**
**[Venti: "The title would suit you, Paimon. After all, you *are* the best guide."]**
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After contemplating, Paimon made her decision.
**[Paimon: "I'll choose Option C: The title of 'Official Guide of Teyvat'!"]**
Ying smiled approvingly. **"That's a good choice, Paimon. You're the best guide."**
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**[Ding! Congratulations, Paimon! You are now officially recognized as the 'Guide of Teyvat.' This title will be known across Teyvat.]**
Paimon puffed out her chest with pride. **"See? I'm not just emergency food. I'm the Official Guide of Teyvat! Remember that, everyone!"**
But the laughter that had filled the chat moments before came to an abrupt end. A chilling silence fell over the group as the familiar mechanical voice returned, its tone carrying a sudden sense of foreboding.
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**[Ding! The next question will determine consequences for all participants. Prepare yourselves.]**
The abrupt change in atmosphere left everyone speechless, their hearts collectively skipping a beat. The once lighthearted Q&A session had suddenly taken a more serious and unsettling turn.