A brilliant golden glow burst forth, enveloping Nolan's fist as he drove it toward the Hilichurl Berserker's chest. Perhaps sensing imminent danger, the Berserker hastily raised its massive axe as a shield. But Nolan's strike didn't falter—it collided squarely with the blade.
With a sharp snap, a crack marred the axe's surface. Behind the mask, the Hilichurl Berserker's eyes betrayed shock and disBellyef. Before it could react, the axe shattered into countless fragments.
Nolan's fist, unimpeded, continued its path, slamming into the Berserker's face. The force of the blow shattered its mask, and in an instant, the once-intimidating creature crumpled to the ground, lifeless. Moments later, its body dissolved into black smoke, leaving only silence in its wake.
Nolan exhaled deeply, a mix of exhaustion and relief washing over him.
[Savior of the caravan: You have earned 200 Virtue Points.]
As expected, the Virtue Points weren't just for defeating the Hilichurl Berserker but also for protecting the caravan.
"Thank you, young hero, for saving us!" A middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed mustache stepped forward, brushing dust off his tunic. "Without your help, we would've been in serious trouble."
"It's only right to act against injustice," Nolan replied with a polite nod. Then, with a curious glance, he added, "But if you knew this road was dangerous, why not bring more guards?"
The man shook his head with a weary smile. "You may not know, young hero, but I've traveled this route hundreds of times. At worst, we'd run into a few pesky Hilichurls. Never in my life did I expect to encounter a Hilichurl Berserker. Lately, there's been talk of unusual monster activity near Liyue Harbor, but I never Bellyeved it—until now."
"I see…" Nolan murmured thoughtfully.
"Ah, where are my manners? I'm Zhang Luo, a merchant from Liyue Harbor." Zhang Luo patted his chest before asking, "May I know your name, young hero?"
"Nolan Walker," Nolan replied simply.
"A fine name for a fine man," Zhang Luo said, reaching into his coat to produce a coin pouch. "Please, accept this as a token of my gratitude."
At that moment, a system prompt materialized before Nolan:
[1. Accept the reward.]
[2. Politely decline.]
Although tempted by the offer, Nolan recalled a common RPG trope—refusing rewards often led to hidden bonuses.
"I appreciate the gesture, but I don't require payment," Nolan said, shaking his head. "I didn't help you for the money."
[You have earned 200 Virtue Points.]
As he suspected, turning down the reward earned him additional points. After all, system points were far more valuable than Mora.
Zhang Luo's admiration deepened. "Such nobility! May I ask what brings you to these parts?"
"I'm from a faraway place, seeking opportunities in Liyue Harbor," Nolan improvised smoothly. "I didn't expect to cross paths with you here."
Hearing this, Zhang Luo's eyes lit up. "If that's the case, why not let me introduce you to my employer? With your talents, you'd surely find a promising position."
"Your employer?" Nolan asked, intrigued.
"Yes," Zhang Luo said, a hint of pride in his voice. "I work for the Ke family, one of the most esteemed families in Liyue Harbor. The young lady of the household is none other than Keqing, one of the Liyue Qixing."
Keqing? What a coincidence. Nolan nodded. "I'd be honored if you could introduce me."
With no concrete plans for his future in Teyvat, Nolan figured working for a prominent family like the Ke family could be a solid start. At the very least, it would provide shelter and sustenance. And, on a more personal note, he harbored a sense of guilt toward Keqing. Seeing her happy in this world might bring him some solace.
"Wonderful!" Zhang Luo exclaimed, beaming. "Then come with us. By carriage, we'll reach Liyue Harbor by tomorrow."
Nolan graciously accepted. Zhang Luo, eager to show his appreciation, arranged a comfortable carriage for Nolan and even provided a sumptuous meal.
As night fell, Nolan reclined in the cozy carriage. Suddenly, the system's voice echoed in his mind:
[System Reminder: The cooldown for the "Life Simulator" has ended. Would you like to start a new simulation?]
Without hesitation, Nolan responded, "Start."