"So what you're saying is that visions are powerful artifacts given by literal gods that let you control elements?"
"That's… Not how I would describe it, but yeah, basically."
"Well damn."
This was almost too much for Frisk's mind to process. First of all, gods were real. Well, that wasn't too much of a shocker.
He already suspected that some godlike being was behind his reincarnation and abilities. But being told that literal gods were roaming around and giving people powers was one thing.
Having what looked to be a teenager being given powers was another.
"So what did you do to get a Vision?"
Xiangling shifted his shirt's position on her spear before responding. "Oh, because I love cooking!"
…
"Excuse me?"
Xiangling sputtered, "W-well, that might be oversimplifying it a little."
A little is an understatement. How was he supposed to react when she said the gods gifted her powers because she liked cooking?
So what, he could just love doing something so much that it warranted being given magical powers?
"I'm not super knowledgeable about this. You need to ask someone like Xingqiu; he really likes reading about this stuff."
"Who?"
"Oh right, you don't know about Liyue too… Well, the gist is that if you are passionate about something, the gods would notice you and give you a vision."
She said as she removed his shirt from the rack-spear and shook it out.
Her wording was a little confusing, but he thinks he got the general idea. "So if someone has a powerful will, the gods would give them a vision then?"
"Yup!"
"Ok…"
This world was weird.
And scary.
After everything Xiangling told him, especially about gods. He thought about what Liyue's god was like.
Rex Lapis is the God of Contracts—or, from what she said, that was one of his many titles. She said that he only comes down once a year at "The Rite of Descension."
The reason is to guide the people of Liyue in managing the nation for the entire year.
That didn't sound efficient, but who was he to judge the actions of a god?
"Here you go, all dry! Told you it wouldn't take long!"
Frisk was snapped out of his thoughts when Xiangling suddenly shoved his shirt before him. He took a moment to process it before taking it from her with thanks.
He didn't realize how cold he was before putting his shirt on. Now, it was cozy and warm, and he had to admit, she knew what she was doing.
-/-
[WEARING A WARM COMFORTABLE SHIRT FILLS YOU WITH DETERMINATION]
-/-
Ok he's just going to ignore that.
"This feels really nice, actually."
"See, I told you so!" She said smugly, with Guoba hyping her up from the side.
He smiled, amused at her enthusiasm. He didn't know what kind of people he was going to meet in this new world, but he was glad that she was the first one he met.
"Should we head to Liyue now?"
"Nope, there's still one thing we need to take care of."
"What is it?"
She pointed at his stomach,
Huh, what's wrong with my- *GROWL*
"Oh."
He was embarrassed as she chuckled, and then she pulled out a pot from her bag. "Hang on, let me cook you up something real quick!"
/ - /
Frisk played with his now dry shirt while Xiangling rummaged through an oil‑stained bag, humming a song he didn't recognize.
She called out to Guoba, who waddled over to a ring of half‑buried stones and exhaled a lazy puff of fire. Damp twigs snapped to life with a whoosh, licking upward into a steady blue‑tipped fire.
"That is convenient." He said, more to himself if he had to be honest.
Xiangling beamed. "Guoba's the best sous‑chef. He also helps me out whenever I have to get more ingredients!"
Guoba squeaked, chest swelling with pride.
Frisk was now starting to second-guess his decision to be wary of cute-looking things.
She brought out a small clay pot from the back, a bundle of glossy matsutake mushrooms, and thin strips of marinated meat rolled tight like tiny scrolls.
The aroma—ginger, soy, something faintly floral—instantly hit him like a truck. If he had been hungry before, then he was absolutely starving now.
"First rule of cooking in the wild," Xiangling said, setting the pot over the flame, "balance the mountain's earthiness with a splash of river sweetness." She tossed in a drizzle of liquid-most likely oil-that hissed on contact.
He didn't know what cooking jargon she used, but he didn't care. He would finally eat something after… well, he didn't know how long.
"I'm already starving just looking at you cooking."
Xiangling laughed, not missing a beat. "Then today's your lucky day! Matsutake meat rolls: soft, savory, and excellent for recovering stamina." She winked. "Sourced the mushrooms myself!"
She laid the rolls in neat concentric circles. Sizzle greeted each one, the meat browning almost instantly.
She added slivered scallions between turns, tossing them with deft flicks of her chopsticks. The bright green ribbons wilted, releasing a peppery fragrance mingling with Guoba's flame's sweet smoke.
"So," Frisk asked, mesmerized by her rhythm, "how does someone your age get so obsessive about cooking? Did you grow up in a famous restaurant or something?"
"Sort of." She kept her eyes on the pan. "My dad runs the Wanmin Restaurant in Liyue Harbor. I've been in a kitchen since before I could reach the stove—stood on a stool, almost fell into the wok once." She giggled at the memory.
"But I guess it became my own passion after a while. Seeing the smiles on people's faces when they eat my food always makes me happy."
She flipped each roll, making sure to cook it evenly. "And it's endless. There's always a new ingredient to use or experiment."
Frisk felt a smile tug at his mouth. "It sounds amazing if I have to be honest. You're still young, but you look like you already know what you want to do."
"Thanks!". She lifted the pot, sliding the rolls onto a porcelain plate she'd pulled from nowhere.
He didn't know if it was his eyes, but he swears that two sparkles twinkled above the dish.
"Here you go, dig in!"
He grabbed a roll and was about to shove it in his mouth when a screen appeared in front of him.
-/-
ITEM Gained:
Matsutake Meat Rolls (Delicious) – Restores 20 HP
-/-
He blinked. That's… new.
Wait a minute, these rolls restore 20 HP?! That makes no sense, so just one roll is enough to restore his full HP bar?!
Food literally heals him!
"Frisk, you ok?." Xiangling nudged the plate. "Go ahead, eat it!"
"Y-yeah, my bad."
He took a bite. The meat melted, savory and sweet in perfect tandem. The mushroom's earthy depth rising at the end just made it even more delicious.
A warmth spread through his limbs, and he forgot his previous worries as he savored the dish.
-/-
[EATING A WARM MEAL FILLS YOUR HEART WITH DETERMINATION]
-/-
He was too engrossed in his meal to pay attention to the screen.
"Woah." He stared at the remaining roll, "How is this not the most famous dish in the world?"
"Only famous to the people who taste it," Xiangling answered, pouring the rest of the sauce into the pot for later. "That's good enough for me."
Guoba clapped tiny paws together, blowing a satisfied puff of smoke into the damp air.
/ - /
Frisk leaned back and patted his stomach. "Wow, I am stuffed!"
Xiangling laughed, rubbing the back of her neck. A faint blush crept over her cheeks. "It was just a camp‑pan job. You should taste my signature dishes when we reach Wanmin."
"Just a camp‑pan job?" Frisk shook his head. "If that was practice, the real deal might kill me—in a good way. Seriously, Xiangling, thank you. Best meal of my life."
She waved a dismissive hand, though her grin widened. Guoba, sitting lotus‑style beside the empty plate, thumped his round belly in agreement.
Xiangling glanced skyward. The clouds had thinned into streaks of mauve and gold; the sun hovered a handspan above the western ridge.
"Looks like we've got maybe three hours till dusk," she said. "I was planning to forage for some Jueyun Chilies. But I can do that tomorrow."
Oh, he felt guilty again. "Sorry for hijacking your schedule. You'd probably be finished with that if you didn't help me out."
"Hey," she countered, meeting his eyes, "you were literally abducted and dropped in the wilderness. Feeding a stranded traveler beats picking chilies any day." Her tone left no room for argument.
Frisk offered a crooked smile. "Then at least let me help pack up."
"Alright." She clapped once.
Guoba toddled to the fire ring and exhaled a measured puff of flame, burning the last twigs to ash. Frisk folded the collapsible rack while Xiangling swirled hot water in the pan, murmuring thanks to each utensil before wrapping it in cloth.
When the clearing looked like the feast had never happened, Xiangling slung the pack over one shoulder and put a hand on her chin.
"Ok, we just need to follow the road up a little hike. We should be able to see Liyue from there. If we keep pace, we'll see the harbor lanterns as the sun sets. If we take a while, we'll probably get there at night."
Frisk adjusted the small bundle of supplies she'd handed him. "We better get going quick then."
Xiangling nodded. "Liyue Harbour here we come!"
With Guoba waddling at their heels, they walked through the grass field. Still a little damp from the rain, but it gave it the signature after-rain smell.
On the horizon, Liyue's mountain silhouettes looked carved from amethyst glass. Finally, they found the road.
"Come on, it shouldn't be far now."
They reached a slightly upward climb that they went through with little difficulty. But when Frisk reached the top, he was struck with a breathtaking sight.
Golden light splashed across towering cliffs of pale stone, tinting every ledge a warm honey hue.
Below, Liyue Harbor looked like something from a book. Twin towers rose from the turquoise bay, their jade-green roofs tipped with gilt beasts that caught the sun's last rays.
Long saffron banners drifted from the eaves, fluttering to the water where graceful golden cranes stood.
Terracotta roofs stacked in elegant terraces climbed the hillside, each tier veiled in curls of steam from stir-fry stalls and tea houses; lanterns had already begun to glow, dotting piers and bridges until the harbor looked trimmed with little stars.
But he noticed the dozens of people walking around the market the most. Liyue looked like the very definition of a successful country.
"Haha! You really haven't been to Liyue huh?" Xiangling teased.
"N-no. It's just… Liyue really is something."
He had finally arrived in Liyue.