The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

But Gretchen could never figure out what the girl was facing.

And, just how much is missing from this painting...?

"Hmm...it seems like something's missing..."

They must be... partners, right?

Gretchen thought for a moment, then slowly reached out her hand, wanting to give the girl a companion.

However, the moment the paintbrush touched the canvas again...

"Gresh? That's strange, to see you here. Are you out in the wild taking pictures?"

The sudden sound and the hand resting on her delicate shoulder made her freeze abruptly.

Who... is behind me?

Gretchen turned around in surprise and was shocked to find that the owner of the painting was standing behind her.

And at that moment, she was looking at him with a smile.

"Um...who are you?"

"You've already forgotten me? Oh, right, it's been a long time since we last met, hasn't it?" Kiana sighed.

Although she didn't know why she was in this forest.

But as long as I see Gretchen, I can be sure that the world I'm reincarnating into this time is the previous civilization, right?

If that's the case, things will be much easier. The collapse of civilization has been sealed, and everything has returned to normal.

Perhaps this is why Greta was able to explore the wilderness without any worries.

Kiana thought to herself.

However, she never imagined that this was not the real world.

It was Gretchen's dream.

In this dream world, she has no name.

A glint flashed in Gretchen's eyes: "I am a lost painter. Who are you?"

"What? What lost painter?"

Kiana paused for a moment, then asked in return.

However, Gretchen did not answer her question, but simply turned slowly to look at the easel.

After a moment, she asked again, "Sister, who are you?"

"Me? My name is Kiana, an unknown traveler."

To avoid the young painter from asking the same question repeatedly, Kiana gave a straightforward answer.

Unfortunately, Gretchen didn't call her by name. Instead, she nodded as if she had made a decision on her own: "Yes! Hello, traveler sister!"

Looking at the quiet-faced, gentle-natured little girl in front of me.

Kiana didn't know why, but she had an urge to hug her tightly and kiss her passionately.

Wow, such a cute little sister is really irresistible.

"...I really don't understand you. By the way, where are the others?"

"I don't know," Gretchen shook her head.

Where do you want to go now?

"I don't know." Gretchen shook her head again.

Kiana was exasperated, placing her hands on the girl's delicate shoulders and complaining, "You don't know? Then do you know how to get home?"

"Well..."

Greta blinked, looking completely innocent.

Kiana was really worried. If she said she didn't know again, she would have to find a way to send the little girl back to Alicia.

Fortunately, Gretchen didn't shake her head this time; instead, she nodded and said, "I know."

"Oh? That's good. Let's go home now. I'd like to catch up with Yingjie's friends."

Kiana offered this suggestion.

Since he had already been reincarnated into this world, he couldn't just sit and wait to die.

Only by actively engaging with the world can you have the opportunity to trigger missions.

"Okay, could you please take me home, traveler sister?"

With Gretchen's request, Kiana finally heard the system's mission notification.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have triggered the main quest: The Fantastic Adventure of the Traveler and the Painter!]

[Mission Summary: As a traveler, you encounter a lost young painter. She is crucial to this world, and many forces and enemies covet her. You must fight with all your might to protect her and return her to her family.]

[Task completion reward: 30000 reward points, the 'Artwork Collection' sub-template unlocked by the system.]

[Friendly Reminder: Due to the special nature of this world's mission, the host has activated the painting collection sub-template in advance. Completing the mission will permanently unlock it.]

"An artwork... a sub-template? What's this...?"

Just as Kiana was feeling somewhat confused, a control panel that looked unfamiliar to her appeared before her eyes.

[Piece Name: An Unremarkable Traveler.]

[Piece occupies 3 slots]

[Piece's Health: 54640]

[Piece Attack Power: 847]

[Piece Defense Strength: 941]

[Chess Piece Basic Attack: Tempered Knight's Sword Strike. This basic attack consists of four hits. The first three hits each deal 120% of the player's attack power as physical damage, and the fourth hit deals 200% of the player's attack power as elemental damage. A single basic attack combo deals 560% of the player's attack power as damage.]

[Chess Piece Ultimate Skill: Triumph of the Blazing King's Sword - Unleashes a powerful attack, dealing 1000% ATK as elemental damage to all enemies on the field.]

[Chess Piece Branch: The Smoke of the Wildfire Chariot, released in two stages. The first stage is a forward charge that deals physical damage in a fan-shaped area equal to 100% of the player's attack power. The second stage deals elemental damage equal to 220% of the player's attack power to all enemies.]

Kiana was stunned as she stared at her own control panel.

When did I become a pawn? It's unbelievable.

"Given the peculiarities of this world... could it be that the world I inhabit is not the world where heroes live? That shouldn't be the case..."

Kiana turned her gaze to Gretchen, wanting to see what kind of stats this lost little hero had.

The result...the numerical panel that appeared completely overturned her understanding.

[Player's Name: The Lost Little Painter]

[Player Introduction: The painter is the creator of the world and cannot participate in battles.]

"What! The creator of the world? What does that have to do with anything?"

For a fleeting moment, Kiana felt that the system was malfunctioning again.

After all, this barefoot loli with her head tilted to one side doesn't seem to have anything to do with the creator, does she?

Feeling puzzled, Kiana sighed and then took her small hand holding the paintbrush: "Never mind, let's leave this forest now. You don't even know how long you've been away from them, it's not good to make your friends worry."

"Hmm..." Gretchen nodded very sensibly.

The two then began to head out of the woods, with Kiana calling out to ask if anyone was there.

As they walked, instead of seeing people, they spotted three Honkai Beasts!

Kiana froze, stunned. "Huh? Why am I in this world..."

Just as she pulled Gretsch behind her, preparing to finish off the three tank-class Honkai Beasts with a single sword strike...

[Encountering enemies, entering combat mode!]

"what!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Kiana and the three free-roaming Honkai Beasts instantly teleported to an arena surrounded by wooden fences.

And Gretsch... was actually moved to watch from outside the fence?

Confused, Kiana immediately questioned, "What's going on? System, are you playing tricks on me?"

However, the system did not respond, and the three Honkai Beasts had no ability to reply.

They just roared once and then charged.

Kiana, not wanting to be negligent, had no choice but to draw her sword and meet the attack.

"Ready, ignite!"

As the Flame King Sword was unleashed, the formation of the three Honkai Beasts was instantly disrupted.

Kiana seized the opportunity to strike repeatedly, taking down one of them, and then used a branch attack to finish off the other two.

The entire battle proceeded smoothly and efficiently. Although the flames were extremely intense, they did not cause a fire.

The flames swept across the trees, but showed no sign of igniting.

That's quite amazing.

After the battle ended, Kiana heard the mission notification sound again.

[Battle won! Congratulations, host, you have obtained 1 paints.]

Kiana then teleported again, arriving next to Gretchen.

Looking at the focused young girl in front of her, she was momentarily at a loss for words.

So, in a way, I saved her?

Kiana and Gretchen just stared at each other, neither of them saying a word.

In the end, Gretchen blinked and said, "Traveler sister!"

"Yes, the battle is over. Are you alright?"

Kiana crouched down and looked directly into the little girl's eyes.