Hu Tao Is Monetizing My Existence.

Jiang Bai teleported straight to the ley line waypoint atop Mondstadt's city walls.

Looking down from above, he noticed everyone in Mondstadt hurrying along, worry written all over their faces.

That puzzled Jiang Bai—last time he'd visited, things hadn't been like this.

He jumped down, opened his Wind Glider, and headed toward Klee's place.

With a box of lotus pastries in hand, Jiang Bai knocked on Klee's door.

"Klee, I'm here!"

The moment she heard that familiar voice, Klee excitedly flung open the door. Seeing Jiang Bai standing there, she jumped up with a cheer, her little backpack bouncing up and down behind her.

"Wow! Big Brother Jiang Bai, you got here so fast!"

"As soon as I got your letter, I set off right away!" Jiang Bai bent down, waving the box of pastries. "And I brought you some snacks!"

"Big Brother Jiang Bai, you're the best!"

Klee took the treats, holding them in both hands. She took a big bite from the edge of a lotus pastry, the crispy flakes dusting the corners of her mouth.

Her eyes curved into crescents as her cheeks puffed out, happily chewing—just like a little hamster.

The two of them strolled down the street, Klee nibbling as she walked, sighing with delight.

"So yummy…"

Jiang Bai glanced at the people hurrying past, then at the shuttered storefronts lining the way, growing more confused about what was going on.

"Klee, why does everyone in Mondstadt look so worried?"

Klee thought for a moment. "It's probably because of the dragon."

"The dragon?"

There'd been nothing about a dragon in the letter Klee sent—she'd just invited him to come play.

"The Knights say there's been a ferocious dragon in Mondstadt lately. It's wrecked a bunch of orchards and trade routes. Even the uncle at the city gate won't let me go outside by myself."

As she spoke, Klee's face scrunched up like a little wrinkled melon.

Jiang Bai gave her pinched cheeks a gentle squeeze, chuckling. "So you called me over just so I could sneak you out to play, huh?"

Klee tugged at his sleeve, looking up at him with wide, pleading eyes, swinging his arm as she begged.

"Take Klee out to play, please? Pretty please?"

"But what if we run into the dragon?"

"Klee, Spark Knight of the Knights of Favonius, will protect Big Brother Jiang Bai!" Klee declared with grave seriousness, attempting a proper knight's salute—if a rather wobbly one.

Jiang Bai's eyes crinkled in a smile as he patted her head.

"Then I'll be counting on you to keep me safe, Klee!"

Just as Jiang Bai was about to take Klee outside the city, the sky suddenly darkened.

Where moments ago it had been a clear, sunny day, now clouds gathered thick and fast—high above, a massive six-winged dragon tore through the sky.

It let out a deafening roar. A hurricane swept through the city.

The wind whipped up cries of panic as people scattered in chaos. Flowerpots on balconies were hurled to the ground, smashing open. Stalls overturned, sending fruit and vegetables tumbling everywhere. Leaves swirled madly, stripping whole trees bare in seconds, and those who were light on their feet nearly got swept away themselves.

The dragon roared as it swept over the rooftops, smashing tiles and sending shards flying.

Jiang Bai quickly scooped Klee into his arms, summoning a shield to protect them both from the debris.

"Get inside, quick!" a nearby knight shouted, grabbing a crying child and rushing for cover.

The howling wind, the shrieks and cries, and the dragon raging in the sky painted a scene straight out of the apocalypse.

Jiang Bai stood at the city gates, his expression grave as he watched the dragon tear through the sky.

Held tightly in his arms, Klee was no longer her usual cheerful self. Her grip on Jiang Bai's shirt revealed how scared she really was.

"Big Brother Jiang Bai, look! The roof tiles are falling!" Klee pointed to a woman carrying a child, running for shelter, trying to wriggle free to help.

If they didn't hurry, someone would get hurt!

Jiang Bai saw it too—but from this distance, knocking the tiles aside wasn't an option. Instead, he summoned another shield to cover the people below.

The tiles crashed down, but those within the shield remained unscathed.

Both Jiang Bai and Klee let out a sigh of relief.

"Big Brother Jiang Bai, let's go help!" Klee urged.

"Okay." Jiang Bai didn't intend to just stand there either. He hoisted Klee onto his shoulders.

"Hang on tight! Don't let the wind blow you away!"

Klee clung tightly to Jiang Bai's head, her new vantage point letting her scan the area for anyone in trouble.

"Big Brother Jiang Bai, someone's leg is stuck over there!"

"That tree's about to fall!"

"That big sister is about to be blown away!"

One by one, Jiang Bai rushed to save them, all the while keeping an eye on the sky.

Above, he noticed someone caught by the fierce wind, swept up into the air.

Wings unfurled, the figure fought to keep their balance midair.

Just when Jiang Bai thought things looked grim, the person suddenly engaged the dragon in battle—shots like laser fire pounded the dragon's body. Wounded, the beast let out a roar and vanished into the clouds.

The clouds parted, and sunlight poured back over the city.

"Incredible…"

Jiang Bai couldn't imagine how anyone could attack like that in midair, almost like a machine gun, the shots never stopping.

"That amazing person landed by the statue—Klee wants to see!" Klee's eyes sparkled with admiration for the hero who had chased off the dragon.

"Alright."

With Klee perched on his shoulders, Jiang Bai headed for the statue. Along the way, they passed many Knights busy helping the townsfolk.

Though the dragon had rampaged through the city, the damage was still within manageable limits. Most people had only suffered minor injuries from flying debris.

---

The one who had just driven off Stormterror, Aether, landed softly, still replaying the recent events in his mind.

If it had been before his powers were sealed, fending off Stormterror would have been nothing. But his strength had been taken from him.

The power that had just repelled the dragon came from a voice that suddenly echoed in his ear.

After the voice spoke, he found himself able to push back Stormterror.

He couldn't help but wonder who that voice belonged to.

Amber was still staring at the Traveler she'd only just met today—he had chased off the dragon right before her eyes.

Moments ago, they'd been doing flight training together, and now he was gliding through the air with ease, fighting off a dragon.

She'd never imagined he was capable of so much.

Before he even touched down, Amber ran over to check if he was hurt.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Aether shook his head slowly.

"That scared me half to death! You were just whisked up into the air, I couldn't even react in time to save you…" Amber patted her chest, still shaken.

She glanced at the direction Stormterror had fled, her expression troubled.

"Stormterror always stayed outside the city before—I never thought it'd suddenly come in like this today…"

Aether said nothing.

He had a feeling Stormterror's sudden appearance in the city might have something to do with the encounter in the forest earlier.

---

T/N: Klee is so cuteee!

"Well, this is it—the last of my compulsory notes."

"One final time: if you want to squeeze extra chapters from this poor soul, every 100 Powerstones pried from your hands equals one bonus release. 100 = 1, 200 = 2, 300 = 3… as predictable as it is mercenary."

"And if you're inclined to dig deeper, there's still that Patreon: patreon.com/wisetl. Legally, it's "voluntary support." Practically, it's your shortcut to reading ahead."

"That's all from me. Angelica Ainsworth, signing off—finally free of this gig. Don't think I'll miss it."