Sacrificing Myself: Nine Transmigrations (Genshin Impact)

Elliot walked beneath the night sky, face dark, his heart weighed down.

He hadn't expected this day to come so soon.

Back when Jean had taken them on their first tour of Mondstadt, Elliot had already discussed everything with her.

Everything had followed the plan he laid out.

And yet...

Why did his heart ache so much?

Each step away from Mondstadt made his chest tighten painfully.

The feeling was far worse than he had imagined.

Gritting his teeth, he endured the pain and gradually left Mondstadt.

...

A dozen days earlier, in Mondstadt.

Elliot had told Shenhe he was going out to meet someone and left the inn.

"What is it? Do you need help?"

Jean, who had been waiting at the entrance, spoke the moment he stepped outside.

"Let's talk somewhere else."

He led her to a secluded spot.

Once he confirmed they were alone, Elliot slowly began, "Actually, Shenhe has suffered misfortune since she was a child..."

He briefly recounted Shenhe's past. Jean furrowed her brow as she listened.

And she understood now—why Shenhe had asked such blunt, difficult questions.

"She's spent most of her life among mountains and wild beasts. She doesn't understand the rules of human society. She hides her emotions well and avoids showing weakness, which makes her seem cold and distant."

"She acts that way because she believes her cursed fate will bring misfortune to anyone close to her."

"But deep down, she longs for companionship... and a place to belong."

"I came to you today because I want to ask for your help—for Shenhe's sake."

Elliot laid out his request.

Jean, always willing to lend a hand, couldn't ignore someone with such a tragic story.

"If there's anything I can do to help, I'd be glad to. Just tell me," she said.

"She relies on me too much now. But I can't stay with her forever. I don't have much time left... so I want to entrust her to you before I go," Elliot said with a bitter smile.

"You don't have much time? What do you mean?" Jean immediately caught the key point.

Elliot sighed and looked up at the stars.

After a long pause, he spoke again.

"I have a terminal illness. There's no cure.

The whole idea of wandering to cultivate was a lie. My real goal was just to find a mountain where I could be buried while watching the sunrise.

But on the way, I met Shenhe... and learned her story.

So I thought—in the time I have left, I'd like to bring her out of loneliness and help her return to human life.

But I can't do it alone.

She's become too attached to me.

And I... am already dying.

I don't know what will happen to her after I'm gone. She might close herself off completely.

So I want to leave her in your care.

We'll stay in Mondstadt for a while—teach her how the world works, let her experience both kindness and cruelty.

I hope you can accompany us. Become her second friend.

That way, after I'm gone, she won't be left with nothing."

Jean fell into deep thought.

She frowned, clearly trying to think of a better plan.

But no matter how many times she asked about a cure, Elliot always answered the same way—"No cure. It's terminal. I will die."

In the end, Jean nodded in agreement.

"I'll try to guide her to talk with you more, learn from you. She might ask strange questions sometimes... I hope you'll be patient."

"I will. Don't worry," Jean assured him.

"I don't know how much time I have—days, maybe weeks. I just know I don't want to die in front of her. So I'd like to set up a signal between us."

"What kind of signal?"

"When you think she's gotten used to life among people, I want you to give her a hint—about how people become husband and wife."

"Why tell her that?"

"She wants to marry me. If you tell her how to make it happen, she'll definitely come talk to me about it. When that happens... that's when I'll leave."

"She'll come to you wanting to talk about marriage... and you'll just leave? Isn't that a bit cruel?" Jean asked, worried.

Elliot let out a long sigh.

"I know. But..." He hesitated, then forced the words out.

"I don't have any better options. With how much she depends on me now... I'm afraid if I die, she'll never try to find happiness again."

"I love her. I really do. But I don't want her to grieve for me. I want her to have a good family, raise kids, and live a simple, happy life."

Jean felt a deep sense of powerlessness.

She rarely encountered problems she couldn't solve. And if she did, there was always someone who could.

She believed that there were always more solutions than problems.

But this time, no matter how she looked at it, she couldn't find a better one.

"How will you leave her?" she asked, trying to brace herself.

"When she tells me how she feels... I'll tell her I don't love her. I'll ask her not to cling to me anymore. Then I'll leave."

"She won't be able to take it..."

"That's why I'm asking you to take care of what comes after. I know it's a huge ask... but there's no one else I trust more. You're kind, reliable... I believe in you. Just like everyone in Mondstadt does."

"She'll hate you for it. She'll hate you forever. Even knowing that... you're still willing?"

"I am," Elliot said without hesitation.

"Is it... really worth it?"

"It is."

Jean nodded heavily, her expression serious. "Alright."

"Thank you, Jean," Elliot said sincerely.

"It's fine..." Jean was still processing everything.

"I have something else to take care of, so I'll be going. You should get some rest too—just don't let Shenhe notice anything. She's sharp."

"Understood."