Genshin Impact: Villain Life Sim

"The one responsible for my 'death' is also the Fatui," Lucas said, pointing at Childe. He enunciated every word clearly: "Today, I will avenge the murder of my father at the Yanshang Teahouse."

Childe raised an eyebrow in brief surprise before bursting into laughter. "So it's you—the son of that man. You survived and even made it this far… Hahaha!"

"Is it that amusing?" Lucas asked coldly, his face expressionless. "My father betrayed Liyue, yes. That was not the righteous path. But he was a good father. A father's death must be avenged."

"Do you know why I'm laughing?" Childe clutched his stomach, laughing uncontrollably. "Because your unlucky old man never actually betrayed Liyue."

Lucas froze. "What do you mean?"

"Back then, the Fatui paid a hefty price to hire him to collect and safeguard Hundred Taboos Artifacts. But that old fool—he destroyed them!" Childe continued, still laughing. "Enraged, I killed him ."

Lucas muttered in disbelief, "So… you're saying… he wasn't a traitor?"

"Not only that, but by destroying them, he delayed the Fatui's plans to invade Liyue," Childe added, laughing even harder. "He was a hero who saved Liyue, yet in the end, he was branded a traitor who sold out his nation. Isn't that ironic? Hahaha!"

"But it's a shame—you'll never get the chance to clear his name. And not only that, but you'll share his fate, leaving behind a legacy of infamy." Childe wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and sneered. "The story of the Tianshu stealing the Gnosis and vanishing without a trace… now that will make for a front-page headline in tomorrow's Steambird Newspaper."

Lucas slowly pulled the iron whip from behind his back, his voice calm but resolute: "Have you considered… that the one to die here today might be you?"

"No matter how strong an ant becomes, it's still just an ant," Childe scoffed. "Today, I'll send you to join your pathetic father!"

"In that case, do you dare to make a contract with me?" Lucas said, his tone indifferent. "A one-on-one duel. The loser… dies to atone."

"You can rest assured about that," Signora interjected from the side, clearly enjoying the tension. She smirked and said coldly, "If you actually manage to kill this guy, I might even thank you. In fact, it would save me a lot of trouble."

Her words were not without sincerity. If Lucas truly managed to defeat Childe, the glory of securing the Gnosis would be hers alone, and she'd also get rid of an irritating rival. Why not?

Of course, she didn't truly believe such an outcome was possible. She was well aware of Childe's abilities. Even if his strength were reduced to a mere fraction of his full potential, he could easily crush someone like Lucas—a Liyue native without even a Vision.

"Why wouldn't I dare?" Childe sneered. "I accept this contract!"

"You mentioned the word 'contract,' didn't you?"

At that moment, a black-haired man appeared out of nowhere, his expression impassive as he looked at the two Harbingers. "In that case, allow me to bear witness to this contract."

The newcomer was none other than Rex Lapis, the Geo Archon. For some reason, his entrance gave Lucas the feeling of a commanding leader stepping onto the battlefield.

The sudden arrival of Rex Lapis left both Childe and Signora visibly stunned. Though his aura exuded no killing intent, it carried an oppressive majesty that made it impossible to meet his gaze directly.

This feeling was something they had only ever experienced in the presence of the Cryo Archon, the Tsaritsa.

Moreover, the Exuvia—the remains of the Geo Archon—was nowhere to be seen. The identity of the man standing before them was now unmistakable.

Sensing their unease, Rex Lapis spoke calmly, "There is no need for alarm. I will not interfere in a conflict between mortals. If you defeat him, you may leave with the Gnosis."

Childe's expression finally turned serious. Though he didn't take Lucas seriously, the fact that Rex Lapis seemed to be supporting him changed everything.

"Childe," Signora said sternly, "end this quickly."

"You don't need to tell me!"

Before her words had fully faded, Childe was already charging at Lucas, twin hydro blades in hand. Even without his Vision and Delusion, his combat skills alone placed him among the most gifted fighters in the world.

But Lucas didn't move. He simply raised the iron whip high and swung it down with a sudden force.

Childe smirked inwardly at the clumsy attack. Using such a slow and heavy weapon to hit someone as agile as him? Absurd.

Bang!

A loud crash echoed through the chamber, and Childe suddenly felt a crushing weight slam into his back, pinning him to the ground. His throat tightened, and blood spurted from his mouth.

Looking up, he saw Lucas's iron whip now encased in Geo energy, transformed into a massive, towering pillar.

"How… how is this possible…" Childe murmured weakly. "You don't even have a Vision…"

"I don't need a Vision," Lucas said as the Gnosis on his chest emitted a radiant glow. "A power that requires an external trinket to wield? Elemental energy is not something so inconvenient."

"The Gnosis!"

Realizing what was happening, Childe summoned all his remaining strength. A massive whale, formed entirely of hydro energy, surged forth from his body, its jaws wide open as it rushed toward Lucas.

"Foul Legacy - The Devouring Deep!"

This was Childe's strongest attack in his base form, capable of overwhelming even the fiercest opponents in an instant. Normally, he relished drawing out fights for the thrill of battle, but now, sensing the danger, he held nothing back.

Yet, as the monstrous whale charged forward, Lucas simply smiled. A ring of Geo energy surrounded his body, forming a protective barrier. The moment the whale collided with the barrier, it shattered into fragments, scattering like raindrops and leaving a rainbow in its wake.

"I'm not done yet…"

Gritting his teeth, Childe prepared for a follow-up attack, but before he could act, Lucas appeared before him like a phantom.

Crack!

With a sharp snap, Lucas's iron whip slammed down on Childe's leg, crushing it completely. The impact shattered the bones and mangled the flesh into an unrecognizable mess.

The Fatui's advanced medical technology could mend most injuries, but when a limb was reduced to pulp, not even the Doctor could restore it.

With one leg destroyed, Childe lost his balance and fell to his knees before Lucas.

For the first time, the defiant glint in Childe's eyes was replaced by a flicker of fear as he faced his opponent—an opponent who now seemed like a god descended to earth.