I just hopped into New Eridu after the Version 2.5 update, and oh man, this is the real deal — I got a free S-Rank agent without spending a single Polychrome. Her name is Zhao, and she’s already revamping my entire squad lineup. If you haven’t claimed her yet, I’m going to walk you through exactly why you need to drop whatever you’re doing and grab her right now.
Let’s be real — getting a top-tier support for absolutely nothing is a rare treat in any gacha game. Zhao isn’t just a pretty face; she’s a powerhouse buffer who fits into almost any team comp you can throw at her. She hands out universal buffs like candy, making your damage dealers hit harder and your survivability spike without any complicated conditions. I’ve been testing her out on a few of my favorite squads, and the difference is night and day. You know what I mean? It’s like giving your whole team a permanent energy drink.
So how do you actually unlock her? It’s stupidly simple. No hoops, no hidden fees. Here’s the lowdown:
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Reach Inter-Knot Level 8+ (most of you probably blew past this ages ago)
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Finish the Prologue: Intermission questline — standard stuff, nothing grindy
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Log in anytime after the Version 2.5 update went live and before the end of Version 2.6
Once you hit those three checkmarks, Zhao is yours. Just like that. It honestly feels like the devs are handing out free pizza, and I’m not one to say no. You also don’t just get a naked agent; they load you up with materials to push her to level 40 immediately. I’m talking Denny, Advanced Defense Certification Seals, Basic Defense Certification Seals, Official Investigator Logs, and Senior Investigator Logs. All the goodies you need to make her battle-ready without burning through your saved resources. New players and returning veterans alike are eating good this patch.
Now here’s the part where I grab your attention with a big, glowing deadline: Zhao won’t be free forever. The event started on December 30, 2025 and runs until the end of Version 2.6. Since we’re already in early 2026, that window is still wide open, but it’s not going to last forever. Procrastinators like me know how this goes — you blink, and suddenly you’re scrambling at the last minute. Don’t be that person. Claim her today and breathe easy.
Let me break down the freebie package one more time just so it really sinks in:
| Reward | Type |
|---|---|
| Zhao | S-Rank Agent |
| Advanced Defense Certification Seal | Upgrade Material |
| Basic Defense Certification Seal | Upgrade Material |
| Official Investigator Log | Leveling Material |
| Senior Investigator Log | Leveling Material |
| Denny | In-game Currency |
\ud83d\ude0e That right there is a complete starter kit for a support unit that can carry you through a ton of content. No hidden gacha tricks, just pure generosity.
Alright, let me get a little personal with you. I’m not a min-maxing theorycrafter; I just love seeing big numbers and smooth rotations. Zhao slots in like she was born for the job. Her buffs aren’t finicky — no “only works on Ice damage” or “only triggers on Wednesdays” nonsense. She amplifies your entire team’s output, meaning whoever your main damage dealer is, they’re about to get a serious glow-up. You can literally feel the tempo change when she’s on the field. It’s kind of like having a hype man in your pocket, constantly cheering your squad on and making everyone overperform.
If you’re already eyeing Ye Shunguang (and honestly, who isn’t?), you’ll want Zhao even more. Word on the street — okay, the community forums — is that Zhao is going to be one of her absolute best teammates. Their synergy practically writes itself, and having that combo might future-proof your account for the upcoming meta shifts. I’m already saving materials for that duo, and I can’t wait to see what they do together.
One thing I appreciate about promotions like this is how accessible it is. Grinding for a new character can sometimes feel like a part-time job, but with Zhao, you just log in, complete the prologue, and she’s on your roster. Even if you’re a super casual player who only logs in a few times a week, you can still secure her. That’s a massive win for the community. Plus, having a solid support makes every other investment you make feel more valuable. You know when you finally beat that boss that’s been gatekeeping you for weeks? Zhao might just be the key.
So here’s my two Dennys: if you care about your account progression at all, stop reading and go claim Zhao. She’s free, she’s fabulous, and she will instantly make your teams better. I went from skeptical to obsessed in about two minutes flat, and I’m pretty sure you will too. There’s still time before Version 2.6 wraps up, but days have a habit of slipping by. Don’t let this one pass you by. Your future self will thank you — nothing beats looking at your agent list and seeing a shiny S-Rank that cost you zero pulls.