The quest ‘Sacred Simulacrum: Wait Until Afternoon’ in Genshin Impact is a part of the World Quest chain found in Fontaine. This quest can sometimes confuse players, especially when it comes to the ‘wait until afternoon’ instruction, which is not always clear on what time it requires or how it fits within the quest’s flow. Understanding the mechanics, timing, and story connection is essential to progressing efficiently. This guide covers everything you need to know about how to complete this quest segment smoothly, from the location details to game-time manipulation and beyond.
Overview of Sacred Simulacrum Quest
‘Sacred Simulacrum’ is a world quest available in Fontaine, the nation of Hydro, introduced in Genshin Impact’s version 4.x updates. It explores the themes of identity, divinity, and artificial life, fitting well with Fontaine’s aesthetic of advanced technology and law. The questline involves investigating a mysterious construct and understanding its link to the Hydro Archon’s ambitions and creations.
The objective ‘Wait Until Afternoon’ appears partway through the quest and usually follows a dialogue-heavy scene. The goal is to trigger an event or interaction that only becomes available during a specific in-game time window.
Understanding In-Game Time in Genshin Impact
In Genshin Impact, time can be manipulated manually through the Paimon menu. The in-game clock operates on a 24-hour system, where 00:00 is midnight and 12:00 is noon. One full in-game day lasts approximately 30 real-time minutes.
What is considered afternoon in Genshin Impact?
- Afternoon generally starts at 12:00 and ends around 18:00 (6:00 PM) in in-game time.
- For safety, most players change the time to around 13:0014:00 to trigger time-based quest events labeled as afternoon.
If the quest tells you to wait until afternoon, it means that a cutscene, dialogue, or quest marker will only activate within that window. Attempting to progress before the designated time will likely cause nothing to happen, creating confusion.
How to Wait Until Afternoon
Step-by-Step Instructions
To progress through the ‘Wait Until Afternoon’ step in the Sacred Simulacrum quest, follow these directions:
- Open thePaimon Menu.
- Select theTimeoption at the top right of the screen.
- Move the clock hand to a time between13:00 and 15:00.
- Confirm the time change and wait for the in-game environment to shift accordingly.
- Look for a new quest marker or interactable character/object that now becomes active.
This manual time skip will not affect other ongoing quests or events and can be used as often as needed. Keep in mind that some areas may have enemies or restrictions that still prevent progress if other quest steps haven’t been fulfilled yet.
What to Do If Nothing Happens
If you’ve changed the time and nothing appears to trigger, check the following:
- Ensure you’ve completed all previous objectives, including interactions or cutscenes.
- Confirm that you are at the correct physical location indicated by the quest marker.
- Wait a few in-game minutes after the time change, as some events have short delays.
- Try setting the time to a bit later, such as 15:30, just in case the trigger has a tighter window.
In rare cases, exiting the game and reloading the session helps reset quest logic if things still aren’t progressing.
Where the Quest Takes Place
The Sacred Simulacrum quest takes place in the Fontaine region, often involving characters tied to the Court of Fontaine or the mysterious simulacrum constructs scattered across the map. The specific segment that requires waiting until afternoon usually occurs in a tranquil setting, like a forest, shrine, or a mechanical testing ground.
Exploration is part of the quest’s charm. Look around for notes, devices, and small lore clues that further enhance the mystery of the simulacrum. Many times, Genshin Impact rewards attentive players with extra voice lines or unique interactions for being present during specific times of day.
Story Significance of Waiting Until Afternoon
Genshin Impact uses time not just as a gameplay mechanic, but also as a storytelling tool. In the Sacred Simulacrum quest, the need to wait until afternoon could be symbolic. Afternoon is often seen as the time of clarity after the fog of morning and before the uncertainties of evening. Waiting until this time could represent the moment when truths are revealed or when a character’s thoughts become clear.
Additionally, the quest might involve NPCs who only become available during this window. Fontaine characters often follow strict routines tied to their profession or societal role, so afternoon may be the only time they are free to speak or interact with the Traveler.
Rewards and Benefits of Completion
Finishing the Sacred Simulacrum quest, including its afternoon segment, provides more than just Primogems and Mora. It adds to the lore of Fontaine and unlocks additional content such as:
- World Exploration bonuses
- Achievement progress
- Access to hidden areas or repeatable mini-quests
- Potential unlocks of Fontaine-related character backstories
The quest may also tie into future story arcs involving Arlecchino, the Fatui, or Fontaine’s upcoming expansions, making it worth completing even if it’s not tied directly to the Archon Quests.
Other Quests with Similar Mechanics
If you’re familiar with Genshin Impact’s quest design, you’ve likely encountered similar requirements in earlier quests:
- Inazuma ‘Tatara Tales’: Many parts of this quest chain require waiting until the next day or afternoon for events to unfold.
- Liyue ‘Bookworm Swordsman’: This World Quest asks players to wait until certain hours to talk to characters.
- Monstadt ‘Time and the Wind’: One of the earliest examples of time-specific interaction.
Sacred Simulacrum fits into this tradition, but does so with the technological theme of Fontaine, making time feel more integrated with the environment and story.
Sacred Simulacrum: Wait Until Afternoon may sound like a simple instruction, but it’s deeply tied to Genshin Impact’s game mechanics and worldbuilding. Understanding how the in-game time system works and how to manipulate it is essential for quest progression. Players who embrace these mechanics will find not only smoother gameplay but also a deeper appreciation for how time influences the world of Teyvat.
So the next time a quest tells you to wait until a certain hour, see it not as a delay but as a narrative invitation. In the case of Sacred Simulacrum, waiting until afternoon is both a literal and symbolic moment, bringing you one step closer to uncovering the secrets of Fontaine’s divine constructs and the truth behind the sacred simulacrum itself.