After this incident, the villagers had rescued the children, but their relief was hollow. This time it was only a second-tier warrior; next time might bring a first-tier powerhouse… The Black Dragon’s command was absolute—nobles in the capital would move heaven and earth to fulfill it.

For now, they were safe. The city was at least two days’ walk away. Many villagers had already begun packing, desperate to hide their daughters elsewhere.

Yue Waner’s mother, however, wasn’t rushing. She sat across from Tran at a wooden table.

"Little Supreme Treasure," she asked gently, "may I know your true strength? I have a request." A flicker of reluctance passed through her eyes.

"I’m not entirely sure," Tran admitted. "I haven’t seen enough of this world’s fighters yet."

Yue Waner’s mother recalled his amnesia, but today’s display proved he was no weaker than a second-tier warrior.

"And what do you think of Waner?" she pressed.

"Huh? She’s wonderful! Like a little sister to me—utterly adorable!" As Tran spoke, the image of another little girl surfaced in his mind… Little Rain.

"Then… take Waner with you. Promise you’ll care for her." Her words stunned him—she was practically handing her daughter over to elope.

Tran choked on his words. *Why does she sound like a mother-in-law entrusting her daughter? I’m nearly a decade older than Waner!* …Though, admittedly, it wasn’t impossible.

"Aunt Yue," he said carefully, "I’d take her, but my identity… it’s complicated. She wouldn’t be safe with me. And I’m heading to kill that Black Dragon. What if they capture her?"

She only shook her head, unclasping a crescent-shaped pendant from her neck. Tran took it, puzzled. It looked like an ordinary red trinket.

"This is the Crescent Jade worn by the Savior," she explained. "It appeared on Waner’s neck the day she was born. Back then, a bear-like demon beast attacked our village. People fled in terror; several died—including Waner’s playmate. She witnessed it all. The jade blazed with light… and Waner suddenly aged years, becoming a seventeen-year-old girl. Alone, she slaughtered the beast with magic." Her voice tightened, haunted by the memory.

"Afterward, she told me to flee—the village was unsafe. I followed her. But… she grew bloodthirsty. She killed every creature we passed. Terrified, I stole the jade while she slept. Her last words to me were: *‘I am the Savior.’*" She slid a map across the table. "Little Supreme Treasure, this is the world map. You’ve studied it. Find the other Saviors. Defeat the Black Dragon."

Tran blinked. *This feels like a cliché RPG quest…* (He mentally rolled his eyes—*don’t assume it’s just Dragon Quest… the real fun starts later*).

*So… gather seven Saviors, defeat the final boss. Classic. But I’m the one finding them! Maybe I can be the protagonist after all!*

"Alright!" Tran thumped his chest. "I accept!" *Even if I’m not the Savior, I’m a transmigrator—I’ve got plot armor!* Besides, searching for Saviors meant hunting for Ada and Bai Yi. He needed them to return home.

"Leave now," Yue Waner’s mother urged. "I’ve packed food. And—only return the Crescent Jade to Waner in direst need."

*Now?* Tran had expected tomorrow. *Well… adventure awaits!*

He shouldered his staff and followed her outside.

When Waner heard she must leave her mother, her wails shook the heavens. After endless coaxing—and lies about "taking refuge" while her mother "visited relatives"—the sobbing seven-year-old sniffled, "Mama… will you really find me?"

Yue Waner’s mother smiled softly. "Of course. How could I abandon my precious daughter?"

And so, Tran set off with his first young companion—no, his first Savior—on the quest to find the others.

******

"Supreme Treasure Brother, how much longer to the city? Waner’s tired of steamed buns…" The girl slumped against his back, voice listless.

Tran trudged forward, staff in one hand, food sack in the other, Waner clinging to his shoulders.

"Almost there! Two more hours, then a feast!" He drooled imagining restaurant food. *If Aunt Yue’s cooking is this good, what’s a real tavern like?* She’d given him nearly all her savings—enough to last them weeks.

"Brother! Look—a bear! Wait… why’s it purple?" Waner pointed.

"Purple bear? Did it fall in a dye vat?" Tran glanced over—and froze. A four-meter-long demon beast loomed, muscles rippling under violet fur.

"RUN!" Tran yelled, hoisting Waner tighter. The beast thundered after them.

"Can’t you beat it, Brother?" Waner chirped, nuzzling his neck. *With you here, danger doesn’t stand a chance.*

*How should I know if I can win?!* Tran screamed inwardly. But for her sake, he puffed his chest. "This is a *strategic retreat*, Waner! Humans are superior to beasts—we don’t stoop to their level. I’m sparing its dignity! How would it hold its head up among beasts after a beating?"

Waner pondered this. "So… we ignore creatures beneath us?"

"Exactly! But if something threatens you? Crush it without mercy. I’m just… merciful today."

"Oh! Brother’s so kind!" she giggled.

Tran sprinted through the forest, his World Annihilation-level stamina unflagging. The demon bear showed no sign of tiring either.

*Why do monsters always chase me? Is my charm *that* overwhelming?* Sweat dripped down his neck.

Then he spotted them: over a dozen soldiers in black armor—the same as before. Tran grinned.