After a thorough looting, Ou Tao struck it rich—leveling straight to 8 and snagging an SSR spirit. Though the other adventurers carried no coin, the slain Mechanic Melman’s potion bottles were barely touched.

Ou Tao collected over a dozen healing potions, two weakness potions, and one damage potion. In Roland’s cellar, he uncovered several large chests of copper coins and more than ten gold coins.

Once the lord learned of Landlord Roland’s death, a replacement would surely arrive. To keep each other silent, villagers split the copper coins—everyone took a share, willing or not. Ou Tao kept all the gold… and a single piece of Lisan Blacksteel.

“Congrats on unlocking the achievement: *Go Hard*!” Bika said with a half-joke.

Ou Tao swiped his finger. The Lisan Blacksteel glowed in orange text: *Lisan Blacksteel – Forges legendary gear, mainly sword blades. Time control +20%, durability loss -10%, wood affinity +40.*

“No sword found, but this steel’s a win. Orange-tier steel means a shot at an orange-tier sword… but does anyone in this remote mountain village even craft orange-tier gear?”

Still pondering, Ou Tao stepped inside. Ke Er came running, wooden bowl raised high above her head. “Father! Please try Ke Er’s rabbit and bamboo shoot stew!”

“Thank you, Ke Er.” He took the bowl. The stew was delicious *and* potent—two servings fully restored stamina, and the nutritional buff even raised his stamina cap by thirty.

“Ke Er… this buff?”

As always, she waited for him to eat first. Hands tucked behind her back, she tilted her head with a slight smile. “Super easy! Ke Er’s great at digging winter bamboo shoots. Just passed the river and picked a few!”

In truth, it wasn’t easy at all. Scars lined her palms. She’d faced bullying too. But she never wanted Father—already bearing the family’s weight—to worry about her.

“Good. We’ll buy more later. This buff will be vital crossing the snowy peaks.”

“No need! Ke Er will dig more! Save where we can—Father shouldn’t spend! Ke Er will go right now!”

As she turned, Ou Tao’s pupils tightened. Scars on her palms. “Wait.”

Ke Er froze at his voice.

The cuts matched the thorny husks of winter bamboo shoots. This little girl’s quiet devotion ached his heart.

Just like he’d never told his sister how hard studio grinding was, or the cold sneers he endured in e-sports training for not being a “second-gen prodigy.”

This was family—burying pain, returning home light and smiling, sharing only joy.

Gently lifting her hand, Ou Tao poured a healing potion onto her palm. Green light shimmered. Health restored: 18/18. Tingling vanished. Her small hand smoothed over, soft again.

“Ke Er, you have a more important mission.” He knew—without a greater purpose, she’d dig again.

“Tell me, Father! Ke Er can do it!”

“You’ll prepare the bamboo shoot stew. My journey ahead needs plenty of food.”

Ke Er’s eyes widened. She grabbed his hand. “Father… where are you going? Take me with you!”

“Francia. Not for leisure. Just as I’m your most important person, I have someone I must reach. I came from far away for a mission. You’ll stay with Uncle Kolbe for now.”

“No!” She wrapped arms and legs tightly around his thigh, clinging with all her weight. “Where Father goes, Ke Er follows! Now, tomorrow, forever—only Father!”

Ou Tao frowned. “Ke Er, you may not understand…”

“I do! We cross the great snowy mountains—but Ke Er isn’t afraid! I’ll be quiet, good, no trouble! I’ve wanted to leave this place for so long!”

“Why?”

“The village children mock my white hair,” she whispered, head bowed. “In *Snowy Night Fairy Tale*, long white hair marks a witch… but I’m *not* a witch!” Her face flushed, teeth biting her lip. “When Father was sick and Mother gone… every time I begged villagers for help, they blocked my path and laughed. This place… only holds pain.”

“Understood.” Ou Tao crouched, stroking her head. “Beyond this narrow village lies a wider world. If you’re willing… be brave and see it.”

“Sir, you can’t seriously take her! She’s too young!” Bika protested.

“Bika,” Ou Tao said softly, “when I was eight, grinding orders in that studio—did I imagine becoming world champion? If she chooses a better future… we have no right to hold her back.”