novelraw Chapter 604 286: Food, Water, Shelter, and Crossing the Road
Chapter 604 286: Food, Water, Shelter, and Crossing the Road
When the topic of hidden side quests was brought up, Wu Chang was no longer sleepy, and he perked up to observe the girl named Amber.
The girl appeared to be eleven or twelve years old. Girls mature early, and she was almost 1.5 meters tall, with a cold, world-weary face that gave her an aura beyond her age.
She was extremely delicate-looking, like a living doll, with jet-black hair, snow-white skin, and deep blue eyes.
Her pupils were like a deep sea, not only in color but also in the serene, ocean-deep gaze that would make anyone instinctively feel unfamiliar, fearful, and unsafe when meeting her eyes.
Even though Director Susan had already instructed her to greet the two, the girl still stood there expressionless.
Wu Chang could see no emotional fluctuation on the girl's face—no excitement, no expectation, not even aversion.
Such a reaction was very unusual for a primary school girl growing up in an orphanage.
Perhaps the girl's reaction was related to her tragic childhood and the attitudes of those around her.
When Director Susan was persuading Wu Chang and the others to adopt another child, she made no effort to avoid Amber. Even in a place as unrestrained as the Federation, badmouthing someone right in front of them was excessive.
Though Director Susan may not have been very refined, she was very enthusiastic and continued to persuade:
"Mr. Sean, as the manager of the orphanage, I have an obligation to inform you of everything. Although I am a member of the clergy and should treat everyone with kindness and compassion, striving to redeem them."
"But every time I face Amber, I feel she is a child of the devil, the source of all calamity."
Even though Amber, the subject of the conversation, said nothing, Wu Chang couldn't listen any longer. He frowned and defended his client.
"Director Susan, isn't it too much to talk about a child like this? I think you should watch your words and actions, or I'll doubt whether you know how to communicate with children."
Faced with Wu Chang's criticism, Susan did not hold back but instead said:
"Mr. Sean, you are kind-hearted, but believe me, the twelve families who previously adopted Amber were all kind people from proper families."
Wu Chang felt a tinge of confusion, how many?
Susan noticed Wu Chang's surprise, or rather, she had seen this expression many times before.
"Yes, you heard correctly. Before you, Amber had been adopted twelve times, each time for no more than half a year. Every time she left, the adopting family would become fragmented."
"Some had domestic conflicts resulting in violent fights where one party died and the other ended up in jail; some experienced drastic career upheavals, leading to a mental breakdown and self-destructive choices; others became neurotic, losing their ability to care for themselves and being sent to Siegfried Psychiatric Hospital."
"Those were the lucky ones."
Wu Chang: ...
He repeatedly recalled the Federation's grammar, pondering under what context these experiences could be considered fortunate.
Susan continued, "More families that adopted Amber died in unforeseen disasters. For example, the couple who last adopted her died in a plane crash."
"I can vouch for everything I've said. For the sake of your own safety, please seriously consider whether to adopt this child."
Although Susan portrayed fostering Amber as more dangerous than smuggling contraband into Xia Country, Wu Chang still insisted on his previous decision.
"No worries, I consulted a mysterious Eastern Divination Master about my fate before, and he said I have a strong constitution, not easy to suppress."
Director Susan sighed, recalling a proverb from the east: Good advice can't persuade someone doomed.
She turned back to Amber and asked, "Amber, what about you? Are you willing to become the adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sean?"
Amber looked at Wu Chang and Erin, her head moving very slightly, as if her skull remained still with only her eyes turning, appearing a bit creepy.
"I have no objections. Anyway, it won't be long before I come back again."
Director Susan shook her head and said, "Cherish this opportunity, Amber. If you come back again, I'll really start to treat you like a devil."
Although Susan's words sounded like a joke, her tone carried no hint of jest.
She pulled out an adoption registration form from her desk drawer and placed it in front of Wu Chang.
"If you're sure, then sign in the adopter column."
The moment Wu Chang touched the adoption registration form, a prompt appeared in front of his eyes.
「Hidden side quest: Nurture Amber to grow up healthy, keep a close eye on her mental and physical health, and gain her recognition. By the end of the scenario, Amber's recognition value must not be below 60 points. Task failure has no penalty. Accept the task?」
Upon seeing the requirements of the hidden side quest, Wu Chang's expression changed again.
What a joke, I'm currently completing an A-Level scenario on the verge of losing control, still pursuing Lin Jiang, who holds the highest authority of the Four Major Organizations, bearing the safety of the Desolate Realm. Do you think I'm here to play house?
「For every two points of Amber's recognition value, the player's attribute suppression is released by 1%.」
Wu Chang grabbed a pen immediately and signed his name in the adopter column as quickly as possible, saying to Amber:
"In this world, you are my own daughter!"
Amber: ?
While Wu Chang triggered "True Walker" on this side, which was bustling with activity, his True Self, lurking among the players, was equally lively.
Due to the True Self not obtaining native identity, yet simultaneously enjoying player privileges, similar to the Hymn Company scenario, the True Self and other players appeared in the collective safe space.