As a boy who had experienced nothing like this, doubt was always the first thing that crossed his mind. Was it all right? What if something terrible happened? And the like.

His concern for his younger siblings shaped this trait at the orphanage. That's why he couldn't, and never did, think of anything negative. Adis had to return home and reunite with his family, which caused it all.

"Before that... may I ask a question?"

"Hmm?" Kraun tilted his head. "Sure. Anything within my realm of knowledge, I will answer to the best of my ability."

"Can this scroll make me stronger?"

Hearing this, Kraun grinned.

"It depends on how you use it. If you're curious, then you can try it, and I need to remind you that this won't happen a second time."

"I-is that so?"

Adis weighed his options. His decision now could affect not only his safety but also the safety of his family back on Earth.

It's true that gaining strength increases the probability of survival, but that also depends on how Adis uses it in the future.

With a deep breath, Adis closed his eyes. As he exhaled, he opened them, but this time there was no hesitation in his eyes.

Adis, who had hesitated, now seemed certain of his decision.

"Very well." Adis nodded. "I'll take the scroll," he continued, then headed for Kraun's counter.

"Good eyes, and your decision is... correct," the Raccoon replied, his last word low.

As soon as Adis picked up the worn scroll, a notification appeared before him.

【Main Mission: There are several disturbing rodents roaming the house near the southern stone wall of Blightmire. Exterminate them and bring their tails as proof of your safe completion】

【Defeat eight premature Plague children. Completion reward: a basic set of traveler equipment, and a slight chance of obtaining rare equipment from the abandoned house's storage】

【Bonus: additional vials obtained by defeating the rodents in the abandoned house】

【Thanks to your blessing as a Friend of the Starless Child, your chance of obtaining rare equipment has increased】

“Is my request interesting enough for you, Mr. Adis?”

After reviewing it three times, Adis became convinced that it was quite easy, and he felt confident he could accomplish it, even though he didn't know what kind of rodent he would face.

“I see. I'm not sure myself, but I'll give it a try.”

“Good. That's the answer I wanted to hear, and as a bonus, take this with me as a safety net.”

Kraun then took something from under the counter and placed it on the table. “Th-this…”

“As you can see, Mr. Adis. This is just a simple knife you can find anywhere.”

“R-right… I forgot I don’t have any weapons right now.”

Kraun’s mouth curved. “Still, this knife was made by a blacksmith, and I can guarantee its quality can rival some swords in the weapon shop,” he said in a friendly tone.

“Thank you,” Adis replied, taking it.

“No, no. I should be the one thanking you, because thanks to you, I was able to see something interesting.”

“Is that so?”

Kraun nodded slightly and bowed slowly. “May the Goddess of Fertility bless you always, Mr. Adis.”

Adis smiled slightly and bowed as well.

“Thank you. Then I’ll be going,” he concluded, turning and heading for the exit.

Kraun stared longingly at the back of the young man before him, as if he were seeing his old friends enthusiastically seeking the truth in Astal.

After Adis exited Kraun's Shop, he encountered Randolf near the intersection. However, the eccentric man only raised the brim of his hat slightly, as if he already knew what Adis was planning.

With a mischievous grin, Randolf prayed from his heart for Adis's safety on his first mission in Astal. Like any lost traveler, he would pray for anyone about to descend into the abyss of madness, hoping for their safety.

Randolf's gesture of raising his hat was one such prayer. Though brief and seemingly indifferent, it was the Cartographer's way of praying for his fellow comrades in the search for truth in a world that had lost its blessings.

It wasn't long before Adis arrived at an abandoned house south of Blightmire. The black snow continued to fall, and the evening sun began to fade, following the warm air that was starting to cool.

These were the signs of nightfall, but unfortunately, this was Blightmire. No matter the weather, dusk reigned supreme there, and nothing could detract from that.

"So, is this the place?"

It was a shabby two-story house, with broken windows and cobwebs. The exterior was in much the same condition, as evidenced by the worn, worn woodwork.

"Maybe I should check the back, too. Maybe there's something there, and besides, I don't want anything disturbing me when I'm busy inside."

Taking light steps, Adis began walking toward the back of the house, only to find a broken stable and an old well, its pulley creaking as the wind blew past.

However, the sound of breaking glass from behind immediately diverted Adis's attention.

"Shit! Have I been discovered?!"

A horned, rotting rat protruded from the inside glass. Adis immediately jumped back in surprise, not expecting his presence to be discovered so easily.

"Ready or not, I must always be ready!"

"Kick!!"

【The Rots: Premature creatures born from the mucus of The Plague. With their constitution as creatures of darkness, their presence always brings destruction and misfortune to those around them】

Adis immediately lunged forward, readying his knife. However, the Rots didn't stand still, and leaped at Adis. Fortunately, a swift slash from Adis' knife sent the dark creature sprawling lifeless.

Its small body was covered in purple blood, and its back and tailbone were split wide open.

With this, Adis had successfully defeated one of his eight extermination targets. However, not long after, three more emerged from beneath the cracks in the house's foundation like moles.

Staring at Adis with hostility, their squeaks seemed to indicate that the fight was not over yet.

"Looks like this isn't going to go smoothly. I hope I can do well..."