The black-haired ratfolk was clearly curled up in the deepest, darkest place in this world, with only his last breath remaining.
Yet his words were like a raging storm of flame, sweeping through the boy's mind.
They made the boy clench his fists again, kindling a sliver of hope as bright as the morning star.
"I—I do have the resolve!"
Ye Zi gritted his teeth. "But what exactly should I do?"
"Very simple. Make a deal with me."
The black-haired ratfolk spoke seriously and confidently. "I can help you grow stronger."
"You..."
Ye Zi glanced once more at the black-haired ratfolk's wounds.
He confirmed once again that this was the most grievously injured person he had ever seen.
Even all the villagers who had died in Half Mountain Village, including his brother, had not seemed as badly hurt as the black-haired ratfolk.
How could someone who could barely save himself, someone struggling at death's door, possibly make him stronger?
The boy was somewhat doubtful.
But when he thought of the fierce blaze the black-haired ratfolk had unleashed just now, and those eyes that seemed able to see through everything—
Like a moth flying into a flame, he could not help wanting to believe.
"W-What can I do for you, Uncle?"
Ye Zi knew that a "deal" meant an exchange between both sides.
In the Era of Prosperity, everyone had enough to eat, but there were always things that had to be exchanged.
For example, he had once made a mask from the glittering golden shell of a Golden Fruit and traded it with a boy from Foothill Village named Yu Ying for a beautiful string of wind chimes made from fish bones. He had given them to An Jia on her birthday, making her giggle with laughter.
Fish fins grew