Following the old woman into Sea Dragon City, Riko and the others found the residents wary at the sight of strangers, though none stepped forward to question them—the Sea God had fallen, mortals had slain a god, and Spirit Hall might soon discover Sea Dragon City's location. They could barely protect themselves, so how could they spare any concern for others?
Confusion, resentment, fear...
These negative emotions showed on the faces of Sea Dragon City's residents to varying degrees.
Riko and the others paid little attention to the people they encountered along the way. Following the old woman through streets and alleys, they arrived at a cluster of outer houses near the woods.
"That's him."
Following the old woman's pointing finger, the three of them saw a thatched hut only three to five meters tall. At its entrance, a child who looked seven or eight years old was holding a chisel and carving a piece of wood.
From his appearance, this child was unlike ordinary people. His hair seemed overly luxuriant, covering both sides of his cheeks and his small forearms.
His hair was light gold, tied in a ponytail that hung casually behind his shoulders.
His clothes were old and tattered, covered in patches. There were numerous bruises on his shoulders and face, and they appeared to be recent injuries.
"Who is he?"
The moment Rabbit Girl asked, Riko ran over, set down the exploration pack on her back, and, under the child's startled and frightened gaze, took out a bottle of ointment. She opened it and applied it to the bruises on his shoulders and face—
"Honestly, could you at least wait for me to finish speaking? You're already the Vice President of the Adventurers' Guild, yet you're still so reckless."
Hearing Rabbit Girl's complaint, the old woman