Family Status

"Junior Partner, huh..."

Tao Yu bid farewell to Uncle Hu and started heading home, his eyes unfocused as he looked at the certificate in his hand.

Before he went into the Abyss again, he could visit the task halls in the various strongholds of the Outer City to check for corresponding Partner missions.

There were no mandatory restrictions for Partners; it was all about being 'driven by profit' through missions, with no compulsory assignments.

However, if a Partner completed at least one mission every month, the Junior Partner would provide a base salary of 200 units of Wish Power. If all twelve months were completed, there would be a year-end attendance bonus of 1000 units of Wish Power.

Completing missions also passively increased cannon fodder points, so he wouldn't have to worry about forced conscription as cannon fodder.

"The Talent certification is done, and I can claim the promised 1000 units of Wish Power. After dealing with the Serpent Fangs' skills and the five Blood Orchids, I should have a decent income.

"I wonder if I can learn the skills at the Dojo before entering the Abyss next time. With Wish Power assistance, it should be possible."

As he walked on the muddy, uneven ground of the Outer City, filled with sewage everywhere, Tao Yu felt that if he had the chance, he should move his family to a better environment.

His nose was filled with the smell of 'city life,' and Oli Gei appeared from time to time on the road. He had no idea what those foul-smelling sewage waters were made of.

But looking down at himself, Tao Yu felt he didn't really have the right to complain about the environment.

At Uncle Hu's place, Tao Yu had only borrowed water to wash his face and tidy himself up; he didn't have time to shower. Now, recalling it, the dirtiness he had grown accustomed to gave him the illusory feeling of itching all over.

He wasn't exactly a clean person in his past life either; he'd gone days without showering before.

But comparing it now, he suddenly realized that his past self practically had an obsession with cleanliness.

"Human adaptability is truly remarkable."

Tao Yu expressionlessly sidestepped a pile of Oli Gei and saw the farm where his family lived. Although the farm wasn't theirs – they were only responsible for managing it – the living environment was passable in comparison.

It wasn't as good as the family quarters of the Security Team, nor was it like the inside of the strongholds, but it was considered decent for the Outer City, and they didn't have to pay protection fees to those gangs.

Some families didn't even have automated turrets to defend against Gray Mist Demonic Creatures.

Smelling the familiar scent of cow dung, Tao Yu pushed open the door and entered the house.

"I'm back."

"Brother! Are you really an A-rank Talent?"

A half-grown boy, a head shorter than Tao Yu and as scrawny as he used to be, was the first to rush over, his face full of excitement.

Looking at his younger brother, Tao Shi, the "old eighth" of the family, Tao Yu smiled and patted his head, only to feel a greasy sensation and freeze.

A head pat that killed me. I'm impressed...

"Get familiar with the Breathing Technique first and prepare thoroughly."

Tao Yu lowered his hand and expressionlessly wiped it on his not-so-clean clothes.

"I'm going to choose the New settlement too in the future, I'll go with Seventh Brother."

Tao Shi chattered incessantly.

But Tao Yu paused and then sighed.

"There are still two years. Let's see. If it were now, I wouldn't let you go; it's too dangerous over there."

"Old Eighth, what are you thinking? Looking for a beating, huh? Only fifty people returned from Seventh Brother's group! There were over two hundred when they left!"

Tao Long, who had been mending a triangular stool, stood up at this moment and made a gesture as if to hit him.

"Hmph, I'll awaken a good Talent too, and I'll go help Seventh Brother."

Although Tao Shi was small and thin, he was quite agile. He circled Tao Yu, made a face at his old father, and then ran out as if released.

"I'm going out to play, won't be back for dinner."

Tao Yu watched his younger brother leave, shaking his head helplessly. He turned to his somewhat reserved Third Sister-in-law and asked, "Sister-in-law, is Old Eighth still playing with those people from the Morning Sun Society?"

"Ah, yes. This child, really."

Li Li's Talent was not good, and she didn't have a stable job. She mostly took care of the household, only going into the Abyss for five days periodically to fulfill her obligations. She understood Tao Shi better than anyone else.

The Morning Sun Society was one of the many strange societies and gangs in the Outer City, a group formed by young people.

Compared to gangs like the Wild Wolf Gang or the Skull Gang, which collected protection fees and ran shady businesses, it was much better.

Overall, it wasn't bad. They often helped families in need, which was quite commendable in this hellish environment of the Outer City.

"Never mind that brat. It seems he's learned some skills from the Morning Sun Society."

Tao Long's face, etched with wrinkles, didn't show much concern about Old Eighth messing around outside. The Outer City was largely unsupervised, and he was already quite strict.

"Seventh Brother, your mother and I have saved a bit. We'll borrow some more later. Make sure you learn all the skills you can. So many people have died; it's too dangerous."

Even though Tao Yu had high Talent, Tao Long's face was full of sorrow when he spoke of death.

In the Inner City, with such Talent, one could invest a large amount of resources in the early stages and quickly establish a foothold. But he truly lacked that here.

"Don't dwell on it. With your income, how long would it take to save up? Wait until I sell the things I brought back. I've had Uncle Hu estimate it; it's at least a few thousand units of Wish Power."

Tao Yu patted his backpack. The initial 1000 units of Wish Power he had brought back were painstakingly scraped together by the old couple. Considering their earning speed, his expenses were too much of a burden.

"A few thousand?"

Tao Long's heart skipped a beat. He then walked to the door, looked left and right, and closed the door that Tao Shi had opened earlier.

"That much?"

"That's right. Danger and opportunity always go hand in hand."

"Why are you talking so formally?"

Being asked that, Tao Yu couldn't help but feel speechless. Why am I talking formally?

But then he remembered his original identity, which was practically illiterate, and it seemed...

"Anyway, don't worry about it. There are many opportunities in the new settlement, and your current income isn't enough to improve yourselves."

Tao Yu said some harsh words with a heavy heart. If his parents didn't understand, they would probably start saving money for him again. It was better to make their lives a bit better.

As his strength increased, the gap in Wish Power consumption grew larger. Even for the current Tao Yu, the goods he carried in his backpack would take his elderly parents a long time to save up for.

Tao Fu opened his mouth, but his dry lips just moved slightly. He still didn't speak.

"Don't worry, I'll definitely take anything related to my life seriously. I'll try my best to use my time to improve myself."

Tao Yu looked at the wrinkles on his father's face and a genuine smile bloomed from his heart.

"Alright, I don't really have the ability to guide you. Sigh, ask your Uncle Hu more often, and don't go empty-handed when you visit."

Tao Long looked at his son's noticeably stronger physique and sighed a little. The old Tao family had raised a good child.

"Don't put too much pressure on yourself. We just wish for peace."

"I'm very afraid of dying."

Tao Yu grinned, then went to his room to see his Third Brother. His Third Brother also had a Combat Talent and had once been full of vigor.

But it was precisely because of that that the loss of his legs had hit him so hard, causing him to shut himself in his room every day.

"Brother, don't worry, I'll definitely find a way to get you mechanical prosthetics in the future."

Inside the room, Tao Tong sat in a handmade wooden wheelchair. His legs were empty, but he was dressed very cleanly, much cleaner than Tao Yu was now, not even leaving much stubble.

Hearing Tao Yu's words, a smile also appeared on Tao Tong's weathered face.

"You idiot, do you know how much prosthetics cost? Just having the thought is enough. Your first priority now is to improve your own strength."

Tao Tong naturally wanted mechanical prosthetics. He even knew that his brother, with his A-rank Talent, truly had a chance to help him!

But all of this was predicated on his brother growing up. The foundation of an Outer City family was too weak. The entire family's biggest task now was to find a way not to be a burden and to help him pass the adaptation period as soon as possible.

Anything that could affect his brother's strength improvement, anything that could affect his focus, could not be done!

He absolutely could not show even a hint of desire for prosthetics in front of his brother.

Everything depended on his brother surviving and growing up for a better future. This was the consensus of the family!

From today onwards, Tao Yu was the core of the family