"Old man, why did we have to grab this job?"
On the way out of the Gathering Zone, Third Uncle walked down the street with the Old Man holding his hand.
The roadside stalls brimmed with the bustle of everyday life.
Smelling the food, Third Uncle couldn't help swallowing.
Although he often went on missions with Little White Tiger and Old Ninth, he was still a child.
He wanted toys, good food, and new clothes, too, and envied the other children who could go to school.
But he was the lord of Black Mountain Town, and only beside the Old Man could he show his childish side.
"Grrr."
Third Uncle covered his stomach awkwardly, his eyes repeatedly straying toward the food by the road.
"Old man, I don't want any."
When the Old Man turned to look at him, Third Uncle hurriedly lowered his head in shame.
"Do you feel I've been too strict with you?"
Looking at Third Uncle's flushed little face, the Old Man sighed softly. "After Xiao Fei died, I forced you to grow up. Have you ever resented me?"
Smoke Fiend had been Black Mountain Town's successor, but he had died.
Earthworm traveled everywhere with Old Ninth and had become his sworn brother. Someone like that was not suited to being the Black Mountain Town Lord either.
Because Black Mountain Town's lord needed to put the townspeople first.
That heavy responsibility had ultimately fallen on Third Uncle.
"No, old man. When Brother Fei died, he told me to take good care of everyone. I don't like toys, and I don't like tasty food either."
Like a child who had done something wrong, Third Uncle awkwardly gripped the hem of his shirt with both hands.
"Good boy."
The Old Man nodded in satisfaction and took out a