When he saw that chest, the old adventurer danced with joy like an old child. Humming a tune from Mondstadt, he performed an adventurer's jig, cheerfully approaching the treasure he had longed for.
A magnificent golden chest. What treasure would it contain?
His heart pounding with excitement, he slowly reached out a trembling hand and gently opened the golden chest before him.
"Treasure—come forth!"
He shouted with anticipation. But when the chest slowly opened and he saw the "treasure" inside, he froze on the spot.
At the end of that hellish valley, the treasure waiting for him to unearth was a baby. A helpless infant?
Staring at the tiny baby in the chest, the old adventurer was utterly bewildered. He had always believed that no one had ever reached this place before him—that he was the first explorer here. But who could have imagined that before his arrival, a baby was already here?
How could a baby be inside a treasure chest? How could an infant have come to this forsaken place?
There was only one explanation: before him, a stronger adventurer must have come here, taken the valuables, and for some unknown reason, left the baby behind.
Though still unreasonable and full of holes, that was the only explanation he could think of.
"How infuriating—after all the trouble of getting here, someone beat me to it. Little one, you're so frustrating!"
He grumbled at the adorable infant. Hearing his voice, the baby's tiny mouth moved, making babbling sounds. When the baby saw the old adventurer, a smile appeared on its chubby face.
Despite that, the stubborn old adventurer let go. With a thud, the chest closed. He grumbled and was about to turn back and leave the valley.
But then, from behind him, the chest suddenly echoed with the sound of a baby crying.
"Waaah—"
"Ah—"
Though old, his ears were still sharp. He heard the crying clearly.
Just then, he frowned, and his footsteps involuntarily stopped. "What rotten luck. How did a treasure turn into a baby? If I go back to Mondstadt saying I pulled a baby out of a golden chest, everyone will laugh at me."
Even as he said this, he couldn't help turning back. He walked to the chest again and murmured, "But if the other adventurers find out I returned empty-handed, won't they laugh even more? Bringing back a baby is better than bringing back nothing."
With that, he eagerly opened the chest again and lifted the baby out.
"Whoever abandoned you, whatever your origins, from now on, you are my son. Say 'Dad' for me."
He raised the baby joyfully. Though he hadn't found jewels, gold, or powerful weapon crystals, wasn't this baby also a treasure? Gold and jewels were treasures. Weapon crystals were treasures. This baby was a treasure too.
Until you pass through all the dangers and reach the very end, you never know what treasure awaits you. Perhaps that was the meaning of adventure.
Thinking this, the baby in his arms looked much more pleasing.
"From now on, you are my treasure—a living treasure, a unique treasure."
A smile gradually spread across his weathered face. Just as he was about to leave with the baby, he remembered the commission requirement: bring back an Electro-Pyro Stone for the guild. He easily found one among the stone pillars.
As he prepared to return the way he came, he looked ahead at the fire, thunder, and fierce wind, then at the baby in his arms. A trace of worry appeared on his face. How could an infant endure such flames and thunder?
To bring the baby out safely, he carefully removed his protective shirt and wrapped the baby in it. Strangely, the baby seemed to understand his intention. It did not cry or fuss, only smiled at him.
And so, carrying the baby wrapped in his shirt, he began the journey back, stepping into the domain of fire, thunder, and wind.
On his way in, with his protective shirt, he had shielded his body. Even if accidentally singed, he could quickly put it out. But now, having given his shirt to the baby, he had to walk bare-chested through that hellish inferno.
Flames burned around him, scorching his body. Thunder struck again and again, sending rocks tumbling from the cliffs to crash onto his shoulders. The fierce wind clawed at his chest, leaving wounds.
Facing all this, he gritted his teeth and grumbled. Perhaps abandoned by the god of luck, perhaps cursed by the god of misfortune—flames erupted, thunder struck, wind clawed. Each time, they left another wound on his body.
Any other adventurer would have given up. But relying on his experience, he dodged one deadly crisis after another.
"What the hell is going on? Why are these flames, thunder, and wind acting like they have eyes, targeting me?"
He didn't understand. He could only grumble to vent his frustration.
Finally, relying on his unyielding belief and a lifetime of adventuring experience, he performed a miracle. Holding the baby, he passed through danger after danger, dodging fatal blows, and emerged from the valley.
The moment he stepped out, all his strength left him. He collapsed heavily to the ground. Looking up at the starry sky, he murmured, "It's good to be alive."
Seeing him emerge, his companions waiting outside rushed to help. When they saw the baby in his arms, they were dumbfounded.
"Old friend, what happened? Where's the treasure? A baby? Who is this?"
Though he had no strength left, a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Bennett. That's the name I just gave him."