Twelve years after that expedition to the Valley of Despair, the baby Bennett brought back from the valley had grown into a young adventurer. He constantly pestered his dads to take him on adventures.
But twelve years had passed. Of the seven old adventurers, only one remained—the one who had brought Bennett back.
During those twelve years, one dad had died when a wall collapsed while playing a mock adventure with Bennett. One dad had drowned while teaching Bennett to swim. One dad had been killed by a fierce beast while teaching Bennett to hunt in the forest. One dad after another…
It was as if some force made those around Bennett forsaken by the god of luck. One by one, the old adventurers left this world. Finally, only one remained—Bennett's last dad.
By now, the old man's beard was white, his body hunched. He could only manage a few steps on the street with the help of a cane. How could he take on commissions in this state? Even if they wanted to, Katheryne at the Adventurers' Guild wouldn't entrust him with any.
The old adventurer looked at Bennett and said earnestly, "I don't have the strength to go adventuring with you anymore. When you turn twelve, you can register as an adventurer at the guild. Then you'll have companions, just like I did, to spend your life with."
He knew his own life was also coming to an end. But he wanted to see the son he had raised become a registered adventurer, complete commission after commission, and have companions by his side. Only then could he leave this world in peace.
Bennett carefully supported the old man as they walked. "Tomorrow—tomorrow is my birthday! Once I turn twelve, I can register as an adventurer. And as for companions, you don't need to worry. I've already found them. They're the same age as me, and we'll become adventurers together. Then I'll be just like you, Dad, and create a legendary adventuring team. I'll call it Bennett's Adventuring Team."
Bennett chattered excitedly as he helped his dad walk. He had always dreamed of adventuring. But with his dads passing away one by one, and his last dad now unable to walk, he had never had the chance.
Soon they returned home. To prepare for Bennett's birthday, they had tidied up the house. Watching his son clean the room, a faint smile appeared on the old man's face.
The day passed quickly. The next morning, his dad celebrated Bennett's birthday early.
At noon, the old man, leaning on his cane, made his way to the Adventurers' Guild. He watched Bennett walk inside. "Son, go register. I'll wait for you here."
After giving his instructions, he waved, signaling Bennett to go in alone.
But the moment Bennett stepped through the door, his dad's voice came again. "Son—"
Bennett turned, puzzled, looking at his dad standing on the steps. "What is it, Dad?"
The old man, trembling, forced a kind smile onto his face. "You are the greatest treasure of my life."
As he said this, the old man who had been strong all his life felt his eyes grow moist. He had always wanted to say this to Bennett, but never could. Now he realized that if he didn't say it now, he might never have another chance. So he mustered his courage and spoke those sentimental words.
Hearing this, Bennett also smiled. "And you are the best dad I ever had."
A kind smile appeared on the old man's face again. He waved, urging Bennett to go register quickly.
When Bennett walked into the guild, the old man's lifelong wish was finally fulfilled. In that moment, he felt so tired. So sleepy. After a lifetime of adventuring, he just wanted to sit down and rest.
Slowly, he lowered his cane, bent down, and sat on the steps. He fell asleep just like that.
He had a long, long dream. In the dream, he saw his old companions, waiting for him in the afterlife. He dreamed he entered the underworld and became the captain of their team again, leading them on adventures in the realm of the dead.
...
Inside the guild, Bennett successfully registered as an adventurer. He also wanted to create a new adventuring team under the name Bennett. But Katheryne turned him down, citing the rule that a team must have at least four members.
Bennett had to leave for now. Once his companions registered, they could form the team together. Just thinking about it made him a little excited.
So Bennett walked out of the guild, calling for his dad. "Dad, I'm an adventurer now! I'm going to become a great adventurer just like you!"
In the distance, he saw his dad sitting on the steps. He ran toward him, happily shouting.
But no matter how he called, his dad sat motionless on the steps, giving no response.
"Dad, the steps are too cold. If you're sleepy, let me carry you home to sleep."
He reached out to help his "sleeping" dad onto his back. But the moment he touched him, his dad's body tilted to the side. Startled, Bennett quickly grabbed his dad's arm.
The moment he touched his skin, he did not feel warmth. The skin was cold. Though he was only twelve, Bennett had already experienced the death of six fathers. He knew what this meant.
His seventh dad had also left this world. And he had passed away with a smile, in his sleep.