Olexar felt the changes in his body, and a look of joy spread across his face. He then turned to Matthew with a solemn expression.
"There's no need for that. Since your matter's resolved, come with me." Matthew's face softened with a warm smile.
His original goal had been to see what the sixth level looked like. Now that he'd seen enough and found Orla's missing brother, Matthew intended to take Olexar back with him.
Olexar hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Sir, could I… bring someone along?"
Matthew gazed at him without speaking, waiting for Olexar to continue.
"The only reason I survived down here is because someone helped me. So, I want to… take her with me."
Olexar's words sparked a flicker of interest in Matthew's eyes. He was surprised that someone was willing to help a fool in this chaotic, lawless sixth level.
"Alright, I'm curious to see who it is."
Without hesitation, Olexar started walking ahead. Before long, he led Matthew to a pile of discarded junk.
"Hey, come out for a bit," Olexar called out firmly.
There was no response from the junk pile—it seemed as if no one was there.
Olexar's face showed a hint of helplessness. "Little one…"
As soon as he spoke, faint rustling sounds came from the junk pile.
"Wait a sec," a small voice replied.
Moments later, a tiny head poked out from the pile. "Fool, what are you doing here today?" Her dust-covered face still carried the innocence of childhood.
Matthew's gaze sharpened slightly. A child?
"I told you, I'm not a fool. From now on, you're my sister, and I'm your big brother," Olexar replied.
The little girl immediately pouted in defiance. "You used to sit in the corner watching ants all day. If you're not a fool, then who is? And as for being your sister—can you even afford to take care of me? I need two pieces of bread per meal, you know."
Her words stirred a faint trace of pity in Matthew's eyes.
She couldn't have been more than eleven or twelve—definitely not some notorious criminal. The most likely story was that she'd been abducted as a child and abandoned in this place.
Two pieces of bread…
Out in the world, most kids wouldn't even give bread a second glance. But here, the little girl spoke of it with longing and reverence, as if it were the greatest delicacy imaginable.
"You can have as much bread as you want!"
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