Hook led the way with her small yet incredibly determined steps, quickly bringing Bai Luan before Fersman.
She looked up, her small face serious, and explained to her father that this "Mysterious Mister" was here to help him with his back pain.
Fersman clearly didn't take her seriously.
He observed Bai Luan's attire, which was out of place in the lower district, then looked at the earnest Hook, assuming she had simply found a kind person who was willing to play make-believe with her.
How could such a chronic ailment as back pain be cured with a single poke?
However, even so, Fersman had no intention of spoiling the act. He planned to pretend his back no longer hurt after Bai Luan was done.
He couldn't disappoint Hook's good intentions.
Fersman looked at Bai Luan, a gentle yet slightly weary smile on his face, and extended his hand.
It was the hand of a typical miner: rough, covered in thick calluses and deep lines, with mining dust ingrained in the nail beds that spoke silently of the daily hardships.
Bai Luan took out the extraction gun and extracted all the ailments from Fersman's body.
Now it was Fersman's turn to be dumbfounded.
No, he actually cured me?
A divine doctor, this is... "Daddy! Daddy! Does it still hurt?"
Hook's eyes sparkled as she looked at Fersman, her small face filled with anticipation.
Fersman snapped out of his shock, suppressed the turbulent waves in his heart, and smiled as he ruffled Hook's small head. His tone was genuinely relaxed and relieved:
"It doesn't hurt anymore, not at all. It's all thanks to the divine doctor Hook found."
"Hehe..."
Hook giggled triumphantly, like a proud kitten, then turned to Bai Luan and said, "Hook will go get your reward!"
With that, she darted into the house.
Fersman looked at Bai Luan, his expression becoming serious: "Mister, the cost of the treatment..."
Bai Luan waved his hand, interrupting him: "I've already discussed it with Hook; she will pay the reward."
Fersman was momentarily stunned, then understood his intention. A very warm smile spread across his face, and he said sincerely, "Thank you."
"It's a small matter."
Soon after, Hook ran back, clutching a slightly old but meticulously clean tin can. A flicker of obvious heartache crossed her small face, but she still unhesitatingly handed over the can: "This contains all of Hook's saved treasures! They're all for you!"
Bai Luan took it and shook it up and down; a heavy clinking sound came from inside.
He didn't open it to see if it was loose change or some other trinket. He knew that whatever it was, it must be something extremely precious to Hook.
He also did not refuse Hook's payment of the reward; this was the pride and promise belonging to "Hook the Great, the Pitch-Dark Hook."
"That's plenty, truly a worthwhile trade."
Bai Luan put away the tin can, crouched down, and extended his palm, saying, "High five?"
"Mm!"
Hook extended her palm, jumped slightly, and high-fived Bai Luan.
After the high-five, Bai Luan said seriously, "Hook, I actually have a serious request."
"What?"
Bai Luan glanced at Fersman in the distance and said, feigning seriousness, "Let's talk somewhere else; it's about the Moles."
Hook's expression also became serious upon hearing this. She turned back and greeted Fersman: "Daddy, I'm going out for a bit."
"Alright, remember to be back before dark, and don't go too far."
Bai Luan stood up, nodded at Fersman, then walked away with Hook.
Hook hadn't met an adult willing to play with her like this in a long time. Although his attire was a bit strange, he was actually a good person.
Hook led Bai Luan to the Moles' secret base.
"We can talk here."
"Actually, I've long heard of the great reputation of Hook the Great, the Pitch-Dark Hook, and I want to join the Moles."
Hook frowned, looking a bit troubled.
"Even though Hook likes you a lot, adults can't be in the Moles."
"I know, so an honorary member title will suffice. In exchange, I can give you a gift."
As he spoke, Bai Luan took out a large pile of parts he had found while searching for supplies, mixed in nano-robots, and quickly assembled a satchel on the spot.
『Curiosity: Hook's Satchel』
『Don't let its small size fool you; it can hold a lot, and it can even self-produce Jumpy Dumpties~ Go fish blasting with Klee~』
...After seeing the Curiosity's effects, Bai Luan decisively added an AI to the satchel, tasking it with keeping an eye on Hook.
"A satchel can't buy Hook off; no means no!"
"Are you sure you don't want it?"
"No!"
Bai Luan didn't argue. He casually picked up an iron box nearby, about Hook's height.
Then he took the box and directly stuffed it into the small satchel.
And he really did stuff it in.
This series of actions left Hook dumbfounded.
"How did you do that?"
"Magic ↑ Tricks ↓."
Hook didn't pay attention to Bai Luan's strange intonation; she just stared at the satchel in Bai Luan's hand.
If she had this satchel, she could carry her digger with her anywhere, anytime.
And... she could hide lots and lots of things she didn't want the old hag to find!
Immediately, Hook's eyes lit up.
"Of course, that's not the most appealing thing about this satchel. Actually, inside this satchel, there's also a talking little sprite."
"Really?"
"Yes, only the bravest, greatest, and most adventurous kid leader in the whole world can earn its approval."
Bai Luan looked at Hook and asked with a smile, "Hook the Great, the Pitch-Dark Hook, don't you want to try to conquer it?"
"How... how do you prove what you're saying is true?"
"That's simple."
Bai Luan handed the satchel to Hook.
"Just call its name and see if it answers, right?"
Hook looked at Bai Luan suspiciously, then tentatively spoke, "Hello?"
"I'm here, Hook the Great, the Pitch-Dark Hook. Your loyal servant is at your service anytime."
"Wow, it really talks!"
Two bright lights shone in Hook's eyes. She truly wanted this super-spacious, talking satchel now.
"Mm! It's decided!"
Hook put her hands on her hips, looked at Bai Luan, and said, "You can be an honorary member of the Moles! I'll call you... Mysterious Mister!"
"I am deeply honored, Hook the Great. Then, this satchel is yours."
Bai Luan handed the satchel to Hook, who immediately put it on, slinging it across her waist.
"Hook the Great, the Pitch-Dark Hook, this satchel possesses mysterious power and will help you when you encounter bad guys."
"Really? Can a satchel really help me defeat bad guys?"
"Of course, it can."
Bai Luan smiled and didn't directly tell Hook that the satchel could produce Jumpy Dumpties.
This way, Hook would think about it less.
"When you truly need its help, the little sprite will remind you."
"What will Hook need to do then?"
"Hook the Great just needs to grab whatever the satchel gives you and throw it at the bad guy."
"What exactly are you talking about?"
Hook was completely confused.
Bai Luan gave Hook a cryptic smile.
"After all, I am the Mysterious Mister, so I can't speak too plainly. Farewell, Hook the Great. I believe you will meet more companions in the next few days."
Bai Luan left another riddle, then smiled, waved his hand, and turned to leave.
"Hey, wait!"
Hook was about to chase after him when she looked up and found that Bai Luan had disappeared, as if everything that had just happened was an illusion.
She scratched her small head, then looked at the satchel at her waist.
"Are you still there, little satchel?"
"I'm here, Hook the Great. I'm always here."
"Where did the Mysterious Mister go?"
"If I knew, he wouldn't be called the Mysterious Mister by Hook the Great, the Pitch-Dark Hook."
Bai Luan activated his mech's mimicry, making an exit that fit his persona.
It seems the effect is quite good.
It's so much fun to play with kids.
"Yo, friend, you're new around here."
A teasing voice suddenly came from the wall.
"Which path are you on?"
Bai Luan turned and saw Sampo leaning lazily against the wall, a cunning glint in his eyes.
"How strange. It's been a long time since I met a colleague. I didn't expect the Masked Fool to come here."
Bai Luan felt a trace of inexplicable confusion at Sampo's words. He said, "I am not the Masked Fool."
"You can fool others, but as for me, old Sampo, pretending to be foolish is useless..."
Sampo chuckled at his words.
"If you're not the Masked Fool, why is the Joyful God always watching you?"
Bai Luan pouted and said, "I don't know what THEY thinking; personally, I think Aha owes me."