Deep within the valley, the old adventurer looked ahead, his eyes burning with anticipation. Based on years of adventuring experience, he knew he was close to the end. The treasure was right in front of him. How could he give up now? He had risked his life for adventure his entire life. He would press on.
He told the other uninjured adventurer to take the wounded one back. He would go on alone, to seek the end of the valley, to seek the mysterious treasure.
The raging wind clawed at their bodies, as if trying to tear their souls out. There was no time to waste. He had to move forward.
The other uninjured adventurer quickly said, "We're a team. If you go alone and get hurt, what then? I can't let you take that risk alone."
The Adventurers' Guild in Mondstadt had a rule: no adventuring team could have fewer than four members. The reason was simple. On the road, dangers were everywhere. Injuries were common. Without companions to help, an injured adventurer might never make it back. The risk of death was high.
The old adventurer knew the importance of companions. But still, he felt that the treasure within reach was worth risking his old life for. If he gave up now, he would regret it until his dying day.
He looked at his companion and said firmly, "Why do we take risks? For the treasure? Or for our wish? If it's for treasure, it's not worth it. If it's for our wish, then it is."
For an adventurer, the act of adventuring itself was their wish. Though they had no Visions, their wish was just as worthy of respect as any Vision wielder's.
His companion could no longer argue. Truth be told, if not for the wounded friend, if not for needing to save a life, he too would have resolutely continued the adventure.
"Even if you're going on, even if you're continuing the adventure, it should be me. If you die in there, our team falls apart."
The truth was, none of them feared the terrifying valley. But they could risk their own lives, not their companions'.
The old adventurer shook his head. "I'm the captain. You listen to me. Take the wounded back. I will bring the treasure back from the valley's end. That is my promise to you."
He patted his companion's shoulder, turned resolutely, and began his solo adventure.
And so, enduring the tearing wind, he pressed forward through the hellish valley. The wind was so strong he couldn't lift his head. He could only inch forward, one step, two steps. Each step was a struggle. But he would not give up.
Finally, he made it through the wind-swept zone and reached the other side. But to his disappointment, the end was still not there. Ahead, the valley was a maelstrom of burning flames, roaring thunder, and howling wind. All the disasters converged here, a veritable hell on earth.
Any ordinary adventurer would have given up. But not him. He looked at the danger and smiled bitterly. "Trying to discourage me, are you? Sorry to disappoint. I'm going on."
Whenever he faced the most difficult commissions, he muttered to himself like this. He stepped into that hellish zone.
Fire singed his clothes; he quickly patted them out. Lightning struck at his feet, nearly destroying him. The wind made the fire and lightning fiercer.
Amid the interweaving fire, lightning, and wind, the old adventurer gritted his teeth, held fast to his adventurer's creed, and moved forward inch by inch. Fire, lightning, wind—each tried to drive him back. But he believed that ahead lay the greatest treasure he had ever seen in his life. The most important treasure. To strive for such a treasure made him happy.
As he fought the hostile environment, he grumbled and dreamed of the future.
Whether out of pity from the gods of fate or because of his unyielding belief, after an unknown amount of time, he finally stumbled out of that terrifying domain. He emerged from the fire, lightning, and wind. He had reached the end of the valley.
Treasure! Treasure!
His throat was parched. The moment he stepped out of that hellish place, he collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. But just as he rested, he heard a strange sound.
Eeyah— Waaah—
A baby's cry? Impossible. How could an infant survive in this hellish place? How could a baby have gotten here?
His mind still fixed on treasure, he forced himself to his feet and began searching the end of the valley.
The end was strange. Massive stone pillars stood tall, carved with strange patterns. Those patterns were not from Mondstadt. They looked more like they came from the neighboring nation of Pyro—Natlan.
But he cared nothing for the valley's origin. He cared about only one thing: after all this hardship, where was the treasure waiting for him?
He climbed a set of steps, crossed a fallen pillar, and finally reached what looked like an altar. In the distance, he could see a golden chest gleaming, waiting for him to open it.
At this sight, a satisfied smile spread across his weathered face. A magnificent golden chest! In all his years of adventuring, he had never seen such a glittering treasure chest, presented before him like this.