Lis looked at the bratty kid in front of him, his face showing a hint of inquisitiveness.
Common sense suggested that if he felt a sense of familiarity, it was very likely an important NPC from his past life.
If it were a child, it could be someone like Joyce's disciple Ashley, who had not yet grown up.
However, unlike Ashley, no matter how hard Lis racked his brain, he could not recall who this little beggar might be.
The beggar's face was dirty, but it was still clear that he was rather good-looking.
After some thought, Lis used "Mage's Hand" to place the little beggar on the ground.
The little beggar seemed to be aware that he couldn't escape from the grasp of this Professional, and didn't struggle, just watched Lis warily.
"What's your name, and why are you here?"
Lis squatted down, looking at the bratty kid eye-to-eye as he spoke:
The bratty kid didn't speak, his wariness very apparent.
"Tsk, still just a bratty kid."
Lis, somewhat helplessly, took a piece of fruit cake out of the storage ring, the snow-white cream topped with luscious strawberries.
The sweet aroma spread around, making the little beggar swallow his saliva.
Lis said, smiling as he waved the cake in front of the little beggar.
It was a dessert he had prepared in advance in Bright City, kept in the Space Ring.
Unlike hot dishes, these desserts could be stored in the storage ring for a long time.
Smelling the sweet aroma, the beggar's stomach growled loudly.
It had been a long time since he had eaten anything decent, wandering in Ward City, surviving on scraps and leftovers.
The reason he stayed by this inn was in the hope of finding some food in the trash.
It wasn't that he lacked the knowledge to beg, but most people in this city just didn't have the patience, always in a rush.
While there were kindhearted mercenaries, most were bad-tempered, and he was often chastised by those who had drunk too much.
He was still bruised from it!
That was why he wanted to run away at first sight of Lis, dressed as a mercenary.
In this new city, there were few who would stop to care about him.
Yet this good-looking mercenary before him seemed different from the others.
Even the mercenaries who pitied him would just give him some food and leave, never standing so close, speaking to him so kindly.
After all, he didn't smell good.
Looking at the cake in Lis's hand, the beggar wiped his hands on the cleaner part of his clothes before courageously taking the cake.
He whispered a faint "thank you" before carefully taking a bite.
The fragrance of the bread, the sweetness of the cream, and the freshness of the fruit convinced the beggar that Lis wasn't mocking him, and he started eating eagerly.
It had been so long since he had such a delicious cake; ever since his parents died...
Lis didn't mind and did not continue to ask questions, simply squatting beside him, watching as he devoured the small cake.
Seeing him looking somewhat unsatisfied after finishing it, Lis offered him another piece of cake and a small bottle of milk.
The beggar didn't hesitate, accepted them, and quickly finished them off.
His gaze towards Lis still held a longing, but Lis shook his head, not offering any more food.
"You've been hungry for too long, you can't eat too much."
The beggar nodded, and with his spirit lifted after the meal, he stood up and looked at Lis.
Lis looked back at him, repeating the question he had asked earlier.
The beggar spoke in a somewhat clear voice, less resistant than before.
It seemed he was beginning to trust Lis.
Lis furrowed his brow, racking his memory; in his past life, there was no important character named Evans.
Could it be another case like Risa, who had changed her name later on?
Lis suddenly felt something was off, a sense of disharmony, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't recall.
Now it was just a kid, and there was a big difference between his current and future appearance; it might not be possible to confirm his identity anytime soon.
A hassle, indeed; there was still a significant amount of time until the plot involving those NPCs, which brought some trouble for Lis.
A headache, indeed; should he keep the child close by for now?
After some thought, Lis decided to go ahead and take him to the Boditch Kingdom.
In time, after getting to know him better, he would be able to confirm his identity.
Lis had a feeling that this might be an important plot NPC.
With such a beggarly start, what else could he be if not the Child of Destiny?
Don't disdain the young for their poverty, seriously!
The little beggar Evans watched as Lis fell into deep thought; was there something special about his own name?
However, he did not disturb Lis's train of thought, staying quietly by his side.
Having decided on his course of action, Lis looked at the skinny form of the beggar and asked with a smile:
"Would you like to go with me to the Boditch Kingdom?"
Hearing the name of the Boditch Kingdom, a look of nostalgia and pain flickered in Evans's eyes, but his tone remained unchanged as he said:
"Okay, I understand."
"Hmm? How come you're willing to go with me just like that?"
"Aren't you suspicious of me? What if I sold you?"
Lis asked, somewhat curious, smiling.
"If you wish to," Evans replied.