Synopsis

The protagonist is thrust into a bizarre situation where a system forcibly pairs him with a small child, designating him as a caretaker and placing him in a timed monster survival challenge with the threat of obliteration. Concurrently, other characters discuss their struggles with local fearmongering that hinders their temple expedition efforts, and they note Chen Zhiliao's recovery, showing interest in his new elemental power. The chapter sets up both a personal survival conflict and the wider challenges for the characters' overarching goals.