My monster cards can evolve infinitely.

Chapter 54 New Teammates

The cannibal is known as a legendary, foolish glutton.

Adult ogres typically have a challenge level of 2, possessing unparalleled strength and extraordinary physique.

If it weren't for their extremely low intelligence and rudimentary equipment, the ogres' combat strength would be far underestimated.

Xiuqi had witnessed the battle of well-trained, armed ogres in the arena of Harbor City—

Clad in full plate armor and wielding a massive club, the burly figure reaped the lives of his opponents in the arena like the Grim Reaper—something other level 2 challenge monsters couldn't do.

That's why, when he saw Ado's extraordinary fighting talent, Xiuqi chose to join the battle.

"Let me bandage Ado first!" Xiuqi said to the old woman.

He walked over to the ogre and bent down to examine its wounds.

Ado watched him warily, a low growl escaping his throat.

"Don't move." Xiuqi took out a medical kit from his bag.

He first examined the wound—the dagger had penetrated deeply, but had not damaged any major blood vessels.

Xiuqi took out the antidote and sprinkled it on the wound.

The ogre shuddered, but surprisingly did not resist.

"Bear with it." Xiuqi skillfully cleaned the wound.

The old woman looked at Xiu Qi with surprise in her eyes: "You can heal?"

"I've learned a little bit," Xiuqi said without looking up.

As the son of a border estate lord, first aid was not unfamiliar to him.

After he cleaned the wound, he bandaged it with clean gauze.

Throughout the entire process, the ogre sat quietly, only occasionally letting out a few low groans.

After treating his wounds, Xiuqi looked at the three adventurers.

"What do you plan to do with these three people?" he asked the old woman.

"The town's patrol team passes by here every night, and they will give him the judgment he deserves!" The old woman nodded her thanks to Xiuqi.

She walked over to the ogre and gently stroked its thick arm: "Alright, Ado, you're a brave child!"

The cannibal lowered its head, making a pitiful gurgling sound in its throat, as if it were telling a story.

"I know, I know they are bad," the old woman said softly, "but you did a good job, your bravery protected us."

She turned to Xiuqi with an apologetic smile: "I'm sorry, guest, please excuse my poor appearance."

Xiu Qi shook his head: "They're the ones who should apologize."

He looked at the summer fruits scattered on the ground.

The orange-red fruits were covered in dust, some of them crushed and oozing sweet juice.

The old woman sighed and began to bend down to pick them up.

Ado also awkwardly squatted down, carefully picking up the intact fruit with his huge hands and placing it into the wooden bucket.

Xiuqi also squatted down to help.

"No need, sir..."

"It was just a small favor."

His movements were swift; his agile fingers quickly separated the intact fruit from the damaged ones.

The old woman glanced at him but said nothing more.

The three quickly cleaned up the scene.

The loss wasn't too great; about five or six pounds of fruit were destroyed, but the rest could still be sold.

As dusk deepened, the last rays of sunset faded from the horizon.

The old woman glanced at the sky, then at Xiuqi: "Are you going to Summer Town, guest?"

"Yes."

"It's getting dark, and it's another two hours' walk to Summertown." She hesitated for a moment. "If you don't mind, you can stay overnight in the cabin in the orchard."

Xiu Qi nodded, now showing great interest in the docile ogre.

"Then I'll take my leave."

The old woman smiled and said, "No problem, no problem. Ado, go and tidy up that room on the west side."

The ogre grunted and strode heavily toward the depths of the orchard.

The orchard covers a considerable area, approximately ten acres.

The orange-red summer fruit trees are neatly arranged, resembling clusters of still flames in the fading light of the day.

In the center of the orchard stands a simple wooden house, with two smaller sheds next to it.

Ado walked toward one of the shacks.

Xiuqi glimpsed that there were farm tools and miscellaneous items piled up inside, as well as a simple wooden bed.

"We rarely have guests staying overnight," the old woman explained. "This house was originally for day laborers who helped out."

"This year's harvest is good, and I can manage on my own, but Ado can also help a lot."

When she spoke of Ado, the pride in her voice was unmistakable.

Xiuqi followed the old woman toward the main house. The interior of the wooden house looked more spacious than the outside, and the furnishings were simple and tidy.

A faint fire flickered in the fireplace, a few faded clothes hung on the wall, and earthenware bowls and plates sat on a rough wooden table.

Dinner was simple: wheat porridge, black bread, and a few summer fruits.

Ado ate very quickly, finishing the huge bowl in just two gulps.

The old woman fed it three more times before it patted its belly contentedly.

After the meal, the old woman lit an oil lamp and began mending the enormous garment.

Ado sat at her feet, picked up a piece of fruitwood and a small knife, and seemed to be carving a piece of art.

Xiuqi sat at the table, drinking the tea brewed by the old woman.

The tea has a bitter taste, but a long-lasting sweet aftertaste.

"Ado... how did you get here?" he finally asked.

The old woman paused for a moment while she was sewing.

The firelight from the fireplace cast deep shadows on her face.

"My name is Martha, and I've always lived in this village," she said slowly, her voice seeming to come from a great distance.

"My husband is the deputy captain of the town's guard."

"Fifteen years ago, an ogre attacked a nearby village and killed several farmers."

"The town's garrison organized a campaign against them, and I went too."

She looked at Ado and said softly, "After killing that ogre, we found Ado in the lair."

"He was only this tall back then," she gestured, indicating a height approximately above her waist.

"He huddled behind a pile of withered grass, shivering."

"The captain of the guard wanted to kill him, saying that the cannibal would be a menace when he grew up."

"But I saw in his eyes... no ferocity, only fear and sorrow," she paused, "like..."

"A child who has lost his mother."

"So I begged them to let him go. I said I would keep an eye on him, and if he hurt anyone, I would be the first to kill him."

"They agreed, perhaps because my husband died in that campaign."

"Or perhaps it's because they think I can't support an ogre, and that it will eventually escape or die."

She smiled, her wrinkles smoothing out in the firelight: "But they were wrong. Ado was very well-behaved and never hurt anyone."

"It eats fruit, drinks wheat porridge, and occasionally eats eggs. It is strong and can help with farm work."

"It can also..." she said softly, looking at the wooden carving in Ado's hand, "many, many more!"

Ado seemed to understand, raised his head, and let out a pleasant gurgling sound.

Xiuqi silently sipped his tea.

He knew that the old woman's story omitted a lot—a widow who, after her husband's death in battle, raised a cannibal cub that was considered a monster.

Over these fifteen years, how much criticism, hostility, and loneliness did she endure?

But she persevered.

"Have the people in town accepted it?" Xiuqi asked.

The old woman shook her head: "Some people accepted it, some didn't. But as time went on, everyone saw that Ado really didn't hurt anyone, so they gradually got used to it."

"As long as it doesn't get close to the town, the guards won't cause trouble."

She put down her needlework and looked at Xiuqi: "Guest, aren't you afraid of it? Most people are afraid when they first see Ado."

Xiuqi glanced at the ogre who was focused on carving.

Its movements were clumsy; the knife scraped across the wood, sending wood chips flying.

The firelight danced on its gray-green skin, and its bright yellow eyes reflected a warm light.

"I've seen far more terrifying things," he said, "and most of them had human faces."

The old woman paused for a moment, then smiled: "You're a wise person."

"You must be an adventurer, guest?"

"Yes."

"Could I ask you for another favor?"

"What kind of help?"

Grandma Martha stood up and looked gently at the ogre who was sitting on the ground, engrossed in carving.

"I'm old, and I don't have many years left to live! But this child is still young, and I can't stay by his side forever!"

"If possible, could Ado come with you and learn some life and adventure experiences?"

Xiuqi looked at the woman with surprise.

"Why do you trust me so much?"

The old woman smiled gently on her wrinkled face.

"You and Ado are both kind-hearted people!"