"Mommy, Daddy's gone."
"Yes, he's left."
Inside the old apartment, Claire sighed. No matter how much she tried to avoid Ethan, he still found them. It was clear they couldn't stay here any longer. After returning from the hospital, she would have to move as soon as possible.
"Mommy, I'm hungry," Lily said, tugging at her mother's sleeve in a soft, innocent voice.
Hearing this, Claire forced a smile onto her tired face.
"Lily, we'll go to the hospital first for a checkup. After that, Mommy will make you something delicious, okay?"
"I don't want to go to the hospital. I don't want any more shots, they hurt."
"Lily, you need to be brave. Once you've finished your treatment, you'll be healthy and grow tall, okay?" Claire said as she gently stroked Lily's head, her heart aching. If it were possible, she wished she could take Lily's place and endure the pain for her.
"Then… can Mommy buy me ice cream?"
"Of course, but only if Lily is a good girl, okay?"
"Okay!" Lily nodded enthusiastically. "Lily is very good!"
Claire looked at her daughter's understanding face, and her heart grew even heavier. Taking a deep breath, she packed a few things before heading out the door with Lily in her arms.
But just as they stepped out of their building, Claire saw Ethan standing at the corner of the street, his eyes focused on something in the distance, completely unaware of them.
"It's Daddy," Lily whispered suddenly.
"Shh!" Claire hushed her daughter, thinking Ethan was still waiting for them. She hurried in the opposite direction with Lily, taking care to avoid his notice. Only when they were out of sight did she finally relax.
After calling for a ride, they headed to the hospital.
Claire moved swiftly through the hospital, navigating the usual checkups and picking up medications. Once everything was done, she arrived at the payment counter.
The nurse looked at the bill and the computer screen, then frowned and said, "Ms. Claire, your daughter's previous hospital stay bill is due, and you'll need to prepare the payment for the ongoing treatment as well."
Hearing this, Claire felt a wave of panic. If Ethan hadn't taken her money, she would have been able to pay. But now…
Claire hesitated for a long time before finally asking, "Nurse, we have health insurance, right? Shouldn't some of it be covered?"
"This is after the maximum reimbursement from the cooperative medical insurance, which covers up to 70%. The hospital has already bent the rules for you, so please understand," the nurse explained.
"But… I really don't have any money right now. Can't you wait a few more days?" Claire pleaded in a small voice. She had nothing left.
"Mommy!"
Just then, Lily piped up. She had somehow found the bank card Ethan had given them and handed it to Claire, her big eyes blinking innocently.
"Mommy, Daddy's card has money in it."
Claire was stunned. She hadn't realized Lily had picked up the card Ethan left. But was there really money in it?
If Ethan had any money, wouldn't he have gambled it away already?
"You have money, so why didn't you say so earlier?" the nurse said, a bit annoyed, as she took the card and began processing the payment.
Claire could only watch helplessly, her anxiety growing.
"Don't worry, Mommy. Daddy has money," Lily reassured her, leaning in to give her a sweet kiss.
Claire sighed, a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. She didn't know how to explain things to her daughter.
"Enter the PIN," the nurse suddenly called out.
"The PIN?" Claire frowned. Had Ethan mentioned a PIN? She couldn't remember.
"Mommy, I know it, I know it! It's six zeros!" Lily chimed in again, her round face lighting up with a bright smile.
Claire could only smile back, relieved, as she entered the six zeros.
---
**[Ding! Payment Successful.]**
---
"Alright, here's your receipt, and don't forget the bank card. I recommend changing the PIN," the nurse said as she handed everything back to Claire, indicating they were free to leave.
But Claire was now in a daze. She never expected the card to actually have money.
How was that even possible?
Ethan didn't have a job—where could he have gotten the money? And even if he did have some, he would have gambled it away by now. Why would he give it to her?
"See, Mommy? I told you Daddy had money," Lily said cheerfully, clenching her tiny fists.
"…" Claire remained silent, her mind racing. How had a gambling addict like Ethan suddenly changed so drastically? What could have caused it?
---
In Argoth Prime, The Northlands, Dragonspine Mountain, Frostleaf Village.
Ethan had returned once more. Instead of rushing off to level up, he opened the level rankings.
---
**[Level Rankings]**
1. **Mage (Level 7, 23.99%)**
**Player ID: Supreme (Supreme Guild)**
2. **Knight (Level 7, 23.98%)**
**Player ID: Cat King (Chasing Cat Tails)**
3. **Archer (Level 7, 23.97%)**
**Player ID: Death Pursuer (Sniper Alliance)**
4. **Mage (Level 7, 23.96%)**
**Player ID: Lesser White Wizard (Red Mansion)**
...
98. **Mage (Level 7, 23.02%)**
**Player ID: NoobSlayer9000 (Elegy of the Alliance)**
99. **Warrior (Level 7, 23.01%)**
**Player ID: Battle Angel (Third Heaven)**
100. **Swordmaster (Level 7, 23.00%)**
**Player ID: Naomi (G&G)**
---
Ethan scanned the list, his eyes burning with ambition. Many of the players on the list were famous figures from his previous life, destined for great things, with some reaching the legendary rank or higher.
However, some players would fall from grace, replaced by latecomers as time went on. In the end, only the true elites would remain.
Ethan glanced at his own stats:
---
**[Player ID: Dustwalker]**
**Race: Human**
**Basic Attributes: Strength 10, Agility 14, Constitution 10, Spirit 14, Intelligence 9**
**Special Attributes: Charisma 1, Luck 0**
**Class: Magician (Level 3, 14.78%)**
**Talents: One More Time (Unique), Twin Shadows (S)**
**Feats: Silver Tongue, Quick Hands, Card Master, Quick Reflexes**
**Skills: Flash, Insight**
**Items: Crossbow, Dagger**
**Wealth: 56 Gold, 100 Copper Coins**
**Status: Slightly Cold**
**Attribute Points: 0**
---
After yesterday's battles, Ethan had reached level 3 and unlocked two new feats:
---
**[Card Master]: Your hands possess a certain magic, allowing you to use ordinary playing cards as powerful weapons.**
**[Effect: Dexterity +1, Attack +2]**
**[Quick Reflexes]: Your reaction time is sharp, and your vision is exceptionally keen.**
**[Effect: Dexterity +1, Vision +1, Perception +1]**
---
**Quick Reflexes** was fairly standard, but **Card Master** was something else. It was a magician's signature ability, and with it, he no longer needed his crossbow.
Excited by this thought, Ethan closed his interface and made his way to the only NPC shop in Frostleaf Village.
The shopkeeper was a burly dwarf named Keke Luo. He wore thick black glasses and sported a bushy brown beard.
"Keke Luo, I need a deck of tarot cards," Ethan said.
Among all the card types, tarot cards had the largest number, with 78 in total—more than enough for weapons.
"10 silver coins."
"Robbery!" Ethan grumbled, but handed over the coins.
In the world of *Godfall*, NPC shops sold items at high prices, so most players avoided them unless they needed rare goods. Cards, for instance, were uncommon and mostly useless to players, which was why only NPCs sold them.
Keke Luo took the coins with a grin and began rummaging through his stock. Soon, he pulled out a deck of tarot cards, but just as he was about to hand them over to Ethan, he paused.
"Wait… are you a magician?"