Master Anke, Can You Read?

"Forget it. Even if it was just some daily supplies, at least I wouldn't have to worry about starving to death in another world."

Mel Carlo stored the milk candies in the system space. Of the 100 slots, the candies took up one.

Judging by the current skill training order, he could first practice skills like [Back Hop] and [Flying Blade], which consumed little MP. [Dagger Attack], as a beneficial passive, consumed nothing much either. [Assassin's Breathing Technique] also had little consumption; it only required time and was relatively easy to cultivate. [Steal] had to be placed later in the order. With his current MP, it would be difficult to train it quickly.

The most difficult ones naturally had to be given lower priority.

After taking only a few steps outside the yard, he felt sore all over. He should go back and sleep on the straw first.

Mel Carlo turned around and returned to the yard, heading straight for the room. It was not that he did not want to stay on guard against the gang members, but given his current status and abilities, even if Anke or someone else truly meant him harm, he had no ability to resist.

He lay back down on the straw and slept alone, waiting for the day to end.

The gang higher-ups did not relax their guard against Anke because of this. They captured him and pressured him psychologically, hoping to force out the truth, but ultimately released him.

"Sir, I can tell that Anke may know something. Even if he really did not steal the wallet, this matter is very likely connected to him." The gang investigator was reporting to the one who controlled the gang's power.

"Mm. You can continue investigating this matter. I don't want an unstable factor appearing within the gang either. But do you have any direction for your suspicions?"

"I suspect those beggar children stole it. Anke had only just taken control of this area when he gave those brats a day off."

"Could it be that you're being overly sensitive? Perhaps Anke is simply kind-hearted." The gang boss sat steadily in his chair. Under the dim light, his face could not be seen clearly.

"I heard there was a large sum of money in that wallet. It may not circulate in the market anytime soon, but if any of our people use it, it definitely won't escape our notice. We only need to wait for a while. I'll keep an eye on this."

"Then do as you say. Don't delay the important business."

"Yes, sir." The gang investigator left the room and looked up at the sky. The sun had already begun to set.

That money naturally would not appear on the market anytime soon, so they needed patience. Especially since those brats should not have any extra money in their hands.

Toward evening, Mel Carlo woke from the straw pile. Lily, Akai, and Chubby had already returned, and they had even brought him some leftovers, probably dug out of someone else's kitchen waste again.

"Mel, are you awake?" Lily looked at Mel.

"We brought you something to eat." Akai smiled brightly.

Chubby, standing to one side, seemed not to have eaten his fill yet and kept staring at the food in Mel's hands.

Mel Carlo felt a little embarrassed under his gaze. "Stop staring. I'll treat you to some candy."

He lowered his voice as much as possible. There was only so much candy, and he could not give it to everyone. Although many children had not returned yet, some had already come back early.

He took milk candies from the system space and gave one to each of them. They simply tore open the wrappers and popped them into their mouths, immediately tasting the rich milk flavor.

"Delicious." Chubby put the milk candy into his mouth and chewed it carefully.

The other two also had blissful expressions on their faces. They had rarely eaten anything this sweet, and it even had such a rich milky flavor.

"Mel, what is this?"

"Where did you get it?"

"Don't mind it. Remember to rinse your mouths after you're done eating." Mel Carlo did not answer their questions, only offering a reminder.

It was not because he feared they would get cavities, but because he was afraid someone else would notice the scent of the milk candies. Although the people sent from above had already withdrawn, there could still be other spies lurking in the shadows. If he drew too much attention to himself, he would easily be noticed.

Milk candies were clearly not something beggars like them could enjoy, and that kind of packaging did not seem to exist in this world either.

After they finished eating, they all went into the yard to rinse their mouths. Mel Carlo came out as well.

This bare yard had only one tree in the corner by the entrance. Outside the yard stood a water jar and a well. The packed earthen ground was fine when the weather was clear, but it would probably become very muddy when it rained.

Just as Mel Carlo was enjoying the peace and quiet, a child came up behind him. "Mel, Master Anke is looking for you."

"Okay, I understand." Mel turned around and headed toward the stairs leading to the second floor. That place now belonged to Anke, after all, since the previous boss was dead.

He climbed the stairs step by step, passed through the corridor, and pushed open the door to the second floor. Anke was sitting inside, with a candle lit on the table. The flame illuminated the scar on his face.

Mel sniffed. The air was filled with the smell of rotten socks, but it clearly did not come from Anke. It was a smell left behind by the previous owner.

"What do you want with me?"

"Nothing much. I can cultivate five people as my own core group. In other words, five people won't have to go begging anymore. From now on, they only need to train like gang members."

"Sure. Including me, I have exactly four people on my side."

"Give me their names. That way, you'll have more freedom to act in the future."

Every boss would cultivate forces of his own, but Anke handed that authority over to Mel.

"I always feel like you're treating me a little too well, especially for a stranger."

"Think of it as an investment. I can see potential in you."

"An Apostle?"

"Maybe. Maybe not." Anke shook his head. He could not be completely certain himself, but he strongly suspected it. After all, when he mentioned Apostles, everyone else only thought he was talking nonsense.

"Are Apostles strong?"

"As far as I know, Apostles are powerful beings standing at the very top of this world—the strongest beings humanity can encounter. An Apostle's power can rival that of mighty dragons."

"Dragons?"

"I'm not talking about sub-dragon species. I mean true pure-blooded dragons."

Mel Carlo was stunned. There were dragon-related bosses in games too, but from a player's perspective, bosses existed to be defeated. Dragons in this world clearly held a far higher status.

There were many matters of common knowledge that he lacked. That fell under the category of life experience, and it was difficult for his young self to understand this world.

"Master Anke, can you read?" Mel Carlo suddenly asked.

"Not much, but I can barely write a little."

"Teach me." Mel made the request earnestly.

Anke did not refuse Mel's request. He was happy to maintain a friendly relationship with someone like Mel. At such a young age, Mel already displayed such strong initiative. Even if he was not an Apostle, he certainly would not be an ordinary person.