Chapter 17: Uncle Anke, can you read?

“Forget it, even if it’s just some daily necessities, at least I don’t have to worry about starving to death in another world.”

Mel Carlo put the Milk Candy into the system space.

Out of the 100 slots, the Milk Candy alone took up one.

Looking at the current skill training sequence, it was possible to start with [Back Jump] and [Flying Blade], which barely consumed any mana, and [Dagger Attack], as a passive buff, also had little consumption.

[Assassin’s Breathing Technique] didn’t consume much either, just needed time, so it was relatively easy to train.

[Steal] had to be placed further back in the list, as with his current mana, it was difficult to practice quickly.

The most difficult skills, naturally, had to be given the lowest priority.

He walked just a few steps outside the yard and already felt sore all over. It would be better to go back to the haystack and sleep.

Mel Carlo turned back into the yard and headed straight for the room.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be wary of these gang members, but with his current status and ability, even if Anke or someone else really wanted to harm him, he wouldn’t have any ability to resist.

He lay back on the dry hay and slept alone, waiting for the day to end.

The gang’s upper management still didn’t fully trust Anke.

Arresting him was meant as psychological pressure, trying to force out the truth, but in the end, he was still released.

“Sir, I can sense that Anke might know something. Even if he really didn’t steal the wallet, this matter is likely related to him.”

The gang investigator was reporting to the gang’s Overseer.

“Hmm, you can keep investigating. I don’t want an unstable element within the gang either. Do you have any leads?”

“I suspect it was those beggar children who stole it. Anke had just taken charge of this area and gave those Piglets a day off.”

“Is it possible you’re being overly sensitive? Maybe Anke just has a kind heart.”

The gang boss sat steadily in his chair, his face obscured by dim light.

“I heard there was a large sum of money in that wallet. It might not circulate on the market for a while, but if anyone from our group uses it, there’s no way it would escape our eyes. For now, we just need to wait. I’ll keep an eye on this.”

“Do as you see fit. Don’t neglect official business.”

“Yes, sir.”

The gang investigator left the room and looked up at the sky.

The sun was already beginning to set.

In the short term, that money naturally wouldn’t appear on the market, so patience was needed, especially regarding those Piglets—there shouldn’t be any extra money in their hands.

At dusk, Mel Carlo woke up from the haystack.

Lily, Akai, and Chocolate had already returned, bringing him some leftover food—most likely scavenged from someone else’s kitchen trash again.

“Mel, are you awake?” Lily looked at Mel.

“We brought you some food.”

Akai grinned broadly.

The little chubby one beside them seemed still hungry, eyes fixed on the food in Mel’s hands.

Mel Carlo felt a bit embarrassed under the gaze.

“Stop staring. I’ll give you all some candy.”

He lowered his voice as much as possible.

After all, there was only so much to go around.

Even though many kids hadn’t come back yet, some had already returned early.

He took out Milk Candy from the system space, handed one to each, simply tore open the packaging, and popped it into his mouth—a burst of milk fragrance.

“Tasty.”

The chubby one stuffed the Milk Candy into his mouth and chewed carefully.

The other two’s faces were also filled with happiness.

They rarely ate anything so sweet, and with a rich milky aroma.

“Mel, what is this?”

“Where did you get it?”

“Don’t worry about it. After eating, remember to rinse your mouth.”

Mel Carlo didn’t answer their questions, only reminded them.

It wasn’t because he feared they’d get cavities, but because he was worried others might notice the scent of Milk Candy.

Although the people sent by the higher-ups had withdrawn, there were still likely spies in the shadows.

If he acted too high-profile, it would be easy to attract attention.

Milk Candy was clearly not something beggars could enjoy, and its packaging didn’t seem to exist in this world, either.

After eating, the group went to the yard to rinse their mouths.

Mel Carlo followed them out.

The bare yard had only one tree in the corner by the entrance.

Outside the yard was a water jar and a well, and the ground was beaten firm with clay—if the weather was sunny, it was fine, but in the rain, it would probably turn muddy.

As Mel Carlo was enjoying the peace, a child came up behind him.

“Mel, Uncle Anke is looking for you.”

“Okay, I got it.”

Mel turned his head and walked toward the stairs to the second floor.

That area now belonged to Anke, after the previous Head died.

Step by step, he went upstairs, crossed the corridor, and pushed open the door to the room on the second floor.

Anke was sitting inside, a candle burning on the table, its light illuminating the scars on his face.

Mel sniffed—the air was filled with the smell of stinky socks.

But it was clear the scent wasn’t from Anke, but from the previous owner.

“What do you need me for?”

“Nothing much. I can train five people to be my own team, meaning five people don’t need to beg and can train like gang members instead.”

“Fine. Counting me, that’s just four on my side.”

“Tell me their names. That way, your group will have more freedom of movement.”

Every Head cultivated their own forces, and Anke was passing this authority to Mel.

“I feel like you’re a bit too nice to me. And to a stranger, at that.”

“Think of it as an investment. I see potential in you.”

“Apostle?”

“Maybe, maybe not.”

Anke shook his head.

He couldn’t be sure himself—just had strong suspicions.

After all, when he mentioned Apostle, others thought he was spouting nonsense.

“Are Apostles strong?”

“In my understanding, Apostles are powerful beings at the top of this world, the strongest existence humans can encounter. The power of an Apostle can rival that of the mighty Dragon Race.”

“Dragons?”

“I’m not talking about half-dragons, but true pureblood Dragon Race.”

Mel Carlo was stunned.

Though there were Dragon Race bosses in games, as a player, bosses were meant to be defeated.

But in this world, dragons clearly had a much higher status.

He was lacking in much basic knowledge—part of what is called experience.

As a child, it was hard to understand the world.

“Uncle Anke, can you read?”

Mel Carlo suddenly asked.

“I don’t know many words, but I can write a little.”

“Teach me.”

Mel requested seriously.

Anke didn’t refuse.

He was happy to maintain a friendly relationship with someone like Mel.

Such initiative at such a young age—Apostle or not, he definitely wouldn’t be an ordinary person.