“William Carter, thank you for saving my life!” After a night, his body seemed to have miraculously recovered; it was no longer stiff as death. William Carter struggled to raise his hands and clasped them together in front of him in a gesture of thanks.

This wasn’t a customary gesture in this world, but at the moment, it was the only way he could express his gratitude.

“It’s good that you’re awake.” A burly man nodded.

Judging by the aura of this man, William Carter figured he was the leader among them, since the other men clearly seemed less imposing.

“Kid, you’re lucky to be alive. The forty gold coins spent on your treatment weren’t wasted.” Another man’s words were less polite, but though rough, they carried no malice.

Based on the knowledge from the body’s previous owner, William Carter did a quick calculation: forty gold coins was roughly equivalent to about ten thousand RMB.

“Little brother, I heard from Skinny Monkey that you’re a magic apprentice?” the leader asked.

“Yes, but only level three,” William Carter replied.

There are nine levels of magic apprentice in total; only upon reaching the ninth level does one have a chance to be promoted to a full-fledged mage. In this world, official mages are extremely rare—national treasures, really.

The body’s previous owner was quite talented, becoming a level three magic apprentice at just twelve or thirteen years old, which was almost unheard of. But this also made him overly confident, so much so that he dared to venture alone deep into the Karado Mountain Forest to take a shortcut, and as a result...

Well, everyone knew what happened.

“Hiss!”

Upon hearing William Carter’s words, three of the five adults in the room audibly sucked in a breath.

So young and already a level three magic apprentice? And he says “only level three”? Is that even something a human would say?

Their own Henry Clark was already in his forties and still stuck at level four! Comparing people really makes you want to throw things away! Good thing Henry Clark wasn’t here, or he’d be banging his head against the wall.

“Are you just passing through here, little brother?” the leader asked again.

“I was, but I’ve changed my mind. You’re a mercenary group, right? I’d like to stay here, if you’re willing to take me in?” William Carter said slowly, drawing on some of the original owner’s memories.

“You want to stay here?” The leader was clearly taken aback, while the others all cried out in surprise and delight.

“Yeah, just hoping you uncles can spare me a meal.” William Carter tugged at the corner of his mouth and smiled slightly.

A small cheer erupted in the room. The adults were happy, and even the children, not knowing why, jumped up and down with joy.

As a transmigrator, William Carter didn’t want to get entangled in the social ties of the body’s previous owner. Fortunately, this kid didn’t have anyone particularly close. So when registering, William Carter simply used his name from Earth. In this world, it didn’t sound out of place.

Over the next few days, William Carter’s injuries healed at a rate he could hardly imagine. With wounds like these, on Earth he’d be bedridden for months, unable to get up. But now, after just three or four days, he could already get up and walk around normally.

He couldn’t jump around just yet, but it looked like that wouldn’t be long either.

Death had passed; life went on.

To William Carter, the sun was bright, the sky was blue, the air was fresh, and though the people in this mercenary group were rough, they were good folks... Everything seemed wonderful.

Until William Carter was almost fully recovered and able to eat at the table himself.

“This... is this what you usually eat?” William Carter looked speechlessly at the food brought to the table. For the past few days, he’d only had noodle soup and the like.

“Is there something wrong with it?” After William Carter spoke, the atmosphere at the table seemed to cool a bit.

Was this little magic apprentice expressing disdain?

“This is... bread, right?” William Carter picked up a black, brick-like object and knocked it on the long wooden table they were sitting around. It made a solid banging sound.

Yes, this was indeed nutritious, pollution-free, handmade black bread—the kind of green food the World Health Organization would love to recommend. It could absolutely double as a brick, and since it wouldn’t be classified as a controlled blade, it wouldn’t be confiscated. Truly a strategic tool for home and travel.

“What’s wrong, little brother, not used to this?” the leader said. William Carter already knew his name was Owen Smith, the head of the mercenary group.

“No, it’s my first time eating it, but I think it should taste fine.” William Carter smiled apologetically and began to eat.

The table was still a bit awkward, but the little episode soon passed. Everyone, adults and children alike, wolfed down their food with gusto.

William Carter chewed slowly, gnawing on the bread and sipping the meat soup.

He didn’t know what kind of meat it was, but it had a strong gamey taste. On the Earth William Carter came from, hardly anyone would have an appetite for such “meat soup”—just smelling it would be enough.

As for this all-natural black bread...

William Carter guessed that if you gave one of these to each member of a green association on Earth, after finishing it, at least eighty percent of them would defect and swear to forever stay away from anything green or all-natural.

But for William Carter, this was child’s play.