Chapter 1: Do You Think You're a Steel‑Hard Man?

Black centipede mandibles and feet, several.

Stone dragon powder, a suitable amount.

Mica stone granules, a handful.

……

Gah!

The frying spoon clanged against the big pot, and Ji Ming slammed the notes in his hand hard onto the table.

In the dim candlelight, the potion formulas recorded on it were all vague, imprecise quantities.

What's worse, Ji Ming wanted to curse someone but didn't know whom, because the author credited on the title page was himself.

Last night, he discovered an unread email in his mailbox.

He thought it was a Steam summer sale announcement, but when he opened it, it was an invitation to a closed beta of a game.

Moreover, the copy boasted loudly, claiming it was keeping pace with economic globalization and creating a cross‑era AAA game.

Ji Ming originally intended just to post a screenshot in the group for fun, but spurred by a dog‑group friend, he couldn't resist downloading the game.

The game was tiny, only a few hundred kilobytes, and when opened it even had the pixel art style of a late‑20th‑century home console.

However, the content was novel; before the start there was a character‑creation section, and all conditions were completely open for answering.

But the character‑creation part was overly long, detailed down to requiring organ dimensions to be filled in.

Ji Ming at first could patiently select, but later simply ignored everything.

Yet even so, it still took him several minutes to get ready.

【We agreed, remember to v me 50 mental‑damage fee later!】

He left a "last words" in the group, and Ji Ming felt smug.

"Game, start!"

Before the words finished, the computer chair beneath him turned into a shabby recliner, and his rented apartment became a cramped room.

Before his eyes was no longer a crude game interface, but an ultra‑sci‑fi blue transparent box.

【Welcome to the game, esteemed Player Zero】

"Huh?"

He reached out to touch, but his fingers could only feebly slash through the light screen.

The box flickered, and a new round of text began to appear.

【Name: Ji Ming】

【Level: 1 (40/100)】

【Race: Pure‑blood Human】

【Talent: Wood Element Affinity·Excellent】

【Profession: Alchemist Apprentice】

【Qi: 3】

【Agility: 4】

【Intelligence: 8】

【Charisma: 7】

【Life Skills: Rejuvenation Elixir Crafting·Basic, Hemostatic Powder Crafting·Proficient】

……

The garish, multicolored text flashed before his eyes, and Ji Ming snapped to attention, realizing his current situation.

Shit, got duped.

This thing isn't a game; it's a time‑travel device without a dump truck!

But he didn't rush to study the system; instead, he grabbed a nearby axe and first explored the surroundings.

After confirming the shop's iron door was tightly dead‑bolted, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

If he remembered correctly, this was a world where magical technology was highly advanced, and the divine courtyard abyss had bizarre presences.

He was a mysterious alchemist from the distant East, owning a Clinic in a district with complex races and terrible security.

Entering the restroom, he wiped the dust‑covered mirror.

Fortunately, what reflected back was still himself.

Black hair, black pupils, features well‑proportioned; though bearing a few sharp edges, still fairly kind‑looking.

But due to the setting's hardship and poverty, he had a scruffy beard, gaunt cheeks, looking like a stock‑loss victim ready to jump.

He washed his face with clean water, set down the towel, and the system's prompt box appeared again before his eyes.

【Beginner Quest: Clinic Cleaning】

【Quest Requirement: Sweep and clean the vast majority of grime in the Clinic】

【Quest Reward: Character EXP +50, Skill Point +1】

Ji Ming began cleaning while taking the chance to inventory his assets.

First, the cash register drawer yielded a shiny copper coin, the obverse bearing a number, the reverse a bearded face wearing a crown.

Then the moldy wardrobe, after picking through it and turning into a hand‑washing immortal for a while, yielded a white robe with a slight rose‑red tint.

As for the bloodstains that had seeped into the treatment room's wooden cracks, and the medicine‑brewing room emitting a pungent stench…

After clearing out several kilograms of bone shards and scraps, and dealing with enough rats to field two soccer teams and a reinforced gratitude beetle…

Ji Ming collected several rusted carpenter tools, a set of well‑marinated mortar‑pestle hammers, and a large pot that only after frantic scrubbing revealed its original hue.

"Are you sure this is a Clinic?"

Looking at the extremely poor sanitation, Ji Ming flipped through the medical log and finally gained a shallow understanding of his own medical proficiency.

Mediocre doctor?

Butcher!

Healing injuries basically relies on amputation, stopping bleeding basically relies on fire, using medicine is fiddly, and if that fails you just brew a lousy porridge, pinch your nose and force it down.

There happened to be a stock of Rejuvenation Elixir in the oak cabinet, so Ji Ming took out a bottle and examined it.

The viscous potion stored in a low‑grade crystal emitted a faint fresh scent, but its color was dull and it was riddled with impurities.

If it weren't for healing magic or medicinal alchemy being so expensive at legitimate medical halls, the famed "Ji Ming" would already have been torn apart by adventurers.

Even so, his skill at brewing mysterious Eastern potions makes him a rare "good doctor" locally.

After all, in such a chaotic place, any treatment is better than none; who can guarantee they'll never get hurt?

So not only the local gangs, even the relatively clever bandits won't come knocking for trouble.

Sitting behind the counter, half amused half exasperated, Ji Ming finally remembered he still hadn't claimed a quest reward.

Skill points can be used to strengthen an existing skill or to randomly roll a new one.

Seeing his only two life skills, Ji Ming decided to gamble.

【Please wait】

【Congratulations, you have obtained the life skill Sewing the Corpse】

【Sewing the Corpse: You have mastered the technique of stitching bodies】

【A mediocre doctor may not save your severed limb, but can stitch together an entire corpse】

…

Is this considered a life skill too?

He nudged the zero‑prescription glasses perched on his nose and wondered if this was a suggestion to switch to the funeral trade?

But aside from the sarcasm, he, armed only with an axe for self‑defense, didn't waste time and quickly began gathering more information.

Soon, he found what he needed in a notebook locked in a drawer.

Then the vague dosage on the "Rejuvenation Elixir Formula" blew a big hole in his defense.

No wonder the clinic stored only extremely crude potions; he only knew the formula, not the dosage!

This entirely feel‑based, spontaneous brewing method actually produced something; it's truly a lucky outcome of his hard work.

Moreover, he discovered another bad news in the ledger beside him.

Because he previously healed a bandit leader to death, he had lost almost all his savings.

This isn't a civilized world; Sunlight City, situated in the No‑Man's Zone, won't joke around with you.

If the debt collector comes again and you still can't pay the rent, you'll have to settle for either a toilet or a club.

"No, we need a plan!"

To avoid being goblin‑killed, he unleashed 200% subjective initiative.

But just as he was about to start a self‑rescue, the clinic's iron door was suddenly knocked.

"Doctor! Doctor! Are you there?"

Amid a series of violently loud knocks, the system appeared again.

【Task discovered】

【Request from an adventurer patient】

【Task description: Treat his companion's leg wound】

【Task reward: Character experience +10】

Hm?

Fifty points and then another ten; it seems completing this quest will level me up.

But Ji Ming said nothing, and quietly crept forward holding his axe.

Through the peephole, he saw a frantic young boy outside,

He was struggling to support another boy, while his free hand kept knocking on the door.

Both were stained with blood, and their waists bore swords still dripping with blood, uncleaned.

Ji Ming, expressionless, pushed his glasses and a brief panel of the two appeared before his eyes.

One youngster was named Charlie, the other Beli, both level‑3 warrior apprentices.

Although their intelligence and charisma were lower than Ji Ming's, their HP just over ten and agility close to ten could already outclass this level‑3 warrior trash.

After a moment's thought, Ji Ming silently slipped his hand axe into his robe and opened the door.

"Doctor, so you were here?"

A sweat‑soaked smile forced its way onto Charlie's face.

"Sorry, I was sleeping just now."

He tossed out a reason and cleared a path.

The sunset lit the dark living room, and the two staggered into the Clinic.

"Doctor, hurry and save Beli, he was clawed on the calf by a demon wolf; if this continues he'll bleed out to death!"

Rule one of the quack doctor code: always stay calm.

Looking at the horrific gash on Beli's leg, Ji Ming felt a chill on his scalp, but calmly waved his hand.

"Don't panic, first lay him on the treatment room's bed."

"Alright…"

Charlie swallowed, helped Beli onto the hard board bed in the center.

He looked around, eyes filled with doubt.

This Eastern doctor's treatment room didn't seem as shabby as the rumors suggested.

Although there is still bloodstain here, it is clear that it has been cleaned seriously.

"Step aside, I'll check the wound first."

Pulling out a fairly decent dagger, Ji Ming first slit Bei Li's trousers.

On the blood‑stained calf were several gaping wounds, the deepest of which almost exposed bone.

And as the surrounding muscles kept twitching, scarlet blood continued to gush out.

Whether in reality or in a game, Ji Ming is no proper doctor.

But common sense as a modern person still gave him the general treatment procedure—

Debridement and hemostasis, suturing the wound, applying medicinal paste, and wrapping gauze.

And most importantly, leave it to fate.

Very well.

Rule of the Quack Doctor, Article Two: always maintain professionalism.

Wash hands, fetch water, wear a solemn expression.

He took a heap of bottles and jars from the oak cabinet, and Ji Ming clattered them into a big array beside the sickbed.

Before everything began, he gave Charlie a serious nod.

"Kid, I'm about to start treatment; you need to stay as quiet as possible, understand?"

Such a formal statement made Charlie even more nervous; after receiving an affirmative reply, Ji Ming began the procedure.

It was unclear whether the practitioner's body was truly that robust, or the grievous wound had already drained most of the blood.

Accompanied by a simple cleaning, a coagulating powder with a hint of antiseptic was casually sprinkled, halting the bleeding.

It was a decent start, but the next second step gave Ji Ming a dilemma.

Although he had been dexterous since childhood, mastering Lego bricks, suturing wounds was truly beyond him.

Could it be that…

Seeing the newly added 'Corpse‑Stitching Technique' in the Life Skills, Ji Ming sensed the system's malice.

And that slight frown, in Charlie's eyes, was a death sentence.

His lips trembled briefly, and he hurriedly asked,

"Doctor, is it untreatable?"

Rule of the Quack Doctor, Article Three: always stay confident.

Ji Ming pinched his chin and slowly shook his head.

"No, I'm just thinking about how to handle the wound."

He patted Bei Li's shoulder.

"Young man, do you think you're a steel hardman?"

Bei Li had already lost too much blood; his face was so pale he was about to faint.

But upon hearing that, he still strained to turn his head, his youthful face bearing resolve.

"I think I am!"

"Very good."

Ji Ming boiled a pot of water and simmered the needle and thread used for sewing clothes.

Threading the needle, a cold glint shone from his fingertips.

"Bite the bullet, okay? It'll be over soon."

He encouraged with his words, while his hands kept moving.

Stab—

"Ah!!!"

Bei Li immediately let out a scream that could be called horrific.

Ji Ming ignored him and threw himself into the suturing work with tense intensity.

Thus one person screamed with all his might, while the other focused intently on the operation.

Although the gruesome wound was indeed gradually returning to normal, to Charlie it seemed like an ancient ghost story becoming reality!

In an instant, his complexion was even paler than Bei Li's.

He could only say dryly,

"Doctor, don't you have any anesthetic or anything…"

"Young man, do you know how expensive that thing is?"

Snipping the black thread with large scissors, Ji Ming asked boldly.

"If I couldn't even make some powder myself, I wouldn't be able to handle my friend's external injury!"

Then he casually grabbed a rag and shoved it into Charlie's hand.

"Everyone needs rest late at night; here, take this cloth and make him stop screaming."

Charlie had no choice but to go to Bei Li's side.

"Sorry, brother."

"You... sob!"

Since the pain had already passed and the screaming was over, Ji Ming simply didn't hold back.

If the skill fails, make up with quantity!

Where five stitches were needed, he made seven; where seven were needed, he made ten.

A young man is like the sun at eight or nine o'clock; even a calf must be left without scars or regrets!

So by the time he finished the final stitch, Bei Li had already fainted from the pain.

Not bad, kid, you're brave; you've helped a lot.

Thank you for your praise.

Charlie's smile looked worse than crying.

After moving his slightly numb fingers, Ji Ming carefully took out a medicine bottle from his pocket.

Pulling out the stopper, the viscosity of the Spring Return Elixir became its best quality at this moment.

Using a clean brush, he carefully applied it to the wound, and it naturally seeped to cover every inch of the claw wound.

Visible to the naked eye, some not-so-large wounds were quickly turning toward healing.

Although he had heard about it earlier, Charlie still widened his eyes.

Doctor, is this your miraculous potion?

If you're asking about the Spring Return Elixir, then yes.

Ji Ming's movements were slow; any part he accidentally applied would be slowly swept back by him.

Skilled, professional, conscientious.

Upon careful thought, the man before him was clearly an excellent and reliable doctor.

Thinking this through, Charlie finally let go of the heart that had been hanging and put it back in his stomach.

As for the truth of the matter, it was actually that Ji Ming felt the Spring Return Elixir was too precious to waste even a bit...

... still better not let him know.

After applying the medicine, he finally wrapped it with a few layers of gauze, neither too tight nor too loose.

【Experience +10】

【Lv. 1 → Lv. 2】

【Congratulations on leveling up, rewards have been credited】

【Apothecary profession reward: Wisdom +1, Charm +1】

【Player special reward: Attribute points +1, Skill points +1】

【Note: Each time a player character levels up, they receive the basic reward of attribute points +1 and skill points +1】

That good?

After washing his hands with clean water, Ji Ming, having completed the task, wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Alright, your friend is fine.

Charlie was still immersed in the earlier miracle, merely uttering a dazed sound.

Huh?

I said, it's over, the surgery was very successful.

Charlie took a close look and saw that Bei Li on the bed had a calm expression.

His calf wound was indeed neatly and cleanly treated, and his chaotic breathing also stabilized.

Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief and quickly give thanks.

Thank you, doctor.

This was his first time handling such a professional task, which also drained Ji Ming of much stamina; he wearily sat on a nearby wooden chair.

The mission rewards had already been credited, and he decisively added the attribute point gained from leveling up to his vitality.

A mysterious power surged from within him, restoring his strength to speak again.

Now then, tell me what happened to you.

Clasping his fingers, Charlie stumbled as he began to speak.

I, we are novice adventurers; today we just followed the captain out of the city hoping to hunt some magical beasts, but we never expected—