When I was younger, I was a fantasy novel enthusiast and read hundreds if not thousands of stories. Most of these stories took place in mystical worlds where magic, martial arts, cultivation or some other supernatural phenomenon existed.
When I read these stories, I always pitied the weak and poor people in these worlds who often became casualties of battles between some powerful people, were slaughtered by the beasts or demons, and more often than not, starved to death because the powerful people controlled all the resources.
Never had I thought that one day, I would become one of these weak, poor and helpless people in one such fantasy world.
It happened a week ago when I had returned home after partying hard with my friends. I only remember getting down from the taxi and then everything went blank. The next moment, I found myself waking up as a 20-years-old, severely malnourished man of a poor farming family in a small, forgotten town in some corner of this vast world.
Why do I call a 20-year-old a man? Well, because in this town, when the kids reach the age of twelve, they are already considered adults and their families begin marrying them. Usually, everyone is already married by the time they are sixteen years old.
They do this to preserve their family lines because due to malnutrition, and the lack of proper medicine, the average lifespan of the people was less than 40 years. Moreover, because the town was situated at the foot of a forested mountain, beasts, more often than not, attack the town and every time they do, many of the villagers die.
Therefore, it was important that people are married early and birth children as soon as possible, not only to leave descendants in case they were to die the next day in some unfortunate circumstances, but also to replenish the population of the town.
Since the town was isolated, there were no proper defensive measures in place, nor were there any martial artists in the town, more people meant better protection.
"Martial Arts…" I murmured while gazing at the twinkling stars in the night sky. A moment later, I sighed, 'Only If I had transmigrated into a martial artist's family.'
Right then, I heard a crisp, young voice call out to me from inside the house, "Big Brother, dinner's ready. Come in quick."
"Alright. Coming." I called back, stood up, lifted the wooden chair I was reclining in and entered the house.
The house was just like others in the neighborhood, a simple straw and mud house. It wasn't small when compared to other houses, but it wasn't big either and had only two rooms, one living room-cum-kitchen and bathroom was at the back of the house along with a small garden where my mother grew some vegetables.
Entering the kitchen, I saw three ladies in the living room. As I swept my gaze across them, my eyes lit up and I thought, 'This isn't too bad either.'
Of the three ladies, the oldest, in her late thirties, was my mother, Megha. Well, even disregarding the fact that I was not the original John, we still weren't blood related because she and her husband had adopted me when I was 5-years-old and their son had passed away due to some disease.
They had tried to have more children, but for some reason, it was only after two years they adopted me that she gave birth to her daughter, Mika, who was now busily laying mats on the ground where they would sit down and eat.
Being a thirteen-year-old, despite not receiving the proper nutrition and thus being quite petite, she was bursting with youthful energy.
Noticing my arrival, she beamed a smile at me, "Come, Big Brother. Mom and sister-in-law have made lamb soup for you. You'll feel a lot better after eating it."
"They did?" I smiled at her before turning my gaze over to the third lady, my wife, Felicity.
Standing at 5'1'' height, she was somewhat skinny, but one could still notice her womanly curves. Her breasts weren't as large as his mother's but were noticeable and he could tell he wouldn't be able to cover them with one hand.
Her skin was slightly tanned due to working in the fields, but she was beautiful with soft and warm features. Her bright, brown eyes and soft pink lips were something he liked the most about her.
'What an unfortunate guy he was!' I sighed.
The original John had married Felicity four years earlier when she had just turned thirteen and he, sixteen. However, there was something wrong with him, he could never get it up. Therefore, he never consummated their marriage and tasted the sweetness of married life.
Felicity noticed me staring at her and looked back at me, curiosity clear on her face as she blinked in confusion.
"You have something you want to tell me, husband?" She asked and Mika and his mother looked at me.
I smiled and while looking her in the eyes, I said, "I just noticed, you are very beautiful, wifey."
"Eh? Huh?" Felicity blinked one time, and then as she registered his words, her pretty little face blushed red, "W-What are you saying all of a sudden and in front of everyone?"
"Just saying what I felt." I smiled and took the seat on the mat. Beside me, Mika stared at me in disbelief, then nodded, "It seems the near death experience enlightened you, Big Brother. Good, very good."
"Yes, it seems to be the case, Grandma!" I chuckled which made Mika scowl and Megha and Felicity laugh.
Felicity turned away and subtly wiped her misty eyes, her heart churning with sweet emotions. While John never treated her badly, today was the first time he had appreciated her and it felt really good.
"Alright. Let's eat." Megha said and Felicity carried the pot of Lamb Soup over. Then she brought wheat bread and some watered-down milk.
Felicity filled a large bowl with the Lamb Soup under Mika's teasing gaze which made her blush.
Megha smiled and looked at me, "This isn't normal Lamb Soup. Your brother-in-law found a Golden Root on the mountain and gave it to us. I have mixed that in. You'll probably no longer feel any weakness after having it. So, drink as much as you can. Also, when you are well, don't forget to go and thank your in-laws."
"I will, mother." I nodded. Thanks to original John's memories, I knew this Golden Root was among the few useful herbs that grew on the outer area of the mountain and because wild animals and beasts on the mountain also loved it, it was very rare and expensive.
Whenever someone found it, they would either save it to use when someone was ill or injured as it could boost vitality, or sell it at a high price. Even selling it for an acre of fertile land within the town was very common.
This showed how generous his brother-in-law was to give it away for free…
'Wait.' He suddenly looked at his mother and asked, "Did you give something to him in return?"
Megha pursed her lips, and looking apologetic, she nodded, "Yes. I gave him the booklet your father found."
"Big Brother, don't be angry. It was useless to us anyway and we couldn't possibly take the Golden Root for free, could we?" Mika said.
I looked at my mother, Mika and Felicity. They all seemed a little afraid because the original John had forbidden them from touching the booklet, let alone trading it away.
And the reason he did so was because it was… a martial arts technique. Though neither his father, nor him or anyone else for that matter were able to practice it. Still, he treasured it, hoping he would be able to practice it someday and become a martial artist.
"It's alright." I smiled. "I have memorized it anyway."
The trio became relieved upon hearing this. Then, they had dinner while talking about the happenings in the town.
While they talked, I focused my gaze on Felicity, Mika and… Megha one by one when they weren't looking and saw a symbol for 2… 1… and 1… appear over their heads.
'From tonight onwards, things are going to change.' I thought, feeling excitement surge in my chest.