Episode 5
“Anyway, can’t I do something about this body? It’s far too weak…….”
My weak body was a source of dissatisfaction every time I regressed.
And for good reason.
“The brothers above me were all born with great power and strong bodies, so why only me……!!”
My brothers took after our father in terms of power, but I ended up resembling only his frail physical constitution.
“Ugh, this bad genetic lottery…….”
I huffed and muttered to myself, yet I moved diligently toward the building where my room was located.
That room, where the killer whale shifter babies were kept, was hardly managed, but since I had caught Grandmother’s eye, it would be problematic to be away for too long in case she came looking for me.
‘The distance really is far.’
I let out a deep sigh.
‘How great would it be if I could use the power of water at a time like this!’
The power of water was more than just manipulating water; it was the source of life for aquatic animals.
Therefore, by applying the power of water, it was possible even for a young child like me to exert the strength of a decent adult shifter.
Among my brothers, there was one who was exceptionally skilled at this kind of application.
‘I wonder if that second one is doing well…….’
In the previous round, the brothers who were defeated by me followed me without a word and assisted me.
They were selfish and self-centered bastards, but…….
In the end, they died while protecting me.
True to being killer whales, they were men who remained willful until the very end.
I suddenly missed them, but it wasn’t time yet.
They would be in the main building or the educational institution right now, and to them, the current me would be a total stranger anyway.
‘They’re breathing, so I’m sure they’re living well enough.’
In any case, since I too had assimilated into the characteristics of a killer whale, I felt a sense of camaraderie but no deep affection.
Usually, whale shifters tend to have great solidarity for their own kind.
But killer whales are, well, a bit different.
They view each other as comrades to be protected, yet they lack the tender affection for their species that humpback whales or dolphins have.
If I had to make a comparison, killer whales are like a giant ‘gang’; they think of each other as comrades conspiring on the same operation.
‘I awakened the power of water in the last round. I wonder if it’s not possible in this round?’
Unlike my brothers, I was the only one among my father’s children who wasn’t born with the power of water.
Because of that, in every round, I had to endure Grandmother’s sharp tongue calling me a half-wit fish-head.
I was sold off quickly because I was useless.
That’s why the thing I ran away and seized in the 3rd round was the treasure ‘Lineus’ that appears in the book.
This was originally a gift that the male lead gives to the female lead to use after an incredible adventure.
It was a treasure set as the tears shed by a Water Dragon a long time ago, and with its help, I was able to awaken the power of water.
‘Should I go to get that in this round too?’
In the original work, the male lead presents it as proof of his devotion and love.
‘No way. I can’t let that bastard’s love be fulfilled by using it. I’ll use it for myself this time too.’
On the other hand, I thought it would be best if I could use the power even without finding the treasure.
Just in case, I grabbed my fingers and strained, but it didn’t work.
“Ugh, what a pity…….”
I decided to try targeting Dad first, so I gave up cleanly and was about to go on my way.
“Hey, is it here? I think we came to the wrong place.”
“Ah, I told you it’s here!”
When I turned my head, I saw some kids not far away.
Were they about 9 to 12 years old?
‘Judging by their hair color, they are collateral members of the Killer Whale family.’
Since I had walked diligently, there wasn’t much distance left to the building where I lived.
I was going to ignore them and keep going, but…….
“Ah, I’m telling you it’s really here! They said that newly born direct-line girl is here! We have to make her useless, I’m telling you.”
I froze.
Direct-line? Girl? There’s no one but me.
“No, I get it, but why exactly? Anyway, she’s a half-wit who can’t even use the power of water, and didn’t they say she’s being sold as the Dragon’s Bride?”
“No, the situation has changed! Don’t you know? She received recognition from the Family Head and is going to move buildings. To the main building!”
“Gasped…….”
“Don’t you know? If we leave it like this, it will bring harm to Lord Baian, whom we serve! If something goes wrong with him, we all die together!”
The moment I heard the name Baian, I realized what the situation was.
‘Baian……. He’s the eldest son of my uncle.’
Grandmother’s first son. My eldest uncle. That man’s first son, Baian.
He is also the one I took down first in my previous life.
He was a guy who was incredibly greedy and ambitious.
The majority of the collateral members of the Killer Whale family choose a successor and volunteer to be their vassals.
This was because it was the only way to survive unless one had exceptional abilities.
These guys were also followers of Baian since childhood.
‘One of them has a familiar face.’
The problem is that usually, collateral members who serve such powerful successors…… their power becomes formidable.
To the extent that they would ignore a direct-line child like me who still has no faction or guardian.
“What kind of person is the Family Head that she would recognize her? If we leave her alive, she’ll definitely be an obstacle in Lord Baian’s path.”
“……Did Lord Baian tell you that himself?”
“Yes!”
Hmph, listen to them. Apparently, the fact that I received Grandmother’s recognition has already spread far and wide.
Indeed, drawing a positive evaluation from that grandmother was no easy task.
Now that the competition for succession among the grandchildren is fierce, the appearance of a direct-line recognized by the Family Head.
It must have been unwelcome news for the established players.
“She’s still living in that building. If we kill her now, no one will know. They’ll just think she was frail and died before turning 3, as normal kids do.”
“Aha……!”
To the point where they would come to kill me like this.
‘Ha, if only I had the power of water, I could have chased away these arrogant little things with one hand.’
Killer whales are creatures called the outlaws of the sea, the thugs of the ocean.
Because of that, the psychotic aggressiveness of a killer whale basically continues even after becoming human.
It’s to the point where even little things like them talk about killing or not without a second thought.
‘It’s frustrating, but I don’t have the strength to oppose them right now. I have to hide…….’
It was at that moment.
Like a lie, I met eyes with the boys as I was backing away.
In an instant, the boy’s black pupils quickly scanned my head.
‘The hair!’
The direct line and collateral line have different hair colors to begin with!
“Hey, that, that, her……!”
There was nothing to hide anyway, but with a frustrated expression, I immediately turned and ran.
‘Darn it, I’m not used to running yet!’
Basically, whales are mammals.
Animals born as offspring grow more slowly than oviparous—born from eggs—animals.
In addition to the slow development of a whale’s body, the body was even frail, so being caught was an inevitable result.
The problem was that I hesitated at the sight of the boy who had easily overtaken me and tripped over.
‘Ugh, this is a humiliation…….’
I jerked my head up.
“Hey, look at the soot on her. Ugh, dirty.”
“Geez, the dust. Is this really a direct-line? She looks subpar.”
“They said she doesn’t know how to use the power of water.”
Two boys surrounded me as I lay fallen.
“Which means we can kill her too.”
I looked around, but there was no way there would be a person to help.
“But how did she catch the Family Head’s eye without the power of water?”
Oh, you said it well.
“You guys, collateral. You’re the ones under that Baian fellow, right?”
The boys hesitated at my words.
One of them said with a bewildered expression.
“Hey, did she just speak? Did only I hear that?”
“No, I heard it too……. No, I heard she’s a kid who hasn’t even reached 30 months yet, but speech is possible? Ugh, I got goosebumps. I only started talking when I turned 8…….”
“Huh, I wondered how she caught the Family Head’s eye without the power of water.”
One boy tapped my head and smirked.
“So this part of you was exceptionally good?”
A smile that revealed sharp fangs. Malice glistened in his eyes.
“As expected…… if we leave this alive, she’ll become a pest to Lord Baian.”
What? A pest?
“A pest? Have you said enough?”
I snapped and grabbed the finger that was hitting my head. I bit down as hard as I could.
“Aaaaagh! Crazy, crazy, won’t you let go?!”
“Ugh!”
I fell on my butt because the guy pushed me with all his might, but I have to say what needs to be said.
“If it’s a pest, it’s a land animal, you primitive fish-brat! You dare compare me to a land insect? You plankton-brat whose head would sound like a drum if I hit it with this stick!”
“…….”
“……What is she saying?”
To insult another aquatic animal by calling them a land animal, you bad bastards.
“Hmm, she’s smart, but isn’t she crazy? You know, those kids. The ones who go crazy because they’re too smart.”
“Makes sense. Well, what does it matter. I was going to kill her gently, but……. I can’t just leave her be.”
I didn’t cower even at the murderous gaze.
“You guys, you’re going to kill me? Do you know where I’ve just been?”
“The little thing really talks a lot. You, die after being hit as much as you bit my finger.”
Kicking followed.
This kind of kick is nothing compared to the things I’ve experienced in my past lives!
I shouted at the top of my lungs.
“You!! I’m on my way back from meeting our Dad right now?!”
At that moment, the kicking faltered.
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