Even if my only strength is water magic, having modern knowledge should be sufficient, right?

Episode 3: Smart Moves Must Remain Hidden.

Four days into my life in this other world, I continue to work and earn money, but I’ve decided to deceive this guy a little.

“Frim, hurry up and come here… Frim?”

“Yes…”

“What’s wrong? Can’t you walk properly?”

“I’m… hungry…”

“You’ve eaten the same amount as always, haven’t you? Are you saying it’s not enough? What a luxury.”

Gradually, I stagger more and more, pretending to suffer from malnutrition.

My earnings must be quite high. While the shopkeepers call out that they’ll pay seven copper coins for a meal, I’m clearly making over a hundred copper coins a day. I don’t know the details of the deals for water supply at the shops, but they seem to be taking too much margin.

“Maybe I’m growing, so I need more to eat.”

“I see… You little…! You’re mocking me, huh, you idiot!!”

The usual violence. Even though he’s bigger than me, Pakis hits me for no reason. All I can do is curl up and endure it.

“Ugh… please stop…”

“You piece of…! You just have to listen to what I say! I have to give money to my boss too! Even though I don’t have any…! Damn it!!”

Just endure the pain. It’s a child’s punch, but I’m even smaller, a malnourished girl with visible ribs. Maybe I exaggerated the malnutrition, but sometimes my fingers tremble, and I feel dizzy. I feel like my life is in danger as I’m trampled on. Even if I can’t eat, I have no choice but to protest eventually.

“You better listen! Come on, move it, you idiot!”

“…..Yes”

This villain has no compassion or restraint, even for a child. My plan was a decent one; if it had worked, I might have had a slightly better meal. But instead of more soup, all I got was a taste of blood. And even though it was midday, on a busy street, nobody came to my rescue. It’s the worst.

To Pakis, this is probably just discipline for a disobedient fool. But my scheme is still ongoing. I wipe my nosebleed with my sleeve and finish today’s work.

“No more bread or soup.”

“Hurry up and come here.”

I stumble against the wall. Pakis, instead of worrying about me, occasionally nudges me because I’m slow.

It’s a different alley from usual, deeper into Dugga’s territory, where the boss of the Dugga family is.

“Hey Pakis, how’s today’s haul?”

“As usual.”

Pakis hands some money to a guy who beat me up. If I provoke him, I might be killed just like that. Even though I watched myself being beaten, I’m trembling with fear.

“Hey, what’s wrong with this girl? Is she dying?”

“It’s the same as always, and I don’t care if she dies.”

At least there are men with knives hanging around. I quickly pass by them and enter the alley behind the gambling den.

“Bet, bet now!”

“Well done! You’re lucky, sir!”

“Good bet, boss!”

“Darn it! Damn it!”

“Hahaha!”

In the lively crowd, I head towards the boss’ room through a passage that seems to be for staff.

“Hurry up and go.”

Along the way, many men armed with weapons are urged on by gatekeepers. I’m not searched, but I wonder if they search others? The last time I was here was before I got beaten up, but I remember a bit. The boss here makes you taste food and drink in front of him. My task is to put several days’ worth of water into bottles.

“Hurry up.”

“Yes.”

Pakis can’t enter the room; only I can. The boss has been extremely cautious ever since he was poisoned before.

I pour water in front of the boss, who’s counting money at his desk. Last time, he gave me silver coins for the delicious water.

Today, it should be just pouring water silently and finishing. If possible, I’d like to ask for improvements, but it’s quite dangerous. The boss kills people easily, and even now, there’s someone bleeding at the edge of the room.

“Oh, it’s Frim, right? The water last time was good.”

…!

“Yes, thank you.”

“Your water is delicious. Store it in that bottle over there.”

“Yes.”

I can’t hope for any improvement in the situation. With just one change in this man’s mood, I might not have a life in ten minutes.

Nervously, I open the lid of the bottle… It’s a bit dirty. When I check with my fingers, it feels slimy, clearly not good.

“Um, excuse me.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

Although the boss has already returned to counting money, he responds to my call. I’m relieved I wasn’t suddenly killed by the guards next to him. …The possibility of someone other than myself taking away my life with just one change in their mood is terrifying.

“Th-the bottle, it’s dirty. Can I put the water in as it is?”

“What did you say…?”

The boss stands up, and the atmosphere with the guards freezes. He walks over and sticks his hand into the bottle.

“…Didn’t I tell you to wash this bottle?”

The boss is glaring at one of the guard… This is bad!

“Uh? Did you say that?”

“Can’t you remember what I said…? Are you mocking me?”

“I’m not, sir.”

“Then you’re just stupid, you piece of trash!”

The air freezes, and the boss hits one of the subordinates. It’s the real violence of an adult right in front of me. It’s not just chilling; it feels like my skin is burning and blistering.

“If you can’t follow what I say!!! You’re not needed!!! Trash!!!”

Even if I look away, I can hear people being trampled, crushed, and the sound of water… or blood.

“Huff… huff! Take this trash with you, too!!”

“Y-yes!”

Ordering the other guards, only I and the enraged boss, who just killed someone, remain in the room.

――― My legs tremble. It’s strange how I’m still standing.