Chapter 5

"Still, what can I do about this body? It's so weak..."

My weak body was a constant source of frustration every time I regressed.

And for good reason.

"The older brothers are all born with great strength and powerful bodies, so why am I the only one...!!"

While the older brothers inherited only strength from our father, I ended up with a frail body.

"Ugh, this bad genetic lottery..."

Muttering to myself, I still headed towards the building where my room was located.

The room where the baby orcas were kept was almost unmanaged, but since I was in Grandma's good graces, I couldn't stay away for too long in case she looked for me.

'The distance is really far.'

I sighed deeply.

'If only I could use the power of water, it would be so much easier!'

The power of water was not just about manipulating water; it was also the source of life for aquatic animals.

Therefore, if the power of water was applied, even a child like me could exert the strength of an adult merman.

One of my older brothers was particularly skilled at this application.

'I wonder if the second one is doing well...'

In the previous cycle, the older brothers who lost to me submitted without a word and served me.

They were selfish and self-centered, but...

In the end, they died protecting me.

They were orcas, after all, always acting on their own whims.

I suddenly missed them, but it wasn't the right time yet.

They would be in the main building or educational institutions, and since this is my first meeting with them now...

'As long as they're breathing, they must be doing fine.'

Anyway, I had assimilated with the orca characteristics, so while I had a sense of camaraderie, I didn't have a deep emotional attachment.

Typically, merfolk have a strong sense of camaraderie with their own kind.

But orcas were different.

They saw each other as comrades who needed to be protected, but they lacked the affection and deep emotional bond that humpback whales or dolphins have.

If I had to make a comparison, orcas were like a giant 'gang,' seeing each other as comrades in the same mission.

'In the last cycle, I awakened the power of water, but will it not happen this time?'

Unlike my brothers, I was the only one among my father's children who didn't inherit the power of water.

Thus, I received Grandma's harsh words every cycle, calling me a half-fish.

Because I was useless, I was quickly sold.

So, in the third cycle, I escaped and obtained the treasure 'Linias' mentioned in the book.

This was originally a gift the male protagonist gave to the female protagonist after a great adventure, described as a tear from an ancient water dragon.

With its help, I was able to awaken the power of water.

'Should I go get it again this cycle?'

In the original story, it was a symbol of the male protagonist's dedication and love.

'No, I can't let it be used for that love. I'll use it for myself this time.'

Ideally, I wouldn't have to find the treasure to use it.

I tried to activate it by gripping my fingers, but it didn't work.

"Ugh, what a shame..."

I decided to give up and focus on my father's strategy first, just as I was about to continue on my way.

"Hey, is this the place? I think we came in the wrong room."

"No, this is the right place!"

Turning my head, I saw some kids not far away.

They were probably around 9 to 12 years old.

'Judging by their hair color, they must be orca side branches.'

I was almost at the building where I lived after walking briskly.

I was about to ignore them, but...

"Hey, this is the place! The new direct-line girl is here! We need to make sure she can't use her power."

I paused.

Direct-line? Girl? There's no one else but me.

"No, I get it, but why? She can't even use the power of water and is going to be sold as a dragon's bride, right?"

"No, the situation has changed! You don't know? She's been recognized by the head of the family and is moving to the main building!"

"Huh..."

"You don't know? If we let this continue, it will harm the Bayyan we serve! If he fails, we all die!"

I realized the situation the moment I heard the name Bayyan.

'Bayyan... the first son of my uncle.'

The first son of Grandma's first son, my uncle. Bayyan, the first one I took down in my previous life.

He was extremely greedy and ambitious.

Most orca family side branches choose to serve a single successor to survive.

These kids have been following Bayyan since they were young.

'One of them looks familiar.'

The problem was that side branches serving a powerful successor like Bayyan...

...became extremely powerful.

To the point where they could ignore a direct-line child like me, who had no power or protection.

"How could the head of the family recognize her? She will surely be a hindrance to Bayyan if left alive."

"...Did Bayyan say this himself?"

"Yes!"

Well, it seems the news of my recognition by Grandma had already spread.

After all, getting a positive evaluation from her was not easy.

With the current fierce competition among the grandchildren for the successor position, the appearance of a recognized direct-line child...

...was not a welcome development for the old-timers.

"She's still living in that building. If we kill her now, no one will know. They'll just think she died weakly before turning three, like most kids."

"Ah...!"

They were here to kill me.

'If only I had the power of water, I could have chased these arrogant kids away with one hand.'

Orcas are known as the lawless and bullies of the sea.

Their psychopathic violence is carried over even when they become human.

These kids talk about killing so casually.

'I'm frustrated, but I don't have the strength to fight back right now. I need to hide...'

Just as I thought this, I made eye contact with the boys.

Their black eyes quickly scanned my head.

'Hair!'

Direct-line orcas have different hair colors from side branches!

"Hey, that, that, it's her...!"

There was no point in hiding now, so I turned and ran with a frustrated expression.

'Damn, I'm not used to running yet!'

Orcas are mammals.

Animals born as live young grow more slowly than those born from eggs.

With my already slow-developing body and frail health, it was inevitable that I would be caught.

The problem was that I stumbled and fell when the boy easily overtook me.

'Ugh, this is humiliating...'

I lifted my head.

"Hey, look at this brat. Ugh, so dirty."

"Phew, dirt. Is this really a direct-line child? She looks like a failure."

"She can't even use the power of water."

The two boys surrounded me as I lay on the ground.

"So, we can kill her too."

I looked around, but there was no one to help me.

"But how did she get the head of the family's attention without the power of water?"

Good question.

"You guys, side branches. And you serve under Bayyan, right?"

The boys paused at my words.

One of them looked confused.

"Hey, did you hear what she said? Did only I hear it?"

"No, I heard it too... But I thought she was under 30 months old. Can she even talk? Man, that's creepy. I only started talking when I was 8..."

"Wow, I was wondering how she got the head of the family's attention without the power of water."

One of the boys poked my head and grinned.

"Must be something special, huh?"

His sharp teeth were visible, and his eyes gleamed with malice.

"Of course... If we leave her, she'll be a pest to Bayyan."

What? Pest?

"Pest? Did you say everything you wanted to say?"

I grabbed the hand that hit my head and bit it as hard as I could.

"Aaaah! Crazy, let go, let go!!"

"Ugh!"

He pushed me away, and I fell on my butt, but I had to say my piece.

"Pest? You land animals, you uncivilized fish! How dare you compare me to a land insect? If I hit you with this stick, your head will make a drum sound, plankton scum!"

"..."

"..."

"What is she saying?"

These bad kids, insulting each other with land animals.

"Hmm, she's smart, but maybe she's gone crazy? You know, there are kids like that. Too smart, they go crazy."

"Has a point. What does it matter? I was going to kill her nicely, but now I can't just leave her."

Despite their menacing looks, I didn't flinch.

"You guys, you want to kill me? Do you know where I just came from?"

"You're really talkative for a small fry. You'll get what you deserve for biting my finger."

Kicks followed.

These kicks were nothing compared to what I had experienced in my past life!

I shouted loudly.

"You!! I just came from meeting our dad?!"

At that moment, the kicks paused.