Chapter 5: Mom will take you to make money!

I’ve settled on a way to make money—for now. Next, I need to get stronger.

In this world, strength rules. I may look frail and pitiful now, but with proper nutrition, I’ll be a stunning beauty.

A beauty without power is just prey for others.

If I were ordinary, it might be fine, but I’m a Phoenix… Revival after death isn’t something I control. One slip, killed and reviving on the spot, and my identity’s exposed.

Then… a powerless me would likely be… caged.

Bit by bit, my flesh would be cut away, used as a life-extending drug… and they might even target my two egg babies—after all, there’s that legend about eating a whole Phoenix for immortality.

It could get worse.

Like being forced to bear more offspring to be eaten—I shudder just thinking about it, because I’d be the victim.

Enslaving women and using them as breeding machines isn’t rare. Aside from upright races like elves or dwarves who’d scoff at it, most others—vampires with their blood slaves, or even humans—would do it.

So!! I have to get stronger!

To avoid being turned into a breeding tool!! I need to start getting stronger and making money now!

Half-crazed with desperation, I thought this while checking my current combat abilities.

Thanks to my soul’s innate mental energy, I should be able to use some telekinesis and cast two simple spells… That’s probably enough for self-defense in a place like this.

“Should be… fine!”

I took a deep breath, gave myself a pep talk, and made my plans.

But why did I even consider being a bunny girl or a hostess earlier?

“…As expected, my thoughts are influenced by this body.”

I took another breath, realizing this in my heart.

Though I’m exhausted from just giving birth to two eggs, time won’t wait.

Ten days is tight. I don’t know if I can meet my goal.

So… no rest yet. I need to buy materials and food first, or I won’t make it in time.

“Phew… alright, I need a bag.”

I exhaled, scanning the messy room, pulling out a backpack and cloak.

“Mommy’s taking you to make money! Then we’re getting out of this sh*tty place.”

I carefully placed the two egg babies in the backpack, muttering to them.

With the backpack strapped to my chest and a large bag in hand, I took a deep breath and prepared to head out for materials.

…But I had a bad feeling something was about to happen.

As I stepped out the door, the thought hit me.

I pulled the cloak over my face, hiding my features and hair under the hood, clutching the backpack tightly. After a few deep breaths, I gritted my teeth and left.

Even if I’m frail, my face—after a quick wash—is still cute and delicate. In this chaotic border city, it’s better to keep a low profile.

I tugged my hood, glancing at the bustling street, blinking as I thought.

The streets were packed—ordinary locals, wandering merchants with goods, ragged mercenary groups, disciplined soldiers marching by… The crowded, noisy streets felt like a minefield of dangers to me.

“So many people, so many, so many!! I’m gonna die… I shouldn’t have come out!”

Staring at the sea of people, I bit my lip, fear bubbling up inside.

Every glance my way felt hostile… In my past life, I rarely went out, clamming up around crowds. Now, as a weakling… ugh, thinking about that cutesy voice I used to beg the landlord makes me mad—

But I have to go out… I need those materials…

I swallowed hard, pushing forward through the crowd.

I moved cautiously, terrified of bumping into trouble I couldn’t handle—given my state, I’d have to grovel if anything happened.

As I walked, I noticed this world was vastly different from my previous era.

Billboards hung on tall buildings, displaying shifting images—I stared, momentarily stunned.

“What are these things?”

I blinked, then pulled some knowledge from the original owner’s memories.

Roughly, hundreds of years have passed since my past life… In that time, this backward society developed rapidly. Things have improved a lot, with even technology advancing. It’s less noticeable in this border city, but major cities have changed drastically compared to centuries ago.

…Or maybe I’m in a different world entirely.

I blinked, considering.

My memories are spotty, but some basic knowledge feels off.

If so, my magical knowledge might not even apply here.

That thought made me uneasy. The original owner was a carefree, clueless girl with zero magical knowledge, so I can’t rely on her memories to understand this world better.

This is my only way to make a living. If making magic potions doesn’t work, I’m truly screwed.

“Sigh, whatever. Let’s check the herb shop first.”

I sighed, refocusing, and kept moving.

Finally, after a tense trek, I reached an herb shop without too much trouble.