Chapter 7: Weakness

“…It can’t be that bad here, right? Not everyone’s a thug!”

Feeling the sudden wave of malice directed at me, I shivered, clutching my belongings and hurrying toward home.

As I quickened my pace, several figures eyeing me started following, their gazes predatory.

I swallowed hard, nerves kicking in—sure, I could probably toss out a small fireball or two for self-defense, but who knows what could happen next?

I sped up—luckily, I wasn’t far from a safer area. After a minute of fast walking, I turned into a cleaner, tidier street. Even better, a patrol team appeared around the corner.

The group tailing me saw the patrol and didn’t dare follow further. The patrol captain, spotting me panting, approached quickly.

“Miss, can we help you with anything?”

The captain spoke politely, not judging my ragged appearance.

I instinctively felt something was off. When I looked up and saw his dazed expression, I realized my charm ability was still active.

“N-No… just keep patrolling.”

I shrank back, responding softly. The captain nodded and led his team away, following my words.

“Phew…”

I let out a long breath, pulling my hood lower to cover half my eyes, then cautiously headed back to my place.

That brisk walk was exhausting… This body’s stamina is abysmal—panting after just a short sprint. Frail is an understatement.

“…Once I make enough money, I have to train this body.”

Back home, I set down my things, wiped the sweat from my forehead, and muttered.

I stood catching my breath for a while before collapsing onto the sofa to recover.

That trip wore me out.

“Phew…”

I exhaled, the physical and mental exhaustion tempting me to sleep, but I jolted myself awake.

“…No, I can’t sleep yet.”

I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to stay alert and stand.

“I’ve got to make money… not just for me, but for you two little ones.”

I muttered, glancing at the two egg babies in the backpack.

Making potions is a long process. Tonight, I need to grind the herbs and let them settle so I can finish the potions by morning.

So, I have to work tonight—no matter how tired this body is, I’ve got to push through.

I grabbed my long hair, tied it back with a band, and pulled out the two sets of herbs and potion-making tools.

“Let’s do this.”

I exhaled, starting the prep for potion-making.

I washed my hands, set up the knife, mortar, and containers, and began.

I took some herbs, chopped them, placed them in the mortar, added water, and started grinding.

The herbs matched my memories, confirming I’m likely still in my original world.

To stay focused, I worked standing up, using my limited mental energy to precisely measure each herb’s portion.

Herbs can be toxic if mixed wrong. For healing potions, you need to know the exact ratios and use mental energy to monitor the process to avoid mistakes.

My mental energy’s already low, and tracking ratios burned through it fast, like a novice mage.

I should’ve rested to recover from my weakness, but time’s too tight.

It’s just two potion batches, though. Once ground and settled by morning, I’m done for now.

After about two hours, I finished the prep.

Looking at the potion bottles filled with herbs and liquid, I sighed in relief. After triple-checking everything was fine, I collapsed onto the bed, ready to sleep and deal with the rest tomorrow.

As I lay down, I glanced at the two egg babies in the backpack. After a moment’s thought, I gently pulled them into my arms.

Curling up slightly, I tucked the eggs close, pulled a blanket over us, and held them in an incubating embrace, drifting off with my egg babies.

[System Notification: Alchemist Level: 10]

(Happy New Year! Here’s an extra chapter as a gift!)

Sunlight streamed through the window into the moldy room. A curled-up figure stirred under the warmth, eyelids twitching before barely opening.

“Ugh…”

Mumbling incoherently, I groggily shifted, hands gently touching the egg babies in my arms, feeling a moment of calm comfort.

But I didn’t linger in that coziness, forcing myself out of bed.

“Phew…”

I exhaled shakily. As I left the bed, I oddly felt the eggs’ reluctance at my departure—though they can’t speak, I somehow sensed their emotions.

“Alright, Mommy’s got to work to feed herself and you two. Don’t be fussy.”

I looked at the eggs, slipping naturally into the role of their mother, giving their shells a gentle pat and speaking softly. They seemed to settle down.

“Phew…”

I glanced at them, then turned to the potion bottles.

Checking them, I saw the herbs and liquid had settled well overnight. Now, I just needed to mix them according to the recipe.

“But first… a bath?”

I sniffed, pinching my nose, and thought to myself.

I’m sticky, my hair’s itchy… and there’s still blood on my lower body. It feels awful.

Yesterday was too hectic, so I had no time to clean up.

I’ve got a busy day ahead, and staying in this gross state is pointless. A quick wash first makes sense.

With that, I grabbed the two eggs and headed to the bathroom—I wasn’t letting them out of my sight.

“Hm-hm-hm~”

Humming lightly, I set the eggs in the sink and started undressing.

After stripping off my clothes, I paused, stepped back, and turned to the mirror, examining my body.

Without any undergarments, removing the thin dress left me completely bare.

Like yesterday, my skin was smooth and pale, but my frame was scrawny, like a starved pet—pitiful.

Between my legs, dried bloodstains marked what happened yesterday.

I touched my face, then, almost impulsively, reached toward my lower body.

The moment I brushed that sensitive spot, my body jolted.

“Eek…”

Like a shock, I yanked my hand back, my face burning red.

“…W-What am I doing?!”

I clenched my teeth, mortified.

Shaking my head, I forced my focus back to the task.

Blushing, I turned on the faucet—then hit a major problem.

No hot water.

“…Washing in cold water with this body? I’d catch a cold for sure.”

I hesitated, dismissing the idea. A cold would be too much trouble.

After a moment’s thought, I put my clothes back on and went to boil water.

Once boiled and mixed with cold water, I squatted in the tub, washing with a basin of lukewarm water.

It wasn’t as refreshing as a shower, but scrubbing off the grime felt good.

“Phew…”

After washing my body and lightly rinsing my hair, I poured the water over myself, the warm rush bringing a wave of comfort.

“That’s more like it.”

I sighed, feeling refreshed, my mood lifting after a day without rest. This bath was my only moment of relaxation.

“Hey!”

Fresh from the bath, I stretched, moved my body, and put my clothes back on. After toweling my hair for a while, I was finally clean.

Feeling cleaner, my mood improved considerably.

I picked up the egg babies, placing them back in the backpack on the sofa, just as hunger hit.

I decided to grab some black bread and vegetables from the kitchen to tide me over.

Using a knife, I sliced the bread in half, tucked in some vegetable leaves, and ate—my meager breakfast.

Chewing the tough bread and cold leaves, I longed for hot, tasty food—but as broke as I am, this is all I’ve got.

“Sigh… priority is making money.”

I thought helplessly, finishing my meal quickly. Tying my untangled hair into a ponytail, I dove back into potion-making.

The potions and herbs had settled overnight. I poured out the liquid, tossed the spent herbs in the trash, and got to work.

Mixing was easier than measuring, but I couldn’t afford to be sloppy—mistakes could make inferior potions.

Inferior potions sell for one silver coin less! I’m too poor to mess this up.

With that in mind, I carefully mixed the two potions. After an hour and a half, I finished two basic healing potions.