Chapter 5 Thinking About Escaping

• Callie took a bite of her soft bread, feeling quite satisfied with Gloria's insights and readily agreeing with her.
• "Absolutely! Gloria's got the right idea; what we truly need right now is something to satisfy our hunger. Without it, how can we muster the strength to keep going?"
• "I see you have some extra money; why not give it to your grandma instead?"
• Emily flashed a sweet smile at Melissa, who was already feeling low. Melissa shot her a frosty glare, her eyes brimming with disdain.
• It was evident that, among the two new brides who had joined at the same time, Melissa had decided to favor Gloria.
• Tammy chose to overlook this exchange, aware that she had plenty of food stored away, although it wasn't the right moment to reveal it.
• Instead of dwelling on that, she turned her thoughts to how she could get Remus some medicine. That's right; Tammy's main objective was to feed him some anti-inflammatory medication.
• Nearby, a small river flowed. After informing the officer on duty, she made her way toward it.
• Because it was within sight, the officer allowed her to pass.
• "Ding! Congratulations, you have completed 60% of the stockpiling task."
• An electronic voice echoed in Tammy's mind, snapping her back to reality. "Who's that?"
• She didn't want to raise her voice too much but sensed that something was off about that voice.
• "Master, I am your system sprite."
• "System?"
• Tammy hesitated, her hand holding the water pouch trembling slightly. She quickly squatted down, closed her eyes, and focused her thoughts on the space—it looked just as dark and featureless as it had in her past life.
• The seemingly endless expanse was filled with gold, silver, jewels, and supplies, all taken from her foes' stores.
• There was also a collection of resources she had saved from her previous life, including medicine and food—everything she needed, although in limited quantities. Suddenly, an electronic screen materialized above her head.
• The screen displayed a progress bar reading 60%, and the electronic voice continued.
• "Yes, because you've crossed into another world, the space sprite has upgraded. Once you complete the stockpiling task, this space can be transformed into a planting area!"
• Tammy was taken aback by this revelation. This space had been her companion for so long in her past life, and she had never realized it could upgrade; she had always thought of it as merely a storage area.
• Her heart raced at the thought of having a space dedicated to planting. Does that mean I will have an endless supply of resources from now on?
• With that thought swirling in her mind, Tammy narrowed her eyes and challenged, "My space didn't have a system before. How can I trust that you're being honest?"
• "It's true, it's true!"
• The electronic voice grew increasingly desperate, eager to establish its credibility, but Tammy's calm response, devoid of the anticipated excitement, left the system feeling deflated.
• "I don't believe you!"
• Tammy squatted at the riverbank, her thoughts grappling with the electronic voice. "Show me proof!"
• "Well ... um ... I'll prove it to you!"
• The electronic voice sounded almost frantic with frustration, and the space suddenly warped, nearly ejecting Tammy's consciousness. A few seconds later, a spring appeared within the space.
• The sprite joyfully announced, "This is the spiritual spring that can only manifest after the upgrade. As long as you continue to stockpile diligently, even more items will appear in the future!"
• "I see! I believe you now. Then what does this spiritual spring do?"
• Tammy looked at the spiritual spring with curiosity. Unfortunately, the space was so dim that she struggled to make out anything, remaining cloaked in shadows.
• The sprite chirped cheerfully, "Although this spiritual spring can't revive the dead, it possesses healing abilities. You'll need to experience it for yourself to understand."
• After hearing this, Tammy left the space and discreetly filled her water pouch with some spiritual spring water, taking a few refreshing sips.
• The water was pleasantly sweet, flowing through her like a cool stream, immediately revitalizing her fatigued muscles.
• Tammy felt a surge of energy course through her, quickly draining half of the water pouch before topping it off with some ordinary water.
• She had taken that water during her last kitchen raid, and it was proving useful now.
• The other pouch held plain water, but she also mixed in some anti-inflammatory medication she had stored in her space in her past life with the spring water.
• Worried that Remus might detect the difference in taste, she swapped out some of the spring water for glucose. As she spent so long squatting by the river, Gloria began to glance her way.
• "Tammy is taking way too long. She's not thinking about escaping, is she?"
• This comment sent a wave of anxiety through the main branch members, causing even the officer to cast a wary look in her direction.
• "If she dares to run, I'll break her legs!" Daniel hissed through clenched teeth.
• Since she had gone to such lengths to marry into the family, she had to stay with Remus!
• Lara wore a look of disgust; her disdain for Tammy had been apparent from the start and remained unshaken.
• Meanwhile, Remus was too consumed with his mental and physical torment to care about any of it.
• When Tammy turned back, she found herself facing the others, each displaying a mix of emotions. She approached them calmly, prompting the officer to breathe a quiet sigh of relief.
• Running away was a grave offense that they could not tolerate.
• Tammy reached Remus and squatted beside him. "I brought you some water."
• Holding out the water pouch, she was quickly interrupted by Daniel. "Wait! How do I know you didn't poison that water?"
• "Exactly! What if you harm Remus out of spite for causing you to be exiled?"
• Gloria's sarcastic tone dripped with scorn, clearly hoping for Tammy's failure.
• Tammy's fists clenched with frustration.
• Just as she was about to retaliate, Remus spoke up slowly, "I'll drink it."
• His body was already pushed to its limits, making him indifferent to whether he lived or died; his lips were dry and in need of relief.
• "Go ahead."
• Irritated, Tammy lifted his chin with her fingertips, angling the water pouch toward his lips. The gesture was rough, drawing irritated looks from those surrounding them.
• When had the once-revered War God ever had to endure such indignities?
• Yet Remus opened his mouth and took a sip, surprised by the sweetness of the water.
• This water is ... sweet?
• His puzzled expression didn't escape Daniel's attention, prompting him to ask, "What's the matter, Remus? Is it not what you expected?"
• He was convinced that the woman had ulterior motives.
• Remus remained silent, waiting to see if he experienced any side effects.
• When nothing happened, he replied, "No."
• In such a moment, it was surprising that this woman had managed to provide him with sweet water, which contradicted his assumptions.
• Could it be that the cunning woman I once knew was just a facade?
• For a moment, Remus couldn't quite figure Tammy out.
• Tammy had no intention of letting him see her true self anyway. The original character in the book wasn't nearly as kind-hearted; she had done too much harm to the Heywards, causing them to loathe her.
• She tucked away the pouch containing the medication and offered the other water pouch to Ivy. "Mom, have some water."
• "Thank you!"
• Ivy accepted the water pouch and quickly took a drink before passing it to Daniel.
• "Daniel."