CHAPTER 106: 100 LITERS OF WATER

Reaching the crowd, the beautiful-faced man put on a guilty look. "Narin, did my words hurt you?"

Narin wanted to shake her head and show how kindhearted she was—that she didn’t blame the arrogant newcomer—but before she could, Gara turned to Loka instead.

"Loka, did I say that? Didn’t I say Narin’s Talent was amazing?"

Loka froze. After thinking again, Gara was right. He had heard the same thing. Gara had praised Narin’s Talent.

He hadn’t said Narin’s water was useless, only asked how much of it Narin had purified, which unfortunately turned out to be none.

"You’re right, Gara. You praised Narin’s Talent. It’s just... she can’t produce as much water as you, and she can’t purify it either," the big man admitted, blurting out exactly what was on his mind.

"Praised? Didn’t you say he belittled you?" one of the female Liners snapped.

"I—I..." Narin stammered, unable to answer, especially since it was her own teammate Loka speaking.

Seeing her nervousness, some of the women realized they’d just fallen into Narin’s little act. But instead of calling her out, they chose silence. They didn’t like the smug, pretty-faced newcomer either.

Gara continued, still wearing that deliberately guilty expression. "I’m sorry, Narin. I only asked how much water you’d managed to purify—though not even a single cup, it seems—"

He didn’t finish before a few Liners chuckled at the phrase "a single cup." Narin, meanwhile, bit down hard on the inside of her mouth.

"I only asked because, from what you

said, your purified water was supposed to be incredible. Far better than mine, which is just about quantity." Gara spoke calmly, without the faintest hint of mockery.

If Narin could twist his words to mean what she wanted, then Gara could do the same.

That was enough to shift some gazes—even from the men.

"I–I didn’t say that!" Narin blurted quickly. She wanted to call out to Loka for help, but once again Gara beat her to it.

"My water is only impressive in quantity, guys. That’s why I’ll be finishing today’s task right now."

"You’re planning to supply the two hundred liters?" asked a teenage boy Gara recognized as Kevio, the son of Orman’s boss.

Gara nodded.

"Let’s see if he’s really that good." One voice spoke, quickly echoed by others.

"Fine by me." Gara replied calmly, then glanced at Kian. Kian gave a small nod.

And so the group of Liners headed toward the storage shed behind the camp.

Of course Narin followed. If it turned out Gara was only bluffing, she would make Loka expose the truth.

Even if Gara wasn’t bluffing, Narin still intended to drag it out and ruin that pretty boy’s joy.

Meanwhile, Gara walked beside Loka, speaking in a soft, gentle tone. "Thanks for standing up for me, Loka."

He brushed his fingers lightly across the young man’s arm muscle, making Loka feel a sudden, strange shiver ripple through his body.

Fifty percent?

Gara’s eyes widened at the number floating above Loka’s head. It had been forty before. Did my Max Charm trigger just because I got close like this?

He wasn’t sure, but Loka’s flushed face, red all the way to his ears, and the dazed look in his eyes seemed like proof. Max Charm was like an aphrodisiac, intoxicating and overwhelming.

Gara quickened his pace and pulled Fian forward, placing him between himself and Loka. Afraid something bad will happened.

He didn’t know if a fifty-percent affinity meant someone as trustworthy as Fian or Madha, but it definitely meant strong attraction.

At the very least, I can manipulate him, right? No, not manipulation. Just making sure he’s on my side.

Before long, the group arrived at the water storage.

Inside were barrels of all sizes made of earthenware, along with wooden buckets that held ten to twenty liters each.

Kian pointed at two barrels, each holding a hundred liters. "There."

Under the weight of curious stares—most of them hoping to see him fail—Gara placed a hand over each barrel. Clear water streamed steadily from his palms.

Every eye went wide. Before long, both barrels were brimming full, and Gara looked completely unfazed.

"He actually did it!"

"What’s his Talent, anyway?"

"Go ask him!"

"You ask!"

"Look at Narin! She tried to embarrass someone else, but ended up embarrassing herself."

"Sooner or later, everyone will realize she’s just a green tea bi*ch."

Narin clenched her jaw, her frustration boiling over. She searched for Loka to force him to admit that Gara’s earlier words weren’t true. Sure, Gara had plenty of water, but he was still a liar twisting facts.

But Loka stood right beside Gara, smiling and chatting with that sweet-faced boy like a dog begging for its master’s praise.

"Loka!" Narin called, but her voice was drowned out by the excited cheers of the Liners.

At last, Narin’s fists clenched tight. She stomped her foot hard against the ground, then stormed away.

"I won’t allow this to end like this, Gara!"

...

With a satisfied smile, Gara strolled down the road toward their home.

Madha, walking at his side, wore a faint smile of his own.

And Fian, was always with a blank expression.

The brown-eyed man had already heard the full story from Orman. He had expected Mohan to at least scold Gara for challenging one of his team members.

From their brief exchange earlier, Mohan seemed like a man of immense pride. But in the end, he hadn’t said a single word.

"Oh, right. What did you and Mohan talk about?" Gara tilted his head toward Madha.

"Nothing important. It felt more like Captain Tristan wanted to show that you’re under his protection, his way of indirectly telling Mohan not to mess with you."

"Oh? And how did Mohan take it?"

"He didn’t seem to care. But I can’t say what he’s really thinking."

"In my opinion, Mohan isn’t the type to play favorites. He’ll probably just let things run their course."

"I thought the same. As long as no real problem arises—and there shouldn’t be—he won’t bother interfering."

...