[So you are brave enough to challenge the fairy shrimp on its domain, but not brave enough to jump ten metres down?] [The chances of your success are less than five percent. If you wish to abort your objective, you can still–]


    have


    [You have a ninety-five percent chance of failure.]


    cold


    [... You really can balance on glaives for legs,] [But the real test will be moving. Will you ride the waves or let them pull you around? Will you outrun the leviathan or let it swallow you whole?]


    [I apologise. But the fairy shrimp is charging towards you from the left.]


    … Oh.


    What am I, performing for a crowd? too


    felt


    It’s… almost just like sand-dancing.


    You put one foot ahead on the other, focus your weight on the tip of your toes, and then–


    now


    [Not fast enough, Marisol,] [Walking on the sea is not like walking on the desert. If you fall in the desert, you will hit the ground, and you will climb to your feet. If you fall into the ocean, you will sink into the abyss, and you will not be able to stand ever again.]


    …


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    skating


    The ‘Storm Stride’,


    I’m… I’m doing it!


    Ain’t this ‘skating’, mama?


    speed.


    [Focus on the plan. Hold the ropes tight.]


    Alright! Just one more to go!


    [That was wholly unnecessary. Please refrain from–]


    You said five percent, right?


    perfect


    ‘Marisol.’


    ‘No matter what sort of stage you’ve been given, and no matter what unreasonable demands have been made of your routine…’


    that


    higher snapped


    beam


    ‘... A Sand-Dancer always ends her dance with a bow.’


    [... I see,] [Percentages and calculations mean nothing in the face of a Sand-Dancer as unpredictable as you. Henceforth, I will adjust my advice to better fit your… recklessness. Or courage.]


    Two sides of the same coin, Now, you said something about… rewards? And shrimp parts? What did you say I’d get if I killed the shrimp again?


    [Ah, yes. One moment.]


    <div>


    [Objective #1 Completed: Slay the E-Rank Giant-Class Fairy Shrimp]


    <div>


    [You have around fifteen minutes to rest before even this ‘vessel’ will sink,] [However, now that the most immediate threat to your wellbeing has been taken care of, that is fifteen minutes you can use to increase your attribute levels before you must depart. Please consider how to spend your points carefully. As with the class selection, you cannot undo any decisions you make.]


    Attribute levels?I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.


    [I apologise. Allow me to reiterate and explain again.]


    [To claim your rewards and obtain the points to increase your strength,] [you must eat the bug.]