《Dive into Destiny: Reborn to Conquer Another World》 Chapter 1 – Fish Egg Chapter 1 ¨C Fish Egg Dawn was breaking. Sunlight slipped through the curtains, casting a faint glow on my face. It wasn¡¯t warm or cold¡ªjust a silent reminder that a new day had begun. I sighed and glanced at my computer screen, which displayed yet another defeat in my favorite game. I was sad, sluggish, and drowsy, staring at the screen in frustration. ¡ª I''m so unlucky... Maybe I should just sleep... Yeah, I¡¯ll sleep... I¡¯m tired of losing. I shut down my computer and collapsed onto my bed without even bothering to cover myself. ¡ª Hopefully, tomorrow will be better... Out of nowhere, my phone chimed. ¡ª A message at this hour? But I just want to sleep¡­ I rolled over, trying to ignore it, but then a thought crossed my mind. ¡ª What if it¡¯s finally the response for that job...? Ahhh... Damn it¡­ I grabbed my phone and opened the message, still half-asleep, struggling to focus my vision. {Congratulations} Hello, user. The company Aquamarine congratulates you! Your personality is exactly what we were looking for, which is why you have been selected for the position of King of Another Dimension. We eagerly await your response to proceed. ¡ª ... I read the text again, confused. ¡ª This is a scam¡­ Or am I so tired that I¡¯m imagining weird stuff...? I decided to ignore it and check again in the morning with a clear head. ¡ª If it¡¯s not a scam, I¡¯ll accept it. But for now, I¡¯m going to sleep... Must be that interview from last week. I placed my phone on the desk beside my bed and closed my eyes. As I drifted into deep sleep, I heard a sweet voice in my head. {Confirmation completed} Prepare yourself, user. A new world awaits you. We wish you a pleasant experience. I woke up slowly. Light touched my eyes, but everything around me was blurry. Something was wrong. I could barely see, but I felt oddly comfortable. My mattress, which was usually hard as a rock, now felt like¡­ a water bed? I tried to move and felt something gelatinous surrounding me. ¡ª What is this¡­? It¡¯s everywhere... Wait... HOW AM I BREATHING?!This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Panic set in. I started thrashing around until I felt something solid. Scratching and pounding with all my strength, I heard a faint crack, crack. I kept going until I made a hole big enough to stick my head through. My blurry vision caught the faint image of a woman. ¡ª Who...? {I am Luna, the tutorial guide. First challenge complete! Congratulations, user. You are now ready to begin the tutorial.} She clapped her hands gently and smiled. As my vision cleared, I could see her more distinctly: platinum, slightly wavy hair with streaks of light purple. Warm brown skin, lilac-colored eyes that shimmered, long silver eyelashes fanning like a delicate brush. Lips so perfect they could make anyone jealous. A purple top¡­ and were those fin-like ears?! Tiny iridescent scales adorned her cheeks. And¡­ ¡ª A mermaid!? I was confused. And, to be honest, completely mesmerized. I had already forgotten about my predicament. {Yes, a mermaid. This is the life form chosen for you, with the potential to dominate this world.} ¡ª Hold up, what?! Dominate a world?! Lady, you got the wrong guy! I can¡¯t even get a job, let alone rule a world! {Of course, you can. Your primary mission is to dominate this world, and your secondary mission is to develop it.} ¡ª When did I get dragged into this mess...? {When you did the job interview.} ¡ª Damn it... Since when do job interviews recruit world rulers?! And how much is my salary? She smiled again¡­ but this time, it was¡­ unsettling. {There was an error in the system. Our truck broke down, and we urgently needed someone. So, the interview was a desperate solution since other methods didn¡¯t work. You were stubborn. You just wouldn¡¯t die.} She huffed, seeming slightly annoyed. That scared me. So that¡¯s why that piano almost crushed me last month... {It was necessary to have someone to develop this world and create intelligent life in this dimension.} ¡ª This is way too much fantasy all at once... But you still haven¡¯t told me how much I¡¯m getting paid! {Your salary is 1,000 dimensional coins (DM) per month. You can use them in the store to buy technology, pets, slaves, items, and more. Additionally, you¡¯ll earn bonus coins for significant achievements.} ¡ª And if I quit? Can I go home? She smiled again. A terrifying smile. {No. Your original body died while you were sleeping.} ¡ª YOU KILLED ME?! {Correction: you killed yourself. Lack of sleep, unhealthy food, no exercise, and hours glued to a computer... What did you think was going to happen? That you¡¯d become a superhero? Honestly, I¡¯m impressed you lasted this long. You could have punched the computer screen and electrocuted yourself, it would have been faster...} She sighed. {That would have saved time and the money we spent on that interview to poison you.} ¡ª YOU JUST ADMITTED TO POISONING ME! {I didn¡¯t say anything. You heard things.} She averted her gaze, pretending to be innocent. I could still feel the stabs she made at my already low self-esteem. Suddenly, my stomach growled loudly. {Well, the tutorial ends here. RIGHT NOW!} She shouted, clearly trying to change the subject. ¡ª Wait! You barely explained anything except the money and my death! If there¡¯s gonna be a tutorial, at least do it properly! {Nobody ever does the tutorial... Now, you must eat the eggshell. The end.} ¡ª What?! {If you need more information, use your basic skill, Analysis, to obtain knowledge about this world. Do not leave the starting area until you reach adulthood and have sufficient technology to defend yourself. This is the beginning of your grand journey, little idio¡ª cough cough¡ª user. Good luck.} Before I could argue, she literally dissolved into dust. I looked at the broken eggshell pieces around me. Slowly, I picked up a piece and started chewing. Reality finally sank in. ¡ª I really did die... Chapter 2 - Mermaid’s Nest Chapter 2 - Mermaid¡¯s Nest I devoured the eggshell while having a small breakdown. The tears that flowed from my eyes turned into tiny pearls as soon as they touched my cheeks. The bottom of the eggshell was soon filled with small, irregular pearls. Slowly, I lifted my head and looked up. The ceiling was made of stacked, colorful crystals arranged in a strange yet perfectly fitting way, making them solid and unshakable. The sky reflected off them, allowing me to see the clouds passing outside. I could even see the waves crashing against the outer walls, yet not a single drop of water entered. Sunlight passed through the crystals, illuminating and coloring the environment in a breathtaking way. Surprisingly, the crystals didn¡¯t act like a magnifying glass under the sun, or else I would have been roasted in this place. ¡ª It¡¯s so beautiful... I was mesmerized. This place helped ease my pain a little, so I kept admiring its stunning beauty. Looking down, I noticed a large pool in the center, surrounded by three smaller ones. They were separated by a pure white sandy floor, and various colorful shells seemed to be glued together to form the pools'' bases. My egg was inside one of these smaller pools. Its bottom was entirely covered in light blue shells, but my egg wasn¡¯t resting directly on them. Instead, it was nestled in a bed of algae carefully wrapped beneath it. I reached out to touch them and discovered they were soft and fragile. ¡ª Haha¡­ This place is so beautiful¡­ But it hasn¡¯t even been that long, and I already miss home¡­ Mom... She raised me alone, and I turned my back on her, claiming I could take care of myself. My siblings always said I was ungrateful. ¡ª Hahaha¡­ And they were right¡­ I never even had the courage to say that I loved them¡­ It was always "leave me alone"¡­ I really am an idiot¡­ I bet they¡¯re not even crying at my funeral¡­ Haha¡­ I should have stayed with them¡­ The last tear fell from my eyes. They were dry now, even though my heart still ached. I sighed, knowing it was useless to dwell on it. I was tired of this already. Releasing the piece of eggshell I held, I realized I had only eaten the top half. I lay down at the bottom of my egg, feeling the pearls surrounding me. They seemed hard at first but were actually soft, making them unexpectedly comfortable. The remaining fluid from my hatching was still there, and for some reason, it felt warm and reassuring. I didn¡¯t want to leave. Or maybe I was just afraid of what was outside. Time passed, and I slowly drifted off to sleep. The sunlight gradually warmed the pools, but only slightly, thanks to the strange crystals filtering the light. They made the water pleasantly warm.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. By midday, small, colorful crabs shiny like the crystals on the walls climbed out of the central pool and scattered into the others, trying to reach the walls. As I slept, I suddenly felt a pinch and woke up. ¡ª Ouch! I looked down and saw my fish tail¡ªwhite as snow, with two side fins and a light blue fin at the tip. I admired my newfound beauty for a moment. Then, I found the culprit. A small crab had latched onto my fin. Without hesitation, I pulled it off. ¡ª What is this? A crystal crab...? Hm¡­ At that moment, a window appeared before me. Startled, I almost jumped out of my eggshell. But then I remembered what Luna had told me about my analysis ability. [Lucky Crab] Status: Normal Lv: 1 HP: 2 | MP: 1 | Strength: 1 | Defense: 3 | Intelligence: 1 | Luck: 9 | Beauty: 10 Ability: Glows in the dark. Small marine creatures that love to gnaw on shiny objects and mix their dust with saliva to make their shells brighter. They are highly nutritious and easy to eat, which is why mermaid mothers build nests with glittering objects to attract thousands of these crabs as food while they care for their young. I was impressed. This analysis ability was really useful. Without it, I wouldn¡¯t have known these things were edible. ¡ª Wait¡­ How do I even eat this? I had never eaten crab before, so I was completely confused. I poked at the little creature in my hands, but nothing happened. I tried pulling off its legs, but as a newborn, I was too weak. In the end, my hands were red from the crab¡¯s pinches, and I still hadn¡¯t figured out how to eat it. So, I went for my last resort¡ªI stuck part of it in my mouth since it didn¡¯t fit entirely. I tasted something sweet. But it wasn¡¯t the crab¡ªit was the crystals stuck to its shell. I held its pincers while nibbling on the crystals¡ªit was strangely addictive. That¡¯s when I realized... ¡ª Wait¡­ I¡¯m sucking on a crab¡¯s rock shell!? Ahhh, I¡¯m losing it! I threw the crab far away and tried to spit out the crystals in my mouth, suddenly panicked. To check if I had been poisoned, I used my self-analysis ability. [Crystal-Scaled Mermaid] Name: None Age: Newborn Status: Normal Lv: 0 HP: 20/20 | MP: 5/5 | Strength: 1 | Defense: 5 | Intelligence: 10 | Luck: 7 | Beauty: 30 Title: The First of Many Abilities: Analyze, System Store Access. A newborn crystal-scaled mermaid. This rare species is hermaphroditic at birth and differentiates during adolescence. Their scales are actually iridescent crystals synthesized by their body after consuming certain materials. Unlike other mermaids, their mothers build nests with crushed excess scales, making them resemble natural crystals. These scales are highly sought after by marine species for their durability and can also serve as emergency food to regenerate lost scales. ¡ª Okay¡­ So I was supposed to eat that? But¡­ not directly from a crab¡­ I looked around and came to a realization. ¡ª I¡¯m going to starve¡­ But it looks like I¡¯ll have to eat rocks¡­ And I don¡¯t even have teeth¡­ Which means I¡¯ll have to suck on crabs¡­ I sighed, muttering to myself: ¡ª Or maybe my salary will save me¡­ Chapter 3 – First Salary
Here is the corrected text translated into English, maintaining the conversational tone:
Chapter 3 ¨C First Salary I was lying inside my egg shell full of soft pearls, looking at the sky. I was no longer sleepy, thanks to an annoying crab, so I had the idea to open the system''s shop. ((Shop)/) (\MD 1,000/) Welcome to the shop, user! Here you can buy anything you need for your world domination. (?^-^?) -Food/ Medicines - Slaves -Skills - Magic Items -Miners - Animals/ Pets -Plant materials - Accessories -Clothes/ Armor - Technology -Hmm, where do I click first?... Since food is first. I opened the food tab and started browsing. There are so many strange things here. - Carcass of klpys? I don¡¯t know what that is, but knowing that I can buy them separately or as whole carcasses... but I think I need to find the milk. Does it have a search bar? Once I found the search bar, I found several types of milk. The worst part is that the milk from the crystal-scaled mermaids was the most expensive. While the others cost 5 MD, this one costs 10 MD. I felt robbed. - Doing some math, around 300 MD per month to feed myself, and the worst part is that I can''t buy everything at once. Without a fridge, it would spoil quickly. I think one a day should be enough to not go bankrupt. I¡¯ll complete the rest with the crab. I bought the milk, and magically, a plastic baby bottle fell into my arms. - Convenient for a baby, but if this happens every time, I¡¯ll end up destroying the sea. The first sea to be destroyed just by bottles. I put it in my mouth and started emptying the bottle while browsing the shop.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. - Maybe there¡¯s an inventory skill, that would be really useful. I opened the Skills tab and started looking. - 400,000 - Thorn Barrier - 700,000 - Area Heal - 900,000 - Fly - 200,000 - Legs - Wow, I feel like I¡¯m leaving a corner shop and entering a car dealership. These prices are way too high. I kept browsing until I found it. - 10,000 - Basic Inventory: 20 spaces - 30,000 - Medium Inventory: 40 spaces - 60,000 - Large Inventory: 80 spaces - 90,000 - Giant Inventory: 160 spaces - I can afford it, but it will take some time. Still, the spaces are quite few. If I use this, it¡¯ll have to be with really important things. I continued browsing the shop for hours. When I realized, it was already night, but inside the nest, it was still bright. Not as bright as during the day, but still enough light to see the nest. - Yeah... so much research to find out that a lot of this I can¡¯t use because I¡¯m too small or I don¡¯t have money. I sighed and looked at the last tab I had seen so far. - Let¡¯s see the slave tab... pretty wrong, but according to the woman who poisoned me, there¡¯s no well-formed civilization here, so this must be pretty common in this world. (WARNING: This tab is updated at different times from the others. Some beings in it may suddenly disappear due to death or leaving slavery. Like slaves from primitive tribes, they are easily subject to death, much more than other primitive individuals. So, sometimes the purchase may not be completed, or the individual may die after purchase. This warning also applies to the Mounts/Pets tab. NO REFUNDS IN CASES OF DEATH AFTER PURCHASE. The system is not responsible for you being dumb (?^-^?)) - If you hadn¡¯t yelled at me, I would¡¯ve definitely been too lazy to read all this text. I kept looking at the tab, which basically looked like a gallery of beautiful people. - Not a single one with scars? These people don¡¯t even get ugly, even as slaves?! I didn¡¯t see anyone with skin problems, everyone uses filters, it doesn¡¯t even look like these beings are from the stone age. With a bit of envy, I kept looking and being shocked. Even eggs were for sale, but the sad part is that many beings kept disappearing and reappearing. - Thinking more about it, this is kind of sad... so many people dying or being enslaved. I ended up feeling a bit sad about this thought and, without realizing it, touched one of the photos. [Shark-tailed Mermaid] Name: Krahs Age: 39 Lv: 30 Status: Sad and weakened HP: 30/120 | MP: 30/110 Strength: 48 | Defense: 43 | Intelligence: 42 | Luck: 40 | Beauty: 10 Title: Leader of a fallen tribe, master of the trident. Skills: Born to lead, General Lv4, Trident Mastery Max, Hunting Max. An old and kind shark who led his tribe to survival but was betrayed by his sons and is now a prisoner of his former companions. [200 MDs] - Wow... poor old guy, but it¡¯s cheap. Maybe because he¡¯s less than half-health. At that moment, I realized the baby bottle in my hands disappeared with a puff. It seems the milk ran out, and magically the bottle returned to the system. Sleep quickly followed, my vision became blurry, and I fell asleep without even realizing it. My arm ended up touching the shop tab. [Purchase Successful] Chapter 4 – The Great Shark Chapter 4: The Great Shark In a cold, dark cave, a large shark tail lay on the stone floor, covered in its own blood. Its half-mutilated fins barely moved. The shark¡¯s belly, marked with scars, still bore the wounds that had once spilled its blood into the water. Suddenly, the stone door shifted. Light flooded the cave, revealing even more of the old shark¡¯s decay. His back still bled as a younger figure entered, speaking: ¡ª Today is your big day, old man. At last, you''ll pass everything on to us¡­ How does it feel to see your son becoming the chief? Proud? His voice dripped with sarcasm, followed by a mocking laugh. ¡ª You wouldn¡¯t be proud of me even if I conquered the entire sea. The great shark weakly opened his eyes and looked at the arrogant young one. ¡ª I hope that one day, your eyes will be opened, my little shark. Anger flared in the young one¡¯s eyes as he raised his voice: ¡ª Don¡¯t call me that! I have a name! You gave it to me, didn¡¯t you? So why don¡¯t you say it one last time before I leave this wretched place and never return to this hole where you will wither away? The old shark sighed, his voice heavy with sorrow. ¡ª Nasig¡­ I hope that you and your siblings will open your eyes and be well.Stolen novel; please report. ¡ª Still pretending to wish us well, as if that makes us the villains? Acting all wise and kind now? The same great leader who trained his children with ruthless discipline so we wouldn¡¯t share our mother¡¯s fate¡­ He scoffed and tossed a fish near the old shark. ¡ª Even in defeat, you treat us as if we are weak and pathetic. Always acting superior, yet you never even dared to avenge our mother! ¡ª I did it for your sake¡­ Revenge won¡¯t bring her back. It won¡¯t save our people. A leader cannot¡­ Before he could finish, Nasig pressed the shaft of his trident against his father¡¯s wounded tail. The force was enough to reopen old wounds, causing fresh blood to spill. ¡ª Silence! It¡¯s always about the people! What about your own family? Did you ever stop to think about how we felt, watching you run away with the tribe instead of fighting to avenge our mother and those who were slaughtered?! It was shameful, being forced to flee like helpless fish from the orcas! Despite the pain, the old shark remained calm as he spoke: ¡ª Child, revenge is empty¡­ Stay with the living, do not chase after the dead. Following that path will only bring suffering¡­ I will beg as many times as it takes: please, do not go! I don¡¯t want to lose you. ¡ª You are here because you tried to stop us. Rest. Your wounds are still severe¡­ But even if we win, you will remain here, paying for the disgrace of letting our mother¡¯s death go unpunished. The young one raised his trident, leaving a fresh bruise on the old shark¡¯s body. ¡ª Children¡­ Please, don¡¯t go. I don¡¯t want to lose you too¡­ The old shark¡¯s eyes welled with tears, but Nasig only sighed, his gaze cold. ¡ª Sorry¡­ But nothing can stop us. The others don¡¯t even wish to look you in the eyes. You know that, sooner or later, this will be settled, and our hatred for you will fade. So, I say this: just rest and recover, old man¡­ We have already lost too much. ¡ª Nasig! Nasig left without looking back, and the stone door was sealed once more, plunging the cave into darkness. Tears rolled from the old shark¡¯s eyes, turning into small pearls that clattered onto the hard ground. ¡ª Forgive me, my love¡­ I won¡¯t be able to keep my promise. I won¡¯t be able to save them if they go. Chapter 4.5 – Tears 4.5 ¨C Tears The darkness was cold and lonely, and it remained so for days until, finally, the door was opened once more. The old shark looked up, only to see his world shatter even further. Heads rolled into the cave from the eldest to the youngest, Nasig. One by one, they were tossed inside like insignificant trash. Each of his beloved children lay before him, their faces frozen in horror. From outside, the harsh laughter of the assassins mocked the scene, filling the shark''s heart with fury. His memories intertwined with reality his children, once smiling and full of life, were now nothing more than discarded remnants. The tears that had long dried in his eyes began to flow once more, his muscles tensed, and his wounds, previously sealed, reopened, bleeding anew. The scent of blood and rage seeped from the cave as, in one last desperate act, the shark lunged at his enemies with nothing but his teeth as weapons. With a ferocious bite, he shattered the bone brace protecting one of the assassin¡¯s arms. Without the armor, the limb was severed with ease. But that was his final burst of strength. No matter how much he wanted to continue fighting, his body no longer obeyed him, and he was quickly subdued. Mocking himself, the old shark let out a bitter laugh and spat out the blood pooling in his mouth. ¡ª I am so pathetic¡­ My love, I let them die. I let you all die¡­ This is my fault¡­ There are no excuses¡­ There''s nothing left¡­ Hahaha¡­ A sharp bone dagger was pressed against his throat. He closed his eyes, accepting his fate, but time passed, and death never came. Confused, he opened his eyes and found himself in an unfamiliar place. ¡ª Where am I!? This looks like a nest, but I¡¯ve never seen one so beautiful¡­The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. The old shark gazed around in awe at the beauty of the place. As he wondered who could be the owner of such a nest, he noticed a half-eaten egg in one of the pools. Curious, he approached and saw a tiny, fragile hatchling sleeping curled up on a bed of countless shimmering pearls. The sight warmed his grief-stricken heart, but he quickly realized he could not stay. If the child''s parents returned and found him, he would be killed without question, especially in his wounded state. ¡ª I don¡¯t know how I ended up here¡­ but I must leave. Whoever created this place will not be pleased to find me here. The old shark swam out of the nest through the central pool, but as soon as he left, he caught a strange scent in the water. A strong glow caught his eye, and the scene before him left him utterly shocked. ¡ª What is wrong with this day?... Why is it filled only with sorrow¡­? Two mermaids with pale tails lay lifeless, their bodies swarmed by glowing fortune crabs, which feasted on their flesh and gnawed at their once-beautiful scales. Without hesitation, he swam closer and examined the bodies. ¡ª No visible wounds¡­ It must have been a disease. They likely died a little further from the nest to avoid contaminating the baby¡­ But now, he won¡¯t last long without them¡­ I don¡¯t want to see any more death today¡­ The shark sighed, his heart sinking in sorrow, and returned to the nest to rest. Occasionally, he would wake only to check on the small hatchling, who continued to sleep peacefully. His wounded heart ached with old memories, until, unable to bear it any longer, he swam off into the night, hunting until his rage had subsided. By the time he had calmed down, dawn had already arrived. He gathered stones and carefully stacked them over the bodies of the mermaids, creating a grave of rocks. Throughout the morning, he prepared a nourishing mixture to feed the hatchling in the egg. Finally, he gently picked up the tiny child and woke him. The frightened hatchling flailed and tried to escape, but the old shark held him effortlessly. ¡ª Shhh¡­ I won¡¯t hurt you. Grandpa will take care of you¡­ I don¡¯t know if you understand me, but we are the same. Our families are gone¡­ and, somehow, we were both granted an inexplicable stroke of luck. The stars must want us to live. He continued trying to feed the child, smiling at the small, clumsy jumps he made. It reminded him of his own children when they were babies. His heart ached with longing. Chapter 5 – The Great Grandpa Chapter 5 ¨C The Great Grandpa I woke up slowly, with the strange feeling of being lifted. My eyes opened gradually, and I soon saw a blurry face watching me. I was startled and, with all my strength, tried to escape, but he held me as if I weighed nothing. My eyes filled with tears as I realized I wouldn¡¯t be able to get away. ¡ª "I don¡¯t want to be food, nor a slave¡­ I¡¯ve seen too many slaves die yesterday¡­" But it seemed he didn¡¯t understand what I said, because all that came out of my mouth was a mumble and a bit of crying. Then, he started rocking me gently, trying to calm me down. My vision stabilized, and I finally recognized the face from last night. It was the same as the one on the file I saw before falling asleep. I was shocked. Quickly, I opened the shop and checked my money. ¡ª "790¡­ Ahhh, did I buy him?! Why do I always mess up before going to sleep?!" Suddenly, I heard his voice. It was deep, like a radio announcer¡¯s, and his speech sounded almost like singing. I was impressed, which calmed me down a little. As soon as I relaxed, he grabbed a strange shell and brought it to my mouth. Inside was a black, pasty liquid that smelled like fish. I made the most disgusted face I could and tried to escape again, but once again, I failed. ¡ª "Come on, drink. It¡¯s for your own good. I don¡¯t have any milk to give you." I turned my face and tried to escape again, but in the end, he forced me to swallow the stuff. The awful taste lingered in my mouth all morning, and my expression was one of pure disgust. If looks could kill, that shark would be dead by now. Noticing my bad mood, he tried to joke with me to cheer me up, but I didn¡¯t give in, which frustrated him. At noon, he went hunting. As soon as I had a moment alone, I bought a baby bottle and drank to get rid of the awful taste. After finishing, I burped and my anger started to calm down. I lay down on my makeshift bed, made of my own tears and the shell of my egg. ¡ª "It might be bizarre, but it¡¯s comfortable, and that¡¯s what matters." Bored, I decided to take a nap in the afternoon. But then I noticed a little mischief approaching directly toward my tail to pinch it. Without thinking twice, I grabbed it and put it in my mouth. My mouth wasn¡¯t big enough to swallow it whole, but I still held it there. And suddenly, a sweet taste filled my mouth.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. ¡ª "I don¡¯t care if it¡¯s a crab, what matters is that it¡¯s sweet." [+1 Defense] I was shocked for a moment, but then, Krahs returned with a large fish. I looked at him, still with the crab in my mouth, and saw the shark emerging from the water like a model in a commercial, coming up perfectly. As soon as he saw me, he laughed. ¡ª "Haha, still hungry? Little one, you won¡¯t be able to open that crab." He sat by the pool, placed the fish on the ground, extended his hands, and grabbed me with one of them. With the other, he tried to take the crab out of my mouth. Quickly, I thought: how do babies get what they want? A light bulb went off in my head. And then, I started crying as loudly as I could. Krahs, realizing he had messed up, quickly put the crab back in my mouth. ¡ª "Okay, okay, keep the crab." I stopped crying immediately. I kept tasting the sweetness while hearing my defense points rise. ¡ª "I don¡¯t know what¡¯s so good about that¡­" He poked my chubby cheek with his finger and then put me back in the egg shell. He grabbed the dead fish and, with a sharp shell, started to cut and clean it. Curious, I propped myself up on the egg shell with my little hands to see what he was doing. ¡ª "So curious, just like¡­ like¡­ hahaha¡­" Suddenly, his strange laugh was replaced by a sad expression. ¡ª "Maybe I¡¯m just trying to replace them¡­ Taking care of a baby who isn¡¯t even mine¡­ Pathetic¡­ If I had been a better father¡­ If I were¡­" He sighed, looking sad. I didn¡¯t quite understand, but I tilted my head to the side, trying to look like a cute baby, maybe to comfort him a little. Then, his large wet hand, smelling of fish, rested on my head and messed up my little hair. ¡ª "Little fish¡­ I don¡¯t know if you understand me or if you¡¯ll remember what I¡¯m going to say, but¡­" With a sad look, he lay down on the sand, watching me. ¡ª "My children won¡¯t come back¡­ and neither will your parents." I kind of already figured that out. After all, I didn¡¯t see anyone else in this nest besides the girl from the tutorial. ¡ª "I¡¯ll take care of you. Even though I¡¯m still sad about my children, I won¡¯t abandon a baby alone in this sea for a pointless revenge. She won¡¯t bring anyone back¡­ Remember: we shouldn¡¯t fight to avenge the dead, but to protect the living. Just hold on to the moments we had with them, good or bad¡­ They¡¯re all we have left of them. The sadness will pass, but the memories will stay alive in our hearts." Those words hit me hard. The wound I was trying to ignore opened wide. Tears streamed from my eyes like little waterfalls. I no longer had the strength to hold the crab in my mouth. Noticing that, the big shark picked me up, gave me a shoulder to cry on, and gently patted my back. ¡ª "So, I guess I¡¯m your family from now on¡­ Well, you need a name. From now on, you¡¯ll be Nexha¡­ Ne, in my tribe¡¯s language, means restart¡­ and Xha means tears¡­ Haha, you¡¯re too young to understand the meaning, and I don¡¯t think anyone from my tribe is left to tell you¡­ A restart among tears for me¡­ But for you, it will be the start of a smile." After that, I don¡¯t remember how much I cried. But I fell asleep, exhausted from all the crying. Chapter 6 – Nothing to Worry About Chapter 6 ¨C Nothing to Worry About Days passed, one by one, and the sadness slowly faded. Over time, my routine started to take shape. At dawn, Krahs would go hunting and return with one or two fish. He would turn them into a paste and feed me. Then, he would lie down, apply something foul-smelling to his wounds, and rest for the rest of the day. Krahs spent hours in the nest, sleeping under the sun. At night, he fed me again and sang lullabies. I never thought I¡¯d hear a mermaid sing so badly in my life. As pleasant as his voice was, his singing was so awful that it felt like my ears were going to bleed. The rest of my life was simply the routine of a baby. My body couldn¡¯t stay awake for long. I still don¡¯t know how I managed to stay up so much on the first day, but now I just can¡¯t. It¡¯s strange, but I make the most of the time I have when the shark is out to drink my daily bottle or browse the shop. It¡¯s hard to save money and not buy unnecessary things. I also discovered that, over time, just one bottle of milk wasn¡¯t enough. Fortunately, I don¡¯t go hungry thanks to the paste Krahs makes, though it tastes awful. And so, a week passed. The biggest change was that I had grown too much to sleep inside my eggshell. Before, I fit in the shark¡¯s hand, but now I was the size of a normal newborn. Grandpa filled one of the pools with soft algae, and now I sleep in the same pool as him. Also, he¡¯s much better now, no longer smelling of blood every day. There was another change: we now had new inhabitants in the nest. One of the pools was filled with small fish that helped clean the water. The shells that made up the pools had tiny gaps where water flowed in and out, but not all the dirt could escape on its own. So, these fish did the work of purifying it for us. That¡¯s how we bathed and used the pools for our needs. ¡ª I miss a normal bathroom and having control over my bladder¡­ It still grosses me out to think about the time I spent inside the egg, not realizing I was peeing in there. The time for disgust had passed, but the time for boredom remained. I had no idea what to do. As a baby, leaving the nest was dangerous, and there wasn¡¯t much to do inside except sleep, attack some crabs, sunbathe, and swim. ¡ª I¡¯m dying of boredom¡­ If this keeps up, I¡¯ll end up thinking about bad things. Maybe I should buy something to entertain myself¡­ But first, let¡¯s check my status.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. I thought while chewing on a crab and then opened my interface. [Crystal Scale Mermaid] Name: Nexha ("Tears of a New Beginning") Age: Newborn Status: Normal Lv: 0 HP: 20/20 MP: 5/5 Attack: 1 Defense: 20 (+15) Intelligence: 10 Luck: 7 Beauty: 30 Title: First of Many Skills: Analyze, System Shop Access ¡ª I¡¯ve realized I have good genetics to be a tank¡­ Just a little more, and I¡¯ll surpass Krahs in defense. I sighed, disappointed to see that I still hadn¡¯t leveled up. ¡ª I still haven¡¯t figured out how to gain XP, but I did notice that I can get extra points from the crabs. Per day, I gain one point, and if I¡¯m really lucky, two or even four. It¡¯s not the best thing in the world, but it¡¯s what I have for now. I opened the shop and started browsing again. I hadn¡¯t looked at it much in the past few days. After all, I wasn¡¯t living alone anymore, and the shark always encouraged me to play in the afternoon, so I didn¡¯t have much time for it. ¡ª So many things, but nothing that looks like wood¡­ Since I need to build a civilization, the primary material should be wood. The problem is, I have no idea which of these plants could be a substitute. I sighed and kept searching. Building a city requires, first and foremost, food and a versatile, abundant material. I opened the shop¡¯s plant section and started reading descriptions, looking for something useful. ¡ª "Night Rose," a very beautiful algae that glows in the dark. It grows near the coast but is fragile and dies when touched. ¡ª That¡¯s not very useful for now¡­ I also noticed that most descriptions in the shop are very brief. I probably need a botany skill to get more detailed information. So, I opened the technology tab and searched for botany. 100 ¨C Basic Botany 200 ¨C Apprentice Botany 400 ¨C Experienced Botany 800 ¨C Master Botany 1600 ¨C Advanced Botany This technology section is different from the others because it has rankings and is much cheaper in comparison. The system probably wants to encourage buying these skills more than the others. Powers that can¡¯t be acquired any other way are more expensive, but technology can be developed over time with effort from a group. I looked at the skill again and tilted my head. It would be useful, but I was really reluctant to spend my money. It was too little compared to my big goals. ¡ª If I were Asian, I would have been born with all the hacks unlocked¡­ Pouting, I slapped my tail against the water, making it splash. The small ripples caught the attention of something else. As I grumbled, a small creature swam toward me. Its face was round, with big greenish eyes, a lilac tail with blue fins, short blue hair, and plump cheeks. Chapter 7 – Little Intruder Chapter 7 ¨C Little Intruder As soon as I felt someone watching me, I turned around and saw the face of a small, curious mermaid staring at me. I jumped in fright and hid among the seaweed where I slept. ¡ª I don''t have a blanket, so this will have to do! The little, curious eyes blinked in confusion. Then, the tiny fish crawled out of the water, dragging its tail slowly across the sand toward the pool where I was. ¡ª Wait, he¡¯s almost my size... Why am I scared? Baby mermaids aren¡¯t cannibals, are they? Before I could come out of my hiding spot, the baby mermaid jumped on me, and I heard a babyish, milky voice shouting in my ear: ¡ª Little brother! I jumped in surprise and thought: ¡ª What?! I just got to this world, and I already have a brother... Wait... He can talk already?! At that exact moment, Krahs arrived as well. He climbed out of the pool without noticing anything and sat down on the sand. When he looked toward the pool, he was so startled he almost fell back into the water. ¡ª Did I bump into a pufferfish without realizing it, or am I seeing double? He approached slowly and touched our cheeks, trying to confirm if there were really two of us. ¡ª Looks like we have an intruder here. He picked up the other baby mermaid, who laughed, seeming to enjoy the situation. Krahs examined the little one''s tail to determine his species, and taking advantage of the moment, I used my analysis skill to do the same. [Mimic Mermaid] Name: None Age: Newborn ¨C 3 hours Status: Normal Lv: 0 HP: 20/20 MP: 5/5 Attack: 1 Defense: 1 Intelligence: 5 Luck: 4 Beauty: 30 Title: Intruder, Natural Actor Skills: Disguise, Charm, Master of Acting A mimic mermaid baby¡­ This species is very good at deceiving other mermaids. They lay their eggs near the nests of other mermaids and abandon them. When the hatchlings are born, they seek out adults or nests and infiltrate them. Since they are natural actors, they win over the adults and end up being raised alongside their own offspring. However, they only do this with species that don¡¯t live in colonies to avoid being enslaved.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. ¡ª Great, a cuckoo chick... He¡¯s only three hours old, and he already talks! So jealous... Well, at least I won¡¯t be alone anymore when Krahs goes hunting, and he seems to like the little guy too. Krahs tickled the new family member¡¯s belly, making the tiny baby laugh uncontrollably. ¡ª One more for the family... I think I¡¯ll call you Lilay. And that¡¯s how I got a brother. Someone who loves to sleep snuggled up, who¡¯s always watching me and trying to play, someone I share my milk with and even sucks on crabs just like me, but¡­ ¡ª I¡¯m going crazy! This kid won¡¯t let go of me! How am I supposed to dominate the world with him always clinging to my tail?! That was my first crisis, but after another week, I got used to it and went back to focusing on my world domination plan. As soon as my new little brother fell asleep, I used the bed¡¯s seaweed to try and weave fabric. My first goal was simply to create a piece of cloth. It was really tricky at first because the seaweed was slippery, but over time, I got the hang of it. Slowly, it started to take shape, but it was still difficult to do in secret. The next morning, I gave up on hiding and continued weaving in front of everyone. Krahs saw me and smiled, running his hand over my head. ¡ª Nexha, you¡¯re really smart. Seeing Krahs praise me, my little brother immediately started imitating me but soon gave up and ended up falling asleep wrapped in the seaweed. ¡ª So cute... The description about their adorableness wasn¡¯t wrong. Sucking on my daily crab, I kept working. Unfortunately, I didn¡¯t earn any points this week. It¡¯s getting harder and harder to get points from the crabs. In the end, I had a piece of slippery seaweed that kept coming apart. That made me a bit upset. Noticing this, Krahs decided to help. He brought some dead seaweed and started teaching me¡ªit seems like this weaving technology is already common in this world. He made some lidded baskets and even a backpack. He spent the whole day at home doing that, so I didn¡¯t drink any milk and had to make do with that awful paste. Lilay protested, clinging to me with a tearful face all day, wanting milk too. ¡ª Sorry, little brother¡­ Not today. The problem was that he wouldn¡¯t let me sleep. In the end, I gave in and bought a bottle to share with him after Krahs fell asleep. With his belly full, he finally let go of my fin and drifted off. But my peace didn¡¯t last long¡­ The system flashed a bright light in my face in the middle of the night, burning my eyes. ¡ª Ouch! I miss night mode¡­ {Technology acquired: Primitive Weaving} Congratulations! Keep learning to earn more bonuses. You gained 100MD. ¡ª Whoa! I didn¡¯t know I could earn money by learning¡­ The system is encouraging me to work. Right after that, my head started aching so badly it felt like someone was stabbing needles into my brain. Then, I just blacked out. The next morning, when I went back to weaving, I realized I had already mastered the skill in a way that made the work extremely simple and fast. That¡¯s when I realized¡­ ¡ª The skill was shoved into my brain¡­ This pain is worse than a hangover. Chapter 8 – Trust Chapter 8 ¨C Trust Finally finishing my fabric project, I realized that no matter how skilled I am, the material leaves much to be desired. I threw the poorly made cloth on the sand and observed the baskets and backpack that Krahs had made. Both looked really flimsy and were about to fall apart. The material here is not suitable. I opened the store and began browsing. Lilay was by my side, sucking on a crab and watching me as if he didn¡¯t understand what I was doing. I simply ignored him and continued analyzing various plants in the store. This planet seems to only have aquatic plant species. I haven¡¯t seen a tree, bush, or cactus. ¡ª Or maybe the items sold here are only those known by mermaids... That wouldn¡¯t help me much. But soon, I was caught off guard by a plant that looked like bamboo. I quickly read the description to see if it was what I had been looking for. ¡ª Moreira Algae, a plant that looks like a yellow moray eel stretched up to the surface. It grows and multiplies very quickly, making it great for creating ambush hunting grounds. Its stem is hard, but flexible enough to make harpoons and tridents. ¡ª Found it! Finally, a base material to start a civilization! But... how do I get this without Krahs suspecting?If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. I looked at the middle pool and thought about leaving the nest, but then a strange fear grew in my heart. It¡¯s been two weeks since I arrived in this world, but I haven¡¯t even had the courage to spend my salary. Now, this dilemma seemed even greater. ¡ª If something strange suddenly appears in the nest and Krahs throws it away out of fear... Or if he suspects I¡¯m different and... I sighed. Something was stopping me from trusting him. Just like I used to do with my real family. No matter how much I loved them, I never had the courage to show my true self, and I ended up distancing myself. ¡ª If I distance myself from Krahs, my life will get harder and harder. After all, he¡¯s an adult, and I¡¯m just a child. I looked at Lilay fighting with a crab beside me while I reflected. Is this what I want? To distance myself or reveal myself? ¡ª I never had a father to deal with this dilemma before... And I¡¯m too scared to go out and pretend that I magically found something. I sat on the sand and crawled closer to the central pool, watching it. Unlike the outside, where the sea was rough, here it was calm, with no waves. You couldn¡¯t see anything below the surface. That¡¯s when Krahs finally returned. He came up calmly from the water and noticed that I was watching the exit with curiosity. ¡ª Were you waiting for me, little one? His hand gently passed through my hair and messed it up. Many thoughts passed through my mind, but no solutions. ¡ª I want to trust... But I¡¯m afraid he won¡¯t want to be near me anymore. As much as I wanted to speak, I could only stutter without forming solid words. Krahs didn¡¯t seem to mind as he came out of the water and sat on the sand. ¡ª How am I supposed to conquer this world if I don¡¯t even have the courage to trust someone who could have left me but chose to stay and take care of me? I calmed my doubts and tried something I wasn¡¯t sure would work. I focused and tried to say something Krahs could truly understand. ¡ª da... daddy. Chapter 9 – Daddy Chapter 9 ¨C DaddyChapter 9 ¨C Daddy Krahs, upon hearing the little one''s babbling, felt a pang in his heart. This scene had played out many times before. He remembered his own little ones, and the last moments with them still weighed on his mind like daggers in his soul. Without realizing it, tears rolled down his face again as he pulled the little one into an embrace. It was a strong yet gentle hold. That small child had managed to reopen his wounds with a simple babble. All Krahs felt now was his weakness returning as he recalled the day his world crumbled. He remembered that ambush. His children, once full of bright smiles, had become vengeful adults. Each of them wielded the weapons he had given them, used the techniques he had taught them. But he never imagined they would all unite to defeat him that day. He could still feel the pain of harpoons and tridents piercing his skin. His eldest son seemed to dance as he blocked Krahs¡¯ attacks, while his little girl threw harpoons with the same grace her mother once had. Unfortunately, those harpoons struck his back. And finally, his youngest, Nasig. The one who always hesitated to kill, even the smallest fish. The look of hatred in his eyes was something Krahs would never forget. None of them. But still, Nasig prevented his death that day. Despite being the weakest, he protected an old man who was on the brink of death. Even though the others were full of hatred, Nasig still carried the same compassion he always had. Or perhaps it was just his fear of losing someone else. Krahs no longer knew. All he had left was the longing for them. -If I were stronger, my child¡­ I would have protected those I loved better¡­ I don''t want to fail again, and I won¡¯t fail if it means protecting you, little ones.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Holding the two small children, he embraced them even tighter. Even though the little ones didn¡¯t fully understand what was happening, he held them close as if trying to transfer all his pain and love to those small beings now in his arms. They were the reason he would keep fighting, the reason he could no longer afford to fail. He could not let history repeat itself. Not this time. With his eyes closed, he let himself be enveloped by the feeling that there was still something worth believing in. The past weighed like an unbearable burden, but the future¡­ the future was different. It had to be¡ªfor them. For Nasig, for his other children, for his lost love. And now, for these two little ones he swore to protect until the end. -I failed, but not anymore. He thought, holding the little ones close to his chest. -I will do things differently. I will find a way to fix my mistakes. But the pain was still there, a constant reminder of his weakness. Krahs knew that to protect these children, he would have to face the ghosts of his past. The ambush, the betrayal, the emptiness in his heart¡­ Everything he had lost needed to be confronted. He could not run away. Not in front of the children. He looked at them, his eyes slightly blurred, yet determined. -I will do everything to ensure you grow up well. He whispered, as if it were a sacred promise. The children, still confused, looked at him, feeling the intensity of his emotions without fully understanding them. But that didn¡¯t matter. They felt the protection in his arms, the warmth of the strength he was trying to reclaim. And even without fully grasping it, they knew they were safe. Krahs pulled away slightly, trying to regain his composure. He knew he couldn¡¯t let his pain consume him, not while he was responsible for these small lives. He had to rise again¡ªfor them. -I don¡¯t know what the future holds, but I will take care of you. Even if one day you betray me like the others, I will not regret protecting you. In his arms, little Nexha smiled, knowing that Krahs would never abandon him, no matter what he did.
Chapter 10 - he with you Chapter 10 - It''s With You Finally confident, I decided that I no longer wanted to hide my power from Krahs. As soon as he released us, I bought the moray algae from the system store for just four coins. A small shoot appeared in my hand, and Krahs, seeing that, widened his eyes. The shock was so great that he slipped into the pool, resulting in the curious sight of a mermaid seemingly drowning in shallow water. Lilay was laughing beside me, and I had to hold back my own laughter. When Krahs finally emerged and stabilized himself, he looked confused at the shoot in my hands and then at me. ¡ª Child... how did you do that?! It was difficult for me to form coherent sentences, so I pretended to be just a clueless baby. On a silly impulse, I put the bamboo shoot in my mouth, imitating how I bit the crabs. Krahs''s eyes widened even more, and without hesitation, he yanked the shoot from my hands. ¡ª Nexha, you can''t put everything in your mouth! He sighed, watching the shoot carefully. His gaze held a mix of surprise and recognition. Without another word, he swam away with the plant in hand. I just hoped he would plant it near the nest, so my money wouldn''t go to waste. While swimming, Krahs kept his eyes fixed on the shoot. His mind seemed distant. Reaching a shallow area near a small island, he sat in the sand and, without hesitation, planted the shoot near the surface. From a distance, I watched in silence. He stared at the plant as though trying to decipher a riddle.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it ¡ª If this plant is here... then we''re not so far from my old village. He let out a long sigh, bubbles dispersing around him. ¡ª I''ve been weak lately. Too sentimental for thinking I was far from those orcas... But now, it seems I''ll have to close my heart again. His eyes turned toward the nest, and the tenderness in them was palpable. ¡ª The time for hesitation is over. They might come today, tomorrow, or years from now. But I won''t allow myself to be weak anymore. A subtle vibration in the water caught his attention. With a swift motion, he swam silently. The prey didn''t even have time to react before his teeth tore into it. The blood stained the water as he devoured the small fish, but something else was happening without him noticing. The freshly planted shoot, hidden among the currents, pulsed gently. As if it were alive. As if it were hungry. It drank the scattered blood, its color becoming more intense, its structure stronger. Throughout the day, Krahs hunted near the plant. The more blood stained the water, the more it grew. Its trunk stretched toward the surface, rising like a natural spear. When the plant finally emerged from the water, a spectral glow traveled along its stem. Krahs swam to it, extending his hand to touch it. Something inside him made him hesitate for a moment, but then he murmured: ¡ª They really are like the plants from my home... A gift from the stars when they fell into the sea. His claws gently slid over the plant''s bark, and he closed his eyes. ¡ª Descendant of the stars... Hear my call. The current around him seemed to vibrate. A distant sound, an echo lost between the waters. ¡ª I ask for your help. Grant me the strength to protect my new home... My new family. The trunk cracked in response. As if answering the request, a piece of the plant gently detached, resting in his hands. Krahs watched it with reverence, feeling the energy pulse in his palm. Something ancient, something deep. His eyes narrowed. ¡ª Thank you, descendant of the stars. In the shadows of the ocean, something seemed to respond. Chapter 11 – Echoes of the Stars Chapter 11 ¨C Echoes of the Stars In a place where the sun had not reached for a long time, a small light began to flicker incessantly in the depths of the sea. On the cold and freezing stones of the abyss, a great being awakened from its millennia-old slumber. Its crimson eyes, still drowsy, slowly opened. With gentle movements, the giant glided toward the light that shone in the vast darkness. Around it, abyssal creatures stirred, fleeing in despair from that unusual glimmer. When it finally reached the light, the giant opened its mouth and whispered in a deep voice that echoed among the submerged rocks: ¡ª What happened, little star? The light wavered, weakening little by little, until it revealed a tiny mermaid. Compared to the giant, she was minuscule. Delicately, she wiped away the tears that shimmered like freshly formed pearls in her eyes. ¡ª Great Elder, I saw such a sad story¡­ ¡ª Little star, it was just a nightmare. ¡ª It wasn¡¯t! ¡ª she protested, throwing her glistening tears at the elder. He received them without looking away, letting the pearls scatter along the ocean floor. ¡ª I felt¡­ someone pleading for a bit of power to protect. The elder sighed, his voice like the hidden currents of the ocean. ¡ª It has been so long since you last received a request¡­ How do you know it was real and not just a dream, little sleeper? ¡ª Because I used my power ¡ª the mermaid whispered, her golden gaze reflecting a melancholic longing. ¡ª I enchanted a weapon so that he could defend himself. The giant observed her in silence for a long moment before responding:Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. ¡ª That is dangerous, little star. You know that your kindness has been used to commit atrocities before. ¡ª But he seemed so sincere¡­ ¡ª They all try to deceive you ¡ª said the elder, his voice heavy with ancient sorrow. ¡ª After all, you are the last pure-blood descendant of the people who came from beyond the stars. The little mermaid lowered her gaze to her own tail. Her golden scales shimmered for a moment before dissolving, giving way to fragile legs as pale as porcelain. ¡ª I see you still can¡¯t maintain your form for long¡­ ¡ª the elder noted. ¡ª And yet, you continue giving away part of your powers. ¡ª I want to protect my siblings of this world too ¡ª she whispered. ¡ª I can¡¯t do that if I¡¯m always focused on keeping a tail that can no longer even swim. Lying on her bed of soft pearls, she looked upward, where only the darkness of the deep awaited her. ¡ª Elder¡­ do you still believe that one day our race will travel among the stars again? The old one sighed, his eyes turning toward the same unreachable void. ¡ª Little one¡­ long ago, our blood was diluted into this world. Now, many of us can no longer even walk outside the water. Everything we had was lost¡ªour homes, our knowledge, our magic¡­ His voice became a whisper, laden with melancholy. ¡ª We are no longer like our ancestors, little one. We will not step beyond this ocean. But perhaps¡­ those this world is shaping might. The mermaid narrowed her eyes, thoughtful. ¡ª And how long do you think it will take for them to do so? The elder chuckled softly, closing his eyes as if recalling something distant. ¡ª Perhaps less time than we imagine. I asked for help from someone who might speed things up¡­ I hope our ancestors heard me. The little star stared at him in surprise, then frowned. ¡ª So that¡¯s why you¡¯re getting weaker¡­ ¡ª It¡¯s called aging, child ¡ª he said, laughing quietly. ¡ª ¡­Is that bad? The giant settled beside the bed of pearls and sighed. ¡ª My time is running out, child. Unlike the starborn, I do not need a fatal wound to pass on. ¡ª Elder, don¡¯t die yet! I¡­ I don¡¯t know how to live without you! Tears returned to the mermaid¡¯s golden eyes, but before they could form into pearls, the old one huffed in irritation. ¡ª I¡¯m not dying yet! I¡¯m just old, okay?! She pulled back, surprised, and the giant regained his composure. ¡ª Child, it¡¯s time to rest. Don¡¯t worry so much about others¡­ you need to take care of yourself too. The little mermaid hesitated for a moment before nodding. ¡ª I will try to follow your advice, elder. ¡ª Like the other twenty times I told you this? Embarrassed, she covered her face with her long red hair. The elder laughed, a deep chuckle like the ocean¡¯s currents. Then, he closed his eyes and whispered tenderly: ¡ª Now, sleep, my little star¡­ Slowly, the mermaid¡¯s glow faded, until darkness once again enveloped the abyss. But even there, where the sun never touched, a small ray of light still pulsed softly in the depths. Chapter 12 - Together Chapter 12 - Together Krahs grabbed the plant fragment and swam back to the nest. Nexha and Lilay were on the sand, playing with an unfamiliar object, completely unaware of what had just happened. The little pup looked at Krahs, curious, noticing that he was holding something new. ¡ª How did the bamboo grow so fast?! Even if it''s bamboo, shouldn''t it take at least a few days?! Nexha wanted to ask, but only muttered disconnected sounds. Meanwhile, Lilay seemed happy to have the bottle all to himself. Krahs placed the newly-formed spear on the sand and lay down in one of the pools of the nest, exhausted. As soon as Nexha realized the old one was sleeping, he curiously approached the spear and tried to analyze it. [Enchanted Bamboo Spear] -Name: None -Status: Normal -Attack: 10 -Luck: 10 -Title: Blessed by a Descendant of the Stars -Ability: Protection This spear was enchanted by one of the descendants of the stars who heard a request. Its enchantment makes it stronger the more people the wielder tries to protect. If wielded by someone who doesn''t wish to protect anyone or anything, the enchantment will make it weaker.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. ¡ª Wow... This is a perfect weapon for Krahs. It''s very strong, but only for certain people. But... who is this descendant of the stars? Could it be something from the system? If not, it meant that someone incredibly powerful was watching... A shiver ran down my spine at the thought. If this someone is watching me, then they must possess terrifying power ¡ª enough to stop me from reaching my goals. My mind began to waver, and fear took over me. I thought I was the only one with powers in this world, but I was wrong. There was someone capable of creating a weapon like this. I would be nothing but a flea compared to this being. My powers and my ability to buy items didn''t seem so impressive in light of that. ¡ª Looks like I''ll have to adapt... or I''ll never achieve my goals. I sighed as I looked at the spear again. ¡ª What terrifying power this so-called descendant of the stars has... It was then that I heard something. A soft sound echoed in my mind ¡ª a faint, feminine laugh, like a distant bell. My body froze, and I jumped in shock. Without thinking twice, I ran as fast as I could to Krahs, huddling next to him. The sudden movement woke the old shark. Seeing the little pup trembling in fear of the spear and cuddling up to him, Krahs'' heart warmed. Gently, he picked up Nexha in his arms and wrapped him between the algae of the pool. ¡ª Don¡¯t be afraid, little one. That¡¯s just a special gift from a very ancient being. He heard that we needed protection and helped us. The pup looked at him, confused, but felt the comfort of the embrace and relaxed. Krahs pulled him closer to his chest and gently rocked him. The warmth and the soft movement made sleep take over Nexha, pulling a yawn from him. Lilay, seeing the two so close, became jealous. Dropping the empty bottle, she squeezed between them, also looking for her place in the hug. In the end, the little family slept together that night, surrounded by each other''s safety. And somewhere, in the forgotten depths of the ocean, a small star smiled. Through the spear, she witnessed the scene, and her heart warmed. With a soft sigh, she closed her eyes and, for the first time in a long time, fell asleep in peace. Chapter 13 – First Experience Chapter 13 ¨C First Experience The next day, I woke up with Lilay clinging to me, as always. Strangely, I didn¡¯t see Krahs or the spear nearby, which I found unusual. Since he wasn¡¯t there, I decided to open the store. ((Store)/)(\MD 736/) Welcome to the store, user! Here, you can buy whatever you need for your world conquest, my dear idiot. (?^-^?) -Food / Medicine -Skills -Miners -Plant Materials -Clothes / Armor -Slaves -Magical Items -Animals / Pets -Accessories -Technology "I need to get stronger¡­ I¡¯ve spent too much time just living without doing anything in this world. And what if that Star Descendant isn¡¯t actually good? Maybe I¡¯ll lose everything before I even get a real start." I looked at the store categories, thinking about what would be most useful for getting stronger. "I want a new skill, but I can¡¯t afford one yet¡­ On the other hand, technology is cheaper and more accessible for me." As I browsed through the options, something caught my attention, but I quickly realized it wouldn¡¯t be very useful underwater. "Hahaha, fire? How am I supposed to use that?! Most of this world is submerged! Unfortunately, I don¡¯t have SpongeBob¡¯s powers¡­" Even so, this option reminded me that in the future, when I establish my civilization, I will need large surface areas to use fire. After all, you can¡¯t work with minerals without heating them for molding. "Wait¡­ Miners!"Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. I looked at a small lucky crab, and an idea popped into my mind. I quickly opened the miners'' tab and searched for a material I used to rely on in games. "Obsidian¡­ 5 MD." I let out an evil laugh as I purchased a piece of the stone. I chose a fragment shaped like a blade. The little crab had no idea what was coming. My laughter ended up waking Lilay, who blinked sleepily. I grabbed the crab with one hand and the obsidian blade with the other. With a quick strike, I hit its mouth, opening it effortlessly. {+1 XP} Immediately, I opened my status screen. [Crystal-Scaled Mermaid] Name: Nexha Age: Newborn Status: Normal Lv: 0 XP: 1/10 HP: 20/20 MP: 5/5 Strength: 1 Defense:20 Intelligence: 10 Luck: 7 Beauty: 30 Title: First of Many Skills: Analyze, System Store Access Seeing my very first XP point, I couldn¡¯t contain another laugh¡ªthis time, louder than before. Lilay, still sleepy, stuffed seaweed into his ears and went back to sleep. "Finally, XP!" I looked at the dead crab, cracked open its shell, and tried to eat the upper internal part. It was slimy and not as appetizing as the material that built up on the outside, but it was food, and I didn¡¯t want to waste it. After swallowing, I looked around for more crabs to start my first farming session in this world. Several small crabs climbed up from the central pool, unaware of their impending fate. I grabbed them one by one, stacking up prey. After a while, a soft chime echoed in my mind. {Congratulations! You have reached Level 1! Check your status to see the changes.} I ate two more crabs and already felt satisfied. Lilay, on the other hand, finally got out of bed and started helping me devour the tiny creatures. Unlike me, his appetite seemed insatiable¡ªeven after eating seven crabs, he still wanted more. I stopped as soon as I leveled up. I had killed ten of those little creatures in one go, and I didn¡¯t want my brother to get a stomachache. I only ate the inner parts, but Lilay devoured everything, leaving behind only the crabs¡¯ skeletons. While he finished eating the last one, I reopened my status screen. [Crystal-Scaled Mermaid] Name: Nexha Age: Baby Status: Normal Lv: 1 XP: 0/20 HP: 25/25 MP: 10/10 Strength: 2 (+1) Defense:21(+1) Intelligence: 11 (+1) Luck: 7 Beauty: 30 Title: First of Many Skills: Analyze, System Store Access "Interesting¡­ My luck and beauty didn¡¯t increase. Maybe they grow differently from the other stats. It could be something like defense, which might improve in a different way¡­ Still, I feel like I¡¯m becoming a natural tank." Lilay finished the last crab and tossed its shell onto the pile we had gathered. The ten shells formed a considerable little mound. "If I crush these shells and eat them¡­ would I gain more defense points?" I looked at the obsidian shard in my hand and decided against using it for this. It was sharp but not sturdy. Unlike certain games, obsidian wouldn¡¯t be useful as a smashing tool. "I¡¯ll need something tough but not too heavy." That¡¯s when an idea struck me: buy different stones and test them for this task. I sat on the sand and started searching for a smooth stone to use as a base and another round one to use as a hammer. Chapter 14 - Crab Grinder Chapter 14 - Crab Grinder With a Heavy Heart, I Bought Two More Stones for 10 MD ¡ª Ah, my salary¡­ It hurts so much to spend it¡­ After being unemployed for so long, I think I¡¯ve grown too attached to every single coin¡­ I murmured, sighing. ¡ª Anyway, now I have 721 Dimensional Money. The stone slab was heavier than I expected, so I left it exactly where it appeared. I picked up the smaller stone, placed a shell on the slab, and started hammering it, trying to break it without using too much force. I didn¡¯t want pieces flying off and hitting Lilay. After all, only I had a monstrous defense. But the task wasn¡¯t as simple as I imagined. The shell was tougher than it looked. With each strike, small fragments chipped off, but it remained mostly intact. My arm started to ache, and my patience nearly ran out. ¡ª Damn it! Why is this so hard?! I grumbled, feeling sweat trickle down my forehead. Lilay, who was lying beside me, watched everything with half-open eyes. Bored, he picked up one of the broken pieces and put it in his mouth. He immediately spat it out, making such an exaggerated grimace that I couldn¡¯t hold back my laughter. He wiped his mouth with the seaweed around him. I picked up one of the crushed fragments and put it in my mouth. As soon as it touched my tongue, I felt an intense and unexpectedly sweet taste. My taste buds tingled in surprise. It was like honey mixed with a light salty touch of the ocean. My eyes lit up. ¡ª This is really good! Lilay looked at me with suspicion and scooted away slightly, as if he thought I was crazy.Stolen novel; please report. Ignoring his reaction, I kept grinding the remaining pieces, rubbing the stone over the fragments until they turned into a fine powder. Tiny sparkles appeared in the mixture, reflecting the dim light around us, creating an effect similar to glitter on a gift card. It was beautiful to see. When I finally finished, a bell rang in my mind. {Technology Acquired: Beginner Alchemy} Congratulations! Keep learning to gain more bonuses. You have earned 300 MD. My jaw nearly dropped. ¡ª What?! I earned more money than I had before! Now I have 1021 MD! My joy was quickly replaced by confusion. ¡ª How does this count as alchemy? Why is grinding crabs so special? Curious, I used my Analyze skill on the red powder I had produced. [Lucky Crab Powder]
  • Classification: Good
  • Defense: +1
  • Ability: Glows in the dark, increases defense when consumed.
Powder made from the exoskeletons of lucky crabs. Its classification was raised due to the excellent quality of these animals¡¯ shells. This powder can be used to increase defense, but its effect weakens over time. The horrible taste repels most species, but naturally resistant creatures find it sweet when consumed. It can also be used to create strength potions. ¡ª This is amazing! But it also explains why I didn¡¯t gain strength and why Lilay didn¡¯t want to eat it. My body trembled with excitement, but the euphoria didn¡¯t last long. Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced my head. Invisible needles stabbed into my brain, and a surge of information exploded inside my mind. It was as if someone was pouring pure knowledge directly into me. I couldn¡¯t take it. Everything went dark, and I passed out. ¡­ When Krahs returned, he found an unexpected scene. The nest was covered in a strange red powder, and the two small hatchlings were completely painted red as if they had rolled around in the substance. ¡ª What the¡­? ¡ª He furrowed his brow and looked closer. Setting his spear aside, he picked up a sharp object that lay in the sand. It was a strange black stone tip. ¡ª How did this get here? I only trained near the nest and never saw the little ones leave. Outside, the moon and starlight passed through the translucent walls of the shelter, reflecting on the tiny sparkling specks of red powder. For a moment, Krahs felt an inexplicable warmth in his chest. He looked up at the sky and smiled. ¡ª I see¡­ Is it you, stars? Watching over them like this¡­ His smile widened. He sat beside the hatchlings and gently woke them up. He served them succulent pieces of the fish he had caught, expecting them to eat eagerly. But as soon as they saw the food, both made such exaggerated grimaces that Krahs couldn¡¯t hold back his laughter. ¡ª You don¡¯t want to eat? What happened to my little gluttons? Nexha and Lilay exchanged glances¡ªthey had clearly eaten too much crab. But Krahs didn¡¯t know that. He just laughed louder, ruffling their hair. ¡ª You two really are special. Chapter 15 - Growing Chapter 15 - Growing The next morning, Nexha became irritated when he saw Krahs using his obsidian stone on the tip of his spear. His cheeks puffed up, and his small face turned red with anger. Krahs, unable to resist the adorable scene, pinched the chubby cheeks of the angry little baby before leaving to train, leaving the two alone. With his cheeks still sore from the pinch, Nexha sighed, crossing his arms. ¡ª Maybe I¡¯ve been a little stingy... Not wanting to dwell on it for too long, he opened the shop and bought another obsidian for 5 MD. While waiting for the crabs to climb up the nesting pool, he was startled by Lilay emerging from the water. The shock was so great that Nexha nearly jumped back. ¡ª What...? ¡ª Nexha''s eyes widened as he saw that Lilay had tripled in size overnight. Before, they were practically the same size, but now Lilay looked like a four-year-old child. Without wasting time, Lilay yawned and, with a sleepy smile, jumped onto Nexha, crushing him in a tight hug. The unexpected strength pinned Nexha to the ground, making him grunt in pain. Luckily, he had thrown the obsidian onto the sand beforehand. ¡ª Get off! ¡ª Nexha shouted, trying to push him away. ¡ª Little brother is so grumpy. ¡ª Lilay murmured, laughing. ¡ª I''m not grumpy! ¡ª Nexha protested. ¡ª Yes, you are. Before the argument could continue, Nexha froze as he realized something. ¡ª Wait... You understand me?! Lilay blinked in confusion. ¡ª Yes. ¡ª Since when?! ¡ª Today? Nexha was speechless. For the first time, someone in the world understood his words! However, before he could celebrate, another question arose.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. ¡ª And how did you get so big?! ¡ª I don¡¯t know. You''re small and big too. The answer didn¡¯t make much sense, but Nexha decided not to insist. Looking at his hands and tail, he began examining himself. He grabbed one of the pool cleaners and noticed that he had indeed grown as well. Not as much as Lilay, but he was visibly larger. ¡ª Little brother, I''m hungry! ¡ª Lilay declared, shaking Nexha eagerly. With no other choice, Nexha bought a full bottle of milk for another 10 MD. He sighed as he watched his balance decrease once again. ¡ª Maybe I should care less about money... ¡ª he murmured to himself. As Lilay enjoyed his milk, the first crabs of the day began to climb up the pool. Nexha quickly grabbed one and, using his new obsidian, pierced it, feeling a wave of satisfaction at the sweet sound of XP gained. He reflected on the sudden growth of Lilay and came to a conclusion: it was probably because of the crabs. Determined not to fall behind, he decided to eat as many as possible to grow too. Unfortunately, after just five crabs, he already felt full. Lilay, on the other hand, even after drinking the milk, managed to devour fifteen. ¡ª Is your stomach infinite?! ¡ª Nexha exclaimed in disbelief. Lilay simply licked his fingers and tossed the shells into the growing pile beside him. Without an answer, Nexha opened his status screen: [Crystal-Scaled Mermaid] Name: Nexha. Age: Baby Status: Normal Lv: 2 XP: 0/40 HP: 30/30 MP: 15/15 ATK: 3(+1) DEF: 22(+1) INT: 12(+1) LCK: 7 B: 30 Title: First of Many Abilities: Analyze, System Shop Access. Nexha''s eyes widened. ¡ª Tomorrow, I''ll have to kill 40 of these things?! If this keeps up, I''ll wipe out all the crabs in this place... As he ground the shells into powder with the ease he had learned yesterday thanks to the system, he pondered a sustainable method to gain XP. ¡ª Maybe killing just ten per day is enough... ¡ª Hey, what about me? I''m gonna starve like this, little brother! ¡ª Lilay protested. ¡ª Eat Krahs'' fish. ¡ª But they''re not as tasty as crabs... ¡ª Lilay pouted, clearly displeased. He then shook Nexha forcefully, trying to make him change his mind. The sudden action made Nexha miss a strike with the stone and, to his horror, shatter the newly purchased obsidian. For a moment, he stood still, feeling his rage build. Without thinking twice, he grabbed a handful of crab shells and started throwing them at Lilay. ¡ª YOU EATING MACHINE! YOU BROKE MY STONE! Lilay retaliated with equal enthusiasm. ¡ª IT''S NOT MY FAULT YOU¡¯RE A STINGY CHEAPSKATE! ¡ª YOU DON¡¯T EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?! ¡ª YOU SAID IT BEFORE, SO IT MUST BE IMPORTANT. And so, a shell war began. Laughter and shouting echoed through the nest until both, exhausted, collapsed onto the sand, falling into a deep sleep. Later, Krahs returned with some large fish and found the nest in complete disarray. In the middle of the chaos, two little ones slept, covered in crab shell remnants and red dust. Krahs¡¯ gaze hardened. ¡ª These two... And so, that afternoon, the brothers were sentenced to cleaning the nest as punishment. Chapter 16 - Can We Feel You Again? 16. Shall we feel you again? In the cold, deep waters, a sweet melodic laughter echoed softly, vibrating like a lost song in the ocean. The elder, with his tired crimson eyes, sighed deeply, his robust body moving slowly as if carrying the weight of countless eras. ¡ª They are so amusing, Elder. They are the cutest babies I have ever seen, said the young mermaid, her silver hair floating like strands of submerged moonlight. ¡ª I understand that you like these children, the elder responded, his deep voice almost like a roar muffled by the waters, ¡ª but aren¡¯t you pushing yourself too hard to see them almost every day? ¡ª Don''t worry, I''m using very little power, she smiled, sitting on her iridescent pearl bed, whose soft tones reflected the faint light around. But her expression changed as she noticed the exhausted look on the elder¡¯s face. ¡ª What''s wrong? Didn''t you sleep well last night? The old one closed his eyes for a moment, as if reliving something painful, before releasing another sigh. ¡ª I slept, little star¡­ but I saw something I wish I hadn¡¯t. The mermaid tilted her head slightly, her golden eyes shining with curiosity and concern. ¡ª Something bad, Elder? He hesitated. When he opened his eyes again, they seemed heavier, burdened with dark memories. ¡ª I saw a people of this sea destroying each other. Another of the ancient weapons your ancestors created was claimed¡­ through blood.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. She gasped, her tail shimmering as she stirred in nervousness, dissolving into legs that trembled in the water. ¡ª N-No, not again! They never understand! We made them to protect, not to kill! The old one slowly approached and, without warning, gave her a light flick on the forehead. Small bubbles escaped her mouth from the shock. ¡ª It doesn¡¯t matter if a weapon was made to protect or to kill, child. Weapons do not choose their wielders¡­ nor those who desire them. ¡ª But¡­ but they lose power if they aren¡¯t used for the right purpose! she retorted, rubbing her forehead. The elder watched her for a long moment before replying, his voice laden with wisdom. ¡ª Child, a "right purpose" has never been defined by just one person. Every weapon will always have one destiny: to harm. And that is why, for so long, I have asked you to stop enchanting them. She opened her mouth to protest but stopped, feeling warm, salty tears mix with the cold water around her until they became more pearls upon the bed. The elder sighed again but, this time, gently wiped the tears from her eyes. ¡ª You always cry like a child when scolded¡­ It¡¯s been years since you¡¯ve mourned for those you tried to help. And yet, you never learn, do you? The young one sniffled, releasing small bubbles as she wiped her nose. Her gaze, however, was resolute. ¡ª This time will be different. The elder raised an eyebrow. ¡ª Child¡­ ¡ª It will be different! she interrupted, her voice echoing strong in the ocean''s silence. ¡ª Because I saw! I saw someone¡­ someone who looks like me. The old one blinked, surprised, and his tone shifted, taking on an unexpected gravity. ¡ª How¡­?! ¡ª He has powers even I don''t understand, but I feel it¡­ He is like me. Something in him is the same as me. Silence stretched between them. The elder furrow , as if piecing together lost thoughts from the past. ¡ª This is impossible... The blood has long been diluted, there¡¯s no way... Unless... ¡ª What? the mermaid asked, anxious. The elder leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with a mixture of astonishment and hope. ¡ª A new lineage... was born. ¡ª What does that mean? she questioned, her heart racing. ¡ª It means the other elders are listening to us from the stars... and maybe, just maybe, they¡¯re giving us a chance to leave this place. The young one¡¯s eyes widened. ¡ª But... it¡¯s been years since we¡¯ve heard anything from them! ¡ª This is madness... ¡ª murmured the elder, but a small smile formed on his tired lips. For a long moment, they both just looked up. The ocean around them remained dark, impenetrable... but at that moment, both felt it. Something vibrated deep in their hearts, a forgotten warmth, a distant promise. The change had begun. Chapter 17 - No More Sushi! Chapter 17 - No More Sushi! The next morning, Nexha and Lilay were awakened together by Krahs. The two little ones hadn¡¯t grown as much as the day before, but they were still slightly bigger. ¡ª Lilay, you''re at an ideal size to learn how to hunt, announced Krahs, his gaze serious. ¡ª Today, I''ve decided to take you with me to teach you. And don''t even try to pretend, I already know you both can understand me. Lilay didn¡¯t seem very excited about the news, unlike Nexha, who was finally going to be left alone. However, to avoid seeming too eager about the separation, he feigned indifference. ¡ª Nexha, you''re still too small. I¡¯ll teach you when you''re bigger. Lilay snickered softly. ¡ª Shorty. Nexha got irritated and threw a piece of crab at Lilay. The two seemed ready to fight again, but Krahs''s severe glare made them back down immediately. As soon as Lilay and Krahs left, Nexha sighed in relief. Finally, he was alone after so many days with his clingy brother. But for some reason, the silence felt... strange. He bought a milk from the system shop to try to relax, but the discomfort didn¡¯t go away. ¡ª I''ve gotten too attached to them... he murmured, looking at his claws. Trying to shake off the feeling, he turned his attention to the crab shells he hadn''t managed to grind the day before. He noticed that the crabs were slow to climb into the nest in the morning, meaning he wouldn¡¯t be able to gain XP from them so early. He decided to focus on something else. While grinding, something unexpected happened: sparks leaped from the powder! He jumped back, startled. Upon closer examination, he realized he had mixed pieces of broken obsidian with the shells, causing the reaction. If sparks appeared... then... With his heart racing, he brought a piece of dry seaweed close and continued grinding. Slowly, a small flame emerged, flickering before his astonished eyes. It was fire. {Technology Acquired: Fire} Congratulations! Keep learning to gain more bonuses. You earned 600 MD. ¡ª Wow... That was way more than I earned with alchemy! Nexha opened his dimensional wallet, his eyes shining. ¡ª 1596 MD! My balance is growing¡­ If I keep earning achievements like this, I''ll be able to buy a skill soon. And with the alchemy knowledge I gained, maybe I can create even more efficient mixtures. Looking at the flame and the slab where he ground the crabs, he had another idea. He dug a small hole under the stone slab, filled it with dry seaweed, and placed the small flame among them. He had created a heated slab. In the crab powder, he mixed a little water and ground it on the heated stone. Gradually, the bright red powder darkened and blended with the water. He ground all the crabs, replenishing the water as needed. He only stopped when the fire died out, realizing he had no more dry seaweed to fuel it.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡ª It¡¯s so hard to keep anything dry in this world full of water... Frustrated but proud of his mixture, he decided to analyze it. [Lucky Crab Powder] Rating: Exceptional Defense: +5 Ability: Glows in the dark, increases defense when consumed. "Powder made from the exoskeletons of lucky crabs. Its rating was elevated due to the excellent quality of these animals¡¯ shells. It gained the ''exceptional'' property when heated along with seawater, improving its purity. It can be used to increase defense, but its effect weakens over time. Its terrible taste repels most species, except for the most resilient ones, which detect a bittersweet flavor when absorbing the powder. It can also be used to craft strength and defense potions." Nexha''s eyes sparkled as he read the description. Without hesitation, he grabbed a handful and tasted it. The bittersweet flavor spread through his mouth, filling him with an unexpected joy. ¡ª Wait... If I made fire and can use this as a seasoning... I can cook! His heart pounded. Without hesitation, he opened the system shop and started spending money without guilt. First, he searched for something that could serve as a pan. Unfortunately, none of the options seemed suitable, so he bought a simple basin to remove the excess powder from the stone slab. Next, he bought dry seaweed. To his surprise, a generous amount arrived, which pleased him. He lit the fire again and waited for the slab to heat up. Finally, he bought a large fish and a new obsidian knife. ¡ª Thirteen coins spent on a meal... It''s already more expensive than my milk. But it¡¯s worth it! After so much raw fish, I''m sick of sushi every day! He cleaned the fish, separated what he thought was fat, and spread it over the hot slab. He tossed the internal organs to the pool cleaners. The smell attracted crabs into the nest. Without hesitation, Nexha killed a few and set them aside for Lilay to eat later. Once the fat melted and the slab was hot enough, he placed the fish and some crabs to cook. The sweet and delicious scent made his mouth water, but the smoke started to bother him. ¡ª Ah, I forgot about that. Maybe if I open a hole at the top of the nest, the smoke will escape... He took the obsidian and made small holes in the nest¡¯s wall. They weren¡¯t large, but they worked well enough to let the smoke out. When he flipped the fish, he noticed the crabs weren¡¯t cooking properly. So, he moved them closer to the flame. Within minutes, the fish was ready. He coated it with the bittersweet powder and took a bite. The flavor was so good that tears rolled down his face, turning into tiny pearls as they touched the sand. ¡ª My first real meal in this world... As he ate, the pearl-like tears piled up around him. When he finished, he licked his fingers, satisfied, and remembered the crabs on the fire. Using the obsidian knife, he skewered and pulled them out one by one. The smell was even more delicious. {Technology Acquired: Cooking} Congratulations! Keep learning to gain more bonuses. You earned 400 MD. ¡ª 1983 MD! I¡¯m getting rich! Long live the bonuses! A wave of knowledge invaded his mind. Fortunately, he didn¡¯t pass out¡ªjust felt a slight headache. At that exact moment, Krahs and Lilay returned. As soon as he smelled the food, Lilay lunged without thinking. However, the crabs were still hot, and he ended up burning his fingers. He shoved them into his mouth and looked at Nexha with teary eyes, as if it were his fault. ¡ª Don¡¯t look at me like that. Just wait a little, and you can eat. Krahs, on the other hand, seemed curious about everything that was happening. He slowly approached, observing the cooked crabs with sharp eyes. He lowered his head and sniffed the air, as if analyzing every detail of the dish Nexha had prepared. ¡ª What exactly did you do here, Nexha? he asked, his voice filled with curiosity and a hint of suspicion. Nexha puffed out his chest, proud. ¡ª I cooked! I used fire, fat, and a bit of my new special seasoning. Krahs raised an eyebrow. He picked up one of the roasted crabs and spun it in his claws before taking a careful bite. As soon as the flavor hit his palate, his eyes widened. ¡ª This is... impressive. He chewed slowly, savoring the crispy texture. Lilay, still rubbing his burned fingers, grabbed a piece of crab and finally tried it. The moment the flavor exploded in his mouth, he let out a small squeal of surprise and started devouring it without a second thought. ¡ª This is so good! Why don¡¯t we eat like this every day?! Nexha laughed, crossing his arms. ¡ª Because before, I didn¡¯t know how... Krahs cleaned his claws and looked at Nexha with a scrutinizing gaze. ¡ª You¡¯ve discovered something powerful... this thing called fire. If you learn to master it properly... Nexha blinked, feeling a chill down his spine as Krahs pointed to the dying flame beneath the slab. ¡ª This fire can make better food, but it can also harm. And worse, it can attract unwanted attention... Be careful with what you''re creating here. Nexha felt his excitement fade into a shiver. Lilay, however, didn¡¯t seem worried. He just kept eating, mumbling with his mouth full: ¡ª Careful or not, all I know is... I never want to eat raw fish again! Chapter 18 - Growing and Changing Chapter 18 - Growing and Changing I left Lilay and Krahs to eat the crabs and went to sleep since the headache was still bothering me. The next day, I woke up feeling strange. There was a different sensation running through my body¡ªa mix of tingling and extra weight on my tail. I got up and shook Lilay to wake him. He groaned, clearly unwilling to leave his deep sleep, but when he saw me, he frowned. ¡ª Did you eat something bad? Why are you waking me up so desperately? ¡ª Look at me. Do you notice anything different? I asked, restless. Lilay blinked a few times, analyzing me from top to bottom. After a moment, he shrugged. ¡ª Nope? ¡ª But I feel something weird... He tilted his head and observed me more closely. His gaze traveled over my body until it stopped at my tail. Then, he let out a little chuckle. ¡ª Now that you mention it... it does look a little bigger. But it¡¯s still far from being as impressive as mine! He mocked me, and I got irritated. ¡ª Oh, shut up! If you''re not going to help, I''ll wake up Krahs! Krahs was snoring loudly when I poked him. He jumped up at my touch, startling me. His eyes gleamed in alertness for a second before calming down. ¡ª What is it, kid? You¡¯re not the type to wake me up. ¡ª I feel weird... Krahs seemed concerned and began examining me. His eyes carefully scanned my tail, as if looking for something specific. His expression turned serious for a moment until he seemed to understand. He pointed at my tail, indicating something. ¡ª Nexha, you¡¯re a mermaid with hard scales, unlike me and Lilay. Your scales are growing and strengthening. They¡¯re more robust, which can cause discomfort. But don¡¯t worry, it¡¯ll stop bothering you soon, he explained, almost proudly. I blinked, surprised. So that was it? My body was changing... growing? After that, Krahs and Lilay left to hunt, leaving me alone in the nest. I looked at my own tail and sighed.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡ª Makes sense... If my race in my status is Crystal-Scaled Mermaid... I ran my hand over my tail, feeling the rough and uneven texture of the new scales. The discomfort persisted, but a certain excitement filled me. It meant I was getting stronger. The scales had a bluish tone, reflecting tiny crystalline glimmers as I moved. ¡ª Crystal scales, huh? This might be useful... but it still hurts like hell. I stretched and yawned. I grabbed my bowl and mixed some leftover crab powder into the milk from the previous day. The moment I took the first sip, I heard a familiar sound: the system notification. [+5 Defense] I quickly opened my status to check. [Crystal-Scaled Mermaid] Name: Nexha Age: Baby Status: Normal Lv: 2 XP: 10/40 HP: 30/30 MP: 15/15 Attack: 3 Defense: 27 (+5) Intelligence: 12 Luck: 7 Beauty: 30 Title: First of Many Skills: Analyze, Access to System Store The joy of becoming stronger made the discomfort in my tail seem less important. ¡ª Maybe this defense increase is what''s causing my scales to grow... If stats really help me evolve faster, this theory might be right. But I have no way to prove it yet. I finished my milk, but I didn¡¯t gain any more defense points. Still, the five I got were worth it. After that, I tried grinding the leftover crabs, but something was off. The powder I got was darker, like burned ash. I put a little in my mouth to test it and grimaced. It tasted like charcoal! I sighed and tossed the powder to the nest¡¯s cleaning fish, but even they didn¡¯t want to eat it. When the water darkened, I stirred it with the tip of my tail until it dissolved. At least I avoided getting scolded by Krahs for dirtying the nest. Not long after, the small luck crabs entered. Without wasting time, I caught a few, earning 10 XP. I decided to cook them, and while preparing the fire, I noticed there was still some crab powder in the bowl. An idea struck me. I opened the system store and searched for a fire-resistant bowl. Among various options, I found a turtle shell that seemed perfect. It only cost 5 coins. Smiling in satisfaction, I bought the item, filled it with water and crabs, and placed it on the stone slab to cook. ¡ª There''s still fuel left from yesterday. I¡¯ll make the most of it. As I watched the crabs cook, I noticed something curious. Small, shiny fragments detached from the shells and accumulated at the bottom of the bowl. I analyzed them and was surprised. [Gnawed Crystal-Scaled Mermaid Tail Fragments] Rarity: Rare Defense: +10 Ability: Increases defense when consumed. "Scales gnawed by luck crabs, mixed with saliva and stuck to the shells. The saliva was dissolved by the hot saltwater, loosening the fragments. Though damaged, they still contain nutrients that can accelerate scale regeneration." My eyes sparkled. ¡ª So my theory was right! They were increasing my defense by gnawing on my scales... I didn¡¯t know whether to be happy or scared about this discovery. I pushed the thought aside and continued cooking. The delicious smell soon attracted Krahs and Lilay. They brought fish, and I decided to cook everything together. Krahs helped remove the internal organs, though he seemed uncomfortable with the waste. Lilay, on the other hand, devoured the crabs as if there were no tomorrow. It was a peaceful day, almost like a family dinner. But the peace didn¡¯t last long. That night, my tail started itching like crazy... Chapter 19 - The Star That Fell Into the Sea Chapter 19 - The Star That Fell Into the Sea I thrashed around endlessly, overwhelmed by an unbearable itch. My body was restless, moving through the algae in a desperate attempt to find relief. But nothing helped. The sensation worsened with each passing second until I felt something strange¡ªa piece of my scale coming loose. My heart pounded. ¡ª What?! How?!... Weren¡¯t they just growing? Why are they falling off?! I looked at my tail in panic and saw small crystalline fragments slowly detaching, spinning in the water and reflecting the soft glow of the moonlight. A chill ran through my chest. I tried to grab the shards and press them back into place, but it was useless. Every second, more scales detached, falling like drops of shattered glass. Despair took hold of me. ¡ª Krahs! ¡ª I cried, feeling tears well up in my eyes. The old shark woke with a jolt, alarmed by my urgent call. The moment he saw me trembling and crying, his eyes hardened for an instant, but his expression soon softened. With a careful movement, he picked me up and cradled me gently. ¡ª It''s okay, child. This is normal ¡ª he said, his voice firm but comforting. I sobbed quietly, clutching my fists against my chest as my body continued to tremble. Lilay, on the other hand, barely stirred. Sleepily, he cracked open one eye, blinked sluggishly, and glanced at the scene with disinterest. With his messy hair and a trickle of drool at the corner of his mouth, he realized there was nothing food-related happening. Shrugging, he stuffed algae into his ears and went back to sleep like the incorrigible slacker he was. Meanwhile, Krahs wiped away my tears with his rough, firm hands. I hadn¡¯t even noticed I was crying until that moment. Time passed, but the pain didn¡¯t lessen. Each tiny scale that fell made my skin burn and my tail pulse with discomfort. The old shark remained by my side, keeping me safe, his warm and protective presence surrounding me.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡ª I... I hate this... ¡ª I murmured, my voice thick with emotion. ¡ª I don¡¯t want these scales... They only hurt me. Krahs sighed. ¡ª Child, growing can be painful, but change happens for a reason. Our bodies know what they need. This pain will pass soon. He paused, reflecting for a moment. Then, with a small, weary smile, he pulled me closer. ¡ª Let me tell you an old story. Maybe it will help you forget the pain. He settled into the sand and placed me beside him. His eyes, tired yet wise, turned toward the translucent ceiling of the nest. The moonlight and starlight filtered softly through the water, casting dancing reflections around us. ¡ª Long ago, two stars fell into the sea ¡ª he began, his voice reverent. ¡ª They were a man and a woman, beings who could walk the land and swim the ocean. At that time, the sea was empty, home only to small fish. He smiled, as if he could see the scene unfolding before his eyes. ¡ª But they brought with them their gifts and filled the ocean with life. They created corals, magnificent fish, vibrant plants... And finally, they had a child. A being as radiant as the sun, as powerful as it was beautiful. However, the birth of this wonder came at a cost. The woman, his mother, did not survive. My breathing slowed as I listened intently. ¡ª Before she departed, her blood spread through the ocean, carrying her final wish: that her child would never be alone. That he would have companions. And so, from the creatures she loved most, mermaids were born. He paused, gazing at the stars as if trying to capture something within them. ¡ª Even after countless eras, despite our greed and our flaws, the descendant of the stars still wishes to protect us. Then, he looked at me, his eyes reflecting the silver glow of the moon. ¡ª And that¡¯s why I tell you, Nexha... Your changes are a gift. Do not fear them. Embrace them. I remained silent for a moment. My tears had stopped. The pain felt less intense now, as if his words had soothed something deep within me. But then, suddenly, a blue glow appeared at the tip of my tail. It slowly traveled up my body, reaching my stomach and enveloping me in a soft, shimmering light. I watched in awe. When the glow faded, I saw that new scales had formed in place of the old ones. They were shinier and smoother, almost translucent, with an intense blue radiance that had never been there before. If my scales had already been different from Krahs and Lilay¡¯s, now they seemed to belong to a completely different creature. Krahs smiled. ¡ª See? Everything is fine, Nexha. Before I could respond, the system¡¯s familiar sound echoed in my mind. [Natural evolution of Crystal Scales detected.] [+5 Defense] [New skill acquired: Passive Hardening ¨C Your scales naturally increase in resilience, reducing moderate physical impact.] My vision darkened from exhaustion. With one last effort, I nestled into the warmth of Krahs and, finally, fell asleep. 20- First Contact Outside the Nest 20- First Contact Outside the Nest In the morning, I woke up refreshed but with an enormous hunger. I bought my milk and mixed it with crab powder, but to my disappointment, I had no results. I was beginning to suspect that my body had gotten used to this food and that its effect had completely worn off. While having breakfast, I opened my status to check my new skill. [Crystal Scale Siren] Name: NexhaAge: Baby Status: Normal Lv: 2 XP: 20/40HP: 30/30 | MP: 15/15Attack: 3 | Defense: 32 (+5)Intelligence: 12 | Luck: 7 | Beauty: 30 Title: First of Many Skills: Analyze, System Store Access, Passive Hardening ¡ª My first skill that has nothing to do with the system? But... how do I use this? With a simple activation thought, I felt my tail change. The translucent parts of the scales began to darken, like a full moon slowly being swallowed by darkness until it became a new moon. However, the bluish parts did not change, leaving a vibrant outline between the dark scales. I waited a few minutes as the skill fully activated. My tail became heavier. As soon as I deactivated it, I felt immediate relief: the scales returned to normal, and the weight disappeared. ¡ª So it''s like a "heavy mode" and a "light mode"¡­ I like it! At least there''s no cooldown time after I deactivate it. The activation time isn¡¯t long either¡­ This skill is exceptional. After finishing my breakfast, Krahs got up and stretched. He looked tired, probably because he hadn¡¯t slept much after helping me the night before. He yawned and, impatiently, woke up Lilay, who begged for "just five more minutes." ¡ª Wake up, Lilay. It''s time to train. ¡ª Nooo¡­ ¡ª he whimpered, clinging to the seaweed. Krahs sighed and effortlessly lifted Lilay from the makeshift bed. The little one tried to hold onto the seaweed as if his life depended on it but failed. The old shark just shook his head, and when he noticed I was awake, he asked: ¡ª Are you feeling better? ¡ª Yes¡­ Much better, Dad. The word "Dad" made Krahs freeze. I almost never said it out of embarrassment. But in this world, Krahs really was like a father to me and Lilay. When he finally snapped out of his trance, he gave me a big smile. ¡ª Well, Nexha, you''re already the same size as Lilay. I think it''s time for you to accompany me outside. ¡ª Really?! Can I?! He nodded. Lilay, on the other hand, threw a tantrum about getting up. Losing patience, Krahs gently dropped him into the pool in the middle of the nest, and the poor thing sank like a rock. I laughed at the scene. ¡ª Come, Nexha. Krahs jumped into the pool, and I followed right behind.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Leaving the nest for the first time, I was amazed. Before me stretched an exuberant forest of moray eels and seaweed. Their stalks looked like bamboo, creating the illusion that I was in a grove on the surface rather than at the bottom of the sea. Bubbles escaped from my mouth as I marveled at the environment. The small sprout I had seen a few days ago had transformed into a grand golden forest. The sunlight penetrated the shallow water, making the seaweed shine like stakes of gold embedded in the sand. I was so enchanted that I almost didn¡¯t notice Lilay sulking, refusing to swim, while Krahs carried him like a sack. The old shark sighed and gave him a gentle shake. Left with no choice, Lilay finally stopped being lazy and woke up. ¡ª Let¡¯s catch some fish to eat. Lilay''s ear fins perked up instantly at the word "food." As for me, I wasn¡¯t too excited about eating raw fish again¡­ Krahs guided us through the bamboo-like stalks, swimming slowly so Lilay and I could keep up. From time to time, he looked back to check if we were still there. When he spotted a school of fish, he told us to hide at the base of the seaweed. Moving slowly, he descended stealthily with his spear, avoiding attracting the fish¡¯s attention. Suddenly, in a swift strike, he spun the spear in an arc, creating an explosion of bubbles that sent the fish into a desperate dash upwards, toward the surface. Seizing the opportunity, Krahs powerfully flicked his tail and surged forward. With a single thrust, he impaled five fish at once. The momentum launched him out of the water like a dolphin. He soared through the air, glistening under the sun, and dove back in effortlessly. My eyes sparkled at the sight. Lilay, on the other hand, seemed more interested in the fish. The children¡¯s smiles warmed the old shark¡¯s heart. He handed me a fish, gave two to Lilay, and then ate the rest himself. The fish was saltier than the ones I ate in the nest. It seemed that eating underwater altered the taste. Lilay devoured his quickly and stared at me, knowing I wouldn¡¯t finish mine. I offered him the fish head, and he ate it at an impressive speed without hesitation. After eating, Krahs took us to the surface. As soon as we emerged, I was mesmerized. The blue sky, the white clouds, and the shining sun took my breath away. The warmth was pleasant, neither too strong nor too weak. Krahs lay on a large smooth rock, facing the sun. Lilay, imitating him, threw himself beside him and closed his eyes, enjoying the heat. I tried to climb the rock, but it was slippery, and the waves kept crashing, making it difficult. Lilay laughed at me, which annoyed me. ¡ª Oh yeah? Watch this! I dove underwater and mimicked Krahs¡¯s hunting impulse, launching myself upwards forcefully. I managed to jump¡­ but I miscalculated my trajectory. I landed face-first on the old shark¡¯s belly. ¡ª Ugh! Krahs flinched, clearly feeling the impact. Lilay laughed so hard his cheeks hurt. The old shark sighed in defeat. ¡ª That was an impressive jump, but it was dangerous, child. You could have seriously hurt yourself. Jumping isn¡¯t a game in shallow areas. His concerned tone made me realize my recklessness. We stayed on the rock a little longer, enjoying the warmth. When the sun grew stronger, Krahs called us to return to the nest and continue our training. On the way back, he suddenly stopped. His body tensed. Without hesitation, he hid us deep within the seaweed and covered us. ¡ª Stay quiet. It¡¯ll pass soon¡­ We watched as he swam away, gripping his spear tightly. Lilay and I were confused and scared. After all, we had never experienced this before. The safety of the nest had left us without a sense of danger. Krahs seemed alert, radiating immense fury as we felt vibrations of something approaching through the water. Slowly, the large, sharp teeth appeared first. Then, the slender snout. The golden, serpentine body blended with the bamboo stalks. The wide, misshapen teeth were exposed as if smiling, knowing that something delicious was nearby. The enormous moray eel opened its jaws like a great serpent, ready to strike. Krahs''s gaze turned into pure hatred. His body trembled¡ªnot with fear, but with barely contained rage. His eyes locked onto the creature with deep disdain, a furious fire burning within him. This wasn¡¯t just an enemy; it was personal. His muscles tensed, his tail swayed aggressively, and his grip on the spear was so tight his knuckles turned pale. Every fiber of his being screamed that he wouldn¡¯t just fight¡ªhe would exterminate this creature. The air around us felt heavier. Lilay sobbed quietly, feeling the same fear I did. But what scared me most wasn¡¯t the moray eel. It was Krahs¡¯s hatred. The moray eel was almost his size, but it showed no interest in him. Its eyes were locked on us¡ªNexha and Lilay. And Krahs realized it. His gaze sharpened further, his expression turning into something we had never seen before. That creature wasn¡¯t just hunting. It was hunting his children. And that was unacceptable. With a roar muffled by the water, Krahs prepared for battle, his hatred burning like a beacon in the darkness. 21 - A Deep Hatred 21-A Deep Hatred Seeing that treacherous creature before me, I couldn''t help but reveal my worst side in front of the children. It had been so long since I last saw this sea monster, but its face was still etched in my memory. These opportunistic beings had taken something that was mine. The scent of blood seemed to resurface in my nostrils. The moray tried to attack Krahs, but he reacted with a tail strike so strong that the creature was left dazed and thrown backward. It shook its head from side to side, trying to recover. Realizing it was no match for the shark, it aimed at another target. At that moment, Krahs¡¯s face twisted into a wild grin. His teeth clashed together so forcefully it seemed they would shatter. ¡ª Damn egg thief... You should not covet my children. Krahs¡¯s smile was so terrifying it made his own children cry. The moray lunged without hesitation toward Nexha and Lilay. The obsidian tip of Krahs¡¯s spear grazed its skin as it slithered. Even without hitting vital points, the cut already stained the water red. The sweet taste of blood filled the old shark¡¯s mouth, awakening a primal hunger. The moray, realizing it couldn''t win, tried to retreat. But Krahs, merciless, struck near the creature¡¯s tail, slicing it in two. It had been so long since he had been able to truly fight. For years, he had suppressed this desire, and now, the recently accumulated hatred was unleashed. But something was wrong¡­ That smile wasn''t just hatred. It was the satisfaction of battle finally fulfilled. The moray, in desperation, tried to flee. But before a shark, all that remained for it was to succumb. For a second, Krahs¡¯s instinct took over, and his control vanished. He dropped the spear and sank his teeth into the fleeing creature. The taste of blood drove him mad. The moray¡¯s now-headless body slowly sank as Krahs tore it apart with ferocity. When he finally turned around, smiling in satisfaction, he saw his terrified children.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. It was at that moment that reality struck him. The children were fleeing from him. His victorious impulse dissolved in an instant. The fear in Nexha and Lilay¡¯s eyes was like a blade piercing his chest. Desperate, he swam at high speed to reach them before anything else could try to harm them. Nexha, seeing the shark play with his prey, became alert. Lilay was still crying as he pulled him back to the nest. Without thinking, Nexha swam as fast as he could, dragging Lilay along. Before fully fleeing, he looked back and saw Krahs¡¯s expression change completely. The thrill of battle had vanished, replaced by confusion and fear. Something passed through me and made me stop suddenly. A warmth in my heart stopped me from continuing to flee. My tears fell like pearls in the water when the old shark reached us and wrapped us in a tight embrace. Lilay and I didn¡¯t know how to react. We just cried in the arms of the old warrior, who seemed so regretful. That night, the children didn¡¯t want to stay too close to the old shark. He understood and regretted it. Krahs left the nest and swam to the surface, where he gazed at the stars. ¡ª Am I really this broken? ¡ª he murmured to himself. The sound of the waves was his only response. No matter how hard he tried to understand, that was the only sound the vast ocean offered him. ¡ª I''ve become something I never wanted to be¡­ I was so desperate for battle that I forgot what I was fighting for. He looked up at the sky as if seeking an answer, as if the stars could guide him. ¡ª I¡¯ve become like those I despise. Like the orcas that play while destroying people¡­ I¡¯m no better than them. Descendants of the stars, how can I control myself? He waited for an answer. None came. He grew sad and returned to the nest. But to his surprise, Nexha was there, arms open. Despite the sleepiness, the child seemed to want to comfort him. Krahs accepted the embrace. ¡ª Forgive me, my child... I just¡­ He closed his eyes for a moment before sighing. ¡ª I lost myself a little today. Nexha swallowed hard. ¡ª You¡­ have lost someone before, haven¡¯t you? His gaze hardened, and he turned away toward the ceiling again. I thought he wouldn¡¯t answer, but then I heard his voice, lower than ever. ¡ª Yes. That single word carried a weight I couldn''t imagine. ¡ª Is that why you were like this? Krahs remained silent for a long time. Then, without looking at me, he began to speak. ¡ª Before you, I had another family, other duties, another life¡­ but then¡­ Nexha¡¯s breath caught in his throat. ¡ª They¡­? ¡ª They''re gone. Now I only have you, children. ¡ª I¡¯m sorry too. I ran away without thinking about the consequences. I could have gotten hurt¡­ and taken Lilay with me. Krahs hugged him. ¡ª That guilt is mine, child¡­ not yours. ¡ª Dad, you don¡¯t have to carry everything alone! Krahs¡¯s eyes shone for a moment. Then, a small, sad smile appeared on his face. ¡ª Alright¡­ I¡¯ll try. This time, his smile grew a little bigger. He pulled me close, covering us with seaweed, just as he did when I was smaller. This time, I felt safe. And for the first time since that battle, I was sure Krahs did too. 22- Intruder 22- Intruder The next day, Krahs went out to patrol around the nest, but he forbade us from leaving. He said he wanted to check for any dangers first. Strangely, Lilay didn¡¯t want to eat anything. He was upset. ¡°Nexha, weren¡¯t you scared?¡± he asked in a low voice. ¡°Of the moray? Of course, she was huge.¡± ¡°N-no¡­ I was scared of Dad.¡± I froze mid-movement, almost dropping my milk bottle. Hearing Lilay call Krahs "Dad" made my heart tighten in a strange way. I stood still for a second, then set the bottle aside and hugged him tightly, just like he always did when he was happy. ¡°We don¡¯t need to be afraid of Dad,¡± I whispered. ¡°He would do anything to protect us.¡± ¡°But what if¡­¡± Lilay hesitated. I held him even tighter. ¡°Do you doubt him? Even after everything? He¡¯s been protecting you since you got here, even though you¡¯re not his son¡­¡± Lilay lowered his eyes. ¡°I¡­¡± ¡°Dad loves us, Lilay. I promise.¡± ¡°You promise?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Lilay still seemed unsure, but he smiled a little and accepted my milk bottle. After that, I decided to cook something special. My paycheck had come in, and I wanted to use part of the money. (Shop) (\MD 2948/) Welcome to the shop, user! Here, you can buy whatever you need for your world conquest. Work harder, dear idiot. (?^-^?) -Food/ Medicines - Slaves -Skills - Magic Items -Miners - Animals/ Pets -Plant materials - Accessories -Clothes/ Armor - TechnologyEnjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. I bought a large fish for 10 MD. Since the milk wasn¡¯t enough to satisfy my hunger, I decided to cook properly. I cleaned a turtle shell and mixed mermaid scale powder with crab powder. I prepared the fire and put water to heat while I cleaned the fish. When the water got hot, I cut the fish into pieces and let it boil. The water was already salty, so I didn¡¯t need salt. But then I realized a problem¡ªhow was I going to eat without spending more money? Then I had an idea. ¡°Lilay! Don¡¯t touch the food until I get back!¡± I snuck out of the nest and swam to the moray-weed forest, which looked like bamboo growing underwater. I grabbed my obsidian knife and tried to cut some, but the material was tough. That¡¯s when I felt it. A presence. Something large blocked the light above me. Instinct screamed, and my body reacted on its own. My scales hardened, and I curled into a ball, trembling. Then, two hands grabbed me. At first, I thought it was Krahs. But when I opened my eyes¡­ A shock hit me like a punch to the chest. Dark brown hair, almost black, floated in the water, and large purple eyes studied me with curiosity. It was a mermaid. ¡°What is a pup doing here alone? The sea is dangerous.¡± Her voice was soft, but it didn¡¯t calm me. Fear burned in my chest. I knew this world was cruel, and I didn¡¯t know if she would hurt me. My obsidian knife slipped from my hand and started to sink. I panicked. ¡°DAD, HELP!¡± The mermaid flinched and almost dropped me, but she held on tighter. ¡°Hey, hey! No need to be afraid, little one! Calm down¡­¡± But it was already too late. The great shadow appeared. Even against the faint sunlight, the obsidian tip of Krahs¡¯s spear gleamed. ¡°Let go of the pup,¡± his voice was low and cold. The mermaid trembled. ¡°S-Shark?!¡± She pulled me against her chest and swam away fast. The seaweed she wore as clothing brushed against my face as she sped through the sea. ¡°Damn sea wolf!¡± Krahs growled, accelerating after her. The chase lasted minutes, but it felt like an eternity. The mermaid moved fast, but Krahs was relentless. He cornered her, forced sharp changes in direction, cut off her escape routes. She started to tire. And then, he caught her. Krahs tore me from her arms and grabbed her wrist tightly. She struggled, but she had no chance against him. We took the sea wolf back to the nest as a prisoner. With no better option, I bought some turtle-shell bowls and served the fish soup. Lilay wagged his tail as he ate, happy. Krahs, on the other hand, stared at the prisoner. His gaze was hard, resentful. The mermaid trembled. ¡°M-Mr. Shark¡­ I-I¡¯m not a very good meal¡­¡± her voice came out shaky. Krahs snorted. ¡°I don¡¯t eat garbage.¡± Her eyes widened in surprise. Meanwhile, I put ten lucky crabs to cook. The smell was incredible. The mermaid stopped trembling. Her eyes locked onto the pot. She was drooling. Krahs frowned. ¡°Ridiculous¡­¡± Lilay, curious, approached her and sniffed. ¡°Dad¡­ is she Mom?¡± ¡°NO!¡± Krahs choked on his soup and yelled so loudly that Lilay and I jumped. The mermaid was startled too, but then she quickly realized this was an opportunity. ¡°I can be a great mate!¡± she said quickly, as if her life depended on it. ¡°I can take care of the pups! I¡¯m still young, I can lay lots of eggs! Please, don¡¯t turn me into food!¡± Krahs turned red like an embarrassed coral. ¡°I-I¡¯m NOT that kind of shark!¡± The silence that followed was broken by a sound. My laughter. I couldn¡¯t hold it in and started laughing so hard I almost fell backward. Lilay laughed too. The mermaid smiled nervously. Krahs buried his face in his hands, mumbling something about ¡°damn luck.¡± I had a feeling that night would be long. 23- First Defense 23- First Defense Night fell over the nest. The only sounds were the gentle sway of the waters and Lilay¡¯s calm breathing as he slept curled up among the algae. But Krahs wasn¡¯t sleeping. He sat near the entrance of the nest, gripping his obsidian spear, never taking his eyes off the sea wolf-mermaid. She was bound, her hands tied with strong algae, and she trembled every time Krahs moved. I couldn¡¯t sleep either. There was something about her that made me curious. The mermaid sighed, breaking the silence: ¡ª You¡¯re not going to kill me, are you? Krahs growled. ¡ª If I wanted to, you¡¯d already be dead. ¡ª Then why did you capture me? He didn¡¯t answer. He just tightened his grip on the spear, his eyes filled with distrust. I moved closer, sitting in front of her. ¡ª What¡¯s your name? ¡ª I asked. She blinked a few times, surprised by the question. ¡ª Nalu. ¡ª Why were you here? Do you have a group? Her gaze became distant, as if she were reliving a nightmare. ¡ª I was migrating with my group... but they¡¯re not alive anymore. A heavy silence fell between us. Even Krahs seemed affected, though he tried to hide it.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡ª My clan... no, my family ¡ª Nalu continued, her voice quieter. ¡ª We lived in the south, but one day the fish became scarce, and we had to migrate. Out in the open sea, they found us. To them, we were nothing but prey. She lowered her head, her dark hair floating around her. ¡ª They killed the adults. The elders. The children were taken. I managed to escape. I swallowed hard. ¡ª Who are... "they"? Her purple eyes glowed with deep fear. ¡ª Orcas. Krahs'' eyes widened. ¡ª You''re lying. ¡ª I wish I were ¡ª Nalu replied, her words bitter. ¡ª They hunt anything that moves. They toy with their prey until they give in. Krahs clenched his fists. ¡ª And why are you still alive? Nalu smiled, but it wasn¡¯t a happy smile. ¡ª I was out hunting when my group was ambushed. Since I was far from them, it was easier to escape. My thoughts were racing. What if she was telling the truth? If there was a group of predators so close, who was to say we wouldn¡¯t be next? I looked at Krahs, waiting for a reaction, but he just kept his eyes fixed on the sand. Then Nalu whispered: ¡ª They will come here. Sooner or later. The cold water around us suddenly felt even colder. That night, I didn¡¯t sleep well. The danger was closer than I had imagined, and I hadn¡¯t prepared for it. Thinking about today''s adventure, I realized that any creature could enter or leave our territory without difficulty. There was no protection, no barriers. I need to fix this. I shifted on my algae bed, feeling restless. The sea wolf-mermaid and Lilay were sleeping deeply, while Krahs seemed to stay on watch. ¡ª What¡¯s wrong, little one? Can¡¯t sleep? ¡ª his voice was low but firm. ¡ª No... I¡¯m scared... ¡ª Of her? ¡ª he gestured toward Nalu. ¡ª No... Dad, how are we going to defend ourselves if anything can enter and leave our territory so easily? Krahs sighed. ¡ª By fighting... ¡ª But... what if that¡¯s not enough? He looked me in the eyes, serious. ¡ª It will be enough. As confident as he seemed, I wasn¡¯t. ¡ª Dad... can you help me with something? Krahs furrowed his brows, confused, but nodded without even asking what it was. I moved closer and started drawing in the sand. ¡ª We¡¯ll plant the eelgrass like this... I traced a dotted circle in the sand. ¡ª We leave small gaps for tiny fish and water to pass through, but not enough for big creatures. It¡¯s like a natural wall around the nest. Then, we plant another layer further inside, covering the spaces in the first. That way, anything trying to jump the first barrier will get caught on the tips of the second. Krahs studied my drawing in silence. Then, to my surprise, he smiled. ¡ª Nexha, this is... smart. My little one, I¡¯m proud of you. We¡¯ll follow your plan. He ran his hand over my head, and a warm feeling grew inside me. Knowing that the old shark had accepted my plan brought me relief. Finally, I was able to sleep. 24 - Can I trust you? 24 - Can I trust you? Krahs handed back the obsidian knife that Nexha had dropped the day before and said: ¡ª I will follow your plan, little one, but keep an eye on her. Even tied up, she might try something. He cast a serious look at Nalu, who was sleeping deeply. Her messy hair floated in the water, a bit of drool escaped from her mouth, and her snoring was soft, almost funny. She didn¡¯t seem like a threat¡­ But if Krahs told me to watch her, I wasn¡¯t going to disobey. After he left, I watched the two of them sleeping. Lilay, like any child, refused to wake up, and the prisoner was like a rock. I sighed and had my breakfast: a bottle of milk mixed with lucky crab powder. Strangely, it tasted much sweeter than usual. I found it odd, but I kept drinking. As soon as I finished, I started thinking of more ways to reinforce the nest¡¯s defenses, but many traps simply don¡¯t work underwater. I sighed, frustrated, and opened the shop, looking for something that could help me. That¡¯s when something new caught my attention. ¡ª Tool Crafting (Beginner) ¡ª 2000 MD My hands started itching. Something inside me screamed to buy it now, without thinking about the money. It was a strange feeling, as if Luna, through the system, was whispering in my ear, insisting over and over. I hesitated for a moment, but the feeling wouldn¡¯t go away. I gave in easily. ¡ª My money¡­ Now I only have 948 MD. I sighed, sad. At least no one was awake to hear my frustration. I closed my eyes and felt the familiar pain: like invisible needles piercing my brain as knowledge was imprinted into my mind. Luckily, it wasn¡¯t as intense as the other times. When I opened my eyes, new possibilities filled my head. I picked up a small obsidian stone that was in my hands and, without thinking much, opened the shop again. I bought a piece of bone and, using some algae as rope, I firmly tied the obsidian to the bone, creating a makeshift knife. I held the knife in my hands, spinning it between my fingers. The obsidian gleamed faintly under the filtered light of the nest. I knew it wasn¡¯t a perfect weapon, but still, I felt¡­ different. Like I had created something truly useful for the first time. A shiver ran through my body. "Will this be enough?" I tried to push the doubt away. Krahs trusted me. But deep down, a voice whispered that I was still weak. That if something really happened, I wouldn¡¯t be strong enough to protect anyone.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. I sighed and looked at Nalu. She was awake now but said nothing. Her body was curled up, her arms still bound by the tough algae. She watched me out of the corner of her eye, looking away whenever I met her gaze. She looked so scared¡­ ¡ª Hey. She shrank even more. ¡ª W-what? I sat on the sand in front of her, setting my knife aside. ¡ª Are you afraid of us? Nalu¡¯s eyes widened, surprised by the question. ¡ª What do you think?! ¡ª she grumbled, clenching her hands. ¡ª Your father caught me like I was just some fish! ¡ª He¡¯s not my father. She blinked, confused. ¡ª What? ¡ª Krahs. He¡¯s not really my father. Silence stretched between us. Nalu looked at me as if trying to understand something. ¡ª But¡­ then why does he protect you like that? Sharks don¡¯t usually¡­ care so much. ¡ª I don¡¯t know ¡ª I admitted. ¡ª I think he just¡­ takes care of us. Nalu looked away, biting her lips. ¡ª I didn¡¯t mean to scare you yesterday ¡ª she murmured. ¡ª I just¡­ thought it was strange to see a pup alone so far from a nest. I didn¡¯t want... She stopped herself, frowning, as if she had said too much. ¡ª Didn¡¯t want what? She hesitated. Then sighed. ¡ª I didn¡¯t want what happened to my clan to happen to you. Her words hit me hard. For a moment, I just sat there, feeling the water around me grow colder. She wasn¡¯t just a prisoner. She was someone who had lost everything. Like Krahs. I swallowed hard and looked at her more closely. Her body was tense, as if expecting me to attack her at any moment. Even tied up, even defenseless¡­ she was still afraid. She was more like Krahs than I had imagined. While the old shark hid his trauma behind a layer of toughness, she exposed hers, not bothering to conceal them. ¡ª Are you hungry? ¡ª I am. I haven¡¯t eaten anything since I found you yesterday. I felt a little guilty. After all, she had watched everyone eat yesterday while drooling. I grabbed some lucky crabs and cooked more than usual so everyone could eat. The system¡¯s sound rang in my ears as soon as I finished killing the crabs. {Congratulations, you¡¯ve reached Level 3! Check your status for changes.} While the crabs cooked, I opened my inventory to check my status. [Crystal-Scaled Mermaid] Name: Nexha Age: Baby Status: Normal Lv: 3 XP: 80/0 HP: 35/35 | MP: 20/20 | Attack: 4(+1) | Defense: 33(+1) | Intelligence: 13(+1) | Luck: 7 | Beauty: 30 Title: First of Many Skills: Analyze, System Shop Access, Passive Hardening Seeing how many crabs I¡¯d have to kill to level up again, I got discouraged. It seemed like reaching level 4 would take a while. At that moment, the delicious smell of the cooking crabs made Nalu drool as she stared at the pot. The aroma also woke Lilay immediately. ¡ª Hungry. ¡ª I¡¯m growing! It¡¯s normal. ¡ª I¡¯m almost your age, and I don¡¯t eat that much. ¡ª That¡¯s because... because... He seemed to run out of arguments and pouted. We ate before any more fights could start. Realizing that Nalu wouldn¡¯t be able to eat with her hands tied, I untied her. We all ate together until Krahs returned. He was angry. I got scolded. ¡ª She could have hurt you and your brother. Just because she pretends to be pathetic and dumb doesn¡¯t mean you can untie her. ¡ª Hey! Nalu got mad and wanted to argue back, but Krahs¡¯ irritated glare made her shrink into the nest¡¯s algae, trembling with fear. The old shark huffed angrily. ¡ª If you ever take advantage of my children¡¯s naivety, I¡¯ll tear you apart, even if I have to cross oceans to do it. Do you hear me, sea wolf? Nalu nodded, almost crying from fear. Krahs kept an eye on her for the rest of the day. But that night, I heard her whisper softly to me. ¡ª Hey, Nexha¡­ ¡ª Hm? She hesitated. ¡ª Thank you. For letting me eat. Her smile shone under the moonlight, looking genuinely grateful. 25 - Shark’s Test 25 - Shark¡¯s Test The next morning, Krahs wasted no time. As soon as Nexha woke up, he found the old shark standing in front of Nalu, arms crossed, his gaze as cold as ever. ¡ª "Cub, wake your sister. We''re settling this now." Nexha rubbed his eyes, feeling his stomach twist. Something in Krahs¡¯ tone made him realize this wasn¡¯t an ordinary conversation. Lilay woke up in a bad mood, grumbling about it being too early. But when he saw Krahs and Nalu facing each other, his expression changed. ¡ª "What''s going on?" he asked quietly. ¡ª "A test," Krahs replied, not taking his eyes off the prisoner. "I want to know if this sea wolf is truly harmless or if she''s just waiting for the right moment to go back and tell the orcas where we are." Nalu swallowed hard. ¡ª "H-how are you going to test me?" ¡ª "I¡¯m going to release you." Silence spread between them like a deep dive into the ocean. ¡ª "Seriously?" Nexha asked, incredulous. ¡ª "Yes," Krahs confirmed. "If she¡¯s a threat, she¡¯ll try to escape. And if she does¡­ I¡¯ll hunt her down." A shiver ran down Nexha¡¯s spine immediately. He looked at Nalu, trying to decipher what was going through her mind. Would she run? Would she try to attack them? But when Krahs untied her, Nalu simply stayed still. She massaged her wrists, took a deep breath, and then looked at them, hesitant.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Then, she walked over to where Nexha had left his improvised tools and picked up the bone knife with obsidian. ¡ª "What is she doing?" Lilay asked suspiciously. ¡ª "Fixing this," Nalu replied, frowning. "It''s poorly tied. If you use it in a real fight, this stone will come loose on the first hit." She grabbed a piece of sturdy seaweed, pulled out some fibers, and started retying the bindings as if it were second nature to her. Nexha blinked, confused. ¡ª "You know how to do that?" ¡ª "My clan¡­" she hesitated. "We made weapons for hunting. If they broke in the middle of a battle, we would die." Krahs watched in silence, his expression unreadable. Nalu finished reinforcing the knife and handed it back to Nexha. ¡ª "Now it''s better." He held the weapon and realized it was indeed much sturdier. Krahs sighed. ¡ª "Interesting. If she tries to run, use the knife, Nexha." He stepped closer to Nalu, his presence still imposing. She flinched instinctively but didn''t try to flee. ¡ª "I''ll be watching you." ¡ª "I know," she replied, her voice slightly trembling. She hesitated. Then, she looked at Nexha. Krahs¡¯ eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. He simply turned his back and started swimming out of the nest to patrol. ¡ª "Let¡¯s see how long this lasts." As soon as he was gone, Nexha moved closer to Nalu. ¡ª "You don¡¯t want to run?" She shrugged. ¡ª "I do, but where would I go? My clan is gone. I have no home anymore. And the food you make is the best I¡¯ve ever had." Nexha felt a pang in his chest. ¡ª "So¡­ you want to stay?" She gave a small smile, shy but genuine. ¡ª "If you¡¯ll have me, yes."
Krahs swam slowly around the nest, his senses always sharp. The ocean was vast, but he knew dangers could appear at any moment. His instincts never failed him, and something told him he shouldn¡¯t lower his guard. ¡ª "The sea wolf¡­ Nalu." She was still an enigma to him. The way she acted after being freed left him thoughtful. If she were a spy, she would have tried to escape. If she were foolish, she would have attacked them. But instead, she chose to stay and help, reinforcing Nexha¡¯s fragile blade. Why? What did she gain from this? ¡ª "My cubs trust too easily," he muttered to himself. The shark clenched his teeth. Experience had taught him not to trust so easily. In his life, he had seen many hunters pretend to be weak to get what they wanted. And in the end, they always came back to attack. The thought of losing everything again was intolerable. He stayed nearby while tending to the barrier Nexha had planned¡ªusing moray seaweed, forming a wall of golden spears strong enough to protect them. 26 - The Melody 26 - The Melody After days of calm, with no sign of Nalu trying to escape or posing a threat, Krahs still remained on high alert. I approached him hesitantly and asked: ¡ª Are you still keeping an eye on her? Krahs crossed his arms and answered without taking his gaze off the sea wolf: ¡ª Cub, an adult¡¯s trust takes time to earn. ¡ª But¡­ I stopped before finishing my sentence. A tightness grew in my chest as I realized my thoughts didn¡¯t seem the same as before. My mind was confused, as if I were changing without noticing. I¡¯m not the same anymore. I felt a lump in my throat, about to be swallowed by an existential crisis, until Krahs placed a hand on my head. He looked concerned. ¡ª Nexha?... Nexha? Cub, are you alright? ¡ª I... was just thinking. ¡ª Don¡¯t scare me like that, standing there with that confused face. He ruffled my hair. It was a small gesture, but it gave me a strange feeling. For a moment, it felt like Krahs had let his guard down. But then, he froze. I didn¡¯t understand at first. But then I heard it.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. A deep sound, echoing through the water like an ancient whisper. Low, melodic¡­ and sad. Lilay¡¯s eyes widened in amazement, like a child hearing music for the first time. ¡ª Did you hear that? ¡ª Yes¡­ ¡ª I murmured, frowning. ¡ª It¡¯s beautif... ¡ª No. Krahs cut Lilay off before he could finish his sentence. And that¡¯s when I realized. The old shark looked tense. His instincts were screaming. He recognized that melody, but at the same time, something about it was different. ¡ª Those damned things are crying. It was the first time I had ever heard Krahs curse in front of the cubs. Lilay, curious, whispered to me: ¡ª Nexha¡­ what does ¡®damned¡¯ mean? ¡ª That¡¯s a lesson for later, Lilay. Right now, focus. Krahs knows something we don¡¯t. ¡ª O-okay... The old shark was angry, but Nalu was terrified. She covered her ears with her hands, trembling, as if the ocean itself was crushing her chest. ¡ª I-it can¡¯t be¡­ Orcas don¡¯t grieve. Krahs scoffed, teeth clenched. ¡ª Yes, they do. When something even they can¡¯t defeat appears. Nalu swallowed hard. ¡ª Like what? Krahs gripped his spear tighter. ¡ª Something we can¡¯t defeat either. He turned to Nalu, his expression as hard as stone. ¡ª If I don¡¯t come back¡­ take the cubs as far as you can. ¡ª But... ¡ª You wanted my trust? You have it now. Protect the children. Without looking back, the old shark swam out of the nest, faster than I had ever seen him swim. Lilay was confused, not understanding what was happening. But I did. Without thinking, I dove into the water and started swimming after him. I wasn¡¯t as fast as Krahs, but I wouldn¡¯t give up. After a while, I realized I was lost. I couldn¡¯t see Krahs anymore. But then, I smelled blood. It was strong, thick. My heart pounded. I followed the trail and approached the moray seaweed barrier. The currents made them sway like golden spears. I found a gap and slipped through. And then I saw it. Krahs was in the hands of a massive merman, so big he could almost snap Krahs¡¯ tail with one hand. Krahs¡¯ spear lay broken in two on the ground. He scratched and thrashed, trying to break free, but the enemy was too strong. Without hesitation, I ran to the wreckage of his weapon. I grabbed the piece that still had the sharp tip. And then, with everything I had, I activated my ability to make myself more resistant and charged forward. ¡ª Father! 26 - Elder 26 - Elder Long ago, a merman swam through the oceans in search of one of the stars that had fallen into the sea. Long ago, the star he guarded faded in sorrow. Tired from his long journey, the merman sat on a rock to rest. Battle scars adorned his tail, leaving no doubt that he was a siren with the tail of a sperm whale. ¡ª The vast ocean seems so restless... So many new tribes, so many conflicts... Very different from when the stars lived. This world that their fall created for the daughter of the two is so magical, but meaningless for an elder like me... ¡ª he murmured, his voice lost in the currents that danced around him. He swam to the surface and expelled the water from his lungs. The old habits of a sperm whale were still imprinted on him, even though he was no longer entirely one. The starry sky made him want to admire it, but it also brought a weight to his chest. ¡ª The descendant of the stars only needs a guardian and told me to be free... But this purposeless freedom makes me sadder each day. Without you, stars, I wish I had stayed by your side longer. He looked at the sky, seeming as if he wanted to cry while gazing at the stars. But then he heard a familiar sound. The waves in the current seemed to call him for a conversation, despite the distance between them. ¡ª Little Zhaelor, can you hear me? The sperm whale frowned, irritated at being called "little," and answered rudely: ¡ª What do you want, you worn-out elder? ¡ª I see your tongue is as sharp as ever, little one. The great sperm whale snorted. It had been a long time since he had spoken to the elder, after all, he was far away. Without the blessing of the stars, not even the song of sperm whales could be heard. ¡ª So, why does my dear and battered elder want to speak to me through the descendant of the stars? ¡ª A new lineage has been born. The sperm whale choked on the water he had expelled and, after a few minutes, regained his composure. ¡ª That joke wasn¡¯t funny. ¡ª It¡¯s not a joke. The descendant of the stars discovered it herself. I will send the condemned. Well, your time of freedom will soon be over. How do you feel? Zhaelor crossed his arms, observing his own distorted reflection in the water.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡ª Free from this nuisance. The elder laughed but soon returned to a serious tone. ¡ª A hatchling with scales like crystals tipped in blue... Congratulations on getting a new master, little one. The young sperm whale chuckled, and as soon as he heard the location, his exhaustion vanished. With his powerful tail covered in battle trophies, Zhaelor swam toward Nexha. Days and nights of travel did not tire him, but as he approached his destination, he heard the song of the treacherous orcas. They seemed to be searching for prey. Though other creatures could not hear from such a distance, to a sperm whale, the sound was loud and clear. A smile formed on his face. The desire to fight and put those troublemakers in their place overtook him. He never ran from a good fight, and the chance to teach those creatures a lesson was irresistible. He followed the soft songs until he reached a barrier of moray seaweed. Impressed by how precisely they were planted in two layers, preventing the orcas from entering due to their large size, Zhaelor grew curious about the place. But before he could discover more, his urge to face the young orcas took over. As the great sperm whale approached, the young orcas grouped into formation, trying to intimidate him with their numbers. ¡ª We don¡¯t want to fight a whale! ¡ª That¡¯s right! Leave our territory, and nothing will happen! Zhaelor laughed sarcastically and replied: ¡ª The little orca pups are baring their teeth... How terrifying, these little fish fresh out of the egg! Provoked, the orcas became furious and attacked in perfect coordination. Zhaelor, however, mocked them, while their weapons couldn¡¯t even scratch his skin. With a single powerful tail strike, he created a strong current that easily disarmed his opponents. When one of them charged at him, aiming for his head, Zhaelor grabbed the young orca with one hand and squeezed tightly. Desperate, the young one called for his brothers'' help, but they abandoned him as soon as they realized they couldn¡¯t win. The orca cried loudly, hoping they would return to rescue him, but they never came back. ¡ª They are so cruel... Leaving their poor brother behind to save themselves! ¡ª Zhaelor teased, watching the desperate young orca. He released the young orca, and while he enjoyed the scene, a great shark emerged from the moray seaweed wall, wielding a spear with a dark tip. The shark showed no fear of the sperm whale, which caught his attention. The battle with Krahs was fierce. Unlike the orcas, the shark did not flee or hesitate. Zhaelor felt foolish for being wounded multiple times by such a small being. With each attack, his anger grew. How dare such a small creature challenge him? He stopped playing. Violent strikes made the surrounding waters swirl into brutal currents. And then came the scream. ¡ª Father! The childish voice froze Zhaelor. He stopped just as his instincts demanded the final blow. He looked in the direction of the sound and saw Nexha. Krahs did not hesitate. Wounded and desperate, he grabbed the hatchling and swam to protect him. Zhaelor hesitated, the weight of revelation making him falter. He already knew who the hatchling was, but seeing him there, so small and vulnerable, stirred an unfamiliar discomfort. The sperm whale growled and cast a spell. Even with his tail paralyzed and holding the child, Krahs refused to let go. He began to sink, but before he did, he shouted: ¡ª Run, Nexha! Don¡¯t look back! The hatchling hesitated. His gaze met Zhaelor¡¯s, filled with restrained rage. Then, he tried to swim faster... But he was captured. Zhaelor gripped him lightly, feeling his rapid breathing. Something inside him twisted, and a strange happiness emerged, confirming that this was indeed his new master. 27- Werent you an enemy? 27- Weren''t you an enemy? The little one trembled in his hands. Zhaelor could feel his rapid breathing and couldn¡¯t stop a surprised murmur from escaping his lips: ¡ª A star. ¡ª W-what?! ¡ª Nexha stammered, still trying to keep the broken spear tip pointed at him. Krahs, wounded and gasping, tried to move forward, but his body wouldn¡¯t obey. His gaze burned like embers, filled with confusion and indignation, locked onto the cachalot. But Zhaelor seemed completely uninterested in the shark. His focus was entirely on the child he held. He lifted his gigantic hand, making Nexha look minuscule¡ªlike a tiny fish in front of a whale. Seeing the cachalot''s approach, the little one reacted immediately. His heart pounded, and, trembling, he kept the broken spear tip aimed to keep Zhaelor at bay. The massive triton blinked, surprised. ¡ª Look at that, he¡¯s trying to stab me! How brave! With a single movement of his finger, Zhaelor effortlessly deflected the spear, as if brushing aside a leaf in the ocean. Then, without the slightest ceremony, he poked Nexha¡¯s cheeks. ¡ª My new master is so cute! Nexha froze. Krahs froze. Silence reigned for a second.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. That immense being, who minutes ago had seemed like an unstoppable war machine, was now wagging his tail like a happy fish and poking the child as if he were a toy. ¡ª W...what...? ¡ª Nexha muttered, unable to process what was happening. ¡ª You¡¯re smaller than my fin! ¡ª Zhaelor exclaimed, delighted. ¡ª I just want to squeeze you! Krahs opened his mouth to protest, but all that came out was an indignant noise. He was still trying to understand how the fierce battle had turned into¡­ this. Zhaelor, on the other hand, seemed completely unbothered. He kept wagging his tail and poking Nexha again, as if he had just gotten a new pet. ¡ª Ah, yes¡­ this is going to be fun! Krahs was still trying to piece together his sanity as he watched the bizarre spectacle in front of him. He blinked several times, hoping that when he opened his eyes again, everything would make sense. It didn¡¯t. ¡ª This can¡¯t be happening¡­ ¡ª he muttered, rubbing his forehead to check if he had hit it during the fight. Meanwhile, Nexha, red with indignation, was fuming as the giant cachalot continued poking his cheeks. He tried to pull away, but Zhaelor simply pulled him back with a single finger, as if handling a runaway baby octopus. ¡ª Stop that! I am not cute! ¡ª Nexha growled, baring his teeth. Zhaelor tilted his head, pretending to be surprised. ¡ª You¡¯re not?! ¡ª He let out a small laugh and gave Nexha¡¯s forehead a light tap. ¡ª You look more like a little pufferfish trying to scare someone! Furious, Nexha did the only thing he could: he opened his mouth and bit Zhaelor¡¯s finger with all his strength. ¡­ Nothing happened. The triton looked at his own finger, then at Nexha, who still had his jaw clenched, eyes filled with determination. For a second, silence filled the ocean. ¡ª ¡­ Aaah, my goodness! ¡ª Zhaelor suddenly shouted. ¡ª My master is so brave!! Nexha¡¯s eyes widened, and he immediately let go of the finger, outraged. ¡ª I am NOT your master!! Zhaelor completely ignored the protest and slapped his tail excitedly. ¡ª Little star master, I, the great and fearsome Zhaelor, declare my eternal loyalty to you! From this day forward, I shall be your elder, your guardian, your shield against any danger!! Nexha choked on seawater. ¡ª What?! Krahs finally snapped out of his trance and grabbed his own head. ¡ª This cannot be happening¡­ Nexha, a star?! But it was. And now, he would have to deal with it. 28. Playful Whale 28. Playful Whale Nexha was more confused than ever. He blinked a few times, trying to find some logic in this absurd situation, then decided to pretend to be just a curious little pup and asked: ¡ª W-why would I be your master? Zhaelor gave him a big smile, as if the answer were the most obvious thing in the world. ¡ª Isn''t it obvious, my little master? You are a star! And every star needs an elder to protect it! ¡ª Okay, but then¡­ why did you attack us?! ¡ª Nexha retorted, crossing his arms. The cachalot hesitated for a second, swishing his tail from side to side. ¡ª Eerr¡­ well¡­ first of all, I didn''t know the shark was also my master''s servant and¡­ I ended up hurting him¡­ slightly. Krahs, who was still lying on the sand, unable to get up, widened his eyes. ¡ª Slightly?! You almost broke my tail! I can¡¯t even swim properly! Zhaelor made a dismissive gesture. ¡ª But I didn¡¯t break it, so it was light! Besides, the paralysis spell will wear off soon, don¡¯t worry. In a little while, you¡¯ll be able to swim again, happily floating around! ¡ª S-spell?! I thought you were just a fighter?! ¡ª Oh, no, no, no, young master! I am truly a fighter, but every elder knows a spell or two to protect their stars. Safety first! ¡ª There you go again with this star thing¡­ ¡ª Nexha sighed, rubbing his temples. ¡ª Okay, but what exactly is a star? And why did you call me that?! Zhaelor leaned in a bit, as if he were about to share a very important secret. ¡ª Ah, young master, you are definitely a star! A star is someone of a unique lineage, someone destined to change the seas! Nexha froze. Even without showing the system to that crazy cachalot, he seemed to sense that Nexha truly was someone who could change the world.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡ª Besides¡­ young master is so smart! And looks so adorable when he thinks, like that, with his little hands on his chin! Nexha stiffened. There he was, just a baby, spending the last few minutes being treated like a plush toy by a warrior cachalot who, until a short while ago, was a deadly threat. And now¡­ now that monster was calling him master as if he were a happy puppy wagging its tail! Without thinking twice, Nexha forced a nervous smile. ¡ª H-hehe¡­ I¡­ want to go home. ¡ª GREAT IDEA! ¡ª Zhaelor shouted, clapping his fins excitedly. ¡ª Let''s go home, little master! While Nexha grew paler by the second, Krahs finally managed to move again and started swimming, still resentful but now maintaining a respectful posture before the cachalot. After all, an elder was an elder. Krahs understood this much better than young Nexha. Seeing his chance, Nexha tried to escape. He swam toward the moray-seaweed wall, but the very next second, he felt something grabbing his fin. ¡ª Master¡­ where are you going so fast? Don¡¯t you think you should go slower so you don¡¯t hurt yourself in the seaweed? The little one turned slowly, and there was Zhaelor, holding his fin with two fingers, as if stopping a tiny goldfish from running away. ¡ª Does he think I''m made of glass?! ¡ª Nexha thought, outraged. He huffed and tried another approach: hiding. He swam in zigzags, dove into the seaweed, tried to blend in with the moray-seaweed, even spread his fins to look less suspicious. But Zhaelor completely misunderstood. ¡ª AHA! Found you, master! If the master wants to play, I can count so you can hide! Nexha froze. That cachalot had an infallible radar for finding desperate little pups! After the sixth failed attempt, Nexha was exhausted. Meanwhile, Krahs watched from afar, still confused and clearly suspicious of Zhaelor. ¡ª Does young master wish to play more? Or would you like to take a break? ¡ª Go to hell! ¡ª Nexha shouted, panting. Krahs sighed and shook his head. ¡ª Looks like your fate is bigger than you realize, pup. Hearing that, Nexha froze. He didn¡¯t want to accept anything! But when he looked at Zhaelor, he realized something¡­ The cachalot didn¡¯t seem to have bad intentions. He was just¡­ so excited to have found him that he didn¡¯t even notice how much of a gigantic nuisance he was being. Sighing, Nexha finally raised his hands in surrender. ¡ª Fine, fine! I give up! But if I¡¯m your master, then¡­ as my first command¡­ I want you to stop treating me like a child and actually listen to me! Zhaelor blinked a few times, processing. Then, suddenly, he broke into a wide grin. ¡ª Young master, of course, I will listen to you! Nexha raised an eyebrow. ¡ª Exactly! And since I¡¯m your master, you have to obey! The cachalot stayed silent for a long moment¡­ then clapped his fins excitedly. ¡ª Looks like young master finally understands! I¡¯m so happy! My master is so clever! Nexha sighed, relieved. For now, he had gotten rid of it¡­ But he knew this wasn¡¯t going to end so easily. The three finally started swimming back to the nest. But when Zhaelor, with his massive size, passed through the moray-seaweed wall¡­ He simply opened up a giant hole right in the middle of the path. Nexha closed his eyes and sighed again. ¡ª This is going to be such a headache later¡­ 29 - Is the Tutorial Over? 29 - Is the Tutorial Over? When Zhaelor saw the size of the nest, he froze. His radiant smile slowly faded as he realized a serious problem: he didn¡¯t fit inside. The titanic cachalot tried to tilt his body, at least squeeze his head through the entrance... but it was no use. He was simply too big. And then, his shoulders slumped. His eyes shimmered with genuine sadness. ¡ª I¡­ I can¡¯t go in? ¡ª he murmured, his voice heavy with disappointment. He stood there, just outside, like a rejected pup, his eyes glistening as if his world had just collapsed. Krahs watched the scene, confused. He didn¡¯t know how to feel about this ridiculous, massive being. On one hand, Zhaelor was the same monster that had nearly split his tail in half. On the other¡­ now he looked like an abandoned dog waiting for its owner to come back from the store. The shark crossed his arms, grumbling under his breath. ¡ª Aren''t elders supposed to be smart? Meanwhile, inside the nest, Nexha barely had time to breathe before he was tackled by a sobbing purple blur. ¡ª NEXHAAAAA!!! ¡ª Lilay jumped on top of him, sobbing desperately. His body trembled, and his choked cries came out in short, desperate hiccups. ¡ª I thought I¡¯d never see you again! I¡­ I¡­! ¡ª I¡¯m here! I¡¯m here! STOP CRYING ON ME! ¡ª Nexha protested, trying to wriggle out of his brother¡¯s suffocating hug. But Lilay clung to him like a desperate octopus. ¡ª Your snot is getting on me! ¡ª Nexha shook himself, trying to escape the damp embrace. Lilay only whimpered louder and tightened the hug.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! On the other side of the nest, Nalu watched them, frozen between relief and confusion. ¡ª But¡­ how did you survive the orcas?! Nexha took a deep breath, rubbing his face. He was exhausted. ¡ª Well¡­ ¡ª he glanced to the side, sighing. ¡ª There was something worse than them. Nalu¡¯s eyes widened. ¡ª WHAT do you mean?! Nexha shot her a look of pure exhaustion. ¡ª Let¡¯s just say¡­ a crazy cachalot wants to be my servant. For a few seconds, the nest was silent. Nalu blinked. Then blinked again. ¡ª What? Thinking it was some kind of joke, she scoffed and swam outside to see for herself. But the moment she came face-to-face with Zhaelor, her skin instantly paled. She froze. ¡ª A-ah¡­ Zhaelor was colossal. His mere presence made the ocean around him feel small. His eyes gleamed with excitement upon seeing her, but for Nalu¡­ it was a living nightmare. Her fins began to tremble. ¡ª W-what¡­? She took a step back. And then¡ª ¡ª AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! She spun around and bolted back inside the nest as fast as she could, her heart pounding in her chest. Meanwhile, Lilay had the complete opposite reaction. ¡ª WOOOOOAH! ¡ª He looked at Zhaelor, his eyes sparkling with admiration. The little one eagerly swam around the giant cachalot, his excitement bursting like fireworks. ¡ª YOU¡¯RE HUGE! ¡ª He spun around him, flipping in the water. ¡ª Can you carry me?! Can you teach me how to grow this big?! Zhaelor chuckled, visibly charmed by the little one¡¯s energy. ¡ª Your brother is so adorable, young master! ¡ª He beamed, clearly delighted. Nexha closed his eyes and massaged his temples. But then, something strange happened. He looked around, observing each of his companions. And then he realized. They were perfect. Lilay, with his natural ability to win people over, could be a great diplomat or manipulator. Nalu, with her intelligence and dexterity in crafting, could be the one to build his future. Krahs, with his strength and leadership, was the perfect general to maintain order and protect whatever they would create. And Zhaelor¡­ a formidable and loyal warrior, capable of protecting him while he was still weak. He had all the right pieces to build something great. But¡­ why? Nexha froze. ¡ª Wait¡­ this doesn¡¯t make sense. They all came to him on their own. He didn¡¯t seek out any of them. How did this happen? A cold shiver ran down his spine. He remembered Luna¡¯s words. "You are ready to start the tutorial." What if the tutorial was still happening? What if everything was being manipulated to happen exactly like this? Nexha felt a weight in his chest. If the system could assemble all the pieces on its own¡­ Then why did it need him? His heart pounded. Something was wrong. Something he still didn¡¯t understand. And, for the first time, he started questioning the true purpose of the system. 30. First Construction 30. First Construction This day had been exhausting for Nexha. His body ached, his eyes were heavy, and his mind could no longer think straight. Too drained to stay awake, he returned to the nest and curled up in the most comfortable corner, falling asleep instantly. He only woke up the next day, stretching lazily while rubbing his eyes. The deep sleep had left him even hungrier, and the first thing he did was grab his bottle¡ª a habit he had developed in this new world. As he drank, he felt his confidence returning. It was funny how having a full stomach made everything seem less problematic. Stepping out of the nest, he found Lilay trying to play with Zhaelor. ¡ª Go, catch! ¡ª Lilay tossed a small rock at the cachalot, who didn¡¯t react at all. The stone gently bounced off his head and fell to the ground. ¡ª Hm? ¡ª Zhaelor turned his head, confused. ¡ª You don¡¯t know how to play? ¡ª Lilay grumbled, crossing his arms. ¡ª I do! Just not with useless little rocks. ¡ª Useless?! This is a super rare stone I found yesterday! ¡ª ¡­It just looks like a rock. Lilay huffed, frustrated. Nexha chuckled at the scene but then noticed something odd. Zhaelor was sleeping¡­ out in the open. The cachalot had spent the night in the middle of nowhere. That made Nexha frown. He looked around, observing the forest of moray kelp growing all around them. He had specifically bought these plants as building material. They were strong, flexible, and really resembled bamboo. A perfect resource for constructing a permanent shelter¡ªor even a city in the future. If Zhaelor was sleeping outside, that was on him. Without wasting time, he returned to the nest and grabbed his knife¡ªthe same one Luna had helped him with. With the sharp blade in hand, he swam to one of the kelp stalks and made a firm cut. The reaction was unexpected. The plant shot up toward the surface as if it had a mind of its own. ¡ª What?! He frowned and pulled the rest of the kelp, examining it. The stalk was hollow, with tiny air bubbles trapped inside its segments. That explained why they stood upright in the water so effortlessly. Nexha narrowed his eyes. ¡ª Ah¡­ I see how to fix this. On the second try, he made small holes between the segments before cutting. This way, the air escaped in tiny bubbles, and the plant didn¡¯t float.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. He smirked, satisfied. With the technique mastered, he began cutting the kelp to the same size and planting them in the sand like pillars. However, he quickly noticed a problem: they fell over with any movement of the water. ¡ª Tch¡­ this won¡¯t work. Thinking fast, he grabbed a rock and started hammering the stalks down until they were firmly fixed into the ground. Little by little, the foundation of the structure began taking shape. Lilay and Zhaelor, who had been focused on their game, soon noticed what Nexha was doing. ¡ª What crazy thing is my brother inventing now? ¡ª Lilay tilted his head, curious. Zhaelor watched in silence, his eyes glowing. When Nexha started tying the stalks together to create a makeshift floor, the cachalot¡¯s curiosity turned into excitement. ¡ª Young master seems to need help. Without waiting for permission, he swam over and began assisting. With his strong fins, Zhaelor could snap the stalks to the exact size Nexha needed. But then, another problem arose. The stalks floated. Zhaelor furrowed his brows, watching the kelp disobediently drift upward. ¡ª Why?! I did it right! He pouted, his frustration growing. Nexha chuckled. ¡ª You look like a whining child. ¡ª How cruel, calling your elder a child! ¡ª The cachalot huffed. ¡ª If you keep acting like one, you deserve it. But his disappointed face was the very definition of a sad puppy. That¡¯s when Nexha had an idea. ¡ª Let¡¯s do this: I¡¯ll make the holes so they don¡¯t float, and you cut and bring the stalks. Zhaelor¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡ª Yes, young master! You¡¯re so smart! ¡ª Not really. You guys just don¡¯t think much. Lilay, who had been watching from the sidelines, decided to join in. ¡ª I¡¯ll tie the stalks together, then! ¡ª See? That¡¯s how you use your brain. Good job, Lilay. ¡ª Hehe, I¡¯m as smart as my brother! ¡ª That¡¯s right, Lilay! Nexha patted his little brother¡¯s back approvingly, making Lilay beam with excitement. He grabbed some smaller kelp strands and used them as ropes, securing the stalks tightly together. And so, the three of them started working as a team, each fulfilling their role. With their combined efforts, the platform began taking shape. The stalks were firmly in place, the bindings were secure, and the floor was becoming more stable. The project was actually working. As they worked, the three of them chatted and laughed. ¡ª Nexha, why didn¡¯t we do this before? ¡ª Lilay asked while tying another stalk. ¡ª Maybe because I was busy trying to survive? ¡ª Oh, right. ¡ª Lilay laughed. Zhaelor let out a satisfied sigh, seeing his master in good spirits. Nexha glanced at him. ¡ª Have you never worked with anyone before? Zhaelor hesitated. ¡ª Not like this. Stars usually don¡¯t do this kind of thing. ¡ª And what do they do? The cachalot smiled. ¡ª Nothing. Their mere existence changes the sea for the better. Nexha averted his gaze, feeling something strange in his chest. He thought about it¡ªwasn¡¯t that exactly what the system had done? Just by existing, it had changed this place. But¡­ maybe it wasn¡¯t just Zhaelor building something new here. Maybe he was too. Maybe, just by being here, this place would become more advanced. Sometimes, it made him feel like the system was much bigger than he had ever imagined¡ªlike he was just a piece of something greater. Nexha shook his head, pushing the thought away. The system had already raised too many questions in his mind. After a few hours, the structure was finished. The base was solid, the stalks were tightly secured, and the space was large enough to fit all of them. They still needed walls and a roof, but it was already a great start. Nexha looked at their completed work and smiled. ¡ª Not bad. Lilay jumped onto the platform. ¡ª What is this? ¡ª A foundation for the new nest. ¡ª But we already have one. Lilay looked confused. ¡ª Zhaelor doesn¡¯t. ¡ª He looks fat¡­ won¡¯t this break? Nexha slapped a hand over Lilay¡¯s mouth before he could insult the cachalot any further. Zhaelor sighed in relief. ¡ª Finally, a place where I can fit! Lilay giggled. ¡ª Ah, now you don¡¯t have to sleep like a homeless crab anymore! ¡ª Hey! Nexha just laughed, giving up on correcting Lilay. It was a start. But for the first time, he truly felt comfortable here. Like, somehow, he was on the right path. 31-House for the Sperm Whale 31-House for the Sperm Whale With the base of the new nest built, Nexha decided it was time to improve it. He analyzed the structure to see if it could support walls and a roof to provide protection from the surrounding environment. ¡ª We¡¯re going to need more moray seaweed ¡ª Nexha pointed to the seaweed forest around them. ¡ª They¡¯re sturdy and can be woven together to form a wall. Lilay raised his hand excitedly: ¡ª I¡¯ll take care of the decoratioooon! ¡ª he announced, swimming in circles. Nexha sighed. ¡ª Fine¡­ but don¡¯t overdo it. ¡ª When have I ever overdone it? ¡ª Lilay put his hands on his hips, offended. ¡ª Yesterday, you tried to put a crown of crabs on my head because you thought it would look better. ¡ª And it would¡¯ve worked! You need to learn some style, brother! ¡ª And you should stop thinking you understand this subject. Ignoring the comment, Nexha got to work. While he and Zhaelor cut the seaweed and wove it together to create a sturdy wall without much trouble, Nexha was surprised at the scene¡ªLilay was already on his own artistic mission. He didn¡¯t seem like the same lazy, food-obsessed sibling Nexha knew. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. A little while later, Nexha turned to the side and was met with¡­ a disaster. ¡ª Lilay¡­ what is this? ¡ª Decoration! ¡ª He grinned, satisfied. The new nest was covered in colorful shells, shiny stones, pieces of coral, and even a starfish that looked rather irritated about being stuck to the wall. ¡ª This looks like a mess, not decoration. ¡ª Nexha put his hand on his face. Zhaelor, who had been watching, tried not to laugh. ¡ª Well¡­ it¡¯s a unique style. Kind of¡­ flashy, maybe. ¡ª "Flashy"? This is screaming for help! ¡ª Nexha pointed at the starfish. Lilay crossed his arms, offended. ¡ª You guys don¡¯t understand art! ¡ª Hey, I think I heard Krahs calling for dinner. ¡ª Dinner! Nexha watched Lilay rush off to find their father at an impressive speed. As soon as his brother was out of sight, Nexha quickly began undoing the chaotic decorations. The construction work continued. Little by little, Zhaelor helped weave the seaweed together to form a sturdy wall. For the roof, they used a thicker set of woven seaweed that blocked most of the light while still allowing water to circulate. After a few hours of effort from Zhaelor, under Nexha¡¯s command, the new nest was complete. Zhaelor looked at the structure and let out a satisfied sigh. ¡ª This is much better than sleeping out in the open. ¡ª I hope you like it. Zhaelor laughed heartily. ¡ª Of course I do. My young master guided me so well! I can only be grateful to know that my lord has such empathy for an elder. ¡ª Was I not supposed to? Nexha was curious, but the giant whale simply smiled instead of answering. He looked around. It wasn¡¯t much, but at least now the place felt like a real home. He crossed his arms and smiled. ¡ª Not bad for a first project. At that moment, Lilay returned, munching on a fish. Even from far away, Nexha yelled at him angrily¡ª ¡ª But if you try to put one more starfish here, I¡¯ll tie you to the ceiling! Lilay pouted and took another bite of his fish, seeming entirely unbothered by his brother¡¯s words. Zhaelor¡¯s new home was ready, and for the first time, Nexha felt like he was truly building something bigger. Something that might just be the beginning. 32- Talking with Nalu 32- Talking with Nalu Nalu noticed something strange that morning. Krahs wasn¡¯t in the nest. The shark¡¯s absence piqued her curiosity, and without thinking much about it, she set off to search for him in the moray seaweed forest. She swam for hours without a trace of him until she finally found him at the surface, lying on a rock, staring at the horizon. ¡ª Shark? ¡ª she called, approaching. ¡ª What are you doing here? I thought you¡¯d be keeping an eye on the sperm whale, just like you did with me in the first days. Krahs didn¡¯t even turn to respond. ¡ª Spying on an elder would be pointless. Nalu blinked, confused. ¡ª That thing is an elder?! ¡ª That¡¯s right. He is an elder who serves the stars. The sea wolf furrowed her brow, trying to piece it together in her mind. ¡ª If he¡¯s an elder¡­ and he wants to serve Nexha¡­ ¡ª her eyes widened. ¡ª Does that mean little Nexha is a star? Krahs snorted in irritation. ¡ª I could imagine that, but don¡¯t trust the sperm whale too much. He¡¯s only pretending while he¡¯s near Nexha. That being is a ruthless degenerate. ¡ª Then why do you let him stay near your son? You didn¡¯t even try to fight?! Krahs fell silent for a moment before murmuring, a slight touch of frustration in his voice: This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡ª I¡¯m not strong enough. At that moment, Nalu noticed a large bruise on the shark¡¯s tail. Her gaze softened slightly. ¡ª So that¡¯s why you¡¯re staying away from home? You don¡¯t want the kids to see? She sighed and, without waiting for an answer, quickly swam away. Minutes later, she returned with a healing seaweed and began treating Krahs¡¯s wound. ¡ª You seemed so tough when I first met you¡­ But now I see you¡¯re just a doting father who¡¯s even afraid to show a scratch to his pups. ¡ª She chuckled softly. Krahs turned his face away, irritated. ¡ª Shut up, sea wolf¡­ ¡ª My name is Nalu! ¡ª Whatever. ¡ª He lay back down on the rock, clearly unwilling to continue the conversation. But Nalu, unfazed, climbed onto the rock beside him. ¡ª If all we have is to accept, then why not simply accept? Krahs closed his eyes, exhausted. ¡ª I wish I had a choice sometimes¡­ ¡ª Everyone does, old shark. Krahs opened one eye and shot her a sharp look. ¡ª Stop calling me old! I¡¯m not that old. ¡ª Hehe, got it. Feeling powerless puts you in a bad mood, huh? Nalu laughed and started teasing him even more, as if all the fear she once had of him had suddenly vanished. The interaction lasted a few minutes until, suddenly, Lilay appeared, swimming toward them with a determined expression. ¡ª Dad! I got what you asked for! ¡ª he exclaimed excitedly. ¡ª I kept an eye on the sperm whale. He¡¯s really bad at pretending to be defenseless. Krahs lifted his head, interested. ¡ª Great. What else did you find out? ¡ª Nexha doesn¡¯t seem to suspect that the sperm whale could be dangerous. But, now that I think about it, he¡¯s been more worried about something else¡­ as always. The shark sighed and nodded. ¡ª I see¡­ I¡¯ll get you a fish as a reward. ¡ª Yay! ¡ª Lilay cheered with excitement. Krahs quickly dove and returned shortly after with a fresh fish, handing it to his son, who accepted the prize with a proud smile. Nalu watched everything in silence, a small smile forming on her lips. ¡ª You turned your son into a spy¡­ How noble, doting father. Krahs growled but didn¡¯t deny it. ¡ª I only asked him to observe the sperm whale. Lilay already sees far more than Nexha. If he trains this skill, he can improve a lot¡­ maybe even see things I can¡¯t. Nalu raised an eyebrow, impressed. ¡ª Smart. But he still won¡¯t surpass Nexha. Krahs snorted, looking at the sky with a serious expression. ¡ª Nothing I know can surpass Nexha. If the sperm whale isn¡¯t lying¡­ he is one of the most valuable beings in this sea. 33—The Witch 33¡ªThe Witch The sound of incessant dripping echoed through the damp cave. The cold was so intense that the stalactites were covered in thin layers of ice, growing thicker over time. In the center of the cavern, a pale, scaly tail rested on the frozen ground. Unfrozen droplets slid across its surface, reflecting the faint bluish light that filtered through the cracks in the cave. Transparent fins lay fragilely on the floor, as if they could shatter at the slightest sudden movement. Then, a sound broke the silence: something large emerging from the water. The noise reverberated through the space, stirring the owner of the tail. She pushed aside her long, straight black hair, which cascaded over her face like a waterfall, and slowly lifted herself. Her gaze revealed irritation. ¡ª What do you want, orcas? ¡ª Her voice sounded like a melancholic and treacherous song. ¡ª Didn¡¯t I tell you not to disturb me so soon? The mermaid glided smoothly across the damp ground, her movements serpentine, like a creature woven from shadows and ice. She stopped only before a large opening in the cave floor, where seawater had gathered into a small underground pool. There, a triton with a dark, robust tail stared at her. His body was covered in scars, and one of his eyes was blind, concealed beneath a tattered cloth. He gripped a bone trident tightly, as if holding back his own revulsion was already a great effort. ¡ª We captured everyone you asked for. Now keep your end of the deal and release our kin, witch. ¡ª His voice was firm but carried tension. The mermaid smiled, revealing rows of thin, needle-like teeth. Her completely black eyes arched in satisfaction as a melodic laugh escaped her lips. ¡ª The foolish orcas brought them so quickly¡­ that I almost feel our deal should be extended. The triton clenched his teeth, his body taut as if fighting the instinct to strike. ¡ª Honor the deal! Or I¡¯ll kill you right here, you abomination! The mermaid¡¯s smile faded for a brief moment. Her flawless face remained unchanged, like a mask. When she spoke again, her voice echoed supernaturally through the cave, though her lips did not move. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. ¡ª You¡¯re adorable when you try to threaten me. My offer for you to be my mate still stands. ¡ª Stop stalling and give me the antidote! ¡ª the triton growled, gripping his trident even tighter. The mermaid tilted her head almost lyrically before finally tossing a small flower bud toward him. The triton caught it midair, clutching it as if it were a treasure. ¡ª This will be enough to save your remaining few hatchlings. But not a drop more. If you make a single mistake¡­ oh, why bother warning you? You must have already seen the weaker ones perish with your own eyes. The triton didn¡¯t wait for her to finish. In a swift motion, he dove back into the sea, disappearing quickly. The mermaid watched the water for a long moment, her expression hardening. She knew she had no choice but to release the last of the captives. If she kept them any longer, there simply wouldn¡¯t be a new generation left for her to enslave in the future. Sighing, she grabbed a large bundle of tied seaweed and opened it. Small mermaid eggs greeted her, glowing like precious stones, brimming with vitality. Her mouth watered, but she couldn¡¯t devour them. Not yet. Sliding to the back of the cave, she positioned herself before a wall adorned with carvings of marine beings. The golden glow in the eyes of the figures seemed to pulse with sadness as they gazed at the golden bowl at the base of the wall, yet radiated pure hatred when they turned toward the witch. ¡ª You always look at me like that¡­ as if I were some wicked girl. She sneered before sprinkling a dark powder over the eggs. The golden light in the statues¡¯ eyes abandoned their figures, flowing into the bowl and causing its contents to shine intensely. In an instant, the eggs melted into a thick, golden liquid, exuding the scent of rust and the deep sea. Without hesitation, the mermaid lunged forward and drank greedily. Her body trembled with pleasure, and her eyes gleamed with unsettling hunger. As she finished, she felt the changes in her body. Her beautiful black hair lost all its color, turning silver like the moon. Some of her transparent fins simply detached, vanishing into the cave¡¯s moisture. Only a large fin remained at the tip of her tail, a fragile and delicate fan. She ran her hand along the carved wall, stopping at the center, where a human figure appeared to be sleeping among the beasts. Despite the golden light surrounding it, that single element remained inert, unmoving, indifferent to everything. ¡ª Mother¡­ what would you say if you saw your daughter walk like our star-born ancestors? She leaned forward, resting her head against the carved figure, lowering her gaze. ¡ª Don¡¯t worry, Mother. I will fulfill your dream and become a star. A single tear slipped from her eyes. As it touched her skin, it burned like acid, marking her. When it finally fell, it transformed into a black pearl, gleaming like the ocean¡¯s abyss. 34-Our Village 34-Our Village Nexha looked at Zhaelor''s new home, reflecting for a moment before turning to the great sperm whale. ¡ª Wouldn''t it be amazing to have our own village? With houses for everyone? The nest is getting cramped¡­ maybe we need a new shelter. Zhaelor tilted his head, thoughtful. ¡ª A village? I¡¯m not exactly sure what that means, but if everyone has their own home, it would be something like the burrowed nests of dolphins. ¡ª Dolphins make nests like that? ¡ª Nexha furrowed his brow, curious. The whale smiled. ¡ª Normally, they¡¯re just playful and migratory, but when they decide to settle down, they do their best. Given their intelligence, these nests form some of the most well-built fortresses I''ve ever seen. Nexha observed Zhaelor¡¯s improvised house and smiled with determination. ¡ª They seem to know exactly what they want¡­ If the ocean is going to hunt them down anyway, why not build the best shelter possible? Zhaelor chuckled. ¡ª My young master seems like he¡¯s about to do something grand. ¡ª It¡¯s not that big of a deal. We''re just going to build homes for each of us, made of moray seaweed. We¡¯re not carving stones like those dolphins you mentioned. ¡ª Young one, the fact that this house even holds my weight is already an impressive feat. ¡ª Not really. I just had to place multiple triangular pillars in the foundation to support the weight. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. The elder smiled, impressed, but chose not to prolong the conversation. ¡ª Shall we start on the foundations for the other houses? With my help, it will go faster. Nexha nodded eagerly. He and the sperm whale spent the night cutting several seaweeds, but realizing there wasn¡¯t enough time to build another base, they decided to store them under Zhaelor¡¯s house foundation. The real work began the next morning. Nexha and Lilay mapped out locations for each house, marking positions in the sandy seabed. Zhaelor carried the materials with ease, while Nalu and Krahs¡ªwho had mysteriously disappeared the previous morning¡ªwere now nearby, watching with curiosity. Krahs, however, cast wary glances at the sperm whale, as if he still didn¡¯t fully trust Zhaelor. For the house foundations, the moray seaweeds were tied into triangular shapes to ensure stability. Nexha applied the same technique he had used for Zhaelor¡¯s house, reinforcing the structures to withstand underwater currents. The construction was laborious, but everyone contributed in some way. Lilay, always observant, pointed out the best seaweeds to use for bindings. Nalu, skilled in knot-tying, secured the structures firmly. Even Krahs helped¡ªhe was tasked with hunting for dinner. However, feeding Zhaelor proved to be an unexpected challenge. The first fish he brought wasn¡¯t enough, so he had to keep hunting all morning and afternoon just to satisfy the sperm whale¡¯s hunger. When he finally finished, he collapsed onto the sand, shooting an exhausted glare at Zhaelor. ¡ª Nexha, never ask me to hunt for this glutton again¡­ He eats too much. ¡ª Okay, Dad. ¡ª Nexha laughed. The young one felt moved seeing Krahs so tired and noticed a bandage. However, he chose not to ask about it, not wanting to bother him. After a long day of hard work, the first structures began to take shape. Small round houses, woven from seaweed, sprouted around Zhaelor¡¯s home, forming the outline of what could one day become a real village. Nexha stepped back to take in the result. He smiled. ¡ª This is starting to feel like home. Zhaelor nodded in satisfaction. Krahs crossed his arms, still skeptical, but this time, Nexha and Lilay pulled him toward one of the houses. He was surprised to see that the second-largest house was theirs. ¡ª Surprise! This is your new home, Dad! For a moment, Krahs remained silent, gazing at the tired but happy expressions of his children. They were giving him this shelter as a gift. Without hesitation, he pulled them into a tight embrace, a single tear slipping from his eye. ¡ª You two are the greatest gift I could ever have, little ones. 35 - We Need More Food 35 - We Need More Food Nexha lazily woke up in his new home. He nudged Lilay, who was sleeping curled up against him like a stuffed animal. It was his first time sleeping underwater, and he still wasn¡¯t used to it. He decided to go to the nest and drink some milk mixed with crab powder. ¡ª I''m almost out of this lucky crab mix¡­ Or rather, out of lucky crabs. I haven¡¯t seen any in a while. My level is stuck because of that too. He pondered while having breakfast. ¡ª But I think it¡¯s not just them¡­ A lot of fish are disappearing too, especially since Zhaelor arrived. That creature eats more than fifty Lilays. Remembering how much Krahs had to hunt to feed everyone, a pang of guilt struck his heart. His adoptive father had nearly collapsed from exhaustion. ¡ª I need to fix this¡­ But even if I bought food every day, my money wouldn¡¯t be nearly enough. He opened the shop and checked how much MD he had left, only to feel his heart sink when he saw it was much less than before. ((Shop)/) (\MD 918/) Welcome to the shop, user! Here you can buy everything you need for your world conquest. Stop crying and spend that money already! (?^-^?)
  • Food/Medicine
  • Slaves
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  • Plant Materials
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  • Technology
¡ª The message changed? I hadn''t noticed that before¡­ Okay, now let''s look for something to solve this food problem. Something that can be planted. Opening the food tab, several options appeared, but rarely anything plant-based. Most of those were classified as medicinal. Sighing, he kept searching until he found a small, glowing yellow ball, looking like a tomato painted the wrong color. ¡ª "Algae Pit"? No doubt a mermaid named this¡­ ¡ª he muttered. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. The description said that this small deep-sea algae attracted a lot of fish. Some tribes used it as hunting bait. It was also great for stomach aches. As he finished reading, an idea sprouted in Nexha¡¯s mind. ¡ª What if I made a plantation of this thing to attract fish and create a fish farm? Curious, he brought the "tomato" to his mouth and took a bite. Instantly, he spat it out. ¡ª Bitter! Bitter! Quickly, he stuffed a handful of crab powder in his mouth to get rid of the horrible taste. Only then did he notice several tiny seeds inside, resembling strawberry seeds. ¡ª This will help, but¡­ How am I supposed to plant it? I know nothing about botany¡­ Wait, what if I buy that botany technology I saw earlier? Without hesitation, he opened the technology tab and went straight for the botany tech. For a moment, he hesitated, but then he pressed the purchase button. The sadness of watching his money disappear was instant. ¡ª 819¡­ My money is vanishing so fast¡­ A throbbing pain invaded his head as the knowledge was injected into his mind. But nothing compared to the pain of seeing his wallet shrink. If he weren¡¯t having a headache, he could swear he heard Luna laughing in his ear. ¡ª Am I hallucinating¡­? ¡ª he murmured. He sighed and lay down on the algae bed, hoping the discomfort would pass quickly. A few minutes later, Krahs entered the nest. Seeing Nexha sleeping, wrapped in several strands of algae, he sighed. The sight warmed his heart. Carefully, he picked up the small boy in his arms and gently rocked him as if he were a baby. ¡ª I searched for you all morning only to find you here¡­ Did you miss the nest? Nexha, still drowsy, could barely open his eyes. The warmth made him so comfortable that he just nestled further into the shark¡¯s arms and fell back asleep. That¡¯s when Krahs noticed something on the sand: a bitten fruit. ¡ª You got another gift¡­ Krahs sighed, picked up the fruit, dusted off the sand, and placed it inside the turtle shell where Nexha usually cooked crabs. ¡ª The stars love their descendant so much, always sending him gifts¡­ You shouldn¡¯t attract so much attention, yet you keep doing it without a care¡­ He looked at Nexha, sleeping peacefully, and murmured with a hint of melancholy. ¡ª My little one still doesn¡¯t know all the dangers that could come after us¡­ He gently pinched the boy¡¯s cheeks, making him mumble in his sleep. ¡ª Nexha¡­ what if I told you I¡¯m afraid? All these new beings coming into our territory¡­ They keep getting stronger. The stars gifted you a sperm whale, and now¡­ What use am I? Krahs rocked him softly, as if cradling a baby. ¡ª I also think I was a gift from the stars to you¡­ But now I feel so useless for not being able to protect you. Even in his sleep, Nexha¡¯s hand weakly grasped Krahs'' finger. The shark¡¯s heart, clouded with doubt, seemed to settle a little. ¡ª Little one¡­ have sweet dreams. 36 - Planting Nexha slowly woke up, feeling the familiar warmth of the nest. For a moment, he was confused to find himself lying in his old bed in the nest, but he quickly remembered that he had fallen asleep in Krahs'' arms. He stretched and yawned, rubbing his eyes as he looked around. The scent of the ocean and algae was still the same, but something felt different. That¡¯s when he noticed Krahs sitting nearby, eating a lucky crab. The shark noticed the little one was awake and smirked slightly. ¡ª Slept well, little one? Nexha sat up slowly, still a bit drowsy, and scratched his head. ¡ª Mhm¡­ I think I slept more than I should have¡­ ¡ª He blinked a few times before remembering his idea. ¡ª Ah! The seeds! He quickly got up and searched for them. Krahs pointed to the turtle shell where he had stored Nexha''s things. Nexha grabbed the fruit he had bitten earlier and carefully removed the tiny seeds, placing them in his hands. He looked at Krahs with excitement shining in his eyes. ¡ª I want to plant these! The shark raised an eyebrow. ¡ª Plant? Since when did you become a gardening eel? Nexha laughed, shaking his head. ¡ª It¡¯s not like that! These algae can attract fish! If we can grow them near our village, we¡¯ll always have food nearby. That way, you won¡¯t have to hunt so much or get so tired. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Krahs was silent for a moment, staring at the little one. Then, he sighed. ¡ª Alright, alright¡­ Let¡¯s see this crazy idea of yours. But if this doesn¡¯t work, you¡¯ll have to help me hunt later. ¡ª Deal! The two swam together to a spot near the new village, where the seabed was covered in soft sand. Nexha analyzed the area and nodded to himself. ¡ª This is perfect! Now we just need to dig a little and plant the seeds in the sand. Krahs crossed his arms. ¡ª Are you sure this is going to work? ¡ª Yes! Nexha said excitedly as he started digging small holes with his hands. Krahs sighed again but crouched beside the little one and started helping. His hands were much bigger, so he dug faster. As they worked, Nexha smiled, feeling a sense of peace. ¡ª You know, I like doing this with you. Krahs paused for a moment, looking at the little one. The way Nexha said that, so simply and sincerely, made him smile. ¡ª I¡¯m only helping because I don¡¯t want you messing things up. Nexha chuckled softly. ¡ª Sure, sure¡­ The two finished planting the seeds, carefully covering them with sand. Nexha then brushed his hands together to remove the grains stuck to his fingers and looked at their small makeshift field with satisfaction. ¡ª Now we just wait. Krahs stretched, yawning. ¡ª I hope this is worth it. But¡­ do you really think we have fewer prey? Enough to attract more? Nexha hesitated a little before answering. ¡ª I just don¡¯t want you to overwork yourself. After all, you went pretty far to catch a lot of fish. The shark stayed silent, analyzing the little one beside him. Then, he ruffled Nexha¡¯s hair with a smile. ¡ª You really care about me, don¡¯t you? Nexha turned red and grumbled, pushing his hand away. ¡ª I just want to make sure everyone has food! Krahs laughed, throwing an arm around the little one¡¯s shoulders and pulling him into a tight hug. ¡ª You can say whatever you want, little one¡­ But I know the truth. Nexha huffed but didn¡¯t try to escape the embrace. On the contrary, he stayed there for a moment, enjoying the warmth and safety of Krahs¡¯ arms. Maybe building that village wasn¡¯t just about having a home¡­ But also about making sure they would never be alone again. 37- Infestation of Fish and the Legends of the Sea 37- Infestation of Fish and the Legends of the Sea Strangely, the day after planting the new algae, the number of fish in the village multiplied drastically. Even without bearing fruit, the algae seemed to attract every fish in the vicinity, turning the area into a swirling mass of scales and fins. With so many fish competing for food, some began to grow aggressive. Nexha quickly realized that overpopulation could become a serious problem. ¡ª What a mess¡­ How can something so small cause all this? He watched as the fish thrashed about, some biting each other in the fight for space. The chaos in the water reminded him of the eternal struggle between predators and prey. ¡ª This isn¡¯t just a bunch of hungry fish¡­ It¡¯s almost like a miniature war. If we let this continue, bigger predators will show up, and then we¡¯ll have a real problem. Then, an idea struck him. ¡ª What if I move some of the sprouts farther away? That way, the hunting area won¡¯t be so close to the village. These fish are causing too much trouble. Using a shell as a shovel and a small turtle shell as a temporary pot, Nexha started relocating the sprouts to more distant areas, but still within the village¡¯s territory. As he transported the seedlings, he noticed something odd: the fish seemed to follow him, as if drawn to the plants. Curious, he decided to use his ability to analyze them. [Sprout of the Tide Mother Algae] Classification: Rare Luck: +5 Ability: Increases the luck of whoever consumes it. Attracts nearby marine life. Description: According to legend, these algae were created to serve as shelter and food for small fish during a dark era when almost no creatures could survive in the ocean. Even today, fish instinctively remain close, sensing safety in their presence. It is also said that these algae formed the first underwater forests in the world, long before the stars fell. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Nexha frowned. ¡ª That ¡®falling stars¡¯ thing again¡­ Why do so many sea legends talk about that? He had never cared much for ancient stories in his original world. For him, what mattered was his little home and what he would eat the next day. But now, the deeper he got into this world, the more everything seemed to tie back to the stars. It kept coming up, again and again, making him feel like he was barely scratching the surface of something much bigger. ¡ª Krahs and Zhaelor always talk about the stars like they¡¯re important. Krahs keeps saying I get a lot of ¡®gifts from the stars¡¯... But what does that even mean? Is my system somehow connected to these legends? Nexha sat on a coral-covered rock, watching the fish circling the sprouts. ¡ª If this algae existed before the stars fell¡­ what existed before that? Could there have been beings walking on land? He ran a hand over his chin, deep in thought. ¡ª And this ¡®dark era¡¯ they mention¡­ It sounds like a massive extinction, like the ones that wiped out the dinosaurs in my world. But every extinction has a cause¡ªwhat could have happened here? He looked at the sprouts, trying to imagine the chaotic world they must have emerged in. ¡ª What if it¡¯s all connected? The stars¡­ If they really fell like meteors, the ocean creatures¡­ Could it have been an extinction caused by them, but later fixed by them too? He let out a nervous laugh, shaking his head. ¡ª That sounds crazy¡­ but kind of fun. He returned to tending the sprouts, but the nagging feeling that there was something bigger behind it all wouldn¡¯t leave him. The unusual silence around him caught his attention¡ªthe village felt empty. ¡ª It¡¯s quieter today¡­ Krahs went out to hunt big fish and took Lilay to learn. Zhaelor said last night that he was going to eliminate some nearby threats. Nalu was the only one who stayed, but since it¡¯s still morning, she¡¯s probably sleeping like a rock. Nexha sighed, looking around the nearly deserted village. ¡ª I¡¯m not sure if I feel good having some time alone¡­ or if I already miss them. He took the last sprout and carefully planted it in a more distant spot. ¡ª Either way¡­ I guess I¡¯m part of this ocean and its legends now. Even if I don¡¯t understand everything yet, I can¡¯t help but want to learn more. 38-Talking with the stars. 38-Talking with the stars. The massive sperm whale swam ferociously after an enormous squid. No matter how desperately the prey struggled, it could not outrun Zhaelor¡¯s speed. In a final act of desperation, it fought back, latching onto the whale¡¯s thick skin with its tentacles and scratching furiously. But it quickly realized the futility of its efforts. There was no turning back now. If it tried to escape, it would be caught with ease. Gathering the last of its strength, it attempted to pierce the whale¡¯s flesh with its sharp beak¡ªonly to fail. Zhaelor relished his easily claimed prey. Once he was satisfied, he tossed the remains¡ªtentacle fragments, beak, and cartilage¡ªback into the ocean and rose to the surface for a breath of fresh air. He expelled the water from his lungs and closed his eyes, feeling the sea breeze against his face. ¡ª I¡¯ve cleared the dangers¡­ now it¡¯s time to inform the old relic that I¡¯ve found the new lineage. With careful movement, he picked up a piece of moray algae. But this was no ordinary fragment¡ªit was part of Krahs¡¯s enchanted spear, broken during their previous battle. ¡ª Perhaps I should thank the shark¡­ it¡¯s not every day I get an enchanted item directly from the daughter of the stars. Zhaelor held the piece of the spear in both hands and, in an act of reverence, whispered: ¡ª Descendant of the stars, this loyal servant humbly requests a chance to speak with the great light of the oceans, the incomparable beauty¡­ the true guardian of this world. A melodic laugh echoed in his mind. The elder¡¯s voice, warm and gentle, resounded like a tranquil tide. ¡ª You¡¯ve flustered her so much that she doesn¡¯t want to speak with you, young Zhaelor. ¡ª As always, the little star still gets bothered by formalities ¡ª Zhaelor replied, holding back a chuckle out of respect. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. The elder let out a soft laugh, his voice filled with patience. ¡ª Young one, was your mission successful? ¡ª If it weren¡¯t, I wouldn¡¯t have called for this conversation. I wouldn¡¯t waste our lovely descendant¡¯s time without reason. ¡ª She¡¯s asking you to stop before you make her puff up like a pufferfish. The elder laughed, while Zhaelor merely smiled, maintaining his composure. ¡ª I have found the new lineage ¡ª the whale confirmed. ¡ª From what I¡¯ve observed, he has my old master¡¯s wisdom¡­ but he is na?ve. The elder sighed. ¡ª That is common among the stars. They do not see evil as easily. My lady, please don¡¯t hit me¡ªI¡¯m only speaking the truth¡­ Zhaelor chuckled at the elder¡¯s flustered tone but soon returned to seriousness. ¡ª But, Elder, as much as I am pleased to be watching over a new lineage, I find it strange¡­ very strange. He appeared so suddenly. The elder paused before responding, his tone growing grave. ¡ª I feel the same, young one¡­ But there is one thing we do know: he is here, and we must protect him. His origins are beyond what our minds can even fathom. He is a miracle. It has been centuries¡ªsince the first stars fell¡ªsince something like this has happened in our world. ¡ª And if he asks about it? What should I tell him? The elder let out a paternal laugh. ¡ª Oh, foolish youth¡­ He was born knowing things we cannot even begin to imagine. That is why he is a star. Just like the little descendant¡­ There are things they will never tell us, and there are things they will never need to ask. If he acts strangely, do not be alarmed. It is simply the way of the stars. Suddenly, the elder fell silent. A muffled, trembling sound came through their connection. Zhaelor froze, recognizing it¡ªa delicate, subtle sob, almost like the sound of waves breaking upon the shore. ¡ª My lady¡­ I am not calling you strange, please don¡¯t cry. You are a miracle. The elder cleared his throat a few times before continuing, his voice carrying the affectionate tone of a grandfather trying to comfort his granddaughter. ¡ª It is time for you to return to your master, Zhaelor. And time for my lady to rest. I take my leave here¡­ and wish you good fortune. The vast ocean rippled gently with the morning breeze as Zhaelor dove once more, leaving behind the elder¡¯s final words. The conversation still echoed in his mind, and the sound of the little star descendant¡¯s quiet tears lingered in his heart. It was rare to hear her express emotions so openly, reinforcing just how important the new lineage was to them all. As he swam back to the village, his thoughts deepened. Nexha¡­ a newborn star with unclear memories, carrying knowledge even the oldest among them could not fully grasp. His presence was both a mystery and a miracle. ¡ª A small miracle that happens once in centuries¡­ ¡ª he murmured to himself, gliding through the currents. 39-I want to know more. 39- I want to know more. Nexha was still busy trying to clear the excess fish from the village. He sighed as he finished guiding most of them toward the seedlings and observed the stubborn ones that insisted on following him. ¡ª Don¡¯t you all have anything better to do? ¡ª he asked with a half-smile, watching a school of small fish swimming frantically around the new sprouts. ¡ª Is this an obsession or an instinct? Maybe both¡­ He stretched, feeling the gentle morning current, and his mind wandered back to the legends of the sea. Curiosity was growing inside him, leaving him increasingly intrigued about what had really happened in this world. His thoughts were interrupted when he noticed the approach of a large shadow in the water. He quickly turned, sensing a slight tension in the air. But as soon as he recognized the figure, he relaxed. ¡ª Zhaelor? You¡¯re back fast. ¡ª Nexha smiled, crossing his arms as the imposing sperm whale emerged. The great marine being observed him for a moment before responding. ¡ª I had a matter to take care of, but now I have returned. I see you¡¯ve been working hard, my master. Don¡¯t you want to rest a little? ¡ª I try ¡ª Nexha shrugged. ¡ª But I¡¯m not tired, I¡¯m just watching these stubborn fish chase after the algae nonstop. Zhaelor tilted his head slightly, watching the small creatures darting around the algae. ¡ª It¡¯s uncommon, but it makes sense. This algae represents safety for them. It is a legacy of the ancient legends¡­ perhaps a primal instinct that predates even the stars. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Nexha blinked a few times, intrigued. ¡ª There you go again with this star story¡­ The more I hear about it, the more confused I get. Can you finally explain what they really are? The whale remained silent for a moment, as if pondering the best way to respond. ¡ª The ocean¡¯s stars are not like the ones that shine in the sky ¡ª he began, his voice deep and respectful. ¡ª They were beings of great power and knowledge, shaping the currents and giving life to the creatures that now inhabit this world. Some fell from the heavens, others emerged from the depths¡­ but all left something behind. Nexha frowned. ¡ª And now you¡¯re telling me I¡¯m one of them? Because honestly, I don¡¯t feel that special. Zhaelor chuckled softly, his gaze patient. ¡ª Stars never notice their own light until someone observes them from afar. Nexha rolled his eyes but couldn¡¯t help a small smile. ¡ª That was poetic, but it didn¡¯t really answer my question. ¡ª There aren¡¯t always ready-made answers ¡ª Zhaelor said, gazing beyond the village. ¡ª Some truths must be discovered with time. You¡¯re trying to understand everything at once, but knowledge doesn¡¯t work that way. It builds, layer by layer, until everything makes sense. The young man fell silent, processing the whale¡¯s words. Something bigger was happening, something he still couldn¡¯t fully see. But if there was one thing he had learned since arriving in this world, it was that nothing happened by chance. Whether the system was pulling the strings or other beings were acting behind the scenes, he still lacked the power to comprehend it¡ªor even resist it. With a sigh, he looked at the newly planted algae and the vast sea before him. ¡ª I want to know more, but the more I try to understand, the more confusing everything gets. Zhaelor smiled, satisfied with his response. ¡ª Everything happens in its own time, little one. Not understanding now doesn¡¯t mean you never will. What matters is that you keep learning. The ocean held its secrets, but Nexha was beginning to realize that he couldn¡¯t grasp them all at once. He needed patience, for if everything in this world seemed to revolve around these stars, then other legends were surely hidden in the darkness. And what is hidden is not always dangerous¡­ sometimes, it¡¯s simply waiting for the right moment to be revealed. 40 - The Storm and the Tears 40 - The Storm and the Tears Night had fallen over the ocean, and the village was calm, illuminated only by the soft glow of the bioluminescent lucky crabs wandering among the algae. The currents were gentle, and the sound of the waves mixed with the distant echoes of whales calling to each other. Lilay yawned, her fins moving slightly as she nestled into a pile of soft algae. Nexha, on the other hand, stretched, feeling the cool night current against his skin. Between them, Krahs watched everything with a calm and amused expression. "Alright, kids," he began, crossing his arms. "Tonight, I¡¯ll tell you a story before you sleep." Lilay flapped her fins, excited. "I like the stories about the stars!" "Not again! Ever since you told him that one, that''s all he asks for," Nexha grumbled. "Dad, please, tell a different one." Krahs laughed and ruffled Nexha''s hair playfully. "Alright then. I''ll tell a different story." Nexha smiled, relieved. "Finally. Every time someone talks about stars, I feel like my head is going to explode." Krahs chuckled again, his eyes glinting with a touch of mischief. "Then how about the story of the Endless Storm?" The two exchanged curious glances. "What¡¯s that?" Lilay asked, tilting her head so much in curiosity that she accidentally leaned against Nexha¡¯s shoulder. "There was a time when the entire ocean surface was plagued by a constant storm. It was almost impossible to leave the water," Krahs said. Nexha frowned. "What do you mean ''endless''? It doesn¡¯t rain that much on the surface." Krahs smirked. "It never truly ended, Nexha¡­ it only weakened." The shark got more comfortable, his fins slicing through the water gently as he began the tale. "This happened long ago... shortly after the Star Descendant was born." The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. "You said you wouldn¡¯t talk about them!" Nexha huffed, crossing his arms. Krahs raised his fins in a placating gesture. "Relax, kiddo. I''m just setting the timeline. After this, I promise not to mention them." Nexha still looked skeptical but nodded and nudged Lilay away, who had leaned on him again. Lilay yawned and, this time, rested her head on her own bed of algae. "The sky, once so beautiful, darkened in those days. No one knew why, but soon countless storms began appearing across the sea¡­ until they merged into one monstrous cloud that never stopped raining," Krahs explained, his voice taking on a darker tone. "Lightning fell without pause, lighting up the water as if it were daytime. There were so many that the fish buried themselves deep to hide. The bigger creatures suffered even more¡­" He paused, casting a meaningful glance at Nexha. "The giant beings that needed to surface to breathe were the ones who perished the most. The currents were chaotic, the waves brutal. Many barely managed to rise for air, and those who did were thrown against the rocks, unable to survive." Nexha''s eyes widened. "They... drowned?" "Yes. And even today, the depths guard their bones," Krahs nodded. "The wreckage never resurfaced. Only the whales survived, but they lost almost everything. Their cries echoed for a long time after that." Lilay curled up slightly. "So... if that storm never ended... is it still out there?" Krahs smiled, but there was something enigmatic in his expression. "Always." His voice was almost playful. "It weakened, but it still roams the sea. They say that if you enter the eye of the storm, you can hear someone crying." A shiver ran down Nexha¡¯s spine. "Who¡¯s crying?" Krahs looked as if he wouldn''t answer. "The soul of the last star that fell into the sea¡­ They say he died of sorrow after losing his wife. And to this day, his grief makes the storm wander, searching for her." Suddenly, a deep voice finished the last part of the story before Krahs could. Lilay jumped in fright, hiding behind Nexha. The young man turned and saw Zhaelor standing at the entrance of the house, his massive silhouette blocking part of the light from the bioluminescent crabs. "Dad, you lied! You said this wouldn¡¯t be a story about the stars!" Nexha puffed out his cheeks without realizing it, looking irritated. Krahs shot a sharp look at Zhaelor and whispered: "I wasn¡¯t going to tell that part¡­" The sperm whale snorted, not understanding why Krahs seemed so bothered by his presence. "Tell the story properly. Don''t leave out the important parts," he said seriously. "After all, I was there when it all happened. And if the sea nearly collapsed under the sorrow of a single soul... I don¡¯t doubt that you, Krahs, would do the same if you lost these little ones¡ªif you had that power." The three fell silent for a moment, listening only to the waters around them. "I want to sleep," Nexha muttered, trying to hide the chill he felt upon seeing Krahs clench his hands so tightly that he almost broke part of the house¡¯s structure. Lilay, however, looked at Krahs with wide, shining eyes. "Daddy loves us that much?" Krahs let out a deep sigh, slapping his tail against the ground. "I would never do that. I would never lose you for anything¡­ I¡¯d use all my strength to protect you before anything could ever hurt you." He stood up and looked at the two with a small smile. "Now, let¡¯s sleep. I hope you don¡¯t have nightmares." And so, under the cloak of night, Zhaelor surfaced and took a deep breath. Small droplets of light rain fell upon his face. He lifted his gaze to the cloudy sky and murmured: "Are you still crying, my friend¡­?" The only response was the sound of raindrops hitting the water, one after another. 41-His tears. 41-His tears. The next morning, the sea felt different. Something was strange. The currents were more restless, and an invisible weight hung in the water. Intrigued, I looked at Krahs, who was still resting at home. He opened a lazy eye and smiled slightly, as if my unease amused him. ¡ª It''s raining, little one ¡ª he said. ¡ª It hasn''t rained in almost six weeks, so I guess you''ve never felt the difference it makes in the sea. I frowned. I never imagined rain could change anything underwater. But this world was different, and I should already expect surprises. I was about to leave home to fetch some crab powder from the old nest when Krahs spoke in a more serious tone: ¡ª Don''t swim near the surface. The air isn''t as calm as before. The waves and currents are pulling everything with force. If you''re not careful, you could get swept away. I looked up, doubtful, but as soon as I stepped outside, I saw what he meant. The surface was in chaos. Pieces of seaweed and small fish were being sucked into violent currents, spinning out of control. Some fought desperately to swim downward, while the ocean floor remained serene, indifferent to the turmoil above. A shiver ran down my skin. ¡ª Better leave the crab powder for tomorrow. I bought my morning milk from the system and drank it slowly, watching the spectacle above me. The waves crashed violently on the surface, mesmerizing in their fury, and bubbles constantly emerged from the turbulence. ¡ª Good thing this doesn¡¯t affect the depths... But if someone wants to build something on the surface, they''ll need a breakwater wall. Otherwise, any structure would be destroyed in no time. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. As I pondered, a disturbing thought crossed my mind. The endless storm. Last night¡¯s story. I arrived in this world six weeks ago. And for six weeks, there was no rain. But the moment we heard that story... it returned. Coincidence? A chill ran down my spine. ¡ª Could it also come with the sound of crying...? As if the ocean itself answered my question, a child''s cry echoed through the water. My muscles tensed, and the bottle slipped from my hands. As soon as it touched the water, it filled up instantly, ruining the rest of the milk. ¡ª W-what?! Before I could react, something even worse happened. I saw Lilay. He was near the surface, being carried away by the current. Fear punched me in the chest. My body moved before my mind could catch up. In an instant, I was already shooting toward him, abandoning everything without a hint of regret. With the current in my favor, I reached Lilay quickly. He was struggling desperately against the force of the water, swimming frantically downward, but it was useless. His small fins didn¡¯t have enough strength. ¡ª Lilay! ¡ª I shouted, reaching out for him. His eyes widened when he saw me, and he stretched his hand toward mine. But it was too late. The wave pulled us in. It wasn¡¯t a normal current. It was something bigger, something voracious. An invisible force tore us from the sea and threw us toward the surface. For a moment, we broke free from the water. The muffled sound of thunder exploded in my ears. The cutting wind slashed my skin like blades. The dark sky loomed over us, ready to swallow us whole. Lilay screamed. I wanted to scream too, but instinct took over. The wave separated us, pulling each of us in opposite directions. No! With one final effort, I stretched out my hand and grabbed Lilay¡¯s. Our fingers locked. But then came the fall. The water yanked us back with brutal force. My body reacted at the last second. I twisted in the air and wrapped Lilay in my arms, shielding him with my body. My scales darkened and hardened. Hardening ability activated. The impact hit like a crushing blow. Pain exploded through my body. The world spun. The cold of the water surrounded me again. Everything went dark. My consciousness flickered. And then... nothing. Heat was the first thing I felt. Something strong was holding us. A familiar weight, a desperate grip. Krahs. Even in my daze, I could feel him trembling. He was clutching both of us against his chest, holding on tightly as if we had disappeared and he never wanted to let us go again. ¡ª Little ones... His voice was low, broken. It was only then that I realized. He was crying. 42-Failing Again 42-Failing Again Krahs, upon hearing the child''s cry, shot out of the house, his heart hammering in his chest. The moment he surfaced, his blood ran cold. His little ones were in danger. Fear took hold of him in an instant. Echoes of old terrors flashed through his mind as he swam as fast as he could, ignoring the pain in his wounded tail. But no matter how hard he tried, he wasn¡¯t fast enough. His injured tail betrayed him, refusing to obey his urgency. He pushed himself, forced every muscle, but the distance between him and the children only grew. Desperation blinded him. He launched himself toward the surface, swimming along the crest of the wave, trying to reach them before it was too late. But it was all in vain. His little ones fell. The water swallowed them whole. Krahs screamed¡ªa sound of pure terror¡ªhis voice lost in the roar of the waves. When he finally reached them, he gathered them up gently, holding them against his chest as if he would never let them go again. He felt the crushing weight of failure. He hadn¡¯t been fast enough. He hadn¡¯t been able to protect them. His body trembled as he clutched the little ones tightly. Fear and guilt burned in his chest. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! He had failed. Again. Tears slipped from his eyes, sinking slowly until they became pearls on the ocean floor. Carrying the little ones, Krahs swam back home, placing them carefully in soft beds of seaweed. But then, his own body gave in. Pain exploded in his tail. His vertebrae locked up one by one, as if breaking under their own weight. He tried to move, but even crawling seemed impossible. And then¡­ he collapsed. His body hit the floor with a dull thud. He bit his lips to keep from screaming, to avoid waking the children. Hours passed, and the pain remained. Not even sleep came to ease his torment. That was when someone appeared at the door. Nalu, the sea wolf, entered silently, carrying some fresh fish. ¡ª I saw what happened this morning¡­ ¡ª she said, her voice heavy with sorrow. ¡ª I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t help. I¡­ froze when I saw it all happening. But I gathered herbs and hunted to make up for it. She avoided his eyes, as if guilt was eating at her too. ¡ª It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s alright now, sea wolf¡­ ¡ª Krahs murmured, his voice faltering. Nalu¡¯s gaze shifted to the pearl-covered bed Krahs was lying on. Her expression darkened even more. Without another word, she started preparing the food. She cut the fish, separating the softest parts and wrapping them in medicinal seaweed. When she offered it to Krahs, he hesitated. ¡ª The children first¡­ ¡ª You need it too. ¡ª Nalu¡¯s tone left no room for refusal. ¡ª I gathered enough for everyone. Krahs blinked. It was rare to see her like this¡ªso determined. Her usual shyness had vanished. Seeing that she wouldn¡¯t take "no" for an answer, he took the food and started eating. The bitterness of the seaweed mixed with the fish almost made him spit it out, but he forced himself to swallow. He needed this. Then it was the children''s turn. It was even harder to convince them to eat, especially Nexha, who made a face of pure disgust. But when he saw the concern in his father¡¯s eyes, he stopped resisting and ate in silence. Thankfully, the children weren¡¯t as hurt as Krahs had feared. They were scared, exhausted, but not seriously injured. The weight of terror began to ease in his chest. Finally, Krahs could breathe. And for the first time that night, exhaustion won over pain. He slept. 43-Lilays Necklace 43-Lilay''s Necklace The next day, Krahs gave Lilay and Nexha the biggest scolding of their short lives. His voice echoed firm and deep, like the distant rumble of thunder. ¡ª What were you thinking?! ¡ª he roared, his tail striking the ground, sending small ripples through the house. ¡ª I told you NOT to go near the surface! Lilay and Nexha shrank back, their bodies trembling. Nexha clutched Lilay¡¯s fin tightly, and the smaller one buried his face against his brother¡¯s shoulder, unable to meet their father¡¯s harsh gaze. They had never seen Krahs like this before. The old shark took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. He ran a hand through Nexha¡¯s hair in a light caress before looking at the two little ones again. ¡ª Now, I want to know why you went up there. Nexha took a deep breath, his fins still trembling. ¡ª I saw Lilay in danger¡­ I just went. I didn¡¯t think about anything else, Dad. Krahs turned his gaze to his youngest, who bit his lower lip hesitantly. Lilay avoided his eyes, looking unsure. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. ¡ª And you, Lilay? Why did you go there? Lilay grabbed a handful of his own hair, hesitating for a long moment. His eyes filled with tears, but under Krahs'' firm gaze, he finally gave in. With trembling hands, he pulled out a small necklace made of seaweed, hidden within his strands of hair. At its center, a gleaming purple scale shimmered under the house¡¯s dim light. In his attempt to remove it, Lilay accidentally pulled out a few strands of hair. ¡ª It was what my mother left for me¡­ when I was still in the egg. ¡ª His voice came out low, trembling, almost a whisper. ¡ª I hid it near the surface. When the storm came, I was afraid of losing it. Krahs felt something tighten in his chest. His eyes immediately softened, and he pulled Lilay into a strong embrace, patting the little one¡¯s back lightly. ¡ª I know this necklace is important to you, Lilay¡­ ¡ª his voice came out lower, filled with a mix of exhaustion and relief. ¡ª But you could have really died. Lilay buried his face against his father¡¯s chest, feeling his strong, comforting warmth. Nexha, beside them, sighed, still holding onto his brother as if he didn¡¯t want to let go anytime soon. Lilay felt a knot in his throat. He knew he had made a mistake, but the fear of losing the only memory of his mother had been stronger. Nexha, beside him, also lowered his head, feeling the weight of the situation. Krahs loosened his embrace and looked at the two of them. ¡ª No matter what happens, nothing is worth more than your lives. If something is important, we will protect it together. But never, never risk your lives like that again. Lilay nodded, wiping his eyes, and Nexha did the same. Silence filled the house for a moment, only the sound of the water moving around them breaking the stillness. Krahs knew they had understood the gravity of the situation. But deep down, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a little angry at himself for failing. 44-Back to farming experience 44-Back to farming experience Krahs finally let the children go, but with a punishment: they would have to eat twice the usual amount of the dreaded fish egg paste at dinner. Upon hearing this, Nexha already felt his stomach turn. Just remembering the horrible taste made him want to swim far, far away. Trying to distract himself from the punishment, Nexha swam among the seaweed, now calmer after the storm. Some were overturned, covered in sand, and the seabed looked like it had been stirred up by the chaos of the previous night. He decided to check on the sprouts he had been taking care of. Unlike the moray seaweed, which grew quickly, these seemed slower, more like regular plants. ¡ª The fish here haven''t decreased at all¡­ This is going to be a problem if it stays out of control. ¡ª Nexha muttered, watching the school swim around without a care. ¡ª Ever since Zhaelor wiped out all the predators on this side of the moray seaweed wall, they''ve multiplied too much. He remembered seeing Zhaelor hunting fiercely, exterminating the predators because he thought they were a threat to him and Lilay. Nexha sighed. ¡ª I hope at least they give me more experience than the crabs. Gripping his knife, he prepared himself. As soon as he managed to take down a fish, the entire school darted away in panic. Not a single one remained nearby. ¡ª This seems like a problem¡­ ¡ª he murmured, frustrated. A childish laugh interrupted his thoughts. He turned around and saw Lilay swimming nearby, giggling as he watched his brother try to hunt. ¡ª That''s not how you do it, brother! ¡ª Lilay teased, swimming around him with an amused smile. Nexha frowned. ¡ª Oh yeah? And now the little genius wants to teach me how to hunt? Lilay grinned and began to explain: ¡ª Dad said that if you want to catch a lot of fish, you have to be quick with the attack. The faster, the better! So, a bigger weapon that grabs several at once helps a lot. ¡ª Okay, that might work for Dad¡­ But we''re nowhere near as fast as him. Nexha remembered the first and only time Krahs had taken him hunting. After the battle with Zhaelor and the recent accident, it was clear how much the old shark struggled to swim fast. That must have been making his hunts a lot harder. That''s why the ones who usually came back exhausted were Nalu and Zhaelor. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. Thinking about this, Nexha got an idea. He grabbed several strands of seaweed that had been washed up by the storm and started weaving them together. Lilay, seeing his brother inventing something new again, got curious and helped him. It seemed fun! While Nexha was focused on his project, Lilay took the opportunity to eat the fish his brother had just caught. ¡ª I think this will make hunting a lot easier. ¡ª Nexha said, satisfied with his work. ¡ª I still don''t get what you''re going to do with this. ¡ª I''m going to swim through the fish and use this net to catch a bunch at once! Lilay flapped his fins excitedly. ¡ª That sounds fun! Can I try? ¡ª Let me show you how it''s done first. Lilay puffed out his cheeks in frustration but let Nexha go first. His brother swam toward the school, but as soon as he got close, the fish scattered in all directions. ¡ª What?! Weren''t fish supposed to have short memories?! Lilay burst into laughter, clutching his stomach from laughing so hard. ¡ª Hahahaha! They learned to run away from you, brother! Annoyed, Nexha swam back and handed the net to Lilay. ¡ª Okay, you try then. Still grinning, Lilay took the net and swam above the school. With a quick motion, he cast the net, which fell over the fish. The smaller ones slipped through the gaps, but the bigger ones got caught, struggling. With some effort, he pulled the net back and lifted it triumphantly. ¡ª I caught more than you! ¡ª he said with a victorious smirk. Nexha crossed his arms, pretending to be irritated. ¡ª Next time you''re about to die, I won¡¯t swim after you. Lilay paled and immediately pushed the net full of fish toward Nexha, giving him a pleading look. ¡ª Big brother, don¡¯t say that! Nexha sighed, ruffled his little brother¡¯s hair, and laughed. ¡ª Alright, alright. Let¡¯s eat. They started eating right there. Nexha wanted to cook, but Lilay was still hesitant to go near the surface. So, he decided to stay with him and eat by the seabed. After a while, a notification that hadn''t appeared in days echoed in Nexha¡¯s mind. {Congratulations! You have reached Level 4! Check your status to see the changes.} The message made Nexha jump. He had completely forgotten about leveling up with everything that had been happening over the past few days. Quickly, he opened his status screen to check. [Crystal-Scaled Mermaid] Name: Nexha Age: Baby Status: Normal Lv: 4 | XP: 160/0 HP: 40/40 | MP: 25/25 Attack: 5(+1) | Defense: 34(+1) Intelligence: 14(+1) | Luck: 7 | Beauty: 30 Title: First of Many Skills: Analyze, System Shop Access, Passive Hardening Looking at the status screen, Nexha realized it had been a long time since he had checked it. ¡ª Wow, this thing was gathering dust¡­ ¡ª he muttered, feeling a little embarrassed. As a good gamer, he should have paid more attention to it! Lilay, completely unaware of his brother''s internal struggle, kept eating his fish peacefully. Meanwhile, Nexha rolled around in the sand, drowning in his own shame. Lilay looked at him with a puzzled expression. ¡ª Brother? What are you doing? ¡ª Nothing! Just¡­ let me suffer in peace. Lilay giggled and playfully tossed a small piece of fish onto his brother''s head, making Nexha groan. And so, the two spent another day together, surrounded by the endless ocean and the warmth of their bond. 45-Escaping the Punishment 45-Escaping the Punishment After eating the fish and sharing a few laughs, Nexha and Lilay started swimming back home. However, the memory of their punishment hit Nexha like a shock. ¡ª Wait a minute¡­ ¡ª he stopped mid-swim, eyes wide. ¡ª If we go back now, we¡¯ll have to eat the fish egg paste! Lilay also froze, his fins trembling. ¡ª Oh no! I don¡¯t want to eat that! The two looked at each other, clearly sharing the same thought. ¡ª We have to escape. ¡ª they said at the same time. Nexha crossed his arms, thinking. ¡ª Okay, we need a plan. If we just disappear, Dad will come looking for us. We need a reason to stay out¡­ Lilay flicked his tail against the sandy ocean floor, trying to think. ¡ª What if we say we went to help Nalu with something? ¡ª She¡¯d rat us out immediately. ¡ª Nexha sighed. They kept swimming in circles, deep in thought. ¡ª I got it! ¡ª Lilay exclaimed. ¡ª Let¡¯s say we went to check on the moray seaweed wall after the storm! The wall is really important. If we say that, maybe he¡¯ll leave us alone! Nexha blinked a few times. ¡ª That¡­ that¡¯s actually a good idea! The two shared a knowing look. ¡ª Operation "Escape the Fish Egg Paste" has begun! You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. They swam as fast as they could toward the moray seaweed wall, hoping Krahs would believe their excuse. Meanwhile, at home, Krahs was preparing dinner. He stirred the fish egg paste with his injured tail and sighed. ¡ª They¡¯re going to hate this¡­ but a punishment is a punishment. And it¡¯s very nutritious. He glanced toward the entrance, expecting to see his sons walk in at any moment. But time passed¡­ and passed¡­ and nothing. His parental instincts started tingling. ¡ª Where are those little troublemakers? Leaving the house, he looked around. Normally, it would be noisy with his kids playing, but instead, there was silence. He crossed his arms, already losing patience. ¡ª I bet they¡¯re trying to escape their punishment. The big shark focused and sniffed the water. The current carried traces of his children¡¯s scent. Following his instincts, he swam in the direction of the trail. ¡ª If they think they can fool me¡­ these kids have a lot to learn. The two brothers swam as fast as they could toward the seaweed wall. ¡ª If we stay here long enough, Dad will forget about the punishment, right? ¡ª Lilay asked hopefully. ¡ª I really hope so. ¡ª Nexha replied. They hid among the seaweed and started poking at the plants, trying to look busy. ¡ª Look at this! Some new seaweed grew after the storm! ¡ª Lilay said, trying to convince himself that this was actually important. Suddenly, something shiny caught his eye among the seaweed roots. Lilay¡¯s eyes widened as he swam closer. ¡ª Brother, look at this! Nexha turned and saw Lilay pulling something out from the seaweed: a round, glimmering object. ¡ª Is that¡­ a pearl? Lilay held the pearl in his hand, but something felt off. It didn¡¯t look like an ordinary pearl¡ªit had a faint, greenish glow. ¡ª This doesn¡¯t seem like a normal pearl¡­ but the real question is, who was crying around here? ¡ª Nexha murmured, examining the object. Suddenly, the water around them felt heavier. ¡ª Huh? What was that? ¡ª Lilay looked around, a chill running down his spine. A huge shadow loomed behind him, revealing a very angry shark. ¡ª So this is what you two were doing¡­ The brothers swallowed hard. ¡ª D-Dad! How did you find us?! ¡ª Lilay asked, clutching the pearl against his chest. Krahs crossed his arms and stared at them. ¡ª I will always find you. The brothers exchanged nervous glances, sweating bullets. ¡ª Now, let¡¯s go home. ¡ª Krahs said, grabbing each of them by the arms. ¡ª And the fish egg paste? ¡ª Nexha asked, still hoping their father had forgotten. Krahs gave them a mischievous smile. ¡ª You¡¯re eating double. Lilay screamed in despair as he was dragged home, while Nexha simply accepted his fate with a sigh. Operation "Escape the Fish Egg Paste" had failed miserably. 46-Tears in the Tide 46-Tears in the Tide That night, Nexha tossed and turned in his bed of seaweed, unable to forget the pearl that he and Lilay had found. Its faint glow still pulsed in his mind, as if calling out to him. When his eyes finally grew heavy and he drifted into sleep, something strange happened. The darkness around him faded, giving way to a completely different scene. He was submerged in a golden ocean, where sunlight pierced through the surface, bathing everything in a warm glow, as if the sea were made of liquid gold. The waters were not the blue he knew but instead tinged with amber, with orange rays dancing gently over the golden corals. And then, he saw them. At the center of that luminous world, a couple of merfolk floated, enveloped in the light as if they were part of it. The woman was of celestial beauty, her long golden hair¡ªlike the setting sun¡ªflowing around her, each strand capturing the water''s glow. Her tail shimmered in shades of amber, each movement creating tiny reflections in the current. Her eyes held the radiance of distant stars, and her smile exuded an indescribable peace. The man beside her was her perfect counterpart. His hair was darker but carried golden highlights, as if the ocean¡¯s light refused to leave him in the shadows. His silver tail bore traces of brushed gold, and his deep blue eyes contrasted with the warm glow around them. He held the woman with an intense tenderness, as if cradling something too precious to lose. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. They twirled in the water, dancing as if they were one. Every movement was graceful, a silent ballet beneath the golden sea. ¡ª Do you promise to always be with me? ¡ª the woman asked, her voice soft as a warm breeze. The man smiled, his expression filled with boundless affection. ¡ª Always. Until the ocean runs dry and the tides stop dancing. The woman laughed gently, cupping his face in her hands. ¡ª My love. Nexha felt something tighten in his chest. He had never seen anything so beautiful, so perfect. But then, the golden light began to dim. The gentle glow of the ocean turned murky, as if a shadow had spread through the water. The woman clutched her stomach, her expression of joy twisting into pain. ¡ª No...! ¡ª The man held her in desperation, his eyes filled with fear. The water around them darkened into a deep blue, like the last light of the sun before it vanishes on the horizon. The warmth drained away, leaving only a profound cold. The man trembled, clutching the woman to his chest. She looked at him one last time, with a faint smile and tears in her eyes. ¡ª Our daughter... take care of her... And then, she was gone, dissolving like golden liquid dispersing into the sea. The man''s anguished cry echoed through the ocean, a pain so deep that all the golden light dimmed further into darkness. The vivid colors melted into shadows, leaving behind only one thing shimmering: A single tear rolling down the man¡¯s face. It floated gently in the water and, the moment it touched the ocean, it transformed into a pearl, radiating a melancholic glow. A glow that slowly faded, as the sound of heavy rain seemed to rise around that place. The dream shattered into a whirlwind of emotions, and when Nexha opened his eyes, he tasted the salty tang of the sea. He reached for the pearl beside him, feeling the same glow on its surface. ¡ª No matter how hard I try to see something else, everything still seems to revolve around these stars... 47-The Dream’s Echo 47-The Dream¡¯s Echo The dream still pulsed in Nexha¡¯s mind as he swam through the calm morning waters. Sunlight filtered gently through the surface, creating golden streaks that danced around him. He shook his head, trying to push away the images of the crying man and the glowing pearl that seemed to carry the weight of his sorrow. ¡ª Why won¡¯t this leave my head?! He glanced at the pearl, wondering if what he had seen was real or just a creation of his own mind. Lilay was still asleep, and Krahs was busy somewhere in their territory, so Nexha decided to go hunting alone. After all, the experience would be his alone to gain. He swam silently along the ocean floor, keeping his body close to the sand, his eyes sharp for any sign of fish. The silence was broken only by the soft sound of the current and the tiny clicks of lucky crabs hidden between the rocks. And then, he saw them. A group of silver fish swam in close formation, their scales reflecting the golden shimmer of the sunlight. They seemed distracted¡ªa perfect opportunity. Nexha gripped his makeshift seaweed net tightly and prepared to strike. But just as he lunged forward, he hesitated. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. The image of the man holding the lifeless woman came back to him. The look of pure despair, the way the pearl had formed from his tears¡­ A shiver ran through Nexha¡¯s body. That hesitation cost him. The fish sensed his presence, and in a synchronized motion, they scattered in all directions. Nexha rushed forward, trying to catch at least one, but his net only met empty water. His chest rose and fell as he stared at the empty net. He clenched the seaweed fabric tightly, as if gripping his own frustration. ¡ª Get out of my head! ¡ª he shouted, running his hands over his face. He looked from the net to the pearl still in his grasp. With an irritated huff, he wanted to forget, but this dream¡ªunlike the others¡ªseemed to follow him like a shameful memory that refused to fade completely. ¡ª Annoying. With a sigh, he carefully tucked the object away and turned his focus back to the sea. He still had to hunt. With newfound determination, he darted between the moray seaweeds, preparing for another attempt. After several tries, he finally managed to fill his net. Satisfied, he swam to the old nest and began preparing a fish soup with his special crab seasoning. For the others, who didn¡¯t like crab powder, he fried the rest of the fish. After all, he wouldn¡¯t be able to eat everything alone. ¡ª Food¡¯s almost ready. I really missed eating something cooked... But unfortunately, these fish didn¡¯t fill up my experience bar much. He kept a careful eye to ensure nothing burned. After a few minutes, he ate the soup alone and, at last, used the net to carry the fish back to the rest of his family. However, something curious happened as he left. The pearl, forgotten inside the nest, shimmered faintly¡­ A small, sorrowful laugh echoed before vanishing without a trace¡ªalong with the tiny pearl. 48-The Lost Glow 48-The Lost Glow Nexha stretched and returned to the nest, remembering that he had to clean the turtle shell so it wouldn¡¯t start smelling later. He waved goodbye to Lilay, who was eagerly eating the fish Nexha had fried earlier. The scent of cooked fish still lingered in the air, mixed with the salty aroma of the seaweed. As he scrubbed the shell, an unsettling feeling settled over him. Something felt off. He glanced around, frowning, until he noticed a small circular mark in the sand¡­ His heart skipped a beat. ¡ª The pearl! He turned around quickly, searching through the seaweed he used as bedding. He lifted every corner, sifted through the leftover crab powder he had set aside, and even checked inside his fishing net. But nothing. The pearl was gone. At first, he doubted himself. Maybe he had dropped it somewhere without realizing it? Maybe he had forgotten it during the hunt? But as the seconds passed, unease grew stronger. This wasn¡¯t just a simple loss. Something was wrong. His chest rose and fell with his quickened breath. His tail flicked sharply through the water before he even realized it. Without thinking, he darted out of the nest, swimming too fast. First, he went to the spot where he had hunted earlier. The disturbed sand showed signs of his earlier struggle with the fish, but there was no sign of that familiar glow. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. He moved forward, scanning every corner with sharp eyes. He searched through the moray seaweed, slipping between the swaying plants. Nothing. He swam toward the path leading to the nearby rocks, where the currents often carried lost objects. He rummaged through small natural hideouts, peered between shells and corals. Nothing. Frustration grew inside him like a storm about to break. His tail cut through the water aggressively, his gills expanded as he tried to steady his breathing. What annoyed him wasn¡¯t just losing the pearl. It was the fact that he didn¡¯t even know why he was so upset about it. ¡ª This makes no sense! ¡ª he growled, clenching his fists and punching a nearby rock, startling a small school of fish that had been passing by. ¡ª That thing only gives me headaches! He swam back to the nest, now moving almost recklessly. Frustration pulsed inside him. The dream¡­ and now the missing pearl¡­ everything was swirling in his mind chaotically. It was too much of a coincidence, and Nexha hated not understanding things. He took a deep breath, running his hands over his face. He needed to think. ¡ª Alright¡­ think, Nexha. Where could it be? But deep down, a much worse question crept into his mind. ¡ª Or¡­ did someone take it? The thought made his stomach twist with anger. Could the current have carried it away? Maybe. But if someone had touched the pearl¡­ if someone had gotten involved in this¡­ He didn¡¯t know why, but that idea made him even angrier. He gritted his teeth, trying to control the irrational rage boiling inside him. ¡ª I hope whoever took that pearl gets a headache as big as mine! ¡ª he muttered, kicking a loose piece of coral. But deep down, he knew the truth. His headache wasn¡¯t just from the loss. It was from what this loss stirred inside him. He didn¡¯t like it¡­ and he had no idea why he was so angry about it. The sound of laughter echoed through an old castle at the bottom of the sea. The gold of its walls had long lost its shine, now covered in barnacles and seaweed. The fish that lived there seemed indifferent to the laughter. 49-The Lost Brilliance 49-The Lost Brilliance Laughter echoed through the sunken castle, but it was not the laughter of joy. It was broken, rusted by time, as if its owner had long forgotten how to truly laugh. The once-golden walls were now dull, covered in barnacles and long strands of blue-tinged algae that floated like mourning veils in the current. The gold was still there, but subdued by the melancholic blue that dominated everything, as if the ocean''s very light had surrendered to the sorrow of this place. The fish that lived there swam in silence, unbothered by the laughter. To them, it was just another part of the somber ruins that had long ceased to be a vibrant palace. The mosaics on the walls were cracked, the grand coral columns eroded by time. The only thing that remained nearly untouched was the imposing throne of pearls in the center of the hall. Seated upon it, a man stared into the empty expanse before him. His dark hair, streaked with golden highlights, swayed gently with the water¡¯s motion, though its luster had faded, as if time had drained all its light. His silver tail, traced with brushed gold, lay motionless over the throne¡¯s steps, and his deep blue eyes were clouded, lost in a horizon no one else could see. He had been here for so long that he no longer remembered what it was like to laugh without it hurting. His face, marked by the weight of countless tears, bore an expression of exhaustion. Grief had long since become a part of him, as constant as the tides. A single pearl rested in his hand, glowing with a faint green hue. He ran his thumb over its smooth surface, his mind distant. ¡ª It feels like her¡­ ¡ª he murmured, his voice rough with age. The castle replied with silence. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh, feeling the ocean''s weight pressing in around him. Then, for the first time in ages, he lifted his gaze, as if something had stirred within him. ¡ª So different from the others¡­ a small child¡­ yet carrying such a strong presence. He tried to rise, but it was as if he had fused with the throne after all these years. His grip tightened on the armrests, and he pushed himself up. The entire palace groaned in protest, as though an earthquake was rattling its ancient structure. Pieces of the ceiling crumbled, scattering debris, sending the fish fleeing in panic. Pearls tumbled down the throne¡¯s steps, clinking softly against the stone. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Long ago, that throne had been made of gold. But after countless years of weeping, the pearls formed from his tears had accumulated, burying its former splendor beneath a monument to oblivion. He attempted to swim, but his ancient tail refused to obey. Years of stillness had petrified it. ¡ª Annoying¡­ His gaze dropped to his own tail, and he felt the bones within it snap, breaking apart and reshaping. The skin tore. The scales fell away like dead leaves. And then, amidst the golden blood dissolving into the water¡ªfeet emerged. He stepped down from the throne, and the impact sent a powerful wave rippling outward. The palace structure creaked as if the ocean itself threatened to collapse upon him. ¡ª A fragment of her¡­ has given birth to something new. Something untouched by me¡­ He smiled. Or at least, he tried to. His face twisted into something more grotesque than joyful. ¡ª My love¡­ this fragment is so bright¡­ If I take it, perhaps¡­ just perhaps¡­ I will see her again? His eyes drifted through the abyss, glowing intensely, searching for something beyond time and reality. ¡ª My ocean¡­ your king commands you to obey. With a thunderous force, something unseen pulled him back to the throne, and chains woven from the very water clamped around him once more. He clenched his teeth. ¡ª Insolent child¡­ I thought this seal would have eroded long ago. What a shame. He shook his head slowly, unsurprised. ¡ª It seems I will have to call upon another to retrieve my queen¡¯s fragment for me¡­ His eyes wandered, searching the distant corners of the ocean. Then, they stopped. On a rock, bathed in the flickering sunlight that filtered through the water, a pale-haired, pale-tailed mermaid stretched lazily. His lips curled. ¡ª What a lovely puppet¡­ If I whisper, she will do anything for a mere crumb of power. His laughter tore through the ruins, and the palace trembled again. The chains constricted against his skin, protesting his audacity. But he did not care. He whispered. Words so beautiful they made the ocean itself shudder. The castle grew colder. Something shifted. And then, he laughed again¡ªdry and satisfied, as if he had just heard the answer he wanted. But it did not last long. His eyes darkened once more, drowning in their familiar emptiness. ¡ª This coffin¡­ has also grown dull. He leaned back into the throne of pearls, gaze distant. ¡ª I should renew it¡­ for when she arrives. The water around him swirled slowly, uneasy. ¡ª My love¡­ that dead man may have found your reincarnation. And once again¡­ I shall make her mine. 50-The Brilliance of Small Things 50-The Brilliance of Small Things Nexha kept swimming in circles around his nest, his chest heaving with frustration. He didn¡¯t understand why he was so furious. It was just a pearl. He didn¡¯t even like it¡­ right? Then why did something inside him feel so restless? He ran a hand over his face, pulling his hair back, trying to calm himself. His body was tense, his muscles ached. His mind swirled in a whirlpool of unanswered questions. ¡ª Enough. I won¡¯t look for it anymore. He headed home and ran into Nalu along the way. ¡ª Are you okay, Nexha? ¡ª I am¡­ I just lost something, but I couldn¡¯t find it. ¡ª That¡¯s alright. We all lose things sometimes. Whenever I migrated with my family, lots of things would get lost along the way. She ran a hand over Nexha¡¯s head before resting it on the child''s shoulder. ¡ª Want to see something cool to cheer you up? ¡ª I do! Nexha didn¡¯t hesitate. He really wanted to see something new. Excited, Nalu spun with him in the water before taking his hand and leading him to her home. The place was so well-lit it almost seemed magical. Lucky crab skeletons decorated the walls, glowing faintly, giving everything a cozy atmosphere. ¡ª Come, look right here. Nalu led Nexha to the back of her home, where an open space revealed a small improvised workshop. Unlike most nests at the bottom of the sea, this place was full of life and soft, welcoming colors. Strings of shells hung from the ceiling like mobiles, swaying gently with the water¡¯s movement. Nexha blinked a few times, impressed. ¡ª Wow¡­ ¡ª he murmured, slowly turning to take in everything around him. Stolen novel; please report. ¡ª Hehe, thanks! I like making things feel¡­ alive. ¡ª Nalu smiled shyly, rummaging through a bag made of woven moray eel leaves. She seemed nervous about showing him something, but also excited. Her slender fingers moved quickly as she pulled out a small object covered by a piece of coral. ¡ª Here! Look at this! ¡ª she said enthusiastically. She revealed a small device made of shells and reinforced fish bones. It was rounded, with tiny holes along the sides. ¡ª What is it? ¡ª Nexha asked, leaning in to get a better look. Nalu smiled and blew into the side of the object. Instantly, a soft melody began to play, and tiny bubbles started to emerge from it. But instead of floating quickly to the surface, they drifted around like fireflies in the ocean. Some glowed faintly, creating an almost magical effect. Nexha¡¯s eyes widened. ¡ª That¡¯s amazing! How did you make this?! ¡ª I¡­ well¡­ ¡ª Nalu laughed softly, looking away, embarrassed by the praise. ¡ª I like to observe¡­ so I noticed that this type of coral releases different kinds of bubbles, and I made this. Nexha took the little artifact in his hands, examining it. It was light but felt sturdy. It reminded him of a small ocarina. ¡ª This is so beautiful¡­ Lilay will fall asleep much faster if he hears this sound near him. ¡ª Yes! I actually made it for you kids! ¡ª Nalu grew even more excited. She made a small gesture with her hand, and the bubbles scattered through the space. Some floated toward the entrance of the house, where Lilay saw them and, curious, started playing among them. Nexha let out a quiet chuckle, watching his little brother so happy. For the first time that day, he felt his tension ease. The warm atmosphere of the place and Nalu¡¯s enthusiasm distracted him from the frustration he had been carrying. ¡ª You¡¯re really smart, Nalu. ¡ª he said, without thinking. The girl turned red, looking away again. ¡ª Ah¡­ I just like making things, that¡¯s all. ¡ª No! Really! You make incredible things! ¡ª Nexha insisted, crossing his arms. ¡ª I bet your inventions could help so many people out there! Nalu nervously played with her hair, clearly unsure how to react to so much praise. ¡ª Well¡­ maybe one day¡­ I¡¯ll stop making silly things¡­ and create something that actually helps. ¡ª she said softly. Nexha smiled, but soon sighed. Even though he felt calmer, the unsettling feeling of losing the pearl was still there, like a tiny splinter in his mind. Nalu noticed the change in his expression. ¡ª Still thinking about what you lost? Nexha hesitated but nodded. ¡ª Yeah¡­ I know it¡¯s just a silly thing, but¡­ I feel like it was important. I just don¡¯t know why. Nalu tilted her head, thoughtful. ¡ª Sometimes, when we lose something, we end up finding something even more special instead. ¡ª Thanks, Nalu. Her shy gaze softened into a gentle smile. ¡ª You¡¯re welcome, Nexha. I hope you find what you¡¯re looking for. For some reason, at that moment, he felt that no matter what was happening, he wasn¡¯t completely alone. And for now, that was enough. 51- The cold castle 51- The cold castle That night, Nexha played with Lilay while Nalu¡¯s tiny luminous bubbles danced around them, carried by the soft melody of the ocarina. For a moment, he felt that everything was fine. But deep down, the unsettling feeling of losing the pearl still lingered, like a silent wave pulling him into deeper waters. Krahs, watching the three of them enjoying themselves, noticed the fatigue in the children¡¯s eyes and decided to end the night. With a playful grumble, he sent Nalu back home and took Nexha and Lilay to rest. Some time later, Lilay had fallen asleep, nestled among the soft shells of his nest. Nexha, however, remained awake, restless. He turned to Krahs, who was still holding the small bubble instrument, analyzing it with curiosity. ¡ª "I need to tell you something¡­" ¡ª Nexha murmured hesitantly. Krahs raised his eyes, noticing the boy¡¯s discomfort. With a sigh, he ran a hand through Nexha¡¯s hair, encouraging him to continue. ¡ª "I''ve been having strange dreams. Since I found that lost pearl after the storm." ¡ª He frowned. ¡ª "It''s always the same place. A man and a woman dancing together, happy¡­ But then something happens. The woman dies, and he is left alone. Very alone." Krahs¡¯ expression grew serious. His fingers tightened slightly around the artifact he was holding. ¡ª "Nexha¡­ this isn¡¯t just a dream." Nexha¡¯s eyes widened. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡ª "What do you mean?" Krahs took a deep breath before answering. ¡ª "Zhaelor said that you are a new star. Sometimes, dreaming of memories from other stars can be normal." Nexha¡¯s heart pounded. Something inside him whispered that this wasn¡¯t normal. ¡ª "What if he¡¯s trying to talk to me?" ¡ª he asked quietly. Krahs hesitated. He didn¡¯t have enough knowledge to answer. ¡ª "I don¡¯t know, little one. You¡¯ll have to ask Zhaelor about it¡­ Talk to him tomorrow, okay?" ¡ª "Okay, Dad¡­" That night, the dreams returned. The sunken castle, covered in algae and time, appeared differently than in the other dreams. But this time, it felt darker, deeper, as if the ocean itself were holding its breath. On the throne of pearls, sitting amid the bluish shadows, was the man. His dark hair floated like silk in the water, and his deep blue eyes gleamed like icy blades in the dim light. His presence was majestic, imposing¡­ and wrong. ¡ª "Finally¡­" ¡ª The man¡¯s voice echoed like a whisper carried by the currents, sinking into Nexha¡¯s ears. ¡ª "You hear me now?" The chains wrapped around his arms creaked, straining as if they were part of the ocean itself. The entire castle seemed to tremble. ¡ª "Who¡­?" ¡ª Nexha¡¯s voice echoed, trembling. The man tilted his head slowly, as if analyzing the boy. His smile was gentle¡­ but something about it was distorted. ¡ª "Not the voice I expected, but¡­ come here, my little treasure." A shiver ran down Nexha¡¯s spine. He wanted to pull away, wanted to flee¡­ But something held him in place. Giant hands made of water emerged around him, wrapping him in a cold, suffocating grip. He struggled, but the current was too strong. He was pulled closer to the throne until the man lifted a hand and touched his cheek. The cold seeped into his skin like icy blades, spreading through his entire body. Nexha shivered, feeling himself sink into an endless abyss. ¡ª "My ray of sunshine¡­ soon, we will be together again." Terror rose in his throat like a scream trapped inside. ¡ª "Sh¡ª" Then, with a gasp, Nexha woke up. His chest heaved, cold sweat mixing with the water around him. Without a second thought, he swam away as fast as he could, leaving his home behind. He needed to find Zhaelor. 52-Is he dead? 52-Is he dead? The night still enveloped the ocean in its deep blue silence when Nexha burst through the entrance of Zhaelor¡¯s home, not bothering to announce his arrival. His chest heaved, eyes wide, and his body trembled, seized by the fear of his dream. ¡ª Zhaelor! ¡ª he called, his voice thick with panic. ¡ª Zhaelor, wake up! The elder awoke with a start, his long tail sliding against the floor with a heavy creak. He blinked, confused, trying to grasp what was happening. ¡ª Nexha? ¡ª his deep voice echoed through the space. ¡ª What happened? You''re trembling! Still trying to catch his breath, Nexha grabbed the elder¡¯s arm as if the touch could anchor him to reality. ¡ª There''s an old pervert after me! Zhaelor paused for a moment. He furrowed his brow, pondering. ¡ª The shark? Hm¡­ he doesn¡¯t seem like the type¡­ so, someone breached the walls? ¡ª NO! ¡ª Nexha nearly shouted. ¡ª There''s a man in my dreams! ¡ª He swallowed hard, feeling his anger rise. ¡ª He''s trapped¡­ but he talks to me! He calls me "my little treasure"¡­ and he said we¡¯ll be together soon! Zhaelor blinked slowly, now fully awake. The soft glow of the moon reflected off his scales, but his gaze darkened. ¡ª What else did you see? ¡ª he asked, his tone now more serious. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Nexha took a deep breath, trying to organize the images still dancing in his mind like persistent shadows. ¡ª A sunken castle¡­ ancient¡­ covered in algae and chains. He was there, sitting on a throne of pearls. And he smiled at me, but¡­ it wasn¡¯t a normal smile. ¡ª Anger burned in his voice now. ¡ª He seemed amused to see me scared! When I tried to escape, hands made of water held me down. And when he touched my face¡­ The boy shivered violently, hugging himself. ¡ª I¡¯ve never felt so cold. The silence that followed was dense, heavy. Zhaelor moved closer, his tail undulating gently around the boy in a protective gesture. ¡ª This man¡­ ¡ª the elder murmured, thoughtful. ¡ª What did he look like? ¡ª Dark hair¡­ blue eyes, but so deep they felt like they were pulling me in¡­ He looked elegant, but¡­ something about him was wrong. Like he was smiling in a way he shouldn¡¯t. Zhaelor closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. When he opened them again, his gaze carried a weight that made Nexha shrink back. ¡ª Nexha¡­ What you saw was a dead man. A chill ran down the boy¡¯s spine. ¡ª What do you mean? Zhaelor sighed, his eyes drifting toward the waters outside. ¡ª Tell me¡­ ¡ª his voice came out almost as a whisper. ¡ª Would you believe me if I told you that someone died, but their body did not? Nexha¡¯s eyes widened. ¡ª Is that even possible?! Zhaelor nodded slowly as Nexha rubbed his eye with one hand, sleep seeming to return. ¡ª His soul is gone, but his body remained. Without his true essence, he created his own desires¡­ an obsession that should not exist. The whale gently wrapped Nexha in soft algae, arranging them like an improvised bed. His touch was firm yet gentle, anchoring the boy to reality. ¡ª Little star¡­ he is nothing more than a husk of what he once was. Do not worry. You are not his treasure. You are a miracle of the sea, and the sea protects its own. ¡ª How? ¡ª Nexha murmured, already feeling sleep weigh down his eyelids. Zhaelor gave a faint smile, running a hand through the boy¡¯s messy hair. ¡ª The sea keeps him trapped in that castle. Nothing and no one can set him free. So, if he returns to your dreams¡­ ¡ª his voice softened. ¡ª Call upon the sea for help, little star. Nexha blinked slowly, struggling to stay awake, but his body was already giving in to exhaustion. And before he knew it, he was asleep, safe among the soft algae, as the song of a whale cradled him like a gentle tide. 53-Shadows of the Past 53-Shadows of the Past Zhaelor watched Nexha sleep, the child''s small, gentle movements wrapped in the soft algae. His chest rose and fell slowly, his features still marked by the exhaustion of his nightmare. For a moment, the elder felt a brief sense of peace. But then, the ocean changed. The waters around them grew denser, as if the sea itself were holding its breath. The cold that spread through the cave was unnatural¡ªnot the salty, refreshing breeze of the deep. It was a chill that seeped into the bones, carrying something ancient and forgotten. A whisper echoed from an impossible place, dragging like chains scraping against stone. ¡ª You cannot protect him forever, Zhaelor¡­ The whale closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. He knew that voice. He recognized the elegant tone, the refined calmness, the smoothness that had once been captivating. But now¡­ now it was rotten, like a pearl corroded by darkness. ¡ª So, you are conscious enough to speak¡­ ¡ª Zhaelor murmured calmly. ¡ª When did you stop crying? The laughter came softly, reverberating like a whisper in the ear. ¡ª When a piece of my once beautiful lady fell back into this sea. Zhaelor opened his eyes and turned toward the entrance of his home. The ocean there was darker, shadows slithering through the water like veils of black ink. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. ¡ª You lost the right to call her that. You are not him. And she was never yours. A silence followed before the voice returned, seductive as a treacherous tide. ¡ª Ah, Zhaelor¡­ Always so righteous with me. Pretending not to understand. But deep down, you know I was wronged. He may have left¡­ but I remained. And now, I am what he was. Something inside the elder tensed at that insinuation. The voice was the same¡­ but the soul behind it? No. He knew that man no longer existed. ¡ª You are not him. And you never will be. ¡ª You are wrong. The conviction in the voice made the ocean tremble, the shadows rippling with its presence. ¡ª I once was him. And I can be again. I just need to have¡­ what belongs to me. Zhaelor felt the water¡¯s temperature drop even further. ¡ª Nexha is not a thing. ¡ª Don¡¯t lie to me, whale. I am no longer as na?ve as I once was. The elder let out a low chuckle, a sound filled with irony and sorrow. ¡ª Of course, you are. If you weren¡¯t, you wouldn¡¯t still be trapped on that throne like a starving shadow. The silence that followed was almost oppressive. Then, the voice returned, this time lower, but still laced with a corrosive desire. ¡ª As always¡­ trying to make me lose my composure. Mischievous. But it doesn¡¯t matter, Zhaelor. The presence grew stronger for a moment, as if trying to surround him, test his limits. ¡ª I will have what I desire. And then, as if it had never existed, the presence vanished. The ocean began to move normally again. The cold dissipated. But Zhaelor knew the truth. With slow, solemn movements, he picked up the fragment of a broken spear¡¯s shaft. He held it against his chest, feeling the weight of the memory it carried. ¡ª Descendant of the seas¡­ the threat returns. The fragment glowed with a golden hue, pulsing like a heart about to awaken. Then, it fell silent. But the message had been received. Zhaelor closed his eyes. ¡ª The battle will begin again. 54-Fishing Fear, anger, and a touch of disgust still gnawed at Nexha¡¯s insides when morning arrived. He woke up with a start, cold sweat mixing with the ocean¡¯s moisture. His heart still echoed the icy touch of that mysterious man, and the words whispered in his dreams continued to vibrate in his mind. ¡ª That old pervert¡­ If he won¡¯t stop bothering me, I¡¯ll make him stop myself. If that man, even while imprisoned, could affect him to the point of stealing his sleep, what else could he do? Who could guarantee that Nexha wouldn¡¯t be dragged to the depths of that dark castle? He didn¡¯t want to be anyone¡¯s ¡°treasure.¡± ¡ª I¡¯ve been too lazy¡­ No more procrastinating. Time to farm some experience. Without hesitation, he grabbed his fishing net and obsidian knife, swimming toward the Mother of Tides kelp field. As always, it was teeming with fish. ¡ª No mercy¡­ Today, I¡¯m feeding a cachalot. ¡ª he murmured to himself, pulling the net with determination. Thinking that bigger fish might give him more XP, Nexha searched for the most imposing school and swam slowly, careful not to alert them. These fish, nearly his size, had no idea that today, the child would be the hunter. To make things easier, Nexha tied small stones to the edges of the net. With a swift movement, he cast the net over the school. The extra weight forced the larger fish down to the sand, unable to swim properly. In their desperation, they only thrashed about wildly¡­ If the net had been bigger, he could have caught even more. He gripped the knife tightly. The hunt had begun. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. His muscles burned as he held the net against the seafloor and struck. Those large creatures were strong, fighting to escape, but his endurance allowed him to hold on for a few more hours. When the last fish finally stopped struggling, he checked his status: [Crystal-Scaled Mermaid] Name: Nexha Age: Baby Status: Normal Lv: 5 | XP: 320/50 HP: 45/45 | MP: 30/30 Attack: 6 (+1) | Defense: 35 (+1) Intelligence: 15 (+1) | Luck: 7 | Beauty: 30 Nexha frowned. ¡ª Not enough¡­ I need more. Grabbing the net again, he used the fish scraps as bait to lure more schools. Still searching for bigger prey, he spotted a massive dolphinfish. The shimmering yellow-green of its scales, speckled with blue dots, and its long, strikingly blue dorsal fin nearly took Nexha¡¯s breath away. ¡ª There¡¯s no way I¡¯m letting a fish this big escape! The great fish was focused on the remains of the previous hunt when Nexha threw the net. However, instead of sinking, the fish thrashed wildly, swimming erratically. ¡ª Oh, no¡­ Realizing the problem, Nexha swam after it. The stones he had tied slowed its escape, giving him just enough time to grab the net. But the fight was far from over. The fish, in a desperate frenzy, began dragging him through the eelgrass forest. The boy clung to the net with all his strength, trying to stabilize the capture. With his other hand, he raised the obsidian knife and struck. The fish convulsed violently, wounded, but still fighting. Nexha felt the impact as he was thrown against the kelp. The rough leaves scraped his skin as the fish continued to struggle. The net started slipping from his grasp, but he couldn¡¯t give up now. Another strike. This time, the force of the struggle sent them crashing into the sandy ocean floor. A cloud of sediment rose, blinding Nexha for a few moments. His eyes and gills burned from the stirred-up sand, but when the dust settled¡­ His prize was still there. The fish was still breathing, but it could no longer swim. Nexha approached, feeling the weight of the fight in his arms and lungs. ¡ª Sorry¡­ But I need to get stronger. The final blow was precise. The boy rolled onto the sand, exhausted, while the chime of victory rang in his mind. {Congratulations! You have reached Level 6! Check your status to see the changes.} 55-A Well-Deserved Meal Nexha rested on the sand for a while before finally checking his status. [Crystal-Scaled Mermaid] Name: Nexha Age: Baby Status: Normal Lv: 6 | XP: 640/1000 HP: 49/50 | MP: 35/35 Attack: 7 (+1) | Defense: 36 (+1) Intelligence: 16 (+1) | Luck: 7 | Beauty: 30 ¡ª That thing¡­ took one HP from me? That last fall was stronger than I thought. He glanced at the fish beside him, its massive body still resting on the sand. ¡ª It¡¯d be a waste to just leave something this big here. Tying the fish securely in the net, he began dragging it home. The weight was ridiculous, and Nexha had to take several breaks to rest along the way. The effort took hours, but finally, he arrived. Lilay greeted him in shock upon seeing the size of the fish. He swam around Nexha, bewildered, as if trying to confirm whether he was dreaming. ¡ª How did you catch this? Did you steal it from someone? Fury surged in Nexha instantly. He grabbed his brother¡¯s cheeks and squeezed hard. ¡ª I caught this myself! Alone! Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Lilay yelped and tried to escape but couldn¡¯t. Determined to get revenge, he grabbed Nexha¡¯s cheeks in return. The two rolled on the sand, locked in a childish scuffle. Realizing he wasn¡¯t going to win, Lilay resorted to his ultimate weapon: ¡ª DAAAD! NEXHA¡¯S BEING MEAN! ¡ª he cried out in a tearful voice. Krahs, who had been napping, woke up immediately. He looked outside and saw the two kids rolling in the sand, gripping each other¡¯s cheeks. He blinked a few times, rubbed his eyes¡­ No, this wasn¡¯t a dream. Intrigued, he swam over and pulled them apart. Lilay, cheeks red, clung to Krahs, whining. ¡ª Nexha, you¡­ Before Krahs could finish scolding him, he noticed something. A small scratch on Nexha¡¯s cheek. His eyes widened. Instantly, he pulled the boy closer, cupping his face in his hands. ¡ª Not even a hit from the Storm Wave could wound you¡­ How did this happen? With his cheeks squished in his father¡¯s grip, Nexha could only mumble: ¡ª C-Caught a fiiish... That¡¯s when Krahs noticed the massive fish tangled in the net. He sighed. ¡ª You caught one of the big ones, huh, Nexha¡­ Must¡¯ve been tough. Krahs ruffled his son¡¯s hair with a proud smile, but his expression soon turned serious. ¡ª But that was dangerous. Nexha, promise me you won¡¯t do this again. The boy hesitated for a moment before answering honestly: ¡ª I can¡¯t promise that, Dad¡­ Krahs let out a deep sigh, contemplating. ¡ª Then, if you realize you won¡¯t win¡­ run away as fast as you can, okay? ¡ª Okay. Only then did Krahs remove his hand from his son¡¯s head. Lilay, still clinging to Krahs, had stopped crying, though his little pout showed he was still mad at Nexha. Suddenly, Nexha looked up at his father and grinned. ¡ª Dad, help me take the fish to Old Nest? I want to cook. Lilay immediately stopped sulking, already drooling at the thought of the meal. Krahs chuckled and helped Nexha carry the catch. That night, the fish stew was so good that even Nalu showed up uninvited to steal a bite. Zhaelor seemed a bit upset that he couldn¡¯t join, but a generous portion of fish was enough to lift his spirits. Nexha savored the day to the fullest¡­ Because deep down, he knew. He feared moments like these would become rarer and rarer in the future. 56-Fast hunter 56-Fast hunter Nexha woke up early, grabbed his knife and net, and slipped out quietly so as not to wake Lilay and Krahs. But just as he reached the door, he heard the shark¡¯s voice. ¡ª Leaving without saying where you¡¯re going? He pouted and walked back to Krahs. Half-awake, the shark smiled at the sight. ¡ª I¡¯m going hunting near the Tide Mother Algae, Dad. Krahs ran a hand over Nexha¡¯s head. ¡ª Are you taking everything you need? ¡ª Yes. Nexha checked his things again to make sure he hadn¡¯t forgotten anything. ¡ª Aren¡¯t you going to drink your milk? ¡ª I¡¯ll eat fish there, Dad. Krahs pulled him close for a hug. ¡ª Remember, be careful. Run if you find something you can¡¯t fight. ¡ª I will, Dad. The shark let go of Nexha. ¡ª Good luck. ¡ª See you later, Dad! Nexha swam off at full speed. At that moment, Krahs sighed and nudged little Lilay, who was still asleep beside him. ¡ª Wake up, Lilay. You¡¯re coming hunting with me too. The sea was quiet that morning. Nexha had already caught plenty of fish for breakfast. After eating, he grabbed his net, swapped the stones at the edges to increase its weight, and swam among the Tide Mother Algae in search of his next prey. This time, he wasn¡¯t satisfied with ordinary fish. He wanted a real challenge¡ªsomething that would make him stronger. That¡¯s when he felt a chill down his spine. The ocean around him had become eerily silent. The once-abundant schools of fish had vanished in an instant. Nexha¡¯s instincts screamed a warning, but before he could react, a massive shadow grazed past him, leaving a shallow cut on his stomach. The attack had nearly hit him head-on. Cold sweat mixed with the salty water as Nexha turned to see a barracuda preparing for another strike. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. The predator was nearly three times Nexha¡¯s size. Its sleek, silver body reflected what little light filtered through the water. Its yellow, hunger-filled eyes locked onto him, and then¡ªwith a sudden burst¡ªit shot forward at terrifying speed, ready to attack again. Nexha barely had time to dodge. He rolled to the side, feeling the razor-sharp rush of the creature¡¯s body pass just inches from his arm. The barracuda¡¯s jaws snapped shut on nothing but water, but the force of its strike displaced the currents, slamming Nexha against a bed of moray algae. ¡ª Damn, is this thing a torpedo?! It¡¯s way too fast! Realizing he couldn¡¯t win a speed battle, Nexha activated his ability. His scales darkened and hardened, becoming far more resistant. ¡ª If I hesitate, I¡¯m dead. So come at me. You¡¯ll be my afternoon snack. He gripped his obsidian knife tightly, trying to recall everything he had learned from hunting smaller fish. But this was different. This wasn¡¯t prey¡ªit was a hunter. But this speedster had chosen the wrong opponent. Speed alone doesn¡¯t beat a tank. The barracuda twisted its body swiftly, muscles coiling like a spring about to snap. Nexha held his net firm in his other hand, waiting for the right moment. The beast lunged again, jaws wide open, filled with rows of sharp teeth. At the last second, Nexha threw the net! The weighted stones dragged the mesh down over the barracuda¡¯s head, slowing its momentum. But it wasn¡¯t enough. With a violent thrash, the monster twisted its body and dragged Nexha along with the net. The impact made his vision blur, bubbles escaping his lips as he clung on tightly. He had underestimated its strength. It was like swimming against a raging current. But Nexha gritted his teeth, pressing forward through the struggle. As the barracuda writhed, trying to free itself, Nexha¡¯s fingers tightened around the handle of his black blade. He gathered all his strength and drove the knife between the predator¡¯s scales¡ªright at the joint near its head. The barracuda thrashed furiously, its tail whipping the water hard enough to stir up sand from the seafloor. Nexha was flung backward, slamming against a submerged rock. Pain rippled through his body, but he didn¡¯t let go of the knife. The predator tried to lunge at him again¡ªbut something was wrong. Its body trembled. Its strength was fading. Nexha realized what had happened¡ªand a victorious grin spread across his face. The strike had been fatal. The barracuda finally stopped moving, sinking slowly to the ocean floor. Nexha floated there, gasping for breath, his muscles burning from exertion. His chest rose and fell rapidly, while the predator¡¯s blood dissolved into the water around him. That was when the adrenaline began to fade, and the cut on his stomach started to sting. Even so, the grin of victory never left his face. Then, in his mind, the chime rang. {Congratulations! You have reached Level 7! Check your status to see the changes.} ¡ª Soon, I¡¯ll be as strong as Krahs... He tied a strip of seaweed over his wound and checked his status. [Crystal-Scaled Mermaid] Name: Nexha Age: Baby Status: Normal Lv: 7 | XP: 1,280/1,100 HP: 45/55 | MP: 40/40 Attack: 8 (+1) | Defense: 37 (+1) Intelligence: 17 (+1) | Luck: 7 | Beauty: 30 ¡ª Whoa! That thing almost gave me two whole levels?! What kind of monster was this?! Nexha turned to look at the barracuda¡¯s lifeless body¡­ but then, a strange chill crept down his spine. There was something lodged inside the fish¡¯s mouth¡ªsomething he hadn¡¯t noticed in the heat of battle. ¡ª This¡­? What the hell...? 57-Nest Killer 57-Nest Killer Nexha looked at the barracuda¡¯s mouth, feeling a strange chill run down his spine. Something small and shiny was wedged between the creature¡¯s teeth. He moved closer and carefully pried open the predator¡¯s rigid jaws. ¡ª What is this? Amidst the blood and torn flesh, a small orange egg with a white dot came into view. It was smooth and glossy, about the size of one of his scales, and miraculously intact. ¡ª Could it still be alive? He picked up the egg delicately, noticing that its shell was tougher and stickier than it appeared. The residual heat from the battle still made his chest rise and fall rapidly, but curiosity took over. How could something so small and fragile have survived inside the mouth of such a monster? ¡ª Looks intact... Nexha observed the egg for a moment, feeling a strange weight in his stomach. ¡ª This thing must have devoured an entire nest of these to get that strong¡­ Looking at the lone survivor in his hands, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang in his heart. ¡ª Well¡­ now you¡¯re with me, right? Using the remains of the fishing net destroyed by the barracuda, Nexha improvised a small pouch to carry the egg, while the rest of the mesh was tied to the fish so he could drag it. His body ached, and his stomach was beginning to complain. It was time to head back. Nexha dragged the barracuda along the way, feeling the creature¡¯s enormous weight. Each beat of its tail made his muscles protest, and the cut on his belly burned whenever the salty water touched it. ¡ª Damn¡­ this thing weighs more than Lilay after eating too much¡­ After a while, he finally saw the entrance to his home. But before he could fully relax, he heard a cry of surprise. ¡ª WHOA! WHAT IS THAT?! If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Lilay swam at full speed toward him, eyes wide as he circled the barracuda, trying to process the sheer size of the creature. ¡ª Is this a fish or a monster?! Nexha huffed, dropping the net onto the sand. ¡ª A barracuda. It gave me trouble, but¡­ I did it. Lilay looked at Nexha, then at the fish, his mouth opening slightly. ¡ª Brother... did you steal this catch from Zhaelor? Nexha¡¯s face darkened with rage. ¡ª YOU¡¯RE AT IT AGAIN?! He lunged at Lilay and grabbed his tail. ¡ª I CAUGHT IT MYSELF! ¡ª O-Okay! I believe you! I believe you! Before the two could start rolling in the sand again, a larger shadow approached. Krahs, who had been resting after eating, opened his eyes and swam over to them. ¡ª Again? Do you two never get tired of this? He looked from Nexha to the barracuda, then back to Nexha again. His eyes hardened. ¡ª You¡¯re injured. Nexha blinked and only then realized his wound was visible. Krahs moved closer and held Nexha, lifting Lilay in the process, tilting his head slightly to examine him better. ¡ª It¡¯s a nasty cut, but not too deep. What did I tell you this morning? Nexha hesitated. ¡ª I tried to run, Dad, but it was faster than me! Krahs let out a heavy sigh and ran a hand over Nexha¡¯s head. ¡ª You need to be more careful. I told you to run if something was too strong. ¡ª I tried, Dad... Nexha answered again, now in a whining voice, trying to fool the shark with his childish cuteness. Krahs¡¯ gaze grew more serious, but he didn¡¯t argue. He just sighed and let Nexha go. ¡ª Fine¡­ but don¡¯t make this a habit. ¡ª Okay. Krahs looked at the barracuda again and let out a short laugh. ¡ª But I¡¯ll admit, this is impressive. It¡¯ll make a great dinner. Lilay, who had completely forgotten the scare, clapped his hands excitedly and broke free from Nexha¡¯s grip in an instant. ¡ª YES! LET¡¯S EAT! He went to the barracuda and tried to take a bite right then and there. ¡ª HEY! We¡¯re cooking it first! That was when Nexha remembered the egg. He sighed and took it out of the makeshift pouch, showing it to Krahs. At first, the shark¡¯s face was one of shock, and without warning, he pulled Nexha¡¯s ear. ¡ª WHICH NEST DID YOU STEAL THIS FROM?! ¡ª Told you he stole the catch¡­ ¡ª Lilay commented with a full mouth, chewing a piece of fish. ¡ª Ow, ow, Dad, I didn¡¯t steal it¡­ ¡ª Then where did you get it? ¡ª Well¡­ from the barracuda¡¯s mouth. Krahs¡¯ expression turned lethal. In an instant, he swam to Lilay and made him spit out the piece of fish he was eating. ¡ª You should¡¯ve said that earlier! Lilay, don¡¯t eat any more of this fish! ¡ª W-Why¡­? ¡ª Lilay asked, his voice now tearful. Krahs didn¡¯t hesitate. His tone was grave, leaving no room for argument. ¡ª Nest killers can make entire tribes sick. Nexha didn¡¯t question it. He just swallowed hard, feeling a chill down his spine. Lilay, still upset, crossed his arms. ¡ª But it was tasty¡­ Krahs ignored him. His gaze turned to Nexha. ¡ª Take that egg to your old nest and leave it in the water there. Without wasting time, the shark grabbed the barracuda and Nexha¡¯s net, swimming away without hesitation. 58-Encounter with the Witch 58-Encounter with the Witch Nexha sat on the fine sand of the old nest, the small orange egg resting in his hands. He placed it in the warm water of one of the natural pools, watching it for a moment. But his mind was restless. Krahs had left in a hurry, taking the barracuda with him, without giving any explanations. He sighed, looking at the egg. Small, resilient... alive. He didn¡¯t know why, but he felt that this egg was not something ordinary. ¡ª How did you survive inside that thing¡¯s mouth¡­? Time passed slowly. The exhaustion from the fight still weighed on his muscles, but the waiting made him uneasy. He lay down on the sand, already dry after being out of the water for so long. Beside him, Lilay stretched, yawning loudly. ¡ª Ugh¡­ I¡¯m hungry. Nexha didn¡¯t reply immediately. His eyes were still fixed on the egg. ¡ª Dad is taking too long¡­ Lilay huffed, crossing his arms. ¡ª I bet he went to eat by himself and forgot about us! Nexha rolled his eyes. ¡ª Don¡¯t talk nonsense. He knows you¡¯d never let that happen. ¡ª True. ¡ª Lilay grinned but soon pouted again. ¡ª But seriously, I¡¯m hungry. And I¡¯m not waiting! Before Nexha could respond, Lilay was already dragging himself toward the nest¡¯s exit. He dived into the water, his tail beating fast as he swam away. ¡ª Where are you going?! Lilay turned, laughing. ¡ª I¡¯m gonna find Zhaelor! He always knows where to get food! Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! ¡ª Lilay! But his brother was already gone, disappearing into the sea. Nexha let out a heavy sigh, feeling a strange unease in his chest. He liked being alone there. But¡­ more than that, he didn¡¯t like the way Krahs reacted upon seeing the egg. He looked at it again and poked it lightly. ¡ª What¡¯s so wrong with you¡­? The silence around him seemed to grow. The water was too still, the ocean¡¯s sounds distant. His body grew heavy, and his eyes began to close before he even realized it. Something was wrong. Exhaustion overtook him with unnatural speed. His body sank into the sand, and the world around him dissolved into shadows. A large shadow slid through the entrance of the nest. With fluid and graceful movements, the figure emerged from the pool, droplets sliding down her long, lacquered eyelashes. The mermaid¡¯s low, contained laughter echoed softly¡ªa sound of pure satisfaction. Her plan had worked perfectly. There, before her, the little one was defenseless. She had never been happier for wiping out an entire nest of clownfish-tailed mermaids just to cast a spell powerful enough to incapacitate a sperm whale. But nothing compared to the feeling of holding her prize. The child. She wrapped Nexha in her arms, and her face twisted into something strange. The happiness she felt was the most genuine she had experienced in a very, very long time. The warmth of the little one against her skin left her dizzy for a moment, almost making her forget why she was there. Nexha shifted slightly in his sleep, uneasy but not waking. She rocked him gently. ¡ª Shh¡­ you are going to make me a great star, little one. She improvised a sling with seaweed, fastening him securely against her body. Nexha, even unconscious, seemed to snuggle in, his breathing light and peaceful. The mermaid shivered in delight. Her goal was so close to being realized. Her sharp teeth, long as needles, gleamed as she opened her mouth in a twisted smile. Before leaving, a faint glow in the water caught her attention. Her eyes landed on the small orange egg. She frowned. ¡ª The barracuda should have finished the job. Looks like that incompetent fool who was supposed to distract the shark failed to get rid of all of them¡­ Her gaze hardened. She reached out, fingers poised to crush the tiny egg. That¡¯s when she felt it. A chill ran down her spine, freezing her in place. Her eyes widened. No¡­ She snapped her head around. He is here. The witch rushed out, only to be met with an aura so powerful it made her tremble. The ocean stirred. From the shadows of the moray eel kelp forest, a figure emerged. Krahs. The shark glided through the water, his eyes glowing with a wild fury. The rage on his face was so intense that the water around him seemed to vibrate. The witch swallowed hard. Fear crashed over her like a cold wave. His gaze was lethal. Every line of his tense body, the scars that now seemed to glow a deep red like fresh blood on skin, every fiber of muscle¡ªeverything about him radiated absolute threat. And then, his voice came. Low. Menacing. Sharp as a blade. ¡ª Give me back my son. 59-The Hunter and the Witch 59-The Hunter and the Witch The water around the witch seemed to grow denser, heavier. Krahs'' gaze pierced her soul like the teeth of a predator ready to tear its prey apart. He did not advance immediately¡ªhe didn¡¯t need to. The sheer pressure of his presence was suffocating. The witch felt her body turn cold. Her muscles stiffened, her mind screamed at her to flee, but Krahs'' shadows seemed to stretch like invisible chains, holding her in place. ¡ª You won¡¯t defeat me with just your glare. But the truth was bitter¡ªbitter and undeniable. He could kill her easily, and she knew it. Her entire body knew it. Her instincts screamed in her ears to run. The leader of a fallen tribe, burning with fury, stood before her. And she¡­ was just a witch with incomplete magic. She growled in frustration, trying to push the fear away with rage. Her body glowed with a deep hue, runes appearing along her pale skin and scales. She raised her hands, and the ocean around them responded to her call. ¡ª Freeze. The ice spell spread through the water like an invisible explosion. Tiny crystals formed in the liquid around Krahs, dropping the temperature in an instant. The witch forced a tense smile¡ªif she could immobilize him long enough, she might escape. But then¡­ The ice shattered. With a single movement of his tail, Krahs surged forward, the sheer force of his swim breaking the frozen fragments as if they were nothing. Before she could react, he was already upon her. She barely had time to raise her arms before Krahs¡¯ fist slammed into her stomach. BOOM! The impact sent her flying backward, her body spinning uncontrollably before crashing against a wall of rock. A muffled cry escaped her lips, bubbles rising to the surface. Too fast¡­ So fast that the pouch carrying the child was taken from her before she even noticed. The witch tasted blood in her mouth. She clenched her teeth, eyes widening as she realized her prize had been stolen with ease. And there he was¡ªKrahs, swimming toward her again. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. This time, he was holding the child in one arm. And in the other¡­ He wielded a freshly plucked moray-kelp spear. Strangely, she could see a golden glow surrounding the weapon. In an instant, she understood. The spear had been enchanted with a star¡¯s blessing. Shock hit her, followed by a chill running down her spine. Her instincts screamed¡ªif that weapon struck her, she would die. Desperate, she summoned another spell, her hands trembling. ¡ª Ice Spear! A series of frozen spikes formed in the water, shooting toward Krahs like deadly lances. But he didn¡¯t slow down. A single flick of his tail sent a shockwave through the water, shattering the spears as if they were made of thin glass. He kept advancing. ¡ª Wait¡ª! Your ch¡ª Krahs did not wait. The spear moved. The witch twisted her body at the last second, barely dodging, but the cold tip grazed her skin. Pain exploded in her shoulder. She could feel half of her life force vanish in a single blow. She screamed, the water around her turning red. Krahs looked at her, his eyes filled with pure rage and contempt. ¡ª You attacked my home. You took my child¡­ Your judgment today is death. Like jury, judge, and executioner, Krahs raised the spear, preparing a real strike. She gasped, clutching her wound. ¡ª It was necessary! ¡ª she growled. ¡ª HE wants the child. Krahs did not care. This time, Nimue could not escape. The spear pierced the side of her abdomen, slicing through her flesh with ease¡ªeven the stone behind her was impaled. The world spun around the witch, and a choked scream left her throat. Her body went limp, blood mixing into the water. She gasped, her vision blurring for a moment. ¡ª No¡­ Fear finally consumed her. Her fingers trembled. Her teeth clenched. She pulled from her last reserves of magic, her runes glowing once more. ¡ª SACRIFICE! An explosion of energy burst from her, forcing Krahs back for just a second¡ªlong enough for him to shield Nexha from the blast. Her body glowed, and her wounds rapidly began to heal. But at a great cost. The witch¡¯s eyes turned completely black, her breathing erratic. This magic drained her sanity¡ªher soul. But she had no other choice. She raised a trembling hand toward Krahs, her voice distorted and dragging. ¡ª You¡­ won¡¯t kill me¡­ The water around them began to twist. But Krahs felt no fear. He had realized something. She was running away. Her magic was not for attacking¡ªit was for escaping. His gaze narrowed. Disdain dripped from his voice. ¡ª Coward. With a single thrust, he shot forward. The witch screamed, trying to conjure another spell, but the spear was already raised, ready to end her. The ocean trembled. At the last moment, multiple shadows surged from the rocks¡ªlike a black octopus, they grabbed the witch and pulled her into the darkness, vanishing before the final strike could land. Silence fell. Krahs stopped in the middle of the kelp forest, his breathing heavy. The witch had fled. But he no longer cared about her. He looked down at the sleeping child in his arms. He dropped the spear, which crumbled under the immense force it had endured. And then¡ª He embraced his son. Tears fell from his eyes as he held him tightly. 60-marks left by the witch 60-marks left by the witch As he swam back home, Krahs felt the weight of the water around him, but nothing compared to the weight crushing his chest. His rage still burned, pulsing hot in his veins, but now something even worse gnawed at his instincts¡ªfear. The mere thought that Nexha had almost been taken from him, right under his nose, was unbearable. If he had returned earlier¡­ if he hadn¡¯t wasted time discarding that fish, if he had trusted his own instincts more, so much could have been avoided. His fists clenched so tightly that his claws slightly cut into his skin. He had failed again. Always failing. Could he truly consider himself worthy of protecting this new family around him? When he finally reached the nest, a sound sliced through his thoughts like a blade¡ªdesperate sobs. His sharp gaze scanned the surroundings in an instant. Lilay was there, trembling, her wide eyes filled with tears, curled up beside the still bodies of Zhaelor and Nalu, lying on the sand. ¡ª Father! Before he could react, Lilay threw herself against him, clutching his arm tightly, her breath trembling, broken by sobs. ¡ª They¡­ they won¡¯t wake up! ¡ª her voice cracked in despair. ¡ª I tried shaking them, I tried calling them, but they just keep breathing¡­ it¡¯s like they¡¯re sleeping, but¡­ but¡­ Her words came in frantic bursts, as if speaking them was painful. Her small body trembled against Krahs¡¯, and he could feel her fear, her helplessness. Krahs turned his gaze to the motionless bodies. His heart pounded harder when he saw that Nexha was the same as them. Zhaelor, Nalu¡­ and Nexha. All asleep, their expressions so serene it was unsettling. Their breathing was steady, but¡­ something was wrong. It was a deep sleep. Too deep. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. A dark sensation spread through his chest, and then he understood. ¡ª Magic¡­ ¡ª he murmured, his eyes narrowing. Even defeated, the witch had managed to leave this curse behind. Lilay clutched her hands against her chest, her breath short, anguished. ¡ª What are we going to do?! ¡ª her voice rose in panic. ¡ª They¡¯re not going to wake up, are they? They¡¯re never going to wake up again, Father?! The despair in her voice pierced Krahs deeper than any blade. He knelt, gripping his daughter¡¯s shoulders firmly, bringing her gaze to his. ¡ª Lilay. His tone was solid¡ªan anchor amidst her storm of emotions. But there was something else behind that firm voice¡­ a burning fury. ¡ª The witch did this. And now, we¡¯re going to undo it. ¡ª But¡­ how? Lilay¡¯s words were fragile, as if she were clinging to the last thread of hope. Krahs gently slid Nexha from his arms, laying him beside the other two who remained in their unnatural sleep. The little one was completely unaware of the chaos around him, breathing softly¡ªtoo fragile, too vulnerable. Krahs felt his chest tighten again. He took a deep breath. ¡ª Little one, we must ask for help. ¡ª From whom? Her large, tear-filled eyes stared at him, searching for an answer. ¡ª From a star. Lilay blinked, confused. Krahs didn¡¯t explain. He simply turned and swam toward the old nest, rummaging through a few objects until he found what he was looking for¡ªa broken fragment of his old spear. He returned to Lilay and held it out to her. ¡ª Come. I will teach you how to ask for her help. Lilay hesitated before stepping closer, swallowing her fear and uncertainty. ¡ª But¡­ what if she doesn¡¯t hear us? Krahs studied her for a moment before answering, his voice lower now, yet filled with something almost sacred: ¡ª She will hear. But if nothing happens¡­ it means even she cannot help us. Silence fell between them, heavy, broken only by the distant sound of waves crashing on the surface. Lilay hesitated, but then Krahs took her hand and guided it, placing it gently over the broken piece of the spear. ¡ª Now, repeat after me. His voice sounded different. It was not just a request. It was a prayer. Lilay closed her eyes and focused, her voice coming out hesitant: ¡ª Great Descendant of the Stars¡­ Krahs tightened his grip on the spear fragment beside her, his voice deep, reverent. ¡ª We need your help. The next moment was enveloped in absolute silence. Then, the spear glowed. It was a soft, ethereal light, as if the ocean itself whispered in response to their call. The glow spread gently through the surrounding water, wrapping them both in its comforting radiance. And then¡­ A voice. Melodious, distant, as beautiful as a siren¡¯s song¡ªyet carrying something beyond comprehension. It was as if the universe itself whispered into their ears. ¡ª Wait¡­ they will awaken. Lilay held her breath, her eyes wide as she felt the words reverberate within her, touching something deep inside her soul. Krahs remained still for a moment, his eyes reflecting the light of the spear. ¡ª Thank you¡­ 61-Work Meeting 61-Work Meeting Nexha found himself awake in a world that had long made his chest ache from how much he missed it. His soft bed, his laptop resting on the desk, the safe, dry walls of his home¡­ Everything so familiar, so comforting, that tears slid down his face before he even realized he was crying. The longing for it all left him fragile. He got up slowly, as if any sudden movement might shatter this perfect dream. The first thing he did was rush to the bathroom. When he returned, he stopped in the middle of the room, looking around as if each object were a treasure. Then, his gaze landed on the headboard of his bed. A photo. People together, smiling. But their faces¡­ blurred, unrecognizable. He trembled. ¡ª It was too good to be true, huh? ¡ª his voice came out thick with emotion. ¡ª It¡¯s just a dream¡­ ¡ª Yes. A female voice answered casually. He turned abruptly. Leaning against the bedroom door, Luna watched him. Unlike last time, she wore an elegant office blazer and a skirt. Her arms were crossed, and her slightly bored expression made her look like a manager about to fire a troublesome employee. ¡ª After all this time, we finally have a meeting¡ª she said, raising an eyebrow. ¡ª And the first thing you do is run to the bathroom like a madman. ¡ª I¡¯m savoring the moment ¡ª Nexha grumbled, throwing himself onto the bed and sinking into the soft mattress. Luna sighed. ¡ª Why my room? ¡ª he asked, still feeling the nostalgia burning in his chest. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡ª It¡¯s your memory palace. This place represents your greatest comfort, according to your mind. After all, it was one of the few things you didn¡¯t forget. Nexha sat up, staring at the floor. ¡ª I forgot their faces¡­ but not a room? You just made me feel worse. Now I feel like an idiot who can¡¯t even remember his own family. Luna shrugged. ¡ª But you are an idiot. No need to feel that way, just accept it. He huffed. ¡ª You have zero compassion, don¡¯t you? She rolled her eyes. ¡ª If I didn¡¯t, do you really think I¡¯d be here? I should¡¯ve let you float in the void of your own mind. Would¡¯ve been less work for me. Nexha rolled on the bed, indulging in the nostalgic sensation of being there. ¡ª So why are you here, really? ¡ª Because you¡¯re developing emotionally more than you are technologically. Nexha scoffed. ¡ª If you guys wanted a machine without feelings, why¡¯d you choose me? Luna crossed her arms. ¡ª Idiot. If we wanted a machine, we would¡¯ve just dropped a truck in your place. ¡ª Then why did you kill me? She rolled her eyes so dramatically they almost fell out of her head. ¡ª This again? How many times do I have to say it was your lifestyle that killed you? ¡ª As many times as it takes for you to admit you poisoned me. Luna averted her gaze and changed the subject so quickly it was obvious he was right. ¡ª Anyway! We want your development to be more balanced. I don¡¯t want you to stop connecting with your new family, but if you don¡¯t evolve, you¡¯ll lose everything you have. A chill ran down Nexha¡¯s spine. He jumped off the bed with a thud, clenching his fists. ¡ª They¡¯re gonna take everything from me again?! ¡ª NO, YOU MORON! ¡ª Luna exploded, throwing the laptop at him. Fortunately, she hit the wall instead of his face. ¡ª I¡¯m saying I want you to grow so you don¡¯t let them die! Nexha gaped at the intensity of her words, and a single tear secretly fell from his heart at the sight of his laptop in pieces. ¡ª I¡¯m not gonna keep repeating the same coincidences that brought you all together! Look at me! Do I look like someone who does overtime for free just to watch everything fall apart?! He blinked, surprised. ¡ª Overtime? Luna huffed, clearly irritated at herself for letting that slip. ¡ª That¡¯s none of your business¡­ ¡ª she muttered. Then, pointing an accusing finger at him: ¡ª Now get back there and take care of them, you careless idiot! Oh, and your paycheck for the month has been advanced. Do your job properly! Before he could protest, the world around him shattered into thousands of fragments. Darkness gave way to light. Nexha blinked slowly, feeling something warm and wet on his face. When his eyes adjusted, he realized that Lilay was hugging him, crying. He barely had time to react before being pulled into a tight embrace by Krahs. ¡ª Welcome back, kid, ¡ª the older one''s voice sounded relieved. Nexha blinked again, still feeling the echo of Luna¡¯s voice in his mind. "Do your job properly." 62- New Weapons 62- New Weapons The day was coming to an end as Nexha observed the small village before him. The simple houses, made of a structure reminiscent of bamboo, stood between the vast forest of moray seaweed. The buildings swayed slightly with the gentle current, as if breathing along with the ocean. Small bioluminescent lights from tiny crabs flickered between the sand, giving the village a warm glow. Nexha sighed, still feeling the weight of recent events on his shoulders. They had been through so much, but now, in the face of this peaceful scene, he felt a glimmer of hope. Despite all the hardships, this was a home. A home that needed to grow, to strengthen... to prepare for what was to come. ¡ª We need to improve this ¡ªNexha said, breaking the calm silence. He thought better out loud, and since the others were busy, they wouldn¡¯t pay much attention to him anyway. ¡ªThe houses, the food, the defense... it''s too vulnerable. Well, dear shop, let¡¯s make everyone¡¯s lives better! He smiled. He already had some ideas in mind, but to put them into practice, he needed to use the shop. ((Shop)/) (MD 1,809) Welcome to the shop, user! Here you can buy whatever you need for your world conquest. Finally remembered I exist? (?^-^?) - Food/Medicine - Slaves - Skills - Magic Items - Miners - Animals/Pets - Plant Material - Accessories - Clothes/Armor - Technology The sting of having to spend his money hit him like an arrow to the heart. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. ¡ª I need to get rid of this feeling, or it''ll end up messing me up... First, he bought three pieces of obsidian and carefully chipped them to make them sharper, shaping them into proper spearheads. Then, he cut some moray seaweed and tied the blades securely with firm knots that Nalu had taught him, crafting several sturdy spears. Once he finished the last one, he moved on to the second part of his plan: gifting Krahs, Nalu, and Lilay with their new weapons. ¡ªThanks. Seems pretty sharp ¡ª Krahs commented, testing the spear¡¯s weight. Nalu, on the other hand, was mesmerized by the obsidian¡¯s shine. Her wide eyes followed every reflection on the stone, so captivated that all she could do was release bubbles from her mouth instead of words. Lilay, distracted by a fish she was devouring, didn¡¯t even notice the gift. Meanwhile, Zhaelor silently observed the scene, and although he said nothing, Nexha noticed a faint air of jealousy from the giant sperm whale. However, he knew a spear would be useless for a creature of his size. Krahs stifled a laugh at Zhaelor¡¯s sulky expression, and to avoid prolonging the moment, changed the subject. ¡ª Time for bed, kids. ¡ª Dad, what about the egg in the old nest? ¡ªLilay asked, frowning. ¡ª Don''t worry. Nalu said she could take care of it until it hatches. ¡ª Okay, then... Everyone went to sleep, except Nexha, who, lying on his soft seaweed bed, was still browsing the shop, thinking about how to improve their lives. After a few hours of research, he finally found what he wanted. ¡ª Finally! A ''surface'' plant that can be cultivated in saltwater! Looks like rice... This is great! It can be used in so many ways. But where would I plant it? Unlike seaweed, it needs to breathe... He paused for a moment, then broke into a satisfied grin. ¡ª I got it! We''re so far from the surface... I can build a second floor for the houses and use the rooftops for farming! Muahaha, I''m a genius! ¡ª Nexha, go to sleep and stop shouting nonsense!" Krahs grumbled. ¡ª Sorry, Dad! Finally, he fell asleep peacefully, happy to have found a quick solution to their food problem. He was truly grateful for discovering something new to cultivate¡ªbecause if he had to rely solely on seaweed, he would probably lose his mind. 63-Golden-Haired Lady? 63-Golden-Haired Lady? The next morning, as soon as he woke up, Nexha quickly opened the shop again and searched for the plant from the night before. Before purchasing it, he carefully analyzed the description. [Golden-Haired Lady] Classification: Very rare Ability: Fast growth. Description: A very rare plant that only grows in shallow waters or near small islands. Usually recognized by its golden fruit curls, which, when ripe, resemble blonde hair. Many legends say that eating its seeds can increase fertility. ¡ª...Okay, the culture of this world can be pretty weird sometimes. I really hope that¡¯s not true... Feeding an entire population could become a problem if everyone starts having more kids than food. Even with that concern, he bought the plant for 5 MD, which he considered cheap for the benefits it would bring. Carefully storing it, Nexha headed to the moray seaweed forest to start building the new floors. With not much else to do, Zhaelor decided to help. At first, he thought a second floor for the houses was unnecessary, but he didn¡¯t question it¡ªif his young master wanted it, he would assist. His confusion only grew when Nexha asked to place sand on the second-floor rooftops. But realizing that the current might wash it away, the boy had another idea: he built a wall extending to the surface to prevent the soil from being carried off. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. After an entire morning and part of the afternoon of work, everything was ready. Nexha smiled, satisfied, and took out the plant to begin planting. But suddenly, Zhaelor tensed up, his expression changing drastically. ¡ª Where did you get that? ¡ª he asked, his voice laced with something between concern and anger. "Uh... It just appeared near me when I woke up," Nexha tried to deflect. Zhaelor remained silent for a few moments, his mind seeming to process something important. ¡ª I don¡¯t believe that son of a b... He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed the child next to him. Taking a deep breath, he recomposed himself and placed his massive flipper on Nexha¡¯s shoulder, his gaze serious. ¡ª Nexha, if that man from your dreams ever offers you anything, never accept it, okay? ¡ª...Okay. ¡ª Nexha nodded slowly, not fully understanding the reason behind that reaction. However, at that moment, his mind was more focused on his first rice field. So, he decided to worry about it later. Meanwhile, in the cold castle, the man bound to the throne let out a loud sneeze. ¡ª It seems my old friend is speaking of me ¡ª he mused, his voice a smooth whisper against the cold silence of the chamber. ¡ªI can only hope he isn''t filling my little star''s ears with unflattering tales. A slow, crooked smile curled his lips as he leaned back against the frozen throne, fingers tapping idly against the armrest. The vast, dimly lit hall stretched before him, its icy walls shimmering under the pale glow of enchanted lanterns. He exhaled. What could they possibly be saying about him? A warning? A plea? Or perhaps¡ªsomething far more amusing? Chuckling softly, he rested his chin on his hand, his eyes gleaming with intrigue. ¡ª Ah¡­ how I do love being the subject of conversation. 64 - Rice Fields 64 - Rice Fields The next morning, Nexha woke before everyone else, excitement thrumming in his chest, making it impossible to stay asleep. His new project was finally complete¡ªnow he just had to see if the rice shoots had begun to sprout. He swam swiftly to the rooftops of the houses, which were now connected into a single structure. His gaze swept over the sand spread across the surface, anchoring the plants'' roots. The gentle current made the tiny shoots sway, as if dancing with the filtered light from above. ¡ª Perfect! ¡ª Nexha grinned, pride swelling within him. Now, only one thing remained¡ªshowing his creation to the others. Krahs was the first to wake, immediately noticing that Nexha had already disappeared from his bed of soft algae. ¡ª That boy... off on another crazy idea again,¡ª he muttered. He swam out of the house, still groggy, but soon spotted Nexha floating near the new rooftop. The boy had that gleam in his eyes¡ªthe one he always got when he invented something new. ¡ªNexha, what are you up to now? ¡ª Father! You¡¯re finally awake! Come see what I made! Krahs raised an eyebrow but approached. One by one, the others began to wake and followed him. Lilay yawned lazily, while Nalu rubbed her eyes, still half-asleep. Zhaelor came last, his usual watchful gaze scanning the scene¡ªbut Nexha noticed that, for some reason, he seemed a bit... irritated. Clapping his hands together, Nexha beamed. ¡ª Everyone, I present to you... our very first functional rice field! The group stared at the swaying sprouts. Lilay frowned. ¡ª Okay... but what is it? Algae? ¡ª Well, its original name is ''Golden-Haired Lady,'' but I prefer to call it rice. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. The atmosphere shifted. The adults exchanged uncomfortable glances. Nexha noticed the change in expression but couldn''t understand why. Nalu turned bright red, avoiding eye contact. Krahs let out a heavy sigh, then looked at Zhaelor, who crossed his arms and said dryly: ¡ª It was the man from his dreams who gave it to him. Don¡¯t look at me¡ªI would never give something like this to a child. The adults immediately looked even more unsettled. Nexha still didn¡¯t understand. What was wrong with the plant? Ignoring their reactions, he continued explaining to Lilay, who seemed to be the only one oblivious to the awkwardness. ¡ª So... we¡¯re going to eat algae instead of fish? ¡ªLilay asked, barely holding back laughter. ¡ª We¡¯re not eating the plant itself¡ªwe eat the seeds! They look like grains of sand, but when cooked, they become soft and really nutritious. Lilay plucked a strand of the plant and dangled it in front of his eyes. ¡ª Looks kinda weak¡­ are you sure this actually makes food? ¡ª I¡¯m absolutely sure! Krahs stroked his chin, taking a deep breath. Though discomfort still lingered in his expression, his tone was calmer when he finally spoke. ¡ª If this really is a source of food, it could be useful¡­ But how do you know it¡¯s safe to eat? ¡ª I already told you, Father! Once it grows, I¡¯ll cook a meal for everyone. You¡¯ll see how good it is! The adults exchanged looks once more. A heavy silence fell over them. Nexha couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that, for some reason, they looked¡­ embarrassed? In the end, Krahs simply sighed and nodded. ¡ª Alright. But you eat it first. The boy¡¯s face lit up with a radiant smile. Before he could celebrate, Lilay raised a hand. ¡ª Does it take long to grow? ¡®Cause I¡¯m hungry now. ¡ª It grows fast! The plant has an accelerated growth rate. In just a few days, we¡¯ll be able to harvest our first batch! Zhaelor, still visibly skeptical, raised an eyebrow. ¡ª Great. Now tell me¡ªhave you thought about what to do after you harvest? Nexha grinned. ¡ª I have! After the first harvest, we can expand the field and¡­ maybe start storing food! The group fell silent again. But this time, it wasn¡¯t an uncomfortable silence¡ªit was thoughtful. ¡ª Storing food? ¡ªKrahs repeated. ¡ª Yes! If we have reserves, we won¡¯t have to hunt every single day. Plus, if a storm hits or a crisis happens, we won¡¯t starve. Krahs studied Nexha carefully. And for the first time, his expression softened. He looked¡­ proud. Zhaelor, on the other hand, crossed his arms and muttered under his breath: ¡ª Hmph¡­ This boy doesn¡¯t even realize what that plant truly means. Lilay still seemed a bit skeptical, but curiosity was clear in his eyes. In the end, Krahs gave a small nod. ¡ª You¡¯ve thought this through, Nexha. If this works, it¡¯ll be a big step forward for all of us. Nexha beamed. ¡ª Then let¡¯s get to work! And so, the village¡¯s first attempt at underwater agriculture began. Little did they know, that humble rice field would be the first step toward something much greater... 65-Doubts and Discomfort 65-Doubts and Discomfort When Nexha and Lilay finally swam away, excited about expanding their plantation, the adults remained behind in silence. The air felt heavy. Krahs ran a hand down his face, exhaling deeply. ¡ª Golden-Haired Lady... That kid really has no idea what he''s been given. ¡ª It''s not his fault,¡ª Nalu murmured, wrapping her arms around herself as if struck by a sudden chill. ¡ª He only sees it as food. But we know what that plant truly represents. ¡ª And that¡¯s exactly why it¡¯s a problem,¡ª Zhaelor grumbled. His dark eyes were still locked onto the swaying plants, as if the sight itself unsettled him.¡ª We grew up hearing stories about this thing. It''s always been tied to... well, fertility, life energy, mating. Not food. Krahs clicked his tongue, irritated. ¡ª Exactly! There are entire places dedicated to it! And now he wants to turn it into a staple crop? ¡ª And he seems pretty determined,¡ª Nalu sighed. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Krahs crossed his arms, glancing at the uneasy expressions around him. ¡ª Look... I understand why this makes you uncomfortable. But putting aside what it symbolizes¡ªwhat if it¡¯s actually useful? The others turned their eyes to him. ¡ª Think about it, ¡ª he continued. ¡ª We live off hunting and fishing, right? If this plantation works, it means we won¡¯t have to rely solely on that. And let¡¯s be honest¡ªhow many times have we struggled when the fish disappear or storms wipe everything out? ¡ª That¡¯s true¡­¡ª Nalu admitted, biting her lip. ¡ª Not to mention, Nexha is stubborn. He¡¯s going to keep at this, with or without our approval. If that¡¯s the case, wouldn¡¯t it be better if we at least monitored things to make sure nothing goes wrong? Zhaelor let out a frustrated growl. He hated to admit it, but Krahs had a point. Nexha wouldn¡¯t give up so easily. Nalu clenched her fists. The thought of eating something so... laden with symbolism still made her deeply uneasy. ¡ª If this actually works... are we just supposed to pretend we don¡¯t know what it means and go along with it? She fell into a brief silence before finally answering her own question. ¡ª If Nexha can prove it¡¯s safe and beneficial¡­ then maybe it¡¯s worth it. Krahs turned to Zhaelor. ¡ª And you? The older man exhaled slowly, tearing his gaze away from the plantation. ¡ª I hate this. But¡­ I¡¯m not foolish enough to stop the boy without a good reason. Let¡¯s see how far he gets. For a few more moments, they stood there, watching the young shoots sway gently with the current. Something deep inside them whispered that this decision would change everything. For better or worse, only time would tell. 66-Competition 66-Competition After confirming that the plantation was growing as planned, Nexha floated in the water for a few moments, watching the sprouts sway gently with the current. He smiled, satisfied. Everything was going according to plan. But then, a deep, loud sound echoed through the water. Grrrrrrrroooommm. He blinked, confused, before realizing the noise came from his own stomach. ¡ª Ah... I guess I need to hunt for breakfast. With sudden hunger taking over, he swam towards the Mother Tide Algae plantation. Upon arrival, he saw Krahs and Lilay eating fresh fish, their mouths still chewing as shiny scales floated around them. ¡ª Ah, finally remembered you need to eat? ¡ª Krahs teased as the boy approached. ¡ª Yeah, yeah, I know! I was busy! ¡ª Nexha grumbled, grabbing the fish Krahs handed him. As he ate, he noticed Lilay holding a net similar to the one he used before the barracuda completely destroyed it. The boy looked elated, almost defiant. ¡ª Hey, where did you get that? ¡ª Nexha asked, suspicious. ¡ª I made it myself! ¡ª Lilay lifted his chin proudly. ¡ª And it''s way better than that old junk of yours. Before Nexha could respond, Lilay launched himself into the water with impressive speed. He swam fast, chasing a school of fish with the net trailing behind him. With a skillful motion, he captured the fish that lagged behind, pulling them in with a satisfied grin. Lilay returned beaming, holding up his full net triumphantly in front of Nexha. ¡ª See? I can catch a lot of fish too! ¡ª he said, his tone laced with challenge. Nexha narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms. ¡ª I catch bigger fish. Lilay pouted, offended. ¡ª Hah! But I''m still bigger than you, sardine! Anger flared through Nexha like fire. Without thinking, he tackled Lilay, and the two started rolling in the sand, pulling at each other''s hair and fins. Krahs, watching while chewing his fish, sighed. He let the kids "play" in the sand for a while before finally standing up and giving each of them a light tug on the ear. ¡ª If you want to fight, do it in a more productive way...¡ª he smirked mischievously. ¡ªWhoever catches the most fish by the end of the day wins. The two kids exchanged looks, their brawl instantly forgotten as a new challenge was set. Their eyes burned with determination. ¡ª You''re going to lose, sardine! Lilay taunted, already preparing to dive. ¡ª Ha! We''ll see, squid-face! ¡ª Nexha shot back, already strategizing. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. Before Krahs could say anything else, the two shot through the water, leaving a trail of sand behind. The competition was fierce from the start. Nexha, experienced and calculated, chose an area near the rocks where fish liked to hide. He used natural hiding spots to ambush his prey. Lilay, on the other hand, relied on speed and his new net, sweeping through entire schools at once. The first moments were intense. Nexha dove deep, holding a knife. With quick movements, he speared a fat, silvery fish, feeling the satisfaction of a precise hit. He grinned, swimming off to deliver it to Krahs. But when he returned to the hunt, he saw Lilay zoom past him in a blur of fins and bubbles, laughing. ¡ª I got five at once! ¡ª Lilay teased, showing off his full net. Nexha clenched his teeth. This was going to be tougher than he thought. He decided to change tactics. Instead of chasing open schools, he focused on hunting larger, solitary fish. He spotted a big eel hiding among the rocks and, with patience, waited for the right moment. When it tried to escape, he threw his knife with precision, striking it dead center. ¡ª Hah! Got you! ¡ª He pulled the eel with effort, feeling it thrash. It was large and would count as two regular fish. But then, Lilay appeared again. ¡ª You''re still on that one fish? I''ve already caught ten! ¡ª He spun his net in the air before diving again. Nexha huffed. This wasn¡¯t over. The competition remained intense. The two swam relentlessly, challenging each other with every new fish caught. Nexha, with his precision and strategy, began to counter Lilay¡¯s speed. But Lilay, determined to win, used every advantage he had¡ªhe even seemed to swim faster than before, sometimes trying to disrupt Nexha¡¯s hunt. ¡ª Hey! ¡ª Nexha complained when Lilay swam past, purposely kicking up a cloud of bubbles and sand. ¡ª Hehehehehe. ¡ª Lilay laughed. Minutes turned into hours. With each new fish captured, the rivalry only grew. By late afternoon, both were exhausted, their hunting bags heavy. Finally, they returned to where Krahs was waiting. He crossed his arms, examining their catches. Nalu and Zhaelor gathered curiously to witness the verdict. ¡ª Alright, let''s see¡­ ¡ª Krahs began, counting the fish. Nexha and Lilay held their breath. ¡ª Nexha caught ten big fish, including this large eel... that counts as two. ¡ª He nodded, satisfied. ¡ª Total of twenty. Nexha happily flicked his fins, but then Krahs moved on to count Lilay¡¯s. ¡ª Lilay... caught twenty-four fish. Even if they¡¯re smaller, the winner was whoever caught the most fish. Silence was shattered by Lilay¡¯s victorious shout. ¡ª Hahahaha! I won!¡ªHe danced in the water, tossing fish into the air like aquatic fireworks. Nexha, sweating and exhausted, stared in disbelief. ¡ª What?! How?! ¡ªHe flopped onto his back, floating in frustration. Lilay leaned over him, grinning. ¡ª Sardine looost! ¡ª he sang. Krahs laughed heartily. ¡ª That was quite the competition! You both did a great job. ¡ª He eyed the fattest, juiciest fish in the pile. ¡ªHere¡¯s your prize!¡ªHe tossed the fish toward Lilay. Lilay caught it, hugging his prize like a trophy. Nexha sighed but soon smiled. Even though he lost, it had been a fair competition. And deep down, he knew he¡¯d have his revenge. ¡ª Next time, I¡¯ll win. ¡ª He promised, looking at Lilay. Lilay blinked. ¡ª Little bro won¡¯t beat me unless he grows first¡­ ¡ª he smiled, dimples forming. ¡ª Just wait until I¡¯m bigger than you. And so, between teasing and laughter, the competition ended. But this was just the beginning. Nexha was already thinking about the next one. As he considered his next advantage, he checked Lilay¡¯s stats. [Mimic Mermaid] Name: Lilay Age: Baby Status: Tired Lv: 4 HP: 40/40 | MP: 25/25 Attack: 5(+4) | Defense: 5(+4) Intelligence: 5(+4) | Luck: 7(+3) | Beauty: 30 Title: Intruder, Natural Actor Abilities: Disguise, Charm, Master of Acting Nexha raised an eyebrow at Lilay¡¯s luck but then recalled how the boy occasionally ate those awful-tasting fruits from the Mother Tide Algae. He figured that was the reason. Maybe he should try it too... but the thought of eating that bitter fruit often made him grimace. As he analyzed Lilay¡¯s stats, something else stood out¡ªLilay didn¡¯t have as many points as him, yet he still won. Nexha realized that by focusing on bigger fish, he had left a huge opening for his little brother to gather more overall. Lilay had been on more hunts with Krahs, after all. Realizing he had unknowingly handed over the victory, Nexha smirked but remained silent, watching Lilay¡¯s joy over winning. ¡ªLucky. 67 - Platform Above Water 67 - Platform Above Water Nexha woke up feeling a little frustrated after yesterday¡¯s defeat. To make things worse, he was completely sick of eating raw fish once again. He yawned, stretched his arms, and swam straight to the old nest. His plan was to light a fire and prepare something different to eat, but when he arrived, something made him stop before igniting the flames. The small orange egg rested gently in the water, swaying with the light current. Nexha frowned, thinking. He wanted to cook, but what if the heat or smoke harmed the baby inside the egg? The thought unsettled him deeply. Sighing, he left the nest, a bit frustrated, his stomach growling with hunger and his mind restless. His craving for cooked food made him feel even more uncomfortable. ¡ª I guess I¡¯ll have to do something I¡¯ve been putting off... ¡ª he murmured to himself. He sat on the sandy bottom and began drawing with his finger, sketching lines as he thought out loud. ¡ª I need a platform above the surface¡­ First, to store things in dry places. Second, to dry materials. And third¡­ fire. His finger glided over the sand, forming the first drafts of the structure. He drew a base of scaffolding that would sit above the water, then sketched an elevated platform, considering accessibility. ¡ª A ramp would solve that for now¡­ But moving up there is going to be tricky. He looked at his own tail resting on the sand and furrowed his brows. ¡ª How could I move better up there...? Hmm¡­ what about a wheelchair...? He brought a hand to his chin, pondering the pros and cons of the idea. ¡ª It would be much easier than dragging myself around¡­ Okay! Let¡¯s get started! But before he could continue planning, his stomach growled again, demanding attention. He huffed, having no desire to eat fish, and grabbed a bottle of formula he had bought. He started drinking while refining his drawing, adjusting details. That¡¯s when Lilay swam by, eyeing the bottle curiously. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡ª Hey, can I have some? ¡ª he asked, approaching. Nexha, still resentful over losing the hunting competition the day before, considered refusing. But in the end, he sighed and shared. ¡ª Fine, but only if you help me build. Lilay grinned, took a sip from the bottle, and nodded. ¡ª Deal. What are we making? ¡ª We¡¯re building a platform above the water. Zhaelor is out hunting today, so we have to do everything ourselves. Lilay shrugged. ¡ª Sounds fun. The first step was collecting moray-algae, which would be used as the main material since it resembled bamboo. Both of them swam through the moray-algae forest, carefully selecting the best ones and cutting them down. After that, Nexha also picked other types of algae to tie the structure together, wrapping them around his arm while Lilay, always impatient, almost tore some of them apart. ¡ª Lilay, be careful! We need them intact! ¡ª I¡¯m trying, okay?! ¡ª Lilay grumbled but slowed down a bit. Once they had enough, they moved on to the second stage: securing the base of the structure into the sand. The main pillars needed to be buried deep enough to withstand the current. With large stones in their hands, the brothers hammered the pillars into the ground. ¡ª Hold that side steady, Nexha! It¡¯s crooked! ¡ª It¡¯s not crooked, you¡¯re just not holding it right! ¡ª It is! Come look! Annoyed, Nexha let go of the post he was hammering and swam over to Lilay¡¯s side. He examined the structure and¡­ ¡ª Okay¡­ it¡¯s a little crooked. Lilay crossed his arms, looking victorious. ¡ª See? ¡ª Shut up and help me fix it. The two worked together to adjust the angle before continuing to hammer the stakes. The next step was raising the main pillars. They helped each other position them correctly, tying them with moray-algae to ensure stability. Then, they began installing the crossbeams. Nexha remembered a bridge-building game he used to play and decided to follow the same logic. ¡ª Triangles¡­ ¡ª he murmured as he intertwined the rods. ¡ª What? ¡ª Lilay asked, confused. ¡ª Triangles are stronger. If we reinforce the sides like this, the structure will be more stable. ¡ª If you say so¡­ ¡ª Lilay shrugged but followed Nexha¡¯s plan. The two kept working, but as the structure became more complex, Lilay started struggling. ¡ª Nexha! This part isn¡¯t fitting! The younger one sighed and swam over. ¡ª Let me see¡­ You have to pull this part here and tie this algae properly before adding the support. Lilay made a face. ¡ª How do you know all this? ¡ª I just¡­ do. They spent the entire day building, adjusting details, reinforcing ties, and repositioning pillars. Without Zhaelor¡¯s help, the work took much longer than usual, and Nexha began to realize how much they relied on him for these tasks. By the time the sun started to set, the brothers paused to admire what they had built. The base of the platform was ready. Many parts were still missing, but the first big step had been completed. ¡ª Man¡­ that took way longer than I expected. ¡ª Lilay sighed. ¡ª Yeah¡­ but it¡¯ll be worth it. Lilay crossed his arms, observing the structure. ¡ª I guess we¡¯ll finish it tomorrow. Nexha nodded, feeling exhaustion settle into his body. ¡ª Yeah¡­ Tomorrow. And with that, the two swam back home, ready to rest and prepare for another day of work. 68 - Stone Floor 68 - Stone Floor Nexha and Lilay woke up excited to finish the platform. After sharing a bottle of milk that Nexha had bought, the two began working with all the energy their tails could propel. They reinforced some parts, corrected misaligned sections, and finally completed the scaffolding. As they climbed onto the structure, Nexha looked around and frowned. Something didn¡¯t feel right. ¡ª Just say what¡¯s wrong already. ¡ª Lilay crossed his arms. ¡ª What? ¡ª You have that "it didn¡¯t turn out how I wanted" face. Nexha sighed. ¡ª It¡¯s just¡­ I wanted to use fire here, but this whole platform is made of dried moray-algae. If a spark escapes, everything could burn. Lilay thought for a moment and shrugged. ¡ª Why don¡¯t you do it like the place where you used to cook before? ¡ª I used a stone¡­ Wait¡­ That¡¯s it! Lilay, you¡¯re a genius! ¡ª Of course, I am! ¡­ Wait, what? ¡ª Nothing, nothing. Without wasting time, Nexha quickly opened the shop while Lilay watched him, trying to understand what the big revelation was. ((Shop)/) (\MD 1,769/) Welcome to the shop, user! Here, you can buy whatever you need for your world conquest. You again? Are you finally going to spend for real? (?^-^?)
  • Food/Medicine - Slaves
  • Skills - Magic Items
  • Miners - Animals/Pets
  • Plant Materials - Accessories
  • Clothing/Armor - Technology
Nexha opened the technology tab and searched for something useful at the moment. His eyes landed on a specific skill, and with a tight feeling in his chest, he wondered if it was really worth the price. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡ª Basic Stone Carving ¡ª 1,500 MD He closed his eyes and confirmed the purchase. The next moment, he felt a sharp pain in his head as knowledge was forcibly inserted into his mind. He rolled across the platform, groaning in pain. Lilay watched him with a bored expression. ¡ª You okay? You¡¯re acting crazy again. ¡ª I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m¡­ ¡ª Nexha panted, gripping the floor until the pain subsided. Gradually, he felt the new skill settle into his mind. Taking a deep breath, he opened the shop again and bought two sturdy bones. With his obsidian knife, he began shaping them into makeshift chisels. ¡ª What¡¯s that? ¡ª Lilay asked, pointing at the bones. ¡ª Just wait a bit. First, go grab those stones we used to hammer the pillars. ¡ª Got it. While Lilay went to fetch the stones, Nexha finished crafting the chisels, blowing away the loose shavings. Fortunately, he had chosen a durable bone, which made the process a bit more difficult, but the crafting knowledge he had purchased a while ago helped speed up the work. When Lilay returned with the stones, Nexha opened the shop once more. Now that he had stone-carving knowledge, the material names appeared in more detail. He selected a type of stone that, according to his newly acquired knowledge, would be easier to sculpt. ¡ª Soapstone ¡ª 100 MD Various irregular stones appeared before them. Lilay sighed at the sight. ¡ª More rocks? ¡ª I¡¯ll teach you how to use them. If you help me, I¡¯ll give you another bottle of milk tomorrow. Lilay narrowed his eyes, thinking. ¡ª Fine, but I want a full bottle. ¡ª Deal. With patience, Nexha showed Lilay how to use the chisel. At first, the younger one struggled and almost broke some stones, but gradually, he got the hang of it. ¡ª Yeah, cut it like this. Now hold it firmly and tap carefully. ¡ª Like this? ¡ª That¡¯s it! You¡¯re learning fast. The two spent the entire day carving and fitting the stone bricks to cover the platform floor. It was repetitive and exhausting work, but little by little, the platform¡¯s surface became more solid and durable. As the sun began to set, both were completely exhausted. Their hands were covered in small cuts and scratches from handling the chisels and stones for so long. They swam back home, and as soon as they entered, they collapsed onto the floor, falling asleep instantly. Krahs, who had been nearby, found the scene strange. Noticing the wounds on their hands, he sighed in frustration but chose not to wake them. Silently, he took some medicinal algae and carefully wrapped their hands. Afterward, he sat beside them for a while, watching the two sleeping children before finally leaving. Like a whisper passing through his mind, Nexha felt something different. Suddenly, a notification appeared before his eyes. {Technology Acquired: Engineering} Congratulations! Keep learning to earn more bonuses. You have received 10,000 MD. His eyes widened at the amount. All the exhaustion momentarily faded, replaced by silent euphoria. With this money, he could buy even more materials and improve so many things. But then, the fatigue washed over him once again, and he fell asleep like a rock. "This is going to be useful¡­ very useful." 69 - Oven 69-Oven Nexha woke up with a fixed idea in his mind. He quickly opened the store to confirm if last night¡¯s notification was real. ((Store)/) (\MD 10,149/) Welcome to the store, user! Here you can buy whatever you need for your world conquest. Where did you steal all that money from? (¡Ñ.¡Ñ)
  • Food/Medicine - Slaves
  • Skills - Magic Items
  • Miners - Animals/Pets
  • Plant Materials - Accessories
  • Clothing/Armor - Technology
He let out a loud shout and jumped for joy, so high that he startled Lilay awake. ¡ª What¡¯s wrong, Nexha? Did a lucky crab pinch you? ¡ª Lilay rubbed his eyes and yawned. ¡ª No, I just woke up excited! Ah, here, take the bottle of milk I promised. Nexha bought two bottles of milk, and they drank together. With their stomachs full, he grabbed Lilay¡¯s hand and led her to the surface platform. ¡ª Lilay, our new project is going to be an oven! She blinked, trying to figure out if she was still dreaming or if this was just another one of Nexha¡¯s crazy ideas. ¡ª An oven? What¡¯s that? ¡ª It¡¯s a place where we can cook! We¡¯ll use the leftover stones. If we do it right, I can cook without fear of burning everything down, and I¡¯ll even be able to cook more often. Lilay was still sleepy, but the mention of food woke her up instantly. ¡ª Warm food?! With a satisfied smile, Nexha grabbed a defective brick and sketched out a rough design using his chisel. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ¡ª Here will be the base. It needs to be really sturdy. The top part has to be thick to hold the heat. And we need holes for the smoke to escape and to put in the fuel. ¡ª Sounds complicated. ¡ª It will be, but with patience, we can do it. The two began separating the remaining soapstones. Some were too irregular, so Nexha picked up his chisel and started shaping them. Lilay grabbed a stone but, out of curiosity, asked: ¡ª Nexha, where did you learn all this? ¡ª Let¡¯s just say it appeared in my head. ¡ª Oh, so that¡¯s why you roll around holding your head in pain sometimes? Nexha huffed, remembering the previous incident. ¡ª Yeah¡­ but it was worth it. Lilay chuckled and picked up an improvised chisel to help. Slowly, the structure of the oven began to take shape. They stacked the stones, creating a combustion chamber in the center. The biggest problem was how to keep the pieces firmly together. ¡ª If we just stack them, this could collapse, ¡ª Nexha murmured, deep in thought. He opened the store again, looking for a solution. He found some clay for sale and bought it. ¡ª Perfect! He spent 40 MD, and in an instant, a pile of grayish paste appeared before them. Lilay wrinkled her nose. ¡ª This looks like seagull poop. Gross. ¡ª But it¡¯ll keep the oven standing. And we can use it later to make other things too. They worked together to spread the clay between the stones, sealing every gap. It was meticulous work, but in the end, the oven was solid and well-built. To test it, Nexha used dried moray-seaweed pieces as fuel. He struck some stones together, creating sparks until a flame finally ignited inside the combustion chamber. The heat spread, and the oven remained sturdy. The clay began to dry slowly, hardening the structure. ¡ª We did it! ¡ª Nexha cheered. ¡ª Now we can have hot food every day! ¡ª Lilay grinned. ¡ª Yeah, on the days I feel like cooking. As he watched the flames dance, Nexha began thinking beyond just cooking. ¡ª Better tools will also come out of this oven... Krahs, who had been watching the platform¡¯s progress, finally approached. ¡ª What have you two been up to? ¡ª Look at this! ¡ª Lilay proudly pointed at the oven. Krahs raised an eyebrow, impressed. ¡ª Interesting¡­ but what exactly does it do? Nexha crossed his arms, satisfied. ¡ª Well, it¡¯s a much better place to use fire than in the nest. Now I can cook more often without any risk. ¡ª So you¡¯ll be using your techniques to make more of those fried fish? Looks like we¡¯ll be having some delicious meals from now on. ¡ª Krahs ruffled Nexha¡¯s hair. ¡ª Really? ¡ª Yeah. That deserves a reward. I¡¯ll go catch some tasty fish for dinner. Krahs dove underwater to hunt. Lilay, realizing he was going to get food, immediately followed after her father. 70 - Nalu Is Acting Strange Now alone on the platform, Nexha sighed, watching the water crash against the ramp. ¡ª Now I¡¯m going to make a wheelchair so I can move around better here. He took some dried moray-seaweed and started cutting it into small fiber pieces to weave a sturdy seat. Then, he moved on to the wheels. He made the inner part using the hardest moray-seaweed he could find. With patience, he used freshly harvested ones to shape the circumference, tying them tightly for stability. Finally, he assembled the axle. The first prototype was unstable. He tried to sit down, but the chair tipped over. ¡ª This is useless! ¡ª he grumbled, frustrated. ¡ª N-Nexha¡­ d-do you need help? He turned around upon hearing the hesitant voice and saw Nalu emerging from the water, curiously observing the chair. It seemed she had been there for a while, but he hadn''t even noticed. ¡ª Yeah, I need some. Do you know anything about this? Nalu looked away for a moment, a faint blush appearing on her face. ¡ª Uhm¡­ I think I understood a little while watching. Nexha perked up. ¡ª So you know how to make this sturdier? She nodded shyly and approached the chair. She touched the structure delicately, analyzing the bindings. ¡ª The seaweed¡­ is good, but¡­ y-you used the wrong ones. These older ones are more brittle. We¡¯ll have to get new ones. Nexha blinked. ¡ª Ah, that makes sense! Nalu took one of the bindings and untied it, redoing the knot with more firmness. Her movements were careful and precise, and Nexha realized she actually knew what she was doing. ¡ª A-and here¡­ ¡ª She pointed at the wheels. You need something¡­ to hold the axle better. If you put a piece of bone¡­ i-it¡¯ll spin more smoothly¡­ If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Nexha scratched his chin, impressed. ¡ª Wow, Nalu, you know a lot! She shrank back a little, playing with her hair. ¡ª J-just simple things¡­ I used to watch a lot¡­ ¡ª Well, your observations are amazing! This is going to make the chair way better. Nalu gave a small but pleased smile. Together, they worked on the new model. Following Nalu¡¯s advice, Nexha remade the wheels with seaweed and reinforced them, adding an improvised support to the axle for smoother movement. After a few hours, the second test was much more successful. Nexha managed to slide across the platform, moving around easily. ¡ª Wow, Nalu, thank you so much! You helped me a lot. She looked down at her feet, a bit shy, but with a satisfied glimmer in her eyes. ¡ª I¡¯m glad I could help¡­ Nexha tilted his head slightly, trying to peek at her face. ¡ª You¡¯re really shy today, huh? Nalu¡¯s eyes widened, and she took a step back, blushing. ¡ª I-I¡­ n-no¡­ it¡¯s just¡­ um¡­ that¡¯s not something a child should know! He found her reaction a bit strange. ¡ª Tell me, what is it? She turned even redder and avoided his gaze. To ease the tension, Nexha changed the subject. ¡ª Hey, do you know how to make other things? Nalu hesitated but then nodded slowly. ¡ª Y-yes¡­ He used to make nets, bone harpoons¡­ and fishing traps¡­ Nexha¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡ª Really? That would be super useful! Could you teach me some of that? She seemed thoughtful for a moment before nodding again. ¡ª I-I can try¡­ He grinned widely. ¡ª Awesome! But first, let¡¯s test this chair properly. Nexha practiced using his new invention, sliding across the platform much more smoothly than before. Later, he showed the chair to the others while cooking some fish. ¡ª Nexha, can I use that too? ¡ª Lilay asked excitedly. ¡ª I¡¯ll make one for you another day. The family gathered around the platform for a lively dinner, eating fried fish and happily chatting. That night, when Nexha lay down, he couldn¡¯t fall asleep right away. His mind was calmer and satisfied after completing his project. But one question still lingered in his head: Why was Nalu acting so weird today? He kept thinking and thinking, but nothing came to mind. Then, he heard Krahs and Nalu talking outside. He hid near the door and listened. ¡ª I can¡¯t help you, Nalu, I¡¯m too old to have offspring. ¡ª But¡­ I really need to¡­ If I don¡¯t, I¡¯ll end up¡­ ¡ª Nalu, I recommend you travel closer to the coast to find a partner. I saw a diverse group trading on a small island. Zhaelor could accompany you if you need protection¡­ But know that neither he nor I are at the age to reproduce anymore. ¡ª I understand¡­ I¡¯ll talk to him¡­ Thanks, Krahs. She swam away, looking even more downcast than before. Nexha¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡ª I¡¯m going to pretend I didn¡¯t hear any of that¡­ ¡ª Nexha, you know it¡¯s rude to spy, right? He slowly turned his head, only to see Krahs glaring at him. 71 - Explaining Life 71-Explaining Life Nexha froze in place, his heart racing. He was about to run when he realized it was pointless. Krahs already knew he was there. ¡ª Uh¡­ it¡¯s not really spying, it¡¯s more like¡­ tactical observation ¡ª he tried to justify, forcing a nervous smile. Krahs slowly crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. The moonlight reflected off his tired face, making his gaze even more severe. ¡ª Tactical observation? ¡ª he repeated incredulously. ¡ª Yeah¡­ I just¡­ overheard by accident. The old man let out a heavy sigh and sat down on the ground with an exhausted air. His eyes wandered over the water, where the darkness of the sea reflected the moonlight. Nexha hesitated but then sat beside him. ¡ª So? ¡ª he asked, trying not to sound too intrusive. ¡ª What was that all about? Krahs remained silent for a moment, thoughtful, as if trying to find the right words. ¡ª Nalu is going through something natural in her life. Something that happens to all of us but can be difficult to face, especially alone. Nexha frowned. ¡ª But why was she asking for your help? Krahs let out a short, humorless laugh. ¡ª Because, in a way, I¡¯m one of the oldest in the group. And when there aren¡¯t many of our kind around, the more experienced ones end up being the first we turn to for guidance. Nexha scratched his head, trying to put the pieces together. ¡ª But¡­ what exactly does she need help with? Krahs turned to face him, evaluating his curious expression. He seemed to think for a moment about whether he should really explain. In the end, he let out another deep sigh. ¡ª Nalu is in her fertile period, Nexha. That means if she doesn¡¯t find a mate, the egg she produces will be empty. Nexha blinked, his stomach twisting with the information. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. ¡ª E-Egg? But¡­ that means¡­ Krahs nodded slowly. ¡ª Yes. If a mermaid loses an egg, especially an empty one, it can be devastating. It affects their instincts in ways that are hard to explain. A heavy silence fell between them. Nexha felt a strange tightness in his chest. He had never stopped to think about this. To him, Nalu was just his shy but kind friend, who always knew how to build useful things. But now¡­ now she seemed far more fragile than he had ever imagined. ¡ª So that¡¯s why she was acting strange today¡­ ¡ª he murmured. ¡ª Yes. ¡ª Krahs ran a hand over his face, exhausted. ¡ª This kind of thing can be confusing. Even when a mermaid knows it¡¯s normal, that doesn¡¯t mean she¡¯ll accept it easily. It¡¯s a complicated phase. Nexha rested his elbows on his knees, his gaze lost in the water distorting the moonlight¡¯s glow. ¡ª I never thought about it¡­ I didn¡¯t know an empty egg could cause this¡­ Krahs gave a small smile, but there was something melancholic about it. ¡ª We all have more layers than we show. Nalu doesn¡¯t want to lose an egg because they¡¯re very difficult to produce. And as they age, it can become even harder. Nexha made a face. ¡ª But she¡¯s so young¡­ that shouldn¡¯t be a problem now, right? Krahs let out a short laugh, but there was a weight to it. ¡ª Other people¡¯s problems may seem small because you¡¯re not the one carrying them. Nexha fell silent, absorbing the words. After a while, he spoke more softly, as if organizing his own thoughts. ¡ª And you¡­ did you have eggs before coming here? The old man was still for a moment. His eyes fixed on the moon, as if seeing something Nexha couldn¡¯t. ¡ª I had many ¡ª he said finally, his voice rougher than before. ¡ª And I lost many. Nexha¡¯s heart tightened. ¡ª How¡­? Krahs continued staring at the water, his expression hard as stone, but his eyes¡­ his eyes held something Nexha had never seen before. ¡ª Losing an egg is¡­ different from anything else, but it always hurts the mother more. ¡ª His voice was lower now, almost a whisper. ¡ª When you have an egg, when you feel it close to you, your whole body prepares to protect it. It¡¯s instinctive. You breathe differently. Think differently. Live differently. And then¡­ it¡¯s gone. Nexha swallowed hard. ¡ª But¡­ what if¡­ ¡ª If I fought to protect them? ¡ª Krahs completed the thought, staring into the distance and letting out a weary sigh. ¡ª I did. But sometimes, fighting isn¡¯t enough¡­ because even if you protect it with your life, sometimes it never even gets the chance to hatch. The silence returned, heavier than before. Nexha didn¡¯t know what to say. How could he? He had never lost anything like that. ¡ª Loss teaches you to value those who survive ¡ª Krahs finally said, turning to look at him. ¡ª And that¡¯s why I worry about you. He picked Nexha up and rocked him like a baby who needed sleep. ¡ª Nexha, you¡¯re not an egg anymore, but you need more protection than you realize. Nexha¡¯s throat tightened. He looked away, feeling a strange pressure in his chest. ¡ª I¡­ But he didn¡¯t know what to say. ¡ª Now go to sleep, Nexha. Tomorrow, you have more crazy ideas to create. The boy blinked a few times, trying to pull himself together, and forced a smile. ¡ª You bet. Krahs placed him in the bed of seaweed to sleep. But Nexha couldn¡¯t get Krahs¡¯ words out of his head. For the first time, he realized there was so much more about life in this world that he still didn¡¯t understand. And somehow, that only made him even more curious about what would come next. 72- Looking for Someone 72- Looking for Someone Morning arrived in silence, the sun painting the ocean in shades of gold and light blue. The village woke up slowly, but Nalu was already ready. She swam slowly around the village, observing the place she called home. The salty scent filled the water, lucky crabs walked between the submerged houses, and the voices of her companions began to fill the quiet. She didn¡¯t want to go. But she had to. Zhaelor emerged from the water beside her, his presence as imposing and steady as always. He didn¡¯t ask anything, only observed the way she gripped her small bag of braided eelgrass tightly. ¡ª Are you ready? ¡ª he asked in a low voice. She hesitated for a moment but soon nodded. ¡ª Yes. They left shortly after, crossing the calm waters. The sun shone brightly above them, and schools of fish rushed past as they swam. But inside, Nalu felt restless. She didn¡¯t want to admit it, but the idea of finding a partner was terrifying. It wasn¡¯t just about the egg. It was about trust, about making the right choice. If she chose wrong, she would live with the consequences forever. ¡ª You¡¯re very quiet ¡ª Zhaelor commented after a while. Nalu played with her hair without looking at him. ¡ª I¡¯m¡­ just thinking. ¡ª About what, exactly? She bit her lip, then sighed. ¡ª What if I don¡¯t find anyone? What if no one wants¡­ this? ¡ª She gestured vaguely at herself. Zhaelor frowned. ¡ª This what? ¡ª Me. ¡ª She shrugged. ¡ª I¡¯m not like the other mermaids. I don¡¯t have vibrant colors, I don¡¯t turn heads when I pass by. My tail doesn¡¯t have a graceful fin, just this dull brown color. I¡¯m not delicate or charming. Most mermaids my age would have already chosen a partner long ago¡­ I just don¡¯t see how anyone could like me. Zhaelor let out a grunt, shaking his head. ¡ª And that¡¯s a problem? ¡ª I¡­ ¡ª If any merman or mermaid thinks that¡¯s a problem, then that person doesn¡¯t deserve to be your partner. She looked up at him, surprised by his firm response. Zhaelor continued: ¡ª You¡¯re not going there to accept just anyone, Nalu. You¡¯re going to find someone who matches you. Someone who respects who you are. She remained silent for a moment, absorbing his words. Then, something inside her changed. A wave of determination grew in her chest. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Yes. She didn¡¯t need to be like the other mermaids. She was a sea wolf. And whoever wanted to be by her side would have to like her for who she was. The journey continued for a few more hours until the island appeared on the horizon. Small and simple floating structures surrounded the coast, built from bones and shells. The marketplace was bustling¡ªmermaids and mermen traded food, tools, and rare objects brought from the depths of the sea. She felt a chill in her stomach, but this time, it wasn¡¯t fear. It was anticipation. ¡ª From here, you go alone ¡ª Zhaelor said. This time, she didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡ª Alright. He observed her for a moment before adding: ¡ª Stay alert. Trust your instincts. If you need me, I¡¯ll be nearby. Nalu took a deep breath and swam towards the island, her heart pounding. The challenge began now. But this time, she wasn¡¯t afraid. She felt like she would find someone. And she knew that, in the end, it didn¡¯t have to be just anyone. It had to be someone who truly saw her. Nalu slipped between the corals and rocks that formed the trade market. The murmur around her was almost hypnotic¡ªmermaids and mermen chatted excitedly, exchanging goods and telling stories of distant places. The mermaids here were incredibly diverse, from delicate, goldfish-like creatures to massive whale-like beings conversing among themselves. So many different colors, so many new stimuli¡ªbut¡­ She caught herself watching a group of young mermaids gathered around a blue-scaled merman. He was handsome, strong, and clearly knew it. He spoke loudly, laughing as the mermaids admired him. Nalu sighed, rolled her eyes, and swam away. She didn¡¯t want someone like that. She veered toward a quieter area of the market, where the merchants were more focused on their work than on meaningless conversations. That was when she heard a voice behind her. ¡ª You look lost. Not every day we see a sea wolf around here. I thought you¡¯d always be in a pack. Nalu turned and saw a merman different from the others. His scales were a deep green, and his eyes had a sharp, curious glint. There was no extravagance about him, no exaggerated posture. Just a direct gaze and a firm presence. ¡ª I¡¯m exploring. And not all sea wolves have packs ¡ª she replied, crossing her arms. ¡ª And you? Are you selling something, or do you just enjoy startling strangers? He smirked slightly, leaning against a pile of nets. ¡ª Rhyen. I make bone armor. And you? ¡ª Nalu. And I¡­ I¡¯m looking for someone. He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ¡ª Someone? She hesitated but decided to be honest. ¡ª A partner. Rhyen nodded slowly, without the exaggerated reaction she expected. No mocking smile, no attempt to impress her. ¡ª And what are you looking for in a partner? Shouldn¡¯t you be on the other side, where there are more people? Nalu thought for a moment. Before talking to Zhaelor, she might have answered vaguely or uncertainly. But now, she knew exactly what she wanted. ¡ª I saw plenty over there, but I¡¯m looking for someone who sees me for who I am and doesn¡¯t try to change me. Someone who accepts my strength and my way of life without comparing me to other mermaids. Someone reliable, who will truly stand by my side. Rhyen observed her for a moment, then gave a small smile. ¡ª Sounds like you know exactly what you want. That¡¯s rare. She shrugged. ¡ª I think I spent too much time thinking I didn¡¯t. Now, I¡¯m sure. ¡ª Then maybe you don¡¯t need to search so hard. ¡ª He met her gaze. ¡ª Maybe you just need to pay closer attention. A lot of those guys pretend to like many, but in the end, they¡¯re just frustrated. ¡ª Frustrated? ¡ª They usually want lifelong partners, but many of those pretty little mermaids only want temporary fun. ¡ª Maybe¡­ In the end, they end up buying someone from the orcas just to avoid being alone. Nalu shivered. She wasn¡¯t sure if it was because of his words or the casual way he mentioned the orcas, but something about this moment felt different from any other interaction she¡¯d had before. ¡ª The orcas come here? ¡ª Not today, but they used to come often. Seems like someone scared them off this morning. ¡ª That¡¯s good. She sighed in relief. ¡ª Don¡¯t tell me the sea wolf is afraid of them? ¡ª I-I¡¯m n-not. He burst into laughter. ¡ª You¡¯re shaking just talking about them. ¡ª H-Hey, I¡¯m not shaking! Nalu protested, a little embarrassed. ¡ª Don¡¯t worry so much. Under the gaze of the humpback tribe, they won¡¯t attack you. He placed a hand on his chin and circled around her. ¡ª But if you¡¯re that scared, maybe one of my armors will make you feel more confident¡­ Though you¡¯re already so beautiful, I think you¡¯ve got plenty of confidence in that heart of yours. He smiled warmly, unaware that something inside her reacted much more than normal. Ba-dum, ba-dum. Her cheeks heated without her realizing it, and maybe, just maybe, she w 73 - Are You Sure, Clownfish? 73 - Are You Sure, Clownfish? Nexha sat on the sand of the old nest, watching the orange egg resting in the water. Its shell gleamed under the filtered ocean light, soft patterns shifting with the current¡¯s gentle sway. He sighed, crossing his arms. Krahs and Lilay had gone out to hunt for the day¡¯s meal. Nalu and Zhaelor were still away from the village, and since no one else was around, the responsibility fell on him. Krahs had said he wouldn¡¯t go too far but made it clear: Nexha was the smallest in the group, so he wasn¡¯t taken on hunts often. For now, his duty was watching over the egg until Nalu returned. ¡ª I feel like a sardine. ¡ª He huffed, lying down on the sand. The silence around him was only broken by the distant hum of the village and the soft murmur of the water. ¡ª If Nalu didn¡¯t have to go looking for a partner¡­ I wish mermaids were like normal humans. Maybe all of this would be less complicated. He turned his head to stare at the egg. ¡ª Hopefully, things change once I bring more technology into this world. Crack. The sound made his heart skip a beat. He froze, eyes wide. Crack. Crack. Tiny fissures spread across the orange shell. Nexha felt his stomach twist. ¡ª Already?! This egg is tiny! It doesn¡¯t even look like it¡¯s two weeks old! He jumped to his feet, his fins trembling. What was he supposed to do?! Help? Not help? What if he hurt the baby? What if it was too weak to hatch on its own?! Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. ¡ª Oh, no, no, no! Why does it have to hatch now?! Couldn¡¯t it wait for Nalu?! Nexha grabbed his hair, panic rising. He had never seen an egg hatch up close. And of course, it had to happen now¡ªwhen he was alone?! Before he could decide whether to intervene, the shell cracked further, and a tiny hand emerged, flailing in the air. ¡ª Already?! Don¡¯t you hatch in, like, seven months?! Slow down! But the baby obviously wasn¡¯t listening. With a few more snaps and fractures, the top half of the shell broke away, sinking into the water, revealing a small, damp head with fine, red hair. Tiny strands floated gently, still stuck in bits of the egg¡¯s membrane. The baby¡¯s ears were barely visible beneath orange fin-like structures. The baby blinked a few times, green eyes bright and curious as they took in the world around them. And then¡­ they simply shut their eyes again, going completely still. Nexha¡¯s chest tightened. ¡ª Hey¡­? You¡¯re breathing, right? ¡ª He edged closer, unsure if he should touch them. The baby didn¡¯t move. Nexha held his breath. What was he supposed to do now?! Krahs should be nearby, right? Unable to resist his curiosity¡ªor the rising panic¡ªhe hesitantly extended a finger and poked the baby¡¯s cheek. Soft. Warm. The tiny green eyes opened slowly, blinking against the light. Nexha held his breath. ¡ª So cute. He poked again, completely captivated. But before he could react, the baby¡¯s eyes widened, and without warning¡ª They bit his finger. Nexha barely had time to register the feeling of two tiny, but sharp, fangs sinking into his skin. He blinked. The baby didn¡¯t let go. ¡ª Good thing my defense is astronomical. He didn¡¯t even flinch. The tiny merchild frowned, clearly annoyed by Nexha¡¯s lack of reaction. They squeezed their eyes shut, gripping his finger with surprising determination. ¡ª Hey, hey, easy there, little clownfish. I still need that finger, you know? The baby finally let go, huffing softly as if upset that their intimidation attempt had failed. Nexha chuckled, rubbing his bitten finger. ¡ª You¡¯ve got a lot of attitude for someone who just hatched. Was your dad a shark or something? The baby just stared at him, green eyes gleaming with stubbornness. Nexha sighed. ¡ª Pretty sure you¡¯re going to be a handful. He didn¡¯t know why, but he had a feeling this baby was going to be anything but easy to deal with. And yet, somehow, that only made him smile even more. After all, a baby with puffed-up cheeks full of anger was just too adorable. 74 - Grumpy Little One 74 - Grumpy Little One Nexha watched the newborn baby with a mix of fascination and despair. The tiny triton, still wet from the eggshell, blinked his green eyes in irritation, as if outraged at being ripped from the comfort of his egg into this loud and bright world. For a while, the baby remained still, absorbing his new existence. Then, he started moving. First, his tiny fingers twitched. Then, his trembling tail stirred slightly, as if testing his own muscles. And then, without warning, he simply threw himself into the water. ¡ª "Hey, hey! Take it easy! Slow down!" ¡ª Nexha tried to grab him, but the baby slipped through his hands like a slippery fish and sank straight down. SPLASH. For a second, Nexha froze. But then, bubbles started rising, followed by a sharp, furious sound underwater. He wanted to swim. The problem? He had absolutely no idea how. Every time he kicked his tail, he spun out of control, sank, or at best, propelled himself forward just to faceplant into the sandy bottom. And each failure only made him more frustrated. Nexha held back a laugh. The baby huffed and tried again. His scrunched-up, irritated little face was hilarious. He clenched his fists and used all his strength to swim. For a moment, it seemed like he was going to make it¡­ Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. And then he spun like a dizzy fish and belly-flopped. Silence. The tiny triton lay still. Thinking. Processing. Then he let out a furious little squeak and smacked his tail against the sand. ¡ª "Relax!" ¡ª Nexha tried to stifle his laughter. ¡ª "You just hatched! Give yourself a break!" The baby had no interest in excuses. He wanted to swim. Now. He kept trying. Each failure only made him grumpier. His expression quickly shifted from determined to downright furious after every attempt. When Nexha tried to help, gently holding him for support, the baby reacted in the only way he knew how: HE BIT HIM. AGAIN. ¡ª "WHAT THE¡ª?!" ¡ª Nexha¡¯s eyes widened as he stared at the little one latched onto his arm like a mini shark. ¡ª "This is becoming a serious problem!" The baby finally let go and crossed his tiny arms, pouting. ¡ª "Hah¡­ you¡¯re really a feisty brat, huh? You don¡¯t look like a clownfish from the movies at all." The baby just stared at him, clearly judging his existence. That¡¯s when Nexha realized something. He couldn¡¯t keep calling him ¡°baby¡± forever. He needed a name. Scratching his head, he thought. Naming a child wasn¡¯t exactly on his list of skills. ¡ª "Hmm¡­ how about¡­ Nemo?" The baby blinked. Blank stare. ¡ª "Didn¡¯t like it? Okay, what about¡­ Marlin?" The baby¡¯s green eyes narrowed so much that Nexha swore he was about to be obliterated by that glare. He sighed. ¡ª "Little grumpy biter?" The baby let out a low growl. ¡ª "Alright, alright! No offense!" Nexha looked at the tiny one, searching for inspiration. His tail was a vibrant orange with white stripes, just like a classic clownfish. His eyes were as green as fresh seaweed. Something about him felt like a strong, stubborn, and unpredictable current. Then, a memory surfaced from a show he used to like. ¡ª "How about Jasper?" The baby blinked slowly. His tail flicked, thoughtful. Then, he let out a curious sound. ¡ª "You like that one, huh? Jasper?" The tiny triton seemed to consider it. To Nexha¡¯s surprise, he poked his arm ¡ª and didn¡¯t bite. ¡ª "Jasper, then." ¡ª Nexha smiled. ¡ª "Welcome to the chaos, kid. Just don¡¯t go chasing after Lapis Lazuli or Pink Diamond." Jasper, of course, didn¡¯t get the joke. He just huffed, crossing his little arms again. But Nexha swore he saw a glimmer of approval in his eyes. Now that he had a name, everything felt more real. And somehow, that made it all even more terrifying. 75 - Hungry Baby 75 - Hungry Baby Nexha watched as Jasper returned to his attempts at learning how to swim, but then he heard a small, raspy noise¡ªJasper furrowing his tiny brows. ¡ª Uh-oh... he muttered. A second later, the crying began. Or rather, a hoarse and dramatic wail, as if the little one was suffering the greatest injustice of his life. ¡ª WHAT NOW?! ¡ª Nexha panicked. ¡ª You just hatched! What could possibly be wrong already?! Jasper didn¡¯t answer¡ªbecause, of course, babies don¡¯t talk. But his bright green eyes locked onto Nexha, eyes that clearly said he would take a bite out of him if given the chance. ¡ª Ah¡­ so it¡¯s hunger? Well, that I can fix easily. Without thinking too much, he bought a bottle of milk from the system. ¡ª You''re lucky your milk only costs 5 MD, ¡ª he grumbled. The moment Jasper smelled it, he cried even louder. His cries were reaching a level worthy of a dramatic siren wailing over lost love. His eyes welled up with tears, his tiny mouth trembled as if the universe had betrayed him, and his whole little body shook with silent sobs. ¡ª Hey, hey, don¡¯t cry! Look, here¡¯s your milk! Nexha picked the tiny triton up and placed the bottle in his mouth. The very second the milk touched his tongue, Jasper stopped crying instantly and latched onto the bottle like his life depended on it. ¡ª That¡¯s more like it, ¡ª Nexha sighed, relieved. But the relief didn¡¯t last long. Because Jasper was drinking at a terrifying speed. ¡ª Whoa, whoa! The milk¡¯s not running away! Slow down, or you¡¯re gonna choke! He tried to pull the bottle away slightly, but Jasper gripped it with the strength of a newborn triton on a mission. His tiny fingers clenched the glass as if his soul was trapped inside it. ¡ª Jasper, let go, for the love of all the fish in the sea! I don¡¯t want you to choke! Nothing. The baby kept drinking as if it were his last meal, his little green eyes half-closed in pure focus. Nexha started sweating. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡ª YOU HAVE TO BREATHE BETWEEN SIPS, KID! He tried prying the bottle away. Jasper gripped it even tighter. ¡ª Is this an arm or an anchor?! Let go! At that exact moment, Lilay and Krahs arrived at the old nesting site, carrying the food they had gone to fetch. The two stopped dead in their tracks at the sight before them: Nexha, sweating bullets, locked in a desperate tug-of-war with a tiny baby who refused to release a milk bottle. ¡ª He¡­ hatched already? ¡ª Lilay blinked in disbelief. ¡ª And he''s already fighting for his own food? ¡ª Krahs added, equally surprised. Jasper, completely unfazed by the chaos he was causing, continued drinking as if nothing else in the world mattered. Nexha turned to them, eyes pleading. ¡ª Help. Lilay and Krahs remained frozen, observing the absurd scene. ¡ª Well... this isn¡¯t what I expected to see when we got back, ¡ª Krahs finally broke the silence. ¡ª Is he seriously wrestling a baby over a bottle of milk? ¡ª Lilay asked. Still locked in his battle with Jasper, Nexha groaned: ¡ª THIS IS NOT A FIGHT, OKAY?! It¡¯s just... well... I just don¡¯t want him to choke! Jasper, utterly indifferent to Nexha''s growing public embarrassment, refused to let go. His little green eyes practically dared Nexha to take it away. Krahs sighed, set a large fish down on the sand, and stepped forward. ¡ª Give me that. Before Nexha could protest, Krahs gently twisted the bottle, breaking the suction. Jasper let go without even realizing what had happened. The baby blinked, confused, then huffed in a way that could only be described as "the frustration of an old fisherman losing a big catch." ¡ª How¡­ how did you do that?! ¡ª Nexha stared at Krahs like she had just performed ancient magic. ¡ª I''ve seen you and Lilay fighting over milk plenty of times. Of course, I learned something. Lilay laughed and stepped closer, eyeing Jasper. ¡ª Small, but feisty, huh? ¡ª He lightly poked Jasper¡¯s tiny belly, only for the baby to frown and swat his hand away. ¡ª Already full of attitude. ¡ª Krahs chuckled. Krahs carefully picked Jasper up, cradling him gently. Though still slightly grumpy over the loss of his bottle, the little triton began to blink sleepily, his tiny body slowly relaxing. ¡ª He reminds me of someone we know¡­ ¡ª Krahs glanced at Nexha, who crossed his arms. ¡ª Hey, hey! Don¡¯t even start saying he¡¯s like me! This brat already bit me twice, he¡¯s clearly just weird. ¡ª Ah, so he¡¯s exactly like you, then. ¡ª Lilay smirked. Krahs let out a loud laugh while Nexha scowled in indignation. ¡ª I AM NOT WEIRD! Krahs looked at the baby and gently rocked him. ¡ª No biting people, kiddo. You don¡¯t know where they¡¯ve been. Jasper, now drowsy, only made a small grumpy face before burying his tiny head into Krahs¡¯ shoulder. Krahs handed the bottle back so Jasper could finish his milk. Nexha sighed. ¡ª I never bit people when I was a baby. ¡ª You sure about that? ¡ª Krahs raised an eyebrow. ¡ª OF COURSE I AM! ¡ª The lucky crabs said otherwise. Nexha froze. Krahs and Lilay grinned victoriously. Little Jasper finished his milk, let out a long yawn, and murmured something unintelligible, his striped orange tail flicking lazily. Krahs helped him burp before holding him more comfortably. ¡ª I think he¡¯s tired. Must¡¯ve been a rough day, being born and already biting people. ¡ª He sank like a rock the moment he hatched,¡ª Nexha muttered. But despite everything, he couldn¡¯t take his eyes off the tiny triton. Now, watching Jasper peacefully sleep in Krahs'' arms, everything felt... more real. They had a new member in their group. And as grumpy as he was, Nexha knew they were all in this together. ¡ª Welcome to the world, little clownfish. Jasper only mumbled sleepily in response, snuggling deeper into Krahs'' hold. Nexha couldn¡¯t help but smile for real this time, watching the little one sleep so soundly. 76 - Copper Age 76 - Copper Age Nexha left Krahs and Lilay at the nest, watching over the sleeping baby, and headed to the makeshift forge. The smell of cooking fish still lingered in the air, but his mind was elsewhere. He sat in his wheelchair, resting his arm on the side as his eyes became lost in the glowing embers of the stone furnace. The heat wavered in slow waves, making shadows dance along the uneven walls of the forge. The reddish light flickered in Nexha¡¯s eyes as he massaged his temples, feeling the weight of new responsibilities pressing down on his shoulders. ¡ª Someone else to protect¡­ more pressure to evolve technologically. His gaze locked onto the burning embers, the intense glow reflecting the turmoil within him. He picked up a piece of dried eel-seaweed and poked at the coals, carefully stoking the flames. The fire crackled, filling the silence with a hypnotic rhythm. ¡ª I''m starting to look like a brooding old man¡­ ¡ª he muttered. Then, he lifted his chin, determined. ¡ª Well, it¡¯s time to become something more. With a swift motion, he opened the shop interface. (\Store/) (\MD 10,084/) Welcome to the store, user. Here you can buy everything you need for your world conquest. Are you going to lie again about evolving? -Food/Medicine - Slaves -Skills - Magic Items -Miners - Animals/Pets -Plant Materials - Accessories -Clothing/Armor - Technology Nexha let out a snort as he read the store¡¯s provocation. ¡ª Even the AI doesn¡¯t believe in me¡­ hahaha. He scrolled through the interface, opening the skills tab. The prices were still absurd. He looked at the options, desiring each one of them, but hesitated. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. ¡ª Could be useful¡­ but right now, I need something that will truly change my life. Switching to the technology tab, he slid through the items until he found what he was looking for. The moment he saw it, he didn¡¯t hesitate. He confirmed the purchase, watching his balance drop instantly. 5,000 MD¡ªgone. But what he had just obtained? That would make a difference. A thrill ran through his body. ¡ª Forging¡­ this excites me more than before. With his eyes shining, he pulled the now-cooked fish from the oven. That was when his vision trembled¡ªa buzzing sound filled his mind, and a sharp pain pierced through his head. He clenched his teeth. The sensation was familiar¡ªknowledge settling inside him, a surge of information burning through his brain like live embers. He took a deep breath, waiting for the pain to pass. Once he felt steady again, he carried the fish to Lilay and Krahs. Leaving them to enjoy their meal, he returned to the forge. Without wasting time, he added more fuel to the furnace. The dried eel-seaweed wasn¡¯t ideal, but it was what he had. He crouched, watching the flames grow. Orange mixed with blue, spiraling in ever-intensifying patterns. He opened the store again and purchased a new type of mineral. While waiting for the fire to reach the necessary temperature, he grabbed his bone chisel and, with patience, began shaping the newly acquired stone. Carefully sculpting, he transformed it into a small, sturdy pot. There was no rush. Each strike was calculated, each scrape refining its form. When finished, he placed the pot in the center of the flames. Inside the small container, two smaller stones¡ªalso bought from the store¡ªwere added. Slowly, the heat began to envelop them. ¡ª It¡¯ll take a while¡­ not ideal, but it¡¯s what I have. As he waited for the metal to melt, he prepared the mold. Taking some eel-seaweed bamboo, he assembled two rectangular frames, filling them with fine sand. With his obsidian knife, he pressed the blade against the sand, carving out a detailed, solid cavity. He examined his work carefully, ensuring the mold wouldn¡¯t collapse. He carved a channel leading from the cavity to the edge, creating a path for the molten metal to flow and fill the space. Carefully, he removed the knife and joined the two frames, forming the complete mold. The scent of hot metal began spreading through the forge. Nexha glanced at the pot in the furnace¡ªthe ore was now liquid. Grabbing two bamboo sticks as makeshift tongs, he swiftly removed the pot from the flames and poured the glowing metal into the mold. It flowed smoothly, filling every crevice with an intense shine. Now, all that was left was to wait. Silence returned to the forge, broken only by the distant sound of waves crashing against the base of the platform. Nexha watched the mold, resisting the urge to rush the process. He knew patience was a crucial part of forging. Slowly, the daylight began to fade. Weariness weighed on his shoulders, but he refused to leave. When he finally stood, he cast one last glance at the still-warm mold. ¡ª It¡¯ll be worth it¡­ Turning away, he headed home, leaving behind the copper knife solidifying in the sand¡ªthe first piece of a future he would forge with his own hands. 77-As Hot as His Determination 77-As Hot as His Determination Nexha woke up before dawn, his mind still heavy with exhaustion, but anxiety wouldn¡¯t let him stay in bed. The copper knife was waiting. He got up, his muscles protesting from the previous day¡¯s effort, and walked to the forge. The air still carried the scent of soot and burnt metal. The mold had completely cooled, and with care, he removed the sand plates, revealing his creation. A raw blade, still imperfect¡ªbut real. The knife was warm to the touch, its dull sheen reflecting the faint morning light. Nexha held it with both hands, analyzing it. Small hardened burrs covered its surface, the edge was uneven, and the weight felt slightly unbalanced. But despite its flaws, this was the first metal blade he had ever forged. He took a deep breath, a subtle smile forming on his lips. ¡ª Now, let¡¯s fix you up. He grabbed the whetstone he had purchased from the shop and positioned it carefully. Pouring a bit of saltwater over it, he dampened the rough surface. Then, he began sharpening the blade. Slide. Scrape. Dancing sparks. With each movement, Nexha immersed himself in the work. The rhythmic sound of metal against stone echoed through the forge¡ªa dry, almost hypnotic sound. His arm moved with precision, his mind focused only on the blade¡¯s edge, shaping it inch by inch. He lost track of time. He didn¡¯t notice the sky gradually brightening. He didn¡¯t feel the sweat dripping down his skin or the ache building in his muscles from the repetitive motion. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. The dull sheen started to fade, replaced by a smooth, almost spectral reflection. The blade gained symmetry. The rough edge became thin¡ªrazor-sharp. When he finally attached a handle, he felt that the knife was complete. And then, he noticed. Something was wrong. Nexha raised the knife against the light, his eyes narrowing as he saw a faint blue glow running along the metal¡¯s surface. Subtle, discreet¡ªbut there. He frowned. ¡ª This... isn¡¯t normal. He ran a finger along the blade. A shiver ran down his spine. The metal was warm. But not in a way it should be¡ªcopper should have cooled by now. This warmth was deeper, unnatural, as if something in it had changed at its very core. To test it, Nexha grabbed a piece of sea-algae bamboo and pressed the blade against it. The cut was precise, almost silent. But what caught his attention was the edge of the cut... burned. His eyes narrowed. ¡ª What the hell...? That didn¡¯t make sense. He had used nothing but raw copper. No special materials, no enchantments. So why was this knife different? He took a deep breath, trying to contain his unease. If something strange was happening, he needed to understand it. He needed to know exactly what he had created. With a quick thought, he activated his appraisal skill. [Copper Knife]
  • Name: None
  • Quality: Rare
  • Status: Normal
  • Attack: 15
  • Title: First copper knife forged in this world.
  • Ability: Heated Cut
As hot as the determination of the one who forged it, this was the first copper knife created in this world. It is not exceptional, but the dedication of its creator surpassed a limit, transforming it into a rare object. Nexha¡¯s eyes widened. ¡ª This is the first time I¡¯ve seen a weapon get a quality rank?! He blinked, confused, then laughed¡ªa genuine, joyful laugh. ¡ª Did I really put in that much effort...? It started to sink in. His dedication, his struggle, his complete focus on forging... all of it had influenced the result. He gripped the knife firmly, feeling its weight differently now. ¡ª If the first one turned out like this, the next ones can be even better. A new thought emerged. He lifted the blade, staring at his distorted reflection in the metal. ¡ª I am the first blacksmith in this world, and I will forge the greatest weapons it has ever seen. His weapons would be the best. 78-Jasper’s Fascination 78-Jasper¡¯s Fascination Nexha was excited about his new knife. He slid the blade along the stalks of the moray algae, cutting them with ease. Unlike obsidian, copper didn¡¯t shatter upon the slightest impact, and that brought him deep satisfaction. ¡ª Obsidian may be sharp, but it¡¯s way too fragile... This is much better. With a fluid motion, he stacked the algae pieces and placed them in the oven, rekindling the embers. Heat began to spread through the room, and Nexha took a deep breath, savoring the salty scent rising from the algae. But today, his focus wasn¡¯t just on cutting. He had a new project: a hammer. ¡ª If I want to improve the quality of the metal, I need something more durable¡­ He opened the shop, ready to find what he needed. ((Shop)/) (\MD 5,004 /) Welcome to the shop, user! Here, you can buy whatever you need for your world conquest. I¡¯m glad your money is back to something I recognize (¤Ã£Þ?£Þ)??
  • Food/Medicine - Slaves
  • Skills - Magic Items
  • Minerals - Animals/Pets
  • Plant Materials - Accessories
  • Clothes/Armor - Technology
He bought more copper ore and set it to melt in the stone pot. While waiting for the furnace to reach the right temperature, he started preparing new molds using moray algae bamboo and sand. ¡ª Besides the hammer, I want to try making something like pliers¡­ Grabbing a baby bottle from the shop, he allowed himself a small break, taking a sip of milk. But his moment of tranquility was interrupted by a sudden cry. The sound made his heart skip a beat. He turned quickly and almost fell from his wheelchair when he saw Jasper, the baby mermaid, crawling toward him. The child¡¯s bright eyes were locked onto his bottle. ¡ª How the hell did you get here, Jasper?! Wasn¡¯t Lilay taking care of you?! This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Moments later, Lilay emerged from the water, climbing onto the platform, breathless. ¡ª Brother¡­ this baby SWAM all the way from the nest to here so fast I couldn¡¯t even keep up! Nexha blinked in disbelief. ¡ª You lost to a baby in speed? One that couldn¡¯t even swim yesterday? ¡­ I think I¡¯m losing my mind. ¡ª I didn¡¯t lose! He just left first! ¡ª Lilay protested, puffing out his cheeks indignantly. ¡ª Sure, sure¡­ if you say so. But I think he smelled the milk. The little Jasper stood beside the wheelchair, staring at the bottle with a furious expression, as if demanding Nexha hand it over immediately. ¡ª Alright, alright¡­ Lilay, give it to him. I¡¯m busy. Quickly buying another bottle, Nexha handed it to his brother. Like lightning, Jasper crawled toward Lilay and grabbed the milk with surprising strength for someone his age, drinking it with impressive determination. With Lilay busy feeding the baby, Nexha returned to work, crafting more bamboo molds and filling them with sand. He carved a rectangular mold for the hammer, ensuring the shape was just right. Strangely, as soon as Jasper finished drinking, he wriggled out of Lilay¡¯s arms and moved closer. His gaze was fixed, curious. Lilay kept an eye on the baby, but Nexha was too focused to notice his presence. He picked up a carved stone to refine the details and used it to shape the mold. Finally, he checked the furnace. The metal was ready. Using a pair of makeshift bamboo tongs, he removed the stone pot and poured the molten copper into the molds. The glowing metal shone like a miniature sun, and the heat made Lilay instinctively pull Jasper away. But the baby resisted. Even against his older brother¡¯s warning, he leaned forward to get a better view, his eyes wide, fascinated by the glow. Nexha noticed the child''s expression and hesitated for a moment. Jasper was completely absorbed in the process. His eyes didn¡¯t blink. He didn¡¯t look away, not even when Lilay gently tugged at his tail to move him back. Tiny tremors ran through his arms, as if he wanted to reach out and touch the molten copper. ¡ª He¡¯s¡­ admiring this? Before Lilay could respond, Jasper lifted his chubby little hand and, with determination, tried to reach the furnace. ¡ª Hey! ¡ª Lilay reacted quickly, yanking Jasper back before he could burn himself. ¡ª What do you think you¡¯re doing?! Jasper stared at him, irritated, babbling something unintelligible before turning his gaze back to the glowing metal. ¡ª Looks like he is. Another odd one in the family, huh? ¡ª I¡¯m not odd! ¡ª Yes, you are. Lilay smirked, amused by Nexha¡¯s annoyed expression. The two exchanged lighthearted teasing until an unexpected sound interrupted them: laughter. A cheerful, childlike giggle. Both brothers froze. Slowly, they turned to Jasper, who was laughing adorably, without even understanding the situation. ¡ª I thought he only knew how to be mad¡­ ¡ª Nexha murmured. ¡ª Me too¡­ ¡ª Lilay replied, surprised. Jasper noticed the sudden attention on him and, pouting, quickly returned to his usual serious expression, puffing out his cheeks in an exaggerated manner. The two brothers burst into laughter again. 79 - Forge Twins 79 - Forge Twins Nexha took a deep breath, inhaling the metallic, slightly burnt scent that lingered in the air around the furnace. The embers roared, sending out small flames along with black smoke that dissipated into the air. He ran his hand over the blade of his new copper knife and smiled. The hammer was solidifying. The thought of finally having a tool that would allow him to shape metal with precision filled him with excitement. Without it, he wouldn¡¯t be able to advance his forge. Carefully, he picked up the molds where the metal had been poured earlier that morning and began to remove them. The copper was still warm to the touch but had already taken on the desired rectangular shape, with a hole in the center for the handle. Holding it firmly, he took the piece to the whetstone and began working. The rough sound of metal against stone echoed through the air, blending with the crashing waves against the platform. The rhythms aligned as if they were a single melody¡ªthe pulse of the ocean and the forge in perfect harmony. Despite being just a newborn, Jasper was absolutely fascinated. Lying on his stomach, his tiny hands splayed on the ground, he watched Nexha¡¯s every move with shining eyes. Lilay, who had initially been just supervising, noticed something curious. The baby wasn¡¯t just watching¡ªhe was reacting. His eyes followed Nexha¡¯s every movement with precision, as if absorbing every detail. His tail swayed slightly, keeping pace with the work, as if his mind somehow understood what was happening before him. ¡ª Nexha¡­ are you seeing this? ¡ª Lilay murmured, frowning. Nexha paused and looked at Jasper. The baby didn¡¯t blink, completely fixated on the metal. That was strange. A shiver ran down Nexha¡¯s spine. He resumed working, but now his mind couldn¡¯t stop questioning. Finally, the hammer took its final shape. He fitted the moray algae bamboo handle into the metal head, tapping it into place. ¡ª Damn¡­ the fit is loose. ¡ª He grumbled, testing the handle¡¯s stability. ¡ª Can¡¯t have it wobbling like this. Grabbing another piece of bamboo, he reinforced the connection, hammering again until the structure was solid. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡ª There¡­ perfect! Jasper let out an excited sound, almost as if celebrating alongside Nexha. Lilay observed the baby, then looked at his brother, crossing his arms. ¡ª Told you¡­ This little brat is just like you. Weird and small like a sardine. ¡ª I am not small like a sardine! ¡ª Nexha snapped, frowning. ¡ª Yes, you are. ¡ª Lilay laughed, teasing. The two locked eyes for a moment until Jasper, not understanding the conversation, started laughing as well. His giggle was loud, pure, and unexpected. Nexha and Lilay froze, surprised. ¡ª Still not used to hearing him laugh¡­ ¡ª Nexha murmured. ¡ª Me neither¡­ ¡ª Lilay blinked, stunned. The hammer was finished, but Nexha still had work to do. He picked up the second, smaller mold, where he had poured copper to create pliers. He needed something to hold hot pieces without burning himself, and this would be an important step forward. Carefully, he removed the mold and began sanding the edges against the whetstone. It was far from perfect, but it was the best he could do for now. The pliers were simple¡ªtwo metal parts that would be joined by a bone pin in the center. He adjusted the fittings with precision, feeling more immersed in the process with each step. Jasper kept watching, completely captivated, like a princess enamored with a rare jewel. After a long time, the pliers were ready. Nexha tested their strength by gripping a hot stone from the furnace. They worked perfectly. He let out a satisfied sigh. Now, with a proper hammer and pliers, he could forge his creations with more precision. When he looked up, he saw Jasper standing beside his newly crafted tools, with that same curious, shining gaze. Something inside Nexha told him that this baby had a special connection to all of this. He couldn¡¯t explain it, but it felt like the system had sent another skilled being to his village. Smiling, Nexha placed the hammer in front of Jasper. The little one moved closer, fascinated, carefully examining the metallic sheen. His tiny fingers traced every part of the hammer, gliding over the metal as if it were truly a precious jewel. ¡ª Hehe, you like my work, huh, little guy? Jasper didn¡¯t even seem to hear him. ¡ª Are you sure it¡¯s safe to leave that with him? ¡ª Lilay asked, skeptical. ¡ª Relax, Lilay. He doesn¡¯t even have the strength to lift it. ¡ª But what if he bites it? ¡ª Nothing a baby does is gonna damage¡ª I think¡­ let¡¯s just keep an eye on him. The two watched Jasper play around the hammer until Krahs appeared, bringing fresh fish for dinner. Only then did Nexha realize it was already nighttime. ¡ª Time went by too fast¡­ He looked at the tools beside him and checked their status, wanting to see before Krahs dragged him off to eat. [Copper Hammer] Name: None Quality: Normal Status: Normal Attack: 20 Ability: Increased Precision This hammer was forged alongside pliers. It needs its forging twin for its ability to be activated. [Copper Pliers] Name: None Quality: Normal Status: Normal Attack: 20 Ability: Increased Precision These pliers were forged alongside a hammer. They need their forging twin for their ability to be activated. ¡ª What a surprise¡­ looks like I have twin tools. He smiled, left the two tools together, and went to have dinner with the rest of the family. 80 - Reckless Hunter Nexha woke up that morning with a strange discomfort. He had enjoyed the new experience of forging, but that day, his mind was elsewhere. There was something he had wanted to do for a while, but he always held back. He grabbed a bottle of milk from the shop and handed it to Lilay, who was still yawning as he picked Jasper up. ¡ª Ah, where are you going so early? Gonna forge? ¡ª Lilay asked, his voice heavy with sleep. ¡ª I''m going hunting. ¡ª Nexha replied simply. Lilay raised an eyebrow. ¡ª Are you gonna steal someone else''s catch again? ¡ª I''ve never stolen anyone''s catch! ¡ª Nexha snapped, irritated. ¡ª Sure... ¡ª Lilay smirked. ¡ª Good luck. And try not to get hurt like the last times. Dad gets worried, you know? ¡ª Okay, I''ll try. ¡ª Nexha huffed and swam away. He headed to the mother-seaweed plantation, where fish were abundant. However, something caught his attention: the seaweed was bearing fruit. Lilay had already mentioned that some were ripening, but Nexha hadn¡¯t expected the sprouts he had planted to be so full of fruit so quickly. He stared at the golden, tomato-shaped fruit and shuddered at the memory of the awful taste from the first time he had tried one. ¡ª I know it brings luck, but¡­ it¡¯s terrible. Maybe in a soup, it¡¯d be better. ¡ª he muttered. Shaking his head to clear the distraction, he turned his attention back to the fish. He ignored the smaller ones and searched for a bigger prey. Unfortunately, nothing seemed promising in terms of experience, so he decided to hunt the largest ones he could find. Once he caught his first fish, he sat down to eat and rest for a bit. ¡ª I''m not a fan of raw food, but I¡¯m in the middle of a hunt... Cooking isn''t an option. ¡ª he murmured, chewing with distaste. As he ate, he observed the ecosystem around him. The fish fed on the fruits, smaller predators chased unsuspecting prey. Everything seemed peaceful... until something caught his eye. A blue fin cut through the water at an alarming speed. Nexha held his breath. ¡ª Swordfish¡­ ¡ª he murmured. Unlike other predators, this one showed no interest in him. It moved fast, devouring fish effortlessly. Nexha gripped his knife tightly and pondered. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. ¡ª Am I really ready to face a swordsman with just a knife? ¡ª he thought aloud. The swordfish was even faster than a barracuda. If it realized it was losing, it would flee, and Nexha wouldn¡¯t have a chance to capture it. ¡ª I need a harpoon to catch one of these¡­ When I''m stronger, I''ll try again. ¡ª he decided, sighing. He watched as the swordfish swam away, satisfied after its meal. He was about to get up and search for another prey when he felt something terrible. Sharp teeth sank into his tail. Before he could react, he was violently shaken from side to side, like a toy in a dog¡¯s mouth. Panic took over his body, and his instincts kicked in before his mind could even process what was happening. His scales automatically hardened, turning darker and more resistant. Only then did Nexha see his attacker. It was a shark... but not like any he had seen before. Its orange coloring gave it a strange, almost alien appearance. Dizziness and nausea started creeping in. The beast kept shaking him as if trying to tear him apart, but it couldn¡¯t pierce his defense. Nexha gripped his knife tightly. He waited for the right moment, and when one of the shakes brought him close enough, he drove the blade into the monster with all his strength. The shark twisted, trying to flee, but Nexha didn¡¯t hesitate. He pushed the knife even deeper, feeling the water around him heat up as the metal both tore and burned the enemy¡¯s flesh. Bubbles rose from the wound as the blade slid in further and further. The shark stopped moving. Still in shock, Nexha panted heavily. ¡ª Damn shark¡­ ¡ª he spat before throwing up everything in his stomach. The violent shaking had left him dizzy. Suddenly, a familiar sound echoed in his mind. {Congratulations! You¡¯ve reached level 8! Check your status to see the changes.} {Congratulations! You¡¯ve reached level 9! Check your status to see the changes.} ¡ª What?! ¡ª Nexha¡¯s eyes widened. ¡ª It was still alive?! He looked at the knife in his hand, feeling a chill run down his spine. ¡ª This¡­ This is stronger than I expected¡­ I better not use this around strangers. I don¡¯t want to be called a witch or get robbed¡­ ¡ª he murmured, unsettled. He sat down for a moment, trying to catch his breath, then checked his status. [Crystal-Scaled Mermaid] Name: Nexha Age: Baby Status: Normal Lv: 9 | XP: 5,120/300 HP: 30/60 | MP: 50/50 Attack: 9 (+1) | Defense: 38 (+1) Intelligence: 18 (+1) | Luck: 7 | Beauty: 30 ¡ª What?! That thing took that much of my health?! ¡ª Nexha turned and saw his injured tail, with crushed scales and even some of the shark¡¯s teeth still lodged in his skin. A cold shiver ran down his spine. He had never been this hurt before... and he hadn¡¯t even noticed during the fight. Cursing under his breath, he carried the shark¡¯s corpse back home. As soon as Krahs saw him, his face went pale. ¡ª Nexha?! Without hesitation, Krahs grabbed him and rushed him inside, starting to treat his wounds. ¡ª What happened?! ¡ª his father¡¯s voice was filled with worry and anger. ¡ª I was eating¡­ Then that ugly thing ambushed me and shook me around! ¡ª Nexha pointed irritably at the shark. Krahs took a deep breath, trying to contain his frustration, then wrapped seaweed medicine around Nexha¡¯s tail. ¡ª This is exactly why I don¡¯t let you hunt with me! Reckless¡ªif you were in a group, you could have gotten someone killed, or worse... Do you even realize you could have died?! Nexha shrank under his father¡¯s stern gaze. ¡ª No hunting for you until you recover. ¡ª Krahs declared. ¡ª What?! But I¡¯m fine! ¡ª Nexha protested. ¡ª Every time you go hunting, you come back injured! If you don¡¯t learn to be more careful, you¡¯re not going out again. A hunter can¡¯t be this reckless! ¡ª Krahs scolded. Nexha remained silent, sulking, but deep down, he knew his father was only worried. And this time¡­ he really had a reason to be. 81 - They Are My Family 81 - They Are My Family Nexha swam to the old nest and let himself sink into one of the pools over the algae. His body felt heavy, not just from exhaustion but from Krahs'' scolding that still echoed in his mind. He knew his father only wanted to protect him, but the words still stung. In his hands, however, rested the proof of his determination: the copper knife. He smirked slightly, almost an involuntary reflex, but the glimmer in his eyes quickly faded into a frustrated sigh. He felt torn between pride in his creations and shame over his recklessness. During his last hunt, he let his guard down¡­ and paid the price. ¡ª I was an idiot¡­ ¡ª he murmured to himself. ¡ª I sat there, thinking I was safe¡­ and got reminded in the worst way that Zhaelor is no longer here to keep the territory clean. He buried his head into the soft algae, feeling the weight of exhaustion finally claim him. ¡ª I won, but¡­ I lost. A hunter in the prey¡¯s territory should never relax too much. His gaze shifted to his tail, where the medicinal algae wrapped his wounds in makeshift bandages. ¡ª I should have learned this sooner¡­ how many times has this happened? How many times have I come home injured? His whole body ached. The exhausting days of forging and hunting were now taking their toll. He closed his eyes, and within moments, he was swallowed by deep sleep. Hours later, Lilay entered the nest, moving carefully, already knowing what he would find. He sighed when he saw his brother sleeping so deeply, his breathing calm, his face relaxed¡ªa stark contrast to what had happened earlier. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. As he changed Nexha¡¯s bandages, he whispered, more to himself than to his brother: ¡ª Dad always says the eldest of the brood must take care of the younger ones, no matter what¡­ They are your siblings. Protecting them is a duty¡­ After all, we are one family. He looked at Nexha for a moment, who was drooling slightly in his sleep, and let out a tired but relieved sigh. ¡ª Reckless¡­ try not to get hurt so much next time. Dad almost got sick from worrying. With one last glance, Lilay turned and left the nest in silence. As soon as he heard Lilay leave, Nexha slowly opened his eyes. He lay there, staring at the ceiling for a while before running a hand through his hair and letting out a long sigh. His brother¡¯s words kept echoing in his mind. ¡ª After all, we are one family¡­ Guilt tightened around his chest, like a suffocating knot. ¡ª I¡¯m such an idiot¡­ ¡ª he murmured, feeling his eyes sting. ¡ª I made everyone worry¡­ just because I didn¡¯t pay attention to my surroundings. His gaze dropped to his hands. The marks from the forge were already beginning to form on his fingers¡ªsmall calluses that proved his effort. ¡ª But if I told them that everything I¡¯m doing¡­ is to try and protect them¡­ would they think I¡¯m even more reckless? He clenched his fists tightly. A dull pearl slid from his eyes, landing softly on his fingers. ¡ª If I had started earlier¡­ if I were stronger¡­ no one would have to worry about me. His laughter came out shaky and bitter, a laugh interrupted by silent tears that fell without his control. ¡ª Stronger¡­ so no one gets hurt¡­ so no one has to suffer¡­ but what if I can¡¯t? He rubbed his eyes, trying to stop the stubborn tears, but more pearls fell, accumulating at the bottom of the pool. ¡ª Damn it¡­ now that my wounds are hurting so much¡­ I can¡¯t even stop crying. He laughed again, weak and tired, curling up among the algae, searching for some comfort. His body ached, his tail throbbed, but little by little, exhaustion overtook the pain. At the bottom of the pool, among the dull pearls, one glowed in a golden hue as his pain slowly faded away. ¡ª I¡­ I promise to take care of all of you¡­ After all, you are my family¡­ I will make it. His voice was low, heavy with emotion, before sleep finally took him once more. The sea continued to whisper its waves in the background, lulling him into rest. 82 - Learning from Krahs 82 - Learning from Krahs Nexha woke up the next morning feeling better. His tail, though still wrapped in algae bandages, no longer throbbed as much, and his mind felt clearer. The exhaustion from the previous days still weighed on his body, but now he could think without being consumed by frustration. ¡ª Since I can¡¯t hunt, I¡¯ll forge a few more things. ¡ª He murmured to himself, swimming toward the platform where he kept his makeshift forge. But before he could reach it, Krahs intercepted his path. The old shark looked serious, his eyes carrying something beyond that¡ª a weight of concern and decision. ¡ª Come here, Nexha. The grave tone made the young one hesitate. For a moment, he thought it would be another scolding, but then Krahs handed him a spear made of moray-algae bamboo. Nexha looked at the weapon in his hands, confused. ¡ª Hm? ¡ª I¡¯m going to teach you properly. ¡ª Krahs crossed his arms. ¡ª I may not be a master with knives, but I know how to use a spear and other long weapons. Nexha¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. His father had never offered this kind of training before. Until now, he thought Krahs only trained Lilay because he was the size of an eleven-year-old and kept growing rapidly, while Nexha barely compared to his brother in size or speed. But Krahs noticed his mind wandering and frowned. ¡ª Nexha, are you paying attention? ¡ª I am, Dad! Nexha straightened his posture, pushing aside his thoughts and focusing on what Krahs was saying. The old shark stepped closer and adjusted his hands on the spear, correcting his grip firmly. ¡ª Hold it like this. It will give you more control. Nexha obeyed, feeling the weapon¡¯s weight differently. More balanced, which he found strange, but he continued nonetheless. Krahs then swam a few meters ahead, assuming a combat stance. ¡ª As I learned, I will teach you. So come, Nexha. Fight me. Nexha hesitated. Krahs was level 30, while he had barely reached level 9. The difference in strength between them was immense. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. ¡ª But¡­ I¡ª ¡ª Don¡¯t underestimate yourself, boy. ¡ª Krahs interrupted, his gaze sharp. ¡ª We¡¯re not here to play. If you want to become strong, stop hesitating and fight. Nexha¡¯s heart pounded. Krahs never spoke like that. This wasn¡¯t just training¡ª it was a test. A test he couldn¡¯t refuse. Gripping the spear tighter, he took a deep breath. ¡ª Alright¡­ here I go! Nexha moved first, wielding the spear by instinct. He attempted a direct thrust, as he always did with his knife, aiming for Krahs¡¯ chest. But before the spear¡¯s tip even got close, Krahs dodged with a simple tail movement, swimming beside him like a swift shadow. ¡ª Too predictable. Before Nexha could react, he felt an impact on his side. Krahs had used his own spear to push him away, sending him tumbling several meters back through the water. -2 HP (31/55) Nexha spun in the sea; the hit was strong enough to make him realize this fight was serious. He tried to regain his balance while opening his status and seeing his health drop. ¡ª If you don¡¯t learn to stop overthinking in the middle of a fight, you¡¯ll lose before you even start. Focus, Nexha! Krahs didn¡¯t give him room to breathe. The old shark advanced, his spear cutting through the water with precision. Nexha managed to lift his weapon to block, but the impact was strong, pushing him back again. -5 HP (26/55) ¡ª I know your endurance, Nexha. I know you can take it, but that won¡¯t be enough if your enemy is stronger than you! He gritted his teeth. He needed to think, to act differently. If he kept trying to fight head-on, he wouldn¡¯t get anywhere. Then he had an idea. When Krahs advanced again, Nexha didn¡¯t resist the blow¡ª instead, he twisted his tail and let himself be carried by the water¡¯s force, dodging to the side in an unexpected movement. ¡ª Hm¡­? It was enough to create an opening. Nexha spun the spear quickly and, with a powerful tail stroke, delivered a side attack aimed at Krahs¡¯ ribs. The old shark caught the tip effortlessly with his hand, but the impact still drew a surprised expression from him, which soon turned into a satisfied smile. ¡ª Now that¡¯s more like it! Before Nexha could take advantage of the moment, Krahs spun his own spear and struck Nexha¡¯s, disarming him. The young one¡¯s weapon was sent flying, and before he could react, Krahs grabbed his tail, holding him firmly. ¡ª AAAAH! ¡ª Nexha struggled to break free, but his father¡¯s overwhelming strength kept him pinned. Krahs looked into his eyes, serious. ¡ª You¡¯re good, Nexha. But don¡¯t mistake luck for skill. He let go and retrieved the fallen spear, handing it back. ¡ª Again. Nexha panted, feeling his body ache. But even so, he took the spear and prepared for another round. He was still far from Krahs¡¯ level¡­ but every strike, every mistake, every success¡ª all of it would teach him to grow stronger. And one day, he wouldn¡¯t just fight alongside Krahs¡­ he would protect him too. By sunset, they finally stopped. Nexha collapsed onto the sand, exhausted, but then a familiar sensation came to his mind, leaving him confused. {Congratulations, you have reached level 10! Check your status to see the changes.} Nexha laughed with the last bit of energy he had, realizing he had found another way to level up. Krahs raised an eyebrow but was already used to his son being a little odd. He just sighed, left Nexha to rest, and went to find something for Lilay and Jasper, who were irritated with hunger. That night, after dinner, while everyone slept, Krahs wrapped fresh medicinal algae bandages around Nexha and paused for a moment, noticing that the boy seemed slightly bigger than he had been in the morning. He sighed, then placed a gentle kiss on his forehead before leaving. 83 - Hes in My Dreams Again 83 - He''s in My Dreams Again That night, Nexha slept deeply, but his body did not remain at rest. Something inside him was changing. His skin tingled, his muscles throbbed, and his wounds closed at an alarming speed. The exhaustion transformed into a suffocating heat, as if his own body were being forcibly reshaped. He dreamed of the ancient castle again. But this time, it was not in ruins. The once-decayed structure now shone with a golden glow. The walls were intertwined with brilliant details, as if liquid gold flowed through every crack. The stained glass windows gleamed, reflecting the moonlight over the calm sea, turning the water into a shimmering mirror. The grand doors were carved from gold and silver, displaying images that seemed to move when he blinked. This place was beautiful. Too beautiful to be real. And then, a voice cut through the silence. ¡ª My beautiful star¡­ it¡¯s been so long since you last visited me. Nexha froze. The man was there. Seated on a throne, his blue eyes piercing through him like blades of ice. He rose with the grace of a king, his steps fluid and flawless. His dark robes moved as if woven from both shadow and silk, each detail embroidered with golden thread. He descended the steps slowly, his posture impeccable, his presence majestic. That scared Nexha¡ªafter all, he had never seen him leave the throne before. But his face¡­ did not match his elegance. His smile was there, but it was not a smile. Just the exact curvature of lips that should express something but failed miserably. His eyes were gentle, but there was no life in them. His gestures were tender, but they radiated no warmth. It was as if he were imitating emotions rather than truly feeling them. And that was terrifying. A cold hand brushed against Nexha¡¯s face with delicate lightness. ¡ª What¡¯s wrong, my star? Are you uncomfortable? Before he could react, he felt himself being pulled. Not with violence, but with a forced delicacy, as if he were being wrapped in invisible threads. The man embraced him with meticulous care, his fingers sliding through his silver hair. The touch was cold, but the pressure of his presence was overwhelming. ¡ª Shhh¡­ it¡¯s all right. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. The voice was a velvety whisper, carefully controlled. Every word seemed chosen with surgical precision, as if he knew exactly the weight it needed to sound affectionate. ¡ª The gift I gave you may feel uncomfortable now¡­ but soon, you will get used to it. I¡¯m only helping you grow a little faster. Those words sent an icy wave through Nexha¡¯s chest. He wanted to run, but his body was trapped, paralyzed by the man¡¯s touch. Then, he whispered, close to his ear: ¡ª Don¡¯t worry, my star¡­ soon, you¡¯ll be ready to become a beautiful woman, just as I remember. Nexha¡¯s heart pounded. He tried to break free, but at that moment, unbearable pain shot through his body. His tail stretched, his bones expanded, his skin pulsed as if being rebuilt by fire and steel. The man merely watched. His smile unmoving. His blue eyes devoid of emotion. As if admiring an unfinished work of art. Nexha woke up with a scream. The sound echoed through the bamboo house, jolting Krahs, Lilay, and Jasper awake. Krahs was the first to move, advancing toward Nexha like a predator ready to attack any threat. But when his eyes landed on his son, they widened in shock. ¡ª What¡­?! Lilay rubbed his eyes, still sleepy, while Jasper, startled by the noise, stirred a little before snuggling back and falling asleep again, unaware. But Krahs¡­ he understood. Nexha was different. His body, once small and fragile, was now almost the same size as Lilay¡¯s. His muscles had developed, his tail had thickened and grown, his scales shimmered with a new intensity. His hands looked firmer, yet the calluses and wounds had vanished¡­ Nexha was breathing rapidly, his eyes wide¡ªnot because of his sudden growth. No. That was secondary. He could still feel that cold embrace. Still feel that man¡¯s touch in his hair. Still hear those horrible words echoing in his mind. He hugged himself, trembling, because the most terrifying part of that nightmare was the possibility of becoming a woman. ¡ª Dad¡­ I had a nightmare about that perverted guy again. Krahs remained silent for a moment. His gaze hardened, his jaw clenched, and a dangerous glint flickered in his eyes. He took a deep breath, trying to mask the anger boiling inside him. But Nexha noticed. ¡ª You¡­¡ª Krahs¡¯s voice was low, but heavy with something dark. ¡ª You grew. But not naturally. This is dangerous, Nexha. His tone wasn¡¯t just concern. It was fear mixed with a fury he was struggling to contain. Nexha tightened his arms around himself. He felt¡­ strange. His body was stronger, but it felt wrong. He didn¡¯t feel like himself. He felt like something someone had tried to mold, and unlike the system he knew, this one didn¡¯t seem to give him a choice. Lilay yawned, his sleepy voice breaking the tense silence. ¡ª Daddy¡­ is Nexha going to be okay? Krahs crossed his arms, his face serious. ¡ª I hope so. But¡­ if the man from his nightmares forced this, Nexha might be in more pain than he should be. He sighed, rubbing his face with one hand. But the anger was still there, simmering beneath his skin, no matter how much he tried to hide it. ¡ª Dad¡­¡ª Nexha¡¯s voice was weak, hesitant. He wanted to ask. He wanted to know. But he was afraid of the answer. ¡ªWhen do you think Zhaelor will come back? Krahs looked at him. It wasn¡¯t the first time, but Nexha noticed something different in the way his father was watching him. As if he were worried¡­ but also furious about something he couldn¡¯t control. ¡ª Soon, Nexha. He said he would only be gone for a few days. The old shark didn¡¯t care about his son¡¯s new size. He knelt down and, without hesitation, pulled Nexha close, holding him against his chest. ¡ª You must still be in pain from growing like this¡­¡ª His voice was softer now, but still carried tension... Don¡¯t worry, Nexha. I¡¯ll take care of you. He ran his fingers through his son¡¯s hair, as if trying to chase away the remnants of that nightmare. ¡ª Now sleep a little more. Nexha squeezed his eyes shut, trying to forget that unmoving smile, those cold eyes, those words. He didn¡¯t want to sleep. But surrounded by Krahs¡¯s protective warmth, he couldn¡¯t fight the exhaustion. He fell asleep, but deep down, he knew that man would return to his dreams¡ªbecause the protection Zhaelor¡¯s presence had once given him was no longer there. 84 - Vivien 84- Vivien The golden castle gleamed under the moonlight, its grand contours reflecting on the calm sea. And yet, something was wrong. The intense glow flickered, as if the very structure were trying to swallow anyone who dared challenge its authority. The man with black hair remained motionless at the center of the hall, his blue eyes fixed on the void. He felt it when the connection with Nexha broke. He felt the slow boil of irritation deep within him as the fledgling escaped his sight once again. But then, he felt it¡ª The furious, familiar sea coiling around his ankles. The water surrounding the throne began to move. At first, it was a whisper, a silent call, a warning. Then, a subtle yet inexorable pull. Small currents emerged around him, slithering like living roots, climbing up his legs, his arms, his shoulders. The sea was angry. And it wanted its king back on the throne. His fingers moved slowly, adjusting the collar over his clavicle with the calm of someone undisturbed. His face remained expressionless, but something in his gaze sharpened. The currents tightened. The sea roared. He sighed, lowering his lashes slightly as he allowed himself to be pulled. His feet slid across the polished floor as the water enveloped him, dragging him back to the throne. Like a king who, despite his grandeur, was nothing more than a prisoner within his own domain. As he settled once more onto his throne, the currents entwined around him, sinking into his skin and vanishing as if they had never been there. He showed no anger, but his fingers scratched against the throne¡¯s armrests. His silence was interrupted by the subtle sound of a door opening. ¡ª My lord¡­ A figure appeared at the entrance to the hall. The pale mermaid moved forward slowly, her body swaying as if the ocean itself were pushing her forward. Her ivory-white skin looked even more translucent under the golden glow of the castle. Her eyes¡ªcompletely black, empty as the abyss¡ªlifted toward the throne. But only for an instant. Before kneeling, she closed her eyelids. Kept her mouth shut, her breath minimal. The last thing she wanted was to reveal the rows of sharp teeth hidden behind her lips. The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. She did not wish to anger the king. Not while she was still wounded. A freshly closed scar stretched across her belly in an uneven line, and the scales surrounding it still bore traces of clotted blood. A reminder of her failure. She knew he did not like failure. The man¡¯s gaze fell upon her, his expression untouched by any trace of emotion. But the air around them grew heavier. ¡ª You¡¯ve returned. His voice was calm, drawn out. I thought you would still be unconscious. It was a statement, not a question. The mermaid pressed her forehead to the floor, as if begging for forgiveness. Her fingers dug into the cold marble. Her body trembled¡ªbut not from pain. ¡ª I¡­ failed¡­ my lord, I can¡ª ¡ª Noisy. The word was spoken with absolute boredom, yet it struck her like a thin, precise blade. She shut her eyes quickly, holding her breath. ¡ª The fledgling¡­ was protected. I underestimated how quickly they would react. The shark¡­ her breath faltered for a second as she recalled the blow that nearly tore her apart, he was stronger than expected. Silence filled the hall. The man¡¯s fingers slid over the armrest of the throne. ¡ª The fledgling should be here. My lady should have already come to me. His words were silk wrapped in steel. The mermaid shuddered but did not retreat. ¡ª I¡­ will make up for my failure. He observed her for a long moment. His blue eyes, beautiful and glacial, did not blink. Then, he leaned forward slightly. ¡ª That is evident¡­ Otherwise, for what other reason would I save a useless piece? The pressure around her intensified. She felt the water closing in, as if the castle itself wished to crush her merely for making the king lean forward. But only for an instant. The man reclined back onto his throne, waving a hand dismissively. ¡ª Recover. You will still be of use to me. The pale mermaid clenched her fists. She knew he did not care about her pain. She was nothing more than a tool in this moment. But tools could cut. And she still desired power. The man averted his gaze, already disinterested. ¡ª This time, I want you to do something more¡­ how shall I put it?¡­ less violent. The mermaid nodded, gritting her teeth. The man tilted his head slightly, as if savoring the words before speaking them. Then, he smiled. The gesture was rehearsed, practiced to exhaustion, and yet¡­ empty. A perfect, elegant, calculated smile¡ªdevoid of anything human. All of it, just for his beloved. ¡ª I want you to convince my lady¡­ to become female. The silence that followed was different. She remained motionless, every muscle in her body rigid. She wanted to clean her ears, to ensure she had not heard incorrectly. But she did not dare move. The king sighed, his gaze drifting to his own hands, as if the matter was serious rather than trivial. ¡ª She should have been born female, but¡­ unfortunately, she was born as one of those who only differentiate over time. The pale mermaid blinked slowly. Then, she swallowed dryly. ¡ª ¡­Yes, my lord. I will do as you command. He did not look at her. He merely flicked his hand lazily. ¡ª Why are you still here? You have your mission. Go. And do not fail me again, Vivien. She left the hall as fast as she could. But as she swam through the castle¡¯s luxurious corridors, her mind sank into something else. Why would a being so powerful, even bound, care so much about the gender of a fledgling who had barely reached three months of age? She kept swimming. Then, something gleamed in her mind. A venomous thought. Vivien smiled. For the first time, she allowed her lips to part, revealing rows of needle-sharp teeth. The idea took shape¡ªdeepening, refining, becoming something tangible. Yes¡­ This could be useful. This could be very useful. 85 - Hatred of a Man 85 - Hatred of a Man Nexha woke up with his body aching and his mind burning. The nightmare from the previous night, which once left him afraid, now only fueled his fury. His breathing was still uneven, and the heat inside him refused to subside completely. It was as if something inside his skin had been broken and forcibly rebuilt. He moved to get up, but the weight of his own body felt different¡ªhis movements were clumsy, and pain throbbed in every fiber of his being. He touched his own tail, feeling the difference. The texture of the scales, the firmness of the muscles, the lengthening of the fins¡­ Nothing truly felt like his. He had wanted to grow slowly, adapting calmly to the changes. But that right had been stolen from him. And the memory of the man in the dream burned like fire in his mind. That sickly sweet voice that made his skin crawl. That cold touch that sent shivers of disgust through him. The way he spoke, as if everything had already been decided. As if he had no choice. He couldn¡¯t remember ever being this furious since he died. But those words haunted him more than anything else: "Soon, you¡¯ll be ready to become a beautiful woman, just as I remember." The thought made Nexha tremble with hatred. ¡ª I¡¯ll show that son of a... He cut himself off before finishing the sentence, remembering that the baby could hear him curse. With a sudden movement, he got up, ignoring the dizziness, and left the bamboo house without looking back. The cold morning water soothed his overheated skin, but it wasn¡¯t enough to calm the pain still coursing through him. He swam to his platform and looked at the forge. His blood boiled with uncontrollable rage. ¡ª Today... I will forge with my hatred. If his copper knife had transformed beyond his expectations through his determination, then this weapon¡­ this weapon would be forged with his deepest hatred. Nexha grabbed the materials without hesitation, pouring the copper and tin into the stone pot. 67% copper, 33% tin. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Precision and control were difficult for him right now; his body still didn¡¯t obey like before. The forge¡¯s fire crackled, but it wasn¡¯t enough. He needed more. His fingers crushed and broke dry pieces of moray algae to fuel the fire further. The heat around him was suffocating, but still not enough. So he let it burn hotter, let it grow. He prepared the mold with bamboo and moray algae, pressing every detail to craft a weapon with violent strength. It wasn¡¯t just a mold¡ªit was a prelude to the arrival of something new in this world. Hours passed. Hours where every second seemed to feed the temperature of the forge. His eyes never left the molten mixture as the metals fused into something new. When the metal was finally ready, he poured it into the mold. The hiss of the scalding metal meeting the damp sand made his skin prickle. Nexha watched the smoke rise and the metal take shape in the sand with ferocity. The temperature around him seemed to distort the air, and the smell burned his lungs. But still, he only waited. Waited as the metal battled to take form, while time slowly stole its heat, solidifying it mid-struggle. ¡ª Your time is up. And then, without hesitation, he plunged it into the freezing water. The explosion of steam shot up violently, and the sound of boiling bubbles echoed like thunder. It was as if the ocean itself was screaming at him. His chest rose and fell heavily, his muscles tense in a body that still refused to obey him. The metal gleamed in the water. The trident slowly sank as the mold broke apart, still hot, still burning with an unnatural golden glow. Even surrounded by the freezing water, the trident refused to lose its heat entirely. Then Nexha grabbed his creation and pulled it from the water. Without hesitation, he began refining the metal, each hammer strike accompanied by his fury. Each blow was an outburst of his anger. ¡ª I hate that pervert. Who gave him the right to decide for me? The hammer came down hard. ¡ª I hate his touch. I want to rip those hands off. Another strike. ¡ª I hate his voice. I hate the way he talks to me. I want to cut out that tongue. Another strike. ¡ª And I will take everything from him, so he never comes near me again. The strikes became faster, more precise, more controlled¡ªmore like himself mastering this new body. The metal shaped itself perfectly under his hands. With every hammer blow, Nexha felt his rage pulse within the weapon. He could feel the trident absorbing every fragment of hatred burning in his soul. When he finished sharpening the tips, a shiver ran down his spine. The weapon gleamed, emanating an aura that made even the air around it feel heavier. The metal exuded something wrong. Something dark. He barely needed to touch it to feel it. This weapon hated just as much as he did. And then, Nexha looked at what he had created. His heart pounded, and he didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡ª It¡¯s going to be a bit generic, but¡­ since I want to kill a guy on a throne, I¡¯ll call you King Slayer. The weapon shone with an intense crimson glow for a moment, and his eyes widened in shock. ¡ª I¡­ I think I overdid it a little¡­ Nexha felt his own breath hitch. The trident in his hands felt different¡ªit wasn¡¯t just a weapon. He looked at its status, afraid of what he had done. [Bronze Trident] Name: King Slayer Quality: Unique State: Normal Attack: 25 Title: The One Who Hates Ability: Hate Charge This weapon was forged with its creator¡¯s deep hatred. All of that rage has accumulated in the blade, imbuing it with a sinister aura. Anyone who comes near it will feel the fury radiating from this weapon. If the wielder feels hatred toward their enemy, the trident¡¯s damage will double in proportion to the intensity of their resentment. Additionally, the blade is designed with a guaranteed critical effect if used against a man''s lower regions. (This effect does not apply to women.) Nexha swallowed hard. The trident gleamed as if it were still alive. As if it were breathing along with him. His heart pounded. ¡ª I think this is how you create a monster¡­ 86 - In Love 86 - In Love Nexha gripped the trident tightly, feeling the weight of the weapon in his hands. The metal was still warm, pulsing faintly against his skin, as if it were breathing. A malicious grin spread across his face. ¡ª Obviously, now we¡¯re going to test you! The rage from before vanished in an instant, replaced by feverish excitement. After all, he had something¡­ no, someone powerful right in front of him. Something begging to be tested. With a strong flick of his tail, he launched himself off the platform, diving into the sea. The water enveloped him like a familiar embrace, but something was¡­ different. He could feel the currents with more clarity, each movement of his tail was more fluid, more precise. His body responded in a new way¡ªstronger. It was strange, but at the same time¡­ incredible. He swam effortlessly toward the Mother of Tides kelp forest, where marine life was most abundant. Fish of all colors danced through the waters, feasting on the red fruits sprouting from the algae like tiny, succulent tomatoes. But Nexha wasn¡¯t after them. He hid among the swaying plants, eyes sharp, waiting. Patience was essential for a hunter, and he wanted a prey worthy of his new weapon. Then, a silver shadow sliced through the kelp at high speed. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. His eyes gleamed at the sight of an old acquaintance. A massive swordfish glided through the water, its movements graceful, predatory. It was busy devouring smaller fish, its confidence unshakable¡ªlike the true ruler of that territory. Perfect. Nexha¡¯s grin widened. Adjusting his grip on the trident, he took a deep breath. And then he imagined that fish as a certain king¡¯s lower parts. All the hatred surged back into him for a moment. The thought ignited something inside him. A hot wave coursed through his body, and, as if responding to his fury, the trident glowed an intense crimson. ¡ª You¡¯ll feel this for him, little fish ¡ª he whispered. And he hurled the weapon. The water split apart in a razor-sharp trail, the trident tearing through the ocean like an underwater lightning bolt. There was no struggle. The impact was brutal. The trident didn¡¯t just pierce the fish¡ªit impaled it against a rock with overwhelming force. A muffled explosion echoed through the ocean, cracking the stone beneath it. Fragments crumbled, sinking like a shower of rubble. A jolt shot through Nexha¡¯s own body. He knew the weapon was powerful¡­ but he hadn¡¯t expected this. For a moment, he stood frozen, wide-eyed at what he had just done. Then, his mouth opened into a wicked, exhilarated laugh. ¡ª That was amazing! I can¡¯t wait to test it on the real king. He swam swiftly to the rock, inspecting his prey. The swordfish, a once-feared predator, was now nothing more than a lifeless, shattered body in three pieces against the stone, its blood clouding the water in a crimson veil. The trident still glowed. When Nexha pulled it free, a shiver ran down his spine. The weapon vibrated faintly in his hands¡ªsatisfied, as if it had just tasted something delicious for the first time. His heart pounded, and a smile formed on his lips. At that moment, this weapon was the most fun thing in the world to him. ¡ª I think I¡¯ve fallen in love. Grinning, he began cleaning the fish remains off the trident. Far, far away, seated on his throne within his castle, a certain man felt a strange pain and let out a huff. ¡ª My lady is so mischievous¡­ Ah¡­ How can I be jealous of a weapon? I must be getting old. 87 - Punished again?! 87 - Punished again?! Nexha returned home with a gleam in his eyes and a satisfied smile on his face. The swordfish was strapped to his back with a braided seaweed strip, and in his hands, the trident still vibrated with an almost living excitement. He could hardly wait to show off his new creation. As he approached the bamboo house, he saw Lilay sitting at the entrance, holding Jasper in his lap. The baby was clearly in a bad mood, waving his little arms as if protesting something. Lilay looked up and blinked, confused. ¡ª You... hunted a swordfish? Even though you''re grounded? Nexha flinched but quickly tapped the trident¡¯s tip on the ground, trying to appear confident. ¡ª I didn¡¯t get hurt this time! I wasn¡¯t reckless! Dad won¡¯t punish me that much... Lilay laughed at his expression, a comical mix of courage and apprehension. ¡ª Brother, you¡¯re getting yourself into trouble again. But if you want, I can say I hunted it for you. That way, you won¡¯t get scolded. ¡ª Over my dead body! I¡¯d rather get punished by Dad than let you steal my hunt. ¡ª I just wanted to help my little brother... ¡ª Help, my ass! You just want to steal my fish! If I let you have it, you wouldn¡¯t leave a single bone behind, you glutton. The two began to argue, while Jasper, ignoring his brothers¡¯ fight, stared at the trident with shining eyes of fascination. Suddenly, the baby squirmed out of Lilay¡¯s arms and swam quickly towards Nexha. Before they could react, Jasper stretched out his chubby hands and touched the sharp blade¡¯s tip. ¡ª What the hell... ¡ª Lilay exclaimed, darting forward to grab the little one. He pulled Jasper back into his arms, but the baby started squirming, clearly frustrated that his new "toy" had been taken away. ¡ª Did you forge this? Like that knife? ¡ª Lilay asked, inspecting the weapon more closely. ¡ª Yes! With my own hands! ¡ª Nexha puffed up his chest with pride. ¡ª I used copper and tin, with a little bit of hatred... Lilay narrowed his eyes. ¡ª A little bit of hatred? ¡ª I was mad at that guy showing up in my dreams! When I made the weapon, I filled it with rage! Lilay was silent for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh. ¡ª That... sounds dangerous. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Before he could say anything else, Jasper started crying, still reaching for the trident. Lilay held the baby more firmly. ¡ª Take that to Dad. Now. But if you want to avoid punishment, you can leave your hunt here. Nexha narrowed his eyes. ¡ª Nice try! I know you¡¯ll eat everything if I leave it lying around. ¡ª Nexha, please, look at Jasper. Isn¡¯t he cute? He needs meat to grow! ¡ª Don¡¯t hide behind the baby! Huffing, Nexha turned around and went to find Krahs. Krahs was sitting at the top of the platform, soaking up some sun. The air was still as Nexha approached. The man didn¡¯t even open his eyes before speaking: ¡ª Look who decided to show up... I thought it was impossible to lose track of someone who was supposedly grounded. Krahs¡¯s tone made Nexha shiver. His father didn¡¯t seem that angry, but the smile on his face said otherwise. Nexha swallowed hard. ¡ª I made a new weapon! And I didn¡¯t get hurt! I hunted with caution, like a real hunter! Krahs finally opened his eyes and analyzed the scene before him. First, he looked at the weapon. Then at the swordfish, still dripping blood. And finally, back to the weapon. A long sigh escaped his lips as he stood up. ¡ª Can I see it? Nexha hesitated. King Slayer was his. He could feel the weapon didn¡¯t like being touched by others. But he trusted Krahs. So, he handed over the trident. The moment Krahs¡¯s fingers touched the metal, the air seemed to grow heavier. Nexha felt a chill run down his spine. The way Krahs held the weapon... was different. Natural. As if it had been made for him. The man ran his fingers slowly over the shaft, feeling every detail of the forge. His expression was unreadable, but there was something there. A strange glint in his eyes. Then, without warning, he spun the trident. The air split apart. Nexha could barely follow a single movement. Silent and precise. By the time he realized, there was a clear mark on the stone floor where Krahs had struck. Nexha¡¯s stomach twisted. ¡ª It¡¯s a good weapon... ¡ª Krahs said in a low voice. ¡ª But that doesn¡¯t justify you disobeying me. Cold sweat trickled down Nexha¡¯s neck. ¡ª This thing... shouldn¡¯t be in your hands. Nexha blinked, confused. ¡ª What? Why? I made it! Krahs looked at him, his face serious. ¡ª Kid... rage isn¡¯t something to play with. He spun the trident again, this time more slowly. Nexha¡¯s eyes followed the motion, both fascinated and afraid. ¡ª You think you feel hatred, Nexha? ¡ª Krahs continued. ¡ª I know you¡¯re angry. Frustrated... I am too. But that¡¯s not real hatred. His voice changed. It became heavier, darker. ¡ª Real hatred is something that consumes you. That builds up. That grows and grows until there¡¯s nothing left of you. He gripped the trident firmly. ¡ª Real hatred... isn¡¯t a momentary impulse. It¡¯s a weight. Something you carry for years. Something that rips pieces off you, but you refuse to let go of. Krahs¡¯s eyes gleamed for an instant. ¡ª You¡¯ve never seen what a man full of hatred can do. But I¡¯ve also never seen someone get rid of all their little grudges by pouring them into a weapon like you did. Silence fell between them. Nexha felt a knot in his stomach. Because, looking at Krahs now, he saw something he sometimes preferred to ignore. His father wasn¡¯t just a strong man. He wasn¡¯t just a skilled hunter. He was a man full of repressed hatred. But unlike Nexha, he knew exactly what to do with it. Nexha swallowed hard. Krahs sighed, finally returning the trident. ¡ª You¡¯re grounded. ¡ª Again?! But I¡ª ¡ª One month without hunting. And forget about working with metal for a long time. If I see you firing up that forge for anything other than cooking, you¡¯ll regret it. Nexha opened his mouth to protest but quickly closed it. He held King Slayer and looked at the weapon with a new weight in his chest. Maybe... maybe this weapon had never been meant for him. And yet, he didn¡¯t understand how he had unknowingly made a weapon for his father. In the end, he accepted his punishment, even as the thought crossed his mind: The system manipulated me again. He wanted to laugh at himself. But if his father saw him laughing, he¡¯d get an even worse punishment. 88 - Windmill 88 - Windmill Nexha sat on the platform, swinging his tail in the water and watching the rice plants he had planted some time ago. A sigh escaped him involuntarily. He was still grounded. No hunting, no forging¡­ even the Kingslayer was with Krahs. He frowned. ¡ª What do I do now...? For a moment, he considered using the leftover clay from building the furnace to make pots. Maybe he could mold some storage pieces... But the memory of Krahs'' firm voice quickly made him discard the idea. "No using the furnace for anything other than food." He huffed, throwing himself backward and staring at the sky. ¡ª This sucks... The wind blew softly, making the rice plants sway. A stray leaf floated directly onto his face. Nexha blinked and slowly pulled it away. Watching that small leaf carried by the wind, a new idea struck him. ¡ª What if I built a windmill?! He jumped to his feet. If he built a windmill, he could grind the rice into flour! And with it, he could cook something different, something tastier! He loved fish, but eating the same thing over and over sometimes made him sick of it. If he ground the rice, maybe he could mix it with other ingredients... make more nutritious soups... His tail swayed excitedly at the thought. ¡ª I¡¯m a genius! Without wasting time, he began swimming around the platform, mentally planning the structure. He would need bamboo for the base, some heavy stones to stabilize it, and he¡¯d have to come up with a system that used the wind to turn the blades... While lost in thought, he felt eyes on him. He turned and came face to face with Krahs, who was watching him with arms crossed. Nexha¡¯s enthusiasm shrank a little. ¡ª What are you up to now? ¡ª Krahs asked, his tone slightly suspicious. Nexha hesitated for a moment but quickly puffed out his chest. ¡ª A windmill! To grind rice! Krahs raised an eyebrow, evaluating his son. ¡ª Hm... For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then, unexpectedly, Krahs let out a small smile. ¡ª Try not to get into trouble while doing it. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. ¡ª I¡¯ll try¡­ just a little. Krahs sighed, but his expression was more relaxed. ¡ª If you need help with the structure, ask Lilay. But don¡¯t overdo it. You¡¯re still grounded. ¡ª Yes, sir... Nexha muttered, but inside, he was excited. As soon as Krahs left, he went back to dreaming about his windmill, its uses, and even how he could create different foods! Cakes? Bread? He didn¡¯t know exactly what he could make, but the idea of experimenting already thrilled him. ¡ª Okay, I need stones to grind the rice. But I also need an axle... His excitement grew, but he soon hit a wall. Where would he find stones strong enough? The kelp forest had bamboo, but he needed something lightweight for the blades. ¡ª Tsk... I guess I¡¯ll check the store. Nexha opened his interface. The store had always been there, available, but he avoided using it because he didn¡¯t want to spend his precious money. ((Store)/) ((MD: 4,800)/) Welcome to the store, user! Here you can buy whatever you need for your world conquest. Stop whining (?^-^?)
  • Food/ Medicine - Slaves
  • Skills - Magic Items
  • Miners - Animals/ Pets
  • Plant Materials - Accessories
  • Clothes/ Armor - Technology
Scrolling through the material list, he found exactly what he needed: a set of basalt stones, which he would have to carve into the right shape. The price wasn¡¯t outrageous, but it still made his stingy heart ache. ¡ª Better not think too much about it... He confirmed the purchase. An instant later, the stones were there beside him, as if they had always been part of the environment. Nexha grinned. ¡ª Now we¡¯re talking! Time to build! He examined the newly acquired stones with a critical eye. They were heavy and durable, exactly what he needed to grind the rice, but they still didn¡¯t have the right shape. He began carving the top stone to make it more rounded and added some grooves, like a giant gear, to connect it to other parts. Above the stones, he built a pyramid-shaped structure to support the spinning components. He wanted to build a vertical windmill, like the ones he used to make in a blocky game with his friends. That way, he wouldn¡¯t need a very tall tower. He chose this model because he knew he couldn¡¯t build something large enough. But now came the hard part: turning this idea into something functional. He looked at the moray-kelp bamboo around him. They¡¯d be great for the structure... but the blades... those seemed to be the hardest part. ¡ª Hm... this is going to be trickier than I thought... ¡ª he murmured, scratching his head. Taking a deep breath, he started with the base. He cut bamboo into equal sizes, creating a sturdy support for the stones. He worked patiently, tying each part together with seaweed strips to reinforce the structure. He bent the bamboo with his hands, and with some effort, managed to assemble something that looked... relatively stable. ¡ª This won¡¯t fall... I think. Now, the blades. He tried cutting thin strips of bamboo and attaching them to a makeshift wheel. But as soon as he tried to spin it, the whole thing collapsed. ¡ª Oh, great... I miss Nalu and the ¡°unbreakable¡± things she makes. Frustrated, he tried again, this time using larger pieces and curving them to improve durability. But the wind barely moved them. ¡ª How do people make these things work?! After a few more failed attempts, he realized he needed a thinner material, something that could catch the wind better. He started shaving down the bamboo until it was lighter. It was a time-consuming process, and by the end, his hands were covered in splinters. Finally, after much effort, he managed to build something that at least spun when the wind hit it. He smiled, satisfied, watching the blades slowly turn. He made a stone gear with a hole in the center and connected it to the windmill¡¯s axle. As soon as he fitted a second gear between the mill and the stone, as if by magic, the millstone started to rotate. ¡ª Yes! It worked! The next step was to test the stones. He grabbed a handful of lucky crab shells and watched as the mill turned. A rough grinding sound echoed as the shells were crushed. Nexha paused and grinned widely at the result: a fine red powder. He couldn¡¯t hold back a maniacal laugh from how happy he was. ¡ª Muahahaha! No more sore hands grinding these crabs! He stood up and dusted off his hands, admiring his creation. Now, he just needed the rice plants to mature so he could test everything at full power. He was so excited about his new achievement that he didn¡¯t even realize it was already night. The old shark¡¯s stare made Nexha freeze. ¡ª Time to sleep. Stop laughing hysterically. Nexha shrank back, fearing yet another punishment. 89 - Flour 89 - Flour The next morning, Nexha woke up and drank his milk, delighted once again by the taste of his favorite seasoning: lucky crab powder. The strong flavor mixed slightly with the milk, a small detail that made his breakfast all the more satisfying. However, his peace was abruptly interrupted when Jasper launched himself at him, biting his arm with all the strength his tiny teeth could muster. The baby seemed particularly angry that morning. ¡ª What now?! ¡ª Nexha grumbled, lightly shaking his arm, but Jasper wouldn¡¯t let go. The answer came in the form of an irritated grumble, followed by another bite. ¡ª Ah¡­ I forgot to give you milk yesterday, didn¡¯t I? Jasper huffed, confirming it with a grunt. His teeth weren¡¯t sharp enough to pierce Nexha¡¯s tough skin, but having the baby clinging to him was uncomfortable enough to make him sigh and give in. He quickly grabbed a bottle of milk and handed it to the little one. Satisfied, Jasper finally let go of Nexha¡¯s arm and started drinking beside him, still glaring with a pout. As soon as he finished, Nexha left the house, swimming up to the surface, where the fresh morning breeze hit his skin. His fins trembled with excitement as he swam toward the fields, where the rice plants swayed gently in the water. The stalks were tall, golden, and heavy with ripe grains. It was harvest time. ¡ª Finally! ¡ª he exclaimed, rubbing his hands together. He grabbed his knife but hesitated for a moment. He had never harvested rice before. How was he supposed to do it? Just cut everything at once? Pull the grains straight from the plant? ¡ª Hm¡­ I guess I¡¯ll just¡­ cut and see what happens. With a swift motion, he slid the blade through the base of the stalks and grabbed a handful of freshly harvested rice. He repeated the process a few times, piling up bundles of rice in his arms. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. The scent of freshly cut straw was different¡ªfresh and slightly sweet. After filling a large basket made of moray-algae bamboo, he let out a relieved sigh. ¡ª Good thing I borrowed this from Nalu¡­ I don¡¯t think I could¡¯ve made one this sturdy. The thought of Nalu brought an unexpected weight to Nexha¡¯s chest. It was strange going so long without hearing her, without seeing her test her ¡°unbreakable¡± knot inventions. He scrunched his nose, pushing the thoughts away before the longing became too much. With the basket full, he swam back to the platform and dumped everything onto the stone floor. Now came the tiring part¡ªthreshing the grains. ¡ª This should be easy, right? Just¡­ beat them? He grabbed a bundle and started shaking it against the platform. A few grains fell off, but most remained stubbornly stuck in their husks. ¡ª Okay¡­ maybe not so easy. Frustrated, he tried another method¡ªusing a bone comb he found nearby. ¡ª Much better¡­ I just have to return it later so Nalu doesn¡¯t notice I¡¯m using her stuff while she¡¯s away. With the grains properly separated, Nexha grabbed a handful of rice still in its husks and poured it between the grinding stones of the mill. The mechanism started turning slowly, crushing the husks and gradually releasing the flour. ¡ª Now I just need to make the dough and cook! He was excited, already imagining the possibilities¡ªdumplings, soups, maybe even something completely new¡­ But his enthusiasm was suddenly cut short by a shiver down his spine. He turned around slowly¡ªonly to be met with Krahs, staring at him with a deeply suspicious look. ¡ª You¡­ are really going to eat that, Nexha? ¡ª Krahs¡¯ serious tone made Nexha blink in confusion. ¡ª Yeah? But not like this, of course. I¡¯m still going to cook it. Krahs¡¯ gaze shifted slowly from the mill to the rice and the freshly ground flour. His expression was neutral, but Nexha noticed a faint blush on his cheeks. ¡ª Alright¡­ ¡ª Krahs said, clearing his throat. ¡ª But if you feel anything strange, stop eating immediately. The serious tone caught Nexha off guard. ¡ª Huh? Okay¡­? Krahs nodded, still looking slightly uncomfortable. ¡ª Just don¡¯t overdo it. He turned and left, but Nexha couldn¡¯t help but notice that his adoptive father kept glancing back at the flour as he walked away. Silence hung in the air for a moment. Then, suddenly, realization struck. Nexha¡¯s eyes widened before he burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. ¡ª HAHAHA! Does he¡­ does he think this is some kind of aphrodisiac?! His jaw ached from laughing so hard, and he had to lean against the platform to keep from falling over. ¡ª Does he think I made a love potion?! The idea of Krahs suspecting the flour was so absurd that Nexha nearly toppled backward. Still laughing, he wiped a tear from his eye. ¡ª Well¡­ at least now I know he doesn¡¯t understand anything about cooking! With a mischievous grin, he turned back to the flour. It was time to cook! 90 - Family dinner 90 - Family dinner Nexha took a deep breath, still chuckling at Krahs¡¯ reaction, and clapped his hands excitedly. ¡ª Alright! Time to cook! He looked at the flour spread over the stone and scratched his chin. He had never done anything like this before. Normally, he just roasted or grilled meat and fish, but this¡­ this was new. ¡ª Hm¡­ where do I start? His tail swayed from side to side as he thought. He could try mixing the flour with water to make a dough, but then what? How would he cook it? ¡ª A stone pot shouldn¡¯t be too hard to make. After all, I¡¯ve practiced sculpting a lot. He took a large piece of basalt left over from shaping the millstone and started crafting the pot. Once it was ready, he washed it and put a handful of flour inside. Then, he added some water, stirring with two bamboo sticks¡ªafter all, making chopsticks was much easier than making spoons or forks for now¡ªuntil he formed a slightly sticky dough. ¡ª Okay, I think this is good. I hope it¡¯s not too salty from the seawater¡­ Maybe I should make a desalinator later to separate the salt from the water. Yeah, that¡¯s a project for the future. As he thought about more things to build, the dough was slowly taking shape. To his surprise, the mixture came together with ease. ¡ª This could be interesting¡­ Maybe the rice in this world has some unique properties, or maybe I should have cooked more things with rice before to know if this was normal. He wanted to go beyond just a simple dough, so he shaped the mixture into small flat cakes and decided to fry them. He took a smooth stone, heated it over the fire, and poured a bit of fish oil before placing the cakes on top. The dough began to sizzle immediately, releasing a unique aroma into the air. The toasted scent blended with the salty ocean breeze and the strong smell of the oil. ¡ª This¡­ smells really good. He flipped the cakes with his improvised chopsticks and watched the edges turn golden. The scent intensified, and his stomach growled loudly. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. ¡ª Hehe, I think I made something really good! Once the cakes were done, he took them off the stone and blew on them before taking a bite. The flavor exploded in his mouth. A light crunch on the outside, a soft and slightly sticky interior, the salty touch from the seawater. ¡ª This is amazing! Nexha was so surprised that he ate the first cake in seconds. He grabbed another and took a bite, still in awe. ¡ª Heh¡­ I¡¯m a genius, even in cooking! Excited, he started making more cakes. Since he had successfully fried them, maybe he could try something else. He emptied the stone pot and filled it with water and raw rice that he decided not to grind. As the water started bubbling, the sweet aroma of the rice became more noticeable. ¡ª Okay, now I just have to wait. Sitting on the edge of the platform, he watched the rice cook and felt a strange pang in his chest. He glanced at the bamboo basket he had borrowed from Nalu and sighed. ¡ª She would love this¡­ Not just her, if Lilay comes here, all the rice I harvested today will be gone¡­ But it still felt strange to cook something new without anyone around to give their opinions or complain that he was doing everything in a weird and unconventional way. He could almost imagine her face, saying he was wasting too many materials or that the mill looked like a strange monster. ¡ª Hah¡­ Zhaelor would just be a suck-up¡­ I miss them. I hope they come back soon. He poked the rice with his chopsticks, watching how the texture changed as it cooked. Before he could think any further, the sound of footsteps caught his attention. He turned and saw Krahs approaching. The shark looked at the pot and then at Nexha. ¡ª You''re still messing with that¡­ thing? Nexha held back a laugh. ¡ª Yes, Dad. I''m cooking. Krahs frowned, clearly suspicious. ¡ª This¡­ smells like normal food. ¡ª Because it is normal food. Krahs glanced at the pot again and, after a long sigh, sat down next to his son. ¡ª Hm. So, what did you make? Nexha grabbed a fried cake and held it out to Krahs with a mischievous smile. ¡ª Want to try? The shark¡¯s expression was pure distrust. ¡ª Are you sure this is safe? ¡ª Hehe, Dad, it loses all its effect when cooked or ground. Krahs narrowed his eyes but didn¡¯t refute Nexha¡¯s lie. He hesitantly picked up the cake and took a small bite. Nexha barely held in his laughter as his father¡¯s expression subtly changed. ¡ª Hm. Silence. Krahs chewed a little more, looked at the cake in his hand, then at Nexha. ¡ª ¡­It¡¯s good. Nexha¡¯s heart swelled with pride. ¡ª See? I told you! Krahs finished the cake without another word and glanced at the pot. ¡ª And those? ¡ª They¡¯re still cooking. Want to wait and try them? The shark shrugged. ¡ª If it loses its effect when cooked, I guess I can risk it. This time, Nexha had to use all his strength to hold back his laughter. And so, father and son waited together for the rice to finish cooking, while Nexha, deep down, felt a little less alone that morning. After all, the smell had attracted the rest of his family, and soon they were all gathered together, enjoying rice, fried cakes, and fish for dinner. 91 - They are back 91 - They are back The next day, Nexha was still savoring his culinary success when a new idea popped into his mind. He looked at the basket still full of grains. He had tried fried cakes and cooked rice, but what if he made something creamier? He grabbed a handful of grains he had used for cooked rice, then poured more saltwater into the pot and started stirring. The rice slowly broke down, creating a more porridge-like texture. ¡ª This should be good for Jasper¡­ or for when I''m too lazy to chew. The scent rising from the pot was mild, slightly sweet. When he tasted it, he realized it was saltier than expected, but not in a bad way. It needed something to balance it. His eyes fell on the pieces of fish he had set aside to fry later. Without thinking too much, he took small boneless pieces and tossed them into the porridge, stirring so they would cook in the hot mixture. The smell of fish mixed with rice was tempting. He scooped up a bit of the mixture with a spoon he had made in the morning¡ªsince Lilay and Jasper couldn¡¯t use chopsticks¡ªblew on it, then took a bite. The texture was creamy, but there were still soft fish pieces that gave a bit of resistance when chewing. The fish added a more complex flavor, breaking the excess saltiness. ¡ª Look at that¡­ this is comforting. He smiled to himself. It might not have been extraordinary, but it had a comforting taste, like a dish meant for a cold day. He couldn''t explain why, but it brought a feeling of warmth. As he finished eating, he heard footsteps behind him. Lilay appeared with a sleepy expression, eyes half-closed and hair messy. ¡ª What are you doing? ¡ª Cooking. Lilay approached and looked at the pot. ¡ª That looks like fish egg paste¡­ but it smells good. ¡ª It tastes way better than fish egg paste, I can guarantee that. Without asking for permission, Lilay took some with his fingers and put it in his mouth. Nexha waited for his reaction. His brother chewed slowly, furrowing his brow, then shrugged. ¡ª Hm. It¡¯s edible. Nexha scoffed. ¡ª That¡¯s it? ¡ª I prefer fried food. Lilay looked around and spotted the fried cakes Nexha had made for breakfast. Without hesitation, he grabbed one and took a bite. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. ¡ª Now, this is good. Make more. ¡ª You could at least ask, you know? And it¡¯s morning... I¡¯m only making more for dinner. ¡ª Then I''ll eat all of them so I won¡¯t be hungry until dinner. Lilay just grinned mischievously, already munching on a second cake, then grabbed the whole basket and ran off. ¡ª Glutton. After the success of the fried cakes and porridge, Nexha had another idea. He looked at the rice flour and wondered if he could make something more solid, like bread. He mixed the flour with saltwater, trying to create a firmer dough. The result was something sticky that was unlikely to turn into bread. ¡ª Hm¡­ maybe I need something to ferment this¡­ and milk and eggs, unfortunately, I don¡¯t have animals that produce those kinds of byproducts. Since he also didn¡¯t have yeast, he decided to try anyway. He shaped small flat discs and placed them to bake directly on a hot stone beside the fire. The smell wasn¡¯t bad, but it took a while to cook fully. When he picked one up and broke it in half, he saw it was cooked inside but dense. He took a bite and chewed. It was¡­ edible. But it lacked the flavor that would make him consider it real bread. ¡ª It¡¯s missing everything to be real bread, and it''s as hard as bread that¡¯s been forgotten for days. Nexha sighed as he realized. ¡ª Looks like bread won¡¯t be viable for now. Trying not to dwell on the failure, he moved on to a new test. Nexha took the fish pieces and decided to try something different. Instead of simply grilling them, he coated them in rice flour before frying. He dipped the pieces in saltwater, then breaded them in flour and placed them on the hot stone with fish oil. The sizzling sound was satisfying. The smell rose quickly, making Lilay return, curious about the scent. ¡ª Now this smells really good. ¡ª Of course it does. Your brother is the best and only cook in this world. Once the fish turned golden, he took it off the heat and let it cool before taking a bite. The crispy crust cracked with the first bite, revealing the tender, juicy fish inside. ¡ª This¡­ this is really good. Lilay grabbed one and bit into it without hesitation. His eyes widened. ¡ª Hey, this is way better than the porridge! Make more! ¡ª You really only like fried food¡­ At that moment, Krahs appeared, drawn by the smell. He crossed his arms, watching the two devour the fish. ¡ª What are you two up to now? Eating all the fish before dinner¡­ Nexha held out a piece of fried fish. ¡ª Want to try? Krahs hesitated. After the "shock" with the rice, he still didn¡¯t fully trust Nexha¡¯s cooking. But the smell was good. He took a piece, bit into it slowly, and chewed. His eyes narrowed slightly, then he gave a small approving nod. ¡ª Hm. This is good. Nexha smiled victoriously. While everyone was busy tasting the new food, a loud sound caught their attention. ¡ª We¡¯re back! Nalu¡¯s voice echoed through the area. Nexha turned and saw his older sister arriving with a large bag on her back. Behind her, Zhaelor walked with a calm smile. ¡ª Hey! You guys took forever! ¡ª Nexha complained, but his tone carried a hint of relief. ¡ª We had to take care of a few things¡­ ¡ª Nalu replied with a mysterious smile. Zhaelor approached, picking Nexha up effortlessly. He seemed surprised to see him looking more mature. Nexha frowned. ¡ª What happened to you? You¡¯re huge! ¡ª Not as much as you. I can¡¯t reach the size of a sperm whale. Zhaelor let out a loud laugh. Meanwhile, Nalu placed the bag down carefully and smiled. ¡ª Say hello to the new family members. Nexha and Lilay exchanged curious yet suspicious glances and looked at the bag. Two small eggs, a mix of blue, green, and a slight light brown shade, gleamed under the sunlight. The children''s eyes sparkled, and Lilay immediately shouted. ¡ª The barracuda gave you eggs too! Nexha collapsed onto the ground in hysterics, realizing Lilay¡¯s innocence. Zhaelor spat out water as he laughed, joining Nexha. Krahs watched the scene silently, trying to hold back his laughter. Nalu patted Lilay¡¯s head as he looked confused about why everyone was laughing at him. Amidst the commotion, even Jasper, who had been sleeping near the rice basket, woke up. He looked at all the noisy adults, stuffed two pieces of seaweed in his ears, and tried to go back to sleep. 92 -Differences 92 -Differences When the laughter finally died down, Nexha was still on the ground, trying to catch his breath. He stared at the eggs shimmering under the sunlight, his mind working to process this new information. ¡ª Wait¡­ are they really yours? ¡ª he asked, his voice carrying a tone of disbelief. ¡ª Yes ¡ª Nalu answered with a serene smile, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Lilay crouched beside the eggs, observing them with fascination but not daring to touch them, as if they were too precious. ¡ª They¡¯re beautiful¡­ ¡ª he murmured, his eyes shining with curiosity. Zhaelor leaned in to get a better look, analyzing the eggs with interest. ¡ª They¡¯re sturdy¡­ they¡¯ll hatch into strong little ones. Krahs, who had been silently watching, crossed his arms and looked at Nalu with a mix of curiosity and something that seemed¡­ like relief? ¡ª Well¡­ you finally got what you wanted. Congratulations, sea wolf. Nalu chuckled softly. ¡ª Took a while, but yes. Nexha finally got up, crossing his arms. Something about him was still tense, as if he couldn¡¯t accept this scene so easily. ¡ª So¡­ who¡¯s the father? The question came out more directly than he intended, but Nalu¡¯s response came without hesitation. ¡ª Ah, it was just a momentary passion with a male from a species that doesn¡¯t raise their offspring with the female. Silence fell over the group like a heavy wave. Nexha blinked, confused. ¡ª You¡­ what? Nalu tilted her head, still calm. ¡ª It was a one-night thing, Nexha. I wanted to have children, and I found someone suitable for it. He went his way, and now I have the eggs. There was something about the way she said it so naturally that made a knot form in Nexha¡¯s stomach. His chest grew hot with frustration and anger. ¡ª You¡¯re joking, right?! You¡¯re going to raise them alone?! This time, Nalu raised an eyebrow. ¡ª Yes. Why does that bother you so much? ¡ª What do you mean?! You just laid two eggs into the world and don¡¯t even know if their father is alive or dead?! Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. ¡ª I know he¡¯s alive ¡ª she corrected, rolling her eyes slightly. ¡ª That¡¯s not the point! Lilay and Zhaelor exchanged glances, feeling the tension rise between the two. Krahs let out a long sigh, already anticipating where this conversation was going. Nexha gestured with his hands, his impatience bubbling inside him. ¡ª How can you just decide that on your own?! Children should have both a mother and a father, shouldn¡¯t they? Nalu sighed, crossing her arms, her tone now more patient. ¡ª Nexha, you¡¯re reacting like this is something absurd. But actually, it¡¯s a lot more common than you think. He frowned, his jaw tightening. ¡ª What do you mean?! ¡ª There are many species that don¡¯t raise their young with a partner. Some leave their eggs hidden so they hatch on their own¡­ Lilay, who was about to raise his hand to ask something, was discreetly stopped by Krahs, who gently lowered his arm before he could interrupt. Nalu continued. ¡ª ¡­ and there are even species where the males are the ones responsible for raising them. For my species, this isn¡¯t strange at all. Nexha felt his heart pound. Her argument made sense¡­ but that wasn¡¯t what was truly bothering him. He clenched his fists. ¡ª But¡­ what if they ask about their father in the future? What will you say? Nalu gave a small smile. ¡ª The truth. That he was someone who helped me have them and then went his way. That doesn¡¯t mean the hatchlings will grow up without a family. They¡¯ll have me¡­ and you all. Nexha opened his mouth to argue but shut it again. He looked at the eggs, then back at Nalu. She didn¡¯t seem hesitant or regretful. On the contrary¡­ she seemed firm in her decision. But how could she be so calm about this? ¡ª Do you really think this is normal? ¡ª his voice came out quieter, but still filled with frustration. ¡ª For me, yes. ¡ª But¡­! He felt a heavy hand rest on his shoulder and turned to see Krahs beside him. ¡ª Nexha ¡ª his voice was calm but firm. ¡ª You come from a species that forms pairs to raise their young together. I understand why this feels strange to you. It¡¯s your instinct telling you something is wrong. Nexha felt his chest tighten. So that¡¯s why he was so upset? Or was it something deeper? He knew that in his past life, his mother had raised him and his siblings alone. It felt like a part of himself had resurfaced. Nalu looked at him now with a more understanding gaze. ¡ª I should have realized this would be hard for you to accept ¡ª she said, her voice softer. He looked away. ¡ª I¡­ just didn¡¯t expect this¡­ The tension finally seemed to ease, when a loud sound broke the silence: ¡ª Grrrrr¡­ Lilay hugged his own stomach, which was growling desperately. ¡ª Okay, okay, as long as Nalu takes care of them, I don¡¯t see a problem. But can we eat now?! Nexha, all that food you made is getting cold! The tension in Nexha¡¯s body loosened a little. He took a deep breath, running a hand over his face. ¡ª Forget it. Eat whatever you want. I¡¯ll be back later. And he walked away, still feeling his heart racing, but now without so much anger. The feelings about himself and his siblings were stronger than he expected. At that moment, all he wanted was to cry a little from missing them. Everyone watched him go, but no one stopped him. Zhaelor crossed his arms. ¡ª He just needs time to understand. ¡ª I know ¡ª Nalu murmured, watching her younger brother disappear into the cabin. ¡ª I think I overwhelmed him a bit. Krahs chuckled, relaxing his shoulders. ¡ª That¡¯s true¡­ but he¡¯s smart. He¡¯ll accept it in time. The atmosphere began to relax. Zhaelor turned to Lilay. ¡ª So, what¡¯s for dinner? Lilay, already impatient, raised his arms as if he had just won a battle. ¡ª Fried fish! Nalu laughed. ¡ª Sounds good. Let¡¯s eat, then. And as the conversation returned to its lively tone, Nexha sat alone in the old nest, staring at the wall. He missed his old family. Even though he had a new one, the longing still consumed him. Small, pearl-like tears formed in his eyes. At that moment, he thought he was alone¡ª But someone approached. A shiver ran down his spine as a beautiful mermaid appeared, her hair, skin, and scales as white as snow. Her completely dark eyes reflected tiny points of light, making them look like a starry sky. Her delicate lips parted just slightly, barely revealing her teeth, as her voice rang like delicate wind chimes in a gentle breeze. ¡ª Why do you cry, little star? 93 - Embrace of a Serpent 93 - Embrace of a Serpent Nexha felt a shiver run down his spine as the mermaid¡¯s voice cut through the silence like an enchanted whisper. He slowly lifted his eyes, meeting those deep, black ones speckled with glowing dots¡ªlike a piece of the starry sky before him. Strangely, they captivated him. ¡ª Why do you cry, little star? Her voice was soft, like wind chimes touched by a gentle breeze, filled with a warmth that felt almost too real. He quickly wiped away his tears, irritated at being seen like this¡ªespecially by a lady. But no matter how much he wanted to move away, his muscles felt stiff, as if something invisible was holding him in place. ¡ª It¡¯s none of your business ¡ª he muttered, trying to look away. ¡ª Ah¡­ but of course, it is. The mermaid leaned in a little closer, her snowy-white hair falling around her face, framing those mysterious eyes. ¡ª I hate seeing such a bright star wither away like this. There was something in the way she spoke that made Nexha¡¯s chest tighten. It wasn¡¯t kindness¡­ he felt something deeper, a touch of envy hidden within her words, something that made his mind spin. ¡ª You miss them, don¡¯t you? ¡ª she continued, her voice dripping like honey. ¡ª They¡¯re not really your family, are they? They pretend to care so well¡­ but they¡¯re only here because you offer something new. His breath hitched for a moment, his hands tightening over his fins. ¡ª That¡­ doesn¡¯t matter ¡ª he whispered, but his voice came out weak. The mermaid chuckled softly, and for a moment, her eyes widened slightly, as if her excitement had made her lose control. Their dark depths seemed to swallow Nexha whole, and he felt a chill crawl up his spine. Her delicate mouth parted slightly, just enough for him to catch a glimpse of the sharp teeth behind those pale lips. Too quickly, she reined in her expression, but the damage was already done. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡ª You¡¯re a stranger among them, aren¡¯t you, Nexha? I know you feel it. Her voice was a seductive whisper, gliding through his mind like the cold breeze of the night. The smooth white scales of her tail brushed against him as she coiled around him slowly, like a snake preparing to strangle its helpless prey. ¡ª Why do you try so hard for them? They¡¯re so pathetic, aren¡¯t they? They don¡¯t understand even a fraction of your brilliance. He clenched his fists. What did she want from him? ¡ª That¡¯s not true. They accepted me¡­ ¡ª They accepted you because you¡¯re useful¡ªfor now. The mermaid interrupted, leaning in closer, letting her soft white hair graze against him. ¡ª But what if one day, you can¡¯t create anymore? What if one day you lose that ability, Nexha? Do you think they¡¯ll still look at you the same way¡­ or will they abandon you? Nexha¡¯s heart pounded against his ribs. He wanted to respond, to scream that it was a lie¡­ but the words lodged in his throat. ¡ª You¡¯re so afraid¡­ afraid of losing what you have now. The mermaid whispered as she gently lifted his chin with her cold hands, forcing him to look directly into her eyes. ¡ª But what if I told you there¡¯s a way to make sure they never leave you? She smiled, revealing all her needle-like teeth at once. A lump formed in his throat. No! This was just provocation, wasn¡¯t it? But¡­ what if it wasn¡¯t? What if it was a command? And if everything he was trying so hard to hold onto one day crumbled¡ªhe didn¡¯t want to be alone. ¡ª I¡­ He tried to speak, but his voice failed him. The mermaid retracted her teeth and gave him only the faintest smirk. And this time, her eyes gleamed intensely. For a moment, Nexha noticed something¡ªshe had stopped hiding her teeth. She was too excited. He saw the sharp glint of her needle-like fangs every time her lips parted slightly. ¡ª Ah¡­ I see now ¡ª her voice was almost a purr. ¡ª You already feel it, don¡¯t you? The fear of loneliness is so strong in you, little star. Deny it all you want, Nexha¡­ but the truth is already inside you. And the more you fight it¡­ the more it will consume you from within. Nexha gasped, his chest rising and falling rapidly. He wanted to run, to stand up and flee¡­ but his body wouldn¡¯t respond. He was already ensnared in the serpent¡¯s coils, unable to look away from those stars shining in the darkness of her eyes. ¡ª There¡¯s no need to be afraid ¡ª the mermaid whispered, drawing even closer. ¡ª I can help you¡­ I can show you what it means to be truly free from this fear and these fakes. All you have to do is let go of this useless resistance¡­ and accept the truth¡­ Nexha, you will once again be the king¡¯s lady and do everything I tell you. The truth. Her words echoed in his mind like a hypnotic song. Nexha squeezed his eyes shut, trying to drown out the storm inside him. But he knew¡­ he knew that something about her was making him think in a way that didn¡¯t belong to him¡ªas if she was trying to steal control of his body. And as much as he didn¡¯t want to admit it¡­ perhaps a part of him wanted to hear more. 94 - Playing with a Snake 94 - Playing with a Snake The grip around his body seemed to tighten little by little. The weight of the mermaid¡¯s cold tail kept him trapped, and her rough scales made everything even more uncomfortable. Her black eyes continued to pierce his mind, reflecting the stars like an endless abyss. Nexha felt his breath grow heavy, his head spinning, his own doubts growing like thorns inside him. ¡ª Just accept it, Nexha ¡ª the mermaid murmured, her voice alluring. ¡ª Fate is already decided for all of us, so why fight against it? The King has always had a plan for his beautiful star... ¡ª She smiled again, revealing her thin, sharp teeth. Her excitement shone through every feature of her face. The King. That word echoed in Nexha¡¯s mind, and something inside him twisted in rejection. Then, he felt a crack deep within, something breaking and leaking out, as if a cold hatred slithered up his spine. The vision of the man from his nightmares flashed before his consciousness. No... he didn¡¯t want to remember. Or rather, he hated remembering. The mermaid continued, her voice now almost a hypnotic chant: ¡ª The King always protects what is his, and if you return to who you were meant to be, you will never be alone again. ¡ª With cold fingers, she cupped his face, tilting it upward with forced gentleness. ¡ª Your body belongs to something greater, Nexha... Just let go of your doubts and follow me. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Crack. Something inside him gave way, but not in the way the mermaid wanted. The spell on him began to shatter, burning away beneath his rising fury. His chest heaved with rapid breaths, and his mind grew sharper with each second. How could he have fallen for such a blatant lie? But¡­ what if it was true? What if he was only delaying the inevitable? The loneliness... the fear... everything he had tried to bury now felt so real, so suffocating. Crack. Another fracture in his mind. An internal scream echoed¡ªbut this time, it wasn¡¯t his own. It was the system. For a brief moment, it was as if Luna, the entity governing his system, had shouted in his mind, furious that he had fallen so easily for a deceitful mermaid¡¯s spell. He blinked. The haze clouding his thoughts was rapidly dissipating. ¡ª If you accept your true form, you will never be alone again. ¡ª The mermaid¡¯s voice was a silky whisper, almost an enchanted promise. ¡ª Just leave this body behind... and become a woman, like me. Nexha¡¯s gaze narrowed. Lies. Everything about her was poison, each word an invisible chain trying to bind him. But he could see the cracks in her hypnotic melody. She thought she had him in her hands. Her mistake was underestimating him. He could still feel the tail coiled around him, her calculated and controlled movements trapping him like a snake preparing to devour a defenseless prey. But now, Nexha was no longer defenseless. He wasn¡¯t as good an actor as Lilay, but he could still deceive someone too confident in their own manipulation. If he wanted to escape, he had to pretend. And so, with his eyes gleaming in defiance, he decided to play along with her game... just long enough to turn the tables. 95 - Escape from a snake 95 - Escape from a snake For a moment, Nexha remained silent, still trapped by the mermaid¡¯s cold tail. His eyes gleamed with something different¡ªnot fear, not doubt. Something much worse for her: boredom. He sighed heavily. Had she really not realized that twenty minutes was way too long to keep repeating the same thing? Even if he hadn¡¯t broken free from the mind spell magically, you¡¯d think he would¡¯ve come to his senses after the ninth time she said, "You don¡¯t want to be alone, do you?" He had tried to wait and find a way to turn the game around, but he soon realized he wasn¡¯t much of an actor. Besides, the mermaid probably wouldn¡¯t even understand subtlety. So, he moved on to Plan B: making fun of her. ¡ª Wow, this is taking forever¡­ ¡ª he muttered, shifting his shoulder. ¡ª Does this speech have an end? Because, honestly, if I¡¯m so special, at least you could¡¯ve picked a better soundtrack. This is giving ¡®cartoon villain¡¯ vibes. The mermaid blinked, confused. ¡ª What¡­? Nexha widened his eyes in fake surprise. ¡ª Oh, sorry! You don¡¯t know what a cartoon is, huh? Let me explain! ¡ª He took on a patient teacher¡¯s tone, even putting a hand near his face as if adjusting imaginary glasses to complete the act. ¡ª It¡¯s like telling stories, but with moving pictures! Kind of like a synchronized school of fish, but with fewer fish and more coherence. The mermaid narrowed her eyes, irritated. ¡ª You¡¯re insane¡­ but it doesn¡¯t matter, as long as the king¡ª ¡ª The king this, the king that¡­ ¡ª Nexha rolled his eyes dramatically. ¡ª Wow, have you ever tried having an original thought? Or does he even tell you what to wear when you jump off a cliff? Wait, actually¡­ are deep-sea cliffs dangerous for you? Or do those teeth of yours make friends with all the creepy things down there? Bet they¡¯d still call you ugly on a date, huh? This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. The mermaid clenched her lips, showing her sharp teeth. ¡ª Watch your words, boy. ¡ª Oh, so you do have a limit, huh? ¡ª Nexha smirked. ¡ª You know, when you trapped me, I thought this was going to be terrifying. But now? Now it just feels like a bad history lesson I want to escape from as fast as possible. He tilted his head, looking deep into her eyes mockingly. ¡ª Although¡­ no. At least history teachers try to change topics sometimes. You, on the other hand, just keep going, ¡®The king this, the king that,¡¯ ¡®They¡¯ll leave you,¡¯ ¡®Become a female.¡¯ Does he pay you to be his spokesperson, or is it just an obsession? The tail around him tightened, but Nexha didn¡¯t lose his rhythm. ¡ª Oh, come on! I¡¯m just trying to understand. I mean, your paycheck must be good, or wait¡­ Did I steal your place as the favorite? Oh, sweetheart, if you really wanted to win his heart, maybe try using something else. With that ghostly, undead face of yours, you¡¯ve probably been haunting him for ages. The mermaid¡¯s teeth clenched so hard it looked like they might crack. Nexha chuckled softly, pretending to be sympathetic. ¡ª Oh no, are you really mad? Was it something I said? Was it the ¡®cartoon villain¡¯ part? Ah, my bad, my bad¡­ ¡ª He paused, pretending to think. ¡ª Want a better title? How about ¡®The King¡¯s Pet Fish¡¯? Or ¡®The Forgotten, Moldy Corpse Bride¡¯? I can keep going! The creature let out a guttural sound of frustration and finally released him, lunging forward to grab him another way¡ªlike she wanted to strangle his neck. But it was too late. Nexha was ready. With a swift movement, he pulled out an obsidian blade he had bought from the system and drove it straight into her hand. It pierced effortlessly. The mermaid¡¯s scream sent chills down his spine¡ªit didn¡¯t sound feminine at all. As she pulled the stone from her hand, Nexha, without hesitation, threw sand at her face, making it even harder for her to see. Still laughing, he gave an exaggerated bow. ¡ª Well, it was a pleasure almost getting brainwashed by you! Next time, try using a better argument than ¡®Become a woman because I said so.¡¯ Then, without wasting another second, Nexha dived into the water¡ªthe only escape route¡ªand swam toward the platform as fast as he could while the mermaid was distracted. The mermaid growled, ready to chase him, but then a shiver ran down her spine. The message from her king rang in her mind like a scream. ¡ª Run. The sperm whale is coming! She clenched her fists tightly and fled as fast as she could. 96 - Mortal Embarrassment 96 - Mortal Embarrassment Nexha dragged himself out of the water, feeling his muscles protest after his desperate escape. The pressure from the mermaid¡¯s tail had left his own tail numb, and swimming that fast had been pure torture. Despite the pain, he sighed in relief¡ªhe had made it out alive and in one piece. He barely had time to catch his breath before hearing a familiar voice. ¡ª Running away from a moray eel again, Nexha? Nexha lifted his head and met Lilay¡¯s curious smirk. ¡ª No, Lilay¡­ Worse. An old mermaid tried to kidnap me. The silence lasted only a second before being shattered by a collective reaction. ¡ª WHAT?! The unified shout echoed across the platform, so loud that even little Jasper, who had been happily chewing on a piece of fish offered by Nalu, choked and spat out his food. All eyes turned to Nexha in disbelief, but it was Krahs who reacted first. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡ª So that¡¯s why that sperm whale suddenly dived! Zhaelor, why the hell doesn¡¯t that giant idiot warn everyone?! He just dove out of nowhere without saying something that dangerous was nearby?! Without hesitation, Krahs grabbed the King Slayer. The trident reacted to his fury, glowing menacingly, as if it could feel its owner¡¯s rage. ¡ª Nalu, watch the kids! I¡¯ll stay underwater to make sure nothing dangerous comes up to the platform. And with that, Krahs jumped into the sea, disappearing quickly into the vast blue. Nexha sighed again, relieved that he was safe. He closed his eyes for a moment, only to snap them open in shock when he realized that Nalu had picked him up. ¡ª Huh?! ¡ª It must have been so scary, little Nexha¡­ ¡ª Nalu murmured, cradling him with exaggerated affection. Before he could protest, she started patting his back as if he were a baby that needed to burp. ¡ª I-I¡¯m fine! I don¡¯t need this! ¡ª Liar. ¡ª Lilay crossed his arms, clearly amused by the scene. Nexha¡¯s face turned bright red as he desperately tried to ignore the fact that he was way too close to two floating masses he definitely did not want to be near. ¡ª Lilay, shut up! ¡ª Oh, he¡¯s obviously relieved! ¡ª Lilay continued, completely ignoring his brother¡¯s outrage. ¡ª Nalu, he loves milk. He¡¯ll calm down real fast. ¡ª Oh! Unfortunately, I don¡¯t have much right now, but I can¡ª ¡ª NO! Put me down! I¡¯m way too grown to drink milk! Save that for Jasper and your babies! Nexha struggled in every possible way to escape, but Nalu seemed determined to convince him that he needed to be comforted. Luckily, she didn¡¯t have any milk at that moment¡ªbecause if she did, Nexha would never forgive himself. Even though he had only stopped being a baby physically a few days ago, the sheer embarrassment would have killed him on the spot. 97- Necessary Improvements 97- Necessary Improvements Nexha was still in Nalu¡¯s arms, struggling to break free from her suffocating embrace, when a persistent thought invaded his mind. The moray-algae wall was no longer viable. The mermaid had reached him with ease, not to mention the various predators that had been slipping in without much trouble. He barely had time to react when that shark appeared days ago... and if the mermaid hadn''t lost her patience with his provocations, he might still be trapped in that cold, sticky tail. The wall was useful for keeping out creatures too large to pass, but against any other threat from the sea, it was practically useless. ¡ª Let me go, Nalu! I need to think! ¡ª But you just went through a scare! ¡ª she insisted, rocking him as if he were a pup. ¡ª Nalu, I AM NOT A BABY! ¡ª Nexha threw himself out of her arms, hitting the stone floor with a painful thud. A moment later, he immediately regretted his not-so-brilliant idea. Lilay burst into laughter, and Jasper suddenly imitated Nexha¡¯s tone: ¡ª I am not a baby! ¡ª Hey, don¡¯t repeat that! You¡¯re too young for this! ¡ª Nexha pointed at Jasper, who laughed even more. Krahs and Zhaelor still hadn¡¯t returned, giving him time to think. He sat down, resting his cheek on his hand, deep in thought. The techniques and tools he had were not advanced. He knew how to weave, forge, polish stones, and make tools¡­ but one of his biggest limitations was that he hadn¡¯t stopped to form a viable plan until now. First, he needed a real wall. The moray-algae barrier had to be replaced. With his stone-polishing skills, he could create blocks to build a solid wall. This would be much easier with Zhaelor¡¯s help¡ªand the system¡¯s. The biggest problem was how to bind the blocks together since cement would be impossible to use underwater, even if he bought the technology. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Unfortunately, that made the job harder. But what if he made interlocking pieces, like a puzzle? That would provide more stability to the wall, even without mortar. Conclusion: his hands were going to be covered in calluses again. Second, he needed to enhance this new wall¡¯s defenses. ¡ª Small holes in the wall¡­ ¡ª he murmured, as his thoughts flowed. ¡ª Smaller fish can pass through, and water circulates without issue¡­ but what if I made some strategic openings for spears? If anyone tried to invade, they could strike without leaving the safety of the wall. He also wanted to add a ledge at the surface to make it harder for anyone to simply jump inside. And, of course, a proper gate, because he was tired of seeing Zhaelor punch holes in the algae wall just to get in and out. Lastly, he needed more weapons. As soon as Krahs¡¯s punishment was over, he planned to reinforce their arsenal. He had already accepted that the King Slayer favored Krahs over him, but that didn¡¯t mean he couldn¡¯t create more incredible weapons¡ªat least one of them had to accept him. Nalu might be peaceful, but she was now taking care of three babies, including Jasper. It was best that she had something to defend herself with, too. Long-range weapons seemed like a promising idea¡­ but not an effective one. Firearms were useless underwater. Maybe lighter spears that could be thrown? Or something like a harpoon? He¡¯d have to test it later. He took a deep breath, feeling the adrenaline wear off. Now, he had a goal to focus on¡ªand a way to push aside what had happened. Lilay, sitting beside him, raised an eyebrow. ¡ª You know you said all of that out loud, right? You really need to stop this stupid habit. Nexha blinked. ¡ª It¡¯s not stupid! It helps me organize my thoughts! ¡ª He crossed his arms. ¡ª If my improvements work, we could change our lives forever. Maybe we¡¯ll even become the strongest tribe in the sea. Lilay blinked, surprised. ¡ª And what if they¡¯re stronger than us and take all our hard work? Nexha scoffed. ¡ª Lilay, unless that mermaid comes back with an entire army, my improvements will keep our people safe. Nalu, who had been listening from a distance, smiled tenderly. ¡ª Little Nexha, you¡¯re quite clever. But are you sure this will work? He looked at her, his eyes filled with determination. ¡ª It will work because I¡¯ll do everything to protect my family. Her eyes shone, and before he realized it, Nalu hugged him again. This time, even Lilay and Jasper tried to join in. ¡ª A-Ack! You¡¯re crushing me! Let me go! He tried to escape in desperation, but Lilay held him tight. ¡ª Endure it, brother. You can¡¯t say cute things and then run away without consequences! ¡ª That¡¯s right! ¡ª Nalu agreed, squeezing him even tighter. Jasper, on the other hand, didn¡¯t seem to understand anything but laughed, enjoying his older brother¡¯s suffering in what was simply a sweet yet suffocating family hug. When they finally let him go, Nexha looked at them. Then, he turned his gaze toward the sea. He silently swore that what that mermaid had said would never become reality. That mermaid was wrong. He wasn¡¯t alone¡ªand he never would be with his family. And he would do everything to ensure that never changed. 98-The Base 98-The Base The next day arrived with renewed energy. Nexha woke up before everyone else, his mind still buzzing with the plans from the night before. The sea was calm, but he knew he couldn''t afford to trust this tranquility. The sooner they started building the wall, the better. He had wanted to start construction the day before, but Krahs hadn¡¯t let him leave until they were sure he was okay. Nexha swam to the area where the old moray-algae wall stood, observing its flaws more carefully. He touched the structure, feeling a mix of frustration and disbelief at how easy it was to push the algae apart, even though they were packed tightly together like bamboo. It was impressive that they had survived this long with something so ineffective. This only reinforced his decision: it was time to change everything. Before he could begin, Zhaelor appeared, stretching lazily. ¡ª Why are you already up? ¡ª he yawned, still looking half-asleep. ¡ª Because I have a lot of work to do. And so do you. ¡ª Nexha crossed his arms, looking at him seriously. ¡ª I need your help positioning large stones for the wall. Zhaelor blinked a few times, hesitant. But when he saw the determined expression on his young lord¡¯s face, he realized Nexha was serious. He sighed and nodded. ¡ª Alright, alright. But I want to know exactly how you plan to do this. ¡ª I thought about cutting and polishing the stones so they fit together like a puzzle. If we do this right, the wall will withstand anything. Zhaelor scratched his head. ¡ª Sounds like a lot of work... ¡ª It is. But if we don¡¯t do it, we¡¯ll stay vulnerable to invasions. Would you rather work now to make things easier later or regret it when it¡¯s too late? Without any more arguments, Zhaelor started swimming in search of stones while Nexha gathered his tools to polish them. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡ª As soon as I start up the forge, I¡¯ll make a better chisel¡­ ¡ª he murmured to himself. To save time, Nexha bought a large stone to begin working while asking Zhaelor to fetch more. He wanted to conserve as much as possible, since each large stone cost 100 MD. ¡ª If I use big blocks at the base, medium ones in the middle, and small ones at the top, the material will last longer¡­ Plus, the top doesn¡¯t need to be too high, and it should be easy to repair. After all, large waves will crash against it every day, so I¡¯ll have to reorganize it every few months. Nexha spoke aloud as he worked, dividing the larger stone into smaller blocks. The bone chisel made the work harder, but the water helped with the dust, so at least he didn¡¯t have to worry about that. With patience, he began striking the rocks, cracking them with precision. Lilay appeared shortly after, watching his brother with curiosity. ¡ª You¡¯re really taking this idea seriously, huh? ¡ª Of course I am. If I don¡¯t do anything, we¡¯ll stay vulnerable to invaders we don¡¯t even know about. Do you want to see Jasper attacked by a shark? Or worse, that mermaid coming back?¡­ I¡¯ll give you a bottle of milk later. Lilay made a face. ¡ª Ugh, fine. I¡¯m convinced. What do I do? ¡ª Help me polish the blocks. The smoother they are, the better they¡¯ll fit¡­ If you¡¯re unsure about the size, just ask me. The three tritons spent the morning working hard. Lilay used the chisel to smooth the blocks, Zhaelor brought more raw materials and stacked the finished stones as Nexha instructed, and Nexha tested the fits to make sure they were firm. It was an exhausting process, but little by little, the new wall began to take shape. Unlike other simple constructions that were finished in a day, just the base of the wall took an entire day''s work. They had only managed to complete half of it using the larger blocks. Nalu arrived with Jasper, observing the progress. She smiled warmly. ¡ª You¡¯re all doing great. Want to eat something before continuing? Nexha wiped his forehead, pushing away the small cleaning fish trying to nibble at the dirt stuck to him from all the work. ¡ª In a bit. I want to finish a few more blocks for tomorrow... Before he could continue, he felt a firm tug on his tail. Zhaelor, looking patient, effortlessly pulled him away from his work. ¡ª You need to eat, little star. Unable to break free from the cachalot¡¯s grip, he just crossed his arms and sighed as he was dragged away from the construction. The wall was beginning to rise, solid and sturdy, a true symbol of Nexha¡¯s determination. There was still much to be done, and he hadn¡¯t even started on the medium blocks yet, but just seeing the first pieces in place filled him with relief. He looked out to the sea, beyond the algae barrier that would soon be replaced. From now on, they would no longer be easy prey. They would no longer be a vulnerable target. He would do whatever it took to protect everything he had built in this world. 98- Tears of Stone 98- Tears of Stone Days passed, and Nexha never stopped. Even when the others took breaks to hunt or rest, he kept carving and fitting stones, shaping each block with obsessive precision. He worked from morning to night, only stopping when Zhaelor dragged him home by force. With every strike of the chisel, with every stone he set in place, he felt like he was building a barrier between himself and the suffocating fear that refused to leave his mind. He had tried to pretend it wasn¡¯t there, but it always returned. Nalu tried many times to make him stop. ¡ª Little Nexha, you need to rest. Look at your hands, they¡¯re already wounded. But he would only mumble something about being almost done and keep going. After many failed attempts, Nalu settled for calling him to dinner more often and tending to his injuries. Lilay grew impatient. ¡ª If you pass out, you¡¯ll just be dead weight for me to carry. Stop being an idiot and go to sleep! ¡ª It¡¯s nothing. I¡¯ll pay you with some milk¡ª ¡ª No! You maniac! You think you can buy me off every time?! This isn¡¯t a joke, Nexha! I won¡¯t accept anything when it comes to your health! Nexha just averted his gaze and kept working, pretending not to hear. Frustrated and feeling powerless, Lilay started showing up less often to help¡ªbut he never stopped watching from a distance, always ready in case his brother collapsed. Even Zhaelor, who usually didn¡¯t interfere much when Nexha was focused, showed concern. ¡ª I brought more stones. But seriously, you need a break. You¡¯re starting to worry me. Nexha just thanked him and went back to work, as if nothing else mattered. But the truth was, it did matter. It mattered too much. Because in the silence of cold nights, the moment he closed his eyes for even a second, he felt that slimy tail squeezing him again. The fear took shape. He saw the mermaid¡¯s starry eyes, heard her venomous voice, felt the helplessness of being trapped. Not even in his dreams did that king let him rest. But his speeches were easier to ignore¡ªafter all, he always said the same things. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! His only refuge was building. If he stopped, he would think about it. If he stopped, he would have to face the fact that, for the first time in his life, he had truly been attacked. So he didn¡¯t stop. But his body was not as resilient as his mind stubbornly believed. And one night, he finally broke. His hand failed to strike the chisel correctly. The stone cracked the wrong way, a heavy chunk falling onto his foot. The pain wasn¡¯t even that bad, but his body had reached its limit. A crushing exhaustion overtook him, and before he realized it, he was sitting on the ground, his eyes burning. His breath faltered, his heart raced¡ªnot from the injury, but from something much deeper, something he couldn¡¯t control. That was when he felt a large, firm hand rest on his head. Krahs. The older triton didn¡¯t speak at first. He simply crouched beside him, observing his state. Nexha squeezed his eyes shut, trying to hold back the tears threatening to fall. ¡ª You¡¯ve been working hard, ¡ª Krahs finally said, his voice calm but firm. ¡ª Too hard. Nexha bit his lip, tasting the metallic tang of his own blood. His chest rose and fell unevenly, as if every breath was a struggle. ¡ª I... I need to finish the wall. His voice trembled, barely above a whisper, as if saying it aloud was the only thing holding him together. ¡ª And why the rush? Krahs¡¯s voice was gentle, a silent invitation for Nexha to stop running. Nexha remained silent. But Krahs waited. He waited patiently until, at last, the boy murmured, barely audible: ¡ª I don¡¯t want it to happen again. Krahs didn¡¯t need to ask what it was. He already knew. He understood all too well the fear Nexha was trying to bury under the weight of the stones. And instead of telling him everything would be fine, instead of saying he was overreacting, he did something very simple. He pulled him into a hug. ¡ª I¡¯m here to make sure it never happens again. You don¡¯t have to carry this burden alone, Nexha¡­ Because you aren¡¯t alone. Nexha froze at first. He didn¡¯t cry. He never caved. But there, against Krahs¡¯s chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, something inside him cracked. The first tears came without warning, small and dark, dense like the weight in his chest. But as his silent sobs shook his exhausted body, those tears began to change. As if his suffering was being polished by time and Krahs¡¯s warmth, the dark drops grew lighter, shifting from onyx to pearl. Until, at last, they became clear¡ªlike the relief that, for the first time, he was allowing himself to feel. Krahs didn¡¯t say anything else. He just held his son tightly, wiping the tears from his face. At that moment, nothing was more important to him than making sure Nexha knew he was not alone. That if he cried, someone would be there for him. When Nexha finally calmed down, he felt lighter. The fear didn¡¯t vanish completely, but the suffocating grip had loosened. He looked at his injured hands, realizing just how merciless he had been to himself. The next morning, he continued his work. But this time, it was different. He moved slower. Took breaks. Let Lilay and Zhaelor carry the heavier stones instead of insisting on doing everything alone. And when Nalu brought him food, he accepted it without protest. The wall would still take time to complete. But now, Nexha understood that he needed that time, too. Because a fortress wasn¡¯t just made of stone and strength. It was built, above all, by the endurance of those who raised it. 99 - From Fear to the Sea 99 - From Fear to the Sea After several days of travel, Vivien finally returned to the Sea King¡¯s castle. Her journey, already exhausting, had worsened when she was attacked by a sperm whale while fleeing. The creature had torn off half of her fin, turning every movement into agony, each beat of her mutilated tail a painful reminder of her defeat. And now, after yet another failure, she threw herself at the foot of the throne. The king was asleep. She knew he didn¡¯t need to sleep. Rest was an artifice, a vestige of something he once was¡ªor pretended to be. He slept because it made him more similar to what he wished to impress. Prostrated there, she trembled at the thought of the punishment that might befall her. Under the gaze of a soulless being, anything could happen. His displeasure was unpredictable¡ªan abyss where punishments lurked beyond her worst imaginings. When the water around her began to cool, a shiver ran down her spine. A sigh broke the silence. Small ice crystals formed around the throne, spreading across the room like shards of glass. He was awake. ¡ª Vivien... ¡ª The king¡¯s voice was as soft as the glide of a well-honed blade. ¡ª So foolish¡­ Kneeling will not erase your failure. She shivered in fear of what was to come. There was no obvious fury in his tone, but that meant nothing. He could be seething with rage or merely amused by her misery¡ªand yet, every word came out flawless, without a trace of loss of control. His pride would never allow such inelegance. ¡ª I... ¡ª Ah, my tool... ¡ª He sighed theatrically, his eyes glinting like fractured ice. ¡ª I saw everything¡­ every one of your failures. Just another one, what a pity. It seems you always fail, don¡¯t you? He smiled. Cold, delicate, and cruel at the same time. The kind of smile that did not belong to an enraged king but to a collector examining a broken tool, wondering whether it was worth fixing or discarding. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. ¡ª Alone, you are weak... ¡ª He lifted one hand, and the water around them trembled at the smallest of his gestures. ¡ª But I am generous. Benevolent enough to let you live, despite so many disappointments. He rose gracefully, and the water roared around him¡ªnot in anger, but in an indescribable terror toward mortal beings. His presence was a weight in the ocean, something the sea itself seemed to want to reject but could not. With a simple touch, he grasped Vivien¡¯s hand. She felt her skin burn, and when she looked, she saw her wound closing. His power stitched her flesh back together as if she were a broken toy, patched up without care or consideration. ¡ª You upset my little star... ¡ª He murmured, his eyes glinting with something that was not affection, but entertainment. ¡ª She didn¡¯t enjoy playing with you. A pity, really¡ªI¡¯ll have to find another toy for my little star. A soft laugh escaped his lips. Vivien hesitated, barely lifting her gaze. Her instincts screamed at her not to look into his eyes, but curiosity was stronger. And that¡¯s when she felt it. Pain. Needles driving into her skin. Something wrong creeping through her veins. She tried to pull away, but the king¡¯s fingers held her with deceptive gentleness. Then, before she could react, a cold hand gripped her throat. Vivien gasped, shock stealing her breath. Her vision blurred for a moment, and when she was released, a crushing weight settled on her throat. She brought her fingers to the spot, panting. The reflection on the shining castle walls revealed what her eyes could not see¡ªa dark mark forming there. A four-pointed star, pulsing as if it had a life of its own. ¡ª This power... ¡ª The king tilted his head slightly, observing her as if she were an interesting experiment. ¡ª What a waste on you. But I found it amusing to grant it... After all, my little star entertained me greatly by testing my patience. Vivien¡¯s eyes widened. Seeing that smile again¡ªit was perfect, but false. A smile sculpted, rehearsed to perfection, yet so empty it seemed lifeless. A reflection without warmth, without truth. ¡ª My piece, this gift I bestow upon you will allow you to take the bodies of the dead to fight for me. ¡ª His voice was as cold as the water around them. ¡ª Ah, but I almost forgot¡­ Your mission has changed. You will not seek my treasure this time. Vivien pressed her lips together. ¡ª Then¡­ what is my task, my king? ¡ª You will gather an army. ¡ª His tone was simple, casual, as if he were asking her to arrange a ball. ¡ª And you will make the ocean tremble. She dared not question. ¡ª Yes, my king¡­ but¡­ ¡ª The more fear spreads, the faster I will be freed. ¡ª He sighed, sinking back onto his throne. For a brief moment, his expression bore something that could almost be boredom. ¡ª I wanted to play with my little star for longer, but the old sperm whales decided to gather to strengthen my seal. Those useless old fools¡­ thinking they can contain me. He closed his eyes for a moment, as if the mere mention of his enemies disgusted him. Then, he turned his gaze back to her. ¡ª This time, your task is simple, Vivien. ¡ª The shadow of the star on her neck pulsed, and she bit her lip to stifle a cry of pain. ¡ª I hope you make good use of your last chance to become a star... So make the sea tremble with my existence. 100 - The Weight of Choices 100 -The Weight of Choices For an entire month, Nexha worked alongside his family to build the wall, but this time, differently. He kept his promise to take it easier, controlling the pace with the help of the others. Every stone placed, every reinforcement added, every detail carved still carried his determination, but now it was shared. Lilay, always by his side, wielded his chisel as skillfully as Nexha but also kept an eye on any sign of his brother''s exhaustion, always pulling him aside for breaks when necessary. Zhaelor, with his experience and patience, guided the young ones and carried the heavy loads, ensuring the work was efficient without being exhausting for them. Even Nalu, despite taking care of the little ones, did her part by bringing meals, laughter, and curious glances whenever she carried the grumpy little Jasper¡ªmostly because, for some reason, Jasper preferred watching the windmill spin rather than seeing stones being cut. Krahs, who used to spend most of his time hunting, took on the care of the rice plantation¡ªfrom planting to harvesting and storage¡ªwith an impressive sense of dedication. This led to a stockpile of food accumulating on the platform. At first, he hesitated, as rice still carried an old meaning that was now beginning to change. With meals prepared by Nexha, he realized that the food, besides being delicious, had practical benefits, allowing the time once spent on long hunts to be replaced by storage and cultivation. Still, Nalu and Zhaelor laughed whenever Krahs insisted he felt stronger for training after a good rice meal. That was when Nexha realized it would take longer than he expected for them to forget the old meaning of rice. When the wall was finally complete, Nexha felt immense relief. For the first time in a long while, he could breathe without fear of what might come¡ªhis refuge was secure. Satisfaction pulsed in his chest like a warm flame. That wall wasn¡¯t just a physical defense but also a deep relief in his mind, knowing that his family was safe. That feeling made him so happy that he decided to prepare a special meal for everyone as a celebration. Using the best ingredients he could gather, he cooked with care and dedication, wanting his family to feel the same warmth and security that he felt at that moment. The aroma of the food quickly spread through the air¡ªa welcoming, comforting scent. All problems seemed to quiet down in the presence of that family moment. But that scent did not remain confined within the refuge. Carried by the ocean winds, it traveled farther than Nexha could have imagined. While the month passed peacefully for the family, it was not the same for the rest of the ocean¡ªit was a dark period for the marine creatures. The fear sown by the King spread like a plague, suffocating everything around it. The fish began to flee little by little, creating an unprecedented scarcity, as if the waters were cursed. The creatures of the ocean, once free, now lived in constant fear of unpredictable attacks. It was a month where only despair thrived, while hunger ravaged the sea¡¯s inhabitants, making survival more difficult each day. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Then, guided by the scent of Nexha¡¯s food on the surface, starving merfolk began to arrive. At first, there were only a few¡ªgaunt shadows gliding through the water, their hollow, desperate eyes searching for any sign of nourishment. They did not seem truly starving at first¡ªjust as if they could never get enough. The mother-algae of the tides called the small fish that thrived within the walls, making it a safe haven. Nexha had designed strategic holes to launch traps against possible invaders, but now, instead of threats, he saw tired faces and watchful eyes peeking from the other side, waiting for an unwary fish to slip through so they could catch it. At first, Nexha was surprised. He hadn¡¯t imagined that his refuge, built only to protect his family, would end up being the only thing standing between some and starvation. Over time, the number of the starving grew to sixty. Creatures of different species crowded before the wall, competing with the merfolk for the small fish escaping through the holes. But something Nexha noticed was that the merfolk who remained here were not the strongest or the most resilient. Doubtful, he asked Krahs, who calmly answered: ¡ª The strongest followed the migration of the fish. Those who stayed behind weren¡¯t strong enough to go alone¡­ Nexha, if they were truly strong, they wouldn¡¯t be fighting with the hunters; they would be hunting the hunters. Nexha looked at them again, and this time, he saw more than just desperate silhouettes. Small details stood out¡ªfrayed fins, eyes empty with exhaustion, bodies too thin for those who should be living off the hunt. But it was Krahs¡¯ words that truly opened his eyes. Those before the wall were not predators, not the strong ones¡ªthey were the abandoned, the ones left behind. The ones who did not have the strength to follow the rest of their clans. Among them, a few skeletal children struggled, failing to catch the fish slipping through the wall¡¯s holes. Some didn¡¯t even have the strength to swim properly, moving only with the current¡¯s inertia. Nexha felt a tightness in his chest as he realized how real this scene was. They were not just numbers, not just strangers beyond a barrier. They were living beings, begging for something he had in abundance¡ªsecurity and food. The pressure in Nexha¡¯s heart grew heavier with each passing second. Lilay, with a restless expression, finally broke the silence, his voice carrying a weight he rarely showed. ¡ª Nexha¡­ why don¡¯t we let them in? His question lingered in the air like a wave about to break. He didn¡¯t ask if they should let them in, but why they weren¡¯t doing so already. Krahs kept a serious expression, pondering the implications. They had built this place for themselves, but could they really turn their backs on those who had nowhere else to go? The thought weighed on the old leader¡¯s conscience. Nexha felt the crushing weight of the decision on his shoulders. Letting them in meant sharing resources, risking the security they had fought so hard to achieve, but ignoring them meant condemning them to a cruel fate. And he knew that, whatever choice he made, consequences would follow. Nexha sighed and looked at Krahs. ¡ª We have enough food for everyone, father. We can let them in. ¡ª But not for long, Nexha. We don¡¯t produce that much¡­ In a month or two, we¡¯ll be in the same situation as them. And then what? Will we just watch as we all start to starve? ¡ª Father, that time is enough to expand the plantation and get at least two harvests. After all, our rice takes only six days to grow. ¡ª But what if the rice doesn¡¯t grow as planned, Nexha? What if something goes wrong and we don¡¯t have time to react? ¡ª Father, if that happens, I can use my power. We won¡¯t run out of food¡ªnot with me here. Krahs sighed and looked at Nexha, seeing the determination in his son¡¯s eyes. He relented. ¡ª Very well, Nexha. But remember¡ªchoices have consequences. That evening, Nexha prepared large portions of rice porridge with fish. The bowls were filled to the brim, their irresistible aroma making even Lilay¡¯s mouth water. As they opened the bamboo gates, the predators scattered in fear, but the merfolk, too weak to react quickly, stared in confusion. ¡ª Hello, merfolk! I am Lilay, one of the residents of our tribe! Lilay¡¯s voice carried a charm unlike any Nexha had ever heard before. He had never seen his brother use his persuasive ability so intensely. One by one, the merfolk began to cry¡ªtears of relief, exhaustion, hope. And slowly, hesitantly, they entered the refuge, stepping into safety for the first time in a long while. 101 - From Refuge to Village 101 - From Refuge to Village The new reality of the refuge was slowly settling in. At first, the influx of new inhabitants was a challenge. They had to learn the rules of the place, respect the spaces, help with maintenance, and, most importantly, understand that they were now part of something greater than just survival. As Nexha walked through the refuge, he saw these changes happening before his eyes. The first days had been chaotic, with fear and distrust in the air, but little by little, those who arrived began to integrate. The once-tense atmosphere gave way to calmer voices, shy smiles, and eventually, a sense of belonging. Krahs, with his firm presence and experience, naturally assumed the role of leader without difficulty. After all, he had plenty of experience in it. He coordinated resource distribution, organized tasks, and established clear rules to maintain order. His authority gradually became unquestionable, but it was not imposed through fear¡ªit was earned through respect. Those who arrived soon realized that under his leadership, the refuge prospered. Zhaelor, who naturally came and went from the base the most, became the gatekeeper. His vigilance ensured the refuge remained secure. He not only protected the entrance but also regulated who could leave and enter since not everyone could open the gate. His imposing presence brought a sense of security to everyone, and even those who arrived feeling uncertain soon learned to trust him. Lilay quickly won their trust. With his charm and ability to captivate with words, he soon became a favorite among the new inhabitants. He helped break the ice, integrate newcomers, and make sure no one felt out of place. His natural gift for forming bonds brought a new warmth to the refuge, making it not just a safe place but also a welcoming one. Nexha arrived early at the construction site, watching as new houses took shape before his eyes. Before he could begin his work, Krahs approached and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. ¡ª Did you sleep well? ¡ª he asked with a calm, warm gaze. Nexha nodded, offering a small smile. ¡ª Better than before. The strange man hasn¡¯t appeared in my dreams for a while. ¡ª That¡¯s good, Nexha. Krahs didn¡¯t seem completely convinced, but he let out a sigh and gave him a light pat on the back before heading off to coordinate other tasks. He knew Nexha wouldn¡¯t back down, so he simply made sure he wouldn¡¯t overdo it. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Now, he needed to ensure there was enough space and food for everyone, with careful planning and the help of those willing to contribute. Nexha started building circular houses made of bamboo and moray algae. At first, he worked alone, but little by little, Lilay brought more and more people to help. Unlike the old structures, these new homes had more space and two floors, designed with better planning than the previous ones. They were made to be functional¡ªafter all, merfolk weren¡¯t too demanding when it came to housing. Being able to provide a safe home for more people warmed Nexha¡¯s heart. But the most important detail was the roof. Nexha turned the top of each house into a rice field. At first, the older merfolk found it strange, but their prejudice against rice seemed to disappear when they realized it was the first food they ate upon arriving. This created an inexplicable fondness for rice among them. After a day of work, Nexha swam to the platform and climbed up. Even though he was a bit tired, he calmly cooked portions of rice for everyone, and it didn¡¯t take long before the delicious aroma filled the air. As the sun began to set, everyone gathered around the platform. It had become a tradition to share a meal and talk at the end of the day, strengthening their bonds. The platform, covered with piles of recently harvested rice baskets, was more crowded than usual, making it harder to find space to sit. However, no one seemed to mind. The full food stock was a symbol of security, and seeing it filled everyone with a sense of relief and happiness. What was once just a grain burdened with old meanings now represented a future of stability and community. With full stomachs, everyone returned to their homes to rest. Nexha swam calmly among the houses before heading back home. Over time, more houses appeared, transforming the refuge into a vibrant underwater village. The moray algae bamboo intertwined to form sturdy and harmonious structures, their soft colors blending with the blue of the ocean. Cleaner fish and colorful-shelled snails became more abundant. The merfolk no longer found them repulsive; instead, they seemed to love the snails'' bright shells and the "kisses" of the cleaner fish. They even brought small corals, as if cultivating tiny gardens near their homes for these little creatures to live in when they weren¡¯t swimming around¡ªmaking the place more welcoming and inviting. Bioluminescent lucky crab shells were added to the houses, softly illuminating the environment and creating a sense of home even in the vastness of the sea. Nexha swam toward his house, happy to see his village growing. He lay down, content, on his soft algae bed when, strangely, an alert rang in his ear. {Congratulations! Your monthly salary has been deposited! Check your shop to see the changes.} Nexha let out a yell upon hearing that¡ªhis salary had finally been deposited into his account. ¡ª Nexha!! Hearing Krahs, he immediately went silent. He opened the shop before sleeping, only to smile upon seeing his money in his account. His eyes sparkled as he read: ((Shop)/) (\MD 3,605/) Welcome to the shop, user! Here, you can buy whatever you need for your world conquest. Look at all that shiny money. (?^-^?)
  • Food/Medicine
  • Slaves
  • Abilities
  • Magical Items
  • Miners
  • Animals/Pets
  • Plant Materials
  • Accessories
  • Clothes/Armor
  • Technology
Nexha clenched his fists in happiness. Everything around him had changed drastically in just a month and a half¡ªbut not for the worse. Little by little, everything was moving in a direction that, for now, seemed like the best possible path for him. 102 - Sea Chickens 102 - Sea Chickens The next day, still excited to see his MD reserves growing, Nexha decided to celebrate a little on his own by secretly drinking some milk. He chose the platform on the surface to settle down, moving a few baskets of rice aside to make space. However, as he got comfortable, he noticed something concerning: the platform was no longer enough. The accumulated rice took up almost all the available space, and with the construction of more rice fields, soon there would be nowhere to store the next harvests. To make things worse, something unexpected began to happen. A seagull landed on the stockpile, and upon seeing it, Nexha froze for a moment. ¡ª This isn¡¯t good. At first, it seemed like a new challenge, but strangely, something inside him told him that this might actually be an opportunity. His mind worked as he emptied the bottle of milk. If the seagulls were coming here, it meant they could adapt to this environment. What if, instead of chasing them away, he captured them and created a proper space for them? ¡ª Heh... looks like luck came to me with wings and feathers. Maybe these rice thieves are exactly what I needed¡ªI was craving some fried chicken, anyway. With that thought, Nexha began to plan a dual-purpose solution: a new platform on the ocean¡¯s surface that would serve as both a larger storage space for rice and an area for raising seagulls. The structure needed to be strong enough to support a roof, the harvests, and the birds without being destroyed by storms or strong currents. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. ¡ª Sounds like a challenge, but luckily, I already got a construction skill. He spent a few days planning the new platforms¡ªone for the birds and another for storage. The moray algae bamboo would serve as the base of the structure, but unlike the first platform he had built, these new ones would be made entirely of bamboo. These two platforms wouldn¡¯t need stone floors since they weren¡¯t meant to support an oven or anything heavy, which meant they could bear much more weight¡ªa necessity for adding a roof. The roof itself would be constructed underwater before being lifted onto the new platforms. The first step was to build a set of interwoven beams to support the platforms. With Lilay¡¯s help¡ªwho already had experience from the last platform¡ªand a few other refuge inhabitants, they began gathering what they needed. Meanwhile, he asked Krahs and the others who trained in the afternoon to monitor the locations where the seagulls landed most frequently. He needed to understand their habits before starting the nesting area. When Krahs heard about Nexha¡¯s plan, he gave a small smile and crossed his arms. ¡ª You¡¯re thinking big, kid. Setting up storage and securing a new food source... But are you sure the seagulls will adapt? ¡ª They¡¯re already coming here on their own ¡ª Nexha replied confidently. ¡ª If we feed them gradually, they¡¯ll get used to us, and later, we can make sure they never leave. Krahs nodded thoughtfully. ¡ª Makes sense. But it¡¯ll have to be done properly. The structure needs to withstand the weather, and raising them can¡¯t interfere with our food reserves. ¡ª Dad, I¡¯ll plan everything carefully. And if it works, we¡¯ll have more food security for everyone. Excited, Nexha took the lead while also helping with construction. These two new platforms were exactly what they needed now. 103 - Enter us 103 - Enter us With the plans laid out and materials gathered, the construction finally began to take shape. Nexha and Lilay worked side by side, coordinating those who wanted to help. With so many extra hands, they managed to raise the two platforms in just one day. Of course, it was a team effort, but the result was already visible. Now, however, came the hardest part. The roofs of the two platforms had been divided into three parts each. Built underwater to make the process easier, they now needed to be lifted and placed onto the structure. The problem? They were huge and incredibly heavy. ¡ª Are you sure this is going to work? This seems absurdly heavy. One of the helpers commented, watching the enormous woven bamboo pieces float slightly, but still difficult to handle. ¡ª Now we just need to call Zhaelor to lift the pieces, and grab some kelp ropes to secure them in place. If we work together, this should fit just right. Nexha watched the others moving around, feeling a wave of satisfaction as he saw everyone collaborating. The construction was difficult, but the atmosphere was light, punctuated by conversations and laughter. Some were making jokes about Zhaelor''s strength being the greatest of all, while others were already starting to plan how they would use the new structure. ¡ª After this, we can put some nets to prevent the seagulls from escaping ¡ª suggested one of the helpers. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. ¡ª We¡¯ll make more baskets for the food storage later. ¡ª Good ideas. And maybe we can try different types of food to see what works best ¡ª added Lilay. Nexha smiled, feeling the warmth of camaraderie amid the hard work. For a moment, the world''s problems seemed distant. Here, they were building something together, and that was enough. But as the construction was almost finished, two tritons moved away from the camp, Krahs wielding the King Slayer. Before him stood another unarmed triton. ¡ª You think I wouldn¡¯t notice you, orca? Krahs''s voice carried a contained fury, but his gaze was a stormy sea of resentment. He gripped the King Slayer¡¯s handle so tightly that his fingers seemed to merge with the bronze shaft of the weapon. His chest rose and fell with heavy, controlled breaths, guided only by sheer willpower. His hatred for the orcas was not a mere whim or passing rivalry. It was a bitterness ingrained deep in his soul, rooted in the pain and bloodshed of friends and family. To him, the orcas were not just mermaids in the ocean¡ªthey were murderers, merciless creatures that destroyed everything they touched. The triton before him was unarmed, but that meant nothing to Krahs. He had seen orcas tear apart prey without needing blades, heard the muffled screams of victims who never stood a chance. ¡ª I wanted to kill you the moment I saw you. Unfortunately, my young ones care for something more... so I gave you a chance, but you don¡¯t seem to want to take it. He raised the King Slayer, the cold shine of the trident''s blades reflecting in his eyes filled with hate. The orca triton in front of him was covered in scars, his body marked by past battles, to the point where he hardly resembled what he once was. Krahs''s gaze was merciless, his voice carrying a contained rage that threatened to overflow. ¡ª So tell me, orca... why did you try to kill yourself? Krahs''s voice was as cold as the blade in his hands, but there was something more there, a hidden weight in the words. His eyes locked onto the triton before him, as if searching for an answer that went beyond simple words. 104 - The Orca The Orca The sea was colder than usual. With the tribe together, the chill became more bearable, but it was never as warm as before. My name is Lioras¡ªonce a strong leader, now a broken man. My body has been marked by scars for as long as I can remember, each one a testament to my victories and defeats. But the scar that pains me the most pulses on my face, the price of losing my eye. A single moment of carelessness... and I felt the weight of my own failing flesh. Our tribe was once filled with joy and color. We swam among the corals where we made our home, we smiled, we hunted, we raised our young. But one day, something poisoned us. It rose from the depths like black liquid seeping from the ocean floor¡ªa monster crueler than anything I had ever faced. Our food, our home, our families¡ªeverything was lost faster than we could even comprehend. Homeless and scattered, we wandered in search of a new home. But unlike other merfolk, we are orcas. No matter how much good we tried to show, the reputation of orcas always preceded us. Destroyers of tribes, conquerors who take everything and sell what they capture. There wasn¡¯t a single place that did not attack us on sight. A tribe of orcas would never be welcome. Even so, we tried to stay positive. Even as we suffered, we still taught our young what we believed was right. Our tribe was not like the others, and we swore we would never become the monsters they feared. But no matter what we did, our lives kept falling apart. Our children grew sick. The poison from the black liquid had never truly left us, especially the youngest among us. Desperate, we searched for a cure day and night, traversing the vast ocean. No wound, no scar mattered¡ªif they died, our tribe would die with them. And then, one day, a sweet, seductive voice called out to me. ¡ª I have the cure for your children, orca. The pale witch, her tail white as the clouds, her eyes and hair dark as the night, came to us with salvation. ¡ª But there is a price. Bring me as many mermaid eggs as you can, and I will give you the cure. And what choice did we have? Our children or the children of others. That was the moment we broke ourselves. We became like the other orcas¡ªraiding, attacking, stealing hope from other tribes. But there was another cost... Our scars, once symbols of victories meant to protect us, turned us into the very monsters we swore we wouldn¡¯t be. Monsters and nothing more. All to keep our last sliver of hope alive. That selfishness killed tribes, families... children. I hardly even looked like an orca anymore, my body covered in so many scars. Many of us suffered fates worse than death. An infected wound was a common cause of demise. But for some reason, not for me. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. When we finally cured our young and found a safe place, it lasted no more than five months. The sea grew restless, the fish began to flee¡ªthe King¡¯s rise would force us to flee once more. But this time, I could not go with them. My scars no longer allowed me to keep up with the pods. And so, as my final, unquestionable decision as chief¡ªI stayed behind. I had always known this day would come. My body, covered in deep scars, would slow them down. My tribe needed to move quickly to survive. On the day of their departure, my tribe looked back. Especially the children, who cried as their parents pulled them forward. Everyone knew the sacrifices I had made. They respected me for it, but no one would go against my decision. Except for one. My daughter. She swam back and hugged me tightly, her eyes full of tears¡ªa final embrace before leaving forever. At last, I remained where I was, watching their shadows disappear into the deep blue. The silence that followed was deafening. There would be no return. My fate was sealed there, in the waters that had once been a temporary refuge. Days passed, and hunger began to consume me. I tried to hunt, but food was scarce. My strength, once unmatched, was no longer enough to secure even a simple meal. I laughed at myself sometimes. The greatest warrior in my family, unable to feed himself after the King¡¯s tremors had spread through the ocean. Other creatures sensed my weakness. Predators that once feared me now watched with hungry eyes. I let myself drift with the currents, offering no resistance, waiting for the sea to finish what life had started. But instead of oblivion, I found something unexpected. I found a massive wall, with holes where fish poured out in abundance. I found Nexha¡¯s barrier and his home. My heart ached at the sight of so much food. Slowly, I swam around and called out to everyone I could find, guiding them toward the wall as if trying to atone for my sins. What I never expected... was that the ones who owned this place would let us in, give us food, a home, a purpose. I asked myself over and over if this was a dream. And if it was, I never wanted to wake up. This paradise was so good... but happiness never lasted long for me. A small stain appeared on my skin. I recognized this disease¡ªthe sickness from the black liquid. Slowly, I began to say my goodbyes in secret. The skinny children I had brought here now had cheeks so plump I wanted to pinch them. They cried a little, but I didn¡¯t want to be a burden. Not in this paradise where they lived. One day, I distanced myself from everyone, heading toward a quiet section of the wall where no one went. I prepared to jump. That¡¯s when a triton with a shark¡¯s tail¡ªthe leader, as wounded as I once was¡ªstood before me, pointing his trident at my chest, his gaze cold and unwavering. ¡ª Then tell me, orca... why did you try to kill yourself? His words echoed in my mind. His gaze held the hatred I was so used to seeing. ¡ª I¡¯m not killing myself, I¡¯m just freeing you from a burden. Krahs frowned, his jaw tightening. Anger mixed with something deeper, something he refused to name. ¡ª If you leave this place, you will die. That¡¯s no different from killing yourself. The orca gave a bitter smile, looking at his calloused, time-worn hands. ¡ª How can you be so sure? Krahs narrowed his eyes and pointed with the trident. ¡ª I saw. Your hands... the black liquid¡¯s disease has already taken hold. The silence between them was as heavy as the water around them. The orca took a deep breath, looking away. ¡ª Then you know I¡¯m already doomed... ¡ª No. You¡¯re not, because we have the cure. The orca¡¯s head shot up, his eyes filled with a mix of hope and disbelief. ¡ª How?! The cure is so hard to find... Krahs took a step closer, keeping his gaze locked. ¡ª The fruit of the Mother-Algae of the Seas. It can cure you. So tell me, orca... will you die, or will you stay and live? Because I¡¯ve seen how the children here look up to you. Hesitation crossed the orca¡¯s face, his heart pounding. He didn¡¯t want to die. His skin, marked by so many battles and scars, was proof of that. Swallowing hard, he let out a deep sigh before finally murmuring: ¡ª I¡¯ll stay... for them. 105 - From the Graveyard to Paradise 105 - From the Graveyard to Paradise I had no name. No one cared about me, much less looked after me. All I had known for as long as I could remember was hunger... The only thing that ever drove me was the pure instinct to survive. I was adrift when the dark waters dragged me to the wreckage at the bottom of the sea. Enormous bones rose like pillars of a submerged graveyard, serving as my hiding place. It was there that I learned to hide and hunt. But one day, everything changed. The fish began to disappear, as if something invisible hunted them before we could. The silence became deafening, and the sunken graveyard, which once harbored echoes of life, was swallowed by emptiness. The shadows of the giant bones stretched like tombstones in an eternal field of death, and the sea, once our home, now felt like an endless tomb. Slowly, hunger took those who shared that place with me. I saw bodies floating, eyes glazed over, mouths open in silent pleas for help that would never come. Until only a few of us remained, too weak to flee, too weak to fight... We accepted our fate, waiting for the darkness to take us too. Then, an intruder descended into the graveyard of giants. I did not run. None of us ran. We had no strength, neither to flee nor to resist. We simply waited for them to find us and finish what the sea had started. But instead of death, I found a hardened gaze, marked by deep scars. The one we thought would be our end brought us something we had lost long ago: hope. This being was Lioras. He grabbed my arm. His tired eyes still shone with determination. I trembled under his touch, but he did not hesitate. He took us to a place we never imagined could exist. He took us to paradise. Even so, fear remained. What if, one day, the food disappeared and left us starving again? What if we were cast out like other merfolk had done before? But, unlike what we feared, the gates of that paradise opened for us. There, we could play without worrying about where our next meal would come from. We could fill our bellies without guilt... But my siblings and I did not feel right just taking without giving back. So we started helping. That was how I discovered my passion: gathering pieces and building something bigger. I loved building. I loved it so much that my siblings started to wonder if I was crazy. They preferred farming or fishing over construction. I, on the other hand, became more and more dedicated to building and helping. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Until, at last, we all had shelter. When I saw each house standing, my heart ignited. I didn¡¯t want to stop there. I wanted to do more. Much more. One day, the son of the leader of that paradise came to me and asked: ¡ª Hey, come here. I¡¯ve been watching you... Why are you always building? Your siblings always do something else, but you never stop working on construction. ¡ª I-I just want to make sure the food is worth it... And also, I love being here. Building is so much fun. He laughed. ¡ª I¡¯m Nexha. And you, what¡¯s your name? ¡ª I-I don¡¯t have one... My siblings call me "the youngest." ¡ª Well, I think I might confuse you with your siblings since you all look so alike. How about a temporary name? You can change it later if you want. My eyes lit up at the suggestion. Without thinking, I agreed. ¡ª Well, since you¡¯re the youngest of the three... How about Ayla? What do you think? ¡ª I-I love it! ¡ª Glad you liked it, Ayla. Since you love building, I can teach you some things. What do you say? ¡ª I would love that! Little by little, I learned more and more from Nexha. He explained everything in great detail. He even taught me how to count! I was so happy with my new life. Even my sisters got names. Helen, the eldest, loved helping Nula weave baskets. Nina loved watching Nexha cook, and just as he had done with me, he taught her how to cook. That paradise seemed to get better every day, but everything changed the day we saw Lioras hesitate before the chance to live. Something inside me and my sisters broke. We begged and cried for him to stay with us, but he said he had to go. None of us wanted that, but we couldn¡¯t stop him... Not on our own. So we called upon the one who could¡ªthe leader of this paradise, a shark who guided this place toward prosperity. ¡ª Please, save our father. We knelt and pleaded with everything we had for him to save our savior. The one who had cared for us when no one else would. He might not have known it, but he was already a father to the three of us. The leader sighed and looked at us in silence. Without asking for anything in return, he answered: ¡ª I will go after him. And he did. We were ready to offer everything we had, but he asked for nothing, only went to save our father. When he returned, I saw the lost look in Lioras¡¯ eyes. His resignation. The pain in his chest was different from the one I knew. It wasn¡¯t fear... It was anger. But I didn¡¯t understand it at first. Anger at seeing him give up. Anger at seeing him treat himself as a burden when, to us, he was the only reason we were still alive. Without thinking, I swam to him and punched that old man right in the face. I had no strength. He didn¡¯t even feel it. ¡ª You old idiot! Then, I hugged him tightly. My sisters immediately followed, throwing themselves over him as well. Lioras widened his eyes in surprise. But even without understanding, he hugged us back. We cried together, clinging to that embrace, until the words slipped from our lips, pleading: ¡ª Please, Father, don¡¯t leave us! He blinked, confused. He never imagined that, in just a month, the children he had saved already considered him family. ¡ª But... I¡¯m not your father... ¡ª Yes, you are! ¡ª Helen interrupted. ¡ª You¡¯ve done more for us than any of our real parents... ¡ª Nina added. ¡ª Don¡¯t give up on yourself... Or on us, old man! We cried, clinging to Lioras, who no longer knew what to do. Krahs chuckled and placed a hand on his shoulder. ¡ª You¡¯re a father of three now. Take responsibility and live for them, as you said you would. Lioras sighed, defeated by the unexpected affection. And for the first time, he smiled. ¡ª Hahaha... Easier said than done. 106 - The Golden Egg-Laying Seagulls 106 - The Golden Egg-Laying Seagulls The rippling reflection of the water against the sky, the feeling of the warm sun filtering through the waves, the platforms rising from the sea, the windmill spinning endlessly with the strong maritime wind, and the walls at the end of the barrier added an extra charm to the endless ocean. Where before there was only water, now there was the beginning of a civilization taking shape. And today, my goal to improve my home even further was to domesticate the seagulls that had been stealing from us. Well, they didn¡¯t steal that much, but just one or two grains were enough to make all the merfolk glare at them, as if they were starving and had to steal just a single tiny grain to survive. I sighed. At first, it seemed like an impossible task. These birds were restless, voracious, and anything but friendly. Every time I tried to approach, they flapped their wings furiously and flew away, laughing at me with their sharp cries. They didn¡¯t trust me, and I didn¡¯t trust them either. But if I wanted to turn this threat into an opportunity, I needed to be patient. With the storage covered, they no longer had as much food lying around to steal, and that¡¯s when my plan began. I started with the basics¡ªoffering food to the hungry creatures. They seemed to have the same bottomless appetite as a Lilay. With grains of rice and small pieces of dried fish, I left a handful on the only platform without a roof. I kept my distance, watching. The seagulls hesitated, hovering above, suspicious. It was only when I stepped back that one of them, bolder than the rest, swooped down and pecked at the rice, testing the taste. Soon, the others followed, devouring everything in the blink of an eye. In the following days, I repeated the process. First, I fed them from a distance, then I got a little closer each time. Some seagulls began to recognize my presence as something less threatening. Others were still aggressive, pecking at each other to claim their share. ¡ª You guys really don¡¯t change, huh¡­ ¡ª I muttered, watching them squabble. That¡¯s when one, smaller than the rest, with white feathers mixed with gray, stayed behind. While the others fought, she cautiously approached and pecked at a fish I was holding. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. That was the first step, the first connection. From that moment on, I started training that particular seagull. I called her Mist, because her feathers reminded me of the mist that sometimes covered the ocean¡¯s surface. Little by little, she stopped fearing me. First, she ate directly from my hand. She got even more excited if I gave her the fruits of the Mother of the Tides algae. Then, she learned to come when I called her with a soft whistle. But taming a single seagull wasn¡¯t enough. The goal now was to make them like the place I had created¡ªa place where they could live, feed, and maybe even reproduce. So, I started drying and shredding some moray seaweed to make something similar to hay, hoping they would feel more comfortable in the platform I built for them. Slowly, the children became fascinated with Mist and began to approach. ¡ª Can we help? ¡ª one of them asked. ¡ª Of course, but you¡¯ll need to be patient. These birds don¡¯t trust easily ¡ª I replied. And just like that, without realizing it, my small mission became a community project. Every day, more people showed up with ideas to make the platform more welcoming for the seagulls. They suggested different types of feeders and even built small perches for the birds to rest on. Slowly, Mist grew more and more comfortable in her new home. What started with one bird gradually increased in numbers. The children also managed to befriend more seagulls, which began to accept our presence. Not all of them, but some no longer fled at the sight of outstretched hands. The progress was slow but promising. And at the center of it all was Mist¡ªmy first winged ally. But she was also the first bird to truly surprise me. One week after taming Mist, I went to clean the seagull shelter, planning to use the remains there as fertilizer for the rice fields. That¡¯s when I stumbled upon a small nest. But what shocked me the most was the golden egg inside it. I looked around, scanning the flock, trying to figure out who had laid that egg. But something felt off¡ªevery seagull was there except for one. Mist. ¡ª Wait, where¡¯s Mist?! I searched the entire shelter for her but found nothing. In a panic, I looked for any holes she could have escaped through, but there were none. Finally, out of options, I hesitantly reached out to touch the egg. [Golden-Winged Seagull] Name: Mist Quality: Rare Status: Evolving Level: 3 HP: 20/20 | MP: 10/10 Attack: 6 | Defense: 5 | Intelligence: 11 | Luck: 10 | Beauty: 10 Ability: Continuous Flight This seagull has eaten enough Mother of the Tides fruit to evolve into a stronger form. ¡ª What the hell?! Animals can evolve in this world?! What kind of nonsense is this?! 107- Mist 107- Mist Nexha held the egg with extreme care, as if it were a fragile treasure about to break. He still couldn¡¯t believe that the seagull he had tamed was evolving so quickly just by eating those bitter fruits. His gaze was fixed on the egg as if it were an indecipherable puzzle, something that needed an urgent answer. Beside him, Lilay crossed his arms, watching the scene with genuine doubt. ¡ª So... what exactly are we doing here? ¡ª Lilay asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡ª We''re hatching an egg. ¡ª Nexha responded with the utmost naturality, as if it were obvious. ¡ª NEXHA, WHEN DID YOU BECOME A FATHER?! ¡ª Lilay practically screamed, his voice filled with genuine despair. ¡ª YOU''RE TOO YOUNG FOR THIS! I''M NOT READY TO BE AN UNCLE! ¡ª He held his head in his hands, rolling from side to side as if his world were crumbling. ¡ª I AM NOT A FATHER! ¡ª Nexha shouted, feeling frustration rise like heat. ¡ª IT''S NEBLINA! ¡ª The mist turned into an egg?! ¡ª Lilay''s eyes widened in shock. ¡ª That doesn¡¯t even make sense! ¡ª NOTHING MAKES SENSE ANYMORE, LILAY! ¡ª Nexha retorted, wildly gesturing with the egg still in his hands, as if the whole situation was about to drive him insane. Lilay sighed, sitting down next to his brother and resting his face in his hands. ¡ª Alright, and what¡¯s the plan, my genius brother? Nexha gently placed the egg on the nest. Then, he looked at Lilay with a determined glint in his eyes. ¡ª I think we need to warm it. ¡ª He declared. ¡ª Mermaid eggs don¡¯t need that, why would this one? ¡ª Neblina isn¡¯t a mermaid... and I also don¡¯t think she¡¯ll turn into one, even if she evolves. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡ª Evolve? ¡ª It¡¯s like growing, but it makes you stronger than just normal growth. ¡ª That¡¯s weird. So how do we warm it? Do we put it in the fire? ¡ª No! That would result in fried seagull, not in it hatching! Lilay started drooling a little just imagining it. ¡ª Neblina is not for eating! ¡ª But you said we were going to catch seagulls to eat... ¡ª Yeah... I did, but it depends on the seagull. If we only eat the troublemakers and take care of the ones that like us, over time, we¡¯ll have much tamer seagulls that won¡¯t run away from us. Lilay was silent for a moment, thoughtful. Then, he snapped his fingers. ¡ª I get it. But if we need to warm it without fire, what about another seagull? They¡¯re warm, after all. ¡ª And how do you suggest we convince a seagull to do that? Pay them in fish? ¡ª Nexha scoffed. ¡ª Better than your idea of "staring intensely at the egg until it decides to hatch." ¡ª Lilay laughed, and Nexha huffed, but couldn¡¯t hold back a smile. The two sat in silence for a moment, staring at the egg between them. ¡ª Alright, maybe we need a plan B. ¡ª He admitted, making Lilay laugh even more. And so, the two brothers spent the day trying absurd ways to hatch an egg, from wrapping it in warm feathers to building a tiny seaweed hut to protect it. No idea seemed good enough, but in the midst of so many failed attempts, they ended up laughing more than expected. They spent so much time taking care of that egg that, exhausted, they ended up falling asleep beside it. The night¡¯s silence enveloped them like a peaceful cloak, interrupted only by the rhythm of their breathing. Until, in the darkness, a soft crack echoed, slicing through the calm like a muffled thunderclap. Nexha stirred slightly, his body reacting before his mind processed the sound. Lilay furrowed his brow in his sleep, as if something was about to wake them from a dream turning into reality. The cracking grew louder, resonating like an echo in the night¡¯s silence. Nexha and Lilay felt their sleep fade in an instant and held their breath as a larger fracture formed in the shell. Then, with one final sharp crack, a small being emerged. Its body was covered in yellow down, but the top of its head was adorned with a tuft of gray feathers that stood out. Its big eyes blinked, newly adjusted to the world, and for a moment, everything seemed to freeze. Then, with a fragile chirp, the tiny creature wobbled out of the egg and, without hesitation, ran toward Nexha, rubbing against him with pure, instinctive affection. Nexha''s eyes widened, feeling the warmth of the small body against him, and a lump of emotion formed in his throat. Lilay, beside him, watched the scene open-mouthed, a mix of fascination and disbelief on his face. ¡ª Nexha became a dad, and I became an uncle! ¡ª IT¡¯S NOT MY CHILD! After that little outburst, the two burst into laughter as they gently poked the newborn, still fresh from the egg. 108 - A Small Life 108 - A Small Life From the moment little Mist emerged from the egg and nestled against Nexha, everything changed. The hatchling was a tiny ball of soft feathers, always seeking warmth and comfort. The instant it felt safe, it buried itself against Nexha¡¯s neck and refused to leave. ¡ª He likes you. ¡ª Lilay observed, smiling as he watched the small gull snuggle into his brother. ¡ª Of course he does, I¡¯m the first face he saw. ¡ª Nexha said, trying to hide how much the closeness made him feel giddy. But soon, they realized that raising a baby gull wasn¡¯t as simple as they thought. After all, they barely slept that night because of it. The next morning, Mist woke up before the sun, chirping loudly and nonstop. Nexha, still drowsy, tried to ignore the noise, but Lilay wasn¡¯t as patient. ¡ª He¡¯s hungry, and I¡¯m sleepy! ¡ª Lilay complained, covering his head with a piece of seaweed. ¡ª Then go get food! ¡ª Nexha retorted, hugging the chick as if that would calm it down. ¡ª You¡¯re his dad! Make him stop! ¡ª Lilay whined. ¡ª I wish I knew how... There¡¯s no off button. ¡ª We should¡¯ve made fried seagull! ¡ª I already told you, we¡¯re NOT frying her! After a quick and sleepy argument, they decided to feed Mist small pieces of fish they went out to fetch. The chick pecked eagerly, but his aim was terrible, often missing and hitting Nexha¡¯s fingers instead. ¡ª Hey, easy! My fingers aren¡¯t food! ¡ª Nexha protested, while Lilay burst out laughing. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. ¡ª I think he inherited your patience, Nexha. ¡ª Lilay teased, watching the chick insistently pecking at his brother¡¯s hand. ¡ª Look who¡¯s talking! He definitely takes after you¡ªan endless pit that¡¯s never satisfied! We¡¯ve given him twelve fish already! How has he not exploded?! ¡ª Nexha stared in disbelief at the chick, who only blinked innocently, already eyeing the next piece of fish. ¡ª She even makes the same face as you. ¡ª When have I ever made that face?! ¡ª Lilay asked, incredulous. ¡ª You make that face every time you look at a piece of fish. ¡ª No, I don¡¯t! ¡ª Yes, you do! ¡ª LOOK! He ate another one! Are you sure it¡¯s normal for this thing to eat so much? ¡ª Lilay shouted, trying to change the subject. ¡ª I have no idea¡­ ¡ª Nexha sighed, watching Mist happily devour every fish the brothers gave him. ¡ª I¡¯m gonna go get more fish... ¡ª No, you¡¯re not! This little guy is going to explode if he eats any more... What a great uncle you are. ¡ª Hehe, you¡¯re calling me uncle¡­ That means you accepted being his dad. ¡ª I-I¡­ You don¡¯t know anything! ¡ª Nexha huffed, crossing his arms, but he didn¡¯t deny it. And the day went on like that. The two were so entertained by Mist that they even avoided their chores just to stay with the hatchling. But suddenly, they felt a shadow loom over them. Before they could react, they were yanked up abruptly. ¡ª Do you think you can skip work? ¡ª Krahs¡¯s stern voice made them freeze. He held them firmly by the arms, his expression impassive and as intimidating as a predator ready to devour its prey. The tense silence was only broken by Mist¡¯s soft chirping, as if sensing the danger, before running to hide under its makeshift nest. ¡ª There¡¯s plenty of work in the village! Move! ¡ª He ordered, dragging the two away mercilessly. The brothers exchanged resigned looks before temporarily saying goodbye to the tiny feathered ball, knowing that in their growing village, there was never a shortage of work. But that night, while the chick slept, the two sneaked out of the house just to watch him. Breathing softly, Nexha smiled. Lilay also seemed calm, looking at the little one with fondness. ¡ª He¡¯s part of the family now, huh? ¡ª Lilay asked, his voice low and gentle. ¡ª I don¡¯t know¡­ I don¡¯t think Dad will accept that his grandchild is a food-stealing glutton. ¡ª Nexha replied, gently stroking the chick¡¯s soft feathers. ¡ª I already hold that title! ¡ª True, haha. But we¡¯ll take care of her like one. And with that, the two fell asleep. Now, they weren¡¯t just brothers¡ªthey were also the protectors of the small life that had chosen to stay with them. 109 - Before the Flames Die 109 - Before the Flames Die The night was silent, the dark ocean moving gently around the sleeping village. Tiny bubbles escaped from the submerged structures, rising to the surface like lost stars in the water. But among the shadows, a small figure swam with determination. Jasper, with his tiny form, moved with effort, his eyes shining with both excitement and hesitation. The darkness around him felt denser than usual, even with the lucky crab shells glowing along the path. Every shifting shadow created eerie shapes that made him pause for a moment. The deep silence of the night was only interrupted by the distant sound of the ocean breathing, and he felt his heart pounding against his chest. But he wouldn¡¯t give up¡ªhis desire to see the forge made his heart burn with a slowly growing courage. Long before he even understood the concept of fire, Jasper had been fascinated by the forge on the surface. The warm glow dancing on the metal, the sound of the hammer shaping something new¡­ It called to him in a way he couldn¡¯t explain, as if there was something there he needed to understand. Every night, he tried to sneak a peek, hiding like a little thief of secrets, just to catch a glimpse of that forge. Many times, he couldn¡¯t help but bite the new villagers who caught him and took him back home against his will. This time, he had gone further. He carefully emerged onto the stone platform that supported the forge. The cold wind blew against his damp skin, making him shiver, but he didn¡¯t back away. Every creak of the wooden floor beneath his feet seemed deafening, and he looked around with wide eyes, fearing something would emerge from the darkness to stop him. But nothing came. It was just him and the furnace. He daydreamed about the flames. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Even unlit, its blackened structure still seemed to pulse with an invisible heat. Jasper stepped closer, reaching out a trembling hand, as if touching it would help him understand its essence. The scent of soot still lingered, mixed with the salt of the sea, and he held his breath as he approached even more. That was when he felt something behind him. Before he could react, a warm and immense body enveloped him. There was no violence, only a firm, gentle, but inescapable embrace. ¡ª You really like this place, don¡¯t you? ¡ª Nalu¡¯s voice was low and serene, tinged with both amusement and affection. Jasper shrank slightly. He knew he shouldn¡¯t have run away again, knew everyone was tired of having to look for him¡­ but he couldn¡¯t help it. He just couldn¡¯t stop. He felt Nalu¡¯s strong chin rest gently on his head, an instinctive gesture she did with her eggs, and it made his chest tighten. He wasn¡¯t one of her eggs, and he knew that. Nalu held him with the same tenderness, but those eggs¡­ they were truly hers. Soon, they would hatch. Soon, Nalu would have real children to care for. And where would he be then? He didn¡¯t like the other villagers as much as he liked her. She was his mother... or at least, what he imagined a mother to be. Jasper didn¡¯t want to find out. He didn¡¯t want to give it time to happen. If he could learn to forge quickly enough, if he became useful before those eggs hatched, then maybe... Maybe Nalu wouldn¡¯t leave him behind. ¡ª You worry too much, little one ¡ª Nalu murmured, as if she could feel the invisible storm inside him. ¡ª You¡¯re frowning too much¡ªbe careful, or you¡¯ll look grumpier than you actually are. She chuckled, pulling back slightly to look into his eyes. Jasper avoided her gaze, but she smiled. ¡ª Come on. I¡¯ll take you back. Jasper, if you want to come here, I can bring you. You just have to tell me, okay? Jasper avoided speaking in front of strangers as much as possible¡ªhe could only manage a few words when his family was around. Even then, he found it incredibly difficult to say even the simplest things. ¡ª O... o-okay... ¡ª Okay, mother, Jasper... He frowned, took a deep breath, and tried again, his voice breaking but determined. ¡ª O-okay... m-mother. She pulled him closer and swam gently away from the surface. Jasper allowed himself to rest in her arms for a moment, but inside him, the fire of the forge still burned. He needed to learn how to shape metal, and he knew the only one who could teach him. Before it was too late, he would make Nexha teach him how to forge. 110 - The First Mold 110 - The First Mold Jasper swam determinedly through the village corridors, his small body vibrating with an almost feverish urgency. His mind burned like an ember in need of fuel, an uncontrollable desire to learn something that seemed to call out to him. But along with the excitement, there was also a shadow of anxiety. He couldn''t fail. He couldn''t be left behind. There was only one person who could help him. He found Nexha on one of the platforms, focused on feeding Neblina with sour fruits. The baby seagull ate as if it had no bottom. Jasper approached hesitantly but without fear. He tugged on Nexha''s fin to get his attention. ¡ª Nexha... His older brother looked up, blinking a few times before noticing Jasper there. He raised an eyebrow. ¡ª What is it, Jasper? Are you hungry? ¡ª Nexha asked distractedly, placing Neblina on the stone floor. Jasper shook his head, biting his lower lip before taking a deep breath and trying again. ¡ª Forge... teach me... Nexha frowned. ¡ª Huh? Teach you what? Jasper clenched his small hands, frustrated that he couldn''t say everything at once. ¡ª To forge! ¡ª he blurted out, his face flushing. ¡ª I want to learn! The older one blinked, processing the request for a moment. Then, he laughed. ¡ª No way. You''re way too small! ¡ª Nexha crossed his arms. ¡ª The furnace is too hot, the hammer is too heavy¡­ you wouldn¡¯t even be able to hold it properly. ¡ª Yes, I can! ¡ª Jasper retorted, his small tail flicking in frustration. ¡ª I want to learn... now! Nexha sighed and ran a hand over his face. He knew that look. Jasper wasn¡¯t going to give up easily, and if he refused, he¡¯d be getting a few bites from his grumpy little brother. ¡ª Look, forging isn¡¯t just about hammering hot metal until it looks nice. There¡¯s technique, patience, and you can get seriously hurt. ¡ª He crouched down to be at his brother¡¯s level. ¡ª You don¡¯t even have the strength to lift a hammer properly, Jasper. The little one frowned, his lips pressing into a thin line, but his frustration wasn¡¯t with Nexha. He lowered his gaze to his own hands¡ªsmall and fragile compared to the greatness of what he wanted to achieve. His fingers trembled slightly before curling into fists. When he lifted his head to meet his brother¡¯s eyes again, they shone with an intense, almost desperate determination. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. ¡ª Then¡­ I start small. No fire, no hammer. Just¡­ how to do it first. Nexha opened his mouth to protest but stopped. It was true that forging wasn¡¯t just about fire and metal. Before anything else, it was about making molds. Creating the shapes even before melting the metal. It was delicate work, and that¡­ maybe Jasper could do. ¡ª Alright. But no fire for now! I¡¯ll teach you how to make the molds first, got it? Jasper brightened up, his small tail wagging as he climbed onto the platform. ¡ª Got it! ¡ª Alright. First, we need clay. And a lot of patience. ¡ª Nexha grabbed a block of clay and placed it in front of Jasper. ¡ª The first thing we do is shape the object we want to create. If you mess up here, you¡¯ll mess up the metal too. Jasper nodded, watching every movement his brother made as he began to mold a small nail out of clay, demonstrating the process. The little triton grabbed his own portion of clay, trying to imitate Nexha, his tongue pressed between his lips as he focused intensely on the task. Nexha chuckled at his brother¡¯s serious expression. ¡ª You¡¯re the grumpiest clownfish I¡¯ve ever met. Jasper grumbled but didn¡¯t take his attention off his work. He was going to learn. And once he did, no one would leave him behind. Jasper wanted to make a fish-shaped mold but failed multiple times. With each attempt, his small clay creation fell apart, either because it was too wet or because his trembling hands squeezed too hard. He tried to correct it, redid the details with dedication, only to see the shape crumble again. His eyes began to sting with frustration, his breathing becoming short and irritated. He clenched his fists tightly, his chest knotting in a tight grip. Why couldn¡¯t he do it? Why wouldn¡¯t his hands obey? He wanted to scream but only gritted his teeth, feeling the anger rise inside him like a relentless tide. He was pulled from his trance when a hand touched his own. ¡ª You¡¯re getting too frustrated in just the first step¡­ Jasper, it doesn¡¯t need to be perfect, nothing is¡­ you need to be calmer. Jasper looked at Nexha, who now had the baby seagull making a nest on his head. He almost laughed but held back. Then, he glanced at the misshapen clay fish in his hands. ¡ª I¡¯ll try... Taking a deep breath, he relaxed his shoulders and let his hands move more carefully, trying to mold the fish again. His heart still pounded, but he focused on every detail, feeling the texture of the clay between his fingers. Small imperfections appeared, but this time, he didn¡¯t let frustration take over. He just continued, breathing slowly, until the shape finally started to look like what he wanted. ¡ª I finished¡­ now what? Nexha took the fish and placed it next to the nail, setting it under the sun. Then he turned to Jasper. ¡ª Now we wait for them to dry completely. ¡ª Will it take long? ¡ª A lot. But now we move on to the next step¡ªthe mold. Nexha grabbed pieces of moray eel bamboo and sand, and for the rest of the day, he patiently taught Jasper how to make the molds. When Nalu came to take Jasper home for his afternoon nap, Nexha lit the furnace. He filled a stone pot with some pieces of copper and let them melt under the intense heat. He took the molds and, with patience, pressed the hardened clay model multiple times, creating multiple nail molds. When he finished, his gaze landed on the small misshapen fish beside the nails. He remained silent for a moment, his fingers sliding over the imperfect shape. With a soft sigh, as if accepting something within himself, he made a mold for it too, giving it the same careful attention. Once the metal melted, Nexha filled the molds and let them cool. The next day, he polished the small fish, removing the excess with care, and threaded a thin cord through it. When he handed the pendant to Jasper, the little triton¡¯s eyes gleamed brighter than ever. His wide eyes reflected the copper¡¯s shine with pure admiration, almost reverence. Jasper held the misshapen fish with both hands, as if it were the most precious treasure in the world. His chest swelled with emotion, and without realizing it, he pressed the pendant against himself, as if trying to absorb all the meaning behind the gift. A warmth spread through his heart, something between happiness and deep relief. He finally had something of his own¡ªsomething that showed he was on the right path. 111 - The Experiment 111 - The Experiment Nexha observed the freshly made nails lined up on the stone floor. Jasper''s small copper fish hung around his neck as he looked at the nails, a silent reminder of his younger brother''s effort. But now, he needed to focus on his own task. He ran his fingers over a piece of moray seaweed bamboo, assessing the material''s resistance. For days, he had been pondering the idea of fermenting rice to produce vinegar, an essential ingredient for preserving fish and the tide-mother seaweed fruit, which resembled a yellow tomato. Preserves could greatly help store food for times of scarcity. He wanted to store as much food as possible as a reserve in case something bad happened. For example, the new inhabitants said that the fish had started migrating out of fear, while others speculated that it had something to do with the awakening of the king. Nexha sighed to clear his mind and returned to his project. He needed sturdy, well-sealed barrels. The nails he and Jasper had forged would be key to keeping everything secure. He also thought about using these nails to make houses and structures more stable. While some parts were built with woven moray seaweed bamboo, others were merely tied together with seaweed¡ªsomething he wanted to improve. But those were plans for another time. He picked up his tools and started working. The rhythmic sound of hammering echoed through the underwater village. The impact made the structure beneath his fins vibrate, but Nexha was used to it. He urgently needed to make this structure stronger. As he hammered, Lilay appeared beside him, tilting his head curiously. ¡ª You''re making so much noise that Dad told me to come ask what you''re doing ¡ª he said, crossing his arms. Nexha huffed, not taking his eyes off his work. ¡ª Hammering. I''m making a fermentation barrel. I want to see if I can make something like rice wine. For that, I have to spoil it in a very specific way. Lilay raised an eyebrow. ¡ª And why? You''re going to waste food. ¡ª I''m trying to make vinegar. Imagine spoiling a little now to preserve a lot more food later. Lilay scratched his chin, watching the barrel take shape. ¡ª You think too much¡­ I never thought that was even possible. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡ª And you think too little. Now help me instead of just watching. Lilay sighed but grabbed a piece of bamboo and started helping align the planks. Slowly, the barrels took shape. Jasper, who had been fetched by Nalu, finally appeared after a while, still drowsy from his afternoon nap, and peeked at them, fascinated. ¡ª What''s that? ¡ª he asked, blinking slowly. ¡ª Barrels ¡ª Nexha replied, focused on fixing the last nails. ¡ª What for? Lilay laughed. ¡ª For Nexha to play village sorcerer. Nexha hammered a nail harder than necessary, shooting a glare at Lilay, who just smirked. Jasper, on the other hand, seemed impressed by the structure. ¡ª It''s big¡­ Will a lot fit in there? ¡ª I hope so. But first, I need to test if it leaks. Maybe later, we can replace the rice baskets with these¡ªthey''re safer for storing food ¡ª Nexha said, inspecting the sides. With the barrels finished, all that was left was to prepare the rice and begin the experiment. Nexha sighed, satisfied, running his hand over the smooth bamboo surface. Maybe this could really work. He remembered when he helped his uncle in the other world make mead. Back then, he thought the process was complicated, but now, with that experience, he felt more confident. Luckily, he had paid attention at the time. He took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. It was time to begin. First, Nexha took a large turtle-shell bowl and filled it with fresh water, letting the rice soak. He watched the grains sink slowly, feeling a strange satisfaction with the process. The water became slightly cloudy as the starch loosened, a sign that everything was going as it should. "Now we wait¡­," he murmured to himself, feeling excitement build as his plan took shape. After a while, he drained the water and transferred the rice to a large pot, placing it over the furnace''s gentle flame to boil. The heat began to rise, and the soft scent of rice filled the space. Nexha watched attentively, making sure the grains didn¡¯t stick to the bottom, stirring occasionally. As the water slowly bubbled, he felt a mix of anxiety and excitement¡ªit was a delicate process, and any mistake could ruin everything. ¡ª This has to work¡­ ¡ª he murmured to himself, clenching his fists slightly before carefully stirring the rice again. Once the rice was cooked, Nexha took a deep breath, inhaling the warm, comforting aroma that filled the air. He carefully lifted the stone pot, observing the texture of the grains, now soft and slightly sticky. Gently, he spread the rice over a woven seaweed mat to cool, while his thoughts raced about the next steps. His heart beat a little faster¡ªthis was the crucial moment. If anything went wrong now, all the work would be wasted. He took another deep breath, feeling the tension in his shoulders ease slightly. With steady yet careful hands, he touched the rice¡¯s surface, checking the temperature. It needed to be warm¡ªnot too hot, not too cold. His gaze shifted to his brothers, who watched with curiosity¡ªLilay with his arms crossed, Jasper trying to stifle a yawn. Still cautious, Nexha took a handful of the warm rice, feeling its soft texture between his fingers. His heart beat a little faster as he prepared to mix in possible fermentation starters. He wasn¡¯t sure which one would work, so he made multiple attempts, using his alchemy skill. If even one of the ten barrels succeeded, it would already be a great advancement. This step would determine the success of the entire process. Lilay and Jasper watched in silence, but the anticipation in the air was palpable. Finally, the mixture was carefully poured into the barrels. Nexha took a knife and, with steady hands, carved the name of each fermenting agent onto the barrels. His heart pounded with expectation. He let out a deep sigh and crossed his fingers, silently hoping that at least one of these barrels would bring the expected results. 112 - Reinforcing 112 - Reinforcing Nexha stored the barrels in the warehouse so they could begin their fermentation in a minimally suitable place. ¡ª Unfortunately, the humidity of the sea can''t be contained, not even if we built a basement. But this is the best option for now. He crossed his arms and sighed before returning to the platform. He started cleaning up the mess he had made. Neblina jumped into the turtle-shell pot and began helping by eating all the leftover rice. Nexha chuckled and continued cleaning, but then he noticed a few remaining nails. ¡ª So few left? Looks like I''ll need to make more of these. He felt the platform sway slightly with the waves, and another sigh escaped him. ¡ª This won¡¯t hold up for much longer... I need more nails to make everything more stable. He glanced at the only forge on the platform, then at the mill. They were heavy, and expanding the structure would be difficult without first reinforcing the platform. Determined to act, Nexha began planning. He lit the forge and placed copper inside to melt while assembling more molds to make several nails at once. ¡ª I should also find a copper mine. Buying it from the store every time is eating into my savings. It¡¯s nothing compared to what I spent on the wall, but I want to save up for a skill later. He soon realized that the process was slow because he only had one forge. He considered that if they built more ovens, they could cook more food and melt more minerals simultaneously. More importantly, reducing the waiting time for meals would lessen the pressure on him and the other cooks in the village. ¡ª First, I need to reinforce the structure before thinking about building more ovens. He poured the molten metal into the molds, watching the intense orange glow spread and fill every detail of the shape. Jasper, wrapped in a warm cloth, watched the process with wide, fascinated eyes, almost hypnotized by the incandescent flow. His tiny hands pressed against his chest, as if trying to contain his urge to get closer. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. He knew he couldn''t touch it¡ªNexha had told him many times that hot metal was dangerous¡ªbut still, the desire to participate burned inside him almost as much as the molten metal itself. Meanwhile, on the other side of the platform, Lilay was locked in an epic battle with Neblina over the last bits of rice. The little seagull stretched her neck, trying to snatch the bamboo spoon from Lilay¡¯s hand, while he pulled it back with an irritated grunt. They exchanged pushes and fierce glares, as if it were a matter of honor to determine who had the right to the final scraps. Nexha sighed and looked away, deciding that, for the sake of his sanity, he would pretend he didn¡¯t know the hungry fool wrestling with a baby bird over something so trivial. After all, he had more important things to worry about. ¡ª Now we just need to wait for them to cool. While the nails cooled, Nexha intervened in the war between Neblina and Lilay, dragging his brother over to a pile of stones. Lilay protested, but Nexha simply handed him a tool to carve the stones that would be used for the new ovens as punishment for fighting a seagull. Neblina, not quite understanding what had happened, spread her wings triumphantly. As if she had conquered new territory, she perched on Lilay¡¯s head, puffing out her chest like a queen on her throne. ¡ª One day, I swear, I''m going to roast this seagull. ¡ª Go ahead, I dare you. Let''s see how many days you last without cooked food. Nexha¡¯s threatening glare made Lilay shudder. Finally, the two of them started carving the stones for the ovens while the nails cooled. Later, Nexha turned his attention to the platform structure, reinforcing it with new nails. The sound of hammering echoed through the area, catching Ayla¡¯s curiosity. ¡ª What are you doing, Nexha? ¡ª Reinforcing this. It needs to be sturdier. ¡ª Can I hammer too!? Nexha let out a small sigh, but a smile escaped. ¡ª Sure, but be careful. Ayla¡¯s enthusiasm was contagious. She grabbed a hammer and, under Nexha¡¯s guidance, began helping. With each successful strike, she cheered with excitement. When she missed, she made a frustrated face before trying again. After a while, Nexha invited her to help with building the ovens. Without hesitation, Ayla agreed, practically bouncing in place with excitement. Progress was slow but steady. By the end of the day, the base for the new ovens was ready, and Nexha felt genuine satisfaction seeing the project take shape. Soon, the village would have a much more efficient cooking system, making meal preparation easier. ¡ª That was so cool! Ayla exclaimed while sealing some of the oven¡¯s gaps with clay. Her face was covered in dust, but she was grinning from ear to ear. Nexha watched everything with a warm feeling in his chest. Upgrading the village little by little gave him a sense of purpose, and Ayla¡¯s contagious energy made everything more enjoyable. ¡ª Tomorrow, I think I¡¯ll reinforce more of the platforms. Want to help? ¡ª Of course! You can count on me for anything you want to build! Ayla beamed, excited for another day of construction. 113 - Cooking is Not for Everyone 113 - Cooking is Not for Everyone The ovens were finally ready. The hard work of Nexha, Ayla, and the others had transformed the simple communal kitchen into an efficient space, capable of preparing large meals for the entire village. It was a necessary improvement, something that would ease the pressure on everyone. But now that they were built, it was time to test whether they actually worked. However, Nexha couldn''t shake an uneasy feeling, as if he had forgotten to consider something important. ¡ª Alright, let''s make a meal for everyone... Ah, right... I forgot to teach them how to cook complex dishes... ¡ª Nexha muttered, crossing his arms as he stared at the ovens. ¡ª Looks like I''ll have to give them a cooking lesson... And so, the simple idea of testing the ovens turned into a full-blown community cooking class. The other villagers seemed excited, especially Nina. Ayla''s sister could barely hide her enthusiasm as she began organizing the utensils. For so many days, she had only watched Nexha cook, fascinated by how he handled ingredients and controlled the fire. Now, she finally had the chance to participate. Her smile shone with pure joy, her hands trembled slightly with anticipation, and her eyes darted back and forth, absorbing every detail of what was happening around her. Meanwhile, Jasper, in the middle of the crowd of merfolk, tried to watch with wide, eager eyes. His small forehead wrinkled in frustration. He moved from one side to the other repeatedly, trying to get a better view, but the movement of the older villagers in front of him made it even harder. His heart pounded¡ªhe wanted to see Nexha cook, to understand how everything worked. But his limited vision only allowed him to catch glimpses of shifting shadows and flickering lights. Jasper gritted his tiny teeth, irritated. He felt left out, powerless. Then he realized he was being squeezed between the crowd. The discomfort grew, the air felt suffocating, and without thinking, he bit the people around him to make space for himself. Immediately, cries of protest rang out as the merfolk scolded him harshly. His brother finally noticed his presence and his frustrated expression. All Jasper wanted was to see, to be part of it, but now he was shrinking under the accusing glares, his chest tightening. He felt crushed both physically and emotionally. The scolding hurt even more when he realized that, no matter how much he tried, he couldn''t explain himself. The words tangled in his mouth, his tiny tongue failing to form coherent sentences. Confusion, shame, and rejection swirled inside him, and the only thing he could do was let out a trembling sob before finally breaking down in tears. His shoulders shook as tears rolled down his face. He only wanted to watch, to understand, but everything felt so difficult. It was unfair. It was suffocating. ¡ª No... see... ¡ª Jasper murmured between sobs. Nexha sighed, feeling a pang of guilt at how frustrated Jasper was. He hesitated for a moment, but when he saw the trembling determination in the little one''s eyes, he gave in. Carefully, he moved through the crowd and picked Jasper up, lifting him higher. The small boy clung tightly to him, still sniffling, his tiny body trembling slightly. Nexha ran a comforting hand through his hair before asking gently: This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Nexha carried him closer and set him down near him. ¡ª Can you see better now, little brother? Jasper nodded quickly. The tears were gone, and his eyes sparkled once again. Even with his limited vision, he could now see everything happening, especially the flames he loved so much and Nexha¡¯s precise movements. The frustration disappeared as quickly as it had come, replaced by silent happiness. After all, he was still just a small child. Neblina, on the other hand, was squawking loudly from the seagull platform, just from smelling the food. But it was safer for her to stay away at that moment, so she remained locked in the barn with the other seagulls. The ovens were hot, and many of the merfolk learning to cook were afraid of the fire. Controlling the heat was proving difficult for Nexha to handle alone. ¡ª The fish is burning! ¡ª Lilay shouted, stepping back as a larger-than-expected flame leaped from the oven. ¡ª This is a problem. ¡ª Nexha gritted his teeth and quickly tried to control the flames, but it was complicated with only him working while the others just watched. The heat spread too fast, and the smell of charred fish began to dominate the air. One of the pots started crackling worryingly, and Nina, who had been stirring a rice broth, suddenly stepped back. ¡ª Isn''t the fire too strong? It''s evaporating too quickly! ¡ª Yeah, it is... I think we should stop for now. ¡ª Nexha clenched his fists. He hadn''t anticipated that he would have to manage all the ovens at once. Jasper, focused on the fire, looked at his brothers. ¡ª Nexha... too m-much fire... strong... needs... calm. ¡ª I know. ¡ª Nexha sighed, trying to think of a solution. ¡ª We''re changing today''s lesson. Before cooking, we need to learn how to control fire. A heavy silence followed. The merfolk exchanged glances filled with disdain and disinterest. For many of them, learning to handle fire seemed like a waste of time¡ªsomething useless and dangerous, meant only for the surface. "Why learn to use something we can¡¯t even use underwater?" they murmured among themselves, some rolling their eyes as they began to walk away. "This is pointless for us. I just wanted to learn how to make those delicious dishes." Nexha felt a tightness in his chest at their rejection. Frustration twisted inside him, and his teeth clenched involuntarily. ¡ª Nexha, are you okay? ¡ª Lilay asked. How could they be so blind? How could they ignore something so essential for the village¡¯s growth? Fire wasn¡¯t just some surface-world detail¡ªit was progress, it was survival. He took a deep breath, trying to tame the irritation growing within him, but he couldn''t stop his fists from clenching tightly. ¡ª They¡¯re... idiots! They want to cook but don¡¯t want to deal with fire!... But you guys stayed. I will teach you how to make the best food in the world!... ¡ª His eyes burned with fierce determination as he lifted his head. ¡ª You had your chance to run! Now you''re condemned to learn how to COOK. If those fools didn¡¯t want to learn, so be it. They could stay in their ignorance. But the few who remained¡ªthose, he would teach. A strange smile spread across Nexha''s face as he scanned those who had stayed. He would make sure they truly learned. The remaining merfolk trembled with fear. Nexha¡¯s gaze had turned terrifying, filled with an intensity few dared to meet. His expression was one of pure determination, his clenched fists holding back all the frustration threatening to spill over. Only seven merfolk remained, including Nina, who stood firm, looking at Nexha with a stubborn and courageous glint in her eyes. He took a deep breath, molding his anger into purpose. ¡ª Alright... ¡ª she murmured, her voice steady. She forced a small smile, even as her mind raced. "They may not see the value in this now, but I¡¯ll prove it to them. I¡¯ll become the best." Jasper, watching the fire in their eyes, burst into laughter, clearly entertained by the scene unfolding before him. Lilay, on the other hand, began inching away, sensing the dangerous shift in his brother¡¯s expression. He knew this could end badly for him. That night, the dinner was so impressive that the merfolk who had abandoned the lesson were left speechless. 114 - Learning to Trade 114 - Learning to Trade The next day, Nexha had a problem in mind to solve. Now that more merfolk besides him were spending time on the surface, there was only one wheelchair available. This meant that everyone except him struggled to move around. Dragging themselves across the ground all day could damage the scales of the more fragile merfolk and cause discomfort. He himself didn¡¯t have this problem, as his scales were so resistant that the ground suffered more from the scratches he left behind. Noticing the marks on the stone floor, he quickly shook his head to push away the embarrassment and looked back at the others. Some merfolk already had reddened scales on their tails. The cooking training was already complicated, but with them so limited and injured, it became even worse. He sighed and crossed his arms. ¡ª This isn¡¯t going to work like this. Someone is going to get seriously hurt, and if an infection happens, it could be a disaster. I need to make some ointments and wheelchairs to help them. Nexha was about to gather materials when Lilay suddenly emerged from the water, dragging a wheelchair identical to his. ¡ª Look, Nexha! Nalu and Helen made this for Nina! ¡ª What?! They made this on their own? ¡ª Yeah! They said they¡¯d give it in exchange for some fish. They saw you using one and copied it for Nina. Isn¡¯t that amazing? ¡ª It is. ¡ª A strange smile appeared on Nexha¡¯s face. Seeing his expression, Lilay shivered. ¡ª Nexha¡­ don¡¯t make that face! Dad said that if you make faces and a fish passes by, you¡¯ll stay like that forever! ¡ª I¡¯m not making a face! ¡ª Then look in the water, Nexha. He looked¡ªand was startled. ¡ª Okay, okay! I¡¯ll try not to do it again¡­ But their idea was so brilliant I couldn¡¯t help it. It was only then that Nexha realized something important. From the beginning, he had always been used to carrying the weight of projects alone. But now, being part of a community, he finally understood that he didn¡¯t have to solve everything by himself. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. The people around him had skills, needs, and¡ªmost importantly¡ªthey were willing to contribute. Gradually, what had once been his sole responsibility could become part of the collective dynamic, making everyone¡¯s lives more efficient and balanced. ¡ª For progress, this is very important. ¡ª Progress? Is someone else going to turn into an egg like Neblina? ¡ª No, Lilay. I¡¯ll explain later. Right now, I need to see Nalu and Helen. Leaving Lilay confused, Nexha dove into the water and quickly swam toward the old nest, which had become a temporary home for Nalu and Helen since they were waiting for their eggs to hatch. The nest had perfect conditions for that. Upon entering, Nexha saw the two of them talking. ¡ª I thought last night¡¯s dinner was great. ¡ª Helen said, resting her chin on her hands and happily swaying her tail. ¡ª I liked it too. I hope Nina did as well. ¡ª Nalu agreed calmly. ¡ª Yeah, I hope it was useful too. After all, we need to thank her for bringing that delicious food here. ¡ª Mhm. Nexha smiled a little, already knowing what his bargaining chip would be. ¡ª Good morning! ¡ª Oh, Nexha! We didn¡¯t see you there. How are you? ¡ª Helen greeted. ¡ª I¡¯m fine. And you? ¡ª We¡¯re well, and the eggs are too. ¡ª Nalu smiled. ¡ª Great. I have a proposal for you. The wheelchair you made for Nina turned out really well. So, I¡¯d like to ask you to make more. In exchange, I¡¯ll have the people learning to cook bring you delicious food. What do you think? The two, impressed, nodded. ¡ª That would be a great help! We¡¯ve been guarding the nest for so long that we haven¡¯t been able to eat with the others. ¡ª Yeah, it¡¯s a good deal, Nexha. Staying here doing nothing is so boring. ¡ª Hehe, you¡¯re welcome. I appreciate it too. Everyone¡¯s going to love this. After a few more minutes of conversation, Nexha returned to the platform to continue his lessons. Within a few days, thanks to the deal with Helen and Nalu, everyone had a wheelchair. Some came with minor defects, but nothing Nexha couldn¡¯t fix. The new artisans were still learning to perfect the design. Using this same idea of dividing work, Nexha gave nails to Ayla and others who enjoyed building. As payment, he offered more delicious food in exchange for reinforcing some structures with nails. He wasn¡¯t too worried since he insisted that Ayla was in charge and that they should listen to her. Of course, all the food used as payment wasn¡¯t cooked by Nexha alone. He traded ointments with the cooking students for prepared meals. The initial goal was to teach that food could be exchanged for services, and they learned quickly. All of those Nexha taught to cook stopped hunting or gathering to dedicate themselves entirely to cooking. In response, several hunters began hunting more, and gatherers started collecting more moray algae and mother-algae fruits, all in exchange for ready-made meals. krahs, observing how the trading system was developing, gave an order to the rice collectors: part of the harvest had to be stored for the entire tribe, while the rest could be traded however they wished. This measure was taken to prevent all the rice reserves from being traded away too quickly, leaving nothing in stock for emergencies. 115 - We Need a School 115 - We Need a School Nexha watched the movement on the platform and sighed. The space was already small for the number of merfolk who were beginning to spend more time on the surface. With the wheelchairs, mobility had improved, but it was still difficult to navigate the tight space. He looked around and noticed an even bigger problem: the different areas of the surface were separated, requiring the merfolk to go down and climb back up to move around. It was inefficient and inconvenient. ¡ª This won''t work like this... ¡ª he murmured to himself, crossing his arms. Ayla, who was reinforcing a structure nearby, looked up. ¡ª What won''t work? ¡ª The platforms. We need to connect them. Suspended pathways would solve this. Ayla smiled, excited. ¡ª That would be amazing! I can help design them! ¡ª Great. But first, I need to present this to my father and the others... but I have a strange feeling it''s going to be a problem. ¡ª Nexha sighed heavily. It was becoming increasingly difficult to talk to his father. Now, as chief, he was always surrounded by irritating sycophants seeking attention. Nexha missed the time when his father could simply sunbathe in peace or go out hunting. As strong and determined as Krahs was, Nexha wondered if he himself would be able to be so resilient when he took his father''s place. Was it worth trying to change so much for those who didn''t even care to understand? Sighing, he swam until he found Krahs helping to stock rice. As soon as he shared the idea, the complaints began. ¡ª More constructions? Don¡¯t you realize what you¡¯re doing? ¡ª An adult who was helping with the rice crossed his arms, his tail swaying in the water. ¡ª It¡¯s bad enough that we already have too many platforms blocking part of the light, and now you want to cover even more? ¡ª We need to think about mobility up here! ¡ª Nexha tried to argue. ¡ª Now that we use the surface more than before, it makes sense to make transit easier. ¡ª But life is in the water, not up there! ¡ª A younger mermaid interjected. ¡ª The moray algae depend on the light from the surface! Not to mention that staying in the dark all the time is horrible! Nexha clenched his fists, trying to contain his frustration. Did they really not understand the importance of this? Or did they simply not want to leave their comfort zone? ¡ª Then what¡¯s the solution? I just want to make our lives easier! The rice we carry in the water could be transported much more easily on wheels along a walkway to the storage area. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. The murmurs grew, dividing opinions. Some understood Nexha¡¯s point, but others worried about the consequences. ¡ª Then let¡¯s try something different. ¡ª Krahs finally spoke, trying to calm the situation. ¡ª We can build thinner suspended pathways, with open structures so that light still passes through. The murmuring quieted a bit upon hearing the leader, but there was still resistance. Some even looked at Krahs as if the idea had been his. Nexha felt a tightness in his chest. Would they never acknowledge him for what he did? ¡ª I''ll do as you said, Dad... See you later. He and Ayla began constructing the thin walkways, trying to balance functionality and light exposure. However, as soon as some villagers tried to use them, part of the structure gave way. ¡ª This isn''t working... ¡ª Nexha ran a hand over his face, exhausted. ¡ª Maybe we need to reinforce it. I think the openings might be a bit too large. ¡ª Ayla suggested, worried. Before they could rework the plan, more villagers began to complain. ¡ª Did you see? The chief¡¯s son is up to nonsense again. ¡ª It looks dangerous. Nexha suddenly grew furious. ¡ª Don¡¯t you understand that fire, wheelchairs, and these walkways are part of evolution?! Without this, you¡¯ll keep relying on the difficulties of the past! Silence fell among the villagers, some surprised by Nexha¡¯s outburst. ¡ª Without the walls, we wouldn¡¯t have fish! Without the platforms, we couldn¡¯t cook good food! Without the rice, I wouldn¡¯t even let you in here! The men flinched, but still tried to argue. ¡ª Stop acting so high and mighty! Just because your father created this incredible place and taught you a few things doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re important! ¡ª Are you stupid? Did your mother drop your egg when you were little?! One of the men stepped back, but before he could respond, a voice cut through the discussion. ¡ª Hahaha, who¡¯s this idiot that doesn¡¯t even know it was Nexha who built everything we have today? Lilay said, laughing uncontrollably as he looked at the scene. ¡ª Shouldn¡¯t you be hunting? ¡ª One of them asked, his voice filled with distrust. ¡ª I was eating on the stone platform. Then I heard Nexha yelling and came here. ¡ª Lilay replied, crossing his arms. ¡ª Tell me exactly why you¡¯re messing with my brother. The men hesitated, but then started to explain. ¡ª Your brother thinks he built everything and always wants to change things as if he were the leader. Nexha processed everything and realized that simply ignoring it no longer seemed like an option. Seeing so many ignorant people in the village made him realize he urgently needed to create a school. Lilay clicked his teeth in disdain, staring them down. They tried to explain. ¡ª But... Lilay cut them off mercilessly. ¡ª If anyone here is the leader of this place, it¡¯s Nexha, you useless morays. Dad is going to kick you out as soon as he hears about this. Lilay walked off toward Krahs, and the men who had been criticizing Nexha ran after him, begging for forgiveness ¡ª but not from Nexha. Nexha was still angry and a little hurt by their ignorance. He even regretted opening the gates when Ayla suddenly approached and hugged him. ¡ª Sorry, it was my mistake on the bridge. That¡¯s why they criticized you. She seemed to want to take all the blame, trying to ease the situation a little. Nexha sighed and looked at her. ¡ª No need to apologize. We both need to improve. Next time, it will work, you¡¯ll see. And those guys had problems in their heads. Seagulls think more than they do. The two laughed, watching Jasper arguing with Neblina to keep her from eating his finger. Then they went back to work. With the walkways stabilized, the village started to accept the change. It wasn¡¯t easy, but Nexha realized that sometimes innovation wouldn¡¯t be well received by everyone. Strangely, he never saw the merfolk who had criticized him again. He thought they were too embarrassed to show up. He had no idea what Krahs had done to them. 116 - Getting Rid of Parasites 116 - Getting Rid of Parasites Krahs remained silent, listening to the laments of the merfolk who had attacked Nexha with venomous words. They knelt before him, begging for forgiveness, trying to justify themselves with trembling voices and fearful eyes. But Krahs showed no emotion. He merely observed them, his eyes as cold as the ocean depths. ¡ª So, you think you know what¡¯s best for the village? ¡ª His voice was low but carried a crushing weight. The opposition trembled under his gaze. ¡ª You think you can spit on the hand that feeds you and continue living as if nothing happened? The merfolk exchanged uncertain glances. One of them swallowed hard and tried to stand, but an invisible pressure in the air made him freeze in place. Krahs hadn¡¯t moved, but his control over their fear was absolute. ¡ª F-Forgive us, chief... we only... ¡ª Silence. ¡ª The single word cut through the air like a blade. The man who had tried to speak immediately lowered his head. Krahs stepped forward, his presence growing like a colossal shadow over the kneeling figures. He analyzed each of them, like a predator evaluating its prey. They were not warriors. They were not hunters. They were mere parasites who survived off the efforts of others, always ready to complain but never to act. ¡ª You think the surface isn¡¯t important. That fire isn¡¯t necessary. That change is unwelcome. Yet you still eat the rice that comes from the land, rest under the platforms we built, and accept the protection of the walls we raised. ¡ª His voice dripped with contempt. ¡ª You want the benefits, but you refuse to accept the effort needed to earn them. That disgusts me. Silence reigned. The only sound was the quickened breathing of the accused. ¡ª So, I ask... what are you even good for? ¡ª Krahs tilted his head, the question sounding genuine. The merfolk looked at one another in despair. One tried to speak but stuttered, unable to form a satisfying answer. Among them, the sycophants who always followed Krahs shrank back, trying to disappear behind the others, as if their mere presence made them guilty. They trembled, their eyes darting around, avoiding their leader¡¯s gaze, fearing that any wrong movement would put them in the same fate as the opposition. The suffocating silence crushed them, and for the first time, they realized that being close to Krahs did not make them untouchable¡ªit only made them more visible. ¡ª I should have done this a long time ago, but I feared my children would be upset. But look at what you¡¯ve done... ¡ª Krahs¡¯ voice was cold, devoid of any hesitation. ¡ª After everything you¡¯ve said, my babies won¡¯t even care if you disappear. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. He turned his back on them slowly, as if he had already forgotten their existence. ¡ª After all, my home doesn¡¯t need parasites. The accused felt their blood freeze. The weight of their actions finally crushed them. Some collapsed to their knees, murmuring incoherent pleas. Others simply closed their eyes, accepting their impending fate. But it didn¡¯t matter. Krahs had already decided. Before they could react, two figures emerged from the shadows¡ªZhaelor and Lioras. Their eyes gleamed with unwavering determination. If one looked closely, it was clear that Zhaelor was the angriest of the two. Their firm hands grabbed the accused without hesitation. Terror was etched onto the faces of the condemned; mouths opened in anguished screams, bodies struggling in futile resistance. Despair took hold as they realized there was no escape. Their cries for mercy echoed, only to be drowned out by the sound of the waves. Krahs remained motionless, not even turning to look. To him, those screams were nothing more than insignificant noise, the last sounds of voices that no longer had a place in the future he was building. ¡ª Take them beyond the reefs. If they manage to return, perhaps they will have learned something. ¡ª His voice carried no anger, only a cold pragmatism. There was no room for weakness in his domain. The desperate cries grew fainter until only silence remained. Those watching from a distance averted their gazes, pretending they had seen nothing. Krahs finally sighed, running a hand over his face. He knew that Nexha wanted to build a different world, a place where everyone could grow together. But there was still a lesson his son needed to learn: some people would never change. And for the sake of the village, it was better if they disappeared. With the matter resolved, he returned to his routine as if nothing had happened. But around him, the silence lingered, dense and suffocating. The sycophants, who once followed him with smiles and flattering words, were now rigid, trying to suppress the tremor in their fins. Their eyes darted nervously, avoiding Krahs¡¯ gaze, terrified that a single wrong look could place them in the same position as those who had been taken away. The village would move forward, stronger and more united... without the weak who had held it back. But on the faces of those who remained, it was clear that no one would ever forget what they had witnessed. Meanwhile, Beyond the Reefs... Zhaelor played with twisted chunks of meat, tossing them like toys. Lioras sighed at the sight and finally asked: ¡ª And yet orcas have a bad reputation... You¡¯re overdoing it, sperm whale. ¡ª You¡¯re being too serious, orca. My young master deserved a much heavier revenge. ¡ª Your young master would be horrified by what you did. ¡ª I just scared them with some regurgitated fish meat. After all, I don¡¯t want them ever thinking about coming back. ¡ª Pretending to swallow merfolk whole was your solution to that? Disgusting. ¡ª Just a little joke to scare them. But if they do return, I won¡¯t hesitate to make them disappear. ¡ª Zhaelor¡¯s tone was far too calm, and that was what sent a chill down Lioras¡¯ spine. He held his breath for a moment, his stomach twisting as he realized that, in that last sentence, Zhaelor wasn¡¯t joking. The weight of that unspoken threat was suffocating, and Lioras fought the urge to gag as he watched Zhaelor discard the ball of regurgitated meat as if it were nothing.