Chapter 7: Hunger and Hatred

The coral reef teemed with life, a vibrant, colorful sanctuary amid the dangers of the open sea. Rays of sunlight pierced the water's surface above, dancing across the coral formations in soft, kaleidoscopic hues. Tiny schools of fish darted between crevices, their scales shimmering like liquid silver. Sea anemones swayed gently with the ocean currents, their tendrils hypnotically weaving back and forth. Crustaceans scuttled along the sandy seabed, occasionally retreating into their shells at the faintest sign of danger. The reef was alive, a bustling ecosystem where even the weakest creatures played their roles, yet it remained cloaked in the ever-present shadow of survival.Within one of the coral holes, Xena rested, her large, golden body camouflaged against the coral's natural tones. The reef's ambient sounds surrounded her-gentle swishes of water, the clicking of shrimp, and the occasional distant roar of something far larger. But her focus was singular: the monstrous shark that lingered just beyond her sanctuary.The shark was enormous, its body a mass of muscle and menace. Its slate-gray skin was marred with scars, testaments to countless battles. Rows of serrated teeth gleamed each time its jaws parted, a grim reminder of its place at the top of the food chain. It patrolled the reef with a slow, deliberate grace, scattering smaller fish in its wake. The shark was too large to fit into the coral holes, but its presence was a suffocating weight on everything around it.Xena's passive skill, Coral Camouflage, dulled her presence, making her blend seamlessly into her hiding spot. Here, she felt marginally safe, her golden scales muted against the vibrant coral hues. She'd grown significantly since her last encounter, her body now nearly the size of the shark pup she'd killed. Despite her growth, a nagging unease gnawed at her. She had survived, yes, but survival was not victory-not when the beast outside continued to wreak havoc on the reef's fragile inhabitants.A soft chime echoed in her mind."Ding! Sudden Quest Completed: Shark Pup's End: A Quiet Hunt."The rewards were substantial, but they offered little solace at the moment."Rewards:New Skill Unlocked - Predator's Instinct: Grants heightened awareness in combat, allowing detection of enemy weak points and prediction of movements for 10 seconds (MP usage: 2, cooldown: 1 minute).

Shark Scale Fragment: A small fragment of the pup's scales that increases armor by +5 for 24 hours when consumed.

Title Unlocked - Silent Predator: A title granted to those who execute enemies without alerting others. Provides +10% stealth and +5% attack against distracted or unaware enemies."

Xena sighed, a soft ripple escaping her gills as she rested on the coral floor. "The rewards would've been more exciting if I wasn't about to become shark food," she muttered bitterly.The system chimed again, its metallic voice cold and detached."It is advisable for host to retrieve the loot/drop item from the shark's dead body before 24 hours. After that, it will vanish."Xena rolled her eyes. "Sure, let me just waltz out there and grab it while the giant murder machine is prowling around."For now, the loot would have to be abandoned. Her survival came first.Calling up her System Window, she reviewed her stats, allocating her remaining points and selecting a new skill.Name: Xena

Level: 8

Exp: 117/130

Species: Fish

Gender: Female

HP: 70/100

MP: 3/15

Agility: 6

Strength: 4

Intelligence: 8

Charm: 10

Skills: Devour, Eye of Truth, Hydro Boost, Electric Pulse, Healing Current, Aqua Slash, Coral Camouflage, Mana Absorption, Predator's Instinct

Titles: Eel Slayer, Silent Predator

Remaining Stats: 0

Satisfied, she activated her newly chosen Mana Absorption skill. Closing her eyes, she entered a meditative state, feeling for the faint traces of mana in her surroundings. It was a delicate process, like catching grains of sand in a current. Slowly, a soothing warmth spread through her body as she absorbed the slim amounts of energy in the water, her MP replenishing at a steady pace.Days passed in this manner. The system alerts of completed daily quests marked the time, and by now, she had accumulated 30 pearl coins. Occasionally, she peeked out from her coral hole, her presence concealed by her camouflage. The shark remained, an ominous sentinel that fed on the reef's weaker inhabitants.When hunger finally gnawed at her insides, Xena could no longer ignore it. The shark pup's energy reserves had sustained her for days, but now her body demanded more.As she peeked outside again, the shark began to move, swimming lazily through the reef in search of food. Xena waited, her fins trembling slightly, until the predator was distracted. Then, she darted out, her sleek form cutting through the water with precision.She swam toward her family's hiding place, a vibrant coral structure that had once been a bustling haven. Her heart sank as she approached. Scattered near the entrance were bits of golden fins, the unmistakable remnants of her siblings. Blood tainted the water, its metallic scent sharp in her nostrils.Her body froze, a mix of grief and rage welling up inside her. She squeezed into the coral hole as far as her larger frame allowed, peering inside. The few remaining siblings were weak, their once-bright scales now dull and lifeless. They huddled together, thin and trembling, a stark contrast to the lively school she remembered."I know this is an eat-or-be-eaten world," she growled under her breath, "but that damn shark crossed the line."Scooping up a mouthful of zooplankton, she shoved it into the hole's entrance, urging her siblings to eat. "Stay alive," she thought. "I'll avenge the others."Laying low, she observed the reef around her. Small crabs picked at scraps on the seabed, oblivious to the danger above. A school of brightly colored wrasse darted between anemones, their movements jittery and frantic. Even the usually confident clownfish stayed hidden, their orange and white forms barely visible among the swaying tentacles.The shark's shadow loomed, casting the reef in darkness. Xena retreated, her camouflage activating instinctively. The predator's movements were slow but deliberate, its black eyes scanning for any sign of prey.Xena's mind raced. She couldn't face the shark head-on-not yet. But she wasn't about to let it continue its reign of terror over the reef. She needed a plan, one that would exploit the shark's size and her newfound skills.Settling back into her hiding place, Xena's golden eyes gleamed with determination. This wasn't just about survival anymore. It was war.