In the depths of the vast, sapphire-blue ocean, life flourished. Schools of fish darted between vibrant coral reefs, their movements like synchronized dances. Sea creatures glided gracefully through the water, their silhouettes outlined against the shifting sunlight above. Among the marine life, a healthy coral reef stood inconspicuously, its muted greens, blues, and yellows blending with the underwater scenery. Teeming with newborn fish and an array of colorful corals, the reef pulsed with life.Near the heart of this reef, a small golden fish swam in circles, its behavior almost comically aimless. That fish was Xena. Though her fins moved with instinctual grace, her mind was far from the carefree simplicity of her surroundings. This reef was her birthplace, and she was exploring it for the first time.Swimming beside her were smaller golden fish-her siblings, she presumed. She couldn't help but compare herself to them. She was slightly larger than they were, yet not nearly big enough to be considered an adult fish like her mother and father, who hovered protectively above. Lacking a proper means of measurement, Xena sighed inwardly. If fish could sigh, she thought wryly.Her gaze drifted to her parents, who moved with the calm authority of their place in the food chain. For a fleeting moment, a pang of sadness overcame her. She missed her parents from her previous life-the ones who had showered her with both love and discipline. They were strict in their own way, often with the familiar "weapons" of Asian parenting: sticks, sandals, or anything within reach. Yet their love had been undeniable. The thought of them mourning her death in her former life gnawed at her.Shaking off the melancholy, Xena wiggled her small fish body. No, she told herself, I can't drown in sadness. I must survive, grow, and become powerful.Her resolve wavered briefly as she rubbed her fin against one of her siblings, almost unconsciously. She found them adorable-by fish standards, at least. Having never had siblings in her previous life, this newfound bond felt strange but not unwelcome. She had half-siblings, sure, but she'd never met them. Occasionally, she had envied people with siblings, though she was too selfish to dwell on it for long. Everything in her past life had been about her. But here, in this new existence, her priorities would have to shift.Still, her thoughts strayed to her mother. How was she coping? Her mother had a fragile heart, prone to dramatic outbursts. Xena vividly remembered the day her mother threatened her father with a knife after discovering his infidelity. She'd been a silent observer, too young to intervene but old enough to be scarred by the sight. The family had only stayed together because her mother couldn't bear the thought of shattering it.Pulling herself back to the present, Xena noticed a faint glow in her vision. The system window hovered before her eyes like a floating interface from a video game. The concept wasn't new to her; in her past life, she'd spent countless hours watching and reading leveling up novels and manhwas."Alright!" she thought, excitement bubbling. "This means I can gain abilities and magical powers, just like in games!""System window," she called out mentally.Name: Xena
Level: 2
Exp: 5/10
Species: Fish
Gender: Female
HP: 100/100
MP: 1
Agility: 3
Strength: 1
Intelligence: 8
Charm: 10
Skills: Devour
Titles: None
Remaining Stats: 3
"Distribute 2 stats to Agility and 1 to Strength," she instructed.Name: XenaLevel: 2
Exp: 5/10
Species: Fish
Gender: Female
HP: 100/100
MP: 1
Agility: 5
Strength: 2
Intelligence: 8
Charm: 10
Skills: Devour
Titles: None
Remaining Stats: 0
A refreshing sensation coursed through her body, as though her fins and tail had been fine-tuned. She felt faster, stronger, and more alert."Time to test this Devour skill," she thought, swimming closer to a group of microscopic organisms-tiny, faintly colored spheres drifting in the water."System, identify this," she commanded."Zooplankton. Digestible for you, host," the system replied.With a curious flick of her fin, Xena reached for one. +1 EXP floated in her vision as a peculiar sensation ran from her fins through her body. The zooplankton was gone, absorbed entirely. The process felt... satisfying.Encouraged, Xena sought more. One by one, she consumed the tiny creatures, each instance followed by the satisfying ping of gained EXP: +1, +1, +1, +1, +1. Her belly felt fuller, and a grin-if fish could grin-spread across her face.At last, a system notification rang out:"Ding! Level Up.
Three stats awarded.
Skill acquired: Eye of Truth-Allows you to see the level of creatures."
A sharp pain shot through her body as the changes set in. Every fin and scale felt like it was being stretched and reshaped. She gritted her fish teeth, enduring the discomfort as her body grew larger. When it was over, she floated in place, panting lightly."System window," she called again.Name: XenaLevel: 3
Exp: 11/20
Species: Fish
Gender: Female
HP: 100/100
MP: 1
Agility: 6
Strength: 4
Intelligence: 8
Charm: 10
Skills: Devour, Eye of Truth
Titles: None
Remaining Stats: 0
She flexed her fins experimentally, marveling at her newfound speed and strength. Her size had nearly matched her parents', though she still fell slightly short. Wiggling her body, she darted playfully around her siblings.Her joy was short-lived. A shadow loomed nearby-a larger fish, its predatory gaze fixed on her. It darted toward her with alarming speed. Xena's instincts took over. She swam as fast as her newly enhanced fins could manage, narrowly avoiding its snapping jaws.Heart pounding, she watched the predator turn and swim away, losing interest. Trembling, she swam back to her siblings and nestled close to them, seeking comfort. Her larger body enveloped their tiny forms as they stared at her in confusion, blissfully unaware of the danger that had just passed.This world is no joke, Xena thought. If she doesn't keep leveling up, she'll end up as someone else's dinner.