Amid a shimmering coral reef teeming with life, a small golden fish floated in place, her delicate fins stirring the water gently. Unlike the other baby fish around her, who rested in the peculiar sleep of their kind, she was wide awake. Fish, after all, didn't sleep like land mammals did. Their rest was a state of lowered brain activity, reduced breathing, and minimal metabolic rates, yet they remained vigilant to danger.The golden fish stirred and began to swim around her siblings, counting them one by one. A tinge of relief washed over her when she confirmed they were all still there. Earlier, she had barely escaped becoming a meal for a predator much larger than herself, an experience that had left her shaken and forced her into a rest mode to recover her energy.With her siblings safe, she decided to explore the edges of the reef. Although she dared not stray too far, her cautious nature reminded her of the countless predators lurking in the vast ocean. For now, staying close to the reef seemed the wisest course of action. Her sharp eyes scanned the waters until they landed on a cluster of copepods-tiny, segmented crustaceans no more than a few millimeters long. They swirled in the current, oblivious to her presence."Perfect. Food," she thought, and with a flick of her tail, she darted forward. Activating her Devour skill, she felt a faint, mystical pulse ripple from her body as the copepods vanished into nothingness, their energy absorbed into her being. However, disappointment quickly settled in."Three copepods for just one experience point? Ugh."Grinding her teeth-figuratively, of course-she continued to devour the cluster. By the time she was done, her system displayed a measly +8 EXP. She needed just one more point to reach Level 4. Dejected, she swam back to the coral reef, her eyes scanning for anything else edible.Her luck turned when she spotted an unattended clutch of fish eggs nestled in a nook of the reef. Her golden eyes widened with excitement, though she remained cautious, checking her surroundings for any sign of the eggs' parents. Satisfied that the coast was clear, she approached.This time, when she activated Devour, a small, mist-like aura emerged and engulfed the entire clutch at once. She froze, momentarily startled by the skill's sudden growth in power. As the last egg disappeared, her vision filled with notifications:+1 EXP, +1 EXP, +1 EXP..."Ding! Level up. 3 stat points awarded. Skill unlocked: Hydro Boost - temporarily increases speed by 30% for 30 seconds with 1 hour cool down time (MP usage: 2)."The sound of the system's announcement jolted her from her thoughts. As she processed the information, she realized something important: the more she used her skills, the stronger they became. Devour had clearly improved, but it now consumed 1 MP per use. Energy wasn't free, after all."System window," she called mentally. "Distribute all 3 stat points to MP."Her updated stats appeared:Name: Xena
Level: 4
Exp: 22/35
Species: Fish
Gender: Female
HP: 100/100
MP: 2/3
Agility: 6
Strength: 4
Intelligence: 8
Charm: 10
Skills: Devour, Eye of Truth, Hydro Boost
Titles: None
Remaining Stats: 0
The increase in MP brought her some comfort. Skills were critical for survival, and she needed enough MP to use them consistently. Yet she couldn't ignore the importance of speed for escaping predators or strength for when fights became inevitable. Balancing her stats would be key to survival.Her thoughts drifted to the system itself. If it had granted her skills and stats, surely it must have quests, too? The reincarnation and transmigration stories she'd read always included main and side quests as part of the protagonist's journey."What is my main quest?" she asked."Ding! Quests function unlocked.Main Quest: Currently unavailable. The host must reach a higher level before receiving a main quest.
Side Quests: Randomly issued based on specific circumstances."
Her eye twitched. "You waited for me to ask? Seriously?"Ignoring her frustration, she tried again. "What about daily quests?""Ding! Daily quest: Survive and evolve.""Ding! Daily quest completed. Rewards: 3 Pearl Coins."
The casual tone of the notification made her want to curse. Her system was stingy, to say the least. She glanced at her new currency-Pearl Coins-and sighed. At least she'd gotten something useful.Then a thought struck her. "System, where's my newbie gift pack? Don't tell me you forgot about that!""Host you're not a newbie anymore. You should have asked earlier." The system replied with sass.Xena bristled with irritation. "What kind of scam system are you? Just give me the gift pack!"The system reluctantly gave the gift pack"Ding! Newbie Gift Pack awarded:
- 1× Bubble Storage Pouch: A magical pouch with a 20-cubic-meter capacity for storing items.
- 1× Healing Bubble: A one-time-use item that instantly restores HP.
- 5× Pearl Coins: Basic currency, can be used once the system shop opens."
The items materialized in her vision, each glowing faintly. The pouch, though empty for now, would be invaluable for carrying resources she might find. The small bubble pouch is casually sticking inconspicuously by her belly. The Healing Bubble was a literal lifesaver, and she put it in her bubble pouch, while the additional coins hinted at the existence of a shop-a discovery that intrigued her."This would've been nice earlier," she muttered, though relief softened her irritation.Her day had turned out better than expected. She had leveled up, acquired new skills, unlocked quests, and finally wrung some generosity out of her stingy system. But as fulfilling as the day had been, she knew the real challenges lay ahead.For now, she would rest, staying close to the coral reef and preparing for whatever the ocean-or her system-threw at her next.