I'm a Stingray?

Chapter 19: The grand offer (2)



Going through the pile of food, Timmy found the snacks he loved the most... well more like what he knew about the most.

These species have made a good impact on him since they are one of the first species he ate once reincarnated in this new body.

Tim loved yelling out their name, we know them well, the leggy crabs a.k.a marble shrimps.

They are dead, so this didn't really give him system points, he didn't have that privilege here. But points were his least concern right now considering that the health bar just isn't reaching 100!

He didn't want to be a food hog so the boy mostly ate the marble shrimp that counted exactly 6 carcasses and ate a couple of sardines as well.

His hunger bar was 9/15 before he ate these and now the boy's full but not enough to cause any gut damage.

As for his health, it only arose to 62 as each shrimp granted 0.5 health bars and the sardines granted 1 each, all together these species provided 5 more health points.

It's small but by each rise he felt the tail's numbness going away completely, he's building health up and will eventually reach 100/100 points, joining this group increased those odds by a good 30%.

Feeling most definitely ready to stalk the massive fish which would most likely require to lay around all day, he gazed at Marlo and said. "Okay I'm ready for mission impossible."

"It's not impossible if you do it Tim, this is easy for you." Added Marlo, enjoying the child's behaviour.

"Okay then mission impossible that's not so impossible for me, is a go!" Tim hollered and stretched the last word as he thundered across the den and made for the exit.

...

Getting out of the reef, the first problem he encountered was just finding the enemies. The reef was large, the ocean even larger so it wasn't easy to find a shark and an eel although both of them were considerably large.

The first thing that caught his attention was a big portion of dark blue captivating a large patch of the coral reef.

They are corals obviously but there are other details that add its own luxury. For example curls between these corals forming a big circle one can swim in between and admire.

There also was underwater vegetation like some weedy stuff that were most likely kelp. There are urchins here and there too, but their detail acts more like a background since the coral is dark blue and the species are often black in colour as well or at least a shade of it.

Taking chances, Tim made for the massive heptagon shaped blue patch and kept his eyes sharp for the sake of finding them and not getting attacked at the same time.

To further enhance his own safety, the boy squeezed lower towards the coral so in case of a surprise attack, the coral would prove as a protector and help the boy avoid getting bitten.

...

With his own pace, he squeezed and slid between the tightest coral spots just to avoid swimming higher where the young stingray could get snatched.

Right now, he hasn't spotted anything that represents the enemies, although having swam for over 200 meters now.

The blue patch is beautiful to explore but he sure wishes for colours he can camouflage better at, like in a path of yellow coral.

At the moment, he stopped and laid down in a short tunnel looking coral. Tim can see whatever is in front of him and could turn around to check whatever is behind. The tunnel has no dead end so both sides provide exposure.

At that second, he spots an urchin out of the tunnel, just two meters away and gags. "Pokey bastard, stay away from my skin."

Giving that little stingray sigh after, he sees a couple of bubbles pop over his head which after led focus away from the sea urchin.

About 30 meters away, he spotted what either looks like an eel or a sea snake. It all seemed blurry from this point considering his low level vision, so further action had to be taken.

He gently flapped his fins and elevated out of the tunnel, sinking down in the coral right after so he doesn't capture further attention.

Timothy doesn't know just how good sighted eels are so it's better to be safe.

Getting 10 meters closer, he passed the urchin and swam right into another one of these spiky bastards.

To that, he scoffed and murmured. "Stay away from me spiky ball."

Now, he can see the situation a bit better and recognized a key characteristic on the eel. "Yes... that fat snake is Harold... now I can stalk you my ugly enemy."

It seemed like the eel was doing something, swimming around in circles and loops, occasionally stopping on his spot and hammering about something, hard to hear it really.

So, he swam just 10 more meters closer where the risk factor was much greater and gave an ear to the stammering, heard Harold shout. "Where is the hideout!?"

"We don't know, we don't know!" High pitched tones echoed, giving a clear sign that more species are on that spot.

Right after, he spotted the eel bashing it's head down and pulling out something familiar.

For a second, it looked like Tim saw himself getting eaten in third person! Harold has bitten a stingray on the head and looks identical to Tim!

"Did that bastard just eat a stingray?" Tim thought, analysing while deep in coral.

Strongly enraged in just a matter of seconds, Tim snuck back to that urchin 10 meters behind him with an idea growing in his mind. "He ate stingrays and I will poke holes in his ass."

Aiding his idea is another grand fact and he decided to ask the system about it too. "Do urchins upgrade my speed?"

[Yes, these urchins do.]

Half minded about it, remembering the negative effects of biting an urchin, he finally decided. "For the stingrays."

And lunged towards the urchin, took a bite out of it and ripped it in half. Glad that he didn't get poked this time, he took another bite and ate it whole.

[Purple sea urchin consumed.]

[Effect on health, -10 bars.]

[Effect on hunger, non existent.]

[Effect on sleep, non existent.]

[Effect on stamina, non existent.]

[Speed has been upgraded to level 5 for an hour!]

Feeling small bearable bits of pain captivating his whole body, Timmy murmured. "Time to save them."


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