I'm a Stingray?

Chapter 110: Struck deal

The prey was not ready to give up just yet, it struck back with a pinch and made him hear the system announce. [Health, -3 bars]

[Total health = 80/100]

"You motherfucker!" Tim shouted and then went ahead and landed 3 more bites in just a second.

That was enough to bite half way through the prey and he heard the system announce right after.

[White-legged shrimp killed. 1 system point has been given to you as a reward.]

[Since this hunt was a system given task, you also gain an additional point.]

[Total system points = 403]

[Eating a full grown white-legged shrimp grants the following effects...]

[Effect on health, +1 bar]

[Effect on hunger, +2 bars]

[Effect on sleep, non existent]

[Effect on stamina, non existent]

"That shark girl was right. These shrimps are pretty empty although half my size." The young man pointed out the obvious but then managed to seek out a benefit. "But... since they don't feed the hunger bar that much, I can eat a few of these shrimps to gain back health."

It was a good idea and he planned on following it but for now the system reminded why he swam all the way here to begin with, [Task 8 finished.]

[Guest is in a state good enough to start task 9]

[Task 9 = find and kill a needlefish]

"This will be awkward." He thought out once remembering that a couple of good friends are needlefish as well. "I should just look for one here rather than on the reef."

After these brief plans, he continued to munch on the shrimp he just killed and after about 20 bites, it was completely devoured and the system laid out a portion of information.

[Health bar = 81/100]

[Hunger bar = 13/15]

[Sleep bar = 17/35]

[Stamina bar 9/15]

The situation was somewhat steady but he had lost a bit of health thanks to the shrimp he had just devoured. According to the system, he had enough space to eat another one of these species for the sake of health.

Sinking deeper in the tunnel and meeting a mild drop down 5 meters after, he saw a shrimp of the same species underneath and went down to land a bite.

This time he steered clear from the little claws these ones have and landed a bite right on the neck. It was almost an instant kill and the only information he cared about, made itself transparent.

[Total system points = 404]

"I have a hell lot of points." He celebrated while munching on the shrimp and feeling blessed by the silence here. "Considering the prices, these points are probably just enough to buy 3 upgrades..."

After a bit of contemplation, he decided. "Still, this is pretty good."

After eating through the shrimp, leaving no trail of murder whatsoever, he asked the system about the most important notification. [Total health =82/100]

"Good, I'm recovering." He answered while sinking lower towards the tunnel.

About 30 meters later, he swam in what felt like a big cavern and saw about a hundred of these same species just casually laying around. One thing he was sure of was that if he tried battling this entire tribe, one pinch after the other would result into death in a mere minute.

Instead, an idea ran through his mind and therefore he put it into word as if he was the most extroverted marine animal in the ocean. "Do any of you speak my language?"

"Kugudugudugudugu!" The entire crowd sounded out, giving a rather clear answer although it sounded mostly gibberish.

After a minute, a bigger shrimp ~ possibly 30 centimeters long, approached Timothy and assured. "I can speak your language. What are you doing in our nest?"

"Nothing evil, trust me." The little boy gave out a brief lie, surely the couple of kills he made have a high chance of escaping unnoticed.

Continuing the presentation, the little blue-dotted boy smiled. "I'm here to propose you the chance of a new and better life."

"I'm listening." The big, white-legged shrimp answered without any signs of rejection in his swift tone.

"The reef has been stripped out of fish thanks to a shark attack that lasted 6 months. They likely won't come back since they know that there barely are any fish there. So you will be safer there than here. Not to mention, the reef has a lot of food for species like you who probably don't eat meat that often." At this point he was surprised of all this information he managed to remember and worded out.

But it surely managed to convince the large shrimp who clearly must have some authority over this whole pack. Still proving difficult, the white male questioned. "What benefit do you have out of this?"

Knowing that this question can lead to a lot of extra work, Timothy answered. "Nothing, it's just an opportunity for you. I won't be affected either way."

This was half truthful. He won't be affected personally but the reef will. Through and through, this was nothing more but a good deed for the sake of saving the reef. Tens of these shrimps accepting the invitation will surely prove effective, not to mention if over a hundred joined.

"Okay." The large one answered, quite unwilling to put up a further debate. "We just need one thing from you."

Happy that this went smoother than expected, the young one immediately answered. "Anything, tell me!"

"You just need to protect us. Barely any of us have been to the reef and we don't know what dangers await on the way there. We need your protection and guidance." The shrimp understood that the young stingray wouldn't be such a big protection but any was better than none.

Extraordinarily happy, the young stingray spun on his spot and assured. "Easy peasy. I don't know if you noticed but I'm a great fighter. I took out an entire great barracuda before all on my own."

To that, the large shrimp just gasped and immediately turned to the rest of the tribe, yelling something in their own language almost dramatically enough to make this feel like a problem.