"Thyrian, I think everyone should leave the hall," I said, my voice loud enough for the guests and even the king himself to hear.

"What do you mean?" the king’s cold voice rose, and I snapped my head toward him.

"The celebration should be cancelled," I said, not explaining as I stood up and moved toward the stage, but a hand suddenly yanked me back.

"What the hell are you doing?" the queen snapped, then turned to Thyrian. "Keep your master in check," she yelled, but he caught her hand and shoved it off.

"What’s wrong?" Thyrian asked, turning to me gently, his arm resting around my shoulders. My lips parted to say something, but in that very second—

A loud roar erupted from the entrance of the hall, so deep and violent it felt like it tore through the ocean itself. The music cut off instantly, and everything went silent. The water around us vibrated with an intense heat and pressure that made my chest tighten.

"What’s WRONG?!"

"What was that?!"

"What’s happening?!"

"Mum, I’m scared!"

The crowd murmured in fear, panic spreading fast, and I swallowed a huge lump in my throat. Thyrian seemed to understand the threat immediately, and the queen’s eyes widened in panic.

"Fast, everyone! Leave through the secret passage!" she announced, and instantly everyone began swimming, bumping into each other, pushing past one another in desperation to get to safety.

Just then, a huge eye peeked in from the entrance, large, cold, and terrifyingly aware. It watched where everyone was escaping to, and something about the way it lingered made my stomach drop. Its pupil darkened before it slowly withdrew, as if it had already decided something.

The king tightened his grip on his trident. "Stop!" he yelled, but it was already too late.

A massive crunch echoed through the ocean, loud and sickening, and the secret passage collapsed completely. The screams of the commoners filled the hall, echoing endlessly and making my chest tighten.

"Thyrian, Seth, take charge!" the king yelled, whistling sharply. In an instant, a massive dark seahorse appeared, and he grabbed onto its neck as it swam forward at terrifying speed.

Then the creature fully showed itself.

"What’s that?" I asked in terror. I had never seen such a horrifying sea monster before, but Thyrian and his brother had already charged toward it without hesitation. Everyone stared at the royals, fear written clearly across their faces, waiting for them to act. From the entrance, warriors emerged quickly.

"Protect the commoners!" the queen’s voice came out cold and loud. "Don’t stay still, help!" She glanced sharply at me before swimming downward, clearly trying to open another safe passage.

"System, can you identify the creature?" I asked, and a panel appeared.

[Sorry, host. The creature’s identity cannot be cracked, but...]

It paused, and I hissed in displeasure.

[New Mission: Kill the unknown creature and level up in rank! Reward: 5000 gemstones.

Beginner Pack: Host can purchase to increase stats for a higher chance of winning.

Agility: 0

Speed: 25

Stability: 0

Strength: 0]

Seeing this, I bit down on my lower lip. I adjusted the stats quickly, making sure my strength and stability increased the most. A surge of energy rushed through my body, and my sword appeared instantly in my hand. The gown I wore burned bright red and shifted, transforming into something lighter, easier to move in.

"Let’s win something sweet," I said, a low smile forming on my lips. I suddenly felt powerful, almost like a superhero. I swam forward at high speed and soon appeared outside. The creature stood massive and terrifying, easily towering above everything. Its sharp canine teeth glowed with a dark poisonous hue, and just looking at it made my skin crawl.

I watched as the warriors launched at it, their spears striking its body repeatedly, but the impact barely did anything. The creature let out painful cries, but it was still standing strong, barely affected. Its fin moved violently and slammed into three warriors, throwing them off their mounts instantly.

Then it charged at the king. His eyes glared, and he released a powerful wave through the water that struck the creature with immense force, sending it flying backward.

"System, I think they are winning!" I said softly, but something felt off. The system wasn’t saying anything, and that silence made me uneasy. I bit my lower lip.

"Either way, let’s do this," I said, pointing my sword at the creature. As if it understood my challenge, its eyes glowed red, and I scoffed. I wasn’t fearless, and I wasn’t completely calm either, but I forced myself to stay confident.

The other warriors rushed toward it again, but the king suddenly shouted, "Retreat!" the moment he noticed something strange.

The creature’s body shifted, and then its mouth opened wide. A thick green liquid burst out violently, spreading through the water.

My eyes widened. Acid.

The warriors froze, completely caught off guard as the deadly liquid rushed toward them. Just as it was about to hit them, Thyrian moved instantly, pushing them out of the way while placing himself in front of the attack.

"No!" I shouted, swimming toward him, but I wasn’t fast enough.

A painful sound echoed as the acid touched his back. His body trembled, and I could see the burn spreading across his skin. He let out a strained grunt before beginning to sink slowly.

I reached him quickly, holding him gently.

"It’s okay," he said softly, placing his hand in mine, but my eyes filled with tears. If I had acted sooner, if I hadn’t hesitated, maybe he wouldn’t be hurt like this.

The men he saved ran away. The king looked at Thyrian, and for a moment I expected him to step forward, but instead he turned away and swam off with Seth.

"Get the citizens saved first," the king said, and my eyes darkened instantly. My grip on my sword tightened.

Bastard.

Then I felt it...Heavy breathing, right behind me.

Without hesitation, I used the little magic I had and made Thyrian disappear somewhere safe. Then I turned and slashed my sword through the water, striking the creature’s face. A sharp shriek echoed, and a powerful wave-like vibration spread through the ocean, hitting me hard and sending me crashing into a rock.

Pain shot through my body.

"F*ck... it’s really strong."

"System, is there nothing you can do?" I asked, and it finally responded.

[Host, you are on your own.]

My eyes widened. "Wait, what?" I called out, but it disappeared instantly.

The creature lunged toward me, and I dodged downward just in time as it slammed into the rock behind me, crushing it completely. I didn’t stop moving. I swung my sword again, cutting into its stomach. This time it didn’t scream, instead it circled around me, moving faster, as if trying to get underneath me.

The ocean rumbled around me, the pressure increasing.

I dived quickly, but it didn’t stop. Its fin struck me again, sending me flying backward.

I steadied myself in the water, breathing unevenly as I stared at it.

Then I saw her.

A mermaid stood right in front of it, frozen in shock. Her basket fell from her hands as she tried to swim away, but it was too late. The creature swallowed her instantly, her scream cutting off completely.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry.

I charged toward it again, and it charged at me. I made it seem like I would strike its face, but at the last second I shifted and slashed deeply into its fin, carving a long line through it. Thick red blood burst out, spreading through the water.

I stood there, my body stained with blood, breathing heavily.

Then I looked toward the hall. Almost everyone was escaping.

I, fighting it was giving them time.

That was good.

But then my gaze froze.

Another creature stood at the entrance, watching the commoners.

"Shit."

There were two.

Before I could react, it spewed acid into the hall, and screams erupted again. That was when the king and his family finally realized what was happening.

I was distracted for a second.

That was all it needed.

I suddenly saw sharp canines above me. My eyes widened as I raised my sword upward, but what I didn’t expect was for the creature to endure the pain. My sword sank into its flesh, yet it still pushed forward and closed its jaws around me.

"Fvck."

I was inside the belly of the fvcking fish.