I'm a Stingray?

Chapter 41: Aftermath

[You're not getting pregnant, that's still impossible.]

[Your stomach capacity has just doubled for an hour.]

It was tad sad how the system still had to explain this unfortunate portion, but this time there was a bit more lightness in her tone. The sound that in the far beginning sounded computerised, now gave a human hunch.

Better yet, it didn't seem like the system was pissed... this time at least. Her tone showed joy and it felt like she was by her side this time although a scold was under process. At least that's how it felt for a few seconds, afterwards the system raged like a tantrum throwing toddler.

[However your stupidity paid off for once.]

[A tiger grouper provides decent health and you can use the temporary upgrade to your utmost advantage.]

[You're pretty close to dying so I extremely recommend to stay here until your health recovers.]

"But there is so much to do! And I can't eat this entire cow." Tim contradicted, feeling that he was already running late with the overall task of recruitment and solitude.

[It is extremely important for you to stay here and eat that fish and it's companions as well. You have to do it even if it means staying here for 3 days.]

[Your total health is 32/100]

[That's extremely low, 2 more points and you'd be on the doorway of entering critical.]

[If you go out and handle any given task, death would be a guarantee even if you meet a minor enemy.]

At this point, Timothy inevitably felt like being nagged but never had he agreed with it more before. Both of his fins feel sore, although the right one more than the other.

His entire body feels tired, and not only because of the lacking stamina. And the concern in the system's tone, well he could hear it.

Therefore he decided to go along with her grand recommendations, citing. "You're right system, I'll slow down. The dungeness crabs can wait, their kids are safe now anyway."

"I'm Koob!" He heard a little stinker shout from the top of its organs, rushing in the scene like the short tailed torpedo it is.

And bashed the dead tiger grouper right on the gut, and afterwards expanded, becoming about a foot wide now!

"Thanks Koob but I killed it already." Tim pointed out after overcoming the shock of seeing this pufferfish here.

But then he remembered that they don't speak the stingray language. In those same seconds, he heard a familiar tone shouting. "I'm Konon!"

Then at a similar speed, another pufferfish burst in the scene like a fearless bear and bashed his head against the carcass, puffing up in the end.

"It's dead already!" Tim shouted out, although not at all rageful.

But then an idea coming in his mind based on the system's recommendations, he gazed at one of these pufferfish and requested. "Marble shrimp, can you bring me marble shrimp!?"

But then to make sure that this idea was good to begin with, he thought out a question. "Marble shrimp can make me sleepy, right?"

[Loading information about marble shrimp that had been saved in your collection.]

[Effect on health, +0.5 bars.]

[Effect on hunger, +0.3 bars.]

[Effect on sleep, -0.2 bars.]

[Effect on stamina, -0.4 bars.]

"Okay then I remembered it right for once." Tim celebrated and after that, he tried to recall what his idea was.

Finally remembering, consultation with the system became a must. "What do you say if I tire myself out to sleep? I'll burn out food as well."

[That's actually clever for once, but I already knew the thought so why describe it to me?]

[Go for it, start swimming around right now even.]

"Okay okay." Tim hurriedly answered, glad that he was called clever for once.

But then took over the first problem, looking at Koob, he once again demanded. "Marble shrimp, I need you to get me as much marble shrimp as possible."

Most definitely having it difficult to understand, the pufferfish replied while slowly deflating. "I'm Koob."

Hating the language barrier at this point more than his enemies, Timmy gave one more attempt. "Leggy crabs! Can you get me those?"

At that second, he saw Koob making for the entrance at full speed and his brother joined once deflating.

Tad happier, he thought. "Guess they understood that. I wonder why they got back here? They're supposed to be with Marlo."

Gazing at the dead carcass and briefly recalling all the work that had to be done just o recruit these crabs, Tim murmured. "Marlo owns me like, a tuna fish for this."

And then started nibbling on the enemy's head, wondering just how many bites he had to take in order to devour this fatty fish.

...

[Your total health = 42/100]

As Tim wanted to grab his stomach with fins thanks to overeating, the only thing he could mumble was. "Guh, I feel pregnant."

The positive part from this however, was the sole fact of feeling better already. The smaller wound on his left fin felt reduced by half, although its pain not small enough to be ignored.

While the right fin just felt a tad better, this one might take longer to heal considering what fish sunk his teeth into it.

Feeling tad more energetic, that being a minor effect of eating a tiger grouper, Timmy began to swim in place.

Well here there is a lot of room to swim around in, 7 meters of space wasn't exactly small for a stingray.

He started off slow and gradually began to build up speed. As for the carcasses here, it didn't bother him at all. Although the tiger grouper's head was consumed by now and only of its body remained.

About 15 spins around the crib later, he felt a good urge to poop. Why stop aye? This isn't his den.

[Hunger bar = 28/35]

"Oh great now I can eat more." Tim celebrated but steered away from the carcasses here.

Sticking to his ideas, Timmy cited. "I'll save this spot for marble shrimps... if those brothers bring them."