Arthur moved through the ocean’s deeper reaches, his body gliding effortlessly in the water. The further he swam, the darker and more alien the surroundings became. The seabed dropped away into a jagged abyss, and strange, bioluminescent creatures flitted around him, their glowing bodies casting eerie shadows along the rock formations. Every now and then, he felt a twinge of caution, an instinctual reaction to the unfamiliar territory.

He paused, sensing something new. The system’s [Map] flickered in his mind, a faint outline appearing just in the corner of his vision. For the most part, it was vague, incomplete, showing only blurry regions of the ocean around him. But one thing stood out clearly now: a large, pulsing red spot.

It was close. Very close.

Arthur hovered for a moment, unsure. His instincts screamed at him to avoid it at all costs. The red mark on the map wasn’t just a warning—it felt like a direct threat. Whatever it was, it was dangerous, far more dangerous than anything he had encountered so far. His body tensed, every fiber of his being telling him to turn around, swim away, find a safer route.

But then there was the other voice. The hunger. It gnawed at him constantly now, always whispering, always pushing him forward. And as he stared at the red spot on the map, that hunger surged. He could practically taste the potential of what lay ahead—a creature so powerful, so rich in energy that it would be the perfect feast. If he could defeat it, he would grow stronger, much stronger.

His mouth tightened into a grim line. There was a time to be smart, and a time to be bold. But now... he needed to survive. He needed to get stronger, and that meant knowing when to choose his battles. This wasn’t it.

Not yet, he thought, reluctantly turning away from the red mark.

His hunger hissed in protest, but Arthur knew better. He’d learned quickly enough that raw strength wasn’t enough in this world. He needed to be patient, and for now, that meant avoiding whatever lurked in the red zone.

He continued forward, weaving through the towering rock formations that jutted up from the ocean floor. The deeper he swam, the more the landscape changed. The water here was colder, still, and the life around him had become stranger. Fish with glowing eyes and translucent bodies darted through the crevices, while thick, twisting plants moved with an unnatural rhythm.

That’s when he saw it.

Up ahead, nestled within a small alcove between two rocks, was a massive clam-like creature. Its shell was large and jagged, covered in barnacles and seaweed, blending perfectly with the surroundings. But it wasn’t the clam itself that caught Arthur’s attention—it was the jewel inside it.

The clam had opened just enough to reveal a pearl, but not just any pearl. This one gleamed with an otherworldly light, pulsating softly with a deep, enchanting glow. The sight of it hit Arthur like a wave of pure desire. His stomach clenched, and hunger roared inside him.

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I need it.

He didn’t understand why, but that jewel called to him. It was unlike anything he had seen before—almost as if it radiated raw energy. His claws flexed involuntarily, drawn toward the light. He could feel the power within the pearl, and his body craved it. The hunger wanted it. Needed it.

Arthur moved closer, cautiously at first, scanning the area for any sign of danger. The clam remained still, its massive shell creaking slightly with the gentle movement of the water. It looked harmless, passive even. His instincts didn’t scream danger, and the system remained silent. Maybe this was his chance.

He extended a claw toward the pearl, its glow intensifying as he neared it. His heart pounded, excitement and hunger intertwining. Just a little closer, and it would be his—

Suddenly, the shell snapped shut.

Arthur recoiled, barely avoiding getting his claw trapped between the clam’s jaws. The entire structure shuddered, the ground vibrating beneath him. The stillness of the moment shattered. From beneath the clam, something slithered out. Long, slimy, and unnervingly fast.

An octopus-like appendage shot toward him, wrapping around his leg before he could react.

Arthur hissed in surprise, thrashing against the grip, but it was too late. The clam had been a lure. The real creature was something far more dangerous.

Out from beneath the clam emerged a massive, writhing form—part clam, part octopus, its body grotesque and covered in thick, armored plates. The Gleamtooth Kraken, as Arthur would soon learn, was a terrifying blend of mollusk and cephalopod, and it wasn’t about to let him take its prized jewel.

The tentacle tightened around his leg, pulling him toward the clam’s jagged mouth. Arthur clawed at the ground, trying to free himself, but the creature’s strength was overwhelming. His hardened carapace protected him from the sharp edges, but the crushing grip of the tentacle made it hard to move.

The Kraken lashed out with another appendage, this one aimed at his side. Arthur twisted, using his newfound agility to dodge the blow, but the Kraken was relentless. Another tentacle wrapped around his arm, yanking him toward its open maw.

This is bad.

Arthur struggled, his claws scraping against the seafloor as the Kraken dragged him closer. He could feel its slimy tendrils tightening around him, trying to crush the life from his body. His carapace was holding—for now—but it wouldn’t last forever. He needed to escape.

He slashed at the tentacles with his claws, slicing through one of them with a satisfying crack. The Kraken recoiled, momentarily loosening its grip, and Arthur seized the opportunity. He twisted his body, lashing out with his tail and breaking free from the remaining tendrils.

But the Kraken wasn’t done. It roared—or something close to a roar, a deep, guttural sound that reverberated through the water—and lunged again. This time, it aimed directly for Arthur’s chest, its maw wide open, razor-sharp teeth glinting in the dim light.

Arthur barely managed to dodge, the Kraken’s teeth snapping shut inches from his armor. His body ached from the effort, his energy reserves running low. He needed to end this, but the Kraken was faster than he’d expected. Each time he landed a blow, it seemed to recover quicker, its tentacles snaking toward him with renewed fury.

And the pearl. That damn pearl still glowed within the clam’s shell, tantalizing him with its promise of power.

Arthur made a split-second decision.