Inside the lake, there was one fish that moved awkwardly, like someone who drove their car for the first time.

Well, no one’s watching, and even if there is, I don't really care.

Viers chosen direction was to the front, he swam near the surface, not yet willing to go to a deeper place. He thought he should familiarize himself first before going to the depths of this watery place. His fish vision reminded him of a fisheye lens on a camera, it took some time to get used to.

Hard to see with these eyes… in the water… in the night… at least there's quite a bit of illumination from various sources. Oh? Hello fishy.

Viers tried to speak but no sound came out from his fish mouth, so he greeted the fish inside his mind. Fully aware of his efforts may be a waste of time, but he still tried to communicate with his fellow fish. By opening and closing his mouth like a goldfish.

Hey, new fish in the lake here, been a crazy day, right? I already ate earlier, what about you? Eat enough glowy bugs yet? There’s still a lot of them buzzing around on top of our heads.

The fish paid him no mind and swam away.

Okay, cool, see ya later… whoever you are, a real friendly fish.

Viers continued his swimming trip, he went closer to a glowing tree. Now that he was underwater, he could see that the stem of the tree was much longer than he initially thought, the pale-white stem pierced the darkness below him.

Cool, very cool. I can use those as landmarks when I go to the depths. Unlike the games, I got no minimap so orientation is quite a problem.

He went to the shallow area near the encampment of his companions, from the water he saw Terry and Max standing near the edge of the water.

“Where Viers went, do you think?”

“No idea Terry, aren't you more familiar with him than me?”

“He’s a loner, I’ll give you that, he’s got difficulty communicating with people. I reckon he’s an introvert, he wasn't bad once you get to know him, despite the rumors that spread after his fight with the three. He just isn't skilled at social interactions.”

“He seems a bit weird at times, I mean, what is he doing right now? While naked mind you. He stripped all his clothes in the tent! Even his underwear.”

“Yeah, even I think that is weird, you think he’s skinny dipping right now?”

“That or maybe Viers is doing something with the girls.”

“Oh get real, he isn't the type that girls would look twice, whether his face or his body.”

“Speaking of the girls, Farley and Paina are quite cute, you got a favorite? Aiming for one of them?”

“Yeah, they’re cute, but I haven't thought about dating them or anything. Too busy Max, too busy… look at that Tomalica. It seems to fall in love with your member, hahaha.”

“Well, it can look as much as it wants, pee beam! Hahahah.”

Viers dived to avoid the water attack, he just wanted to be away from this contaminated area.

Isn't this supposed to be the time when a fan service is happening? Shouldn't there be the girls gossiping about the boys instead of vice versa? Shouldn't there be a scene where I stumbled with Farley and Paina playing in the water naked? But nooo, instead of Japanese ecchi moments, I saw the two boy’s pecker and almost got pee beamed! CLEARLY, this is not a harem story, nor a love comedy one… Should I be happy about this or shouldn't I? I felt quite conflicted about this.

Viers swam away, he felt a bit disheartened. After a while, he was confident enough with his swimming and decided to go deeper. He saw a lot of fish during this time, some other Tomalica even accompanied him swimming for some time.

Oookay fishy Viers, let’s see what lies in the bottom of the lake. Maybe I will find a yellow sponge living inside a pineapple, hehehe… I want to eat a burger now.

Viers made his way downward, following a Kemara tree’s stem, He felt as if descending from a tower. He didn't know how deep he went, all of his attention was used to scan his surrounding darkness. Besides the stem, there was no other source of light near him, he felt as if he was inside the belly of a giant beast. The Tomalicas only glowed near the surface, and the deeper he went, the scarcer the fish.

Damn, the darkness is scary as hell, I didn't think this lake is so deep. This reminds me of that underwater survival game, I hope no leviathans come out, reaper or ghost or whatever else that exists… This is not a sea but this is another world, who knows what could come out. Should I go back and returned after I got stronger? Ghh, not yet, at least no indication of danger at the moment. It's true what they say, the difference between brave and stupid is paper-thin.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Nothing but his thoughts kept him company, Viers could almost swear he heard his fish heart thumping. He startled and shrieked in his mind because of a fish went past by him.

Fuck! That jumpscare is so sudden. Are my fins trembling ‘cause of that? Fuck it, let's keep going. With so many fish in this lake, there shouldn't be too many predators.

Finally, he reached the lake’s bottom, he saw the glowing stem went deeper into the ground but he couldn't follow it further. He looked all around him, besides the small area with light near him, he couldn't see anything else.

Well, this is a bust, how can I explore if I can't even see what's out there… Let’s see, since I can transform into a fish, maybe I can transform my fish’s eyes so I can see in the dark? Possible or not, it may take too much Victa. If I don't have enough, how can I go back to human form? Shelved the idea for now. Should I simply glow? That may attract other predators, nope, scratch that idea.

Hmm, I don't think should risk it, going into the dark… Let's take a step back, I will explore the upper area for now. Where there’s some light from the two moons and the Tomalicas, maybe I can find something in the shallower waters.

Viers changed directions and went upwards, he was a bit disappointed but the idea of blindly charging into the unknown felt like idiocy for the current him. He'd soon saw the red lights from his Tomalican brothers and sisters.

Welp, back here again, time to explore. Maybe I can find a cave or something.

Viers swam among his species, he felt safer among tens of Tomalicas. Sometimes he went a bit away from the group to examine things that caught his fancy, but nothing noteworthy so far.

Under the lake

Under the lake

Darling it's darker

Down there it's pitch black

Take it from me ~ ♪

Up on the land men die all day

Out in the wilds they rot away

While I trainin'

Most time enjoyin'

Under the lake ~ ♪

He didn't spot any danger and after a while, he started to enjoy his diving experience among the fishes. Viers sang a song in his head, he felt it was very fitting for his current situation. Although he found only trash and nothing noteworthy, he had a good time.

Under the la- umn?

Viers saw something approaching his direction, it was a fish that he never saw before. It was twice Viers’s size and had a shape similar to a muskellunge but Viers didn't know about this information.

He only concerned himself about three things, it was a long-bodied fish, it was coming fast, and it bit one of his fellow Tomalica right in from of him with its sharp teeth. The assailant made a few biting motions before gulping a part of its prey down its throat, a Tomalica corpse with only its upper body started sinking into the abyss.

That's not a normal fish, it got a faint magical glow on its body, a monster. Run!

The Tomalicas scattered in all directions, Viers included. But the muskellunge was faster. It took a couple more Tomalicas before it charged at Viers. Viers swam with all his might but the monster fish was gaining on him.

Fuck, it’s far faster than I thought, my luck is always bad! Never won anything good on gacha! Fuuucckk!

With its fish body, he tried to dodge the attack from behind him. It was partially successful, it only ripped his right fin. It felt like one of his limbs tore apart, but before Viers could process the pain, the muskellunge turned around and charging at him for a second time.

A-Arte — Water Barrier!

He used a defensive Arte reflexively, this Arte created a water shield that enveloping his body like a second skin. The defense power wasn’t high but he didn't have much choice in the first place. The Arte managed to halt the attack, the barrier was holding. Its mouth wasn't big enough to simply swallow Viers whole, so it continued to chomped on him.

Viers tried to struggle free at first but his effort was unsuccessful, after experiencing being bitten for a while, the monster seemed to had no intention of letting go so Viers enacted the PDP a second time. He hoped the monster would let him go from its jaw eventually, the barrier showed no sign of breaking so he didn't get hurt further.

Safe… for now, I could use another Arte to kill this monster fish... maybe, but I'd rather save my Victa if I can. Now, unhand me, you vile fish!

Viers was unmoving but contrary to his expectation, the monster muskellunge didn't let him go, it swam away with Viers hung on its jaw.

Gahhh, let me go already you big oaf! Where are you taking me? Should I turn into a human now? No, I don't know how the transformation goes, it may get canceled if there's an interruption. I should kill it now with my Arte… wait, it isn't taking me to the depths.

The muskellunge took him to a hole, the opening was small, only about twenty centimeters in diameter but it got wider in the inside. Viers was inside its lair, there was a bit of illumination from some kind of moss inside the hole.

Well, well, would you look at that. Nice home you got here mister fish, got a lake view, an elegant sensation from the soft light, there’s an air pocket above for ventilation, and lots of unique furniture. Are those your kids? Seems like a big happy family, you’re the husband or the wife? I assumed you’re male earlier but perhaps you're a female since you’re tending the house, forgive my misconception. Am I the menu for today’s dinner? I’m flattered, no really, it's an honor. I’m deeply touched, madam monster.

Inside the monster’s lair, there were tens of little muskellunge, the babies were about the size of an adult finger. Considering the size of the adult monster, Viers concluded these fishes must be born not long ago.

Other than that, Viers's attention was captured by the shiny white stones, he didn't know what those are but he wagered they had some value to others. There were about a dozen of them scattered around the lair with an area of about two meters.

The monster babies started to nibble at the unmoving Viers after he was released by the monster mother. The barrier Arte was still in effect so Viers felt nothing, He could see that the babies already had sharp teeth when one of them tried to bite one of his eyes.

Seemed satisfied with the kill, the monster mother went away again, searching for other prey. Viers stayed still like a rock for about three minutes.

Well, madam monster, thank you for your hospitality. As a sign of my gratitude, let me present your cute babies with lavish gifts. And please don't mind of it, it was simply my duty as an honored guest.

Arte — Water Slash.