"Save your breath. Just watch how I deal with you!" Hank Fowler snarled.
"Come on then, deal with me!" The oyster was practically vibrating with arrogance.
"Just you wait!" Hank tossed back, turning on his heel.
Even at level 3, he couldn't crack that oyster's stubborn shell. No crack, no victory. It was time for Plan B: Outsmart the sucker.
"Haha! What a wuss!" The oyster, sensing Hank's retreat, doubled down on the mockery.
Ignoring the taunts, Hank picked up his pace, heading back towards his shelter.
"Dude, if you can't handle him, don't go making empty threats. You're embarrassing me!" the entrenching tool grumbled.
"What do you know? Who says I can't handle him?" Hank shot back.
"So, what's your brilliant plan?" the entrenching tool inquired.
A wicked grin spread across Hank's face. "The usual. Outsmart him!"
The entrenching tool: "...."
Oh boy, here we go again.
Hank stormed back into his shelter, grabbed the Magnifying Glass, and retraced his steps, scooping up a bundle of thatch on the way.
He returned to the oyster's location, and without a word, dumped the thatch right on top of it.
The entrenching tool finally caught on. Hank's gonna roast this thing alive!
"Human, what's with the thatch? You think I need a blanket?" The oyster's voice dripped with sarcasm.
"You'll find out soon enough," Hank chuckled, positioning the Magnifying Glass, focusing a beam of light onto the thatch.
After a few seconds, a wisp of white smoke curled up from the point of light.
Hank gave a gentle puff, and a tiny flame flickered to life, quickly spreading to the surrounding thatch.
In moments, a roaring fire blazed around the oyster. The temperature shot up to 158°F (70°C), then 176°F (80°C), then 194°F (90°C) and continued climbing.
"Argh..." A pained shriek erupted from the oyster. Panic filled its voice. "Human, put out the fire! I'm being roasted alive!"
"What, and spoil the fun? I lit this fire specifically to cook you!" Hank said with a smirk.
"I was wrong! I won't mock you anymore, I swear! Just spare me!" The oyster was practically in tears now.
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Hank rubbed his nose, his voice hardening. "See, that's where you're wrong. Even if you weren't a jerk, I'd still be doing this. You're just too damn delicious. I've been craving you for a long time."
The oyster, momentarily stunned, spat out a curse, "You'll pay for this, human! I curse you!"
Hank's eyes narrowed, and he blew on the fire again, making it burn even more fiercely.
"Aaaargh!" The oyster's screams became even more agonizing.
"The louder you scream, the more excited I get," Hank chuckled.
The beach, in a hushed tone, muttered, "Human, you're ruthless!"
"Gotta be ruthless to survive. It's his own fault for messing with me. Serves him right!" Hank retorted.
The beach: "But you just said you were going to kill it because you craved its body."
Hank blinked, then coughed, "Well, I needed an excuse, didn't I?"
The beach: "..."
The entrenching tool chimed in, "That's my bro for you, always playing dirty. Ruthless to the core! You'll get used to it the longer you hang around him. Nothing to be surprised about!"
"I've always been an upstanding citizen, haven't I? When did I become so despicable in your eyes?" Hank gritted out, fuming.
"Bro, I was just trying to praise you. Maybe I didn't phrase it right. Don't take it personally!" The entrenching tool quickly backpedaled.
"Just... try to keep quiet in the future. Be a mute, if possible," Hank grumbled, turning his attention back to the oyster.
The flames had done their work. The oyster's screams had ceased, and its tightly closed shell now gaped open, revealing the plump, juicy flesh within. The aroma was intoxicating.
Hank licked his lips, quickly pried the shell open, and crudely dug out a chunk of the succulent meat, savoring it with gusto.
The simplest cooking methods often bring out the best in fresh ingredients. The fire had perfectly unlocked the oyster's exquisite flavor.
Hank devoured it with gusto, savoring every bite of the delicacy.
Finished, he wiped his mouth with satisfaction, then picked up the empty shell and walked away.
"Bro, what are you going to do with that shell?" the entrenching tool asked curiously.
Hank grinned. "Gonna use it as a plate."
The oyster shell was sturdy, durable, and large enough to serve as a makeshift plate.
...
Crossing a patch of rocky terrain, Hank arrived at another beach, this one twice the size of the previous one.
The beach was far from tranquil. Two large blue crabs were surrounded by over a dozen red ones.
The blue crabs were the same pair he'd encountered yesterday, and the red ones were undoubtedly rock crabs.
Hank found a clump of tall grass and concealed himself, observing the scene.
"Didn't you say you were going to save those two crabs? Why aren't you doing anything?" the entrenching tool asked.
Hank's eyes gleamed with a calculating light. "Not yet."
The blue crabs and rock crabs were in a standoff. It wasn't the right time.
When the fight broke out and the blue crabs were in mortal danger, that's when he'd intervene. They'd be eternally grateful. And then, they'd be his to command.
"So, when are you going to make your move, bro?" the entrenching tool pressed.
"Why so many questions?" Hank snapped, feeling a surge of irritation. "Mute Digger."
The entrenching tool: "...."
Ah, blessed silence.
...
On the beach, the male blue crab glared at the rock crabs, his voice filled with fury. "What's the meaning of this? Why are you surrounding us?"
One of the rock crab leaders leered, "Your wife's a looker. My boys and I have been feeling a bit lonely lately. Lend her to us for a couple of days. We'll return her when we're done!"
"Even crabs are perverts? This world is messed up!" Hank muttered, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"You bastards!" the female blue crab spat out.
The rock crab leader chuckled shamelessly, "Just wait, you'll see just how 'bastardly' we can be!"
"Scum!" The male blue crab roared, his patience gone. "You dare touch my wife, and I swear I'll kill every last one of you!"
"Oh, aren't you a tough guy!" The rock crab leader mocked, then turned to his gang. "Alright boys, let's not waste any more time. Kill this guy!"
With a collective roar, the rock crabs surged forward.
The battle had begun.