Even stared blankly at the blue, strange liquid in the mermaid's hand, which sparkled like diamonds under the moonlight. His mind wavered with doubt—what was this?
Was this mysterious woman offering him poison, or the key to his life?
Before his thoughts could settle, the mermaid used her powerful tail to push herself further across the sand. Since Even was not far from the edge of the seawater, she easily sat right beside him.
"What is this?" Even's simple question was a completely foreign language to her. She gave no answer, only tilting her head slightly—a silent sign that she didn't understand him. Until now, Even hadn't heard a single sound, let alone a word, from this beautiful creature.
The mermaid again moved her cupped hand, filled with the blue liquid, toward Even's lips. A strange silence fell over the shore. She could not speak, and he did not know what to do with this fluid. Both seemed stuck in an unresolved puzzle.
Perhaps realizing the human didn't understand her signal, she paused and brought her own lips close to her palm. Then, she bowed her head and mimicked the action of a thirsty person drinking from their hands. Her skillful gestures made it clear:
She was telling Even to drink the blue, mysterious liquid.
Even watched the scene, stunned. His suspicion hadn't fully vanished, but the deep, calm gaze in her eyes and the memory of her saving him twice gave him a strange courage. He realized that by drinking this mixture of blue blood and tears, a new chapter of his life might begin.
Even continued to watch, but a cloud of doubt still lingered in the corner of his mind. Since stepping into this new world, every moment had been a horror. One danger after another had choked him, repeatedly dragging him to the brink. Trust felt like a mirage to him now.
Yet, on this deserted beach under the moonlight, he decided to place one last bit of faith in this mysterious mermaid. He reasoned with himself—if she really wanted to hurt him, the best opportunity was in the deep ocean. There, her power was absolute. She could have easily swallowed him or drowned him instead of saving him. But she hadn't; she had snatched him from certain death twice.
With that thought, Even's hesitation vanished like mist. He didn't wait another second. He pressed his dry lips to her soft palm. The mermaid carefully tilted her cupped hand so it was easier for him to drink.
As Even swallowed the bright blue liquid, a strange taste spread across his tongue. It was slightly sweet, but immediately followed by an intense saltiness and a thick, slippery sensation—like the taste of some ancient life force rising from the ocean depths. This was the first thing he had consumed since arriving in this world.
Pulling his lips away, Even looked directly into the mermaid's eyes. There was a magical stillness in them. For a few seconds, everything was quiet. But that silence was the calm before the storm.
Suddenly, Even felt as if someone had poured burning coal into his stomach. Within seconds, his body temperature rose unnaturally. The warmth turned into a roaring flame. He felt as if the very marrow of his bones was beginning to boil.
"AAAAHHH!!!"
With a horrific scream, Even collapsed onto the sand. He was transforming. But this was no ordinary transformation.
The massive amount of fat in his body wasn't just disappearing; it was boiling under his skin. It felt like someone had poured acid inside him, melting the grease from within. Molten fat mixed with sweat and blood began to pour out of his pores.
The skin of his huge belly wrinkled as the muscles beneath rearranged themselves. His bones snapped and fused back together with loud cracks, as if an invisible blacksmith were hammering his frame into a new shape. Every bone-breaking sound tore through the silence of the beach. In agony, Even clawed at the sand, foam bubbling from his mouth.
It was a hellish pain beyond human endurance. He felt like he was dying thousands of times every second, but a strange vitality wouldn't let him go. That blue blood kept him from crossing over into death, trapping him at the very edge of pain. His bloated body shrank, his skin burning black and then peeling away to reveal new, glowing skin.
The mermaid watched this terrifying transformation with a blank face.
Finally, Even's gasping breaths slowed to a stop.
When the massacre of pain ended, the body lying on the sand was no longer the same. The mountain of fat and sagging grease had been burned to ashes. Even struggled to stand. His breath was lighter now, each inhale filled with a strange freshness.
He stared at his hands, speechless. In place of thick, flabby fingers were now well-formed, long ones. His twenty-year-old youth had returned in an instant. His body was now healthy and fit—not hulking like a muscular warrior, but lean, handsome, and strong. The hellish nectar had absorbed his excess weight, but it hadn't turned him into an invincible hero overnight. His body was now like fertile soil, waiting for the seeds of hard work.
At that moment, the familiar blue screen floated before his eyes. That cold, mechanical voice spoke:
[System Notification: All excess fat has been removed.]
[From now on, the user will be able to increase their level by gaining Experience (EXP).]
Even unconsciously rubbed his chest muscles. His amazement wouldn't fade. But the notification wasn't over:
[Additional Passive Ability Unlocked: Underwater Breathing]
[Description: Lung capacity has increased. The user is now able to hold their breath underwater for up to 30 minutes instead of 20 second.]
Even was speechless. The system that had rejected him with loathing, neglected him at every turn, and even called him a "pig"—was this system now guiding him? Telling him about new powers?
Even whispered a question in his mind, 'Hey? Didn't you hate me? Why the sudden hospitality? Explaining all the changes and everything!'
Immediately, the system's harsh, moody voice woke up. With a foul curse, it replied:
[Don't talk so much, motherfer! I don't have time to be nice to you. Informing you of these changes is just part of my default settings. I don't care if you live or die. This is just mechanical data, like your 'Translation' or 'Basic Healing' abilities. Don't think you're special.]
Even let out a long breath. Well, hearing the system's insults at least confirmed it was the same old system. However, having this handsome and agile body back lit a new fire of hope in his heart. He realized he finally had a basic tool to fight with in this world.
…
The light of dawn began to break. The terrifying darkness of the night was fading, and the morning songs of forest birds drifted from afar. The reddish glow in the eastern sky signaled that, along with a new day, a new chapter had begun in Even's life.
Even stopped staring at his new body. Looking at the mermaid sitting before him, he didn't hesitate for a second. He wasn't selfish; he immediately knelt on the sand and bowed deeply, touching his head to the ground. He followed the 'Ojigi' gesture of Japanese culture instinctively. Though he wasn't Japanese, the image of their humble gratitude was etched in his mind. To show the highest respect to the one who gave him this new life and health was now his first duty.
He vowed to himself, Even if I become the strongest person in this world one day, I will forever be in debt to this mermaid. She will always hold a high place in my heart. Even didn't realize that in a deep corner of his mind, a strange affection had formed for this mysterious creature. Perhaps it wasn't love, but it was something deeper than respect.
He said in a low, emotional voice, "Thank you... I don't know how else to express my gratitude. I may never be able to repay this debt, but I will never forget you. I promise, if I ever get the chance, I will help you in any way I can."
Even spoke with confidence because he had the System's special 'Translation Ability.' He believed that with this power, he could understand the heart or language of any creature and make them understand him.
But after he finished, the mermaid just stared at him with unblinking eyes. Then, she tilted her head slightly, just like before. A silent, detached reaction. It was as if Even's long, emotional speech was nothing more than strange, foreign sound waves to her.
Even was stunned. Doubt crept back into his mind, 'What's going on? Why can't she understand me? I have the Translation power!'
Before his surprise could fade, the mermaid opened her mouth slightly. She tried to say something, but no meaningful words came from her beautiful lips. Only some vague, broken, and pitiful sounds emerged—like the hollow whistling of the wind.