Mermaid's Pearl.
It was a small, shiny, iridescent object that served as an identification card for mermaids.
It was also a way for them to keep their society hidden from other races.
As he sat on his bed, he pondered the other races that inhabited the world.
There were the Dwarfs, who lived in the mountains and were skilled at mining and crafting.
The Elves, who lived in the forests and were known for their archery skills and magic.
The Giants, who lived in isolated areas and were feared for their immense strength.
The Orcs, who lived in clans and were renowned for their prowess in battle.
And the Avians, who resided in the sky and could fly with their wings.
Rain's thoughts drifted to the sea creatures that inhabited the vast oceans.
There were the Mermaids, who used the pearls to identify themselves and prevent other races from infiltrating their society.
The Nāgas, who were serpent-like creatures with the ability to shapeshift.
And the Lamias, who were half-woman and half-snake.
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Long ago, in the world where mermaids lived before they came to Earth, they were frequently abducted by other races.
Their beauty, enchanting voices, and unique bodies made them valuable materials for tailoring and alchemy.
Even their tears were highly coveted commodities.
To put an end to this, the mermaids devised the Mermaid's Pearl system.
The pearl serves as a key to their underwater city, located in the deepest parts of the sea. Without it, no outsider can enter.
The Mermaid's Pearl is not just a safeguard against outsiders; it is a symbol of the mermaid culture and traditions.
It identifies them as mermaids and represents their way of life. It is said that the pearl has magical properties that help to protect their society from external threats.
The mermaid society is unique and cherished by its people.
They go to great lengths to preserve their privacy and security, as they have a deep understanding of the dangers that exist in the outside world.
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"I need to find out - from where that pearl came from and why that thing is here."
Rain furrowed his brows, a mix of curiosity and concern evident on his face. His eyes darted back and forth, as if searching for clues in the surrounding environment.
"It could be fake," he muttered to himself, hoping for the best. "That would be the best scenario."
His voice held a hint of wistfulness, as if he were daydreaming of fantastical scenarios.
But deep down, he knew that was unlikely. The pearl was too precious, too valuable to be a fake.
"Maybe some mermaid lost it," he thought, trying to stay optimistic. "That's not too bad, right?"
But even as he spoke the words, he knew it was wishful thinking.
The mermaids were fiercely protective of their pearls, and losing one would be a grave mistake.
"And then there's the worst scenario," he whispered, barely able to bring himself to say the words. "Somebody died. And the pearl remained there…"
The thought made his blood run cold. If someone had died, it meant there was danger, and Rain had unwittingly stumbled upon it.
He knew he had to act quickly, but he wasn't sure what to do.
He needed more information, more clues to figure out what was really going on.
Mermaids are often depicted as beautiful and alluring, with a fish-like tail and the ability to breathe underwater.
They are usually portrayed as playful and curious, but also fiercely protective of their underwater homes and their fellow kind.
Rain paced back and forth in his room, thinking about the pearl and what it could mean. "If those fishes track that thing. They will just explode the whole island," he muttered to himself, the thought alone enough to make him feel worried.
He frowned, "How unlucky can I get? I just wanted a quiet vacation."
Suddenly, he had an idea. He turned to the system and asked, "Hey, system. How many points will you take for telling me which possibility it is?"
The system replied without hesitation.
→[200 pts.]
Rain cursed under his breath. "You black merchant."
He didn't have that many points, but he was desperate for answers. "Then let's exchange with materials I hunted. How much will it cost?"
→[Everything.]
Rain was taken aback. He knew the system was purposely trying to drain his points. "Calm down," he told himself. "I can hunt for more materials. Gold coins are for emergencies."
After a moment of contemplation, Rain gritted his teeth and said, "Okay. Take it."
→[Thank you, Host, for purchasing. Please use our services again. The answer is....]
The system trailed off, seemingly enjoying the tension.
"Hey, you fraud!" Rain shouted. "You're just like people who take a loan from a bank and then leave the country. You cheated my money... I will-"
But before he could finish his sentence, the system cut in,
→[No.3, correct answer is number 3.]
Rain's mouth hung open in surprise. "Wait. It answered. But why so slow? Were you making fun of me?" he demanded.
"So annoying," he muttered, clicking his tongue.
As he calmed down, Rain started to think about the system's answer.
"So some idiot killed the mermaid, and there's a chance those fish will come to this island at any time."
He began brainstorming solutions to the problem, determined to protect himself.
He knew that time was of the essence and he needed to think fast.
Rain furrowed his brows as he pondered over the situation.
He knew that time was running out and he needed to act fast. "I have to come up with a plan quickly before the situation escalates any further," he concluded, feeling a sense of urgency.
***
Rain pondered for a few time, finding for any solution. But all of them felt useless.
After some time, Rain's face brightened as he got some idea.
As he considered his options, Rain's expression turned serious. "So now I have four choices about this situation," he thought to himself, weighing the pros and cons of each.
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