✵ AOIFE BELLE COSMO ✵
GGRRGL—!
Augh! How could I have forgotten that I was still hungry?
The health potion had done nothing to quell my hunger, and frustration mounted.
It became painfully clear that my guide, the panda beside me, was unbelievably irresponsible.
I should definitely lodge a complaint with the system manager later.
I suspected this panda was working for someone else, driven solely by its desperate pursuit of profit.
As I held onto my stomach, I continued to stroll beneath the shade of the towering trees, lost in my thoughts.
"Can I ask you something, Moonbeam? This system—was it sent by the same entity that brought me here?" I inquired, curiosity mingling with my frustration.
"I don't know what you're talking about," the panda replied, its eyes darting away, avoiding my gaze as if caught in a deceptive act.
"You're obviously working for someone. You're just managing the system to guide me, but you're not the true manager, right?" I pressed, sensing the cracks in its facade.
"Of course I am!" the panda insisted, puffing itself up in an exaggerated display of authority.
It threw back its head dramatically, eyes wide as if attempting to intimidate. "I am the magnificent Moonbeam, your ultimate guide! Who else would you trust for this unpredictable quest?"
"But you can't deny it!" I shot back, stubborn. "You're only pretending to be in charge. You're more concerned about the perks than actually guiding me!"
The panda's bravado faltered for a moment, its confident stance wavering.
"I assure you," it bellowed, "I am completely in control here! It's you who underestimates me! My knowledge is vast, and I have everything under wraps!"
GGRRGL—!
Augh... I can't take it anymore!
If it weren't for this guide's delayed appearance and negligence, I could have eaten something edible the moment I arrived.
How dare they send me into this world just to starve me to death!
As my stomach growled loudly in protest, my anger bubbled to the surface. "Hey, SYSTEM! Can I file a complaint about my guide not doing its job?!"
I threw my arms up as I shouted, the frustration erupting from within me like a volcano. "This panda is useless! It has failed me in every way imaginable! It's time someone held it accountable! I demand to speak to a manager, or whoever is in charge of this ridiculous excuse for a guide system!"
ALARM!
Hah!?
In an instant, a warning prompt appeared on the screen, bright and glaring, causing the panda to visibly flinch.
𓊈SYSTEM WARNING NOTICE𓊉
[System Notification]
Complaint registered by User ID: 123424 against the Spirit Guide ID: 103124.
Spirit Guide ID: 103124 is currently under supervision and has activated warning status. Accumulation of three or more complaints will initiate guide replacement procedures.
Whoa! Was I right?
The panda's playful demeanor evaporated in an instant, replaced by sheer panic.
"No, wait! You can't do this! I'm the guide you need! I—I promise I'll do better!" it stammered, frantically pawing at the air as if trying to grasp at thin air for reassurance.
"Hey, no more complaints! Alright, I'll give you what you want. Here!" it blurted out, hastily pulling out a small pouch filled with snacks, eager to appease me and avoid any further confrontation.
DING!
Just then, the system chimed in, notifying me of my first task.
𓊈TASK NOTICE𓊉
You are now trapped in a foreign land. Surviving will be a challenging endeavor. Your first obstacle is meeting your basic needs, such as hunger.
[Initiating Tasks]
- Forage for edible food such as fruits, herbs, and spices.
- Each total amount must exceed 1000.
[Rewards]
- Experience Points +50
- Skill Point +10
- 1 Storage Ring
- 10 Crystals
[Extra Rewards for Beginners]
- 1 Liter of Water in a Hide Bottle
- 1 Crop Top Shirt crafted from Hide and White Fur
- 1 Short Skirt crafted from Hide and White Fur
"Your first task is ready," the panda announced, its voice shaky yet still trying to sound composed. "Once you complete it, you will be rewarded."
Finally, there's now a guide so I can safely forage for food.
"The first reward is quite generous; it should cover my earlier debt, and I'm actually being rewarded for foraging food," I replied, a note of satisfaction in my voice. "You really should have taken care of this earlier, Moonbeam."
"Humph! I can't believe you figured it out," the panda retorted, its tone conflicting between annoyance and despair.
It wasn't that hard to figured out, honestly.
"Your business partnership was clearly just a way to have me working under you. But now I see that you're also reaping the benefits, which makes me think you're working for someone else," I countered.
"I concede defeat!" it exclaimed, throwing its paws up dramatically. "We're still business partners, right? You can't just abandon me now!" The desperation in its voice was palpable.
"Absolutely," I replied, a smile creeping onto my face. "But only if you play fair next time. I value our partnership, but I can't overlook the tricks you've pulled."
Panda nodded slowly, its expression shifting from a mix of disappointment to a more determined resolve. "I understand. I don't want to jeopardize what we have. I'll make sure to be more transparent moving forward."
Haha... This panda won't be able to trick me anymore in the future.
"Good," I said, feeling a sense of relief. "Collaboration works best when both sides are honest. Let's focus on building something great together. Just remember, teamwork requires trust."
With a newfound understanding between us, we shook hands, solidifying our commitment to each other as partners.