A Floating Ball of Disappointment

Sylus was still trying to understand the crazy situation he was in. The game world around him felt too real with every detail sharp and clear. Every sound, every sensation was sharp and vivid like he had actually been transported into another reality.

He sat on the ground overwhelmed his mind racing with confusion and fear. How was any of this possible? Nothing made sense and the more he thought about it the more absurd it all seemed.

He was lost in thought when he felt like something was watching him. He slowly turned his head and looked around. At first he saw nothing just the unfamiliar landscape around him.

But then he spotted it—a pair of glowing purple eyes silently watching him from a nearby rock. His heart skipped a beat. What the hell was that?

He squinted at the figure perched on the rock. It was small about the size of a basketball with fur that shimmered midnight-blue under the faint light.

The thing had no legs and was hovering slightly above the ground, bobbing up and down in a weirdly hypnotic way. Its mouth curled into a mischievous grin with tiny sharp teeth.

But what really caught Sylus's attention was the way the creature was looking at him—like it was completely unimpressed, even annoyed.

Sylus's breath caught in his throat as he realized what it was. "Wait a second… Muffin?" Sylus's eyes darted to the pet's name hovering above its head. "Oh no, no, no. Please don't tell me you're Muffin!"

This was the pet he had bought after selling all of Zayn's prized possessions. The realization hit him hard.

This was Muffin. But seeing the creature in real life—or whatever this was—was completely different from seeing it in the game. It was strange, otherworldly and somehow... disappointing.

The creature or Muffin as Sylus had ridiculously named it just stared at him with a look that could only be described as cold disdain. Sylus's initial excitement faded quickly as the creature continued to ignore him.

He reached out cautiously to touch it half-expecting it to react in some way. But Muffin just floated there completely indifferent.

Sylus rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I, uh, bought you, didn't I? With a lot of money. You were supposed to be this rare, powerful pet. But, um, can you talk? Or, you know, at least acknowledge your master?"

Muffin didn't respond, not even a flicker of recognition. Sylus clenched his fists, his temper rising. "Are you serious right now? I paid a fortune for you, and you're just gonna sit there and act like I don't exist? What kind of pet are you?"

He stood up, pacing angrily. "This is ridiculous. First I get murdered then I end up in some messed-up game and now my only companion is a useless pet that won't even talk to me! I should've bought something useful instead of this—this onion!"

Muffin's eyes narrowed slightly but it still didn't make a sound. Sylus noticed the look and felt a sting of realization—this thing didn't respect him at all. That only made him angrier.

"Yeah go ahead and judge me you floating puffball," Sylus muttered while glaring at Muffin. "But if you are angry because of the name then you know what? At least your name is better than mine. They stuck me with Captain Funkatron. Can you believe that? And you're upset about being called Muffin? You should be grateful I didn't name you something worse."

Muffin just continued to hover silently, completely unbothered by Sylus's ranting. Sylus finally threw his hands up in exasperation. "This is just great. I'm stuck with a pet that doesn't even care I'm alive. Give me back my money, you useless furball!"

Suddenly, a system panel appeared before him, showing Muffin's stats:

____________________

[Pet System]

Name: Muffin (Reluctantly Accepted)

Species: Unknown

Level: 1

Experience: 0/500

Health: 100%

Mana: 100

Stamina: 150

Special Abilities: None (Locked until Level 5)

Temperament: Cold, Arrogant

Loyalty: -10% (Barely Tolerates You)

Status Effects: None

Buffs/Debuffs: None

Hunger: 10% (Hungry and Irritated)

Flight Speed: 20 mph (Can only glide at this level)

Intelligence: High (But Uninterested in You)

Affinity: All Affinities (But Currently Weak)

____________________

Sylus stared at the panel in disbelief. "Barely tolerates me? Really? I'm your master and you barely tolerate me?" Muffin just blinked slowly like it was saying yeah that's exactly right

He slumped down onto the ground feeling defeated. "What did I do to deserve this?"

As if on cue a global announcement flashed across the sky:

___________________________

[Global Announcement:]

Team Ravagers has successfully defeated the Grumpy Gremlin and claimed the title of Gremlin Slayers! Congratulations, Team Ravagers!

___________________________

Sylus's jaw dropped. "You've got to be kidding me. I lost to that thing and now some other team gets the glory? Could this day get any worse?"

Muffin let out a low disapproving squawk. Sylus looked at him, scowling. "Oh don't you start. I'm the one who's stuck with you, remember? I paid for you! I'm your master! You should be respecting me not glaring at me like I'm some kind of idiot."

Muffin ruffled its feathers and turned away, clearly uninterested in anything Sylus had to say.

He tried to talk to Muffin again asking questions about the game, about their surroundings, about anything that might might get a response. But Muffin remained stubbornly silent, looking off into the distance as if Sylus didn't exist.

"Okay, okay! I get it! You're angry! But seriously, what's your problem?" Sylus shouted, standing up and glaring at Muffin. "I'm trying to be nice here but you're making it really hard!"

Muffin remained silent still watching him with that cold indifferent gaze. Sylus tried to ignore it but the more he looked at the pet the more irritated he became. "Fine! Be that way! You know what? I don't need this! I'll just... I'll just go explore on my own! See if I care!"

He turned and started walking away fuming with every step. "Ugh this stupid thing! I should have bought something useful instead of this onion! What was I thinking? I spent all my money on a pet that's as useless as a rock! Just my luck to end up with a floating ball of disappointment!"

Sylus continued to mutter to himself as he walked but after about a mile he felt a strange tugging sensation. He stopped and looked back only to see Muffin being dragged along the ground behind him looking none too pleased.

Sylus couldn't help but laugh. "Oh so you can't leave my side huh? Guess you're stuck with me whether you like it or not! Ha! Serves you right for being so cold!"