Day 3 Back to the Beginning

As I stepped through the portal, the bustling streets of Ssles Town faded away, replaced by the familiar surroundings of Starting Village. The air smelled of fresh grass and wood, a stark contrast to the noisy market streets I had just left behind.

I looked around.

Me: "Wait… where's the house?"

The old, mysterious house that had teleported me before was gone. Just vanished.

Creature: (・□・)?

Me: "Yeah, I don't know either, little guy."

I sighed. Of course, this game had to be weird.

Then, a familiar voice called out—

???: "So, you're back."

I turned to see Nina, the village tailor, standing outside her shop, a roll of fabric draped over her arm.

Her sharp green eyes locked onto the tiny creature perched on my head.

Nina: "And who's this?"

Creature: (°▽°)!!

Me: "This? Oh, this is your Clacton Silk."

I reached into my inventory and handed over the rare material she had asked for when I first started. She took it, running her fingers over the fabric with a satisfied nod. Then—

[Quest Complete!]

+5 CP Reward

A small notification popped up in front of me.

Me: "Only 5 CP? After all that trouble?"

Before I could complain, another notification appeared—

[New Skill Acquired – ???]

Description: [Hidden]

I blinked.

Me: "…Wait. What?"

I reread the text, frowning.

Me: "The skill name is just '???'?"

I squinted at the floating text.

Me: "System, is this another Beta skill?"

No response.

Creature: (⊙‿⊙)?

Me: "I'll take that as a yes…"

I sighed. Why is it always me getting these unfinished features?

Nina raised an eyebrow.

Nina: "What's with that weird face? Something wrong?"

Me: "Nah, just… processing things."

She smirked, rolling up the fabric and motioning me toward her shop.

Nina: "Good. Because I have another job for you."

Me: "…What?"

Inside the Tailor's Shop

The scent of fresh cotton and dyed silk filled the air as I stepped inside.

Bolts of fabric lined the walls, neatly organized by color, while mannequins wore carefully sewn outfits—some for NPCs, others for players. A sewing machine hummed in the corner, operated by a small enchanted tool.

I was about to sit down and finally take a break when Nina placed a new quest scroll in front of me.

Me: "Wait, seriously? I just got back!"

Nina: "And?"

She crossed her arms, looking completely unimpressed.

Nina: "You still have a job, remember?"

A red notification appeared in front of me.

[Active Quest: Tailor's Assistant]

Objective: Help Nina with her shop for four day.

Reward: ???

I groaned.

Me: "No breaks, huh?"

Nina: "Nope. Welcome to working life."

Creature: (╯▽╰)

Me: "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

Creature: (≧∀≦)!!

I slumped into a chair.

Me: "Alright, fine. What's the next task?"

She smirked.

Nina: "Storage room. Rats. Handle it."

I stared at her.

Me: "…You're kidding."

Nina: "Nope. Get to work."

A new quest notification popped up—

[New Quest: The Rat Problem]

Objective: Clear the tailor shop's storage room of rats.

Reward: 4 CP,

I sighed, rubbing my temples.

Me: "Why is it always rats?"

Nina: "Because I don't want to deal with them. So, go handle it."

I dragged myself toward the storage room, my tiny companion still clinging to my head.

Me: "Alright, let's get this over with."

Creature: (o≧∀≦o)!!