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)!!