After a few minutes of silence, she spoke again.
[Host~ should I tell you the fun part… hmm?]
I felt a shiver crawl up my spine. "What is it?" I muttered inside my mind.
[Ohhh~ it's very interesting. I'll also be upgraded on special occasions…] Her tone was soft, almost sing-song. [The first occasion will be when you turn 11… during your awakening ceremony.]
That caught my attention.
"Oh… that sounds great. Will there be any upgrade to my status as well?"
[Yeah, pretty much. And…] She paused, a slow, teasing hum vibrating through the link. [There will be a surprise waiting for you that day. Hehe~]
I knew she was trying to sound mysterious—but the way her words lingered in my mind felt… unsettling, like a feather brushing against bare skin in the dark.
"So… what can you do right now?" I asked cautiously.
[Well, you'll be issued quests by the system. Random, of course… though I can change or assign them in the future.]
"So… basically, you're making a newborn baby deal with some rather unexpected troubles. That's… very nice of you."
[No, no~] Her laugh was soft but had a strange, almost predatory edge. [I'm making you into a panda who deals with problems that can destroy your little panda world. Hehe~]
I shivered again, unsure whether to laugh or be wary.
"Anyway… is there anything else?"
[Oh yes…] Her voice dipped lower, almost a whisper in my mind. [Completing quests will reward you with system points… which you can spend in the system store. But that's just the beginning…]
"Okay… is that it?" I asked, my curiosity prickling.
[For now, yes~] She purred, [but there's always more waiting, Host. I'll be updating… things… later. Hehe~]
Just then, a maid entered the room. It was the same one who had changed my clothes earlier. In her hands, she carried a few toys. I groaned inwardly as she placed them carefully on the bed and then fixed her gaze on me, expectantly.
Noticing her stare, I had no choice but to act like a curious baby pan… I mean, newborn baby, and began playing with the toys. I picked up a toy stick and started fiddling with it. By sheer coincidence, I was still wearing the panda outfit, and the stick happened to be green.
The sight was too hilarious—I looked like a real panda gnawing on bamboo.
[Pffft—Host! You… you actually look like a baby panda! Hahaha~ I can't take this seriously!]
Her laughter rang out in my head, bubbling over like an unstoppable fountain.
"Quiet, you," I grumbled inwardly, forcing myself to keep up my innocent façade. I wobbled the stick around with both hands, pretending to study it with great baby-like seriousness.
[No, no—don't stop! This is perfect. If only you could see yourself… wide eyes, panda suit, green stick… ohhh, this is going in my memory archives forever~]
I resisted the urge to bury my face in the blanket. Instead, I continued my little act, poking the stick against the bedding, even chewing on the edge once for effect.
The maid's lips curved into a soft smile, clearly convinced.
[Yes, yes! Commit to the role, Host! You are Bamboo Panda Overlord, destroyer of snacks, master of naps! Fear him~]
I tried very hard not to snort out loud. Instead, I quietly endured, all while Nyxara cackled gleefully in the back of my mind.
As I was playing the hilarious role of a baby panda, I suddenly heard a clear chime inside my head.
Ding~
[The first quest has been issued.]
I froze mid–bamboo chew. My eyes snapped toward the glowing screen that flickered into existence.
The moment I caught a glimpse of the words, all color drained from my face. My heart lurched, and panic wrapped its claws around me.
"No… no way… it can't be—"
[Ohhh, it is, Host~] Nyxara purred, her voice syrupy sweet, tinged with a malicious giggle. [Hehe~ I've been waiting for this moment. You should see yourself—tiny face pale as chalk, clutching that green stick like it's a legendary artifact!]
I forced myself to breathe, but it wasn't working. Outwardly, I still looked like an innocent child playing with a toy. Inwardly, my mind was spiraling.
"W-what is it? What kind of quest—"
[Ah, ah, ah~] she sang in my head, cutting me off. [Spoilers ruin the fun. Why don't you read it yourself? Hehe~]
The glowing screen pulsed softly, as though beckoning me closer.
And with a sinking feeling in my stomach, I knew… this was no ordinary "baby's first quest."