The yearling stared at him, eyes wide. Then, slowly, a genuine, unguarded smile lit up his whole face. His ears stood tall, tail wagging with excitement. He let out a shaky breath, as if a weight had been lifted. "Bojo," he whispered, voice trembling with joy. "I’m Bojo. That’s my name?"
Lin nodded, smiling back. "Yes. Bojo. Your very own name."
Not bad, Lin. You named someone, and he likes it. Naming is easy. Why were you nervous? You could think of a hundred more, but let’s not ruin this happy moment for the kid.
Even while naming someone, Lin didn’t forget his true mission: to make a friend and find food. Curious, he opened the mission panel. He wasn’t expecting what he saw:
───[ SYSTEM NOTICE ]─────────────
[Mission Update: Make a Friend]──Completion Rate: 41%
Main Objectives (1/3 Complete):
Stay together for at least two days
Go through a challenging situation together and emerge stronger as friends.
Additional Objectives (3/5 Complete):
Share a meal and spend time talking with your new friend
Stand up for your friend in trouble.
──—---------------------------
Complete all Main Objectives to finish the mission. Additional Objectives will improve your final reward.
Lin squinted at the floating text, the sterile blue glow flickering over his fur. The system, as usual, sounded like a bored HR manager reading off a checklist. Forty-one percent. Not even halfway, and it already feels like I’ve run a marathon on broken legs. At least make the percentage look good; 45 or 50% would be better.
So, let’s get this straight... I’ve convinced one goat not to hate me, shared a meal, swapped a few sob stories, and I’m still not even close to finished. Great. Just need to avoid getting ditched for two days, survive something "dangerous" with my new buddy, and, oh, right, make a promise because nothing says "goat friendship" like a solemn vow over a pile of weeds.
He let out a long, slow breath. You should give me a medal with a reward, and it should say: Thanks for all the hard work. He glanced at Bojo, who was busy gnawing on a vine, blissfully unaware of Lin’s existential grumbling. Well, kid, it looks like you’re stuck with me. Hopefully, I don’t mess things up before we even reach the dangerous part.
Since it’s 41%, it won’t be long before this is completed. Now, let’s get started with the next part of the mission: finding the best grass.
"Did you like the name?" Lin asked as he slowly stood up, legs trembling.
"Yes, it’s so good! I love it." Bojo’s eyes stayed on Lin. Seeing Lin stand, he scrambled up too. "Why are you standing? Is something wrong?"
"Bojo, my friend, I’m about to tell you the third rule of friendship. Listen carefully, because I’ll only say this once." Lin tried to sound serious.
Bojo tensed up, eyes wide with determination. He tossed aside his vine, focusing on Lin like he was about to hear the secret to life.
Lin couldn’t help but chuckle. That’s good. At least he takes rules seriously.
He looked at the sky, took a deep breath, stepped back, then forward, and let it out slowly. There was no real reason for the theatrics; he just wanted to make it look dramatic.
"The third and one of the most valuable rules: help your friend find the best grass. Never hide a good grazing spot." Lin felt his time was running out. He needed to find food before he collapsed.
I’m really hungry. I need to eat something good. Bojo might know a place. "Do you know where I can find good food?" Lin asked, trying not to sound desperate. Not much time left, and I have no idea where to go. This kid’s almost a yearling,
"Good food? This is good food," said Bojo, pointing at the vines.
Lin glanced at the vine. If I could eat it, I wouldn’t have asked. I’d have already finished it. "I can’t eat it. I’m on a diet."
"Diet? Is that something to eat?" Bojo tilted his head, confused.
Oh, come on. Why are you dodging the question? Just answer. Lin didn’t say it out loud. He needed that system reward. "It’s something I can’t eat for now."
"Stop. Don’t ask any more questions. Here’s the fourth rule, and it’s important: don’t ask too many questions," Lin said, his voice tinged with frustration. "Now, answer mine. Do you know a place with good food?"
Bojo nodded, finally understanding.
Relief washed over Lin as he finally had something to eat. He checked the timer: thirty-five minutes left. His body wasn’t responding as badly as the system predicted, but he still didn’t want to risk it. Who knows when the system might suddenly decide he’s too weak and cause him to collapse? The source of this content ɪs novelFirｅ.net
ojo hesitated for a moment, but then started walking. Lin followed, both of them slipping out of the grove, Bojo leading, Lin trailing behind. Before leaving, Lin paused and sniffed the vine leaves one last time. Still not for me. Maybe someday.
Once outside, Lin scanned his surroundings. In the distance, he noticed goats gathering near the pen. The strange aura in the air was growing stronger, tugging at him, pulling his attention toward the pen. What is that? Why do I feel like something’s calling me?
Just then, a voice reached his ears. "Lin, what are you doing there?"
He looked back, but Bojo had already walked away. Lin didn’t hesitate; he cleared his head and hurried after Bojo, heading in the opposite direction from the pen.
"How far is it?" Lin called.
"Not that far," Bojo replied.
Soon they reached their destination. From the outside, it looked like a small jungle, lush grass all around, green vines covering everything. Lin, feeling the timer ticking down, didn’t hesitate for a second. He walked straight toward the grass. With every step, the ground under his hooves grew softer.
He didn’t go any deeper than he had to. Instead, he started searching for the best patch. As he looked, he noticed some grass had already been nibbled and was slowly recovering. No big deal. This is goat land, after all.