IGPB 02

Chapter 2

For a moment, I felt embarrassed by the lack of response, wondering if I’d spoken too softly. So this time, I shouted a little louder.
“Uh…! It popped up!”

And just like in a real game, a stat window appeared before my eyes.

[Player Status Window]
Name: Zoé Blanche
Age: 17
Rank: F

Boom.
That was the sound of my hopes shattering into pieces.
An F rank. In other words, a total newbie.
Of course. I should’ve known better than to expect some “Oops, I got isekai’d and now I’m overpowered!” kind of luck.

As I stared blankly at my pathetic stats, I suddenly rubbed my eyes and looked again.
“…Wait a second, what’s with this one?”

HP: 55
Strength: 100
Agility: 30
Magic: 10
Luck: 10

“Strength… 100? Why is that one so high?”
It was higher than my HP! I’d never seen a stat spread like that before.
But wasn’t this supposed to be a healing game? Why would I need a body this strong?

I mulled it over for a bit, then shrugged and decided to think positive.
Maybe, just like the little warning message said, something dangerous could appear later on.
And hey, being strong can only help, right?

Nodding optimistically, I turned my attention to the next curiosity: that bizarre skill called “Cleaning Master.”
“What even is this skill supposed to do…?”

That’s when a robotic system voice answered.

[<System> ‘Scrub-a-Dub Cleaning Master’]
Increases cleaning speed and allows you to instantly detect dirt or filth in your surroundings.

“…Wait. Are you listening to me right now, system?”
I squinted at the air suspiciously, like I could shoot laser beams out of my eyes.

“That’s it? That’s all it does? Seriously? I was expecting something cool.”
I couldn’t hide my disappointment at such a lame description—until the system hurriedly added more.

*[Additionally, as your Cleaning skill level increases, cleanliness lasts longer. Free yourself from the endless cycle of cleaning!]

Okay, now I was sure it was listening to me.
But hold on… If leveling this up meant things stayed clean for longer, that was actually pretty nice!
Combine that with my title and I’d really be free from the misery of constant cleaning!

Feeling my mood lift, I puffed up proudly.
Cleaning? Ha! I used to scrub dirty animal pens every single day. This was nothing.
Plus, I had the body of an athlete now. I flexed my arm and smiled at the faint bump of muscle there.

That’s when—
Grrrgl—
My stomach rumbled thunderously.

Right. I hadn’t eaten a single bite since waking up.
A wave of hunger hit me so hard I almost doubled over.
“…I’m starving.”

The life muscles I’d just been admiring felt like they were already shrinking away.
No way. I couldn’t lose them before we’d even gotten acquainted!

Clutching my growling stomach, I got up and began searching for something—anything—to eat.
Soon I found a small pantry connected to the kitchen. Judging by the layout, it had to be a food storage room.

I prayed I was right and pushed the creaky wooden door open.
Inside, I saw rows of large oak barrels and a charming old-fashioned cabinet lined with jars and ceramic pots filled with spices.

But… where were the actual ingredients?
“Wait, hold up—no food? Seriously?”

I squinted and rummaged through the room, and then, tucked beneath a cast-iron pot hanging on the far wall, I spotted it: a large pumpkin.
“Jackpot!”

This glorious find is dedicated to me, who has suffered so much!
It felt like I’d just dug up ginseng on a mountain. I grabbed the pumpkin gleefully.
“Yes! I can make pumpkin por—wait, what the heck?!”

“Kyuuu…”

Right where the pumpkin had been sat a small, fluffy, black… something, curled up into a trembling ball.

Hold on.
“…Is that a puppy?”

The little dog flinched and scooted backward, trembling like a leaf.
Poor thing. But as it lifted its tiny head, that plump puppy butt aimed right at me made my heart explode.

So that rustling sound earlier was this little guy, huh?
“I-I just want to touch that cute little butt—no, no, control yourself!”

I swallowed down the overwhelming urge to scoop it up and nibble on it.
Instead, I crouched down to its level and spoke as gently as I could.
“It’s okay. I’m not gonna hurt you.”

I waited patiently until the puppy calmed down.
And finally, it turned its small body toward me and revealed its face.
“Whine…”

It rolled its eyes nervously, and I noticed something odd—its eyes were glowing red.
“Black fur with red eyes? Is this… an exotic breed?”

Animal Park usually had pretty normal animals, but I guess they added fantasy creatures in the new patch.
Still, that didn’t matter right now. Because this puppy was—

“Too cute!!!”

Who cared about logic in the face of this level of adorableness?
Unable to stop grinning, I carefully lifted the puppy and began running my fingers through its soft black fur. Each stroke melted away the day’s exhaustion like magic.

Ahh, I couldn’t stop. I had to pet it more!

“Purr—”

The puppy flopped onto its back and started making a low, rumbling sound of pleasure.
That was definitely a happy noise.

“Oh my gosh, where did you come from?”
“Why are you this cute? Huh?”
“What’s your name, little one? Aah, you’re so adorable!”

I fired off a barrage of nonsense while inspecting it carefully.
Maybe it got lost and hid here?
Or… could it have been abandoned?

If so, may whoever did that suffer eternal constipation.

My face must’ve looked terrifying, because the puppy flinched. I immediately softened my expression and smiled.
“There, there. It’s okay, baby. You’re safe.”

Whatever the case, I had to take care of it.
The poor thing looked half-starved.

…Wait.
This is a game world, isn’t it?
That means… I can probably just keep it!

As soon as the thought crossed my mind, a system window popped up like it had read my mind.

[<System> Quest triggered! Register your first animal in the Animal Encyclopedia.]
Reward: Lucky Gacha Ticket
Failure: You will never be able to find cute animal friends again.

“…What?”

I stared in despair at the failure penalty.
An Animal Park without animals? Are you kidding me, system?!

The whole point of this game was to interact with, tame, and raise the animals you discovered.
Apparently, even after the renewal, that mechanic was still intact.

Well, fine. Challenge accepted.
I looked down at the puppy, determination blazing in my eyes.

The me who used to complain about being trapped in a game world? Gone.
After all, there’s a saying—
If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it!

I’d fill my encyclopedia one cute creature at a time and live my best ★Animal Life★!

“Kyuuu…”

The puppy suddenly whimpered and stared intently at something.
I followed its gaze—to the pumpkin, which I’d dropped when I scooped it up earlier.

“Oh right, I was hungry, wasn’t I?”
I gently set the puppy down and picked the precious pumpkin off the floor.

Its eyes followed the pumpkin.
Hmm. Maybe it was hungry too?

“Hey, little one, are you hungry? Want this?”
“Arf!”

Yup, that was definitely a yes.

Of course—nothing wins over an animal like food.

“Alright then, let’s eat!”