Playing games (III): Administrators

[BubblySunbeam]: Hahahahaha. You actually did it.

Me: Can you shut up?

[BubblySunbeam]: Hell no. I enjoyed watching you squirm; there's no way I'm not going to talk about it.

Me: Please, I don't want to think about it.

[BubblySunbeam]: No. Not only did you make a fool of yourself with your awkward flirting, but you also challenged her to kiss you.

Me: Ugh, I regret that so much.

[BubblySunbeam]: I bet she doesn't. She looked like she enjoyed the kiss.

Me: That's because she did.

[BubblySunbeam]: Well, I guess you have some game after all. Maybe next time, you'll think twice before challenging someone to a kiss.

Me: … Can I get my reward now? I think I've suffered enough.

[BubblySunbeam]: Fine. And since I was so entertained, I'll give you a better one than I originally planned to give you, and since I got to see how an introvert flirts I upgraded it again. Thanks to you I might be able to make a special someone swoon~

Me: God speed....

____

A notification popped up on my screen, breaking the awkward tension that hung between me and this overly chatty admin.

[Special task from [BubblySunbeam] has been completed. Due to [BubblySunbeam]'s enjoyment, and growing knowledge of intro-flirting, the reward has been changed from a [Common] item to an [Epic] item. It is in the inventory.]

Curiosity got the better of me as I opened my inventory, a familiar backpack icon at the corner of the screen. Normally, I only saw basic items in there—rewards from smaller tasks, like cooking—but this time, something stood out: [Sunburst Sweets (Epic)].

"What the…?" I muttered, clicking on the item. A detailed description appeared in a pop-up:

[Sunburst Sweets (Epic): Delicate confections crafted from crystallized ████████, Sunburst Sweets are a favorite treat of █████████ and ███ █████████. Each bite melts on the tongue, releasing a cascade of sweet, warm flavor and uplifting the spirit.]

I stared at the screen, baffled. "Why does this game have redacted text? What are they hiding in candy descriptions?"

I turned to ask [BubblySunbeam], but a loud cheer beside me derailed my train of thought. Frey, sitting far too close for comfort, was practically glowing with glee.

"What's wrong with you? Still happy about... a few minutes ago?" I asked, cautiously.

She blinked innocently before her grin turned mischievous. "What, too embarrassed to say we kissed? Too bad, because I'm not. And I'd do it again, multiple times, for however long~"

She licked her lips, and a shiver ran down my spine. Frey always had this maddening way of making my life difficult, especially when she was in one of her competitive moods. I cursed myself for forgetting why I avoided truth or dare with her.

"S-So what was that noise about?" I stammered, desperate to change the subject.

"Oh, I got a message from an administrator named [GlutonusCutie]," she said casually.

"What'd they say?"

"They didn't say much. Just that if I completed their task, they'd introduce me to another admin, [TheDogBitMe], and both would help me."

"What's the task?"

"Bite someone."

I froze as her gaze slowly shifted to me, her smile widening in a way that made me want to run. "What? Wait, why are you looking at me like that?"

"You wanna help me with my task?" she asked, her voice dripping with faux sweetness.

"Hell no. You're going to try to do more than just biting; I know it. Never give a mouse a cookie."

"Oh, come on! I know you'll like it~"

"No!" I declared, scooting as far from her as possible.

Despite my protests, Frey always got her way. I begrudgingly let her bite my hand, though I kept a close eye on her mischievous grin. As expected, she tried to push her luck, but I retaliated by sitting on her to pin her down.

"Ha! How's that for payback?" I smirked, but my victory was short-lived. Frey started panting and squirming under me, her face flushed. I blinked in confusion. Was she… enjoying this?

____

[BubblySunbeam]: Did you like your reward?

Me: I don't know. Why's some of the text redacted?

[BubblySunbeam]: Why'd you kiss your friend? Both are questions, but you can't handle either of the answers yet.

Me: The fuck does that mean?

[BubblySunbeam]: Hehe.

Me: You suck.

[BubblySunbeam]: I would say you swallow, but with the way your friendship is going, it seems you won't need to.

Me: Huh?

[BubblySunbeam]: Did you use the item yet?

Me: No, and don't change the subject.

[BubblySunbeam]: Use the item. You'll see why administrator tasks are better than the normal ones.

____

Reluctantly, I followed her advice. I clicked the feed option and watched in awe as my progress bars shot up. My completion rate jumped from 50.05% to 70%, the equivalent of completing twenty regular tasks in one go. Even more surprising was my pet growth rate, which doubled from 10.01% to 20.02%. Considering how long it had taken to reach 10%, this was nothing short of miraculous.

____

Me: When's the next task?

[BubblySunbeam]: Soon, but first, I want you to meet my lovely friend. She's very similar to you.

Me: How?

[BubblySunbeam]: She's shy, quiet, and reserved; honestly, she's a total introvert. She also has an energetic friend who has a thing for her, but she swears she's straight.

Me: I am straight.

[BubblySunbeam]: Sure, bud.

Me: You're the energetic friend.

[BubblySunbeam]: Yeah.

Me: Explains a lot.

[BubblySunbeam]: She'll message you in a few minutes. While you two chat, I'll figure out what I'm going to make you do next.

Me: Yay, more suffering.

____

A notification popped up: [Admin [QuietMoonbeam] has started a conversation with you.]

____

[QuietMoonbeam]: I'm sorry for whatever she's made you do. She's like an impulsive ball of energy.

Me: I know the feeling; I have a friend that's similar.

[QuietMoonbeam]: Has she caused any trouble?

Me: A little.

[QuietMoonbeam]: Tell me what happened.

____

[Special task from [QuietMoonbeam]: Tell me what [BubblySunbeam] did, in detail.]

After completing the task, I checked my inventory and found another item: [Lunar Lotus Mooncake (Epic)]. Its description was as ornate as the previous one, detailing its icy, creamy texture and unique ability to lower body heat. My progress bars shot up again, this time by 10%.

____

Me: Thanks a bunch.

[QuietMoonbeam]: No problem. And if she gives you another task, let me know so I can reward you for putting up with her antics.

Me: Oh, okay. I'm going to max out a lot faster than I thought.

[QuietMoonbeam]: Just because you don't have to do the normal tasks doesn't mean you shouldn't. Wouldn't it feel better if you completed everything this game had to offer?

Me: Yeah.

[QuietMoonbeam]: Then don't get lazy~

"Hey Frey, I have two administrators backing me, and one of them gives me stuff to compensate for the other one," I said, turning to her.

Frey grinned knowingly. "You too?"