Chapter 5: Quest for the Perfect Snack and Spark of Friendship

Upon reaching the real Port Blackwater, Atlas was fortunate that it was night, and no one was on the port at this time. She turned to her crew behind her and released a ship called the Midnight Dearest. It had a sleek design and ghostly presence. Crafted from dark ebony wood that seems to absorb light, the ship had an almost ethereal quality, especially under the moonlight, where it truly earned its name. With its massive, billowing sails dyed the deepest black, the ship appeared as a shadowy specter on the ocean, often mistaken for a phantom by superstitious sailors.

She left the Midnight Dearest gently rocking at the edge of the murky docks, the silhouette of its ebony sails barely discernible against the dark horizon. Her crew, a motley ensemble of seasoned outlaws each bound by their own tales to the spectral vessel, worked diligently. They checked ropes for fraying, secured the cannons, and shuffled quietly about their tasks, their movements almost as silent as the hull they tread upon.

Atlas strode through the winding streets of Port Blackwater, her boots silent on the damp cobblestones. The air was thick with the briny scent of the sea and the less savory odors that wafted from the alleyways. Shouts and the clinking of mugs filtered through the night as she approached The Kraken's Keep, the most notorious tavern in the port, known for its raucous revelries and the occasional deadly duel.

Pushing open the heavy, wooden door, she was immediately engulfed in the cacophony typical of a pirate haven at its peak hours. The room buzzed with the energy of pirates, thieves, and cutthroats all mingling under the dim glow of oil lamps that cast dancing shadows upon the rough wooden walls. A bard, slightly off-key, was belting out a bawdy sea shanty to the raucous approval of his inebriated audience.

Ignoring the bartender's suspicious glare, she maneuvered through the crowd, her eyes scanning for the telltale signs of informed gossipers or unwitting eavesdroppers. She needed information about Marrow's End, a cursed place shrouded in ghostly legends, said to be guarded by the spectral remains of pirates too greedy even for the grave. The Crimson Flag, an emblem of notorious significance, was rumored to be the key to untold power, buried deep within its forsaken soils.

Finding her way to a secluded corner, she struck up a conversation with an old salt whose eye patch and scarred visage spoke of countless battles. With the promise of a few gold coins, he leaned in close, his voice a hoarse whisper recounting tales of Marrow's End that chilled her to the bone—tales of unwary souls swallowed by fog and darkness, never to return.

Armed with this grim knowledge and a map sketched on a scrap of dirty parchment, she thanked the old pirate and left the tavern with a new determination. The pieces were falling into place, and soon the Midnight Dearest would sail towards Marrow's End. For there, hidden amidst legends and lies, lay the secret of the Crimson Flag, and with it, the promise of a power great enough to rule the seas—or curse them forever.

After returning to the ship, she told the crew to set sail out to sea. After they were just a blip on the horizon, Atlas went to Javin Blackwater's side and showed him what she found. Upon seeing it, Javin Blackwater raised his hand, and patted her shoulder saying, "Good job." She heard a ding from her system, so she looked while Javin Blackwater walked away with the map to direct the ship's course.

She got an SSS rating due to completing the hidden task: escape from the fake Port Blackwater to the real Port Blackwater, and gather intel in no time after reaching the Real Port Blackwater.

The rewards she gained were:

[Crew Loyalty Boost raised by 10 points.]

[Pirate's Grimoire: A small leather-bound book containing secrets and tricks learned from the seasoned pirates of Port Blackwater. This grimoire offers Atlas specific knowledge such as:

Rum Runner's Route: Maps of hidden sea paths and shortcuts that can reduce travel time between destinations.

Smuggler's Wits: Tips on avoiding naval patrols or negotiating with merchant ships, useful for evading confrontations or bartering for better supplies.]

[Navigator's Eye: A magical artifact shaped like a compass, which once belonged to a legendary pirate navigator. This device allows Atlas to see the safest and fastest routes through dangerous waters. It can highlight areas of interest within a certain radius, revealing hidden dangers and treasures alike. The Navigator's Eye could periodically offer tactical advantages, like predicting weather changes or spotting distant ships.]

She loved the rewards she had gained; she checked her quest page to see if the follow-up quest had been unlocked. It now said it would start in 10 hours. She decided to log off and return when it was time for the follow-up quest.

While Atlas was having a grand adventure, Jared was on his own quest to gain more contracted baby animals. He knew he might never meet such a wonderful opportunity again in the real world, so along with the baby panda's and baby dragon's quest, he got quests for a baby bear, baby wolf, baby fox, baby dolphin, baby whale, baby kraken, baby phoenix, baby unicorn, baby Pegasus, baby turtle and baby griffin.

Baby Bear - Berry Bounty

Objective: Collect the juiciest blueberries from the Elderwood Forest to help the baby bear prepare for its first winter hibernation.

Reward: Baby Bear's loyalty as a contracted summon, providing Jared with enhanced strength during combat. Additional rewards based on the completion of the quest.

Baby Wolf - Moonlit Howl

Objective: Find and retrieve the Moonstone from the Haunted Caves to help the baby wolf call its pack for the first time.

Reward: Baby Wolf's allegiance, offering Jared improved tracking abilities and night vision. Additional rewards based on the completion of the quest.

Baby Fox - Stealthy Play

Objective: Engage in a playful stealth game, hiding and seeking in the Whispering Meadows without being spotted by the baby fox.

Reward: Baby Fox's trust, granting Jared enhanced stealth and agility. Additional rewards based on the completion of the quest.

Baby Dolphin - Coral Rescue

Objective: Dive into the Crystal Lagoon to repair the damaged coral reefs that the baby dolphin calls home.

Reward: Baby Dolphin's companionship, providing Jared with improved swimming capabilities and underwater breathing. Additional rewards based on the completion of the quest.

Baby Whale - Song of the Deep

Objective: Collect the fragments of the Ancient Whale Song from the old sea scrolls found in Shipwreck Cove.

Reward: Baby Whale's friendship, allowing Jared to summon sonic wave attacks underwater. Additional rewards based on the completion of the quest.

Baby Kraken - Treasure Guardian

Objective: Help the baby kraken guard a sunken pirate treasure from greedy divers at Devil's Trench until its mother returns.

Reward: Baby Kraken's bond, offering Jared the ability to create whirlpools and control sea currents. Additional rewards based on the completion of the quest.

Baby Phoenix - Flame's Rebirth

Objective: Gather rare incense and herbs to create a ceremonial pyre where the baby phoenix can experience its first rebirth.

Reward: Baby Phoenix's pact, giving Jared the power of fire resistance and minor healing abilities. Additional rewards based on the completion of the quest.

Baby Unicorn - Mystical Meadow

Objective: Purify the polluted waters of the Enchanted Spring to restore the health of the mystical meadow where the baby unicorn lives.

Reward: Baby Unicorn's grace, enhancing Jared's magical defenses and purification powers. Additional rewards based on the completion of the quest.

Baby Pegasus - Sky Dance

Objective: Craft a feathered harness using cloud threads from the Sky Weavers so the baby Pegasus can learn to fly amidst the high winds.

Reward: Baby Pegasus's allegiance, granting Jared the ability of temporary flight. Additional rewards based on the completion of the quest.

Baby Turtle - Beach Protector

Objective: Help organize and lead a beach cleanup to ensure the baby turtle's nesting grounds are safe from human interference.

Reward: Baby Turtle's trust, providing Jared with enhanced endurance and protective shell-like armor. Additional rewards based on the completion of the quest.

Baby Griffin - Hunter's Bond

Objective: Team up with the baby griffin to hunt down the invasive shadow rats threatening the Great Veldt Plains.

Reward: Baby Griffin's loyalty, giving Jared enhanced sight and predatory instincts. Additional rewards based on the completion of the quest.

Baby Panda - The Perfect Snack

Objective: Find and collect five tender bamboo shoots from a nearby grove that are known for their sweetness and nutritional value.

Rewards: Panda's Approval, Gentle Forager's Badge

Baby Dragon – Spark of Friendship

Objective: Find and retrieve the Starlight Opal from the Crystal Cavern, located at the edge of the enchanted forest.

Rewards: Dragon's Trust, Adventurer's Glow, Contracted Dragon

He received several quests, and in the order they came, he first selected the Perfect Snack quest. An arrow pointed to its location. The quest led him out of the meadow where the baby animals grazed and brought him to the Tranquil Bamboo Grove, a serene area known for its lush greenery and peaceful environment.

The grove was also home to other creatures, and Jared used his eagle form morph skill to navigate over the sleeping foxes and playful squirrels, ensuring not to disturb them as he searches for the bamboo.

The specific shoots required were marked by a lighter green hue and softer stems, known for being particularly nutritious and delicious to pandas. Not long after, he spotted a large group of bamboo matching the color described in the quest.

He deactivated his skill and used the common skill Identify to learn more about the bamboo shoots.

Name: Emerald Nectar Bamboo

The Emerald Nectar Bamboo is a rare and highly sought-after plant, distinguished by its lighter green hue and softer stems. This bamboo species is particularly nutritious and delicious, making it a favorite among pandas and other bamboo-eating creatures. Its stems are not only tender but also imbued with a subtle, sweet nectar that enhances its flavor profile. This bamboo's leaves are also slightly broader and softer compared to typical bamboo, giving it a lush, inviting appearance.

Read more to find out other uses for the Emerald Nectar Bamboo.

He picked all the Emerald Nectar Bamboo shoots that he saw and promised himself to come back and try to harvest more for the baby panda.

After collecting the shoots, Jared returned to the baby panda, who was eagerly waiting. The panda happily munched on the shoots that was given by Jared, chomping away with visible delight. Satisfied and grateful, the panda nuzzled Jared as a sign of affection and approval. Jared activated the Pact of the Wild skill and touched his hand to the panda's forehead. The panda accepted the equal contract, thus becoming Jared's first contracted companion pet in the game world.

A ding sounded from his system after the Panda received the bamboo shoots. He checked his quest log and find that The Perfect Snack was completed. He received the following rewards:

[Panda's Approval]

[Gentle Forager's Badge: This badge increases Jared's abilities to gather resources quickly and increases his affinity with nature, allowing him to harvest more from natural sources.]

He took the panda into his companion pet space, which was opened after the baby panda formed a contract with him. He decided to check the baby panda's status after completing all the quests.

After selecting the dragon's quest, an arrow led him to the crystal cavern, famed for its sparkling interior, lit by thousands of luminescent crystals that created a breathtaking light show. However, the cavern was a maze of tunnels and reflective surfaces that can easily disorient even the most experienced explorers.

Jared utilized his eagle form to navigate these twisting paths. Using his scouting skills, he leveraged the reflective properties of crystals to his advantage while avoiding the pitfalls and crevices that were common in such environments. The Starlight Opal was located in the deepest part of the cavern, guarded by crystal golems who are drawn to the gem's magical light.

Jared knew he would have to battle the crystal golems to obtain the Starlight Opal. He called the baby panda from the companion pet space to assist him in this battle. Realizing he needed to know the attributes of the baby panda now, rather than after acquiring all baby animals, he decided to check its status.

[Name: Savon]

[Level: 1]

[Age: 1 year]

[Species: Panda]

[Alignment: Neutral Good]

[Health Points (HP): 50]

[Mana Points (MP): 20]

[Attributes]

[Strength: 2 (Low, as baby pandas are still developing their muscle strength)]

[Dexterity: 4 (Moderate, baby pandas are clumsy but curious)]

[Endurance: 3 (Low, baby pandas tire easily)]

[Intelligence: 5 (Average, they are clever and quick learners)]

[Wisdom: 6 (Above average, baby pandas are instinctively wise in their natural behavior)

Charisma: 10 (High, baby pandas are extremely cute and endearing)]

[Agility: 3 (Low, baby pandas are not yet nimble)]

[Special Attributes:

Cuteness Overload: 15 (Extraordinary, their sheer cuteness can charm anyone)

Curiosity: 8 (High, baby pandas are naturally curious and explore their surroundings actively)]

[Natural Skills]

[Bamboo Nibble:

Description: The baby panda nibbles on bamboo shoots with its tiny teeth.

Effect: Restores 5 HP per minute of nibbling.

Cooldown: None]

[Playful Tumble:

Description: The baby panda rolls around, which can be both entertaining and useful for a quick escape.

Effect: Increases agility by 2 points for the next 5 minutes.

Cooldown: 10 minutes]

[Cuteness Aura:

Description: Emits an aura of cuteness that pacifies nearby creatures and makes enemies less likely to attack.

Effect: Reduces aggression of nearby hostile creatures by 50%.

Cooldown: 15 minutes]

[Curious Exploration:

Description: The baby panda explores its surroundings, uncovering hidden items or areas.

Effect: Increases the chance of finding hidden objects or secret passages by 30%.

Cooldown: 20 minutes]

[Gentle Nudge:

Description: Bao gives a gentle nudge to an ally, encouraging and boosting morale.

Effect: Increases an ally's morale, restoring 10 MP.

Cooldown: 10 minutes]

[Innate Abilities]

[Nature's Friend:

Description: Bao is naturally in tune with its environment and can communicate with plants and small animals.

Effect: Allows communication with plants and small animals for 5 minutes.

Cooldown: 30 minutes]

[Instinctive Climber:

Description: Even as a baby, pandas are adept at climbing trees and other structures.

Effect: Increases climbing speed by 50% and decreases the chance of falling by 50%.

Cooldown: None]

[Natural Charm:

Description: Bao's charm and cuteness make it easier to befriend other creatures.

Effect: Increases success rate of befriending neutral creatures by 25%.

Cooldown: None]