The sun streams through the window, gently rousing me from my slumber. As I slowly open my eyes, the warm embrace of sunlight envelops me, momentarily lulling me into a sense of familiarity. But as consciousness fully takes hold, I realize that this isn't the familiar sight of my apartment bedroom; instead, I find myself in an unfamiliar room, a stark reminder that I am no longer in my own world.
The realization is further underscored by the voice of the System, gently greeting me.
"[Good morning, dear host. It's a beautiful day today, isn't it?]"
"Uh, yeah, though I would have preferred waking up in my own apartment this morning," I mutter, feeling a twinge of disappointment.
"[Come on, host, let's try to be in a good mood. Besides, I have some missions for you this morning,]" the System replies cheerfully.
The prospect of new quests lifts my spirits slightly. "And what do these quests entail? Are they difficult?" I inquire.
"[Don't worry, host, these quests are tailored to your level. Just open the quest bar,]" the System reassures me.
Following the System's instructions, I open the quest bar, revealing a list of tasks awaiting my attention.
[Daily Quests:
Do 50 push-ups: 0/50
Do 50 squats: 0/50
Run a 2km race: 0/2km
Reward: 5 attribute points]
Before I could even glance at other quests, my mother's voice reverberates through the room. "Jade, get up and go take a shower so I can change your bandage and you can come down for breakfast," she says.
"Okay, Mom!" I call out across the room before closing the system tab and hopping out of bed to head to the bathroom.
I take a quick shower, then step out with a towel wrapped around my body. Standing in front of the mirror, I take a moment to observe myself. My appearance hasn't changed much—I still have blue eyes and blond hair. However, this time, I've regressed from a 20-year-old young woman to a 5-year-old child, and there's a slight wound on my head.
A giggle interrupts my reverie, and I turn to see my mother watching me. She had entered the room without me noticing.
"So, done admiring yourself, Jade?" she says, chuckling.
Her words make me blush with embarrassment. Then, my mother moves to the wardrobe and selects a few sets of clothes.
"So, Jade, what outfit do you want to wear today?" she asks, pointing to a simple red dress or a white t-shirt and black pants.
"I'll go with the t-shirt and pants. Now, can you please leave so I can get dressed?" I say, grabbing the clothes. But my mother doesn't seem to agree.
"I don't see what you're embarrassed about, Jade. After all, I'm your mother. I've seen you without clothes before, and besides, I need to disinfect the wound on your face and put on a bandage," she retorts.
With a reluctant sigh, I nod in understanding, acknowledging her point. "Okay, Mom," I mumble, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and resignation wash over me.
As my mother proceeds to tend to my wound, I can't help but feel a pang of discomfort at the vulnerability of the situation. Despite her reassurances and the familiarity of our bond, there's a part of me that struggles to reconcile this new reality of being a child once again, reliant on my mother's care and protection.
Once the bandage is securely in place, my mother offers me a comforting smile, her touch gentle and reassuring. "There, all done," she says, her voice soft with maternal warmth.
"Thanks, Mom," I murmur, feeling a rush of gratitude for her unwavering support and understanding.
As I quickly dress in the chosen t-shirt and pants, with a final glance in the mirror to ensure everything is in place, I join my mother downstairs for breakfast. As I descend the stairs, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries wafts through the air, filling the cozy kitchen with a comforting ambiance. My mother is already bustling about, setting the table with plates and utensils, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Sit down, Jade. Breakfast is almost ready," she says, gesturing to the table with a gentle sweep of her hand.
I take my seat, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me as I watch my mother move with practiced ease, her movements a familiar dance of care and nurturing.
Soon, she places a plate of fluffy pancakes and a glass of orange juice in front of me, her eyes sparkling with affection. "Here you go, sweetheart. Eat up," she says, her voice warm with maternal affection.
I dig into the meal with gusto, savoring each bite as the flavors dance across my taste buds. Despite the lingering unease of my altered circumstances, there's a sense of comfort in the routine of our morning ritual.
After finishing my breakfast, I calmly gather my plate and glass, heading towards the sink to rinse them off before turning to my mother.
"Mom, I'm done, so I'm going to go play outside," I say, meeting her gaze.
"Okay, but be careful, and whatever you do, don't go into the forest. It's a dangerous place, understood?" my mother warns.
I take a moment to look around, scanning the room until I spot my shoes. With a nod, I acknowledge my mother's instructions, then bid her a final farewell before stepping out of the house.
The fresh air greets me as I step outside, the warmth of the sun casting a golden glow over the neighborhood. I take a deep breath, relishing the freedom of the open space as I make my way towards the familiar sights of the backyard.
The grass beneath my feet is cool and inviting, a soft carpet that cushions each step as I explore my surroundings. Birds chirp in the distance, their melodious songs filling the air with a sense of tranquility.
Now that I've taken in the surroundings, it's time to get to work and complete this daily quest. I position myself to start doing push-ups, only to find that I can't even manage one.
"[Host, it is recommended that you first increase your strength attribute to be able to complete the daily quests]," the system advises.
Remembering that I received 5 free attribute points when I opened the beginner's gift pack, I decide to open my status and allocate the 5 points to strength.
Here's how my profile looks now:
[Name: Jade Smith
Age: 5
Race: Half-human, half-dragon
HP: 500/500
MP: 1000/1000
Magic: 15
Strength: 3 > 8
Intelligence: 24
Appearance/Charisma: 20
Affinity: Fire
Skills: Cooking (B), Escape (C), Running (C+), Fire Magic (F),]
"Now I'm ready to complete this daily quest," I say, feeling motivated.
With my newfound strength and determination, I brace myself to tackle the challenge ahead. The sun beats down on me, casting a warm glow over the backyard as I prepare to embark on my mission.
Taking a deep breath, I lower myself into the starting position for push-ups, the grass cool beneath my hands. With each repetition, I feel the strain in my muscles, but I push through the discomfort, fueled by the desire to succeed.
As I continue, I can feel my strength growing with each movement, my body gradually adapting to the physical exertion. Sweat beads on my brow, but I refuse to give up, channeling all my focus and energy into completing the task at hand.
Time seems to blur as I lose myself in the rhythm of the exercise, the world around me fading into the background as I push my limits. With each push-up, I draw closer to my goal, my determination unwavering despite the challenges I face.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, I reach the target number of repetitions. A sense of satisfaction washes over me as I stand up, my muscles tingling with exertion.
"Now all that's left is to complete the other quests," I remark, scanning the list of tasks before me.
With the satisfaction of completing the daily push-up quest still fresh in my mind, I turn my attention to the remaining challenges. The sun hangs high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the backyard as I contemplate my next move.