Blitz was staring at the plate like it was a war crime.
A tangled mess of half-wilted lettuce was lounging there, shameless. Bruised carrot slices slumped on top of each other, huddled as if they had given up on life. A few dry strands of hay clung to the rim, looking like they were trying to escape. A faint sweetness of old apple hovered beneath the sharper scent of damp greens that had definitely overstayed their welcome.
It did not look like a meal.
It looked like a warning.
Blitz didn't move. His green eyes went flat and expressionless, the way a soldier looks at the bomb he forgot he stepped on.
Ahhhhhhhh.
What is this nightmare?!
Seriously?!
"Here, Blitz," Rivera said cheerily, "this is your breakfast. I asked Sophie to bring the best food for rabbits. Try it - you'll love it."
Love it?
Love this?
This...compost cosplay?
Blitz recoiled inside.
Ewww.
What the fuck is this?
This is the best?
Squeak. Squeak. Squeak.
He squeaked his disgust with all the force his tiny rabbit diaphragm could muster.
But -
"Ohhh!" Sophie exclaimed. "Look, Miss Rivera! He's excited!"
EXCITED?!
Do I look excited?! LOOK AT MY EYES, WOMAN.
Blitz turned to Rivera for reinforcements.
Squeak.
Rivera leaned in, nodded, then immediately betrayed him.
"Yeah… you're right, Sophie. He does look excited."
"He must be thanking you," Sophie said proudly. "This meal is exquisite."
Exquisite.
Now the rotting salad is EXQUISITE?!
Rivera patted Blitz's head lovingly. "Aww, don't thank me. Sophie worked so hard to get this for you."
Great length?!
For THIS?!
This is an abomination forged in the deepest kitchen in hell!
Blitz shook his head furiously, then pointed at the plate, then shook again.
"Huh? What's wrong, Blitz?" Rivera asked.
He tried to squeak the truth -
But then -
[Ding!]
The system chimed - no different than if it was announcing his execution.
[Random Mission: Eat the best rabbit food your master has provided you]
[Reward: +0.1 Evolution Points]
Blitz froze.
What… the… fuck.
Why?
WHY???
Was the system a psychopath?
On one side,
Eat those accursed greens.
On the other hand:
0.1 evolution points - more than a daily mission.
What the system really said was: suffer but profit.
"Are you alright, Blitz?" Rivera asked, concerned.
No.
Absolutely not. But he nodded mentally. He would do it. All for the evolution points.
Blitz stepped toward the plate like a condemned man walking toward the gallows.
He drew a deep breath.
Exhaled.
Perhaps, he thought to himself, because I am a rabbit, maybe my taste buds have changed. Maybe this isn't going to be a total disaster.
He leaned in. Closed his eyes. Held his breath.
And took a bite.
The moment his tongue touched the food -
His face darkened in an instant.