"What should I name it, chat?"


    Max decided to ask the chat because he sucked at naming his pet, thinking that they probably had a better option than his. In his mind, he only had two options: ckie or Cattie. While he liked both options, he used this chance to converse with his viewers.


    — Name, huh? You''re Breeze, so why not call it Storm or Tempest?


    "That sounds good, actually." He admitted in surprise. "But let''s take another suggestion. Does anyone have a good name?"


    — Roundy!


    — How about we call it Jack4ss? Like, it''s Jack but has 4ss!


    — I think you mean Jackall, but meh. I suggest you call it ckie!


    "Oh? ckie sounds good." He nodded in agreement, as the chat had the same opinion as his.


    — ckie is too basic, don''t you think? Just call your cat rk or Garfield or something.


    — You''re not creative at all! Hear this: Lapu. Taken from Capu


    — … I have no words. By the way, why don''t you just call him Darky?


    — Darky sounds good. You can also call him sucker!


    — Hell no! Don''t use this noble me''s name as a mount''s name! Hear me, Breeze. Don''t do it!


    Max''s lips curled up into a grin.


    "BloodSucker seems nice. But because it''s a cat, I guess it''s just Bloody? Or Sucky? Both sounds good"


    The chat began to make fun of BloodSucker after that. They supported the names he mentioned. Some even donated diamonds to make him name the monster with Bloody or Sucky just for theugh.


    And then, the person in question did something that everyone expected.


    [BloodSucker has started a mission.]


    [Stream Mission: Please, just name it ckie.]


    [Reward: 2,500 diamonds.]


    Sighing, Max looked at the camera.


    "I guess there is no choice. Your name will be ckie from now on."


    "Nyaa!"


    [ckie has been chosen for Mutated Catpalu''s name. It will respond to that name from now on.]


    [Missionpleted!]


    [2,500 diamonds have been donated!]


    The notification cemented the naming contest. ckie had been chosen as a winner, thanks to the power of money.


    — Money win again in the end


    — Kekeke, we both profit though. We had a goodugh, and Breeze got money


    — The name is basic but good. But not everyone profits


    — Don''t forget that BloodSucker lost money but gained his dignity.


    — I won''t ever forget this! This noble me will make you get more money and pay me more!


    — Good luck, Sucky. Lmao


    Everyone had a goodugh, and that concluded that night''s live streaming.


    [Livestream Ended!]


    ***


    In a certain kitchen, a girl was humming while cutting onions. There was a trace of tears on her cheek, but she looked really relieved and happy.


    ''I can finally tell him that.'' Nina thought. ''I have no more regrets. I have chosen this path for myself, for my dream.''


    The knife she controlled cut the vegetables and meat skillfully. It felt lighter than before, probably because her hesitation was gone.


    For a long time, Nina has liked cooking. She had always cooked with her mother since childhood, and a fond memory kept her going on this path even when she was gone.


    With her father, Chef Rush''s guidance, she managed to be a decent chef. Her friend was there to support her, even though he was in a bad situation.


    That was why she asked her father to help her friend. It worried her. For some reason, she wanted to cook for him. Her dream to be a better cook was stronger than ever.


    However, circumstances prevented her from doing so. The restaurant wasn''t doing well. They had always been in the red since she graduated from high school, making her unable to continue her education. She knew her father felt guilty for that, but she didn''t mind.


    Family came first. And if she left, who would help her friend, whom she considered a part of her family? That was why she stayed.


    A year had passed since then, and her friend finally changed. He became brighter and spirited. Hisplexion became better, and he pursued his longst dream. Much to her surprise, he seeded. He even helped to promote her restaurant, saving it from getting closed.


    That made Nina happy and reignited her desire to pursue a cooking career. To grab her dream and be a high-ss chef.


    "Hmm hmm~ I just need a few more spices. Then let it simmer for tomorrow''s breakfast."


    Putting on a few spices, Nina stirred the pot happily. She didn''t notice that her father was looking at her with a soft gaze, seemingly proud of her.


    ''She has grown.'' Chef Rush thought as he turned around and walked out of the kitchen. ''That boy has chosen his choice. At least it leads to her happiness, so I won''t do anything. Youth is really troublesome. They keep stalling, stalling, stalling until it''s toote.''


    Sitting on one of the empty chairs in the dark restaurant, Chef Rush opened a piece of candy and threw it into his mouth. His expression softened immediately.


    ''Even so, they still seem to be friends. I am d. Nothing went wrong with their rtionship. It would be a disaster to lose a boy that I thought of as a son already.''


    It was not a good night, but it certainly wasn''t the worst.


    ''Such a long night. It''s better to be spent drinking.''


    ***


    After ending the stream and showering, Max browsed Mercenary Hub to see why his viewers and followers suddenly exploded. True to his prior guess, his viewers seemed to upload some thread with his clips there.


    The clips of him climbing the mercenary base seemed to be the most popr one, followed by his attempt to tame ckie.


    ''This forum is full of interesting people. But I shouldn''t linger any longer if I don''t want to get a spoiler of the main story.''


    Guides were everywhere. It was hell for someone who wanted to know nothing and enjoyed exploring the game.


    Besides, it was already past midnight. Flexy had yet to reply to his message from earlier.


    ''He might just be so frustrated and go to sleep. It happens.'' He thought and closed all floating hologram screens. ''I might as well sleep too. Tomorrow, I need to wake up early and pick up Nina.''


    Thinking about the girl, Max felt a little bit happy and guilty. He was d she decided to follow her dream instead of sticking with him. No matter how dense he was, he knew her feelings. It was both love and pity, although he felt thetter was stronger than the former.


    ''She shouldn''t be bound to me. I only tie her with pity and keep her from spreading her wings. She should be free and pursue her dream seriously.''


    Chef Rush probably also noticed that. That was why the chef warned Max not to disappoint him. And as a fellow who tried his best to pursue his dream, he knew the pain of being unable to do so.


    When he was unable to do parkour, his heart broke, and his reason to live disappeared. At one time, he even thought that dying was better than sleeping in the hospital. He didn''t want Nina to feel that way. She still had a choice. And he would support her.


    ''Is my choice good enough, Chef Rush? I hope she can also be free with this. We''re just best friends, nothing more, nothing less. I would help her and be there for her, but I wouldn''t be able to feel anything romantic with her. I know her too well.''


    Turning the light off, Max went to the bed and closed his eyes. The night was already too long. Talking to Nina and then trying to forget it through a game. It was time to end it and wee a new day.


    So, he let his consciousness stray away and drifted to sleep.