Since I'm in a game, opening the inventory is normal. I didn't try to open it before because I had other things on my mind. However, if I want to survive in-game, I'll have to depend on you, Mr. inventory~

You see, because of this game's insane difficulty level the inventors decided to gift each started player with a boost pack, which is now inside my inventory.

I take a deep breath and mentally command the inventory open. A transparent, thin square opens up, and inside, I can see a picture that resembles a wrapped gift. There the number '1' on the lower right corner of the image, and a circle flashing on and off. It's like it's begging me to tap it.

Near the lower parts of the square window, there's a line that shows how much money you've earned so far. It's empty, no money at all. I feel unfortunate. I'm a poor person, but seeing this zero staring back at me, I feel even lower than a poor person.

Money~ 

Where's my money~?

Maybe part of the gift pack will be some cash? I can only hope.

I tap on the picture with shining eyes, but instead of money, or food, or anything useful do you know what I get? Do you? I feel like crying. This game is bullying me.

*Ping*

Venom antidote x 10 has been found!

This little bottle is effective against the Snakes of the starter village!

Great. Wow. Are you trying to tell me something you useless piece of a game? Are you saying I'm going to die? Is that what you're saying?!

I don't want to die. I feel like crying. It's not fair! It's not like I don't think that antidote isn't useful, it probably is. That thing can, and more than likely, will save my life sooner or later, but I need something good for the quest!

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Like, like, like snake repellent incense, or a protective talisman - something to keep those legless reptiles away! Sal isn't like any of them. I think that, if it were only Sal and me, I could probably do it, but the knowledge that so many ankle-biters are lurking about is terrifying. 

I take a deep breath. I need to calm down. Calm. Down.

"Hey, Sal." I try to sound calm and mature. It shouldn't be hard because I am an adult.

"Um? What is it?" The little snake looks at me and shakes a little.

What are you doing? I really can't understand you. Sigh. 

"Well, if we're going to do that quest of yours, we're going to need food. Does your poison actually work, can you really kill anything with it?" He looks so small and harmless, so I can't help but doubt his capabilities.

I'm only saying that because surviving in the wild without food for three days is impossible. I'm not really good with words, so I probably could have said it better.

My body is that of a child's, so I'm not sure I'm going to be of much help. If I looked older, I could have taken care of us, but this little kid's body makes it impossible. Plus, we don't have money to buy food in the beginners' village, so the only one here that can hunt is Sal, but I seem to remember reading that his venom is weak from his species description. 

I'm not saying he can't hunt, but depending on the strength of his venom we'll need to target smaller or larger animals to keep us alive. 

Sal looks offended. The little guy's mouth drops, and he's hissing at me with hurt in his eyes. Not that I think of a snake as a 'he,' it's just hard to talk with someone and continue thinking of them as an 'it.' Sal can think and feel, he's not an animal.

"Hurtful! Little brother is so hurtful!" Sal cries out dramatically. It's funny.

"Hehe," I try not to laugh, but a little bit gets out, which makes me feel a little guilty.

Sal looks smug at the achievement, "Just so you know, I'm awesome." Sal says thoughtfully, "I'm a started snake! We starter snakes are amazing, and something as small as hunting for food is nothing but a child's' play!" It puffs its chest.

Really? I could have sworn that a starter snake is one of the weakest, least impressive snakes in the game. What amazing? What awesome? 

I think he could see what I think on my face since Sal's proud look goes down the drain, "You don't believe me, ah?!" Sal hisses angrily, "Well, I'm going to prove it to you!"

With that, Sal turned his back on me and started crawling towards the wilderness.

W-wait! What do you think you're doing?!

If I let this stupid snake go by itself, won't it get killed? My dream job, won't it get killed?!

"Wait! Don't go!"

I run after Sal.