[Binding Task 1/?: Harvest 50 Kalenberry from Kalenberry bushes. Status: 0/50.]
Looking at the task, it seems simple enough. But it being labeled as 1/? meant there's still ? parts for the task. He also noticed that the word Kalenberry was highlighted, similar to a hyperlink.
When he focused his mind on the word, another panel appeared. It showed a green berry the size of a tomato with strange curvy patterns on its skin. The bush behind it had a kind of palmate leaves with a dark brown branch.
Below the picture, the system describes the Kalenberry as a healing berry, with its leaves being poisonous but can be used as an herb stimulant, meaning that it can be used as an activator of sorts for other herbs.
Having no knowledge at all about herbs, Alexis has no possible need for the leaves. For now, he only needs that detail to distinguish the Kalenberry bush.
After preparing, he closed the cottage door and was about to journey into the forest when suddenly, he found that there were already Kalenberry bushes just some meters away from his home.
"Talk about convenience." Alexis scoffed but thanked that it was that easy. He kind of felt that what he's encountering was similar to RTS games, with basic resources near his base of operations. He wouldn't even be shocked if there's a river near his place for water and aquatic necessities and a mine of sorts that would act as his supply of currency.
Not wasting any more time, Alexis began plucking Kalenberries one after another. Soon, the 50 Kalenberries task was completed.
[Congratulations for completing Binding Task 1/?. Binding task 2/? has been issued.]
[Binding Task 2/?: Prepare a Kalenberry Soup. Status: 0/1.]
Once again, the Kalenberry Soup was highlighted. After doing the same thing as he did with the Kalenberry hyperlink, he prompted the Kalenberry Soup panel to open. A bowl was displayed in front of him filled with a neon bluish-colored soup. As for why the green berry creates a blue soup, Alexis has absolutely no idea.
Going back, he began making the soup as instructed in the panel.
First, he prepared the first ingredient needed, Kalenberry. He placed all fifty inside a huge earthenware pot and covered it. The only reason he covered it was because he discovered that he actually needed water to boil it.
As for where to get it in the middle of the forest, he has no idea.
"You gotta be kidding me." A while later, Alexis almost swore when he discovered the calm river behind the thick bushery behind his cottage. He was just talking about this earlier. Did he just jinx himself?
Left with no choice, Alexis set aside his incredulity and retrieved a bucket back in the cottage and scooped up water.
After five minutes of continuous boiling, the Kalenberry Soup slowly began turning neon-blue. Alexis picked up the ladle and swirled the soup before filling up one bowl.
[Congratulations on completing Binding Task 2/?. Binding Task 3/? has been issued.]
[Binding Task 3/?: Take care of the Priestess. 0/1.]
[Urgent Notification: The Task has been influenced by Host's actions. REDACTED has assisted with the task completion. Binding Task 3 is now the last task. 3/3]
"So the Priestess is part of the task?" Alexis murmured then looked back at the resting woman. Still, after thinking of that, he immediately withdrew the thought. With the urgent notification's appearance, that meant his earlier decision of saving the Priestess' life is what caused the task to be changed.
Shrugging, he left it as it was. Only the system nows how it issues its tasks. He can only choose to complete it or not.
While he was mulling over that fact, a movement came from the bed. Looking at her, Alexis saw her eyes slowly open. "Hrmm…" She grunted. Placing down the bowl of Kalenberry Soup on the table, Alexis calmly walked over to her side.
"Are you okay?" Alexis showed himself to her and asked. The Priestess' eyes shook before shifting to him. "W-Who are you? Where am I?" She asked weakly.
"Oh. My name is Alexis. Alexis…" He was about to say his family name, but thinking about it, he was already in another world. Using his old family name would be insignificant, won't it? After thinking for a moment, he came up with one out of the blue, "...Vinyarion."
"Alexis Vinyarion." The priestess Leisandra opened her mouth before nodding. "Thank you for saving me, Mister Alexis of Vinyarion. Allow me to repay you."
Chuckling, he waved his hand and replied, "Let's not dwell on repayment for now. What's important is that you regain your strength." After saying so, he turned around and picked up the bowl on the table, bringing it to Leisandra. Scooping up some soup with the wooden spoon, he blew on the soup, letting the hot steam slowly dissipate.
When it was comfortably warm enough, Alexis angled the spoon towards Leisandra, signaling her to open her mouth to eat. Startled, Leisandra quickly moved her head away. Seeing as to how the Priestess was avoiding, Alexis figured out that she must be wary of what he's giving her, with it having the possibility of being a poison.
Assuring her, Alexis instead opened his mouth and ate the soup instead. When he did, Alexis felt comfort running through his body. The warm sensation that flowed in his stomach felt similarly to the healing process that the body does after being massaged. It was so comfortable that if Alexis didn't stop himself, he would've immediately slept.
"See, it's safe." Alexis opened his mouth and said to Leisandra. "Forgive me, Mister Alexis of Vinaryion. I am not suspicious of you." She said. "I did not take the soup because you blew on it, and that constitutes contact between us two. It was especially so when you ate the soup instead. If I took it, we would need to marry."
"Eh?" Alexis was sent into a stupor. Remembering that he's not on Earth, that means that the cultures and customs here are different from what he is familiar with, or at least, it is similar to the customs and traditions back in the ancient times.
An age where women are only seen as objects for reproduction, or at most a path for communication with their god.