Over the next couple of days, Table received slight enhancements that, while seemingly minor, had a noticeable effect on his stats. Rob, true to his word, honored their good fortune by reinforcing his legs with sturdier wood and sealing his surface with a new protective varnish.

  Lena, on the other hand, carefully wiped him down every evening. That did not give him any boost, and the fact she used cold water just made it worse.

  With each upgrade, Table felt a faint tingling sensation.

  Sure enough, whenever he pulled up his Status Window, there were small but meaningful improvements.

  As his Endurance increased, so did his ability to withstand unfavorable external conditions. The heat from coffee cups and steaming pots still registered, but it was no longer unbearable. He no longer felt like he was about to combust when a fresh-baked loaf was placed on him. The additional STR meant the weight of stacked items had become easier to handle, and even when someone leaned on him absentmindedly, he didn’t feel like he was going to splinter in half.

  The HP increase made sense. After all, he had been physically reinforced. The extra STR was a welcome addition; perhaps one day, he could finally do something offensively with it.

  It wasn’t just resilience. His very structure was adapting. A sense of durability settled into his frame, like he was becoming a proper fixture of the household.

  Maybe this shabby crib wasn’t so bad after all.

  But one thing continued to baffle him.

  MP: 1

  Since when did I get 1 MP? I don’t even remember any notification popping about that.

  Table had seen this since his reincarnation, but until now, he’d ignored it. He had proof that magic existed. Lena herself was a mage, even if she was completely oblivious to it. That meant people in this world could cast spells.

  But after all, he was a table. What the hell was he supposed to do with Mana Points? Spells? Was he supposed to carve runes unto himself?

  As soon as he’d received upgrades, his next challenge started.

  Rob had visited a good doctor, and after receiving his treatment, he had been coughing much less often. The treatment had cost them more than 2 Silver coins, and it would be on-going until Rob was free of the persistent coughs and wheezes. He would have to drink a gooish-green looking concoction every morning and every night before bed. It was disgusting, but it did help him.

  Other than that, the Oakward family had to use their newfound fortune on something, and Lena had decided that that something would be a cabbage stall. Disgusting, but Table had known Lena had terrible senses the moment she took a liking to that cat.

  “I’ve been thinking, we could make a proper stall this time.” Her smile to Rob was akin to a half-grin. “Something small at first, but reliable.”

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  Rob gave her a guilty smile in return. “I’m sorry we had to sell our old fruit cart. We needed to keep the farm running. I know how much you enjoyed selling stuff at the market.”

  She waved a hand dismissively. “It’s fine. We’ll start again. You can even sell your table—”

  What? Sell me? After all I’ve done for you, and all you can think of is to pawn me off?! You harlot—

  “—enhancements and kitchenwares that you’ve been working on.”

  You’re such an ANGEL, Lena. Always thinking for other people.

  “Good point.” Rob nodded. He turned to the Table and tapped on the surface. “This thing has been reliable.”

  “I was thinking maybe we can give it a name. But I’m not letting you name things again!” She put her hands on her sides, huffing and pouting. “You named the tabbycat Tabby!”

  “But he is a Tabby cat!” Rob retorted. “I can’t name him Black.”

  They went back and forth, throwing out increasingly ridiculous names.

  “I got this one. It won’t be boring.” Rob declared, puffing his chest out. “Ironwood the Unyielding!”

  Ooooh, that one’s got flair, Table mused. Very knightly. I like it. Put a Sir before it. Sir Ironwood the Unyielding. Good, good.

  Lena wrinkled her nose. “Too long. What about Oakie?”

  Nah, too cute, Table thought. I am a warrior of lumber and perseverance, not some pet tree.

  Rob shook his head. “Sounds like something you’d name a squirrel. What about... Tableus Maximus?”

  Oh, I like that one. Very Roman. Very dignified. I could live with that.

  Lena folded her arms. “That’s just ‘Table’ but fancier.”

  “What’s wrong with that?” Rob huffed. “It sounds strong.”

  “I think Birch is nice,” Lena mused.

  Birch? No. Too soft. Too flimsy. I will not be remembered as ‘Birch.’

  Neither of them could settle on one.

  “How about we let my father decide? That way we won’t have to argue,” Lena mused.

  “How is he going to do that? Old man’s not known for his imagination.”

  “Easy!” She clasped her hands together. “Whatever my father says when he enters the house, that will be the table’s name.”

  “Hmm…” He rubbed his chin. “Good idea.”

  Bad idea! Bad idea!

  Moments later, the door creaked open. The old man entered, wiping his hands on a rag. Before anyone could say a word, his foot caught on the edge of the doorway. He tripped forward with a grunt, flailed wildly, and shouted—

  “BLORBOBOBOBO!”

  Lena and Rob turned to Table. They went silent for a moment.

  “Blorbobobobo it is,” Lena said solemnly.

  With neck-breaking speed, the status window popped up, immediately renaming Table.

  NEW NAME UNLOCKED (MANDATORY): Blorbobobobo

  What? No! I should have a choice on whether I agree with that name or not! Who the hell falls down and shouts Blorbobobobo? This must be some sort of sick joke.

  “Now that’s done with, do you need my help with setting up the stall?” Rob came over to the old man to assist him, all the while craning his neck to ask Lena.

  “Yes, of course. We will have a stall set up first thing tomorrow. I’ve already prepared the cabbage.”

  A system notification flashed before Table’s eyes:

  NEW QUEST UNLOCKED: Sell Cabbages! (1)

  Table was shook. What? Sell HOW MANY? At least be specific with your requests!

  How was he even able to assist with this, anyway? It was entirely up to Lena’s merchant skill.

  Then, the details of the quest appeared:

  Set up the cabbage shop unobstructed.

  Reward: Nothing

  Punishment Upon Failure: -3 all Attributes