episode_0014

Foggy Forest, Day 16.

“Moochan, I’m back!!”

A familiar voice echoed outside the door.

I already sensed it.

The merging of the stems outside and the roots of the house allowed me to see up to dozens of meters around.

Naturally, I had been watching Flown’s excited bouncing approach.

Finally, the little guy had returned.

“Come in.”

“Yes!… Huh? A new voice?”

Swish~

I opened the door to the house. Flown’s figure appeared. Shortly after, the images of Shaela and me sitting on the stem cushions were reflected in his eyes.

“…Whaaaat?!”

*

“So, this is a new clone, and this side is…”

“Shaela. He owes a debt to him, so I’ll take care of him for a while. He has lost all senses except touch, so handle with care.”

“I understand, but… where did this person come from, along with the clone?”

“It’s the fruit that Sheria was trying to eat.”

“…What??”

I roughly explained.

You can create a clone using the fruit. I used the fruit to heal Shaela. However, since he’s not in perfect condition, I’ll take care of him until he recovers.

There was no need to hide it. If they’re family, there’s no point in hiding it, and he had already shown various abilities.

“You can make clones with fruit? What exactly is it?”

“It’s a plant.”

“Really?”

“Do I need to repeat myself?”

“Oh, no. Then that must be it. I feel relieved that you told me. But… what about those extra fruits over there!?”

Flown pointed to a corner.

Five giant fruits were lined up. One of them was the body of the first elf, Illian, and the others were created additionally to assist Shaela.

“They are assistants. They will be born within a week.”

“Assistants? Not clones?”

“Do you see my sharp ears? I can create elves. This time, they will be able to think and act on their own.”

“Does that make sense? You’re creating life!!?”

“It’s a plant. In the end, repeating myself.”

“Ugh, I still don’t get it…”

Flown let out a light sigh. Then he turned his gaze to Shaela beside him.

“Is Shaela alright? He seems unresponsive since earlier.”

“He has no senses. But he gets anxious and frustrated when I’m not around.”

“Can’t he speak?”

“As you can see, he can’t even make facial expressions. Maybe he forgot how to.”

“Well… then there’s no choice. Now that I know about this, I can’t just sit still. Tell me what I can do to help! Please provide me with this sturdy and soft stem!!”

“Stem?”

Twist!~

A stem popped out above Flown’s head, expressing joy energetically from side to side. The stem, having absorbed Alberto and the slave hunter, contained enough energy to create three more new bodies immediately.

“If you give me the stem, I will make clothes for both of you beautifully.”

“Clothes?”

Twist?

“The clothes you’re wearing now… they look like clothes, but the shape is strange, right? That’s the stem, isn’t it? How did you make it like that? Anyway, the stem seems softer and more flexible than I thought, so I thought about making proper clothes with it.”

“Clothes… not a bad idea. I’ll extract a stem of elongated shape for you to use.”

“Is that possible?”

“I can mimic most plants.”

“Then I’ll ask for something soft and durable. If possible, in various colors. Oh, can you make needles with the stem too?”

“It shouldn’t be difficult.”

“Really? Colors and needles were just a suggestion, but you can actually do it?”

“I find it fascinating too. It feels like it’s possible. If I concentrate, I feel like I could draw silk or satin like material. Draw the colors as you please.”

​

“Wow… That’s unbelievable.”

​

“But before that.”

​

Swoosh~

“Oops.”

​

Retrieving the stem attached to Floren.

It’s a loss to leave the nutrients absorbed by the slave hunters and Alberto unattended.

​

Drip~

​

Merged the stem with the wooden floor of the treehouse.

Sent the overflowing nutrients back to the main body and briefly read the memories. In those memories, Floren’s murmured lines were heard.

​

“You must be a very kind person. As a spirit, it seems I can’t express myself well. I was thinking of committing suicide if you didn’t accept me.”

​

“Are you not interested in small talk?”

​

“Aren’t you curious? How did you chase Shelia and come running after a monster?”

​

“Stem-nim, do I really have to stick with you? Well, it’s reassuring. If only it wasn’t for the creepy sensation of clinging to your body. Gives me the chills.”

​

“Tentacles are a woman’s enemy. I’ve experienced it, actually. I haven’t told anyone about it. Hehe… You know this conversation is confidential, right?”

​

“What do you think, Stem-nim… Hush.”

​

“Getting too comfortable now that you’re adapting? Stem-nim. Squeeze tighter! But… without the spirit, you wouldn’t be able to see Mu-chan here, right?”

​

“Please feed me! You can even feed me with your mouth.”

​

“Can you give me a massage?… Hng….”

​

In the memories of the stem.

Floren seemed happy, blushing as they traveled with the stem.

​

Tastes should be respected appropriately.

This is…

​

Shiver.

​

“……….”

​

“Mu-chan? Why are you suddenly like this?”

​

“You, do you like tentacle play-”

​

“Squeeeeeeal!!!!!!?”

​

Floren screamed.

It was such a loud voice that even Shaela, who had lost her hearing, tilted her head in surprise.

​

Then, at one moment, she abruptly lowered her head.

​

“Please.”

​

“What.”

​

“Hurry up and give me fabric to sew!!”

​

“…Alright.”

​

Transforming the stem into broad cloth, he handed it over, and the lad received it eagerly, sitting alone in a corner and starting his work.

​

Stitch stitch stitch!

​

A sewing frenzy using the thorns of the stem.

The clothes were being made at a very fast pace.

However, occasionally, there were sounds of sobbing and cheeks turning red with embarrassment.

​

“…I’m sorry.”

​

“Grrrhh!!!…..”

​

It seems best not to speak right now.

​

*

​

​

​

17th day in the Misty Forest.

​

“Is the clothing okay?”

​

“You’re quite skilled.”

​

The clothes made by Floren were no different from ordinary clothes at first glance.

​

“It’s all thanks to Mu-chan. I had no idea you could draw fabric like cloth from a stem. I just sewed it on discreetly with a needle.”

​

“No need to be humble. I’m truly impressed.”

​

As she said that, Floren looked at Shaela, whom he had dressed himself.

​

​

No matter how you look at it, it’s just ordinary clothes.

No, it’s the clothes of a master craftsman.

​

Although he extracted a material like cloth from the stem, without Floren’s skill, it would have just been a piece of cloth covering the body.

It’s hard not to be amazed.

​

“In fact, before climbing the tower, my mother used to make clothes. I learned by observing her.”

​

“You learned by observing?”

​

“I learned by watching from the sidelines. I thought I could do it too, so I tried making it.”

​

“You didn’t learn properly?”

​

“No. As I said, I used to be a professional chef, and now, as you can see, I’ve become a tower climber.”

​

“…Impressive.”

​

“Oh, come on. There’s nothing great about being good at sewing in this world.”

​

“Still, it’s impressive. It needs to be acknowledged.”

​

Small but significant talent.

Learning by observation.

​

On the other hand, how was I?

​

A memory that now feels distant.

​

Middle school home economics.

What was my score in sewing?

How many people worked hard at it?

How many times did I see blood?

​

Floren is versatile.

​

Judgment and strong will.

Magic and growth.

Cooking and sewing.

Not extremely outstanding, but knowing various things becomes strength.

After making clothes, he even grilled a savory steak with vegetables and monster meat he had personally gathered. It was something he easily accomplished, which he hadn’t even considered giving up on before starting.

​

I guess there are things I can learn from this too.

​

“When other elves are born, I’ll ask them to make their clothes too. Is that possible?”

“Of course. But I have a request! Can you make a bed with soft stems? Sleeping on the ground seems a bit painful.”

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“Sure.”

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“I have one more question.”

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“Go ahead.”

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“Do you not accept others?”

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“Why are you suddenly asking about that?”

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“In fact, I encountered several people while returning.”

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“Did you save them?”

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“I ignored them. If I rescue them carelessly, they might cling to me, and if I bring them here, Master Muchan might feel uncomfortable. That’s why I’m asking now.”

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“Then do as you are doing now. I don’t want to take care of strangers at a loss.”

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“Yes! Then I should ignore those screams.”

​

Floyen turned his gaze towards the door.

Not far away, human screams could be heard.

Aaah!!

Kyaaaah!!~

The same sounds.

Although he had heard it several times, Floyen had been ignoring them all since rescuing him.

However.

Initially, Floyen reluctantly accepted it, but he was quite helpful.

His consciousness improved.

He also became quite perceptive.

If there were more people like him, it might be easier….

He hesitated slightly.

Whether to save them or not.

Let’s think about it later.

*

Fog Forest, night.

“Kreung……”

Was he very tired?

Floyen fell asleep holding a stem pillow in a corner of the stem bed.

It’s not bad.

The elongated stem bed was surprisingly soft.

Naturally, after making my own, I laid Shaela down and lay down next to her.

“……”

Shaela seemed anxious, fidgeting with her hands.

I held her hand.

Shivering….

She was still the same.

Even though she must have felt me lying next to her, she seemed even more uneasy.

Have I become disliked?

Should I move again-

Squeeze.

He immediately grabbed my hand as if to say not to go.

“What do you want?”

I lay back down.

Then he hesitated again, pushing me away with his other hand.

Groan.

“……”

Seeing his struggling movements, I wriggled like a worm.

A slight gap.

Then his hand stopped.

Satisfied with a little distance.

He seemed to have felt uncomfortable sleeping tightly together on the bed.

He slept well until yesterday….

Has he become aware of the situation?

Or is he conscious of the bed?

But.

“Is your hand okay?….”

The hand I held was still not released. No, it was clenched tighter.

Don’t go far.

Don’t come close.

That kind of feeling.

In a way, it’s natural.

He’s a woman and I’m a man.

As his mind gradually returned and he realized, he must have felt uneasy.

Unnecessary worries.

“Sleep well.”

“……”

Whispering a word, I closed my eyes.

Even if it’s a plant, particles can sleep. No, they’re already asleep. Even if made from plants, it’s definitely human.

He fell asleep comfortably.

Well, even when asleep, his main body continued to sense, so that was the problem.

*

Fog Forest, 20th day.

“The fruits have increased?”

In the morning, Floyen returned with a larger stem after hunting.

Nutrient recovery from separated stems.

Placing stems in a wider range.

Only one worker, but very convenient.

My territory is expanding automatically.

Therefore, while Floyen was out, I made five more elf fruits.

Better than saving humans.

It’s part of my job without betrayal worries.

I can eat my fill.

“Are all these fruits elves too?”

“Yes. With more subordinates, it will be easier to expand the territory, so I made them.”

The man who killed Shaela and the slave hunters in the fog forest.

I am weak.

Then I must become stronger.

That’s why I created subordinates.

The plan is to expand the territory, quickly secure nutrients, and grow the main body. The land may be rich in nutrients, but what’s important is the amount that can be digested. It’s advantageous to expand the territory as much as possible.

“Ah. Maybe one day this forest will become safe.”

“To say that, my territory is just a small part of the Misty Forest. This forest is so vast that it could be considered a small country by my estimation. I haven’t even been to the central area, and the only exploration I did was one path leading out of the forest. Even that was blocked, so I had to turn back.”

“Don’t you know much about this place either, Lord Muchan? I thought you’ve been living here for a while.”

“I haven’t been here for long either. I vaguely feel that this place is the midpoint between the center and the outside of the forest.”

“It’s quite surprising. I naturally thought you had been here for a long time. Wait, does that mean you’re also discarded!? Oh, maybe it’s a different case since you don’t know the system.”

“You figure that out on your own.”

“Ugh. Now I’m even more curious.”

Floren talks a lot.

He’s also very curious.

I thought he was a cool-headed person, but he seemed overwhelmed in the party situation.

Not bad.

*

22nd day in the Misty Forest.

Both I and Shaela.

And Floren too.

Have adapted to this environment.

When we woke up, Floren and I went outside to expand our territory.

Every time, Shaela seemed anxious and held my hand, but this time, I signaled by patting the back of her hand, indicating that I would return, and after several repetitions, Shaela seemed to understand and stepped back.

Is it to dispel boredom and anxiety?

Left alone, Shaela would awkwardly do some stretching with the help of a stem.

Think of it as rehabilitation exercise.

Hoping to regain her senses soon.

Expanding the territory was easy.

Attaching stems to Floren and sending him out separately resulted in him spreading dozens of stems each time and returning. He seemed more enthusiastic than I expected, and when I asked for the reason, he said he gained fruits from me.

It’s like a free level-up or something.

Can’t resist the experience points, right?

However.

Why don’t I have levels?

I’ve never encountered the system’s blessing.

Could it be a side effect of someone entering the tower and ending up in the discard pile?

Nothing can be done.

Just have to settle for partial satisfaction.

“Spread many stems and collect them diversely. Then I’ll make fruits for you every day. Eat those, train, do whatever, and level up.”

“Wow! Really? Thank you so much!!!! I’ll definitely get stronger to repay you!!”

“Now go.”

“Got it!!”

Floren and I moved far away from each other.

The goal is to expand the territory, but honestly, it’s just a walk. The monsters near the house are already scarce.

Even if they appear.

Kwak!!!

“Grrraaawww!!!!”

Knocked out in one blow with my new body.

Much stronger than Alberto.

When I smashed its head, I distinctly felt the skull shattering and crushing inward.

After planting more stems in the vicinity and wandering for a few hours.

“It’s about time to head back.”

I turned back leisurely.

Coincidentally, Floren is also returning.

Even if the stems are separated, I can sense roughly where they are as long as they’re not too far away. Thanks to this, it was easy to figure out where Floren, who took the stems out, was going and when he would return.

I headed in that direction first.

“Floren.”

“Oh! Lord Muchan? How did you know I was here?”

“Come with me. Someone has awakened at home.”

“What?”

Thus, joining Floren, we returned home.

“Oh, Lord Shinmok. I have returned! Please allow me to assist you by your side!”

Black hair.

Red eyes.

The first Illian, similar to me, was standing naked, tearing fruits apart.