Chapter 17

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Name: Honda Mako

Skills: Alchemy, Dialogue, Soil Survey, Liquid Fertilizer

Attributes: None

HP: 500/500

MP: 700/780

Titles: DIY Master, Green Master, Pet Master

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"Wow..."

When I opened the status screen for the first time in a while, I noticed quite a few changes. Over the past few days, I had summoned various things and awakened the power of Green Master, which seemed to have contributed to the growth of my stats.

"Still..."

The newly awakened skills, Soil Survey and Liquid Fertilizer, might be quite powerful. In simple terms, these skills allow me to improve any soil to the point where any crop can grow. Of course, I would need to continue providing Liquid Fertilizer during the process.

"Yeeaaah! Grow well, my cute vegetables with Mako!"

"Um, let's avoid saying things that could cause misunderstandings, okay?"

Uga was full of energy, despite the aftereffects of fainting twice, and was watering and weeding the garden in the backyard today. I had given him a few Liquid Fertilizers, and if he runs out, I plan to make more and give them to him.

"Hey, Mako."

I realized I was being tugged on the hem of my pants. Mau was looking up at me.

"I want to grow vegetables too."

"Huh?"

"Maybe we can earn money if we can grow and harvest vegetables at our house!"

"..."

I recalled Mau's excited expression as he watched Uga working in the garden. ...Maybe.

"Mau, you want to try growing vegetables after seeing Uga do it?"

"Uh-huh..."

Mau blushed and looked down.

"No, no! There's nothing to be embarrassed about! It's great to have an interest in something enjoyable. Besides, if we can actually grow vegetables, it could help with the household budget."

Mau's face lit up with joy at my words.

"Can I do it!?"

"Sure, do you have seedlings?"

"I just got some from Uga! Thanks, Mako!"

Mau said excitedly and hugged my leg. It felt like I had become a mother.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

When we got home, Mau immediately started tilling the soil in the backyard.

"I think this is the first time I've used a hoe."

"Come to think of it, why do you have farming tools if you don't have a garden?"

I asked Mau, who was diligently tilling the soil.

"Basically, they're used as weapons to fight wild beasts, to harvest plants like mountain vegetables in the mountains, and to cut weeds."

"Wow."

By the time we finished talking, a simple garden had been created in the yard.

"Alright, let's check the soil quality."

"Okay!"

The seedlings Uga gave us were the same tomato seedlings he was currently growing. This means the soil quality and growing methods should be the same. I touched the tilled soil and activated Soil Survey. The results were the same as Uga's garden. However, why is the soil in this area so strange? It's as if the nutrients can't stay in the ground, almost like it's cursed.

"Okay, let's plant them for now."

Mau and I planted the seedlings Uga gave us. There were about ten seedlings in total, a small-scale home garden. But since it's Mau's first garden, this might be just right.

"Alright, I'll put in the Liquid Fertilizer."

I created Liquid Fertilizer in my hand, mixed it, and placed a tomato-specific ampoule in the center of the garden. When I checked my MP, it had dropped from 700 to 550. Liquid Fertilizer seems to consume a lot of magic power.

"Hmm? What's this?"

Entia came over and poked the planted tomato seedlings with her nose.

"No, Entia! Be gentle when you touch them!"

Mau scolded Entia, who clearly liked them a lot.

"I hope they bear fruit soon, Mau."

"Uh-huh."

Mau smiled happily.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

That night.

We were all sleeping on Entia, who had become our bed. Her fluffy, warm, and soft muscles were like a high-end bed, far better than the cheap mattresses sold at the home center where I work. I always sleep well. As expected, the name of the descendants of the divine wolf is not in vain.

"..."

Suddenly, I noticed Mau sitting up next to me. He got up, opened the door quietly, and went outside. Maybe to use the bathroom?

"Or maybe he's worried about his garden?"

I smiled. To be so worried that he can't sleep... Mau is really pure and cute. I was thinking this when...

"!"

Mau came back in a hurry. He was trying not to make noise, but it was clear he was anxious.

"..."

I was curious and got up.

"Mako... It's bad..."

When I approached, Mau clung to my arm, looking anxious and scared.

"Mau... Did something happen?"

"Someone's there."

When I asked calmly, Mau whispered.

"There's someone standing in front of my garden..."

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

Together with Mau, we slowly went to the backyard. Indeed, there was a figure in front of the garden we had just made. However, the figure was quite small, about the same height as Mau. The figure stood in front of the garden, extending its hands towards the plants, and emitted a phosphorescent light. Upon closer inspection, the light was coming from the tomato seedlings we had planted, and it seemed as if the small figure was absorbing the light.

"Mako... The seedlings..."

I could hear Mau's sad voice. The seedlings were gradually wilting as the light overflowed. Could that light be the life force of the seedlings? Could they be stealing nutrients?

"I'm sorry..."

At that moment, the figure spoke. It was a child's voice, a young girl's voice.

"I'm sorry, just a little, I'm sorry..."

At that moment, a twig snapped under our feet. Mau must have stepped on it. The small figure, noticing the sound, trembled and turned around.

"Ah..."

The light from the plants stopped, and the moonlight illuminated the ground. The figure was revealed to be a girl, about the same age as Mau and Meala. However, her appearance was unusual. She was not wearing clothes but had vines covering her body, and flowers were blooming on her head. Not like a hair clip, but real flowers. She looked like a "flower fairy."

"Ah... Ah..."

The girl's eyes widened in surprise at the sight of us. Then, in the next moment,

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry!"

She fled in a panic.

"Ah! Wait!"

"Mau, let's chase her."

The girl ran towards the mountains, into the forest. It would be dangerous to enter the dark forest at night. Mau and I hurriedly chased after her.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

"...She's not here."

Mau and I left the village and reached the edge of the forest. We searched the forest within the range of the moonlight but could not find the girl.

"We can't go too far. We should probably turn back here..."

It would be dangerous to go deeper into the dark forest. Unfortunately, we had to stop the search here. Just as I was thinking this,

"Ah!"

A scream echoed. It was relatively close. Mau and I ran in the direction of the sound. In the dark forest, illuminated by the faint moonlight, we found the girl, crouched on the ground, trembling in fear. On the other side of her, a large shadow was visible.

"It's a wild boar!"

Mau was right; it was a wild boar. It was as big as an adult Beowulf, with long, sharp tusks. It was drooling and staring at the girl with fierce eyes. It looked extremely aggressive. This is bad!

"Mau! Stay here!"

I started running at the same time the boar began charging towards the girl, who couldn't move.

"I have to save her!"