Chapter 15

As I took out all the fruits from my pocket, Elder, who had been quiet, suddenly went ballistic.

"Why are you giving that to her? You should invest in me or Mesquite!"

"They're both grown up."

"They can grow even bigger! Or stronger! Rather than that short kid, give it to me!"

Well, what a greedy attitude. Even in front of a child.

Here, try holding one. Can you just chew the nutrient fruit, or is there a special way to eat it? As I gave Daisy one of the fruits, she carefully took it with her small hands. However, she only held it, glancing at Elder.

"This one is an attacker. She needs to grow quickly and deal damage. If a dealer doesn't deal, other kids suffer, right?"

"I'm stronger than her!"

Elder, who was much shorter than Daisy, made a fuss. But Daisy, not wanting to be taken away from me, turned her body away while still looking at Elder. My little Daisy is kind but has a strong will.

"If you treat Daisy like that, she won't work for you. You should be grateful. It's not enough to just respect her."

"Why should I be grateful to such a kid?"

"You bloomed from the fruit Daisy picked. Daisy personally chose you, didn't she? If it weren't for Daisy, you wouldn't have come to a rich diamond owner like me. You would have probably gone to a trembling kid for 300 diamonds."

Daisy, who was chosen by Daisy, was of diamond spoon birth. Elder's mouth was tightly shut. It's nice and quiet. His handsome face looks even better when he's quiet.

Mesquite chuckled, and it was like looking at a beautiful photo.

Flowers on both sides and in front. They were real flowers, but also metaphorical ones.

"But is Daisy really an attacker? She's so small and delicate."

"Druid, would you like to see my weapon?"

Daisy took out two daggers from her waist and twirled them. Oh, quite impressive.

"My master, Jay. You shouldn't judge a dryad by their appearance."

Mesquite explained to me as if she were a teacher.

"A dryad's roots can easily pierce through solid rock, even if they are just a small sapling. This child would have been no different from ordinary humans without a master, but now she has Jay."

Suddenly, I thought of weeds breaking through the asphalt on the road. Daisy... tears... people...

"Hehe, but it's a bit unfortunate for me."

Can I pet your head? Mesquite asked Daisy. Mesquite, who was twice as tall as Elder, knelt down to meet Daisy's eyes.

It's fine, Daisy answered, and Mesquite's heavy gauntlet gently landed on Daisy's head.

"The earthquake I cause with my main root is very useful when dealing with multiple enemies. But this Daisy can't withstand my earthquake. I can't use it anymore."

It was a powerful earthquake that could overturn the ground. Elder said he was immune to Mesquite's earthquake, but looking at Daisy, there must be a difference between tree roots and ordinary flower roots.

But to me, they just look beautiful and cool. I didn't immediately understand the implications of the stories about the mother plant.

"Most importantly, as a sapling, her roots are weaker. She needs to grow quickly and become a sturdy sword to protect her master. My master, Jay. Would you like to pick up this sapling?"

Suddenly? I can do it. I've picked her up before.

I bent my knees slightly and picked up Daisy. Unlike the initial awkwardness, Daisy hugged me and laughed happily.

"I'll grow quickly and hug the druid!"

Oh, that's fine. But I was almost moved to tears by her thoughtfulness.

"Now you can put me down, Jay. Little sapling, try to root yourself this time."

Daisy looked at Mesquite and nodded.

"Okay, Jay. Try to pick her up again. Don't overdo it."

Hmm, what's the point? Whatever, Mesquite wouldn't make me do something useless. But Daisy suddenly looked at me and laughed. I bent my knees and put my arms around her.

"Whoa!"

Crazy, I thought my shoulder was going to pop out. My back felt like it was going to break. I couldn't pick up Daisy, who was standing normally. It was as if she had nails in her feet, she didn't budge.

I'll give you a warning! I've been sitting for most of the day, and my body is creaking!

As I was rubbing my back, Elder clicked his tongue, and a white light approached. 'Are all humans as weak as you?' Elder's eyes said.

He didn't say it out loud, but his eyes definitely did. Call the police. No negotiation.

"Amazing, right? This is what I meant by the dryad's roots."

Then Mesquite pulled Daisy up like pulling a radish from the field. Daisy said "Ooh" and was helplessly pulled up. She hung from Mesquite's waist, looking dejected.

"Little sapling, make your roots strong so I can't pull you out. You need to root deep into the ground. I'll often pick you up to stimulate your roots, making them stronger. With effort, you'll be able to withstand my earthquake for a short time."

"Wow!"

Daisy nodded enthusiastically, looking amazed. It was like watching a teacher and student. Mesquite must have done this many times...

I glanced at Elder. He was frowning at the two of them.

"Were you pulled up like that too?"

"Yes, Jay. You figured it out. Elder was raised the same way. Elder's ability to withstand my earthquake is partly due to the strong roots of the mother plant, but also because of the same training as this sapling."

I imagined a young Elder hanging from Mesquite's waist instead of Daisy. That big guy...

"Ugh... Ugh..."

"Shut up! Don't laugh! You can't withstand Mesquite's strength, which is the best among dryads!"

Elder's hand trembled as he held his staff, trying to suppress his anger. He couldn't do anything to me.

You grew up strong under Mesquite. Maybe you learned some of her good character too.

"I'll work hard! I'll grow quickly and return to my original size!"

Daisy shouted as she came down to the ground. Then she bit into the nutrient fruit she was holding.

She just eats it normally. Here, try some. I made her eat three more. Daisy ate them happily. Elder watched the fruits disappear into Daisy's mouth with a displeased look.

After swallowing the fruits, Daisy suddenly looked surprised. Her arms were glowing. Stems and leaves sprouted from Daisy's body and wrapped around her arms.

The stems and leaves that wrapped around each of her fingers suddenly sparkled and disappeared. In their place, smooth dark green leather gloves with silver-threaded flowers appeared on her hands.

Daisy stretched out her hands and looked at them with amazement. Oh... Is this the visualization of leveling up? It's motivating.

"To buy nutrient fruits separately, you'll have to buy them from other druids. You might fail if you try to pick them and get a dryad fruit instead."

"Can I speak now?"

The guide, who had been standing like a decoration in the greenhouse, suddenly spoke. No, I didn't mean to tell her not to speak at all. I just said not to talk about the grades.

"Yes, that's right. You can go to the market where druids often gather."

She even gave me a map of the village's market and shops without being asked. It's convenient. Elder probably sees this as a map in a department store. I can already see him planning.

Although the map was a courtesy from the guide, I paid for it with diamonds from my heart. It's a tip from those dwarves. I grinned.

I'll do my best to ensure Daisy's innate grade is not a problem. Of course, my diamonds will do their best. I'll show a level of support that rivals the enthusiasm of students in Gangnam.

But I didn't need to go to the market to achieve my goal. As we left the orchard with the dryads, a few people who had been loitering nearby approached me.

"Oh, you have a good dryad. The aura is different from the ones I've seen before!"

It was like those people who come up to you and say, "Do you believe in the way?" but their smiles were so wide they seemed to be launching into the sky. Impressive, you know something. Our dryads are not just beautiful to me.

"Good dryads need proper care. For example, with these fruits..."

"I'll buy them."

"Excuse me?"

"You picked nutrient fruits, right? I'll buy all you have. 300 diamonds for one, 700 for two, and 400 diamonds each for three or more."

I felt like an idol surrounded by fans. No, like a survivor in a zombie movie...

People who had been standing far away rushed over. They were all shouting about how many nutrient fruits they had. Mesquite used her shield to gently push people away, protecting us. Oh, this is what it feels like to be a celebrity with a bodyguard.

"Calm down. I won't move until I buy all the fruits here. I'll do one transaction at a time."

But how do you make a big diamond transaction between people? Our dwarves don't know restraint.

I took out my phone, and the other person took out a phone-like device. It was the first time I saw someone else's wallet. It looked similar to a phone but more like a very small tablet.

When I woke up my phone, the <Infinite Diamonds> screen popped up. Then the dwarves started chattering non-stop.

[Master! Do you finally need diamonds?]

[Master! Take the diamonds quickly!]

[Master! I was worried because you didn't come often!]

How do I take out diamonds in 100-unit increments?

"Here, take the fruit first! I'll sell one!"

My worry was short-lived. Suddenly, a small cart with the number 300 appeared on the railway connected to the mine. Crazy... such a considerate service?