The storm finally relented at dawn, leaving behind a sky the color of bruised plums and air thick with the scent of wet earth and ozone. Elowen woke curled in the corner of the shed, silver hair tangled with straw, one hand still clutching the sack of seeds like a talisman. Her body hummed with unfamiliar energy, the kind that made her fingers twitch and her heartbeat feel too loud in her ears.
She stepped outside.
The field looked different in daylight. Where yesterday there had been only mud and mockery, now a faint emerald haze shimmered above the soil, soft as morning mist but stubborn as her own will. The single radish plant had multiplied overnight—three more sprouts now stood in a neat row, leaves glossy and defiant, each one pulsing with that same subtle green glow.
Sprout Quill zipped around her head in frantic loops. "Okay, okay, okay—don't panic, but your little vegetable rebellion is officially viral. Look at them! They're practically posing!"
Elowen crouched, brushing fingertips over the nearest leaf. The plant leaned into her touch like a cat seeking scratches. Warmth flowed up her arm again, stronger this time, and the glow brightened until tiny motes of light drifted upward like fireflies drunk on dawn.
[Growth Anomaly Escalating]
[Essence Saturation: 12%]
[New Skill Unlocked: Essence Pulse (Level 1)]
[Channel stored divine essence to accelerate growth or infuse objects. Warning: Overuse may cause… interesting side effects.]
"Interesting side effects," she echoed, voice dry as old parchment. "That's system-speak for 'you might explode, who knows.'"
Sprout Quill landed on her shoulder with exaggerated drama. "Explode in a glorious shower of petals and regret? I'm here for it."
She ignored the sprout and focused on the row of plants. The whispers were louder now, clearer—each seedling begging for more, for sun, for her hands, for purpose. She closed her eyes and pushed.
Essence surged from her core like water breaking through cracked stone. Green light raced down her arms, poured into the soil, and the field answered with a low, satisfied groan. Stalks thickened. Leaves spread wide. Roots plunged deeper, cracking the earth with soft pops. Within seconds, four perfect radishes swelled at the surface, crimson skins gleaming like polished rubies, veins of light throbbing beneath.
Elowen harvested them in one swift motion, roots sliding free without resistance. Each one felt heavier than it should, warm against her palms, alive.
[Harvest Complete!]
[Items Acquired: Essence-Infused Radish ×4 (Common → Uncommon)]
[Divine Essence Absorption: +0.08%]
[Seed Whisperer (Level 1) → Level 2]
[You can now understand basic plant intentions and desires]
The voices sharpened into words—simple, eager, hungry.
More.
Stronger.
We want to be weapons.
She laughed, a bright, reckless sound that startled birds from the nearby trees. "Weapons, huh? Greedy little things."
Before she could decide what to do with the new haul, heavy footsteps crunched through the mud behind her.
Torren.
The butcher's son swaggered into view, stone armor rippling across his shoulders, eyes gleaming with the smug certainty of someone who had just become a god among ants. Behind him trailed three of his usual hangers-on, each sporting fresh system glows—flame flickers, wind wisps, iron knuckles.
"Well, well," Torren drawled, folding massive arms. "Orphan girl playing in the dirt again. Heard you got the farming trash. Thought you'd be crying by now."
Elowen straightened slowly, radishes still cradled in her arms. She met his gaze without flinching. "And I heard you got a rock suit. Congratulations. You're officially the toughest boulder in the village."
Snickers rippled through his friends. Torren's smile tightened.
"Big mouth for someone who can't fight her way out of a garden," he said. "Tell you what. Hand over those funny-looking vegetables and maybe I won't crush your little patch when I'm done flexing."
He stepped forward. The ground trembled under his weight.
Elowen felt the radishes pulse in her grip, hot and eager. The whispers grew louder.
Use us.
Hurt him.
She tilted her head, silver hair catching the weak sunlight like liquid mercury. "You want them?"
Torren sneered. "Yeah. I want them."
Her smile was small, sharp, and utterly without mercy.
"Then come take them."
He lunged—fast, too fast for a normal human, stone fist cocked back to smash. But Elowen was already moving.
She tossed one radish high into the air.
[Essence Pulse Activated]
The vegetable glowed blindingly bright mid-flight, then detonated in a controlled burst of green light. Force slammed outward like an invisible hammer. Torren staggered, armor cracking across the chest. His friends stumbled back, cursing.
Elowen didn't wait.
She hurled the second radish straight at his face.
It struck his cheek with a wet crack. Light exploded on impact. Torren roared, hands flying to his eyes as blinding emerald sparks danced across his vision. When he blinked them clear, Elowen stood inches away, the last two radishes held like twin daggers.
"Still want them?" she asked sweetly.
Rage twisted his features. He swung again—wild, furious.
She ducked under the blow, spun, and drove one glowing radish into the gap at his armored elbow. The vegetable sank in like butter, light flaring along the joint. Stone cracked. Torren howled, arm dropping uselessly.
The third radish went into his knee.
He collapsed with a thunderous crash, armor fracturing in spiderweb patterns, essence leaking from the wounds like green smoke.
Elowen stepped back, breathing steady, silver hair barely ruffled.
Torren lay in the mud, gasping, pride shattered along with his stone skin. His friends stared, frozen.
She looked down at him, expression calm, almost bored.
"Tell the others," she said. "The next person who steps on my field gets planted."
Torren wheezed something unintelligible. She turned away, leaving him there.
Sprout Quill floated beside her, voice hushed with awe. "Host… you just turned vegetables into war crimes. I'm in love."
Elowen glanced at the remaining radish in her hand. It pulsed once, content.
She bit into it.
Flavor exploded—sweeter, richer, laced with the faint metallic tang of victory.
[Stamina +25%]
[Divine Essence Absorption: +0.15%]
[New Title Unlocked: Veggie Vindicator (Level 1)]
Far above, in his palace of clouds, Heavenly Emperor Zenith felt the tremor again—stronger this time, sharper, like a needle pricking the edge of eternity.
He set down his wine.
For the first time in centuries, unease curled in his immortal chest.
Something was growing down there.
And it was hungry.