Ryo did not go outside.
That was the plan.
"…If I stay inside, nothing progresses."
He sat at the table.
Hands flat.
Eyes closed.
"…No progression. No problems."
thump…
"…That's outside."
THUMP…
"…Still outside."
A pause.
Then—
crrk…
The floor creaked.
Ryo opened one eye.
"…That's inside."
He turned slowly.
The door.
Still closed.
"…Good."
thump…
Closer.
"…No."
A shadow passed under the door.
Not fast.
Not aggressive.
Slow.
Deliberate.
"…I'm not dealing with that."
A knock.
Not like before.
Heavier.
thud…
"…Go away."
thud…
"…This is not a service."
The adventurer's voice came from outside.
"…It's at the edge of the house."
"…That's your problem."
"…It came from your field."
"…That's the field's problem."
THUD…
The door shook.
Ryo stood up immediately.
"…Okay."
"…Now it's my problem."
System Alert
Entity Proximity: Critical
Farm Response: Engaged
"…Engaged?"
The ground outside shifted.
rustle—THUMP
Something dragged.
Then—
Silence.
Ryo waited.
One second.
Two.
Then the pressure lifted.
The presence… moved away.
He slowly opened the door.
The adventurer stood there, staring at the field.
"…It stopped."
"…Good."
"…The crops blocked it."
"…What?"
Ryo stepped outside.
And froze.
The crops had formed a wall.
Dense.
Layered.
Alive.
"…No."
They moved.
Slightly.
Adjusting.
Watching.
"…You're defending me?"
rustle
"…I didn't ask for that."
System Update
New Behavior: Protective Response
Trigger: Owner Threat Detected
"…Now you protect me."
"…But you also cause the problem."
He rubbed his face.
"…That's inefficient."
In the distance—
thump…
The thing was still there.
Waiting.