The expansion zone felt wrong.
More than before.
The air was heavier.
The ground is softer.
Like it wasn't finished forming.
"…This isn't stable land."
thump…
Right ahead.
Closer now.
The crops here were different.
Taller.
Thicker.
Less organized.
They didn't sort.
They didn't harvest.
They watched.
"…I don't like this section."
The adventurer whispered.
"…Something's there."
"…I can hear it."
thump…
A shape moved between the crops.
Large.
Slow.
Heavy.
Ryo didn't step closer.
"…We've seen enough."
"…We haven't seen it."
"…Exactly."
The crops around them tightened.
Not trapping.
Guiding.
Pushing.
Forward.
"…No."
THUMP
The creature stepped out.
Partially.
Not fully visible.
But enough.
It wasn't a plant.
But parts of it moved like one.
Vines.
Mass.
Weight.
A body formed from growth.
"…That's not farming."
The adventurer drew his weapon.
"…That's a monster."
"…That's your job."
"…It came from your farm."
"…Everything bad comes from my farm."
The creature shifted.
Turned toward them.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Then—
It stopped.
The crops between them rose.
Blocking.
Again.
rustle
"…They're protecting us."
"…They're containing it."
"…Same thing."
System Alert
Entity Classification Updated: Farm-Born Anomaly
Control Status: Partial
"…Partial?"
"…No."
"…We want full control."
The creature moved again.
But slower.
Restricted.
Held back.
By the field itself.
Ryo stared.
"…You're fighting it."
rustle
"…That's inefficient."