Ryo stood at the edge of the expansion zone.
He had been standing there for a while.
Not because he wanted to.
But because moving felt like committing.
"…If I don't move, it's not active work."
Behind him, the original field operated as usual.
plop… rustle… shuffle…
Efficient. Organized. Predictable.
In front of him—
The anomaly.
Still there.
Still contained.
Still very much a problem.
thump…
The sound traveled through the soil.
Not loud.
But heavy.
Like something thinking.
"…I don't like thinking problems."
Status Check
Name: Ryo
Level: 5
Farm State: Controlled Chaos
Anomaly Count: 1
Control Stability: Partial
"…Still partial."
"…That means I still have to do something."
The crops surrounding the anomaly shifted slightly.
rustle…
Layers tightening.
Adjusting.
Reinforcing the boundary.
The thing inside moved.
Slowly.
THUMP
The barrier flexed.
But didn't break.
"…Good."
"…Stay contained."
Ryo crossed his arms.
"…We maintain this."
"…We don't escalate."
The system flickered.
System Prompt
Optional Action: Refine Containment
Risk: Medium
Reward: Improved Stability
"…Optional."
"…Which means unnecessary."
THUMP
The anomaly pushed again.
Stronger this time.
The crops responded instantly.
Vines tightened.
Stems reinforced.
Roots shifted underground.
crrk…
The ground compressed.
"…You're already refining."
"…Good system."
The adventurer stood nearby, watching carefully.
"…It's adapting."
"…Everything is adapting."
"…That's not normal."
"…This farm stopped being normal five chapters ago."
THUMP—
This time, a section of crops bent inward.
Not broken.
But strained.
"…That's new."
Ryo narrowed his eyes.
"…Fine."
He stepped forward.
Just one step.
The field reacted immediately.
rustle—
Everything shifted.
Aligned.
Focused.
Waiting.
System Activation
Skill Used: Field Command I
"…Contain."
The crops moved.
Faster.
Sharper.
Like they understood.
The strained section reinforced.
Layers thickened.
Vines intertwined.
crrk… THMP
The anomaly pushed again.
Stronger.
The barrier held.
Barely.
"…That's inefficient."
He frowned slightly.
"…We need better containment."
The system responded.
New Skill Available
Field Command II (Locked)
Requirement:
• Maintain control for extended duration
• Successfully suppress anomaly behavior
"…Locked."
"…Of course it is."
The anomaly shifted.
Not pushing now.
Moving sideways.
Testing.
thump… thump…
"…It's learning."
"…That's worse."
The crops adjusted accordingly.
Tracking.
Matching movement.
Like a net tightening.
"…You're all doing more work than me."
rustle
"…Good."
He stepped back.
"…Maintain."
The field continued without him.
Ryo turned away.
"…Delegation."