The fragment didn't stay still.
That was the first issue.
thmp… thmp…
It pulsed faster now.
Reacting.
Adapting.
The crops around it adjusted.
But slower than before.
"…You're having trouble."
rustle…
"…That's worse."
System Warning
Fragment Stability: Decreasing
Risk: Replication
"…Replication?"
"…No."
The fragment split.
Not fully.
But enough.
A second pulse formed.
thmp—
"…No."
"…No no no."
Kiro stepped back.
"…That's growth."
"…That's a problem."
"…That's exponential value."
"…That's exponential danger."
The crops reacted immediately.
Surrounding both pieces.
Compressing.
Containing.
But—
The control wasn't as strong.
"…I lost efficiency."
System Update
Control Strain Detected
"…Strain?"
"…I don't like strain."
The main anomaly pulsed again.
THUMP
Stronger.
Responding.
The fragments reacted in sync.
THMP—THMP
"…They're syncing."
"…They're multiplying."
Ryo clenched his jaw slightly.
"…That's inefficient."
He stepped forward again.
Skill Activated: Field Command I
"…Stop."
The crops tightened.
Harder.
More aggressive.
The fragments compressed.
Forced together.
Resisting.
crrk…
"…Combine."
The pressure increased.
The fragments pushed back.
But—
Slowly—
Merged.
thmp…
Back into one.
Smaller than before.
But stable.
"…Good."
System Update
Fragment Contained
Replication Prevented
"…That's enough testing."
Kiro looked disappointed.
"…We were just getting started."
"…We're stopping."
"…We're pausing."
"…We're done."
The fragment pulsed once more.
Weaker now.
Contained.
"…You stay small."