Ryo didn't move for a long time.
Not because nothing was happening.
But because too much was happening.
thump… thmp… thump…
The anomaly and the fragment pulsed in uneven rhythm now.
Not synchronized.
Not independent.
Something in between.
"…That's worse."
The crops surrounding both zones adjusted constantly.
rustle… crk… shift…
Like a living machine trying to solve a problem it didn't fully understand.
"…You're all overworking."
No response.
Of course.
But the system did.
System Update
Parallel Processing Increased
Field Autonomy: Enhanced
Control Cost: Rising
"…Cost?"
"…I didn't agree to cost."
The adventurer glanced over.
"…Everything has a cost."
"…Not doing things should be free."
thmp—
The fragment pulsed harder.
The soil beneath it cracked slightly.
crrk
Ryo sat up immediately.
"…That's new."
The crops reacted slower this time.
A fraction slower.
But noticeable.
"…You're lagging."
That was bad.
Very bad.
System Warning
Field Saturation Reached (Partial Zones)
"…Saturation?"
"…That sounds like limit."
Kiro stepped closer, unusually quiet.
"…You're hitting capacity."
"…I don't like capacity."
"…You need expansion."
"…Expansion is work."
"…Collapse is worse."
Silence.
thump…
The anomaly pushed again.
The fragment echoed.
The crops strained.
"…Fine."
Ryo stood.
Slowly.
Reluctantly.
"…We expand."