The first problem appeared immediately.
It wasn't subtle.
It wasn't gradual.
It was instant.
THUMP—
The anomaly pulsed.
Harder than before.
Stronger than before.
Like it noticed the change.
Like it adapted.
"…You reacted."
The field responded instantly.
Perfect synchronization.
No delay.
No hesitation.
But—
More strain.
crrk…
The soil tightened harder.
Too hard.
"…You're overcorrecting."
System Warning
Load Threshold Increasing
Sustainability Risk: Moderate
"…Moderate is fine."
"…Moderate becomes high."
"…Future problem."
The fragment pulsed rapidly.
thmp-thmp-thmp
More active.
More responsive.
The synchronized field amplified everything.
Not just control—
But reaction.
"…That's not good."
Kiro stepped closer.
"…Everything is more efficient."
"…Everything is more unstable."
"…That's a trade."
"…That's a problem."
The adventurer crouched near the boundary.
"…The pressure is increasing."
"…I noticed."
"…If it spikes again—"
THUMP—
It spiked.
The entire field reacted.
Violently.
RUSTLE—CRRK—SHFT—
The crops tightened too fast.
Too aggressively.
The anomaly compressed—
Then pushed back harder.
THUMP—
"…You're escalating."
Ryo frowned slightly.
"…Reduce."
Skill Adjustment
Field Link I → Partial Sync
The reaction softened.
Less aggressive.
More controlled.
The pressure stabilized.
Barely.
"…That's better."
The fragment slowed.
thmp…
"…That's manageable."
Ryo leaned back again.
"…We don't full sync."
"…We partial sync."
Kiro nodded.
"…Controlled scaling."
"…Stop."