Chapter: 5
Shash-
Was it around ten seconds of a silent standoff? Maria sneaked back behind the tree again.
But she didn’t run off anywhere. She just stayed put with her shoulders and hair slightly showing.
…Is this what you want me to do?
“Hey, Maria?”
Pekom-
When her name was called, Maria peeked out again to re-evaluate the situation.
My choice seemed to be the right one; upon confirming I was approaching, she stepped out from behind the tree and completely revealed herself.
“What were you doing here?”
“Observing, oppa.”
“…I see.”
Her honesty was almost disarming. Is this the audacity and privilege of a child?
And, as expected, her gaze was fixed firmly on my face, peering intently inside my robe.
“Are you sure it’s okay not to go back? Your parents must be worried.”
“Yeah. It’s fine. Maria’s parents aren’t here.”
“…I’m sorry. It’s because I don’t have an older brother, so please forgive me.”
I have no idea what kind of mess of a conversation this is. Sorry, Dad. But hey, it’s true that they’re not around here, right?
My hand, smoothing my robe, lost focus and awkwardly wandered about.
“More importantly, oppa, aren’t you eating?”
“Uh, hmm…?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you eat anything.”
Maria seized this opportunity and launched into a bit of an intense interview session. Not only was she questioning why I never ate, but also commented on my lack of sleep or rest while hunting.
‘This must be what it means to be considered normal…’
A lament that the inevitable had come. Yes, the Shijakumaur people were certainly peculiar.
The blend of a game fantasy world backdrop and the vague information typical to rural settings led to this conclusion. They were firmly convinced I was a guardian deity, even before I had a chance to say anything.
I bet they believe there are horses with horns on their heads too. Expecting that from an active A-level adventurer was asking too much.
“About that…”
It would be a stretch to say it was merely coincidence, or to mumble something vague about hiding to eat alone. Maria hadn’t seen it for all that long, but she had surely heard plenty from the village.
“There’s something called a cursed wheat field on the outskirts of this town.”
The reason Maria is questioning my identity likely comes down to my ‘behavior that seems non-human’ and ‘the absence of mana that should facilitate such behavior.’
So here, let’s scratch that surface while providing her with something that would convincingly fill in the gaps.
“Cursed… wheat field?”
“That’s right. It’s a strange place with a remarkable amount of mana embedded in the ground; no matter how much wheat you cut down, it keeps growing back.”
When an entirely unexpected story popped out, Maria’s expresion shifted to one of confusion.
Even I found myself pondering what a contradiction that now felt like, but I also couldn’t help but find it fascinating.
“I ended up consuming that wheat for various reasons.”
I kept the specific details to myself but dropped enough hints to provide ample context for understanding the situation.
Thus, it would lead her to formulate her own predictions while simultaneously making it awkward for her to pry due to the hints of a secret she couldn’t spill.
“That’s why I can’t consume any other food. The wheat keeps getting digested and keeps growing in my stomach. To manage that endless influx of energy, I can neither rest nor sleep.”
“Oh my….”
As I watched Maria sympathize and feel sorry for me, my heart ached, but what can I do?
It’s not like I want to exploit her. This is just a desperate struggle for survival.
“In fact, the wheat field is the reason those innocent sparrows have turned into horrors.”
“But why didn’t you get rid of it sooner?”
“The mana density in the wheat field is so overwhelming that people avoid it. It’s also expensive, so they probably just left it be.”
“So some bad person dug it up and fed it to you?”
“Uh… yeah. We haven’t caught the culprit yet, but I guess that’s the case.”
Ahem. I cleared my throat, trying to shift gears from the path we were veering off into.
Who cut the wheat and fed it to the sparrows? That really isn’t what’s important right now.
“Anyway, I’ve been hunting tirelessly every day to resolve the curse on that wheat field and have been leveling up my abilities in the process. I suppose one silver lining of not being able to tire out is a blessing in disguise in that regard.”
“I see…”
Her purple eyes that had been steadily locked on my robe now shifted downward.
We’re almost there. Just one more push.
“Maria. I’m sorry to impose… but could I ask for just one favor?”
“Uh…? A request?”
“I thought I was doing my best, but with the curse in play, it’s become quite challenging to grow stronger. So, would you possibly help me in solving the curse on the wheat field?”
“Got it. Leave it to Maria.”
Without a second thought, she accepted. The incompetent adult inside me swallowed a bitter feeling.
Let’s not dwell on it too much. The wheat field is undoubtedly an issue that can’t just be overlooked, and I’m fully intending to pass the torch to Maria.
No matter how rural it may be, the village-level protection shouldn’t be taken lightly.
More importantly, there’s a story aspect here that hasn’t been resolved in even a single line, and it was definitely not something minor enough to be omitted. There’s a high likelihood that an unexpected reward awaits.
At the very least, it won’t turn into a bad story for either of us.
“Thank you. I’ll surely do my part. Right now, all I can offer is just a bit.”
“Okay. I’ll think of what to ask for.”
—
Thanks to my level up, or maybe because I’ve come to know the truth,
the wheat field I revisited after a long time presented itself with a particularly ominous air. I even had the odd impression that it was radiating some sinister vibe.
Maria didn’t seem especially cheerful either, as the arms that cradled her doll appeared tense.
“This is my first time experiencing mana like this.”
Since feeling mana was a whole new experience for me as well, I just nodded silently.
Still, it’s clear this is no ordinary thing. It would have been great if this sensation had manifested when leveling up my proficiency.
“Suppress the mana supply to the wheat while cutting it at the roots. If it doesn’t grow back immediately, it’s resolved.”
“Understood.”
Maria unleashed her puppet army and dove right into the task. The regular puppets began cutting down wheat with sickles and hoes, while the special ones cleaned up the mess.
On the surface, it looked like some kind of bulk harvest event, but when you reach the upper echelons of puppeteering, you’re unmistakably a magician.
The area where wheat wouldn’t grow expanded in the blink of an eye. It was akin to a service from a field trip at a magician’s tower.
‘…Each one of them really seems alive.’
With my mana running low and unable to do anything, I sat against a nearby tree and simply took it all in.
Maybe it was due to their movements being effectively tailored to their conditions thanks to their skill level? They appeared just as lively as a human.
Maria stood there effortlessly operating everything, and she looked almost mechanical—her doll-like form and lack of expression amplified that effect.
Tweet-! Caw-!
“Oh goodness. Now even the sparrows are causing a ruckus.”
I had intended to sit back and enjoy the show while resting my chin on my hands, but even creatures that weren’t monsters rushed at me, completely ignoring my presence.
Completely boggled. Are you seriously applying game mechanics to mobs that previously had no interactions?
I couldn’t help but wonder whether the system was bizarre or if my situation was just utterly ludicrous.
(Whispers softly)
“Oh, sorry. Did I get in your way?”
“Uh-huh, just… because I think you’re cute.”
Well, that kid has some unique taste. That’s something even his mother has never said throughout her life.
It’s a bit bittersweet that my groundbreaking first experience was taken by a kid I had met just two days ago.
‘Well, it’s definitely better than hearing it from a bald old man like our village elder…?!!’
Whoosh—
Swish—
Suddenly, the attacks of two dolls scraped against my arms and torso.
Having jumped from the field, I managed to dodge despite my pathetic stats.
“Maria? What on earth is happening all of a sudden…?”
“Ah. It’s just Maria’s mistake.”
Maria’s “mistake” didn’t stop there.
The initial two dolls gradually multiplied to three, four, and then they enveloped me in an instant.
‘It doesn’t seem like they’re just leaving the special ones alone, nor are they aiming to harm anything in particular.’
Crisp—!
‘What they seem to be aiming for… is my robe?’
As part of my sleeve tore away, Maria’s expression brightened noticeably.
I thought I had cleared up the doubts, but evidently, not? It seems our little puppeteer won’t rest until I expose my true identity!
“Maria… looks like you really want to play with your older brother, huh?”
“Yeah! I’ll be careful not to hurt you, so no need to worry.”
Even if she said not to worry while being surrounded by a hundred puppets…
Even casting doubt on the idea that they had all discarded their weapons just further fueled disbelief when faced with a thousand wiggling fingers as they clearly seemed intent to commit some mischief.
‘Where the heck did she learn something like that…’
“Ah. But before that…”
“Huh?”
“This.”
In the charged atmosphere of impending tension, Maria tossed over a potion.
A perfect elixir that restores all HP, MP, and even cures abnormal statuses.
Even an A-class adventurer wouldn’t carry a stash of these around. Why the sudden generosity?
“Earlier… since I attacked you. If you got hurt, please take that.”
“Hmm….”
Dumbfounded by the randomness, I glanced down at the elixir, then back at Maria, whose expression was soaked in anxiety, the previous excitement having turned helpless.
That’s the thing. It’s the state of a child that, without thinking of the future, acted hastily and later realizes their mistake—now anxiously fretting over whether they’ll catch hell or be disliked.
“I’m fine, so don’t worry.”
“Uh-huh….”
Chuckles. A laugh slipped out. If you’re this sorry, even any nonexistent anger would vanish.
I tucked the elixir, which I couldn’t even drink, into my inventory.
“…But you’re not lifting the siege, huh.”
“…It won’t hurt. I promise.”
“Really…”
I was almost on the verge of tears, yet she remained persistent. What on earth is making her act like this?
Well, it’s definitely clear now. No matter the method or direction, she’s showing an interest in me. At least there’s goodwill in it.
That’s why I mustn’t let my identity slip. I can’t bear the thought of that gaze shifting from curiosity to raging hostility directed at some kind of monster.
“Maria, this was your idea first, wasn’t it?”
I seized a sickle and hammer.
“Is it okay if you cry when all the dolls end up broken?”
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