I Grow Crops with a System

Ethan went to the riverbank and began searching for suitable soil.

The trees and grass here grew exceptionally lush — a sure sign the earth was fertile. It couldn’t be more perfect for raising seedlings.

He packed the leather bag full of soil, carried it back to the shelter, and poured it out into a small mound. Then he scattered the Sweet Beet seeds across the top.

"What are you doing, meow?!" Pearl asked curiously.

"Growing seedlings. I’ll cultivate them first, then transplant them into the field. The survival rate is much higher that way."

"Meow?! You’re going to plant Sweet Beets, meow?!"

"I’m hoping Sweet Beet will be a massive hit."

Pearl had said it herself — Sweet Beets were a favorite of every beastman in the Great Forest. If he could cultivate them and pull in a large harvest, the Great Forest Merchants would come knocking on his door all on their own... right?

While happily picturing that future, Ethan studied the seeds.

"What are you doing, meow?"

"I don’t know if this will work... Growth Acceleration."

At his soft whisper, the motionless seeds in the seedling bed began to squirm. Tiny roots drilled downward, and tender green leaves poked out their heads. Soon, young saplings were breaking through the soil one after another.

"This is my supernatural ability. It makes plants grow rapidly. I had this power before I ever came here."

"Is that what you used before, meow?!"

"Exactly. I didn’t expect an ability from Earth to work here too."

Though, come to think of it — the ability had been granted by the Ascendant Tower and still worked on Earth, so it made perfect sense that it worked here too. Perfectly logical.

"Either way, it’s a good thing."

Ethan picked up the makeshift seedling tray and headed for the field. With Pearl’s help, he transplanted the seedlings one by one into the fertilized soil.

"Soil Fortification."

He pressed his hand to the ground. A strange energy surged from his palm and seeped rapidly into the earth. Under Soil Fortification, even barren land turned fertile in an instant — and paired with the fertilizer on top, these Sweet Beets were guaranteed to thrive.

"Meow, meow~! Once the Sweet Beets are ready, we can eat them at every meal, meow!"

"We’d get sick of them... By the way, we have salt now. Grilled fish today; we’ll plant more Sweet Beets tomorrow."

"Meow! I agree, meow!"

"Alright, let’s see if the traps caught anything."

"Ethan! Are you there?"

Just as the two of them were heading happily back from the field, a familiar voice called out from a distance.

Draugor.

He had been here just yesterday — why was he back already? Something else that needed fixing?

While Ethan was still wondering, Draugor ran up, panting heavily, and said excitedly, "Ethan! My village chief has invited you to be a guest at our village!"

"Invited me? Why?"

"Everyone absolutely loved the things you repaired yesterday!"

"Just because of that?"

"Haha! There are also some things in the village we need your help fixing!"

Sure enough — no such thing as a free lunch.

Not that Ethan felt disappointed. He and Draugor had known each other for exactly one day; nobody invites a stranger to their village for no reason at all.

"But we haven’t eaten yet."

"Then eat first and go after! I’ll wait right here!" Draugor flopped straight onto the ground and started munching on the grass.

’This guy is really carefree.’

Ethan shook his head and went with Pearl to check the fish traps. Their luck held — a Red Trout.

"Grilled fish with salt, meow!"

Ethan scaled and gutted the Red Trout with practiced hands, cut it into small chunks with his glass stone knife, laid the pieces on a greased stone slab, and sprinkled salt over the top.

Oil popped and crackled as the fish turned golden, a rich, savory aroma filling the air.

"A Minotaur village... we need to be careful, meow!" Pearl warned.

"Why? Is it dangerous?"

"Not exactly dangerous, but Minotaurs are all huge, meow. A small human like you could get squashed flat if you’re not careful, meow!"

"A small cat like you is just as easy to squash."

"Meow, meow~! I’m agile — I won’t get stepped on, meow~!"

"You’re not planning to ditch me and run, are you?"

"If you give me a bigger share of the fish, I’ll protect you, meow~!"

Ethan picked up a Sweet Beet and ground it into a puree with a stone, then spread the mash across two flat stones.

"Meow? What is this, meow?"

"Grilled fish with mashed Sweet Beet. It tastes better this way."

He couldn’t help smiling as he remembered eating grilled fish back on Earth.

Pearl skeptically scooped some mash onto its fish and took a bite. Its eyes went wide.

"I didn’t expect salty grilled fish with sweet-and-sour beet mash to be this delicious, meow!!"

"Is the fish really that good?" Draugor asked curiously.

"Want to try some?"

"We don’t eat fish!"

"Never mind, then. Want to try the mashed Sweet Beet?"

"Really? Thank you so much!"

Ethan ground the remaining Sweet Beets into a puree and passed it over. Draugor licked the mash off the stone with his enormous tongue, clearly loving it — the stone was spotless in seconds. Then he pointed at the remaining whole Sweet Beets.

"Can I take some and grind them myself?"

"Of course you can."

With Ethan’s permission, Draugor happily set about grinding away while Ethan and Pearl finished their breakfast.

"I’m full, meow~"

"So full..."

Seeing the two of them sprawled lazily on the ground, Draugor grinned and scooped them up in his massive arms.

"It’s a long journey — I’ll carry you there!"

"Uh, we can walk on our own."

"Don’t be polite! Consider it my thanks for the mashed Sweet Beet!"

And with that, Draugor took off, sprinting deep into the forest with giant strides.

"Whoa!"

It was like riding in a speeding car. The scenery whipped past so fast it made Ethan’s head spin.

"I can go even faster! Want to try?" Draugor laughed.

"No need, no need — this is plenty fast. By the way, how much further to your village?"

"Just a bit! See that big rock? Past that and a little further, and we’re there!"

Draugor charged on, carrying man and cat the whole way, until they finally arrived.

The village was ringed by a large wooden palisade — quite an impressive sight.

"Welcome to our village!"

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