"We don’t have enough land."
Rowan looked over the seeds one by one.
"Not if you intend to plant all of these properly. Some may compete for water or block the smaller crops from receiving sunlight. The tree will also need more space as it grows."
Carlos opened the territory panel.
--
Territory Level: 1
Territory Experience: 70/100
Farm Plots: 2
--
He needed thirty more experience before the territory could level up.
The next wheat harvest was ready.
Rowan collected it while Carlos watched the experience notifications.
[Common Wheat x45 harvested]
[Common Wheat Seeds x34 obtained]
[Territory Experience x5]
--
Territory Experience: 75/100
--
Only five.
At that rate, he would need five more harvests.
Carlos looked at the four remaining Nature’s Dew in his inventory.
Each one could instantly mature a Common crop.
He could use them to force several harvests and reach Level 2 much faster, but consuming Rare items for ordinary wheat experience felt wasteful.
Before he could decide, his Rare Seed request received a response.
It was not an automatic acceptance.
The other Lord wanted to negotiate.
--
[Lord TerraNova] - I have a Rare seed from my Beginner Chest.
[Lord TerraNova] - I don’t need Coins.
[Lord TerraNova] - If you want the seed, grow it for me and give me half of every harvest.
--
Carlos frowned.
Half of every harvest could mean a single payment.
Or it could mean paying the stranger forever.
Then the seed’s description appeared.
--
Devouring Vine Seed
Rare Grade
Growth Duration: Unknown
Warning: Requires living prey.
--
Carlos stared at the final line.
This was not the kind of seed he had expected to receive.
Carlos read its description again.
A plant that required living prey could be dangerous, but that did not make it useless. His mind immediately turned to how the vines could one day become a defensive barricade around the territory.
The problem was the price.
--
[Carlos Goldwin] - Half of every harvest is too much.
[TerraNova] - It is a Rare seed.
[Carlos Goldwin] - And I will provide the land, water, and labour. I will also take every risk involved in growing something that eats living creatures.
[TerraNova] - What are you offering instead?
--
Carlos opened his inventory.
He had Copper Coins, Wheat, Silverwood Fruit, and five pieces of Silverwood. The Silverwood was his most valuable available material, but offering too much for an unknown plant would be stupid.
--
[Carlos Goldwin] - Copper Coins x100, Common Wheat x20, and Silverwood Fruit x1.
--
TerraNova responded immediately.
--
[TerraNova] - No.
[Carlos Goldwin] - Then make a reasonable counteroffer.
[TerraNova] - Half of every harvest. That is my offer.
[Carlos Goldwin] - For how many harvests?
[TerraNova] - Every harvest for as long as the plant lives.
--
Carlos shook his head.
The other Lord wanted permanent profit without taking any responsibility after handing over the seed.
--
[Carlos Goldwin] - I can give you half of the first harvest and nothing after that.
[TerraNova] - No deal.
[Carlos Goldwin] - I can add 50 Copper Coins.
[TerraNova] - I already have a merchant willing to accept my conditions.
--
The seed’s description disappeared.
[Negotiation ended by Lord TerraNova]
[Rare Seed trade request closed]
Carlos stared at the empty chat for a second.
Then he closed it.
"That is fine."
He had wanted the seed, but not enough to promise half of its production forever. More seeds would appear in the future. His land and labour would remain valuable every day.
Losing one opportunity was better than accepting a terrible deal simply because the word Rare was attached to it.
Carlos closed the Trade section.
He had spent enough time looking at crops and seeds.
His eyes moved toward the Conquest Portal.
The territory needed Wood and Stone. He had only thirteen Wood and five Stone, which was nowhere near enough for the Tool Workshop or Irrigation Channel.
The Resource Hunt was over.
That left Conquest.
Carlos summoned the broken spear from his inventory.
The two pieces appeared on the ground.
He remembered reaching nineteen health and crushing the final slime beneath his own body.
"Not again."
He opened his chat with Cosmic.
--
[Carlos Goldwin] - I need a weapon.
[Cosmic Merchant] - That makes sense. The one I gave you fucking broke.
[Carlos Goldwin] - I need a weapon that is currently in one piece.
[Cosmic Merchant] - No shit.
[Cosmic Merchant] - Are you going back into Conquest?
[Carlos Goldwin] - Yes.
[Cosmic Merchant] - Already, huh...
--
Carlos inspected the Conquest Portal.
--
Conquest Level 2
Status: Available
Enemy Information: Hidden until entry
Recommended Preparation:
At least 3 Level 1 combat troops
Basic protective equipment
Common-grade weapon or better
--
He had only One.
The Blue Water Slime possessed a ranged attack, but Carlos had personally killed sixty of them. He knew exactly how weak One would be if an enemy reached its core.
--
[Carlos Goldwin] - Level 2 recommends three troops. I only have one, so I need something good.
[Cosmic Merchant] - Or you could wait until you have three troops.
[Carlos Goldwin] - I need resources to feed and build for those troops.
[Cosmic Merchant] - Ugh, fine.
--
Cosmic sent three item descriptions.
--
Iron Sword
Common Grade
Price: 60 Copper Coins
--
Hunting Spear
Common Grade
Price: 45 Copper Coins
--
Reinforced Long Spear
Uncommon Grade
A long spear made with an iron head, hardwood shaft, and metal reinforcement around its grip.
Effects:
Piercing Power +15%
Durability +20%
Price: 180 Copper Coins
--
Carlos ignored the first two.
--
[Carlos Goldwin] - Who has the Uncommon spear?
[Cosmic Merchant] - Lord SpearHead. That name alone makes me want to charge you extra for dealing with him.
[Carlos Goldwin] - Is the price fair?
[Cosmic Merchant] - No. But there are few Uncommon weapons for sale right now.
[Carlos Goldwin] - Can you lower it?
[Cosmic Merchant] - Give me five minutes.
--
Cosmic disappeared.
Carlos used the time to inspect One.
The slime was at full health and had recovered all its mana beneath the Tidal Silverwood’s effect.
--
Blue Water Slime One
Level 1
HP: 100/100
Mana: 50/50
Ability: Water Shot (Level 1)
--
"You are coming with me."
One bounced.
"When something comes close, move away. Do not let it hit your core."
One bounced again.
Carlos did not know how much the slime understood, but he would keep it behind him during the Conquest.
Blue floated over from the Mana Spring.
"You are staying here."
"Bloo?"
"You are a resident, not a combat troop. Help Rowan and protect the water."
Blue looked at One and then at Carlos.
"No."
The Sprite crossed its tiny arms.
"You can be angry. You are still staying."
Blue flew back into the spring and splashed water in his direction.
Carlos moved aside.
The private chat flashed again.
--
[Cosmic Merchant] - 140 Copper Coins.
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