Chapter Nineteen: The Aberrant Seed

The question Ashes had raised was soon answered, for on their way, they encountered Moonlit Waters, who at that moment was being brutally beaten by a female player.

On the riverbank before the second gardener’s cottage, three players were locked in fierce combat. Two of them—Moonlit Waters and Little Bean—belonged to the Foundation, while their opponent was a woman named “Wine Grows Stronger.” Judging by sheer numbers, the two men should have easily overpowered the lone woman, but Ashes and Not-a-Sword-Sage arrived just in time to witness the tables turn: the pair was being taken down, and one of them had already fallen.

Wine Grows Stronger wielded a crossbow, unleashing a relentless assault on Moonlit Waters despite the twin Peashooters firing at her. She seemed to possess a skill that greatly improved her accuracy; no matter how Moonlit Waters dodged, he could not avoid her bolts. Moreover, the damage from her crossbow appeared significantly enhanced. Moonlit Waters’ expression changed from worry to panic as he kept shouting at Little Bean to strike back, but Wine Grows Stronger dispatched him with chilling efficiency.

Little Bean, clearly terrified, ran toward Ashes and Not-a-Sword-Sage as if seeing his saviors, desperate for protection. As allies in the same faction, it was only natural for Ashes and his companion to step in. Yet Wine Grows Stronger showed no intention of letting Little Bean escape, and even when faced with three opponents, she pressed her attack with fearless intensity.

Her light leather armor molded to her agile form, accentuating her graceful curves. But this elegance was understated, for a wine-red cloak shrouded her allure and instead heightened her aura of danger. Advancing, she became a shifting shadow—part flame, part darkness—her face hidden, yet her presence radiated a scorching heat.

“Not-a-Sword-Sage, get out of my way! Today, I will kill him!” Wine Grows Stronger’s voice was icy, like a glacier that would never melt, crisp yet chilling to the bone.

Not-a-Sword-Sage raised his sword in a defensive stance and grinned. “Come on, Wine Beauty, surely we can talk this out. Why must we fight?”

“They killed my quest-giver and ruined my side quest. What’s left to discuss?” Wine Grows Stronger abruptly stopped, not because of Not-a-Sword-Sage, but because she had noticed the level-three Peashooter perched on Ashes’ shoulder.

“How could we have known your quest-giver was our mission target?” Little Bean protested, feeling wronged. Their objectives had crossed paths purely by chance—how could he have helped it? Now, driven to desperation by this unreasonable madwoman, he could only appeal to Ashes and Not-a-Sword-Sage: “Sword Sage, we’re all Foundation here, you can’t just watch me die! I swear it’s true—Moonlit Waters and I were tasked with killing the enemy’s Hound Warden across the river. We barely completed the mission when she ambushed us. Her damage is insane—she can hit me for up to sixteen points in one shot. Be careful!”

Seeing Little Bean pleading for help, Wine Grows Stronger’s anger subsided, reason returning. She began considering retreat; with full health and the element of surprise, she might have handled two at once, but now, wounded and with her skills on cooldown, facing three was certain death. Especially since that Peashooter looked like a Gatling gun pointed her way.

Ashes? What a strange name. Who is this man?

Wine Grows Stronger shifted her guard toward Ashes, then suddenly began to retreat. But a shout from behind made her stop in her tracks.

“Wait a moment, I have something to say.”

Now at the edge of their vision, Wine Grows Stronger felt a measure of safety. From this distance, she could retreat at will, so she no longer feared being surrounded. Bright eyes under her cloak watched Ashes coolly, lips barely moving, her voice once again cold as frost: “My patience is limited. I hope you’re not wasting my time.”

“You said your quest-giver—the Hound Warden—was killed by Little Bean and Moonlit Waters,” Ashes replied, matching her gaze, then turned to Little Bean. “And you two completed your quest and were ambushed on your way out?”

“Yes!” Little Bean nodded, pointing ahead. “That’s where we handed in our quest. If you don’t believe me, you can check for yourself.”

Following his finger, Ashes and Not-a-Sword-Sage both sighed helplessly—for it was the very spot where the second gardener’s cottage stood.

“Now we’re in trouble... The thing those two from Thunder failed to do, these two managed instead.” Not-a-Sword-Sage ruffled his hair in frustration. “Looks like not only the map but even the quests are mirrored in the Dark Forest!”

At the mention of Thunder, Wine Grows Stronger’s eyes flashed. “So, Thunderclap and his lackey are dead?”

“Yep. Those idiots tried to kill our quest-giver. Ashes and I took care of them,” Not-a-Sword-Sage said, then turned to Little Bean, putting on a menacing face. “Honestly, I’d love to take care of you too!”

“Wha—?” Little Bean jumped, but then heard Ashes’ weary question. “Was there a cottage where you completed your quest?”

“Yes!”

“Did your quest require you to recover something from the Hound Warden, and to help you, you were given a powerful tool or a guide to lower the difficulty?”

“Yes...”

“Then it’s settled.” Ashes stepped aside and said to Wine Grows Stronger, “Go ahead, Beauty, do what you must.”

Ashes’ words left Little Bean utterly panicked, but Wine Grows Stronger sensed something was amiss. She didn’t advance, instead asking thoughtfully, “Did you discover something?”

“Let’s talk as we walk. Though I fear we may be too late now.”

Ashes strode toward the gardener’s cottage, Not-a-Sword-Sage giving Little Bean a shove to snap him out of his daze, urging him not to fall behind. Wine Grows Stronger’s eyes flickered with suspicion, but she decided to follow, determined to uncover the truth behind all this.

On the way, Ashes and Not-a-Sword-Sage recounted their quest details and discoveries, finally making Little Bean realize the gravity of his blunder.

“You mean to say that by completing our quest, we actually strengthened the enemy?” Little Bean’s jaw dropped. “No wonder that thing looked so evil!”

As they spoke, the four arrived near the cottage and saw the ‘thing’ Little Bean had mentioned—a creature both plant and beast.

A dark green bud grew from the back of a monster that resembled both dog and frog. Its body was small, still encrusted with black soil as if it had only just broken free from the earth to gain mobility. Huge jet-black eyes took up most of its face, making its already small head seem misshapen, and a crimson maw filled with fangs made it look even more sinister.

Ashes, without a word, activated his Eye of Insight.

...

Name: [Aberrant Seed] (Plant Entity Derivative/Mutant)

Health: 120/120

Attack Level: Average

Defense Level: Weak

Attack Speed: Very Fast

Alert Range: Far

Skills: Vine Whip, Razor Leaf, Dark Ember

Description: Originally a special plant grown by the gardener to guard the cottage, it fused with the Hound Warden’s heart, awakening latent bloodlines and mutating into a symbiotic creature. All its attributes have been vastly enhanced, and even its bloodline skills have been awakened.

...

Ashes shared the Aberrant Seed’s stats with the others. Not-a-Sword-Sage immediately rapped Little Bean’s head in exasperation.

“Look what you’ve done! This thing’s combat power is nearly on par with the gardener himself!”

Little Bean was beside himself, never imagining things would end up like this.

Wine Grows Stronger, who now understood the situation, looked at Ashes, her expressive eyes brimming with challenge. “From your face, I’d say you want to take it down?”

“Of course. We’ve come this far, there’s no point in turning back. Besides, you haven’t even triggered the main quest. You’ll have to defeat the Aberrant Seed to meet your assessment goal as well.” Ashes glanced back at Wine Grows Stronger and decided to reveal the attributes of the [Skill Module Enhancement Chip]. Seeing her eyes light up, he quickly pocketed the chip again. “I’m willing to give you this, but not for free.”

Not-a-Sword-Sage quietly gave Ashes a thumbs-up, impressed by his decisiveness in “extorting” Wine Grows Stronger.

“Wouldn’t defeating the Aberrant Seed benefit you more?” Wine Grows Stronger’s eyes narrowed. “Won’t it drop a plant item corresponding to the enhancement chip?”

“You’re right, but that’s no reason to bargain with me. To be blunt, Sword Sage and I can handle the Aberrant Seed ourselves—it’ll just cost us some items. Rather than let you have it, I’d rather see those resources go up in flames with the seed itself.”

Ashes’ resolute tone earned him another thumbs-up from Not-a-Sword-Sage. Wine Grows Stronger was well-known in the community, and it was the first time he’d seen her so flustered. She gave Ashes an angry glare but, after a moment’s silence, finally handed over an attachment, albeit somewhat unwillingly, and revealed its attributes.

A fine item! Ashes glanced at it and nodded in approval. This attachment didn’t boost stats, but bestowed a passive effect—granting melee weapons an extra level of strength in contests of power. In other words, with it embedded in the Dire Wolf Gauntlets, he could now stun targets with a strength level one above his own.

Though he was sorely tempted, Ashes nevertheless looked to Not-a-Sword-Sage for agreement. After all, they had slain the Cursed Fox together; sharing the spoils was the foundation of their partnership.

But Not-a-Sword-Sage wanted nothing to do with this hot potato, waving it off and bowing repeatedly to Ashes.

“You’re the boss. You take it.”