Ash crouched before the vegetable patch with the intensity of a man preparing for war.
Because today... he was.
"Alright," he muttered, tying his headband (a tattered sock). "You win, root demon."
Before him sat a single turnip. Larger than average. Lumpy. Purple. With a shape that vaguely resembled a smug face.
He'd tried to pull it out three times already.
It didn't budge.
Not an inch.
"...Let's see if arrogance can out-stubborn me."
> [System Response: Challenge Acknowledged.]
[You may attempt skill application during this event.]
[Note: Embarrassment is not fatal.]
---
Strength, Focus… and Chicken Supervision
The chicken was watching.
Again.
Perched on the fence like a judgmental god, it occasionally made approving coos or disappointed clucks, depending on Ash's grip form.
Ash planted his feet shoulder-width apart.
Inhaled deeply.
Exhaled slowly.
"I want strength from this. Not just pulling power, but integrated exertion." He closed his eyes. "Let this be a skill born from rooted persistence."
He gripped the base of the turnip.
And pulled.
Hard.
> [Skill Evolution Attempted...]
[Skill Created: "Tendons of Earth (Seed Grade)"]
– Channel force from ground to grip.
– Increases traction and grip power in grounded poses.
– Minor increase in tendon strength with repetition.
– Effect limited if used on things smaller than a cat.
Ash's back arched. Sweat ran down his neck.
He gritted his teeth.
The soil groaned.
The turnip jiggled.
He adjusted his stance into Unshakable Stance, activating Tendons of Earth.
Muscles trembled. Ankles dug into the dirt.
Then—
POP!
Ash fell backward, holding the victorious vegetable overhead like a sacred relic.
"Ha... Ha!"
Dirt in his teeth.
Victory in his soul.
> [Growth +3% to "Tendons of Earth" and "Unshakable Stance"]
[Note: Turnip deemed mildly magical. Not yet edible.]
The chicken fluttered down beside him, pecked the turnip once, then walked away as if saying, "Beginner's luck."
---
Skill Panel Update
Later, Ash washed the root and set it aside to dry. It twitched slightly. He ignored it.
He sat by the fire with his panel open.
---
Skill Orchard – User: Ash
Soil State: Stirred (Stable)
Skill Seeds Planted:
Stubborn Hoe Strike (1%)
Enduring Labor (5%)
Fiery Tempered Gut (2%)
Unshakable Stance (4%)
Tendons of Earth (3%)
Skill Notes:
All skills evolve through effort and appropriate context.
Skills may overlap. Synergy is possible.
> [Insight Panel: Progress 11% toward unlock]
– Requires broader external stimuli and perception-type skill
---
Ash tilted his head.
"Synergy?"
He imagined combining Unshakable Stance with Tendons of Earth and Stubborn Hoe Strike...
A combo.
Was that possible?
> [Possible. Synergy requires simultaneous activation + mutual growth.]
[Note: Overexertion may lead to sore buttocks.]
He grinned.
Suddenly, farming didn't seem so dull anymore.
---
Evening Visitors (Again)
Just as the sky turned golden, footsteps echoed near his property.
Not hoofbeats.
Not carts.
But footsteps.
Ash peeked from his shed.
A young girl in gray cultivator robes stood at the edge of his farm, squinting at a map like it had personally offended her.
She was muttering.
"Should be here… turn left at the weird bird statue… then two paces east of the pond that smells like old soup…"
Ash blinked.
He had no bird statues. Or soup ponds.
She spotted him and gasped.
"Oh! You! Farmer uncle!"
He froze.
She ran up.
"I'm looking for Elder Wudi's private training hermit. They say he's super strong, lives in hiding, and teaches only those fated!"
Ash opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Glanced at the chicken, who looked away.
"I think you've got the wrong—"
She pulled out a jade token.
"Please accept me as your disciple!"
Ash blinked.
The system pinged.
> [New Questline Branch Detected: "The Mistaken Master"]
– Optional
– Rewards: Unknown
– Difficulty: You are not prepared
Ash looked at the girl.
Then at the token.
Then back at his turnip.
"...Can you weed?"
---
End of Chapter 4