"Never cling to happiness,
Nor be addicted to it.
For once it vanishes,
It will haunt you in your sleep."
I.
"Analyze." Everything around me showed the information I needed to see. Right now I am in the middle of the forest again. As expected, the haze is thicker outside. It's obscuring my vision to a point that it seems as if I am walking through the clouds.
The reason I am here is because, I need to collect those ornamental plants for our garden park. A forest contains a lot of beautiful plants, the only reason why they remain unnoticed is because they are placed in the wrong spot and are uncared for. Both of which are things I can provide for.
"Ohh this one would be good!" I said seeing a queer plant from the ground.
*Name: Harui
Species: Plant
Description: A plant which does not grow very big. Only a sprout appears from the ground but it gives a relaxing aroma to those around it in a 5 centimeter radius.*
"This is good, I need a lot of these." I started picking the Harui seeds from the ground and placing them on my inventory box.
I then proceeded further, getting deeper into the forest. A problem I could encounter is getting lost but then, I made Sei memorize the route we took. Basically she is my navigator because, the town is as difficult to find as my sex appeal.
"I'll need this one too."
*Name: Omorfos
Species: Tree
Description: The tree does not bear any fruit. As compensation, it bears beautiful flowers which changes colors depending on the season.*
I took two seeds of this tree and placed them on my inventory. I am no botanist, nor am I an expert in landscaping but with Sei and subconscious, learning comes easier. I can just pick up a book and read it through my subconscious skill. This will make me learn in just a few seconds. That should be enough to arrange the garden park in such a way that, it can entice people.
I went through the forest, passing by a lake and even a goblin lair. Luckily, I did not encounter any monster throughout this gathering process. I made various stops along the way, marking important places I may return to. One of these is a route leading me to a new village.
I gathered other beautiful plants along the way. I also picked up edible plants, enough for the farmlands we will gain through the plans. With that, my short adventure outside town ended. I counted the things I gathered, thinking if they'd be enough. After I satisfied myself, I called on to Sei to lead me back to the town.
"Just you wait King." I said, smirking with excitement.
II.
"Woaaah?"
"So beautiful."
Passers-by started gathering in front of Sina's Inn. After a few days of planting and organizing, our garden park is now in full bloom. As expected, people returning home after going to the market are attracted by the garden park.
At the front is a brown fence made of fine wood that I gathered in the forest. It has beautiful carvings of vines that looks as if they are really climbing up the fence. I have shaped them using dead termites that I resurrected. Apart from wood, these termites can neatly bite through steel. That's how sharp their teeth are. It's really scary how insects of this world can do so much.
Aside from the fence, the two Omorfos trees are placed at the far corners, their flowers bloom in a vibrant orange and red, which sways as the wind blows. Wooden benches are positioned next to these trees. Around the yard, the Harui seeds are planted. By just coming near the fence, a person would be trapped by its aroma, making the garden seem more heavenly than it already is. Flat grass covers the whole ground, with white rocks positioned around the fence, trees, and benches. The same white rocks wrap a small pond placed next to the wall of the Inn. Koi-looking fish are swimming there.
As for plants, there are various flowers and beautiful leaves to go around. Those who visit can pluck one a day. With this, even if they forget that Sina's Inn now has a garden, they will still search for it because of the beautiful flower or leaf they took home. Of course, the flowers will not be depleted because of my trusted friend, the fertility worm.
*Alert: You've earned 150 experience points.*
*Alert: You've earned 150 experience points.*
As expected, my experience points are also stacking up. With the rate I am going, I'll be able to get out of the bottom 10 on the Entertainers ranking in no time.
"Good morning, would you like to enter Sina's Inn?" I approached two women who were admiring the garden from outside.
"We'd love to but..uhmmm." One woman kept fidgeting with her fingers.
"We don't have the money for it you see." The other said almost apologetically.
"Gotcha." I said to myself as I grinned.
"Don't worry ladies, we don't charge people for entering our Inn. We just want to do our part and relax those slender bodies of yours."
"Oh my." One of them blushed.
"Can we really?"
"Of course! Sina's Inn is for everyone!" With this, the women nodded to each other and went inside.
"Oh and ladies, you can take home a flower or a leaf if you wish. Think of them as souveneirs." I said smiling again.
"Well you're quiet a smooth talker aren't you." As soon as they left, Mystica suddenly appeared behind me.
"Not that much, I'm just doing my part. Unlike someone who kept sleeping even when the sun is already up." For some reason, Mystica gets irritated when women start laughing with me or smiling when I talk to them. So I've developed this defense mechanism of saying her faults when the event occurs. She'd quickly retract, ashamed of how much she overworks me.
"Hmp. I was just tired from yesterday."
"Ohhh so what did we do yesterday exactly?"
"That's easy. We placed that fence."
She did it again…
Saying a lie straight at my face without any hesitation…
Why am I surrounded by weird women? *Sigh*
She must really believe that I also get affected by the haze so she just places all her bet in one thing and completely holds on to it. This is pointless, I should just agree.
"Yes we did." I told her.
"See? Be grateful that I even reminded you." She said, arms folded below her chest.
"yaay"
"thank you mystica"
"yer reaaly awesome" I said in a continuation of a dull and unimpressed tones. She's still grinning. Man she doesn't understand hidden messages don't she?
"I should go back. People are flocking outside again. Go and wait at the reception table if someone inquires okay?"
"Wait." I was about to go but Mystica stopped me.
"Thanks for everything Jean." A heartwarming smile surprised me, causing me to blush.
"I-it's nothing. I'm just h-helping out." I said stammering on my words as I turned. I hope she didn't notice me blush.
Anyway, this is good. With how things are at the moment, we can continue with the plan to get residents by next week.
"Good morning, would you like to enter Sina's Inn?" I welcomed the people who stared from outside. It was only for a brief moment but, I'm sure I saw him. From a distance, King was looking at the Inn with a smile on his face.
"I guess he's happy with my progress." I said to myself.
III.
"No! Stop this! Please!" My voice is rugged and my body is limp. I screamed with all my might as something horrible happens in front of my eyes.
"Please, don't do this!" Mystica's clothes are all torn up. Unrecognizable men of various builds kept flocking at her with their naked bodies, devouring every inch of her.
There's nothing I can do. No matter how hard I try, I can't move. I can't even look away.
"You should've just died." A voice said from the shadows. I can't recognize who it is but judging from the tone, I know it's a man.
"Jean…why didn't you save me." We're Mystica's cold words.
"I'm sorry…" I repeated the words over and over again until, finally…I woke up.
I quickly rose with my hand holding on to my chest. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead. My breathing is labored and my body feels tired. I looked around and it took me a few seconds to register the truth.
"It's a dream." I told myself.
"It's all just a dream."
*Knock*
*Knock*
*Knock*
"Jean, are you okay?" I rushed to open my door, recognizing the voice of the person from outside. As soon as I opened it, I saw Mystica. Still safe, undefiled and very much alive. I don't know why but I suddenly wrapped my hands around her.
"Thank God." I said. The dream felt so real that I can't help but feel relief now that I am facing Mystica.
"Ehh?" She said startled and unsure of what to make of the moment.
"Mystica. Can you sleep with me?" I suddenly blurted.
"EEEEH?!" She shouted in shock. My heart is still pounding quite fast and all I've said might be because of the sudden shock after waking up from that nightmare. But all I know is that, I don't want to let go of Mystica right now.
"Please." I continued.
"W-what are you saying Jean?" We're not even lovers." Mystica said, a little flustered.
"Please." I said again.
We stayed in that position for a moment. Mystica didn't respond for a while so all I heard was the loud thumping of my own heart.
"Let go Jean." She said, pushing me away gently. I didn't resist and, as soon as our bodies broke away from each other, she continued speaking.
"J-just for tonight." She's staring at the floor now.
"A-and, don't you even think about doing any perverted things okay?"
"Okay" I said. Smiling.
I went back to bed with Mystica by my side. She smells so good now that I'm sticking to her like this. The moonlight shone through my window, revealing her face to me. Those emerald eyes, gentle curls of hair, and warm - colored lips made my heart beat even faster.
"Can I hug you?" I asked. She didn't answer anymore and just made a soft nod.
My arm quickly made its away around her waist. She held my cheek with her hand and gently caressed it. She looks so beautiful, I never noticed because we're always so busy with the Inn. Now that she is the only thing on my mind, I can't help but feel like I want to hold her like this…and never leave her side.
I removed my hand from her waist and held her head, brushing the hair strands that falls on her face. It's as if time has stopped altogether. The same feeling I get whenever I used subconscious. I kept on staring and she did the same.
Slowly, our faces went closer to each other. My heart raced faster than it did before, she took my hand and placed it in between her chest. I felt her heart thumping as fast as mine. I did the same, making her feel my own heartbeat.
"I guess we're both nervous huh?" Mystica said, smiling.
I guess." I said as my lips moving closer to hers.
"I guess." She replied, touching my lips.
We kissed and held each other that evening. For a moment I forgot all about the dream. Right now, I have Mystica. That's what matters. As soon as our lips broke away from each other, I remembered how she mentioned that we are not lovers. So I steeled myself and finally said it, how much she means to me and how much I want to stay by her side.
"I love you."