Jianyu woke slowly, his eyes fluttering open as the sound of shuffling and strained, uneven breathing reached his ears.
His vision blurred for a moment, but as it cleared, he saw Zhenfeng sitting nearby. The dim glow of bioluminescent moss lining the cave illuminated Zhenfeng's hands, busy wrapping a wound on his arm with a strip of torn fabric.
"What were you doing?" Jianyu rasped, his voice hoarse but loud enough to make Zhenfeng pause.
Zhenfeng turned to him, their eyes meeting. His expression remained as cold as ever, though his breathing hadn't yet evened out. "Avenging you against that ridiculous tentacle monster."
"What?" Jianyu frowned, trying to push himself upright despite the lingering weakness in his body. "The monster… is it dead?"
"It's dead," Zhenfeng replied, pulling the makeshift bandage tighter around his arm. "I even brought some of its meat. Looks like fish. Probably edible raw."
Jianyu stared at him, caught between disbelief and confusion. "You're joking. You seriously took it down by yourself?"
Zhenfeng shrugged, his expression as blank as always. "We need a water source to survive; I get that. No way we'd last long with just the water you collected. I made sure there's no threat left if we go back there. Besides, now we have extra food supplies. Just say thank you."
"Alright," Jianyu sighed, "Thanks."
Zhenfeng grabbed the bag of tentacle monster meat as Jianyu shakily stood up. "Don't push yourself," Zhenfeng grumbled, his tone impatient but his arm subtly shifting to steady Jianyu when the latter wobbled. Without another word, Zhenfeng took the lead, his footsteps silent despite his bulky boots.
When they reached the cave where the survivors were hiding, Zhenfeng's sharp eyes swept over the space. His hand hovered near the hilt of his sword as he scanned the dimly lit cavern, ensuring nothing had breached their camp.
Only after seeing the survivors asleep or quietly resting did he relax, though his posture remained taut, like a predator always on edge.
"Everyone's fine," Zhenfeng muttered, glancing back at Jianyu. "Do your plant thing or whatever. Just don't collapse again."
Jianyu rolled his eyes but didn't argue. He walked to the center of the cavern, where a patch of soil he had cultivated earlier. Kneeling down, he pulled out the water bottle and gently poured it onto the plant.
The transformation was immediate. The plant surged upward, its stem thickening and branching out in mere seconds. It unfurled massive, glossy leaves and vines that stretched out to form a natural canopy, shading the entire cave in a soft, green glow.
The air shifted, the stale and damp smell of moss replaced by a crisp, refreshing breeze.
"What the…" Zhenfeng murmured, his eyes narrowing as he observed the miraculous growth from afar.
The plant didn't stop there. Pale, bioluminescent fruits began to dangle from its branches, emitting a soft, moonlike glow that filled the cavern with a serene ambiance.
The fruits varied in size, some as small as plums and others as large as melons, their translucent skins shimmering faintly as if reflecting light from another world.
Jianyu, oblivious to Zhenfeng's scrutiny, reached up and plucked one of the smaller fruits. Its skin was cool to the touch, and when he bit into it, a burst of sweetness flooded his mouth, followed by a subtle tang that left a refreshing aftertaste. It tasted like a blend of honeydew melon and citrus, with a hint of mint that lingered on his tongue.
"Not bad," Jianyu said, chewing thoughtfully before picking another and tossing it to Zhenfeng.
Zhenfeng caught it with ease, his reflexes sharp despite his nonchalant demeanor. He turned the fruit in his hand, inspecting it like it might explode. "You sure this isn't gonna poison me?"
"It's literally glowing with magic," Jianyu retorted, gesturing to the flourishing tree. "If anything, it's probably healthier than whatever raw monster meat you've got in that bag."
Zhenfeng raised an eyebrow but took a cautious bite. His jaw tensed as he chewed, and for a moment, Jianyu thought he might spit it out just to spite him. But then Zhenfeng swallowed and gave a low, begrudging grunt.
"Fine. It's good."
Jianyu smirked. "See? Not everything I do is useless."
Zhenfeng shot him a sharp look, but the corner of his mouth twitched, almost like he was fighting back a smile. "Don't get cocky, plant nerd. I'm still the one keeping you alive."
Jianyu laughed softly, the sound light despite the tension that lingered between them. As he leaned back against the tree's trunk, its soft glow casting a halo around his head, Zhenfeng watched him for a moment longer than necessary.
"Go rest," Zhenfeng muttered, turning away abruptly and stalking toward the edge of the camp. "I'll keep watch."
Quest Complete: Water the tree and nurture it until it bears fruit.
You have gained +200 new points.
Current total points: 200 points.
New quest unlocked: Keep the cavern safe tonight.
"Okay, Zhenfeng's keeping watch. Now, just give me a—" Jianyu muttered, opening the system interface to browse what he could purchase with his newly earned points. His mind was already set on the Guardian Plant Seed, imagining how useful it would be in fortifying the camp.
But before he could even scroll through the store menu, a sharp, searing pain struck him like lightning, slicing through his head without warning. His breath hitched, and he clutched his head with both hands as a strangled groan escaped his lips.
"F-fuck… system—what the hell?!" His voice was hoarse, trembling as he sank back against the tree trunk, his knees nearly giving out from the sudden agony.
Error detected: Player experiencing penalty.
"What penalty?!" Jianyu hissed through gritted teeth, his head pounding like a drum. "The fruit? Was it poisoned or something?"
Clarification: The fruit is not poisonous. However, if the player fails to put effort into completing quest objectives, the system will enforce penalties. Penalties may include, but are not limited to: migraines, abdominal pain, fatigue, or disorientation. This is a standard feature to ensure player compliance.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Jianyu growled, slamming his palm against the ground. The pain showed no sign of easing, and his vision blurred at the edges. "Fine! I'll keep watch! Happy now?"