Barry, my new plant I named Blaze and I walked to the shelter. After that I collapsed into the leafy hammock of my temporary shelter, every inch of me aching and covered in dirt, cuts, suspicious sap, and about three different types of semi-parasitic moss. Barry let out a soft pulse from his perch on my shoulder, like he was exhaling relief for both of us. And Blaze, oh Blade was looking around. When I heard a familiar chime sound.
Ding!
Trial of the Chosen: Survive 72 Hours in Aniplant Wilds — COMPLETE!
Reward: ??
"And why the rewards question mark, Shiv?" I muttered.
Shiv appeared in a flicker of radiant, overly smug light, looking like a deity who just found out his favorite guinea pig learned how to juggle knives.
"Well, look who didn't get turned into fertilizer," he said, slow-clapping like a sarcastic award host. "I have to say, John, I'm mildly impressed. No magic. No weapons. Just you, a glowing plant with abandonment issues, and some very questionable survival instincts."
I opened one crusty eye.
"Thanks. I think. Do I get something?"
"No," Shiv said, grinning wider. "But you get this."
He dropped something that landed neatly on my wrist with a soft click. It looked like a sleek, dark watch with green glowing vines wrapped across the band. The face flickered to life, displaying a leafy icon and the words:
Botanist Identification watch
And a screen of what it look like map
"Did… Did you just put a watch-"
"Ahuh. You needed that. It's called Plant checker. It's different from appraisal. That watch has all the types of plants you need to own and their combat type. And it's your new best friend."
I blinked.
"Is it going to explode?"
"Nope, if that explodes, you die. Simple," Shiv shrugged. "It identifies plants in your area, tells you what they're good for: offense, defense, cute decor—and helps you grow them, mutate them, or cut them up properly without dying horribly."
I sat up.
"So, like a Pokédex but for murder-flora?"
"Exactly! But with more screaming and a higher chance of being strangled by vines. Its name is Bota watch.
Bota buzzed softly and projected an image of Barry above my wrist.
Type: Offensive (obtained)
"That is how the watch works."
And then a map, floating map appeared. Little blinking green dots marked potential:
"high-value specimens."
"Wait. What are those blinking plants?"
"Those," Shiv said, eyes gleaming, "are what you need next. Powerful species. Dangerous. Unstable. Probably can chew"
"Of course," I muttered.
Shiv crouched beside me, for once lowering his voice.
"You survived the trial, John. That means something. But what's coming next? The real war for this world? That's going to take the last three days looking for the plant."
He stood, dusted off his pixelated coat, and smiled.
"You're still just a human. No spells. No combat system. But you have that journal, Barry, a new addition plant named Blade and now this watch. Your class is weak, John. Laughably so."
"Thanks for the pep talk," I deadpanned.
"But," he added, "if you grow the right plants… learn how they fight… how they bond with you… you won't stay weak."
I looked down at the map again.
So many blinking dots. So many opportunities. So many chances to die hilariously.
"Better get planting, huh?"
Shiv winked. "Make an army, Botanist. One root at a time."
And with that, he vanished. Leaving me with a watch full of danger, a glowing shoulder plant, an unstable blade plant and a whole world of floral nightmares waiting to be tamed.
I had exactly four minutes of peace.
Four.
Just enough time to wonder if the Bota watch could play music (it couldn't) and if the strange pink moss clinging to my sock was edible (it wasn't—my tongue is still tingling).
Then came the flash..The smug light show.
The dramatically unnecessary wind gust.
And yes.
Shiv. Again.
"Okay, that was fast," I groaned. "Did you forget to insult me one more time or—?"
He raised a hand. "Not me this time. Message from your Patron. Capital P. Big deal."
He stepped aside with a flourish like he was presenting a royal banquet, and out of the air a massive ethereal bloom unfolded, petals made of green energy, glowing vines coiling outward.
From its center emerged a figure that looked like a humanoid made of bark, blossoms, and thorns, with eyes like golden pollen clouds and a voice like wind through leaves.
"I am Floronox, God of Verdant Dominion and Patron of the Botanist."
I blinked. "Wait, wait, wait. My Patron is the God of Plants?!" Floronox's petals shimmered as he continued, voice deep and oddly calming.
"You have done well to survive the Trial of Chosen. But your path is not to merely survive. It is to grow. To root yourself into the earth and bloom into terror."
"That's… oddly poetic and terrifying. Both things," I muttered.
"Your opponent will be a Battle Mage—an Elementalist. Wielder of fire, lightning, frost. He will not wait. He will not show mercy. And he will burn your world unless you stop him."
"I don't even have shoes that match," I mumbled.
Floronox extended a leafy arm, and my watch Bota buzzed violently. A new quest window flashed into view.
Special Quest Unlocked: Garden of War
Objective: Locate, Appraise, and Cultivate 6 Elite Combat Plants prepared by Floronox himself.
Status: 0 / 6 Discovered
All targets are now visible on the map and detectable by Bota Watch
I scrolled through the new entries. The names alone sounded like they'd chew your fingers off just for watering them wrong:
Thornknight Bramble- fire immune
Boomleaf Grenadia- wind slasher
Frostvine Widow - Frost immune
Blightcap Mycospore -Earth crusher
Snapjaw Clover- water spitter
Sunfang Pollenburst- nature spirit
Shiv leaned over my shoulder.
"So, yeah. Your Patron? Bit of an overachiever."
I stared at the list, still trying to process it all. Battle mage. Six weaponized plants. A divine gardening simulator on my wrist.
"...I was supposed to be an herbalist," I mumbled. "Y'know. Make tea. Maybe learn how to cure rashes."
Floronox's glow pulsed warmly.
"You are more than tea leaves and tinctures now, John. You are the Seedbearer. The Gardener of Wrath."
Shiv added with a grin, "Also, that sounds metal as hell."
Then Floronox faded, petals curling into light. Shiv gave me one final, unhelpful pat on the head.
"Good luck, Seedbearer. Don't die. Again."
And then he, too, was gone.
Leaving me standing alone in the forest, with a glowing watch full of walking salad shooters and a divine to-do list.
"Well, Barry," I sighed, "looks like it's time to start my murder garden."
Barry glowed in agreement.
I stared at the list of elite combat plants glowing ominously on my BIIM watch, then looked at my current equipment:
-One mildly singed jacket
-A half-eaten energy bar (Blade stole the other half)
-And a "tent" made out of two sticks and a grudge.
Clearly, I needed to get serious.
"Alright, Barry, Blade," I said, stretching my arms. "Time to pack for a real adventure. Operation: Murder Garden begins today."
Barry flickered in excitement, glowing pink for some reason. Blaze well, just blaze. Either he was excited or slightly gassy. I haven't figured out his moods yet.
Packing Checklist:
-Three protein bars – Two for me, one for Blade a.k.a. the Shredleaf Kit who has a deadly case of snack-based loyalty.
-Tent – A real one this time. Compact, sturdy, and with actual zippers.
-Spare clothes and fresh underwear – Because if I'm gonna get chased by razor-leaved nightmares, I want to at least do it with dignity.
-Toothpaste – For morale.
- Shampoo – Because who says a botanist can't have silky hair while running from death ferns?
"Wait," I paused mid-pack, looking at the last item. "Is this weird?"
Barry shook slightly in the air like a "no."
I shoved the shampoo in.
I double-checked my inventory. BOTA was fully charged. I had the Seed of Verdisaurus, one Pod Lily Seed, and the tiny chaos Razor plant known as Blade asleep in my hood, chewing a vine ball in his dreams.
Everything was ready.
Except maybe me.
Still no magic. Still no fancy sword. Just a dumb human with a glowing watch, a snarky floating plant, and a bunch of seeds that could maybe, just maybe, save my butt later.
I looked out over the forest. Somewhere out there was Thornknight Bramble, the first of Floronox's chosen battle plants.
"Alright," I exhaled. "Let's go find ourselves a nightmare shrub that will help us survive"
Barry went to his usual spot, my shoulder
Blade climbed up to my head.
And just like that, we marched off into the overgrowth.