Morning came with the smell of dew and cabbage.
Ash, wrapped in a worn brown shawl, sat hunched over a wooden table that leaned ever-so-slightly to the left—like it had given up on standing straight years ago.
Steam curled from his breakfast: leftover soup reheated over a quiet fire, now garnished with a single, sinister slice of red radish.
He stared at it.
"So… spicy radish body enhancement?"
> [Possible.]
[Warning: Reaction may vary.]
[Caution advised.]
"...I see."
Ash held the bowl like it might explode.
Then he sipped.
The broth was warm, slightly earthy from overcooked cabbage stems—and then, suddenly—
Boom.
His throat ignited.
His eyes watered.
His spine went rigid.
And somewhere in the recesses of his soul, a voice screamed in regret.
Ash choked, coughed, and gasped for air like a man drowning in chili oil.
> [Reaction Recorded.]
[Analyzing...]
[Seed Potential Detected: "Fiery Tempered Gut"]
– Status: Dormant
– Effect: Resistance to internal heat and irritants (developing)
– Requires continued exposure and intent
[Note: Skill progress is limited by bodily tolerance. Try not to die.]
Ash thumped his chest, eyes red, nose running, but a grin broke through the pain.
"…It's working. It's stupid, but it's working."
---
Exploration and Eccentricity
By midday, Ash was in the back field, hoe in hand, but not for farming this time.
He was testing stances.
One-legged hoe stance.
Overhead triple-spin (didn't work, almost lost a toe).
Silent breathing while pulling weeds.
Every motion had a thread of intent woven through it.
> [System Tip: Skills form where action meets focus. Repetition alone is not enough.]
Ash scribbled into his notebook—a handmade thing tied together with old twine.
He jotted everything: how his muscles felt, what emotions surged, what didn't work.
Underlined:
"Emotion seems to matter. Intent isn't just logic. There's… a flavor to it."
He paused, lifting the hoe with both hands.
"I want a movement that builds muscle. That strengthens me just through use."
A swing. A breath.
Nothing.
Another swing.
Still nothing.
Then he added the thought: "I want to be strong enough to work this land without tiring."
> [Seed Detected.]
[Skill Created: "Enduring Labor (Seed Grade)"]
– A foundational body cultivation technique formed through repeated agricultural exertion
– Effect: Slowly builds stamina and muscular durability with continuous use
– Evolvable. Growth: 2%
– Bonus Effect: Reduces hoe calluses (slightly)
Ash wiped his brow.
"…So it's really like planting skills. Soil is action, water is intention."
The system hummed lightly in his mind, silent but present—like the warm pressure of sun on your back while tilling a field.
---
The World, Still Far Away
As the sun dipped low, he perched on a wooden stump and watched the village from afar.
Smoke curled from chimneys. Laughter echoed from a distant courtyard.
He didn't go down often. People asked too many questions.
But still, he wondered.
What were other cultivators like?
How strong were they?
What sort of systems—if any—guided them?
> [External Inspection System: Locked]
– [Condition: Requires "Seed of Perception" skill or equivalent sensory capability]
"Hm." Ash tapped his lip.
"So I'll need a perception skill to analyze others? That makes sense."
> [Tip: You can't compare a seed to a tree. But you can learn what kind of tree it will be.]
"Profound," Ash muttered, then paused. "...Wait, was that you?"
> [No. That was just wisdom.]
---
Skill Panel: The Unreadable Power
That night, he stared at the small screen floating in his mind.
It still showed only the basics.
---
Skill Orchard – User: Ash
Cultivation Level: None
Soil State: Dormant → Slightly Stirred
Skill Seeds Planted:
Stubborn Hoe Strike (1%)
Enduring Labor (2%)
Fiery Tempered Gut (0%)
Skill Rarity Recognition: Disabled
> Skills may be common, rare, or divine. You will not be told.
Let your actions judge their value.
---
Ash tilted his head.
"Huh. No labels? No grades?"
> [You will not rely on colors or ranks. You will feel the value through growth.]
It was strange.
In a world obsessed with tiers, ranks, and bragging rights, this system didn't care.
It wasn't interested in comparisons.
Only cultivation through process.
Ash rolled onto his side, straw creaking under his weight, and let out a content sigh.
"…Slowly, huh?"
> [Grow like roots. Deep first, tall later.]
---
End of Chapter 2
---