Kaede had many problems in life.
Dying to a vending machine.
Reincarnating as a mushroom.
Being bitten by rats.
Exploding wolves with spores.
Accidentally draining a boar like a horror movie villain.
But this? A council meeting? This was new. This was cursed. This was the universe saying, "You want rest? Here is a political structure."
Kaede stared at the tiny council circle, a ring of glowcaps that had sprouted automatically, forming miniature "seats" made of soft moss.
Unit 01, the Shroom Rat, sat on its stump, chest puffed proudly, ready for duty.
Unit 02, the Shroom Boar, sat on its stump too, mainly because it did not understand anything and sitting was easier than thinking.
Kaede, glowing faintly like an exhausted night lamp, sighed deeply.
"Okay. Fine. Let us just get this over with."
The holographic fungal elder flickered into existence again, a floating mushroom spirit who spoke in a deep, regal voice far too dramatic for the situation.
[Council Session 001 — Begin]
Agenda:
1. Establish Territory
2. Assign Unit Roles
3. Long term Survival Plan
4. Threat Assessment (Immediate)
Kaede mentally raised a metaphorical hand.
'Yes, hi. I would like to request the addition of Agenda Point number five: "Let me nap."'
Request denied.
'Figures.'
1. ESTABLISH TERRITORY
Roots beneath the ground shifted, revealing a projected map of the immediate ten meters around Kaede.
It was tiny. Pathetic. A circle of dirt, moss, a few trees, and exactly one dead boar husk.
'This is my territory?' Kaede asked.
Correct.
Designation: 'Fungus Bloom number 1'
Current Size: Small
Hostile Presence Nearby: Yes
Kaede groaned.
'I own one dead animal and a patch of dirt. Wow. Living the dream.'
Unit 02, the Shroom Boar, proudly snorted at the corpse, as if claiming it as cultural heritage.
2. ASSIGN UNIT ROLES
The hologram turned toward Kaede.
Assign duties to your subordinates.
Unit 01 stood straighter. Unit 02 drooled.
"Well," Kaede muttered, "I guess the rat is the scout. And the boar is the bouncer?"
Assignment Accepted:
· Unit 01: Scout / Messenger
· Unit 02: Bruiser / Defender
Unit 01 squeaked proudly. Unit 02 headbutted a tree stump and fell over.
Kaede sighed.
'Yes. That seems accurate.'
3. LONG TERM SURVIVAL PLAN
A new screen unfolded.
Proposal:
· Expand mycelial network
· Build basic nest
· Create nutrient storage
· Produce more Shroom units
Kaede stared.
'You are telling me to build a mushroom city.'
Affirmative.
'Like a real one? With infrastructure?'
Yes. Basic infrastructure recommended.
Kaede wanted to scream into the void.
'I literally became a mushroom to avoid responsibility!'
The hologram ignored him.
4. THREAT ASSESSMENT (IMMEDIATE)
The map zoomed outward. Small glowing dots represented small creatures. Medium dots represented predators. A huge, pulsing red dot appeared on the far edge of the map.
Kaede froze. Unit 01 squeaked in terror. Unit 02 fainted instantly.
A window appeared.
Warning:
Large creature detected.
Species: Unknown.
Rank Estimate: D to C.
Distance: 82 meters.
Behavior: Patrolling territory.
Interest in you: Pending.
Kaede's glow flickered.
'C rank? Already? Why? I am a mushroom! I did not sign up for raids!'
The hologram continued calmly:
Recommendation:
· Strengthen defenses
· Increase unit count
· Explore new DNA sources
· Evolve host body ASAP
Kaede choked.
'Evolve again? Do you think I want to become a giant mushroom kaiju?!'
Silence. The council waited. The fungal hologram nodded slowly, as if Kaede's suffering was expected.
Session Complete.
Territory established.
Leadership role confirmed: CAP — Mycelial Sovereign (Provisional).
Kaede blinked.
'Sovereign? I just wanted one day off.'
The hologram faded. The glowcap circle sank back into the soil. Unit 01 nuzzled against Kaede in sympathy. Unit 02 snored on its stump.
Kaede let out the mental equivalent of a scream into a pillow.
He tried to rest. He really, truly tried.
He entered Meditation State again. Mana circulated. Roots relaxed. His glow softened.
For ten seconds, the forest was peaceful. Quiet. Calm.
Then a heavy thudding sound began.
THUD. THUD. THUD.
The red dot on his mental map moved. Fast. Very fast.
Trees shook. Birds exploded from the canopy in panic.
Kaede's glow snapped back to full brightness.
'No. No! I literally just finished the meeting!'
Branches cracked. Heavy footsteps drew closer. He sensed it now, not a wolf, not a boar, not even a bear. Something big. Something territorial. Something that definitely did not appreciate a glowing mushroom king claiming land nearby.
A deep growl rolled through the trees like thunder.
Kaede mentally whispered:
'Why is the tutorial area like this?'
The foliage split open. And he saw it. A huge silhouette. Four legs. Metal like fur. Glowing yellow eyes.
The system chimed its worst message yet:
Incoming Boss Encounter:
[Ironhide Lynx — C rank]
Kaede wilted slightly.
'Oh wonderful. A boss. Perfect. Exactly what I needed.'
His Shroom Rat froze. His Shroom Boar woke up just to faint again.
Kaede prepared for the worst.
The lynx bared its fangs, and the screen flashed:
Evolution Path Unlocked: 'Myconid Sprout — Tier 1'
Requirements met. Evolution possible.
Would you like to evolve?
[YES] / [NO]
Kaede screamed internally:
'Why is evolution always during a life or death moment?!'