—

Kent rubbed his eyes. " Is this what starvation does?" His stomach grumbled again, this time so loudly he winced. "Alright, no time to debate reality—time to eat!"

Kent waded into the field like a kid in a candy store, grabbing armfuls of ripe vegetables. Conjuring a small flame in his palm, he roasted them on the spot.

The smell of charred peppers filled the air, making his mouth water. "Who needs a cooking show? 'Fire Chef Kent' is in the house!" He bit into a roasted tomato, juice squirting everywhere. "Mmm! A five-star meal right here."

While enjoying his self-made feast, Kent noticed something shiny sticking out from a pile of old wooden farming tools near the hut. Curious, he dug it out, finding a small pouch.

System Notification!

[Rare Item Detected!]

Name: Ancient Ginseng Seeds

Rarity: Epic

Effect: Produces ginseng with immense spiritual energy, capable of boosting vitality and healing. Its leaf can help restore Yin and Yang energy. Very helpful for couples.

There are some other seeds inside the pouch. If I can make these seeds grow, I might get rich simply by selling vegetables.

Ha Ha Ha!

Kent held the pouch up like it was a trophy. "Ginseng seeds? Looks like I'm starting a farm after this crazy quest! Call me Farmer Kent."

An image comes into Kent's thoughts. He is wearing a farm hat and planting vegetables. Nima is watering the plants.

Then he sells all the ginseng and vegetables. A guy gives him a bag full of money. Then he and Nima in rich clothes. Kent in a 🧥 Nima 👗money is raining above them.

Just as Kent finished collecting the vegetables, the air shifted. A low growl echoed from the tall grass.

"Great. Here comes trouble. Kent said to himself."

A pack of Spiritfang Wolves slinked into view, their glowing fur making them look like oversized glow sticks with anger issues.

Their sharp quills bristled, and their growls sounded like someone revving a broken motorcycle.

"You guys really want to mess with a guy holding fire, huh?" Kent said, cracking his knuckles.

System Notification!

[Detected: Spirit Fang Wolves.

Level: E Peak Threat: Low.]

The wolves lunged. Kent rolled his eyes. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed controlled arcs of flame, singeing their fur and sending them yelping back into the ruins.

"Run along, furballs! And don't come back unless you're bringing marshmallows!"

System Notification!

+999, +888,+777….. SP copied from Wolves.

The field fell silent again. Kent wiped his hands, satisfied with his loot, when a strange noise pierced the air.

"PHWAAAAH!"

Kent turned slowly, unsure if he was about to be attacked or ambushed. Perched on the edge of a vegetable crate was…a bird. But not just any bird. This one looked like it had been assembled from spare parts.

Its feathers were patchy, its beak was crooked, and its eyes had that glazed look of someone who hadn't slept in weeks.

"PHWEEEEEEEH!" the bird blared, sounding like a kazoo being stepped on.

[Kazoo Birds are the birds of Dragon County that make weird sounds. It used to live in the forest. Almost extinct. Only a few are left in national care.]

Kent stared at it for a long moment. "What is the actual—? Are you broken?"

The bird tilted its head and then let out another sound.

"SKWAAAAAAH!"

System Notification!

[Rare Creature Detected!]

Name: Emberling Sparrow

Rarity: Rare

Description: A distant relative of the Phoenix. Due to thousands of years of diluted bloodline, it has lost its fiery powers. It is mostly harmless but can poorly mimic sounds.

Bloodline Purity: 0.01% Phoenix

Cultivation: Level-F

"0.01% Phoenix bloodline? That's…barely enough to light a candle," Kent said, bursting into laughter.

The bird hopped closer, making another bizarre sound: "PFFFTOOOW!"

"Alright, alright, stop. You're gonna make me choke from laughing." Kent crouched down, roasted a small piece of vegetable, and offered it to the bird.

"Here, eat something before you embarrass yourself even more."

The bird hesitated but eventually pecked at the food.

+98 SP copied from Sparrow. (Happy)

"You know, for a bird with a legendary bloodline, you sound like a broken flute."

"PWAAAAK!"

"See? That's not even remotely bird-like!"

Kent whistled a simple tune. Say Chirp! The bird stared at him, tilting its head dramatically with each note. Then it opened its beak and…

"PFFFAWWWW!"

Kent fell over laughing. "Nope, nope, that's worse. You're killing me here!"

The bird hopped closer, chirping awkwardly: "PWEEK-PWEEE!"

"Okay, one more time," Kent said, whistling again. The bird tried its best, managing a faint resemblance to an actual chirp.

Crip!

Crip!

Crip!

"Not bad! You're still weird, though."

Satisfied, Kent stood and dusted himself off. "Alright, weird bird. You've had your fun. Go back to your vegetable paradise. I've got ruins to explore."

He turned and started walking. After a few steps, he heard faint flapping.

"PHWAAAK!"

Kent groaned. "You're following me, aren't you?"

The bird hopped after him, flapping its patchy wings.

"Seriously? I don't need a sidekick! And you're the worst phoenix wannabe I've ever seen."

"PWEEEH!" the bird replied indignantly.

Kent sighed. "Fine. Do what you want. Just don't expect me to carry you." I don't even know if I can take out a living thing outside the ruin. You better not get attached to it.

The bird chirped—still awkward but slightly improved—and continued following him into the ruins.

As they ventured deeper into the desolate ruins, Kent muttered to himself, "Of all the legendary companions I could've gotten, I get Kazoo Bird. My luck is amazing."

"PHWAAAA!" the bird squawked as if in agreement.

Despite himself, Kent chuckled. "Alright, Kazoo Bird, time to go. You stay here. You can't come with me." I can't help you. I am looking for treasures, and there are a lot of ghouls that keep coming at me for some reason. You might get killed by them.

Whoosh!

Kent uses his flashing steps to quickly leave the farm so that the bird can't follow him.