Strawberry Devil in a Fantasy World (all in two chapter)
Strawberry Devil in a Fantasy World - Chapter 1 – A Plant
Oh god, why?
Strawberry plant? He forced me to incarnate as a strawberry plant. All I asked was to be incarnated as a god, but why strawberry plant?
Now, I'd become a genderless not that plants normally had genders anyway. It was like a prank gone wrong. I meant, I rather be a goblin than making strawberries. The only saving grace was that I wasn't a normal strawberry plant, I think.
My senses had all changed. I had basically lost my five senses. Did I have a sixth sense? Probably not.
Vegetative state? No! I refuse to be a vegetable. Just kidding.
The least I could do was feel my way toward sunlight so I could grow up healthy. I had nothing else to do anyway.
Days passed or so I believed.
I broke through the surface! That feeling of liberation from eternal darkness was truly blissful. Being a plant sure changed my perspectives. Seriously, I used to hate sunlight. It was my archenemy!
Pitter-padder.
Oh? Could this be?
Pitter-padder.
I could feel it, the vibrations. This must be the rain. I could faintly feel moisture from my immediate surroundings.
Pitter-padder.
Being soaked all the way down felt super refreshing.
Pitter-padder.
Days passed, or so I felt.
I was bored. I tried to sleep but I couldn't. I tried to wake up, but how could a plant wake up? It wasn't like I felt tired or anything. As long as I was nourished, life was good! Sometimes I tried to feel with my roots and my greens to get an idea where I was.
Rip.
Who did that!?
Munch. Munch.
Stop!
Munch.
No!
Stomp.
I barely had the chance to grow and I was already bald. Ermm, I meant, barren.
I demand retribution!
I shouted at the heavens, not that anyone could hear me. A plant was a plant. I didn't even know what took so much out of. Despite my losses, I actually didn't feel any pain.
Next time, next time! The victory shall be mine! I'll strangle whoever tries to munch on me.
I dug my roots deeper and had them spread wider. One of these days, I'll accomplish great things! God, you just watch.
[Level up available.]
Have I gone crazy from boredom? I thought to myself. Am I in a fantasy world? Is it really one of those cliché events?
I pondered. I pondered very much to the point that my newly grown leaves wilted.
Who cares? I'm already screwed up, level me up!
[Level 2.]
How about my status? Do I get any of that?
Nothing new showed up. There were so much I wanted to know, like how the experience system works or what level up did. Right now, I felt nothing new.
Another few quiet days passed.
I'm so thirsty, where's my rain?
My call was answered.
Flooosh.
Something unexpected came instead.
You can't be serious. I'd be a laughingstock if any of my old friends saw me like this!
Warm liquid flooded my domain.
Yuck. Curse you! Go drown yourself or something.
The next day, actual rain came and removed the stench off me. It wasn't like I could smell anything but the idea of something stinking me gave me the shivers.
[Level up available.]
Again? Whatever, I'll level up.
[Level 3 Plant.]
I was right. I received more information now that I leveled up again.
I didn't feel anything different. My roots were the same, and my greens were the same. Nothing changed at all, literally nothing at all. I didn't even feel smarter or anything.
More time passed.
My first flower! Finally, after so many setbacks, my first flower blossomed. I waited and waited. A bee, or so I believed, came to pollinate my first flower.
Thank you whatever you are! You have my eternal gratitude!
Crunch.
Sorry, what?
I felt something gooey stuck in my flower.
[Level up available.]
I was so happy that I received a bee that my body all tensed up. Who knew? My flower could crunch things? Given how I received that message, that whatever must have died and I received some type of experience.
Mr. Bee, you didn't die in vain. I'm leveling up!
[Level 4 Plant;
Species: N/A.]
It really wasn't helpful at all. For one, I now knew that I wasn't a normal strawberry plant. Second, I was never good at biology but my flower wasn't normal. Third, I now understood how to level up! It was time to grow lots of flowers.
Blood sacrifices are needed for my growth. Thus I shall spare no one!
I grew as many flowers as I could and waited patiently.
Crunch.
Hm? Where's my level up message? Did I need more experience or something?
Crunch.
Crunch.
[Level up available.]
My patience paid off.
Level up!
[Level 5 Plant;
Species: Strawberry Plant (mutated);
Traits: N/A.]
Neat, but what is this mutated thing? If I remember correctly, mutation usually means a good thing? Hurray! Hmm... I wonder if I look nice and pretty.
I was sure if I looked nice and pretty, more bees would come to me. Honestly, I couldn't change my appearances even if I tried. It was all in the genetics.
Crunch.
Crunch.
More time had passed. I felt as if my level up speed had slowed down to a crawl.
[Level 8 Plant;
Species: Strawberry Plant (mutated);
Traits: Bewitching, Devious;
Abilities: N/A.]
Hey, who are you calling devious? I'm a nice plant! I even spared some of them so I could grow a strawberry.
Recently, nothing ever tried to eat me or anything.
Strawberry time?
The day after I thought that, something came for me. It wasn't even funny. I bet that god sent it to harass the penniless me.
Munch.
Munch.
Munch.
Curse you! You pig! Go die from diarrhea!
Munch.
Then the munching stopped. However, half of my leaves and most of my flowers were all gone by now. Whatever it was, it was merciless, even my unripe strawberry was eaten.
Splat.
Splurg.
Whatever it was hurried away after probably leaving a mess next to me.
For now, I had to grow back all my lost flowers and greens. Life was harsh but I shall persevere.
[Level up available.]
I hadn't killed anything recently. The last thing I interacted with was whatever munched away so much of me. The way I leveled up was like the first two times I received the message. Either I could level up with the passage of time or it had to do with my cursing? I decided to test it out later.
Level up!
[Level 10 Plant;
Species: Strawberry Plant (mutated);
Traits: Bewitching, Devious;
Abilities: Absorption.]
Two levels at once? Neat! What's this new ability? It sounds useful but I wonder how I'm supposed to use it? Hmm... Let me try absorbing the gooey mess.
Since much of their fluids had seeped underground, I reached out with my roots into those pockets of nutrients. However, to my disappointment, I was only absorbing those nutrients normally. I didn't feel any boosts. They were just regular nutrients.
I guess nothing is that easy, eh?
After absorbing as much nutrients as I could before the rainwater diluted them, my growth increased exponentially. My body doubled my previous size, and so did my flowers and leaves.
Mr. Bee, it's your favourite, twice the size! Let me show you some love!
Sniff.
Nibble.
Nibble.
Huh? I didn't ask for that, did I? Who do you think you are?
Although I couldn't see, it was definitely a furry thing. It had wiggled its way around and I could feel it with my leaves and stems.
Enough is enough!
I tugged at the flower being nibbled away. Ah, how I wished I could see. It would make things so much easier.
Hmm? It stopped?
I could feel that it was still there except it was no longer moving.
[Evolution Paths Unlocked.]
Seriously? What is this madness? Of course I'm evolving!
Oh god, why?
Strawberry plant? He forced me to incarnate as a strawberry plant. All I asked was to be incarnated as a god, but why strawberry plant?
Now, I'd become a genderless not that plants normally had genders anyway. It was like a prank gone wrong. I meant, I rather be a goblin than making strawberries. The only saving grace was that I wasn't a normal strawberry plant, I think.
My senses had all changed. I had basically lost my five senses. Did I have a sixth sense? Probably not.
Vegetative state? No! I refuse to be a vegetable. Just kidding.
The least I could do was feel my way toward sunlight so I could grow up healthy. I had nothing else to do anyway.
Days passed or so I believed.
I broke through the surface! That feeling of liberation from eternal darkness was truly blissful. Being a plant sure changed my perspectives. Seriously, I used to hate sunlight. It was my archenemy!
Pitter-padder.
Oh? Could this be?
Pitter-padder.
I could feel it, the vibrations. This must be the rain. I could faintly feel moisture from my immediate surroundings.
Pitter-padder.
Being soaked all the way down felt super refreshing.
Pitter-padder.
Days passed, or so I felt.
I was bored. I tried to sleep but I couldn't. I tried to wake up, but how could a plant wake up? It wasn't like I felt tired or anything. As long as I was nourished, life was good! Sometimes I tried to feel with my roots and my greens to get an idea where I was.
Rip.
Who did that!?
Munch. Munch.
Stop!
Munch.
No!
Stomp.
I barely had the chance to grow and I was already bald. Ermm, I meant, barren.
I demand retribution!
I shouted at the heavens, not that anyone could hear me. A plant was a plant. I didn't even know what took so much out of. Despite my losses, I actually didn't feel any pain.
Next time, next time! The victory shall be mine! I'll strangle whoever tries to munch on me.
I dug my roots deeper and had them spread wider. One of these days, I'll accomplish great things! God, you just watch.
[Level up available.]
Have I gone crazy from boredom? I thought to myself. Am I in a fantasy world? Is it really one of those cliché events?
I pondered. I pondered very much to the point that my newly grown leaves wilted.
Who cares? I'm already screwed up, level me up!
[Level 2.]
How about my status? Do I get any of that?
Nothing new showed up. There were so much I wanted to know, like how the experience system works or what level up did. Right now, I felt nothing new.
Another few quiet days passed.
I'm so thirsty, where's my rain?
My call was answered.
Flooosh.
Something unexpected came instead.
You can't be serious. I'd be a laughingstock if any of my old friends saw me like this!
Warm liquid flooded my domain.
Yuck. Curse you! Go drown yourself or something.
The next day, actual rain came and removed the stench off me. It wasn't like I could smell anything but the idea of something stinking me gave me the shivers.
[Level up available.]
Again? Whatever, I'll level up.
[Level 3 Plant.]
I was right. I received more information now that I leveled up again.
I didn't feel anything different. My roots were the same, and my greens were the same. Nothing changed at all, literally nothing at all. I didn't even feel smarter or anything.
More time passed.
My first flower! Finally, after so many setbacks, my first flower blossomed. I waited and waited. A bee, or so I believed, came to pollinate my first flower.
Thank you whatever you are! You have my eternal gratitude!
Crunch.
Sorry, what?
I felt something gooey stuck in my flower.
[Level up available.]
I was so happy that I received a bee that my body all tensed up. Who knew? My flower could crunch things? Given how I received that message, that whatever must have died and I received some type of experience.
Mr. Bee, you didn't die in vain. I'm leveling up!
[Level 4 Plant;
Species: N/A.]
It really wasn't helpful at all. For one, I now knew that I wasn't a normal strawberry plant. Second, I was never good at biology but my flower wasn't normal. Third, I now understood how to level up! It was time to grow lots of flowers.
Blood sacrifices are needed for my growth. Thus I shall spare no one!
I grew as many flowers as I could and waited patiently.
Crunch.
Hm? Where's my level up message? Did I need more experience or something?
Crunch.
Crunch.
[Level up available.]
My patience paid off.
Level up!
[Level 5 Plant;
Species: Strawberry Plant (mutated);
Traits: N/A.]
Neat, but what is this mutated thing? If I remember correctly, mutation usually means a good thing? Hurray! Hmm... I wonder if I look nice and pretty.
I was sure if I looked nice and pretty, more bees would come to me. Honestly, I couldn't change my appearances even if I tried. It was all in the genetics.
Crunch.
Crunch.
More time had passed. I felt as if my level up speed had slowed down to a crawl.
[Level 8 Plant;
Species: Strawberry Plant (mutated);
Traits: Bewitching, Devious;
Abilities: N/A.]
Hey, who are you calling devious? I'm a nice plant! I even spared some of them so I could grow a strawberry.
Recently, nothing ever tried to eat me or anything.
Strawberry time?
The day after I thought that, something came for me. It wasn't even funny. I bet that god sent it to harass the penniless me.
Munch.
Munch.
Munch.
Curse you! You pig! Go die from diarrhea!
Munch.
Then the munching stopped. However, half of my leaves and most of my flowers were all gone by now. Whatever it was, it was merciless, even my unripe strawberry was eaten.
Splat.
Splurg.
Whatever it was hurried away after probably leaving a mess next to me.
For now, I had to grow back all my lost flowers and greens. Life was harsh but I shall persevere.
[Level up available.]
I hadn't killed anything recently. The last thing I interacted with was whatever munched away so much of me. The way I leveled up was like the first two times I received the message. Either I could level up with the passage of time or it had to do with my cursing? I decided to test it out later.
Level up!
[Level 10 Plant;
Species: Strawberry Plant (mutated);
Traits: Bewitching, Devious;
Abilities: Absorption.]
Two levels at once? Neat! What's this new ability? It sounds useful but I wonder how I'm supposed to use it? Hmm... Let me try absorbing the gooey mess.
Since much of their fluids had seeped underground, I reached out with my roots into those pockets of nutrients. However, to my disappointment, I was only absorbing those nutrients normally. I didn't feel any boosts. They were just regular nutrients.
I guess nothing is that easy, eh?
After absorbing as much nutrients as I could before the rainwater diluted them, my growth increased exponentially. My body doubled my previous size, and so did my flowers and leaves.
Mr. Bee, it's your favourite, twice the size! Let me show you some love!
Sniff.
Nibble.
Nibble.
Huh? I didn't ask for that, did I? Who do you think you are?
Although I couldn't see, it was definitely a furry thing. It had wiggled its way around and I could feel it with my leaves and stems.
Enough is enough!
I tugged at the flower being nibbled away. Ah, how I wished I could see. It would make things so much easier.
Hmm? It stopped?
I could feel that it was still there except it was no longer moving.
[Evolution Paths Unlocked.]
Seriously? What is this madness? Of course I'm evolving!
There were two options for me:
[Strawberry Bush (mutated)] and [Notorious Strawberry Plant (mutated)].
Neither of them sounded that great. The thing that bothered me was the word in bracket.
What's up with this mutation thing? Me? Please, I'm perfectly normal.
I thought really hard about which one was better. The first option likely meant I would grow bigger. The second option likely meant something to do with poison since I had already been killing random things with poison and curses.
Well, I don't need to grow bigger, but seriously I hate being stomped. Regardless I would grow bigger as time went by. Let's pick the second choice!
[Level 11 Plant;
Species: Notorious Strawberry Plant (mutated);
Traits: Alluring, Devious;
Abilities: Absorption;
Description: N/A.]
Oh hey, new field is added. I wonder what my description is.
I couldn't tell what the evolution did until a visitor came to greet me. Calling it a greeting would be far-fetched. It came to rob me!
It tried to snatch away my first ever strawberry. It was my precious!
Mr. Robber, you rob me and I rob you. Call it a fair exchange, you know? It's nothing personal.
Snap.
Chi.
It got itself stuck in my thorns.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Then, as it tried to free itself, it was caught in one of my flowers.
Rip.
Whatever it was, it sure left quite a bit of mess behind even though my first ever strawberry was now gone. What a depressing day.
I quickly spread my roots to absorb the leftover.
Nutrient is nutrient! Nothing goes to waste. Nom nom nom.
Some time had passed.
I felt some tiny things crawling on me. It gave me the tingling sensations all over my body.
Stop! You insects! Where's my insect repellents when I need them?
They even made a near my crown.
You just wait. I'll get you one day.
I actually tried cursing them but nothing worked. That made me wonder if my targets had to harm me first before a curse could actually affect them. It wasn't like these things tried to harm me but having creepy crawlies all over me wasn't a happy feeling. I couldn't even get goosebumps even if I wanted to.
Stressing out wasn't going to help. After a while, I actually got used to it. Could anyone actually believe that? Anyhow, I tried growing more flowers for now.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Ohohoho...
Some birdies tried to pick a fight with the creepy crawlies hidden here. And, my flowers had somehow caught them. However, before I could absorb the good stuff, those creepy crawlies sprang into action to steal my loot. That was not acceptable to me. It was I who killed those birdies.
Stealing loot is a crime punishable by smites!
[Level Up Available.]
Not yet.
Since my previous level, I could slightly move my body, but too slow to be called movements. With my tremendous effort, I moved my flowers and leaves to cover my loots.
Please make it otherwise I'm smiting you all for real.
It just wasn't realistic for me to make it in time.
Fine, I'll let you go this time since you did the luring. You insects, go lure some more so I can level up faster!
The least I got was the left over juice. Nothing new showed up for this new level up.
Grr... How disappointing!
Well, this wasn't the first time nothing new showed up when I gained a level.
[Level 12 Plant;
Species: Notorious Strawberry Plant (mutated);
Traits: Alluring, Devious;
Abilities: Absorption;
Description: N/A.]
It didn't take long before more these little crawlies left their nest to search for more food. They should at least offer me something in return for sheltering them from predators.
You ungrateful brats, I demand sacrifice.
Again, since they hadn't directly harmed me, I couldn't curse them. In any case, I still wasn't sure if curses did anything or if it was all due to my inherent traits that killed. I really wished I had eyes to see. Life would be so much better if I could see. Hopefully next evolution would grant me eyesight. I could always hope even though there was no way plants could see. That would be like expecting worms to transform into humans.
I placed my bet on this fantasy world.
Unfortunately, for the next while, no predators came after those crawlies. A few pollinators came but I left them alive, otherwise others wouldn't come to me.
Days passed and my second strawberry was born!
Pollinators, you have made yourselves useful to me! Now I can attract more preys, ehehehe...
For every three pollinators that came, I spared one. That was how generous I was. The only issue now was that those crawlies decided that my strawberry was their next meal.
I dare you!
I left my strawberry out in the open so they had to compete with whatever predators was out there.
Crush.
Splurg.
Nooooooo!
A third of my body was stomped, literally stomped by someone's foot. All of my efforts to grow a strawberry was flushed down the drain like that. I was too depressed to even curse the perpetrator.
The only ones that were eager were those crawlies that quickly went for the leftovers.
Ah whatever, I'll just keep trying. One of these days, you just watch.
I had to reclaim the lost nutrients that I had spent on that strawberry. This time I focused on growing flowers and leaves without spending any energy on strawberries. This way I could level up quicker. The more pollinators I kill, the more nutrients I obtained. As a bonus, I got to level up.
[Level 15 Plant;
Species: Notorious Strawberry Plant (mutated);
Traits: Alluring, Devious;
Abilities: Absorption;
Description: A highly toxic species of strawberry plant that lures preys to their demise using their flowers and berries.]
Huh? If my strawberry is supposed to lure preys, why did it get stomped? Stupid description if I say so myself. The editor needs to get fired.
Luckily, before all the strawberry mess was cleaned up, two birdies I believe were lured over, and I was able to capitalize on them. None escaped the jaws of my flowers when their curiosity got the better of them.
Nom nom nom.
I didn't know what happened but the creepy crawlies had gone into a frenzy after their strawberry leftovers were all eaten up.
I wonder if my berries have addictive properties. There's only one way to find out!
I had saved up quite a bit of energy and nutrients recently thanks to all those kind sacrifices. Three strawberries coming right up.
And what did I sense? Those crawlies were all huddling near where the strawberries were growing. They were literally guarding them with their lives on the line and in plain sight of any passing predators.
Oh? Maybe I should spare a few predators so I could get more food. Words of mouth really was the best way to advertise products.
I felt like I was a owner of some illegal drug making company. Whatever the case, there was nothing wrong with me. I was just trying to survive in this harsh world.
Maybe being a plant isn't that bad!? No, no, no... I need to think bigger! Dream bigger! Live bigger!
The strawberries really worked wonders. My visitor counter had increased exponentially. This also had to do with the number of flowers I had which had since increased to fifteen. They weren't regularly flowers, sure, and most of them couldn't turn into strawberries, sure, but they were the reason why I could grow so well. Food was important! I literally had stored away more nutrients than I knew what to do with.
Bah, I'll grow more strawberries! The business is sure booming these days. Ehehehe...
Whatever was happily feasting on my strawberries were my customers, forever and ever until the day they became fertilizers. My experiment was truly outrageously successful! There was just one odd thing I couldn't understand. Some of the crawlies were willingly sacrificing themselves into my flowers. Their behaviour defied what I believed were possible for mere insects. Did they possibly know that I needed lots of nutrients and energies to grow strawberries?
I had tried to keep a constant supply of strawberries but they just kept demanding more, or so I assumed based on their behaviors. Some of them even tried to pollinate the flowers only to fail miserably.
The pollinators that only went to the flowers were unaffected but I didn't know why they kept coming back. Was it the nectars?
Whatever the case, keep coming! Why complain about free food?
Over time the population of that creepy crawlies nest dwindled. It wasn't because of the predators but rather they kept sacrificing themselves until I couldn't produce enough strawberries. Right, their entire nest became addicts. Was it part of my plan? Well, I didn't plan anything. Plants couldn't do that therefore I claimed innocence.
Things had been pretty crazy recently. Furry critters had been visiting and making contacts with me. I didn't dislike them but some of them were quite forceful with me, tearing my leaves off with the strawberries. For those, I cursed them and hoped they died from food poisoning or something. Whether they actually died, I didn't know but what I did know was that my levels were shooting up.
[Level 20 Plant;
Species: Notorious Strawberry Plant (mutated);
Traits: Bewitching, Devious, Rapid Growth;
Abilities: Absorption;
Description: A highly toxic species of strawberry plant that lures preys to their
demise using their flowers and berries.]
Yay! Won't you look at that, a new trait! Hmm... I wonder if it just allows me to grow faster?
I honestly don't fully understand what these traits did. My guess was that they altered my body in ways as described. For example, "alluring" allowed me to produce addictive substances to help me attract more preys. As for "devious", maybe it allowed me to be poisonous?
Anyway, the other day, I was able to figure out what absorption did, or at least partially. Some worms had crawled into my domain underground and made contact with my roots. Just by contact, I felt an excessive flow of life energy into me, more than the usual I received from the earth. Other than that, the ability was useless unless I could get my roots to touch more living things.
The carcasses were mostly cleaned up by those creepy crawlies. Aside from strawberries, they ate anything. In a sense, I kind of needed them to stay alive but I had no way to curb their addictions. Addiction was a path of destruction.
I wonder how big I am now?
I grew large enough that the creepy crawlies' nest was smaller than even a single leaf of mine. I thought to myself how one day I would be able to feast on bigger preys. The issue was the lack of reference.
Finally, after who knew how long had passed, my next evolution option came! Again, I was given two options:
[Notorious Strawberry Bush (mutated)] or [Strawberry Imp (lesser)].
The first option seemed too plain to me. The second option was very intriguing to say the least. I wasn't sure what it meant to be an imp but that at least wasn't a plant of some type.
I made up my mind. Imp it is. You got to be bold to move forward!
[Level 1 Fey Plant;
Species: Strawberry Imp (lesser);
Traits: Bewitching, Devious, Rapid Growth, Cloning;
Abilities: Absorption, Charm;
Description: A dangerous fey plant that lures in their prey before leeching all of their life forces.]
The changes in my status was huge.
My level dropped? What, why? I'm starting fresh again?
Only then I noticed that there was an extra word tagging along.
A fey? Is that like a fairy? I'm fairy now? A lesser one is still a fairy.
My traits and abilities were upgraded. That was quite nice. As for my description, it was as I expected, I was a dangerous hooligan. Thankfully there were no death counters showing up in my status. If that was showing, it would be in the hundreds.
I didn't know what |cloning| really meant here. Did that mean I could duplicate my bodies?
I tried to feel my body for any changes.
Hmm... Nothing? Nothing!? Are you for real!? Seriously? And I'm level 1 now.
This feeling of disappointment struck me like lightning. I wasn't even in the mood to feel depressed.
God, you must be trolling me. I didn't even go that far.
Some time had passed since my evolution into a fey plant.
Is it me or am I moving faster? Well, there's only me so it's just me. Maybe the effects of evolution has set in? I should try something.
I tried tugging, squeezing and all sorts of movements I could think of.
Pop.
Eh? Eh!? EHHH!? I'm out?
I was actually seeing my physical body. It looked nothing like strawberry plant that I remembered. The leaves and fruits bear some resemblance but the flower was a different story. I wasn't sure if it had to do with two evolutions and mutation but there was no way I could call something like that a flower.
I was quite aware that my biology knowledge was beyond terrible. Still, was there a flower that looked something like this? Ugly wasn't the right word either. It was downright creepy. The only resemblance it had with a normal strawberry flower was that the centre was yellow and there were petals. Nectars and pollens were in the centre which was all good. As for the petals, there were six per flower. Those were like huge jaws with the tip of each petal having short sticky tendrils like a fly trap. Yes, a mutated fly trap was the closest I could describe it.
Anything careless that touched the sticky tendrils would be caught in my traps. That made a whole lot of sense as to why some kept getting stuck to my flowers.
The leaves weren't much friendlier looking. Needles, lots of dangerous looking barbed needles were growing out of those thick green leaves. If I was a human, I wouldn't want to touch it for the life of me. I might as well be called a strawberry cactus.
The only parts that appeared the most normal were the stems. They were just slightly furry with soft needles. I was kidding, the strawberries looked most normal. There weren't any spikes or needles on the reddish strawberries. The glossy look and the sweet scent must have been enduring for any passerby.
Looking closely between the stems and leaves, those tiny creepy crawlies I had been referring to looked like some type of beetle. Originally I thought they were ants but this was a fantasy world after all.
Finally, my immediate surroundings, I was within a sparsely populated forest. There were some trees but none of them were close to me. Shrubs and grasses covered majority of the forest floor.
This body is quite nice. I can see super well.
Perhaps it was better to call it a fey body? I had a green humanoid body with arms and legs. On my back were two pairs of red and white fairy wings. My hair was blonde. All of the colors on me were from the colors of the strawberry plant itself. Overall, my body was somewhat translucent since this wasn't a physical body. I doubted others could actually see me.
I looked downward at my fey body.
Nothing? Nada. I know I'm a plant but seriously? Any gender is fine. This feeling of lack thereof is unsettling. Maybe I'll develop one later, maybe? With evolution thing, you never know.
I tried flying around to see if there were any limits on this body. As I did, I saw some flies dashing my way. They were relentless as if trying to smash into me.
Woah there, woah there! You can actually see me? What in the world is going on? Buzz off!
I hurried back to my plant body before anything dangerous could target me. I seriously didn't want this fey body to be injured. Who knew what would end up happening to me if my fey body was eaten?
If I understood my situation correctly, then this fey body was where my consciousness was. Once I had left the plant body, it was still alive but it was now only reacting subconsciously. I could feel both bodies. Either way, I didn't want either one to be injured. Therefore I decided if I needed to rest or sleep, I would do so inside the plant body.
It took me some time to get used to entering and exiting the plant body. All that time spent was super worth it! Reason? I could now see what I was killing, not that they looked tasty or anything.
Let me clarify, those pollinators weren't bees as I originally believed. It would be odd if bees were universal, it really would be. Seriously, what were those flying things? They looked like flying maggots with their winged squirmy body.
My appetite. All gone.
There were some other familiar looking flying critters that looked like bats and birds or maybe both. Honestly, none of them looked tasty. To me, this was an ugly world. The only thing here that looked tasty were my strawberries, but I couldn't eat myself right? What would I even call myself? A cannibal? No, no, no, that was taboo.
A lot of time I just sat under my leaves and thinking about nothing. I had nothing to worry about, nothing at all. I was too tiny to be noticed so there was no issue with me sitting around.
Actually, when was the last time this place rained?
I totally forgot about it since I was being offered liquids for my sustenance for nearly as long as I could remember. Looking around, I might as well be living in the desert. All the shrubs and grasses were all dried up. The only ones that remained green were the trees and my leaves.
Isn't this really bad?
Before I could ponder much more, one of the creepy crawlies I had been sheltering crawled up next to me.
"Little fella, what more do you want from me?"
To make a comparison, it was twice the size of my fey body. It could probably even act as my ride. They treated me like a god or something, providing live offers and chunks of my strawberries. How they were able to figure I was part of the plant was beyond me.
"Nothing? Figures."
I thought about it again.
"I want to ride you!"
There was no way I could have rode a beetle in my past life. This was only possible with my current size.
In any case, whether it understood my intentions or not, I exclaimed, "Ready or not" before I hopped on its back.
Clunk.
"Don't tell me I'm heavy or else. Now, get a move on."
Slowly, it carried me back to its nest where others were resting. These beetles were super lazy, doing nothing every day except claiming the spoils of my labor.
Crash.
That was fun, kind of. New experience!
It wasn't so fun for the beetle. Whatever had happened, it seemed to have died from that short ride.
You're kidding me. Did I just overwork it to death? Are you for real? No. Way.
"You all need to do some work outs. This is unacceptable!"
I gave them a thorough lecture on the important of stretching and exercising. As a plant though, I was exempt. I didn't need to do as I preached.
In the end, that beetle I was riding on didn't actually die. It just went into a self preservation mode.
It wasn't like they could understand me or anything. They just huddled around me as if praying to a holy figure. An imp wasn't supposed to be holy. If I remembered correctly, it was supposed to be a devious creature that played tricks. I didn't mind playing the evil role not that I was evil. It was called survival with a twist!
Now that I had a fey body, I felt that time was passing slower. Every day I watched the sunrises, the sunsets, and the starry nights devoid of any clouds. There wasn't a single moon to be seen.
Rain, where are you? Even I can't go on without water.
Without enough water, I couldn't continue creating more nectars to attract visitors. That was just how bad it was. No one was going to munch on my leaves and I had yet to see any large animals that could be used as sacrifices to replenish my lost fluids.
Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, a haze drifted in.
Cough. Cough.
Bad, bad, this is really bad! What to do...!
In the worst case scenario, a forest fire had started somewhere and it was burning its way here. In the best case scenario, I would live through the forest fire or this was just my imagination. Regardless, I wouldn't die because my roots were deep. However, to keep myself safe, I need to keep the fire from reaching me if possible.
"You insects, get working! I want a trench dug around me ASAP."
Did they understand?
Whether they understood or not, they started digging not around my plant body but rather beneath my plant body.
They're digging underground for safety? What about me? I don't want to start from scratch again. You traitors!
It did take some time before the crackling ambers made their way here. There was no way I could fight the fire.
Heck, I'm following you all underground. Leave no man behind! Or, would that be leave no fey behind?
I grabbed a strawberry seed from the leftovers and carried it with me. The tunnels these beetles dug were wide enough that I could easily stroll in. They were actually quite smart to be steering clear of my roots.
I guess they aren't in a situation to be sacrificing their own members right now.
Sometimes, touching my roots were unavoidable. However, seeing how they were doing their best to survive right now, I too did my best holding back my passive ability otherwise their casualties could mount pretty quickly.
"Dig faster! I don't want to burn. Cooked strawberries aren't tasty!"
From the time I first saw the fire until I started receiving burns was a bit too quick.
Hot. Hot! Ow, ow, owwiee!
I didn't think plants could feel heat but apparently my plant body felt heat just fine. It wasn't a sensation I enjoyed either.
God, give me some rain. This isn't funny!
So, here I was, sitting in an underground sauna while praying to the same guy who turned me into a strawberry plant. What could I say? I was afraid if I had bad thoughts, that rain wouldn't come.
Boom!
Roar!
Did my prayer work?
I was still feeling the intense heat. Nothing changed.
The loud booms continued repeatedly every few seconds. Meanwhile, my plant body was already burnt to a crisp, leaving only the roots underground still unharmed or so I believed.
I'm still alive?
It was already a miracle that I was alive.
"Good job, I'll reward you for your hard work!" I said to the beetles resting with me. It was just deep enough to prevent the dangerous heat from cooking us alive.
When I peeked out of our tunnel, I could see a thick covering over the sky as if a thunderstorm was passing. Not a single droplet of rain landed as if god was teasing me.
Flash.
Boom!
A lightning strike shattered a tree near me.
Holy smokes, that was scary. I better stay underground until rain comes.
I quickly returned to the hideout and waited for the disaster to pass. I wasn't going to mess with mother nature.
While I waited, I tried something as everyone in fantasy settings would surely have tried.
Status.
[Level 3 Insect;
Species: Po-Nealo;
Traits: Sloth, Servant;
Abilities: N/A;
Descriptions: A type of insect that likes to live in groups.]
The beetles actually had such stats. There was one thing I was curious about. That was the |servant|. I wondered if it had anything to do with their behaviors. It didn't matter to me anyway.
The next I tried to seeing status on my fey body.
[Level 7 Fey (homeless);
Species: Strawberry Imp (lesser);
Traits: Bewitching, Devious, Rapid Growth, Cloning;
Abilities: Absorption, Charm;
Description: A dangerous plant fey that lures their preys before leeching all of their life force.]
You're kidding, right? Who are you calling homeless? My plant body is clearly still there.
Then I checked my plant body, or rather, the remaining roots.
[Level 1 Fey Plant (clone).]
This doesn't make sense. What's a clone supposed to mean? Does it mean I can spread them and they're all me?
[Level 1 Fey Plant (seed).]
The seed on the other hand made sense. It was after all just a regular seed. The levels had all returned to one though. I wasn't happy with that but it was reasonable.
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260
My patience had paid off.
Torrential downpour flooded my temporary living quarter. We had to evacuate immediately or risk drowning. Because my plant body was technically no longer there other than just some clones or scattered, I couldn't return my fey body into my plant body. Basically I was stuck outside with nowhere to hide. It sucked but what could I do about it?
What was terrible was that if I stayed at the surface, the stupidly massive rain droplets came crashing down like a meteorite shower, the water version. They hurt like hell and I couldn't dodge them at all. I might as well be dodging thousands of bullets coming at me.
What were those beetles doing? They were digging some more like some drones each carrying an air bubble under their head like oxygen tanks.
It can't be? Are they smarter than me? I know I'm a plant but this is a disgrace. I'm lower than insects now?
I couldn't replicate what they were doing. I just felt that was too suicidal for me. My body wasn't built for that. Instead, I decided to run to the nearest shelter, under that burnt fallen tree from earlier.
Ready.
Set.
Dash!
I flew at top speed. Believing I was some fighter jet, I zoomed toward that tree. Did I make it? No. I got smacked down in less than two seconds after I took off. Basically, it was face plant.
God, why!? We could have gotten along so well. We really could have.
As much as I wanted to cry, plants couldn't cry and nor could a green little imp like me cry. That feature, it wasn't added to this body.
Cough. Cough.
You know what, I've had enough. Do what you please!
Poke.
What's this?
I was completely soaked and my body hurt everywhere from constant water bombs. Without a giving me a cue, something made the muddy earth bulge, pushing me up.
Are you trying to send me to heavens? Is it that time already?
On a serious note, I knew what it was. One of my root pieces or clones was growing and sprouting. It was as if I was some kind of root vegetable, or worse, those undying weeds found in lawns. Regardless, this growth was way too quick. Perhaps that trait "rapid growth" had kicked in? I didn't know. There was no one to answer any of my questions.
[Level 1 Fey Plant (clone);
Species: Strawberry Imp (lesser);
Traits: Bewitching, Devious, Rapid Growth, Cloning;
Abilities: Absorption, Charm;
Description: A dangerous plant fey that lures their preys before leeching all of their life force.]
It was too painful to be in my fey body. Even if I was to become level one again, I was okay with it. It didn't too long for me to level up, and leveling up really didn't do anything for me as far as I was aware other than opening up evolution paths.
Argh! I'm merging.
It actually allowed me to merge easily into this sprout. My pain was gone too. It was truly just the miracle I needed other than removing this stupidly heavy rainfall. It showed no signs of letting up.
I'm feeling better already, phew. I did not buy into the "no pain no gain" shenanigans. No pain, all the gain!
I checked my status again to see if there were any changes to the clone body.
[Level 7 Fey Plant (main);
Species: Strawberry Imp (lesser);
Traits: Bewitching, Devious, Rapid Growth, Cloning;
Abilities: Absorption, Charm;
Description: A dangerous plant fey that lures their preys before leeching all of their life force.]
Neat, I can convert clones to main bodies? I wonder if there's more to it.
For now, I waited for the rain to pass.
What's this faint pulling sensation?
It wasn't just from one direction but multiple directions. I could feel this gentle tugging sensation from the ground around my burnt plant body. I didn't have to wait long to see the cause.
That was because the rain actually passed not too long after, thankfully. Seven sprouts had broke through the surface.
More clones. I'm officially a ninja now. Hmm... Maybe I should start spreading my bodies as an insurance? I don't want to be burnt up again.
Thinking along that line, I came up with a list of body parts that might make this work. Roots were tested and okayed. All that was left was everything else. I really wasn't sure seeds worked since they might end up becoming new individuals. What I wanted were clones which had nothing to do with babysitting.
While I was pondering about life like a melancholic philosopher, the beetles had all resurfaced like miners that had just resurfaced. I was flabbergasted with their survivability.
"How did you all survive? Is your cousin the cockroach? I don't know what I would do with you all if you gain a 'survivor' trait of some sort."
I wasn't exasperated or anything but rather intrigued. They would make the perfect slave workers if I could command them.
No, no, no, I'm not like that.
I corrected my thoughts before I could deviate too much. I still wanted to keep my humanity even though I was in this state. From an outsider perspective, I was probably just a lunatic talking to itself.
Plants, why no gender! Why! God, is it because you received too many gender inequality complaints? I promise I won't complain.
Anyway, time passed quite quickly when I was merged with the plant body. Every day, I watched the beetles frenzying around, sometimes fighting one another, or downright unmoving. They really went cold turkeys without my strawberries.
So this is what happens when I take drugs away from drug addicts... How interesting!
That was just a side observation from me but it didn't take long for my clones and main body to grow up nice and healthy. Food sources were scarce but the beetles were generous enough to sacrifice themselves to me. They really loved those strawberries. The only issue was that they didn't know how to pollinate the flowers so I had to do it.
This feels so weird, you know? I'm pollinating myself? I felt like I just lost something important. No. Way. Mind boggled.
It wasn't like I was lazing around either. With no predators around at the moment, I tested cloning myself with every single part of my plant body. And, what did I find out? It didn't make sense, but as long as the pieces were large enough, they were considered clones.
Of course, I didn't plant my clones next to me. I personally carried them as far as I could before dropping them. How I wished that these beetles could make themselves useful as couriers!
I wasn't sure if there was a rainy season here or not, but rain had came almost once every two days. These were the light rain that weren't overbearing for the tiny me. There were no complaints from me. Not only that, I appreciated it since rain really helped my new clones sprout and grow. It was the start of my new empire, my strawberry empire!
"Mwuaahahaha...!"
Oops. No one heard that. I'm a good plant.
Ah crap I forgot.
That seed I had saved during the fire sprouted next to me. Unfortunately the beetles didn't crack it and eat it like they normally did.
No, this wasn't like those unexpected pregnancies.
What to do, what to do?
I could just kill. At the same time, I was curious as to what it would end up as. Mommy or Daddy? I bet it would just call me Nanny. I wouldn't want that.
Status!
[Level 1 Fey Plant;
Species: Strawberry Imp (lesser);
Traits: Bewitching, Devious, Rapid Growth, Cloning;
Abilities: Absorption, Charm;
Description: A dangerous plant fey that lures their preys before leeching all of their life force.]
God, you can't be serious. Everything is the same? Don't you have any creativity?
I faced a crisis. Going by my previous world's knowledge, either I could go for an abortion or I kept it. Who knew plants had to go through this as well?
Three days and three nights of pondering only led me to one decision: keep. I figured it could be useful to me later. If it proved troublesome, I would nip it by killing it using my absorption ability. I was the older one therefore I should be able to overpower it.
Alright, my mind is made up. I let you live but I'm not taking care of you.
My expectations fell through. After many days, that little sprout didn't level up nor showed any signs of being a fey.
Am I taking too many preys? Oh well, you're on your own. I'm on a trip now! Bahahaha... Adios.
Exactly, I was on a trip. My clones were spreading far and wide. Every a hundred meters or so, I would bury a piece of my plant body. Once the clones matured a bit, I would merge with them to bring up their levels to my fey body's level. This happened over and over again until I had hundreds of clones spread out across the vast wilderness.
There was only one part that couldn't be used as a clone. That was my fey body. I tried to cut myself one time, and it hurt like crazy! I wasn't suicidal, I swear! Anyway, I didn't bleed or anything but I found out that my fey body could regenerate if I merged then came out of a plant body. And, if I didn't merge, that pain wouldn't stop and the wound wouldn't heal no matter how long I waited.
Could it be that I can't leave without my plant bodies? What a stupid restriction!
The number of clones I had seemed to positively affect my level increase. It made me wonder if they were all eating plenty.
"Eheheh... the world shall be mine!"
Earlier, I was able to evolve and throw away that "lesser" label. I didn't like it, I really didn't. I want to be "amazing"! Unfortunately, I was only given one evolution path. Currently, these were my stats, plant body included:
[Level 17 Fey Plant;
Species: Strawberry Imp;
Physical: N/A;
Spiritual: N/A;
Traits: Bewitching, Devious, Rapid Growth, Cloning;
Abilities: Absorption, Charm, Supply Chain;
Description: A dangerous plant fey that lures in their preys before leeching all of their life forces.]
Two new indicators had appeared when I had reached level 15. On top of that, my fey body became denser and was not longer as translucent as before. It was as if my fey body was becoming more material the higher my level was.
Finally, there was a new ability called "supply chain". It was actually useful. I could control what would be produced in each of my clone bodies remotely. For now, I had most of them producing flowers and leaves reducing strawberries to a minimum. To create my beautiful strawberry empire, a solid foundation was needed, indeed!
Over time, I lost track of the days passed. The further I ventured from my original spot, the more sightings of strange creatures occurred. Very few appeared familiar to me.
"Oh, a dog! A hot dog?"
[Level 24 Fey;
Species: Neo-Panoa;
Physical: N/A;
Spiritual: N/A;
Traits: Enhanced Smell;
Abilities: Elemental Breath;
Description: A type of fey that thrives in battles.]
In front of me was a fight scene between a fire-breathing long snot dog and three giant wasp like creatures. Surprisingly, they were all fey kinds. I was almost sure the wasps were insects just like those beetles I had nearly forgotten.
[Level 14 Fey;
Species: Ko-Rurh;
Physical: N/A;
Spiritual: N/A;
Traits: Enhanced Eyesight;
Abilities: Coordinate, Paralysis;
Description: A type of fey that thrives in group battles.]
Basically, there were four battle junkies. Despite the numerical disadvantages, the dog was keeping the three hovering wasps at bay with its wide range fire breaths. The wasps just couldn't outmaneuver the dog, a single dog.
Personally, I cheered on the wasps. I had good reason, really good reasons! Any being that could burn me was my archenemy, no doubt about it. Once the battled ended, I could lure them to my flowers.
Ehehehe... you're as good as mine.
Cowardice? No such thing. No such thing at all. My combat abilities were next to non-existent. Tactics. Only the best tacticians were considered cowards!
I observed behind a rock, very far away, as I waited for an outcome. The four of them had quite the stamina to last for what felt like an hour until sun had nearly set. Honestly, that might as well had been a battle between three fairies and a flightless dragon.
Hurry up, I don't have all day.
In the end, only disappointments awaited me. They actually dispersed once they ran out of steam to continue. Not a single one of them was injured in the least.
Tch, how unsatisfying. Guess I'm back to work. Oh wait, I have a good idea.
Carrying a small clone with me, I secretly tailed the three wasps. I only had one goal, that was to expand my strawberry empire! Thankfully, they didn't fly too fast. After about a few minutes, I reached their hideout located behind a hillside. The inside was completely dark because it was facing away from the sun.
I wonder if they'll let me in if I ask. No, that's insane. I hate bee stings.
I carefully placed a clone just outside their cave entrance. Then, using my supply chain ability, I placed this clone on the shortest route to growing strawberries. Because I wasn't sure how intelligent these kinds of fey were. If they were intelligent, they might actually try to hunt me down so I decided to play it safe this time.
"You'll be my workers soon enough, mwahahaha...!" While I imagined riding on one of them like I did with the beetle.
"Wait, isn't that actually a good idea? Would that make me a wasp rider?"
Lalala... Which direction?
Recently I found a path that was likely used by a primitive civilization. I had camped around here for days but unfortunately I hadn't seen a single person passing by.
Screeeeech!
What, what, what where?
Was I too careless? I was sure I hid more than well camouflaged. I wasn't green skinned for nothing. Still I couldn't fool myself when I just got snatched up by a pair of razor sharp talons. My wings were torn. It was a sad scene.
It must have been the wings. Stupid wings, why can't you be green too?
Screech!
"Ow, ow, ow! I get it, I get it, okay? Don't need to brag about it."
I wasn't bleeding or anything but the talons had dug into my abdomen.
[Level 17 Winged Beast;
Species: Fa-Lonta;
Physical: N/A;
Spiritual: N/A;
Traits: Sharp Eyes;
Abilities: N/A;
Description: A type of winged beast that preys on weak critters.]
It was basically a falcon. The only thing that seriously damaged me was the description. It wasn't critical damage or anything but it was a serious blow.
Weak critter? Me? You're bullying the weak? No, I can't allow that. You know there's a saying, "what goes around comes around"?
"You better watch your back. This is your last warning, you know?" I screamed from beneath while I was being carried farther and farther away from my clones.
Goodbye seedling that I abandoned, grow up well and avenge me!
I could already see the bird nest up ahead.
This is it for me, isn't it. God, are you expecting? Please, I'm kidding.
Bang!
Owieee! Or not?
I was somehow released from the clutches of the eagle's talons, crashing toward its nest. As for the eagle, it was actually falling with me, a hole in the head. A head shot? Whoever did that must have been a sharpshooter of the highest caliber.
"Serves you right!" I stuck my tongue out at the unresponsive bird of prey that had lost all its will. That was silly of me.
I tried my hardest to flap my torn wings before I could crash land. They weren't completely useless just yet. I had somehow just barely landed next to the nest. It was miracle! As for that eagle, it had fallen all the way below the tree.
Thump.
It was nice knowing you, jerk. Amen.
Chirp. Chirp.
Chirp.
"Oh hello there cuties," I waved at the two baby birds gazing at me with anticipation, not the good kind, "would you like to be my food? Yes? no?"
Chirp?
Chirp. Chirp.
"I don't speak bird but I'll give you a third option. Join my empire! You'll be proud citizens. I'll even give you executive positions, how about it?"
Chirp!
"Why am I talking to birds?"
Have I gone nuts? Nawh, I only grow strawberries here.
[Evolution Paths Available.]
Eh? What timing is this? Don't tell me you plan to turn me into a bird? It's too late, much too late, I've already chosen to be a tactical plant. It's my destiny! But, I'm a generous plant, let's see what you have to offer.
[Strawberry Imp (greater)] or [Strawberry Trickster] or [Strawberry Smoothie].
God, where did you come up with these ideas? I get the first one. Indeed, the second one is acceptable. But how do you explain the third choice to me? Are you making fun of me? I'm not becoming anyone's smoothie! Idea rejected.
In the end, I decided to evolve into a Strawberry Trickster, whatever that was. Being an imp wasn't fun anymore. I didn't want the possibility of becoming bigger either because of all the dangerous predators around.
[Level 21 Fey (Plant);
Species: Strawberry Trickster
Physical: 3/5;
Spiritual: 60/65;
Traits: Bewitching, Devious, Rapid Growth, Cloning;
Abilities: Absorption, Charm, Supply Chain, Strawberry Substitution;
Description: A tricky plant fey that likes to toy with their foes.]
Ohoho? The new stats now had numerical figures.
These numbers were useless by themselves. I needed someone to compare with.
Shuffle.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
That wasn't me. The sounds of crunching leaves were noises made by the shooter as he walked over to retrieve the falcon remains.
It was a guy in camouflaged gear from head to toes. He had sunglasses and a cigar hanging from his mouth like a badass. Just those two features were enough for me to place him in the mafia group in my mind. As if that wasn't enough, he had a uncanny smile with a black mustache that screamed "I'm the boss man".
Why are you even smiling? Is the cigar that good?
"Shhh..." I hushed the two baby falcons.
Chirp.
What a rebel, that'll be a black mark on your resume. I shook my head at the two of them.
Apparently that chirp was enough to earn a glance from that man below.
[Level 9 Mortal;
Species: Human;
Physical: 44/44;
Spiritual: 7/7;
Traits: Ruthless, Canny;
Abilities: Harbinger, Hunter;
Description: A common mortal.]
Oh crap, those traits and that ability. Is he setting my death flag? God, this isn't funny. I can't even get back to my plant body.
When I peeked to see what he was doing, I accidentally met his eyes, his real eyes without those sunglasses. I might as well peeked into an abyss. That seriously startled me to no ends.
Oh crap, oh crap!
"You green fey, get down here or I'm coming up. I know you speak."
What to do? What to do!?
I didn't want to get shredded from limb to limb. I didn't know what "ruthless" did but I knew what it meant. The strawberry empire plan would have to be put on hold for now.
Since I didn't want to anger that man I answered, "what would you do with me?"
"I said, get down here. Or I'll smoke your brain out," he spoke with a nasty and demanding tone. Then he cranked his rifle with a clunk.
Looks like there's no escape.
"My wings are broken. I'm not suicidal enough to jump down."
"Tsk, shitty fey. You're messing with the wrong guy here."
Before my eyes, he literally leaped up onto the tree.
Squish.
Nooo...! My fellow citizen!
One of his foot crushed a baby bird, the one that I deemed a rebel. The other baby froze due to shock and proceeded to faint.
"You killed a baby bird! How could you!"
"I only needed one," he stared me down with his rifle pointing me at point blank range, "what says you?"
He was the type I could never get along with. If he didn't get what he wanted, he would resort to violence even if I didn't even do anything wrong. This was the worst.
"I'm a plant! I don't know what you want!" I cried out in retaliation.
Bang!
I added new warning "gore" since I wasn't sure if this chapter is safe for young readers. Well, you have been warned. FYI: The type of stuff that'll happen in this chapter will be super rare. I just felt this part had to be included.
My eyes were squeezed shut.
God, did you miss me? Your little strawberry is coming for you!
The next moment, I felt a giant hand grabbing onto me.
Or not? Am I going to be eaten? I don't taste good!
When my eyes opened again, I noticed that the man's face was next to me.
Dude, ever heard of personal space? Ever looked at a mirror? You look super creepy.
Of course, I was too scared to actually voice my opinions. Apparently he didn't actually shoot me.
Rip.
Rip.
My two pairs of pretty wings were ripped off just like that.
"Owwiee... what did you do that for?"
"Do you want to keep your legs?"
"Yes, yes!"
I quickly nodded.
"Now, shut it. You're coming with me."
Before long, he hopped off the tree holding the motionless baby bird in one hand, and me in the other hand. His rifle was slung over his shoulders.
How should I get back to my plant body? Think, think! Oh right, what does this new ability do?
I never had the chance to examine it properly. It was called [strawberry substitution]. While I was still being held, I closed my eyes to get a feel of current body. Technically I was no longer a Strawberry Imp but a Strawberry Trickster. Just going by the name of the species, I should have some tricks up my sleeves.
"Don't try anything funny if you know what's good for you," he threatened me with a low tone while squeezing me tightly.
What the hell? I'm only trying to escape. What's your problem? Did you forget your medications? Forget it, I'll have something better for you! Mwahahahaha!
I grasped what that new ability did or I thought I did. Thank goodness I had strawberries somewhere otherwise I was done for. When this ability combined with [supply chain], they became the ultimate duo. I knew exactly the location and the detailed status of each of my plant bodies.
However, [strawberry substitution] had a serious flaw. I had to be in contact with the ground or a plant grown in nature for the ability to work. I seriously wished I had knew about this before I got captured.
Plop.
"Huh?"
We were already back at his campsite. A giant lizard, likely his ride, stood on four legs next to a triangular tent. In front of the tent was lined up with various types of containers of which the baby bird was placed in a straw basket. As for me, I was dropped in a glass container.
You serious? I can't even escape like this.
"Haaiii yeaahh!" I landed a super punch at the glass barrier.
Thump.
A knife landed next to me outside of the glass jar.
"Don't make me do this," he warned with a bored expression.
Gulp. He really wasn't faking it. His |ruthless| trait wasn't just for show. I hope the devil gobbles you up.
"Explain! What did I do wrong? Why are you doing this to me?"
"Money. Never seen one like you before. You'll fetch good cash if I sell you to the lab," he chuckled.
Oh crap, that doesn't sound good at all. I don't want to get dissected. Think, think, think!
Then, an idea popped into my head. Money? Drugs? My strawberry empire came to mind. I was sure he was into this type of business.
"I can help you make even more money than you'll know what to do with! Please hear me out."
He was quiet for moment as of pondering. Then, he puffed out some smoke before smudging his burnt out cigar on the ground.
"Make it short."
"I'm a part of fey plant called Strawberry Plant. The berry that I fruit is super addictive. I can give you strawberries and you sell them to make profits? You'll get repeating customers. How about it?"
Again he went quiet. I didn't think he was the type to take his time thinking. No matter how long he took, I obviously didn't want to disturb his thought process unless I risked losing my limbs. Just losing my wings was painful enough!
"Show me it."
"It?"
"Don't f---ing mess around!" He bellowed.
Whatever his occupation was, he sure had a short fuse. All I wanted was a clarification and he just had to shout. If I could avoid doing business with him, I would at all cost. This wasn't a business relationship I wanted. Anyway, he probably meant the strawberry but I doubted he would let me out of the jar.
I was super hesitant to ask him to release me onto the ground. He'd probably cut my legs off so I wouldn't escape. But, I had no other choice!
"I need to go to my plant body."
"Tsk, forget it."
"Wait! Wait! I'll grow one if you let me onto the ground."
"Huh."
He grabbed his knife in one hand, and his hand reached for me.
No. Way. I guessed right? Goodbye legs, it was nice knowing you. Sayonara.
It wasn't like this body had blood or anything but I still felt pain nonetheless.
"Make it quick," I squeezed my eyes shut while I was being held, that knife just hovering above my legs. I kind of wished I was clothed. Being held buck naked was new sensation for me, not a good one either.
Sliiiceee.
Gurrrrrhhhh! He did it slowly on purpose!
Sliiiceeeeee.
Screw you! What did I do to deserve this?
He didn't stop there either. Just like my legs, my arms were slowly cut off. All the while I was suffering from excruciating pain, he was chuckling like a madman.
I was basically a stump now.
I'll curse you even after your death! You just watch, shithead!
Boom, boom, boom.
Following the sounds of three explosions, a thunderous howl echoed in the distance. It was too late for the him, my main body had already touched the ground. Alas, victory was mine!
I was limbless but miraculously still alive. If it was any other creatures, they would have already died. That baby falcon was still as silent as ever, probably pretending to be dead or living in the dreams. Whatever will happen to these two was no longer my concern.
Hope you get shredded. Eheheh...
Edit: Aug 08, 2021, based on feedback in later chapters, switched "abilities/traits" to [abilities] and |traits|.
To answer question: Regarding the lack of reactions, note that MC used to be 100% plant with no heads or limbs or organs. So, losing limbs is kind of like losing a few leaves and stems, not to mention the lack of humanity one would expect of a normal human. The main notable difference would have been the pain factor.