I'm a pumpkin part. 2

Now everything made more sense. I finally understood why I was in a garden and why the pumpkins looked so large: I was one of them.

With a deep sigh, I tried to calm my emotions, realizing that panicking would not help. What was done was done; it could no longer be changed.

"For now, it's better to check if I can see the details of the traits I have."

Immediately, three new screens appeared before me, each containing a detailed description of my powers.

[Trait: Psychic Conversion Lv.1]

[Effect: A Pumpkin Specter has the unique ability to absorb the fear of any being terrified directly by it, converting it into psychic energy.]

[Trait: Fear Lv.1]

[Effect: A Pumpkin Specter has the power to create an illusion that displays the worst fear in the hearts of people, consuming its psychic energy.]

[Trait: Spectral Deception Lv.1]

[Effect: A Pumpkin Specter has the power to alter the visual perception of any biological being within a certain radius, constantly consuming its psychic energy.]

"It worked!" I exclaimed in surprise, even though only in my mind.

Soon after, a new message appeared before me.

[Mandatory Mission: Towards Infancy

Description: You are a Pumpkin Specter, an almost extinct alien species due to harsh initial conditions. However, as a future calamity of the cosmos and endowed with superior intelligence, will you manage to avoid the fate of your ancestors?]

Completion Condition: Permanently consume 15 psychic energy points

Reward: +2 special points

Penalty: DEATH]

"A mission? No! What kind of penalty is that?!"

****

In a forest, among the trees and the song of birds, stretches a field. Wooden fences delimit various vegetable crops, alongside a small wooden house that hosts carrot, tomato, grape... and among these, a corner dedicated to pumpkins. In the midst of it all, there is a being who does not know whether to feel lucky or unlucky for still being alive.

*Sigh* "I really don't know what to say."

"Well, for now, I must focus on my survival. Even though I have no idea what to do, I cannot move or speak."

"Now that I think about it... how do I see and hear?"

"I guess I'll never find out, maybe in a distant future, provided I don't die rotting or get sold to be eaten."

Suddenly, in the pumpkin patch, there was a small movement. Slowly, a white figure made its way, walking on all fours and sniffing the ground.

"A rabbit?"

Watching the rabbit approach, I had a sudden flash of insight.

"Why not try the Fear Lv.1 trait?" I thought, with an imaginary smile and a glint in my eyes, even though I actually had neither mouth nor eyelids.

**[Fear Lv.1]**

***

The rabbit, as usual, had ventured into that field full of delicacies, fascinated by the smell of carrots and vegetables known to grow abundantly.

The little animal had learned to move cautiously, always ready to flee at the slightest sign of danger, especially to avoid that giant human who occasionally patrolled the garden.

However, it had always found a way to escape, returning safely to its burrow.

But today was different. Suddenly, everything changed.

Before its eyes, the world deformed. The field, once calm and familiar, transformed into a nightmare scenario.

The sky darkened into an unnatural twilight, the shadows of the pumpkins stretched out like threatening claws, and the air became heavy, as if the entire world was suffocating it.

The sweet smell of the earth turned into a metallic stench of blood.

Then, the giant appeared.

It was no longer the human it knew, the one who protected the garden with indifference.

Now, its face was covered in blood, its hands dirty with the mutilated remains of other rabbits.