Terrarium Adventure

“Have you thought of escaping to other terrariums? To the earlier numbers.”

Even that sounds like a difficult quest. Nobody had ever come back alive.

Based on my RPG experience, a boss monster was probably waiting somewhere. Will a raid start from the beginning? Do I need to participate in a raid after just starting the tutorial?

“The tree branch is protecting us, but we also help maintain the branch. It’s a mutual relationship, so if there is an imbalance, it becomes risky. The orchard especially plays a big role. Perhaps you didn’t know about this?”

“Ah, don’t get me wrong. I was just saying that. I know everything.”

I don’t know. How would I know about how things go here? Either way, I have to find out by visiting the burnt terrarium.

I was in a dilemma while rolling my head but Mesquite pointed at my phone, making a small laugh. Huh? What about my phone? Do you need diamonds? I can give much as I need to for Mesquite!

“My master, Jay. The diamonds.”

“What about diamonds?”

[Master! Do you need diamonds?]

“Gosh! I will call you when I need to use diamonds! You surprised me!”

[Master! Speaking of which, take more diamonds! The wagon is full so we are building houses with diamonds!]

[Master! I can’t build houses with diamonds! It breaks when they accumulate!]

“I will take it! Not yet!”

I quickly turned off the phone. They popped up automatically whenever the word diamond was mentioned, just like AI. However, the old man looked at me and said, “Why are you talking to yourself? It scares me.” What do you mean, it’s a monologue…

“Jay, you don’t seem to understand. Diamonds aren’t mere jewelry. The tree that the man is talking about is a way for people in the terrarium to protect the terrarium and help the branch.”

“Using diamonds?”

[Master! Then take some!]

[Master! Are you starving because you don’t have enough diamonds?]

I missed the conversation due to giving diamonds to Elder as he was complaining.

“Then I will consider that as you accepting the request. I will think about the reward once you return from the mission.”

All of sudden, a line was added at the bottom of the paper. Reward [???]

Unidentified [???] made me feel paranoid so I was really thinking if I should accept the quest or not.

Can’t you just tell me directly? Normally, people would move if there is a guaranteed reward. If the rewards are more diamonds, then I don’t want this quest…

“Give me a clue about the reward! You can’t just leave like that.”

“The butterflies visiting the orchard haven’t left yet. Also, we captured some and stored them inside the basket.”

What is this, a password? Is it something poetic? Capturing insects all of sudden?

“It’s a good reward, Jay. Worth it.”

“I have never seen a butterfly! I want to see it!”

The Driards were giving some extraordinary reactions. What about butterflies? Is it an item name or gear instead of an insect? I waited until the old man disappeared and asked Mesquite.

“What about a butterfly? Is it good?”

“Haha, I knew you didn’t know.”

Yes. I even think I don’t have enough knowledge here.

It’s embarrassing, but I think it’s better trying to know rather than continuing to not know about it.

My professor would yell at me for not having the core knowledge, but users don’t study for tests while memorizing game strategies. It’s the same logic.

“If you obtain a butterfly for a normal field, it will be good for Elder and Daisy. There are other ways to become stronger other than eating many nutritious fruits or having multiple battles. In such a case, there will be a limit. It feels like facing a wall that you can’t surpass.”

Hmm, does it mean reaching the maximum level?

“The butterfly can find Driards well. Rather, it can go even further and be more accurate than me spreading my roots. If a specific type of Driard and butterfly become ‘honey mates’, the butterfly can be a guide to finding the wild form of the same Driard type.”

Mesquite stopped her explanation and lifted Daisy. Daisy gave a surprised face and shook while staying on Mesquite’s waist.

“If Daisy and the butterfly become honey mates, just letting the butterfly fly can make the butterfly look for Driards with the same kind as Daisy. The butterfly that becomes the honey mate cannot absorb energy from others other than the specific Driard.”

Somehow it feels like a pet…

“What do you do next after finding the species?”

“You need to dominate by winning against it. If there are two Driards with the same kind, we call that a forest. Inside the forest, if the superior one becomes king, we can get stronger.”

I sense it. It’s like a system where you level up, awaken, and breakthrough by collecting the same type of cards.

“Of course, the Driard will stay inside your terrarium artifact. So… if you want your Driards to get stronger, you need to try to increase the soul limit.”

Again, my level is the problem! Yes, let’s try the quest despite the difficulty. Would there be a difficult quest for a druid at the tutorial level?

According to Mesquite’s explanation, that butterfly is like material I need to get. Erasing [???] it from the paper and editing it with a butterfly will make the quest worth it!

“Good! Let’s go!”

I made a straight line from the current terrarium and the 28th terrarium on the paper. 26-27-28 were not in a straight line but instead, they were in a V shape so I could go directly without visiting the 27th terrarium.

The map displayed on this paper was way too simple so I needed a separate map with detailed geography.

Speaking of which, there is a shop nearby. It would be good to get a map and buy some goods needed for the quest.

I’ve already maxed out on life potions and emergency food inside my pocket, but it’s best to reach the maximum limit as I have lots of diamonds.

“The inventory is really amazing. It’s a magical system.”

I held the robe pocket with both hands and shook it.

I didn’t hear any sounds, nor did I see anything visible. Actually, there was a max number of items recommended such ‘required’ items for beginner druids recommended by the shop owner.

It was packed with water, a first aid kit, and medicine. Water was essential in this world as well so I could only buy up to 30 bottles.

Potions can’t be purchased in the store so I had to buy them from someone who could make potions or take them from an alchemy tower.

Other than that, I saw lots of number 99s. I bought so much and yet I didn’t feel much weight. If there was also inventory slots in the real world, I wouldn’t have to worry about carrying heavy textbooks.

Actually, textbooks for my major were stored inside the locker… The thing I remember that frustrated me was carrying the textbooks. During my freshman year, I just lugged my books around for the entire day…

While I was thinking, the items came out of the pocket so I repeated it as it read my mind.

Elder, which pocket has diamonds? Left? Right? Actually, they are on both sides. Why am I giving you diamonds when you are wrong? I gave you a lot before. Don’t make such a face. Don’t laugh. That’s correct. Giving me a pretty smile would make me want to give it to you.

The map for going to the 28th terrarium contained detailed geography so it was huge in size and surprisingly Elder looked once and said he memorized everything. I told him to not lie to me. How did he memorize everything? Was it because he was a healer that he had good intelligence?

I’m excited to head into the first battle.

I’m a user that switched to playing mobile games, but I have nostalgia for classic RPGs.

How cool is it for a hero to defeat the monster? Of course, I’m not the one defeating it here. I only have diamonds. I should cheer while staying on the sidelines.

“My master, Jay. Once you go outside the terrarium, you will see the fire immediately. The fire is desperate to eat the tree all the time. It’s very cruel. Are you ready? It could be a tough fight. It also can be risky.”

Before crossing the bridge that connected the village to the outside, Mesquite calmed me down as I was overly excited. By hearing her voice while surrounded by her shadow, I became calm.

“However, don’t worry too much. Driards will always protect you. No matter what happens, you won’t get hurt.”

As my mood was lowered, I may have shown an insecure face. This time, Mesquite tilter her body slightly and tapped my back.

As I faced the sunshine, my mood became better. No matter what happens, I have trust that Mesquite will rescue me. When plants perform photosynthesis with the sunshine, I can do photosynthesis with Mesquite’s smile. I feel like my soul has been fulfilled.

“Is it Daisy’s first time fighting with fire? Daisy is the one who should be really worried as she will be our sword.”

Daisy made a nervous face as Mesquite called her name while putting energy on her legs. However, she knew it was a misunderstanding and gave a bright smile.

“I’m ready! I will protect you and defeat the fire!”

“That’s the spirit!”

I began to laugh as I looked at two smiling Driards. Good. I hope things are good like this in the future. I saw the end of the bridge and Elder who started speaking thoughtfully.

“Who will be the main Driard?”