Carrots and Onions
I'd grown a few plants in my small garden even before the apocalypse as a casual hobby, so I had seeds for most common veggies on hand. Lettuce, peppers, green onions, that sort of thing. Of course, there were plenty I didn't have—I'd have to scrounge those somehow. But right now, for curry, I needed onions and carrots.
There were already some rolling around in the shed, but this was the perfect time to test the abilities of plants grown with High-Speed Growth. I rummaged through the shed and dug out the onion and carrot seeds.
"Is that curry stuff really that tasty?"
"Of course. You... probably haven't tried it, huh."
"This one has only ever eaten grass."
"What? Turtles are herbivores?"
"Technically omnivores. But this one hasn't tried meat yet."
"Come to think of it, I haven't been feeding my companions properly."
"The other two have been chowing down on monsters, haven't they?"
"Oh, right."
"This one has been snacking on fresh veggies from the shed, so no worries! Though it would be nice if you fed me."
Still, Korean hospitality runs deep. Plus, as my eager watering can buddy who was all-in on plant-growing help, he deserved some treats.
"We should eat together anyway, right?"
"To share a meal with my master—there is no greater honor!"
The turtle beamed. Seeing that made me feel like I wasn't alone anymore, that I had someone by my side. I'd lived solo for so long, I'd forgotten to even think about stuff like this.
Feeling a twinge of guilt, I quickly cast High-Speed Growth.
Smoothly—whoosh—four carrots shot up fast. They wriggled out of the soil before I even gestured, a vibrant orange. Perfect specimens.
"Wanna try one?"
"Really?!"
"Duh."
The turtle's eyes welled up as he opened wide for the carrot I offered. But a mischievous urge hit me.
Snap—I yanked it back just as he lunged.
"...?!!"
"Kidding, kidding."
I offered it again to his shocked face, but as I pretended to pull away once more, he caught on and glared.
"...Does this one seem too dim to read your mind?"
"Haha, okay, no more pranks."
"......This one is disappointed."
"Aw, don't pout."
I cooed until his sulk melted into a goofy grin. Easier to handle than I thought.
Crunch munch munch. He dove in.
"Aren't you eating, master?"
"Raw carrots aren't my thing..."
"This one's not bad."
Crisp—such a refreshing sound echoed. Watching him eat made it look delicious. Did this guy have mukbang talent?!
"Trust this one and give it a try."
"Fine, but rinse off the dirt first."
"Right away."
After a splash from his water spray cleaned it, I popped a whole one in. It snapped cleanly, crunchy with a sweet aftertaste.
"Whoa, that's good."
"Fresh-grown makes all the difference."
"Now I can't wait for curry with these."
I stood with my carrots to head home.
"...Huh?"
Something felt off. That distant forest—had its depths always been that visible? My eyes sharpened too; trees far away stood crystal clear.
Then it hit me like a truck.
Was this the carrot's power?
"Turtle."
"This one feels it too. Eyes feel much sharper."
"It's not just better vision—dark spots are super clear now. Wonder if it'll glow like night-vision goggles at night?"
"We'd have to wait till dark."
Eye enhancement, huh. Not as OP as potatoes, but pretty useful.
"Still, nothing beats potatoes."
"Hoho! You really love those potatoes!"
"Next up, onions. I left the carrots at home, grabbed some seedlings from the shed, planted them, watered with Turtle's spray—ready. High-Speed Growth."
Didn't need many—just three or four. Mana still had plenty left. Back home with my harvest onions.
Stepping inside like always, but now everything was different. My carrot-boosted eyes pierced every shadow crystal clear.
"Whoa, navigating without light is a breeze now!!"
No power meant tough nights before, but one carrot could change that.
"...Way better than I thought."
"Indeed?"
"Electricity's a pain to get right now. Fighting at night means holding a torch in one hand. Why not just munch a carrot for better vision?"
"True enough."
Should send some to Haven next time. Anyway, onions!
Onions are the ultimate versatile ingredient—sauté 'em into anything for instant flavor. A staple humans love.
How to test? They're great as extras, but solo? Onion rings? No oil to waste when I couldn't even fry potatoes.
Racking my brain... Got it—raw onions with chunjang, that sweet bean paste from Chinese takeout sides!
Haven's sauce box from Mae had some. Dug it out from the corner.
"Chinese places always demolished the danmuji and onions first."
Nostalgic, I rinsed and sliced the onion bite-sized.
But prep matters! Raw onions straight-up burn without soaking. Dunked the slices in a bowl of Turtle's water to mellow the spice.
...They already looked shiny and tempting.
"Waiting's the hard part."
Fiddled with my companions for some healing top-ups while time passed. Onions and chunjang ready. Neatly plated.
"...Should snap a pic."
People post food on SNS for clout, right? Not my thing usually, but in this downtime, why not? Phone was fully charged off the solar bank.
Pulled it out, angled for max appeal.
"Not bad."
Then reality hit.
"But how do I share it?"
No net, no cloud. Old-school cable to laptop? Nope, didn't have one.
Ask next time. Another taste of civilization's regression. Sighed, faced the onions.
Chopsticks speared one, slathered in chunjang.
"Sucks there's no jjajangmyeon or jjampong after, but..."
Popped it in. Crunchy onion sweetness met salty bean paste.
"Yes~"
I'd polish off two refills of those sides pre-apocalypse. Satisfaction surged.
This petite body meant portions were huge, though. Curry later too.
"You guys eat. Gotta see what changes."
"Onions are spicy, no thanks nyang."
"Soaked out the bite."
Nyangnyang passed. Cat-like, even as a White Tiger.
Mae and Turtle nodded eagerly. Turtle drooling visibly.
"Not into grass, but I'll dig in. Falconer."
"Thank you!!"
We three nommed away.
"So, any changes?"
"...Not yet."
"Nothing noticeable."
No vibes sitting still.
"Maybe strength boost?"
"Physical changes like that, one of us would've noticed."
"Fair."
Onion, what do you even do?
"Maybe like potatoes—gotta get hurt to find out."
If I hadn't been injured, potatoes would've just been tasty spuds. Silver lining?
Other ideas fizzled.
"We'll figure it out eventually. Time to prep curry."
"Then falconer, I'll scout while you do."
"Safe travels!"
Mae flew out; Nyangnyang flopped on the couch.
"She hunts fine as a tiger, but cat-form is all naps."
"Leave her. This one will help!!"
"You're the best, Turtle!!"
Who cares about combat? No one beats his chatter and assist game.
"Th-this one would be super strong if contracted!!"
"Sure sure, you're first after level-up."
"Only you, master!!"
Together we peeled potatoes, chopped onions and carrots, sliced canned ham generously.
"...Let's cook."
"Time to start!!"
Perilla oil in the pan, minced garlic. Sizzle onions till soft, toss in carrots, potatoes, ham—quick stir-fry, add water, boil.
Melt curry powder in lukewarm water, dump and stir. Done in 30 flat.
"Fries to go with while it simmers?"
"Fries? Not rice?"
"Rice too. Busy busy."
Tedious, but for perfect curry—pressure cooker for rice, quick fries. Timed perfectly as curry finished. Rich aroma everywhere.
"Nice."
"Smells amazing!!"
Mae returned soon; Nyangnyang stirred for the scent. Turtle set the table with tiny hands.
Simple curry rice and fries, but enough. Proper meal like this? Ages.
Scooped a huge hot bite. Melted chunks, deep curry bliss—I kept going.
"This is insanely good nyang!!"
"...To my taste."
"Such tender veggies—first time!!"
Seeing them enjoy lifted my spirits. Meal flew by—first non-fries binge in forever.
"Ahh, satisfied."
"Dishes are mine!!"
"I'll help."
Turtle handling cleanup too? Useless in fights, but ultimate helper. Peak companion?
Rubbed my full belly, sofa-bound. Scooped napping Nyangnyang onto my lap, zoned out.
"......Huh?"
A bluish glow shimmered around my body.
"What's this nyang?!!"
Nyangnyang was poking a similar blue aura on Turtle. The others had it too.
"No way..."
Onion effect?