Tree of Life

"Is this even possible? A tree that fills up your mana just by being near it?"

"Well, the two of us are warriors, so we don't have a ton of mana to begin with."

Awakened humans normally had to rest for about a day after using up all their mana before they could use skills again. Sure, some classes were less affected, but mana was still a crucial resource. There was no way to forcibly recover it—unless you waited for natural regeneration, every Awakener's combat had its limits.

That was one of the advantages monsters held over human Awakeners. This made it a measure of skill to use skills as efficiently as possible, deploying them precisely when needed during battle.

Most Awakeners had probably thought it at least once: if there were something—even a little—that could recover mana, it would be a game-changer for the current state of affairs. But did such a thing even exist?

Fortunately, it did. Mana potions made by alchemists. But they weren't something you could chug like water the way you could with these potatoes.

And then, out of nowhere, this mysterious tree appears. The recovery amount wasn't small either. The range wasn't huge, but it steadily supplied mana. It was truly a miracle tree.

At that moment, a woman came rushing from afar. Ji-hyo, Haven's sole healer Awakener.

"You called for me?"

"Sorry to drag you here so urgently."

"Nah, it's fine. Thanks to the potatoes, no one's badly hurt anyway."

Ji-hyo arrived quickly despite the sudden summons. The reason for calling her was simple: to test how quickly this mysterious mana-restoring tree refilled mana.

Surprisingly, Ji-hyo the healer was the highest-leveled magic-class Awakener in Haven right now. And for good reason—she'd saved countless people single-handedly over the past two months, skimping on sleep and pushing herself to the limit. Her dark circles used to hang all the way down to her chin.

Lately, though, her complexion had improved. Obviously thanks to Hayun's potatoes. It was like giving an ER doctor who worked 24/7 a bit of breathing room.

Anyway. After hearing the full story, Ji-hyo closed her eyes and began to sense it. Her mana pool started filling up. Faster than expected. But not instantly full.

Ji-hyo looked at Kanghyuk and Seola.

"You two said it filled up quickly, right?"

"Yeah."

"Let me take a look."

Ji-hyo closed her eyes tightly, then snapped them open. The healer's eyes that could scan a human body.

"Could those who haven't fully recovered their mana come under the tree at once?"

At her words, many Awakeners stepped into the Tree of Life's domain. Scanning them with her healer's eyes, Ji-hyo noticed the difference.

Awakeners all had different mana pool sizes, but the inflow rate was identical. Regardless of pool size, the same amount poured in. And it wasn't a trivial amount. Even Ji-hyo, with Haven's largest mana pool, would be full in 10 minutes.

"This is great. Unless you're a high-level magic-class Awakener, you won't run short with this."

Ji-hyo was level 22, the highest in Haven. If even she said that, it meant insane efficiency for low-to-mid levels.

"Haha, you brought another astonishing item."

And this wasn't the end. She'd said feeding it her plants would apply their effects too, right? One potato could heal masses simultaneously—overwhelmingly efficient. Though it wouldn't sate hunger.

"We owe you again."

How could they ever repay this debt? The only answer was reclaiming the city from monsters.

"I'll head out. We need to take this city back for the girl, even a day sooner."

"I'll go with you!!!"

"Count me in!!!"

And so Haven mobilized once more. Backed by their reliable support.

Countless other comments piled up too. But most were just curiosity and praise for me. Kinda embarrassing, but not a bad feeling.

And that wasn't all. Seola's post sparked a flood of others.

Impersonator posts started popping up too. But by the time I checked, they were already gone. Did someone moderate this community?

Anyway, the Ark was pretty fun like this. One of the few dopamine hits in this bleak world.

The laptop battery still had plenty left, but I closed it. Still had work to do.

"Haven seems to be progressing nicely."

Thanks to my perfect support. At this rate, reclaiming a city was within reach.

"With some spare time, shall I look for new plants?"

Rice and mushrooms came to mind. Or green onions, peppers maybe. I'd gotten all kinds of seeds from Haven, so now it was just picking.

After much deliberation, rice first. My house rice was running low. I could live on fries alone, but Koreans run on rice power!

Rice was super useful. Taste might lag behind potatoes, but storage, yield per area—minus the water ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠needs, it was top-tier. No wonder so many countries staple it.

The water issue worried me, but rapid growth should handle it.

To grow rice, I needed seedlings. Regular white rice wouldn't sprout.

"But do I need a paddy?"

"It'd be pointless, this one thinks. Transplanting's for weeding or double-cropping—unrelated to rapid growth."

"True."

There was wild rice too. Maybe just lots of water?

So I grabbed a handful of seedlings and headed to the backyard past the potato field, finding suitable ground. Asked nature to till it, scattered seeds, and Turtle hosed it down.

But key point: extra water.

"You got this!!!"

"Ooooh!!!"

Cheering Turtle as he blasted water from his mouth, the ground soon soaked. Prep done.

I clasped my hands and shouted.

"Rapid growth!!!"

"High-speed growth."

Mana drained from me, seeped into the soil, awakening the seeds. Sprouts pierced shells, shooting up fast.

When stems reached a certain height, I stopped. Mana shortage to grow them all fully.

Normally I'd sleep till tomorrow, but not now. I had a second mana option.

Spread a mat under the Tree of Life, munched damp fries with cool cola, and relaxed. Did Joseon-era scholars chill like this?

Lost in idle thoughts, staring at the sky—Mae flew off mid-way with Nyangnyang. Probably hunting monsters.

Before they returned, mana topped off. Took about an ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hour. Longer than hoped, but hey, it refills.

Back to backyard for another growth burst. Tired? Back to tree for rest. Repeat.

By sunset, the field brimmed with golden rice stalks.

"Heh. A year's harvest in one day."

"Impressive, this one!!"

"Let's harvest quick."

At my will, stalks bent and fell. Companions hauled them. Me? Lounged in the breeze, yawning. Unapologetic luxury in these times.

But now the issue: hull the seedlings for white rice.

"...How do I even do this?"

I knew machines whirred it out. But I had none.

"Mind dehulling these?"

No reply from the rice. Dead plant maybe.

Had to check the Ark for methods.

"...Falconer."

Mae perched on my shoulder out of nowhere.

"The military sent someone. They ran urgently—seems trouble."

"Suddenly?"

I'd sent the requested potatoes already.

I waited under the Tree of Life. Soon, the gate opened—a burly guy dashed in. Name tag: Private Jeong Seunghwa.

Familiar face since our first trades. Youngest always gets the grunt work.

"What's up? Water?"

"No, I'm fine."

"Then, may I ask why the rush?"

"...Yes."

Jeong caught his breath, then spoke slowly.

"We need a lot of potatoes right now."

"Huh? I sent plenty last time."

We'd traded a few times, but they only took potatoes. Carrots? No vision issues. Bomb Flowers? Not needed.

I thought it was a lot, but more? Smuggling maybe?

As suspicion flickered, Jeong pulled out something. A small photo, like old analog.

Rare sight these days.

"...A talking humanoid monster appeared."

What...?