Turtle King

Everyone pooled their strength to slowly clean up the chaotic kitchen. As we peeled off the rice grains scattered everywhere, I pondered the phenomenon, and only one answer emerged.

"Yeah, rice must multiply several times when cooked into steamed rice, right?"

"This one thinks so as well."

"But can we even cook rice in a rice ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠cooker like this to begin with?"

"Using an electric rice cooker like this is a luxury in a world like this, isn't it, nyang?"

Eh? Is that so?

I immediately asked Seunghwa Jeong nearby. How do they eat in the military?

"Ah, we use large pots for mass cooking."

"Makes sense, since every bit of electricity is precious."

"Above all, fuel is plentiful, so it's only natural."

Come to think of it, I hadn't used the rice cooker even once until I got the batteries and generator. That was my mistake.

"If we put an appropriate amount of rice in a big pot like that, we should be able to cook without any issues."

"Yeah, you're already short on food, right?"

"Yes! It'd be great if we could take this."

"I have plenty to eat anyway, so take all the rice we're making now."

"...!!! Is that really okay?"

Seunghwa Jeong's expression visibly brightened. We saved his people, but food shortages must have been tougher than expected.

"As expected of the Druid. You always help us out precisely when we need it."

"Well, I've received plenty from you guys in return. But how are you going to transport this?"

"We'll prepare the sacks on our end. Good thing we brought a few."

"Oh ho."

With help from Seunghwa Jeong and his companions, we packed all the white rice from the milling machine into sacks. It ended up being a whopping two full sacks.

"...If a casual test grow yields this much, properly farming it could produce tons."

"For now, we'll test how many people these two sacks can feed."

"Sure. Take care."

"Is there anything you need, by chance?"

"...Not right now. I'll let you know if something comes up."

Seunghwa Jeong hoisted the two sacks of rice proudly over both shoulders and dashed off at full speed. He was so thrilled that the ground shook with thuds as he ran. I sat back down in the rest area under the Tree of Life, watching him go.

My companions gathered around me before long. Of course, Mae kept his distance, scouting the perimeter.

Not the clingy type.

Lying with my head pillowed on Penguin's cool belly, I breathed in the fresh air and lightly organized my thoughts. Finally, I nodded and shared my conclusion with the companions.

"...I was originally planning to max out rapid growth and just dump food supplies."

"Y-You were going to do that?!"

"Nah, it was because the military might run short on food because of me."

Our family had suddenly grown nearly tenfold, so I felt responsible. I planned to pick another rapid growth skill ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and send over heaps of potatoes. My potatoes were special thanks to their effects, but quantity-wise, they'd still fall short for feeding people.

But this?! Rice multiplies several times over? Then rice could solve the food problem entirely. In this world, plain white steamed rice would more than cover the basics. They'd figure out side dishes themselves if needed.

"Ooooooh!!! R-Really?!"

Turtle's expression began to melt. He seemed to deeply believe I'd finally pick Honttoni Taming and contract with him for real.

(Of course, I did plan to, but I felt like teasing him a bit more.)

"So I was thinking, if I pick Tree of Life, I'd have three, and since the military spot is empty right now—"

"......!!!!!"

Turtle's face stiffened again. Nyangnyang and Penguin started teasing him mercilessly.

"Pushed back again, nyang?!!"

"Poor Turtle. Always last in line!!!"

"Th-This one is f-fine..."

Poking at the gloomy Turtle playfully, he started to sniffle. Whoa, had I teased him too much?

"But honestly, I'm not sure how great Tree of Life is anyway, and the military will focus on internal cleanup rather than fighting for a while. So, on hold."

"Th-Then...?!!"

Turtle beamed. I stood up, opened my status window, and leveled up a skill.

Taming finally hit level 4! Turtle danced with joy.

I could wait for new animals, but it was time to reward Turtle, who'd been waiting patiently. Honestly, he seemed the most capable among the companions anyway.

"Alright, contract time!!"

"Th-Thank you!!!"

Contract with the sniffling Turtle!!! It glowed intensely before returning to normal. But the difference was clear—his life force visibly overflowed now.

"So, Turtle, show off what you can do now."

"Ahem, it's finally time to demonstrate this one's power."

Turtle waddled to the open yard and began to grow. But...

"...Huh? What? How big are you gonna get?!?"

Turtle kept expanding endlessly. Bigger than Mae, Penguin—even White Tiger. Soon, he was large enough to cover my house.

"...This seems to be the limit for now."

"Will you get even bigger as my level rises?"

"Indeed."

"Then what's your ability?"

"Behold this."

Turtle grimaced and conjured something in the air—a clear blue crystal-like barrier. Perfect for blocking incoming attacks.

"Seriously ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠specialized in defense."

"Yes. More than enough to protect my master."

"Fair enough."

"There's more. Everyone, come here?"

We approached, and Turtle slammed his head to the ground.

"Climb atop my head."

"On your head?"

"Enter my shell."

Stepping on his head, we reached a narrow gap barely wide enough for one or two people.

"In here, nyang?"

"Yes."

"Feels nice and snug, nyang."

Nyangnyang dashed inside. We followed cautiously. It was a whole other world—an cozy room with a green floor. We could live here with our stuff. And while the outside couldn't see in, we could see out. Magic mirror, huh.

"Feels like my own secret base."

Childish idea, but exciting all the same. I felt a thrill.

"What if we put something in and you shrink?"

"...We'd have to test it."

"Then... Mae! Bring something!!!"

No response, like he couldn't hear. Turtle called instead, and Mae finally entered.

"Excellent soundproofing. I couldn't hear the falconer's voice from outside."

Mae ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠brought a huge log. We left it and exited.

"Turtle King! Shrink!!!"

"Understood!"

Turtle shrank.

"How's it feel?"

"No discomfort."

"Then grow back."

"Understood."

Turtle grew again. We climbed his neck back inside.

"The log's still there, nyang!!"

"So shrinking and growing doesn't affect the inside?"

"Can't be sure without someone checking from within!"

Penguin was right. We needed a witness inside.

"Isn't that too risky?"

"Make a penguin statue!"

Penguin blasted cold air onto the log, creating a penguin statue. Right, the surveillance TV.

"To the room!!"

We exited Turtle and headed to the room. The screen showed the interior clearly. No weird effects, thankfully.

"Shrink!!"

"Yes!!!"

Turtle shrank smoothly. The interior view darkened, like the magic mirror effect faded.

What the heck?

"Growing back!!"

"Yeah!!"

As Turtle grew, the outside view returned to normal.

"Hmm, how to describe this."

"Better check with Turtle, nyang."

We explained to Turtle, who pondered briefly before concluding.

"Perhaps it shifts to a sub-space when shrinking."

"Maybe. Either way, safe for occupants, so great as an emergency house."

Like if attacked and my house destroyed, or crossing seas/rivers on Turtle. Cheat ability, really. Zero offense, though.

"But is offense really zero? You said you could cleave heaven and earth with water jets."

"Ahem, time to show my mighty water jet."

Turtle opened wide toward the distant forest. Heart pounding a bit, I watched.

Shwooooosh— a powerful jet shot out, slamming a tree. It bent from the impact. But...

"......Couldn't even break one tree?"

"A-Ahem..."

Turtle averted his gaze. Cleave heaven and earth? More like a water park.

"Your huge body trampling would break more."

"True."

Nothing's perfect.

"Still, bigger size means more water output, helpful for farming."

And not just farming. Haven and military would soon lack water. Filling tanks would be useful.

"Good. Performance test complete."

"Hahaha, what do you think?"

"Perfect. Unlocked at just the right time for balance. Fills our gaps exactly."

First contract was Nyangnyang inevitably, but delaying past Mae and Penguin was right. Maybe should've delayed Tree of Life instead.

Anyway.

"Done with everything—time to farm."

"Great!!"

"I'll help!!"

"Nyangnyang and Mae will patrol, nyang."

As we resumed the day's routine, thud thud—something approached from the distant forest. Short legs, short arms. Round head with two round ears. Short scarf, artificial round eyes.

I knew exactly what it was. Teddy bear.

Why was the teddy bear walking?

"An enemy...?"

Startled, I cupped my hands to fight—but the others shook their heads. Mae eyed it sharply before concluding.

"Falconer, that's a new companion."

"...Huh? This teddy bear?"

The teddy bear approached, smiling. Its eyes changed in real time?! It bowed and hugged me.

"Ah, yeah. You're the new companion, huh."

Last level up offered choices, bringing a new one. Not waiting this time, though.

"Sorry, but I already contracted."

It nodded. Knows that?

"Can't talk?"

Nod nod. Teddy grinned.

"Even if contracted?"

Nod.

...Nodding silently was kinda cute.

"......Eek!!"

I hugged the teddy bear without thinking. So soft and fluffy—really nice.

"For now, hang with us till I contract you."

One more friend today.