A Warm, Buff-Muscle Monster with Pretty Magic?

Tori led the way as the Totoris trudged through the forest.

“Kku-wung. Kkung.”

Hand in hand. They pushed through the woods together. Fortunately, they didn't run into any dangerous monsters. They even shook off the goblins that had been doggedly pursuing them. It wasn't just luck. It was all thanks to the wind spirit.

The spirit whipped through the forest at high speed, whispering into Tori's ear about where monsters lurked and where goblins were hiding.

-No, not that way! Three goblins!

Tori raised a hand and changed direction.

-This way's clear! Hurry!

They dashed in that direction and found an open path. In this ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠manner, the Totoris moved safely.

The Totori Leader watched the scene, then nodded gratefully to the wind spirit.

“Kku-wung.”

The wind spirit burst into giggles.

-No problem! I wanna get back to my friend quick too!

Friend.

At that word, the Totoris' gazes naturally converged. The spirit's friend. The being that had drawn all these spirits to it in this forest. The benefactor Tori trusted so deeply. Even the Totori Leader had grown curious about it.

Around that time...

“Kku-wung...”

“Kkung...”

The Totoris' footsteps slowed. They looked utterly exhausted. The Totori Leader glanced at the wind spirit and asked,

“Kku-wung.”

Could they take a short break? The wind spirit pouted.

-But I wanna see my friend soon...

After a brief hesitation, the spirit nodded.

-Fine.

As the Totoris settled down to rest, the Totori Leader approached the wind spirit. He cautiously opened his mouth.

“Kku-wung.”

What exactly was this "friend"? The wind spirit's eyes sparkled.

-Thanks for asking! I've been dying to tell someone!

Excited as if she'd been waiting for this, the spirit shouted,

-It's tough and hard, but kind and warm!

Tough and hard... does that mean it's packed with muscles?

-It can't move, but it can attack monsters from far away! Super strong!

Long-range attacks... sounds like magic.

-And best of all...

The wind spirit raised her voice and yelled,

-It's super pretty-looking!!

...Huh? That didn't match expectations at all?

As the Totori Leader blinked in confusion, Tori beside him nodded vigorously.

“Kku-wung!”

Meaning yes. At that moment, the Totori Leader imagined Tori's benefactor in his mind. A warm, muscle-packed, pretty-looking monster that used magic... In his head, the monster went mwah~ and winked charmingly.

'...'

The Totori Leader's expression turned subtle. Something felt off. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't picture it.

-Let's go now!

The wind spirit waved her hand.

-We're almost there!

They resumed their journey. After walking some more...

-It's my friend!!

The wind spirit flew ahead. Tori's ears perked up.

“Kkung! Kku-wung!”

He waddled after her. The other Totoris followed suit, and the Totori Leader hurried to catch up.

They arrived at a wide clearing. Lush grass grew thick here, setting it apart at a glance. The Totori Leader stopped and surveyed the surroundings. The air felt different. Heavy. Warm. Thick with mana.

He placed a hand on the ground.

“!!!”

His eyes widened. It was soil unlike any he'd touched before. The perfect blend of mana and nutrients. Farming here would yield incredible crops. His heart raced at the thought.

And in the center of that soil stood a single tree. It looked healthy and well-grown. About as tall as two adult Totoris stacked. It didn't seem old, but its bark gleamed beautifully. The Totori Leader stared blankly at the tree. It was strange. His eyes kept drifting to it, even though it was just a tree.

Shaaaaah—

The wind blew, rustling the leaves.

Sparkle. Twinkle twinkle.

“Kku-wung!”

Those leaves...!

The Totori Leader's eyes grew wide. They were identical to the leaves Tori had brought to heal him.

So the benefactor was nearby? He turned to Tori.

“Kku-wung?”

As he started to ask where the benefactor was...

-Kkung! Kku-wung!!

Tori shouted excitedly in front of the tree. That it had grown huge. That it was amazing. He was clearly addressing the tree.

Then...

Rustle.

The tree shook its leaves. As if responding. The Totori Leader froze in place.

'No way...'

Tori's benefactor was... Just as that thought crossed his mind...

-We're back! We're back!

-It was waiting!

-Ask if it's been well!

-Long time no see!

Beings poured out from between the branches. Spirits. Not just one or two. Fire. Water. Earth. Wind. All the spirits of nature swirled around the tree, laughing merrily.

Watching the sight, the Totori Leader was speechless. The spirits' friend. The being that could produce mana leaves.

'Then the benefactor is...'

The tree. The Totori Leader stared blankly at it. A smile crept onto his face. Instinct told him, even if not for sure. They'd finally found a proper home.

It's really been forever!

I fluttered my leaves at the returning Tori. And behind him, a line of Totoris.

Totoros everywhere!

Whoa. What a rare sight. All these round fluffballs gathering and looking around. Too cute.

I couldn't hide my excitement and rustled my branches. Meanwhile, Tori waddled up and hugged my trunk tight.

“Kkung!”

Oh man. That fluffy texture!

Tori peeked his head up and said,

“Kku-wung!”

The spirits giggled and translated.

-It's grown so much!

-Almost didn't recognize it!

Yeah.

I'd shot up after catching that straw cicada. Sure, I'd passed out briefly in between.

But growing like this is a win.

I smiled down at Tori. Before, I'd fit entirely in his arms. Now, he could only hug half my trunk. I was starting to look like a proper tree, not just a sapling.

Good thing I caught that straw cicada.

Not just the size— I'd gained a lot else too.

I casually pulled up my status window.

Already level 9. Ma Energy up by 20. Spirit Power at 47 thanks to the spirits. I'd used Land of Abundance and Fallen Queen's Pheromone a ton fighting the straw cicada, so those leveled up. Predation and Poison were new.

Growing great.

I was pleased. Might evolve again soon.

As I admired the status window...

Huh?

The Totoris suddenly clustered together. They inspected spots here and there, then gathered as if deciding something. They pulled things from their fur and scattered ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠them on the ground.

I know what that is!

What Tori did to grow tomatoes. Sure enough, they sowed seeds, then stood in a circle around the spot.

And...

Kku-wung~.

They started jiggling their plump bodies. Bouncing. Waving arms wide. Hopping and dancing.

Tori had joined in before I knew it.

Insane.

Too cute! Totoros dancing together. If I had hands, I'd clap.

Something wriggled from the ground. A tiny sprout.

Peek.

It poked its head out, then shooop— the stem shot up. Every time the Totoris raised their hands...

Up. Up. It kept growing. Their feet tapped a rhythm, thickening the stem, spreading leaves wide. Soon, a plant as tall as a Totori.

Swoosh—

Something golden ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠emerged from the thick, sturdy stem. Leaves wrapped it tight, then unfurled.

Golden kernels, each twice the size of an adult's palm. Corn. But not ordinary corn. The color was otherworldly. Each kernel gleamed like it held light—mouthwatering. And twice normal size.

Whoa...

Corn can grow like that?

Well, I've used Land of Abundance lately.

This place was prime farmland now. Mana- and nutrient-rich soil, plus Totori powers...

Makes sense...?

As I marveled...

“Kku-wung.”

The biggest Totori stepped forward. Pluck. He carefully harvested the corn. Glanced around, then slowly approached.

Huh?

Coming to me? The Totori Leader stopped before me. He held out the corn with both hands and bowed deeply.

“Kkuuu-wung.”

Like offering tribute to a superior.

Uh, me?

I can't eat it anyway... The spirits swooped in at the sight.

-Thanks for letting us live on such great land!

-The crops grew this well because of this soil!

Ah.

Can't refuse when offered like that. I lowered a branch and took the corn. Can't eat it, but give to spirits.

Thanks.

Then the spirits went Ah!

-Right!

-Accepting what that Totori gives makes you their owner!

-Thanks for becoming our owner!

'...Huh?'

I froze at the spirit's words. What? Owner? What owner?

At the same time, the Totori Leader beamed and bowed deeply.

Wait, hold on!

That's not it!! Despite my silent cries, the Totoris cheered and bowed in unison.

“Kku-wung!!”

“Kkung. Kkuuu-wung!”

I panicked, receiving all their bows.

No! That's not what I meant!

I just meant live here! I don't wanna be your owner! Just live here!!

Whether I meant it or not, the spirits flew around laughing gleefully.

-Now everyone knows how amazing my friend is!

-Yeah!

-Wooow!

Be more grateful! More!!

“Kku-wung!”

“Kkuuu-wung!!!”

At the spirits' words, the Totoris bowed even deeper, happier than ever. At the same time, a window popped up before my eyes.

No. Listen to me, guys.

The Totoris and spirits chattered excitedly, asking each other to take care. I screamed voicelessly into the void.

Listen to me too!!

“Kieee...”

In a massive cave, a goblin trembled flat on the floor. It was one ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of the goblins that had raided the Totori village. His eyes held both fear and awe. Directed at one being. A goblin seated on a stone chair.

Twice the size of others. Clear eyes, not inverted. They gleamed sharply. The Goblin King.

“So.”

A low, gravelly voice echoed through the cave.

“You lost the Totoris?”

“Kieee...”

The prone goblin shrank further. The Goblin King's eyes narrowed.

How dare they.

“Escape from my grasp.”

He tapped the chair's armrest. Tap. Tap. Tap. The quiet sound reverberated. The goblin shrank smaller.

Silence fell briefly.

“Find them again.”

Cold and resolute.

“Even one is fine.”

Bring them.

“Kieee!”

The goblin nodded and scurried off. As the footsteps faded, the Goblin King narrowed his eyes.

Totoris.

This time, I won't let them escape.