This Feels Just Like Village Tycoon

Eventually, I ended up accepting the Totori.

The moment permission was granted, the Totori sprang into action with excitement, scurrying around to build their homes.

How did it come to this? I watched the awkwardly bustling Totori, my branches swaying a little.

Kku-wung, kku-wung. They waddled along, bodies jiggling with each step. Hauling stones. Carrying dirt on their backs. Gathering twigs. It looked chaotic at first glance, but there was method to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it.

"Kku-wung!" When the Totori Leader swung his arm, other Totori rushed in with materials from the opposite side.

"Kkuuu-wung!" When he pointed at something else, two Totori dashed over and took position. Swiftly and silently. Click-click-click. I couldn't help but admire the sight.

The leader isn't just anyone, after all. With that kind of command, his rank had to be pretty high, right? The thought had barely crossed my mind when a window popped up in front of me.

Huh? C rank? I was honestly a bit surprised. Sure, the queen mana earthworm was only D+, so this was higher, but compared to Tori's B+, it felt low.

Is Tori some kind of standout even among the Totori? Maybe he had some incredible hidden potential. With that in mind, I kept watching them build.

Their houses were coming together surprisingly fast. And it wasn't just the Totori doing the work—the spirits were pitching in too.

The spirits zipped around, helping gather stones, twigs, and other materials. But not without a catch...

-Say thanks to my friend!

-I told you to help!

-Be grateful!

A spirit puffed out his chest and bellowed.

-Thank him more!

-Show your gratitude!

I gave them an awkward smile. ...These kids seem a bit bolder lately. Nah, had to be my imagination.

The Totori, spurred on by the spirits' words, worked even harder with their kku-wung kku-wung cries. The spirits beamed with pride at the sight.

Hmm. This combo... might not be so bad after all? As that thought crossed my mind, another window appeared.

A village? Then another window opened—a map, sort of. It centered on my Sanctuary, marking the Totori houses with little dots.

And in one corner, some small text read...

Oho...? I swayed my branches. This was totally like a village tycoon game!

Satisfaction. Cleanliness. Safety. Straight out of those games.

But safety has levels, unlike the others? Safety, Level 2. It didn't look high. Meaning this place wasn't fully secure yet.

Probably because the Totori weren't exactly combat powerhouses.

The spirits and my power are probably why it's even at Level 2. If I boosted my strength more, would safety level up too? Or...

Bring in some stronger residents... Not that I could control that.

As I poked around the window, lost in thought, a soft footstep approached.

"Kku-wung." The Totori Leader, Tabu, stood before me and bowed deeply.

"Kkuuu-wung." Probably meaning thanks.

No problem. I swayed my branches. But now a question nagged at me.

How did these guys end up being chased? I'd only heard they were pursued by monsters—nothing more.

Sensing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my curiosity, the spirits flew to Tabu and relayed it.

-He's curious!

-He wants to know how you got here!

-Tell him!

Tabu stood silently for a moment, then slowly spoke.

"Kku-wung... kku-wung. Kku-wung..."

The spirits nodded, then flew back to translate.

-One day, goblins showed up!

-They demanded submission!

-Said you'd regret it if you didn't!

Submit or regret it? That was a threat!

And?

-The Leader refused!

-So the goblins invaded!

... I quietly shook my branches.

So that's what happened. They just wanted to quietly farm their crops, but it must've been tough. Especially for Tabu, leading the group—guilt must weigh heavy.

With that in mind, I lowered a branch and gently patted his head. A "good job" gesture.

Tabu's eyes sparkled.

"Kku-wung...!" Then, through the spirits:

-He says meeting his benefactor was a blessing!

-Thinks they'll settle well here!

-Thanks you!

...Uh. I felt a bit embarrassed. Benefactor? I hadn't done much.

But hearing that fired me up. They trusted me—I couldn't just ignore it.

I'll do what I can. I steeled myself. Expand the Sanctuary. Level up. Have the spirits patrol. That was all I could manage now.

Time had flown by before I knew it. I checked the village window, leaves rustling.

Satisfaction had gone up from before.

Makes sense. The Totori adapted better than expected.

Mornings, they'd scatter seeds together.

"Kku-wung~"

"Kkuuu-wung~"

Dancing in a circle, crops sprouted right from the earth—tomatoes, corn, carrots, green onions, and more. Glimmering with mana, plain as day.

Lunch was harvested crops. Evenings, tending fields. The village grew richer by the day.

And on top of that...

-Clean these leaves too!

-They're dirty!

-Weeds here!

Under the spirits' direction, Totori came daily to polish my leaves.

"Kku-wung kku-wung." Tiny hands, careful and thorough, one leaf at a time.

Feels kinda nice being taken care of. My leaves sparkled brighter than ever.

Of course, I wasn't idle. I devoured any approaching monsters with Predation—mostly mana earthworms and bugs.

Leveled up, skills improved. I glanced at my status ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠window.

Level 10 already.Predation hit 2. Photosynthesis at 5. Sanctuary at 4. And Land of Abundance jumped two whole levels to 5! Kept using it so the Totori could grow great crops.

And it doesn't stop there. Stats too. Divine Power at 50 already! Must be from the Totori polishing leaves and offering crops daily—their faith piling up.

Spirit Power at 53, thanks to the spirits visiting and playing every day.

Most monsters won't stand a chance now. I felt proud. Especially with Sanctuary at Level 4—the range expanded a lot. Roots stronger and longer too.

Totori residents inside got healing effects and full protection. Hard to believe it was just a 5cm-diameter joke not long ago. Now it could cover the whole village.

As I mused, a weight settled on my branch.

Hm? Tori was perched there.

Kku-wung! Hugging the branch tight, grinning brightly.

You've grown a lot. Tiny as a hand when we met. Now noticeably bigger, though still small.

Fun watching you grow fast. I stroked him with a swaying branch. Tori squinted happily. Definitely pleased.

Meanwhile, Tabu—who'd been sowing seeds with spirits far off—looked our way. His big ears flapped as he called out.

"Kku-kku-wung."

Tori lifted his head, grinned, and replied.

"Kku-wung!" Then snuggled ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠back against my branch.

What'd he say?

-Hurry and come help! A wind spirit whispered.

Then go. I tilted the branch. Tori, Tabu's calling. Time to go.

Tori puffed his cheeks with a kku-wung, then hopped down—thump-thump-thump.

I swayed, watching. Nice. This peace... hope it lasts.

But.

Something's off. Spirits patrolled constantly, yet no goblins. They hounded the Totori relentlessly, they said. No sign of them coming this way?

Given up? Or moved elsewhere? That obsession didn't seem like it...

As I pondered suspiciously, wings flapped frantically—a spirit barreled in.

Far more frantic than usual.

-Big trouble! Huge trouble!!

What's wrong?

-Goblins are coming!!

Goblins? Nearby Totori faces hardened.

"Kku-wung..."

"Kku-wung...!"

Panicked Totori. But I stayed calm.

They finally made their move? Took longer than expected, but I knew they'd come eventually.

I won't go down easy. Not like when I first nabbed that baby earthworm. Even took down a straw cicada. Goblins? Pfft.

Come on, then—I'll handle you. I tensed my roots.

Whereabouts?

The spirit blurted desperately.

-Right nearby! But... but...

I froze at the rest.

-Not just one!

Huh? Not just one?

The spirit gasped.

-Tons of 'em! A whole horde!!

...What?