...Shall I Evolve?

I slowly read through the list.

'This evolution feels different from before.'

It wasn't something like a sprout or sapling. It seemed more like evolving parts of the tree itself.

Leaves. Thorns. Roots. Sap.

All specific components of a tree.

'Which one should I pick?'

I examined them carefully.

First, number one: Leaves of Healing.

The name alone gave it away. Recovery type.

It wouldn't be useless—Totori or goblins might get hurt in the future—but...

'I already have Sanctuary.'

Plus, my leaves were already infused with plenty of mana, enough to heal minor wounds...

'Pass on this one.'

Next. Number two: Thorns of Chaos.

'What’s this?'

Thorns growing on the tree? Defensive and offensive, maybe.

Not a bad direction, but...

It just didn't sit right. That word "chaos" stuck in my mind.

Thorns of Chaos. Sounded like something uncontrollable right off the bat.

'Hold off for now.'

Number three: Roots of Steel.

Oh. Roots hardening like steel, huh.

Roots were my main fighting tool already; making them stronger would be nice, but...

'Not bad.'

It didn't pull me in completely, though.

And four: Sap of Abundance.

'Hmm... My sap gets special?'

The name screamed synergy with the Totori. Special sap would open up new uses, probably.

But.

'The last one's stealing the show.'

I fixed my gaze on the very bottom of the list.

Hidden) Fruit of Evolution.

Evolution.

As a webnovel reader, I knew exactly what that word meant. Not just enhancement.

A fundamental change in existence itself.

'This is it.'

No need to look at the others.

Hidden options were a must-grab. There was always a reason they were hidden.

I decided without hesitation.

'Let's go! Fruit of Evolution!'

The moment I shouted that inwardly.

My vision blazed with light.

Bright enough to banish the darkness entirely.

In an instant, everything lit up.

Then the light gradually faded.

I released mana to scan my surroundings.

'...Huh?'

What? Is it over?

Nothing seemed different.

I'd expected some flashy transformation.

That was when.

-What the heck!!

-What happened!!

-You okay?!

The startled spirits woke with a jolt and buzzed around me frantically.

The sudden burst of light must've spooked them.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

I rustled my branches reassuringly.

'I'm fine. Sorry. Did I wake you guys?'

-Yeah! You really scared us-!

-Why'd it suddenly get so bright!

The spirits grumbled half-heartedly while checking me over.

-No pain anywhere!

-No injuries!

-Phew, good!

'Yeah, yeah. Let's get back to sleep.'

As I said that.

Thud thud thud—!

Footsteps approached, and Kan emerged from his house, face still groggy as he quickly scanned around.

"What happened!"

His eyes tense.

"I felt a strong power..."

I replied casually to his worried look.

'Ah, no big deal. Sorry for waking you.'

I knew he couldn't understand, of course.

Just habit.

But.

"...Huh?"

Kan looked baffled.

'Huh? What's up?'

He stammered, then spoke again.

"Say that... again, please."

'Huh? What?'

I repeated it on reflex.

'Sorry for waking you?'

Did he want to hear the apology twice?

The spirits beside him froze solid.

-Wha wha what??

-What's going on!!

-How is this possible?

One greater spirit shouted.

-Can he hear you?!

At their words, I caught on late.

'Wait, hold up.'

Come to think of it, how did Kan understand me?

No spirit translation.

I asked urgently.

'You can really hear me?'

Kan replied with an ecstatic expression.

"I can."

His deep, heavy voice trembled slightly.

"Perfectly clear."

Suddenly he could hear me?

'How?'

Evolution-related?

Right then, a window popped up.

'Ah.'

Got it. Evolution reward!

'Jackpot.'

No more relying on spirits for direct chats.

Less hassle for them too.

I glanced at the spirits, relieved...

-No way!!

-That was our special privilege!!

-You've only heard the voice through us until nowww!!

-Waaah...

The spirits wailed in dismay.

'Was it that big a deal?'

I watched, dumbfounded.

Kan turned to them, dead serious.

"I can hear the Master now too."

He paused a beat, then grinned ear to ear.

An obnoxiously happy smile.

"I'm on your level now."

-Nooo-!

-No way!!!

-We've been together from the start!!

-Equals? Ridiculous!!

The spirits howled.

Kan chuckled gleefully.

I sighed at the scene.

'These guys are getting weirder.'

A bright morning dawned.

Whoosh.

Sunlight poured through the leaves.

'Great morning!'

I opened my status window first thing.

'Whoa!'

Evolution bumped every skill level.

Predation. Photosynthesis. Sanctuary. Land of Abundance. Spirit Power Enchant. Fallen Queen's Pheromone. And even Poison.

All up by ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠one.

Except one.

'Spirit Affinity.'

That jumped two levels. To 5 already!

'Yes!'

Spirit Power stat should rise faster now, right?

I checked the skill details again.

'...Huh?'

What’s this?

The description changed?

New content at level 5?

The addition was...

[Consume 50 Spirit Power to evolve a lesser spirit into an intermediate spirit.]

-That part.

'Evolve spirits by spending Spirit Power?'

I felt like I swallowed hard. No saliva or throat, but still.

All my spirits were lesser ones now.

Finger-sized.

Evolving them to intermediate...

Lesser helped a ton already—what about intermediate?

Exciting.

'I have 65 Spirit Power.'

50 spent means just one evolution.

'Save it for now.'

For when it's really needed.

As I thought that.

'Sun's brutal today.'

Practically summer.

Blazing down.

Made me feel thirstier than usual.

I scanned for water spirits.

But.

'No water spirits?'

Where'd they go?

Other spirits answered.

-Water's running low!

-Crop water's all gone!

-Population boom!

'Ah.'

Makes sense.

Even with just Totori, water spirits were busy.

Goblins doubled usage.

Plus the heat.

Water demand skyrocketed.

I looked over—water spirits clustered, straining.

-Nngh—!

-Hnnngh—!

Then.

Drip.

One droplet on a crop.

-Whew...

-Haaah...

Water spirits panted hard.

A goblin approached them.

"Kieeh...?"

Asking for more water, probably.

Water spirits nodded wearily.

-Ugh... just a sec...

-Coming...

They trailed after the goblin, wobbling.

No rest.

I thought.

'This won't do.'

Couldn't overwork the water spirits who'd helped so much.

Village growing—water needs would explode.

If it's this bad now...

I pondered, then resolved.

'Evolve a water spirit.'

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

50 Spirit Power.

Save it? But now's the time.

I called one over.

-You called...?

It flew in unsteadily, eyes hollow.

The very ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠first one, from my seedling days.

Brought me water first, called friends.

I spoke gently.

'You're exhausted, huh? Sorry.'

It shook its head.

-No! If it helps you, I'm happy!

It beamed, eyes half-closed.

That tugged at me.

Yeah, can't let this continue.

Resolved again, I broached carefully.

'So, um.'

I brushed it softly with a leaf.

'Ever thought about evolving?'

-Evolving?

Its eyes widened, then it looked down, mumbling.

-But... I...

Weak, tiny voice.

-Born lesser... can't become intermediate...

I stroked its head with a twig.

It giggled happily.

'What if I had a way?'

It paused.

-Really... possible?

'Yeah. Just say the word.'

It lifted its head slowly.

Round, clear eyes on me.

Hesitated, then nodded faintly.

-I'll try.

'Good.'

The moment I thought that, a window appeared.