Chapter 43: The Leek/Green Onion Guardian

“Kasia, what are you doing?”

Kasia is planting something in the field.

What is she planting?

• Ah. You’re here. I was planting Ainmosni.

“Ainmosni? We should plant it together! Otherwise, we might not be able to connect with it.”

• Either way, didn’t you need to plant from the seed to establish a connection?

“Is… is that so? Seedlings work too, though.”

Now that I think about it, that’s true.

Planting a fully grown plant doesn’t really count as cultivation.

• But where have you been? And what’s with that watering can I’ve never seen before?

“Oh, right! Listen, Kasia. This is amazing, I swear!”

I told Kasia about discovering the Secret Dungeon, being dragged in, and receiving a reward from the Dwarf I met there.

• That Dwarf rascal? If he doesn’t recognize the value of an item, he acts like a miser.

“He was friendly! He lined up all the items and explained each one in detail.”

• Friendly? That Dwarf? He was just showing off the Artifacts he made.

“No way. I really got this watering can as a gift!”

-Puhahaha!

It’s the first time I’ve seen Kasia laugh so loudly.

• If it was a real gift, he would’ve given you other Artifacts you had your eye on. It’s not like he needs them anyway.

“Is that so?”

Now that I think about it, that might be true.

Still, this watering can is plenty useful, and he gave it to me for free, so who am I to complain?

“Well, whatever. I’m happy with this.”

I showed the watering can to Kasia and headed for the water tank.

The first time, you have to connect it to a dimension.

“The usage is simple. Just press the button and hold it to the faucet.”

Time to test it out.

First, I changed into my work clothes and rolled up my sleeves.

I planned to finish planting the Ainmosni and then water them.

“You’ve already planted a lot, huh?”

• Of course. I’m a proper farmer now!

Kasia’s learning speed when it comes to farming is getting faster by the day.

Even the Banchu she planted last time are growing healthily.

“Good job. Let’s finish up.”

• Wait!

I was about to plant the last three roots when Kasia stopped me.

Nya.

• Don’t plant those. I set them aside for you to eat. You still aren’t sleeping well, are you?

“Gasp! I’m touched…!”

Kasia looks worried.

I’d forgotten about it, but she remembered and set them aside for me.

“Thanks. By the way, what about the soil that was here?”

But… the soil I brought with the Ainmosni isn’t here.

Surely she didn’t throw it away?

• Ah. I used that soil to fill in when planting a few roots.

“What?!”

They say even a dog recites poetry after three years at the village school.

After just a bit of teaching, she’s dividing plots and running experiments, just like I do.

• Why are you surprised?

“No, it’s really great. If only the Banchu get Stats attached, I could just leave all the farming to you…”

• What did you say?

“Eh? Oh, nothing. You really did well.”

-Hmm.

Phew.

My plan to naturally get her interested and skilled in farming, without her realizing it, was almost exposed.

If she found out, it’d all be ruined.

I need to watch what I say.

“Shall we try it out, then?”

Shwaaaa~

A refreshing sound accompanied the water gently spraying from the watering can.

Plants can bruise if watered with too much force and the cell walls get damaged.

But this Dimensional Watering Can sprays water at just the right pressure—perfect.

“Kasia, want to give it a try?”

• Let me see.

Kasia picked up the Dimensional Watering Can and examined it from every angle.

• It’s so light because it’s empty inside. Everyone knows the Dwarves are master craftsmen.

Despite the ancient feud, Kasia is mature enough to give credit where it’s due.

Kasia walked up to the Banchu with the watering can in hand.

As expected, she’s extra attentive to the plants she planted herself—just as planned.

“Ahem. I’m off to cut some Green Onion for today’s meal.”

Every day, I stop by to cut Green Onion for cooking.

Normally, they wouldn’t grow this quickly, but crops in my field always grow fast.

Must be thanks to the ‘Farmer of Eliya’ Stat, right?

“Thanks for always growing so well. I’ll enjoy you today, too.”

Just as I was about to cut a Green Onion, a notification popped up before my eyes.

Ding~

[Green Onion – Bond 200% Complete]

(Condition) Plant with love – fulfilled

(Hidden Condition) Harvest 10 bundles from a single Green Onion root – fulfilled

200% achievement effect: When ‘special conditions’ are met, a Guardian is born.

*As a first bond reward, the Green Onions will ‘grow rapidly.’ Additionally, 1 Guardian will be born.

“What? Rapid growth!? And a Guardian, too?”

• Hm? Looks like something special happened to your Green Onion.

Even now, Green Onion grows fast.

That’s why I never lack for it in recipes.

“If they grow even faster now… will they start growing like trees?”

• No matter how rapid, do you think they’ll become thick and tall like trees? They’ll just grow faster, that’s all.

“Tsk. I know that much.”

Even as I was thinking, new shoots were already sprouting from the cut Green Onion stubs.

‘Let’s just cut the rest.’

I started cutting the rest of the Green Onions.

I’d definitely planted them in straight rows, but one Green Onion was growing apart from the others.

‘Why is this one here? It’s longer and pointier than the others.’

I can’t stand misaligned rows.

I tried to pull it up to move it, but it wouldn’t budge.

“Hup! Huh. Did the roots grow deep? It’s not moving at all.”

• Let me try. Hrrrrk! Hurrgh.

Kasia’s face turned red from exertion, but she shook her head.

• We’ll have to dig it out.

“Yeah, I think so too.”

Kasia’s opinion matched mine.

Together, we started digging around it like playing ‘Capture the Flag’ with the soil.

“Huh?”

As I cleared the soil, I found lots of white rings like tree rings instead of roots.

Carefully brushing away more dirt, I noticed a slight movement.

I poked it with my finger, and it squirmed in response.

‘It’s alive… isn’t it?’

The message did say a Guardian would be born, so this must be it.

“Kasia, I think this is a Guardian.”

• The third Guardian? I’ve never seen a Guardian being born! Wake it up!

I gently brushed away the remaining soil, revealing its form.

But it looked different than I expected.

“W-what is this?!”

–

・I-it’s a bundle of Green Onions!

Just as Kasia said, the Guardian looked like a bundle of Green Onions.

Like what you see at the market… That’s right.

“A bunch of Green Onions…”

That’s the only word that fits.

I quickly cleared away all the soil.

• It was a weapon.

The Green Onion planted alone away from the others was actually the Guardian’s weapon.

Like Little Pepper’s arms and legs, this one had thin arms made of black lines, clutching it tightly.

“Wait… is this a spear?”

The weapon is longer and pointier than the Guardian’s body—looks like a spear to me.

There’s so much I want to ask, but the Guardian’s eyes are still closed.

“Ah, I should give it a name. What would be good?”

Naming always makes me nervous.

What if it hates me for giving it a lame name…?

• By the way, what’s a ‘bunch’?

“Hm?”

• You called it a ‘bunch of Green Onions’ earlier.

“Oh, ‘bunch’ is a unit for counting grouped vegetables.”

Kasia, arms crossed and hand on chin, thought for a moment and suggested a name.

• How about Pa-dan?

“Pa-dan? What does that mean?”

Just as you said, it looks like a ‘bunch’ of Green Onions. So, Pa-dan!

Not really sold on the name.

I told Kasia I’d think about it, but nothing else comes to mind yet.

While I was thinking, its eyes slowly opened.

Those eyes, still heavy with sleep, made me feel sleepy just looking at them.

It blinked slowly, then looked straight up at me.

(…Pya?)

“Hello! Nice to meet you!”

• Pa-dan is a very sluggish Guardian.

“It’s not Pa-dan. I haven’t decided yet. But it’s definitely slow, like you said. Is there something wrong?”

The Guardian slowly crawled out from the ground.

Then, without a care, it tossed aside the Leek Spear and grabbed onto my pants.

‘So… cute…’

Slow movements, sleepy blinking eyes.

All the Guardians are short, only reaching my knees, but this one’s the actual size of a real Green Onion—so even smaller, with a plump belly.

And oddly enough, its head is green, body white, no beard under its belly, and two stubby legs hold it up.

‘That round belly is adorable…! Should I poke it just once?’

I knelt down, and Kasia followed suit.

• What are you doing?

“Chubby belly! Isn’t it super cute?”

I gave the round white belly a gentle poke.

“Huh?”

• What’s wrong?

“It won’t go in… This isn’t the kind of belly I imagined.”

Kasia poked it too, then said with disappointment,

• It’s packed full inside… I thought it would be squishy.

The little guy pressed even closer to my leg, as if telling me not to poke its belly again.

I tried to slip my hands under its armpits and lift it, but it clung tighter with its legs.

“I’m not trying to separate you. Just let go for a moment, okay?”

Still, it wouldn’t let go.

Is it… climbing up a little?

• It’s like a total cling-on.

“I just want to get a closer look. Loosen your grip, please.”

Finally, it looked up at me and, after meeting my gaze, slowly relaxed its grip on my leg.

“Up we go!”

I lifted it up to face level.

“I just got a flash of inspiration! Pa-rongee! How’s that?”

• Pa-rongee? What does that mean? I’ve never heard it before.

It’s cute! Plus, it’s long like you. Yeah, that’s it! Your name is ‘Pa-rongee’ from now on!”

Swoooosh~

Just like with the other Guardians, Pa-rongee’s body shone with radiant colors when named.

[You have named a Guardian you bonded with.

Skill ‘Communication–Leek’ is activated.]

[Communication–Leek]

Allows you to converse with Green Onion crops.

As if it was waiting to be named, Pa-rongee immediately spoke up.

(…Don’t… poke… belly….)

“Oh? Oh, sorry. I’ll be careful from now on.”

After that, it said nothing more.

• Maybe it’s sulking? Seems it doesn’t like its belly poked.

“Really? How do I make it forgive me…? Anyway, I wonder what its power is?”

I’m curious too. From before, it seemed to attack with that Green Onion.

The other Guardians were born with their own weapons.

Ddakkongi has a slingshot, Little Pepper has a pepper sword.

So Pa-rongee’s weapon must be the Leek Spear it just threw away…

(…Ability is… attack with Leek Spear…)

It took a while, but Pa-rongee finally revealed its own ability.

Not only does it move slowly, it even speaks in a sluggish way.

• Ugh… It’s like eating a whole sweet potato. So slow!

“You attack with a spear made of Green Onion? But is it okay to just toss your weapon aside like that?”

After saying its piece, it fell silent again.

When I tried to put it down, it clung to my arm with a death grip.

Doesn’t want to be separated at all.

What a perfect name.

“Come to think of it, now that there’s a Guardian, can I see the Green Onion’s grade?”

I picked up a Green Onion, and the information window appeared.

Ding~

[Green Onion–A]

A Green Onion grown with a farmer’s bond.

Though it was cut in half almost daily, being handled, seen, and eaten every day deepened the bond.

Each time, new leaves grew from the same root, making it resilient.

Guardian bonus: +1 level

• Eating it permanently increases stamina by 1. (First time only)

“Huh? My stamina increases!”

• Congratulations! You’ve raised another crop that increases Stats!

“So bonding really does give Stats.”

(…Weapon… can be… pulled out again… Pya pya…)

• What’s Pa-rongee saying all of a sudden?

“Is it answering my earlier question about the weapon?”

Pa-rongee nodded slowly.

“How do you pull it out?”

Kasia looked at Pa-rongee, clearly interested.

Shashak—

“What?! What was that? Kasia, did you see?”

• See what… Oh! It’s holding a weapon!

Despite being so slow, Pa-rongee now had a weapon in hand before I could even blink.

“How did you do that? I didn’t see anything.”

• Look! The Leek Spear you threw is still on the ground.

Just like Kasia said, the Leek Spear was still on the ground, and Pa-rongee was holding a new one.

Kasia and I stared blankly at Pa-rongee, when it finally spoke.

(…Pulled… a new one… from my back… pya pya…)

Looking closely, one Green Onion stalk at the back of Pa-rongee’s head was cut off.

“That’s supposed to be a laugh, right? Pya pya. How unique. But isn’t that your head, not your back?”

• S-Scary!

And so, that was my first meeting with Pa-rongee, the Green Onion Guardian who wields a disposable Leek Spear as its weapon.