Chapter 4

Cultivating the Future

When I woke up, the sky above me was darkening, casting long shadows across the landscape.

For a moment, confusion settled in—was it really night? But then I recalled that this dimension might have its own settings designed to assist me.

I’ll check that later...

Stretching lazily, I rolled my shoulders, feeling well-rested for the first time in ages.

As I stood up, my eyes landed on the seeds scattered around my feet—the remnants of the fruits I had eaten earlier. A small smile crept onto my face.

Without wasting time, I gathered them carefully, planning out their placement with strategic precision before planting each seed into the soil.

Harvest and Preparation

With the planting done, I turned my attention to the first tree I had grown.

Placing a hand on its rough bark, I channeled mana into it once again. The connection between us felt stronger this time—more natural.

In just minutes, fresh fruits bloomed, hanging from the branches like precious gems. I harvested enough for two full meals, feeling a deep satisfaction at how smoothly the process was going.

Once again, I ate my fill, drinking from the nearby crystal-clear stream before taking a few moments to rest.

Feeling refreshed, I picked up two seeds, leaving the rest of the fruits and seeds on a flat rock nearby.

Stepping Back Into the Wild

Summoning the dimensional gate, I stepped through—and emerged back in the real world, where the mid-morning sun greeted me warmly.

The contrast between the two realms was striking, yet oddly comforting.

I wasted no time.

Walking over to the tree that had given me my first meal, I carefully planted the two seeds at its base. Pressing my hands together, I offered a silent prayer for their speedy and healthy growth, channeling just enough nature magic to help them sprout before moving on.

With that done, I turned my focus back to my journey—this time, with renewed confidence and purpose.

The Journey of Discovery

The next few days were some of the most productive yet.

I moved forward with a steady pace, keeping my senses sharp. Every time I came across a new plant, I instinctively activated my appraisal skill, gathering as much knowledge as I could.

Knowledge is power.

Whenever I found useful herbs, insects, or unique flora, I carefully transferred them into my dimensional space, steadily expanding my growing ecosystem.

With every new discovery, I felt myself growing stronger—not just physically, but mentally.

This world was vast, filled with endless potential.

And for the first time since arriving here, I truly felt like I was starting to carve out my place within it.

One day, while walking through the forest, I heard voices nearby.

Curious, I followed the sound, weaving through the undergrowth until I finally spotted two rabbit-like creatures engaged in conversation. They stood on their hind legs, their soft fur twitching nervously, and each had a small horn protruding from their foreheads.

Without thinking, I spoke.

“May I know why you’re looking for a place to hide?”

The reaction was immediate.

Both creatures froze in place, staring at me as if I were a ghost. After what felt like minutes of silence, the male rabbit hesitantly spoke.

“A-Are you ... talking to us?”

“Yes,” I confirmed. “I was asking you a question.”

The rabbit exchanged a glance with his companion before asking, “And ... how often do you speak?”

I frowned. What kind of question is that? But then, it hit me. I was talking to a rabbit with a horn.

Quickly recovering, I decided to play along.

“Ever since I learned the magic of animal and beast language.”

As if this was completely normal knowledge, the rabbit nodded in understanding, accepting my explanation without further question.

“Because the Storm Petals are blooming.”

I blinked. “Storm Petals?”

“Yes. It means a thunderstorm is coming soon.”

That was interesting information. If I could find these flowers, I might be able to predict weather changes in the future.