“Environmental conditions…”
This mountain was birthed from the jungle.
It wouldn’t suffice to dub it a “famous mountain,” even as a joke.
“The trees were sparsely distributed and quite unhealthy.”
Yet, that was typical for the back hills of any ordinary neighborhood.
But soil fertility plays a crucial role in plant growth.
This vast forest of giant trees would surely not find its match in the back hills of a town.
“Which means…”
I turned to look back at the slumbering Alraune.
After observing me at ease as it momentarily dozed off, I glanced down at the ground around where it was situated.
[Ingredient Identification (Enhanced)]
[Soil]
[Freshness – Lowest]
“Lowest…”
Some might question how soil could even possess freshness, but that [Freshness] metric contained myriad implications.
In simpler terms, it meant that the soil had lost all its nutrient value.
According to the description, Alraune was also a type of plant.
Thus, it needed to extract nourishment from the ground, and I could finally comprehend the reason for its sudden slumber.
“It’s malnourished.”
The fertility of this soil couldn’t sustain Alraune and the neighboring plants.
The creature hadn’t drifted off because it felt secure.
‘It likely didn’t even have the strength to keep its eyes open.’
Without legs, the Alraune couldn’t have strolled all the way to this place from another region.
My troops had also stated that it wouldn’t be logical for them to bypass their watchful eyes.
Likely, as I had surmised, it had suddenly popped into this location.
Upon its arrival, it likely realized the subpar state of the soil.
‘What a miserable stroke of luck for that tree.’
Having pieced together the situation, I realized the implications.
And if I were to assume my insights were accurate—
“Tackling it shouldn’t be that arduous.”
The one responsible for creating this jungle was slowly perishing here.
Deprived of nourishment, Alraune would inevitably die on its own.
“The expansion of the jungle was… perhaps an attempt to search for fresh soil.” Ariella commented.
“Most likely.”
However, at least one direction in which the jungle was expanding was blocked by my troops.
Even if it tried to flee in a different direction, there wouldn’t be much crowded earth brimming with nutrients.
This essentially meant that—
“Just let it be, and it would soon wither away?” Ariella questioned.
If my troops continued their herbicide operations and widened the range for a few weeks, it should suffice.
If the Alraune couldn’t find any new rich soil, it would perish on its own.
The disturbance that plagued the ammunition depot and the village would resolve itself effortlessly.
Not bad.
Not bad at all.
But then again, it felt a bit unfortunate.
“Quite a pity, though.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m referring to those plants.”
The myriad types surrounding the Alraune, flourishing in their own right.
Had I been unaware when I first awakened, I wouldn’t have grasped it, but now it is evident.
“They harbor magical attributes, don’t they?”
Cheol-wook wasn’t wrong about the farmer’s spirit.
Likewise, as a chef, I recognized the benefits too.
Food infused with magic would undoubtedly possess superior flavor and effects compared to ordinary sustenance.
So—
“Wouldn’t vegetables have a similar trait?”
“I have already noticed, the ingredients lately weren’t particularly abundant.”
It would be far too wasteful to allow them to wilt and die.
I couldn’t simply overlook such a waste.
Having reached a resolution, I stood up.
As I moved—
I noticed the Alraune’s eyes, which had been closed, slowly partially opening as they peered at me.
But just for a moment.
Then…
With a feeble sigh, its eyes closed back again.
It must have been incredibly hungry.
“I’ll be back soon.”
It neither tried to stop me as I departed nor exhibited any concerns.
Though climbing upwards had been challenging, the descent was comparatively easier.
I reached my troops without any hindrances.
“Hey, hey!”
“Sergeant Shin has returned!”
As I rejoined the unit, my fellow soldiers, who had been diligently working to stave off the jungle encroachment, called out to me in excitement.
As a result of the commotion, Lee Sang-ah appeared, looking incredulous.
“Didn’t you pledge to avoid reckless acts?”
“I did. Look! I made it back in one piece.”
“….”
She seemed utterly at a loss for words.
I felt a tinge of guilt, but I was much too preoccupied to dwell on it.
Brushing aside the speechless Lee Sang-ah, I called out the name of one soldier among the gathered troops.
“Park Cheol-wook.”
“C-Coming!”
An old man rushed out from among the troop, a look of eager loyalty on his face.
The farmer type awakened, Park Cheol-wook who was recently enlisted was now answering to my summons.
He appeared rather nervous in response to the unusual atmosphere.
“I have an important task for you.”
“Anything, just say the word! Uh, I mean, please give your orders!”
Seemingly apprehensive, he stood at attention.
I laid down the order.
“I need you to teach me how to make fertilizer.”
“…Huh?”
Perhaps because he had been away from military life for too long, his answer felt somewhat out of line.
“Since the soil has lost its nutrient value, I need you to instruct me on how to—”
“…?”
“No, rather…”
“…?”
“I need you to teach me how to cook fertilizer!”
Due to nutrient deficiencies, the trees were suffering.
As a chef, it was clear what I needed to do.
Hold on tight!