vrdant

Hey, lad. Whatever you need, just spill it.

You're scaring all my customers away with your grim face. I can't do business like this.

I...

Yeah?

Lad, how about I show you the flowers that have just arrived?

Are you getting flowers for your mum or your crush at school?

N... Neither.

I saw your recruitment poster.

Do you wish to work here?

If you need help...

You're an Infected?

I'm sorry, but I can't hire you.

...It's fine. You're not the only one who's turned me away.

I'm sorry for taking up your time.

Hey, hold on a sec.

Why do you want this job?

...I like plants.

That's a decent reason.

I like plants too because they know how to play to their strengths.

They can neither talk nor move, but their appeal lies in their colorful flowers and pleasant scents.

But...

Many plants don't flower and have no scent...

They deserve our love too, right?

You're interesting, lad. Hmm.

I do have a job in mind that might be suitable for you.

Won't be too much human contact, just need to get your hands dirty working with flowers and plants. And it requires you to go dangerous places on the regular.

I know this supplier who's on the hunt for plant hunters. Simply put, he needs someone to help him collect rare plants.

Wanna give it a shot?

Whoaagh—

I-Is this a...

Trap?!

Who are you lot?

What, us? Whuhh...

...We're tourists.

Yeah, that, we're tourists!

We heard that this old abandoned manor had some smashing scenery, so we came by for a stroll!

For real?

For real...

Something cold is touching me...

I feel it too... What is this...

Vines?! Why are they moving?

Many have set their sights on this manor lately. You'd better come clean and tell me why you're here.

Or I'll feed you to these carnivorous plants like those who came before you.

And who are you...

You're asking me?

Stop wasting your breath with him! Just tell him the truth! I can't stand these bloody vines around my neck!

...We're here looking for thornblooms.

Oh? Thornbloom, is it.

There's not even a single bud here in this manor, let alone thornblooms.

It's right there under that sculpture! I swear on my granny's life!

Thornbloom is the root of the plant! Just dig it up and you'll see how it got its name.

Turns out it was those weeds...

Is he off looking for thornblooms? Could he be a plant hunter too...

You sodding idiot, look how soft these vines are. They can't choke you.

...Did he bluff me?!

Thornbloom...

The roots do look like a flower. Thorny and henna-colored.

According to my boss, its price's gone through the roof in the black market... thanks to its very high medicinal value.

It doesn't flower and has no scent, but its roots can cure sickness, so people need it.

They even give it a flower name when it doesn't flower.

Ugh—

Just as Verdant bends down to pick the thornbloom, he notices a solitary tuft of grass growing beside it.

It's nothing remarkable, but here in this wheat field, it sticks out like a sore thumb.

When the wind blows, the unripe wheat plants all bend to one side.

At that instant, the tuft of grass finally reveals itself to the sun.

What have we here...

Verdant sees the grass and notices his hand that has reached for the valuable thornbloom.

If it weren't for the gust of wind, he probably never would've found this tuft of grass.

All of a sudden, he feels somewhat ashamed.

Hey, kid.

Which village are you from?

(Wary) What's your business?

What's your business? You have the face to ask that when you're wandering about my land looking suspicious.

How dare you glare at me, huh? Get yourself out of my field. I'm weeding.

Weeding?

Upon hearing that, Verdant instinctively glances at the unknown grass behind him.

Knowing he will sound weird and annoying, he speaks anyway...

No...

I'm staying put.

You brat!

Verdant!

God, it IS you... Verdant, mate, how long's it been?

Oi, Uncle Watson, the scythe doesn't go that high, come on, you could poke someone's...oh, were you having arow?

You know this boy, Tucker?

Of course! We're classmates!

...Were classmates.

Not anymore now.

Haha, you haven't changed one bit.

Uncle Watson, you don't get this pissed off, do you... Could be it's just a misunderstanding?

My classma— Verdant here might come off as a bit intimidating, and he's not good at dealing with strangers. But really, he means no harm.

Okay, then maybe you can talk some sense into him and let him know he's not only a nuisance but also rude.

Hurry up and get him off my land! If I go on arguing with him, I'll be too knackered to bicker with my ball and chain tonight!

Come in and have a seat. No one's home, so you can relax.

...Sure.

I just realized you're a local here.

Wait, what? Just half a minute ago I thought you came all the way here to hang out with me.

Fine. You wouldn't have argued with a farmer over some weeds if you were here to visit me.

...Thanks for helping me out just now.

No big deal... Of course, I'd love some help with my fieldwork report if you're up for it.

I think I'll sit this one out. I don't want to...