Webnovel Author In The Apocalypse World-Chapter 131: Little Oakie’s Bargain

Without hesitation, the two followed the trail, taking only a few steps before stopping beneath a tree.

It was one of the four trees Kim Haru had chosen to support the pigsty, and now his expression grew somber.

In that instant, he remembered the mutated plants he’d heard about but never actually seen.

As for these mutated plants, maybe the original owner of his body had known about them. But since Kim Haru had arrived only after the original owner’s death, the memories he’d inherited contained little information, just a vague mention of the term.

He hadn’t expected to find one around his farm!

Kim Haru warned Go Okrim to be cautious. Relying on the personal protective shield he’d purchased earlier, he began inspecting the organism, trying to determine if it was indeed a mutated plant. After all, it could just be some creature hiding by the tree to avoid being seen.

But after circling the tree twice, Kim Haru dismissed that theory.

Aside from the trail they had followed, there were no other traces in any direction. The tree’s branches and leaves weren’t particularly thick, so nothing could be hiding up there unnoticed.

So, it all came down to this tree.

Kim Haru didn’t have experience dealing with mutated creatures, but he didn’t think this tree would be especially aggressive. Whether when he’d tied the rope or when it had secretly helped by driving stakes into the ground, the tree hadn’t shown any hostility.

Had it not been caught by time constraints, Kim Haru might not have realized there was a mutated plant so close by until the pigsty was completely built.

Raising his axe, Kim Haru struck a pose as if he were about to chop down the tree. "Are you going to come out on your own now, or do I need to chop you down to make you come out?"

His expression was serious, his gaze cold and piercing, showing not a hint of amusement at threatening a plant.

Beside him, Go Okrim’s eyes sparkled as he clapped his hands, thoroughly impressed.

The next moment, the tree before them began to tremble, its branches and leaves rustling audibly, though there was no breeze at all.

The mutated plant, afraid of being cut down, finally moved in front of Kim Haru.

"Can you speak?" Kim Haru asked.

A particularly thick branch in the middle swayed left and right. Discover exclusive tales on novelbuddy

Kim Haru understood; that was a "no."

This was going to make communication difficult.

"Were you helping me just now?"

The tree nodded.

It was indeed helping.

"How did you help?"

One of its roots rose slightly out of the ground and waved in front of Kim Haru, indicating that it had used this.

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Kim Haru realized.

Of course, plants inherently had strong growth power, with roots able to navigate soil with exceptional flexibility. And being a tree, its root system was far more developed than that of smaller plants. It made sense that a tree root could produce such an effect.

Kim Haru wanted to ask why it had helped him, what its purpose was, but he knew the tree would only be able to respond by nodding or shaking, making it hard to get a detailed answer, so he decided not to ask.

"Are you okay with me building a pigsty here?" Kim Haru asked. Truthfully, he had a guess as to the answer.

Sure enough, the tree nodded.

That made sense; if it didn’t want him here, the tree could’ve broken the rope entirely. Let alone helping him drive the stakes into the ground. This act convinced Kim Haru that the tree didn’t just tolerate him building a pigsty here—it might actually be welcoming him.

Thinking this, Kim Haru voiced his thoughts and received an enthusiastic nod from the tree.

Could he have encountered a friendly plant?

But every action has a purpose. Kim Haru doubted the tree was just feeling lonely and wanted a pig for company.

"Do I have something you need? Point it out if you can." Kim Haru didn’t expect an answer, yet before he’d even finished speaking, both branches and roots pointed eagerly toward the vegetable patch in front of the cabin.

It seemed like it was afraid the treasure before it would vanish in the next second.

Alright then, Kim Haru understood the tree’s urgency perfectly. He posed one last question, "Do you want the soil, the fertilizer, or the water? Raise the left branch for soil, the right branch for fertilizer, and multiple roots if it’s water."

Swish, swish, swish.

Both the left and right branches, along with the roots, were raised high in front of Kim Haru.

Just like a child begging an adult for candy.

"Okrim, bring me my watering can." Kim Haru had made up his mind. While Go Okrim ran off to get the can, Kim Haru looked at the tree before him, proposing seriously, "Let’s work together. I’ll build the pigsty here as planned, and you help me manage the pigs. Be responsible for the safety of the entire pigsty and the piglets, keeping them from escaping. If the pen breaks, lend a hand to repairsl it.

In return, I’ll regularly provide you with what you want—whether it’s watering, fertilizing, or even replacing the soil. If you agree, nod."

The tree nodded eagerly, swaying so energetically it looked like it might bend a full 90 degrees, clearly wanting Kim Haru to notice.

Kim Haru wasn’t surprised by this outcome. Just then, Go Okrim returned with the watering can, and Kim Haru gave the tree a good soak, its leaves quivering with joy.

After dousing it with the equivalent of water for two small plots, Kim Haru stopped. "Alright, now help me reinforce the pigsty, Little Oakie. Drive the stakes into the ground, just like before—make it dense and tight."

Freed from the need to hide, the tree’s roots moved swiftly and efficiently, completing the task far faster than before.

Go Okrim noticed and asked, "Little Oakie?"