Composting is a method of recycling organic matter such as dead plants and wood waste into a substance that can be used to fertilize plants. It was a process Rowan was used to. Back on his farm in the human kingdom, it was a long, drawn out process. But so many aspects of farming were accelerated here in the goblin kingdom. It was not surprising that changes occurred overnight. When Rowan checked the compost box he’d set up the previous day, he would have been prepared to accept that the process was not done, but would have gladly appreciated it if he already had some workable material. He was not prepared for what was actually in the box.
Rowan should have been warned by the movements of the box. He hadn’t noticed it shaking around, something boxes of compost normally don’t do. As luck would have it, Rowan’s back was turned every time the box made a little jump or shake. When Rowan approached the box to open it, all movement had died down, and whatever was inside it paused, waiting patiently for its moment. Of course boxes of compost don’t normally move on their own. And once the creature causing the movement had an opportunity, it sprung out and attacked.
A trio of impish creatures known as mulch minions leaped as soon as the lid of their box was opened just a crack. Rowan fell on his back as they bounced on him.
Rowan was shocked to see what looked like three piles of soil hopping up and down on his belly. He had heard of earth elementals, and put together the realization that that’s essentially what he was up against. Three tiny embodiments of earth, in this case plant matter decaying into mulch.
They were little creatures, but their attacks hurt.
3 damage, 3 damage, 3 damage HP: 5/14
Each of the three creatures did 3 damage to him. Even if he took one out in a single hit, he’d be knocked out by their next attack. It was too late to slam them back in their box, but Rowan had to think of a way to prevent them from reaching him again.
Rowan leaned on the clunky sword he’d made himself and leaned on it to get on his feet. As he swung himself up, he let his motion continue, kicking his foot forward and knocking a light-weight mulch minion far away.
Rowan locked his feet on the ground and prepared himself for the incoming attacks. Only two creatures were near him, but even two attacks would knock him out at this point.
When the first mulch minion lunged at him, he blocked the attack with his sword. The tiny creature held on tight to the blocky piece of wood, then swung from it toward Rowan, landing a sloppy hit on his belly. The second went for Rowan’s leg, but Rowan placed his sword in its path, causing it to trip. Instead it sprayed a chunk of soil in his face.
2 damage, 2 damage HP: 1/14 Stamina 10/12
It seemed that Rowan discovered a way to block attacks and mitigate damage. It cost him a little bit of stamina instead, a concept he had only recently discovered.
Now Rowan took the chance to run away from the little monsters. He pulled some corn out of his bag and ate it quickly. Instead of taking the time to chew and swallow the food normally, Rowan discovered that he could simply shove it into his mouth and it shrunk to a size that fit, the same way items shrunk when he put them in his bag. Doing so circumvented the normal process of eating, meaning he couldn’t taste or enjoy the food, but that didn’t matter now. The healing effect was all he cared about. He had to consume two full ears of corn in the time it took the mulch minions to stop bumping into each other.
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HP 11/14
Rowan tossed a tomato at one of the creatures. In a red and brown explosion it burst into messy pieces. Then he blocked an attack from the second one.
[tomato, enemy attack, Rowan attacks]
Rowan throws a tomato Deals 5 damage Mulch Minion A is down Mulch Minion B attacks Took 2 damage Rowan attacks Deals 3 damage Mulch Minion B is down
Rowan swung his awkward sword. He learned that these creatures didn’t have much health at all. If they hadn’t caught him by surprise he would’ve been able to make short work of them. A single swing of his sword reverted the other minion to a puff of soil.
The third mulch minion had been stuck in a bush, but had now skipped its way over to him. Rowan swung his sword over his head, deciding it made more sense to treat it like a club than a blade. He squashed the final little bugger.
Rowan attacks Deals 3 damage Mulch Minion C is defeated The Mulch Minions are defeated XP +15 XP to next level 51 Obtained Mulch pouch x3
Rowan dusted himself off and picked up the little bags of mulch the creatures left behind. Could be useful for replenishing the fertility of the soil on his farm. He walked round to his plot and harvested the plants that had grown before administering the mulch to three squares of farmland. The XP was nice too. Along with the little creatures he'd picked off here and there, he'd made some decent progress to the next level.
Rowan felt relieved that he was knocked out by another impish plant creature. He felt relieved and vindicated. It was a close call, but he found a way out of there alive. He would have to be prepared for surprises like that. Any aspect of farming could turn into combat. He kept in mind his new trick of blocking attacks.
After Rowan placed the mulch, he noticed the difference it made to the soil. The mulched squares looked fresh and healthy, like the perfect home for budding plants. The other used squares now looked grey and sad by comparison. They still seemed usable, but Rowan didn't like the difference in quality. He dropped what he could in the mulcher knowing that the next day he'd catch the little buggers by surprise.
Rowan still had plenty of corn, and noticed that upcoming orders didn't call for much of that particular food, so he had no qualms about using some to get back to full health as he watched his recently planted crops begin to slowly grow. In fact most of his orders could not be fulfilled without growing potatoes. He had 2 potato seeds from a reward he obtained the previous day, but he remembered Zillia's warning that something would come if he planted them. He thought he might risk it. He was getting stronger and learning new skills. Maybe he could take on whatever came along. But he simply kept the seeds in his pocket for now. He had enough close calls, and didn't know the nature of the opponent he'd have to fight next. He was content to do some peaceful farming for a while.
As Rowan was sitting by the desk contemplatively watching his tranquil farm, he heard some shouting deep in the forest. Rowan knew that farming was a repetitive process, but he could not believe how often he felt a sense of déjà vu. The voice sounded familiar.
Rowan ran into the forest and what did he see but Scrumble up against a group of kobolds. “Human scum! Get out of here!”