Reborn in the Survival Adventure Game-Chapter 32: Searching for Fertilizer

Morning came, and Caelen stepped out of the house. The air was fresh after last night's light rain. Rena and Miko, the goblin kids, waved at them as they passed.

"Be careful!" Miko called.

Zira smiled and waved back. Caelen gave a small nod. "We will. Keep an eye on the firewood pile."

They were heading out to find fertilizer ingredients. Corn had reached 95%, but it wasn't ready yet. It might take months to fully mature without help.

Caelen had a plan.

"We'll need bones, phosphorus, and potassium," he said while walking beside Zira.

"Phos... what?" she tilted her head.

"It's something plants need to grow faster. You'll see."

They reached the edge of the woods, scanning the ground. Soon, Caelen noticed some old bones half-buried near a tree. Probably from a dead animal.

[Google: Scan this bone]

[Scan Complete: Animal Bone – Usable for Fertilizer]

Zira squatted next to them, curious. "You're sure we need this?"

"Yeah. Bone ash helps crops. It's full of stuff the plants like."

Zira watched him with quiet wonder. "How do you know all this?"

Caelen hesitated, then shrugged. "I read a lot. Before all this."

"Books?" she blinked. "But... you don't even have books here."

"I just remember things. From... before."

She didn't ask more, but her thoughts spun. He always knows things no one else does. Always. Still, she didn't press.

Caelen pocketed the smaller bones and tied the larger ones with vines.

"Alright. Next is phosphorus."

[Google: Where to find phosphorus]

[Answer: Found in certain types of rocks near riverbeds or in animal bones]

Caelen pointed toward the stream. "Let's check the river next."

As they walked, the air was warm and quiet. Birds chirped nearby. Zira walked a little slower, stealing glances at him when he wasn't looking.

She frowned to herself. Why do I feel warm when I'm near him? Why do I... smile when he talks?

She didn't understand it. She'd always lived for survival. Never had time for this kind of feeling.

They reached the stream. Caelen started scanning the rocks.

"There." He held up a rough, dark rock with pale veins inside.

[Google: Rock contains trace phosphorus – usable]

He dropped it in the bag.

"Two out of three," he said. "Last one—potassium."

[Google: Where to find potassium]

[Answer: Found in wood ash or specific rocks]

Caelen turned to Zira. "We need ash from burned logs. Did the kids burn anything yesterday?"

"I think so," she said. "They were roasting fish. Should still be there."

As they walked back, Zira kept quiet. Her heart felt odd again. She glanced at his hands—scarred from work, steady. His voice echoed in her head. Calm. Smart. Kind.

Why am I like this around him?

Caelen noticed her silence. "You okay?"

"Yeah," she said too quickly. "Just thinking."

He smiled softly. "Dangerous habit."

She looked away, flustered. "Shut up."

Back at the camp, the kids ran over.

"You're back!"

Caelen knelt by the firepit and scooped some of the cooled ashes into a sack.

[Google: Wood ash – Source of potassium – usable]

Zira sat down on a log nearby, still watching him. Still wondering.

He always seemed to have the answer. Always calm. Always figuring things out. She had never met someone like that.

I like being around him... Is that why I'm like this?

She didn't even notice she was smiling until Miko tugged her sleeve.

"You like him?" the little goblin whispered.

Zira froze. Her face turned pink. "W-What?"

"You're smiling weird."

"I'm not."

"Yes, you are."

She glanced at Caelen. He was talking to Rena about corn and the shed.

Zira let out a quiet breath and shook her head. "Don't be silly."

Miko giggled and ran off.

That night, Caelen put the sacks down near his furnace. Bones, phosphorus rocks, ash. Everything was ready for tomorrow.

Zira leaned against the doorframe.

"So, tomorrow you're going to mix it?"

"Yep," he said. "Grind the bones. Maybe cook the rocks down. It's not perfect, but it should help the corn grow faster."

She looked at him quietly. "You really want that corn, huh?"

"I want us to have food before winter."

Zira stared at him, then nodded. "That's... smart."

Caelen scratched his neck. "Thanks."

There was a soft silence. Not awkward, just... still.

She looked up at the stars. "The sky's nice here."

"Yeah."

"Hey... Caelen?"

He looked at her.

Zira hesitated. "Do you... miss your old world?"

He paused. "Sometimes. But this place... it feels like I can do something. Build something. Help people."

She nodded. Her heart felt full for a second.

"I'm glad you're here," she said softly.

Caelen blinked. "What?"

"I said the stars are pretty," she lied.

He laughed. "Yeah. They are."

She turned away, hiding her smile.

Why do I feel happy when he laughs?

She didn't have the answer. But she liked the feeling. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com