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"What's your name?" Asked a younger man, probably a high-schooler. He had dark skin and blue eyes, and fastened the gardening gloves around his hands. "I'm Joris."
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"Fowl," he replied, offering a friendly smile. "Nice to meet you, Joris. So, we're here to cultivate plants and level up, huh?"
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Joris nodded enthusiastically. "Yep! It's a chill way to gain experience points and contribute to the community. Plus, you get to enjoy the beauty of this place. I've been here for a while, and gardening has been my go-to. It's therapeutic, you know?"
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Fowl couldn't agree more. The serene atmosphere of the farming region, coupled with the gentle rustling of leaves and the scent of blooming flowers, provided a welcome contrast to the chaos that awaited those who ventured into the more dangerous zones.
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As they worked on tending to the crops, Fowl couldn't help but notice the variety of plants that seemed to have a magical aura about them. Earth-chan's influence had transformed not just the landscapes but the very essence of the flora itself. Vibrant, otherworldly colors adorned the petals, and the fruits seemed to shimmer with an ethereal glow when touched and placed within the soil.
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"These aren't normal plants are they?" Fowl asked, holding up one of the root vegetables in the air, getting a better look.[break][break]
Joris shrugged, "I'm as new to this as you are. We've been gone a while, so I imagine a lot has changed since the first set of awakenings." [break][break]
"Good point." Fowl replied, picking up the watering can and filling it up at the nearby tap. He felt displaced, like a lost puppy, late to a party that had almost finished. But what was the purpose of this drastic change? Is this what the world will always be like now?[break][break]
The water began to overflow, spilling during his mind wandering, absent from the here and now. It took for the water to spill over his hands to bring him back, the sudden cold making him realise he had spaced out. "Ah-" Quickly twisting the faucet, Fowl hurried over to start watering the potted plants, quenching their thirst in this warm greenhouse.[break][break]
Joris chuckled, "Lost in thought, huh? It happens to the best of us. This world, or game, or whatever it is now, can be overwhelming. But you get used to it."[break][break]

Fowl nodded, focusing on the rhythmic task of watering the plants. The greenhouse had a peaceful ambiance, and the gentle hum of life surrounded them. As they continued their gardening duties, the two engaged in casual conversation.[break][break]

"So, Fowl, what's your story before all this? What were you doing back in the 'real' world?" Joris asked, genuinely curious.
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Fowl paused for a moment, reminiscing about the life he had left behind. "I was just an ordinary office worker, commuting every day, dealing with the mundane routines. Nothing special, really. This game, or Earth-chan's experiment, or whatever it is, it's a massive change."[break][break]

Joris nodded, "Same here. I was in high school, stressing about exams and all that. Now, I get to wield magical powers and tend to magical plants. Can't complain too much."[break][break]

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After all, connecting to this system meant more than just gaining levels, although that did mean that the longer you were active and connected to the system, the more you were levelling up in terms of growth and the like. If your mentality was strong, your psyche could push and guide the magic within yourself into working alongside you and your senses rather than having it being suppressed and only showing a select amount of what it could offer you.[break][break]
A set amount, a finite number, not everything could be offered in the early phases...[break][break]
Though, from what Fowl had been able to piece together, it sounded like a grind based system that forced players to dedicate the rest of their lives to 'seeking the full truth', fast tracking people to impossible strengths. Though the system was there, the individual had to drive themselves further, grow and increase the efficiency in which they utilised their magic, which would cause their ability scores, growth score and much more to drastically increase.[break][break]
But what was the end goal? It was all Fowl could think about. [break][break]
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The system's notifications continued to pop up in Fowl's vision, reminding him of his progress and the potential for growth. His thoughts, however, lingered on the mysteries of the game. What was the purpose of this system Earth-chan had implemented? Was there an ultimate goal, or was the journey itself the destination?[break][break]

Joris, sensing Fowl's contemplative mood, broke the silence. "You're thinking about the system, aren't you?"
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Fowl nodded. "Yeah, I can't help but wonder about its true purpose. It feels like there's more to it than just gaining levels and magic proficiency. What are we striving towards?"
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Joris shrugged, "I guess we're all figuring that out as we go. Some players are pushing their limits, becoming these powerful beings, while others are just enjoying the ride. Maybe the end goal is different for everyone."[break][break]
Fowl packed away the gardening equipment, doing his best to return the greenhouse exactly how he left it, if not cleaner, eagerly awaiting the pop-up from the system.

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