Thinking back on it now, there was something almost laughable about it all. Before entering the game, they had expected to compete in strength, speed, or perhaps strategy. Instead, the game had made them compete at growing flowers.

Brian thought back to his attribute values before entering — it was clearly a game weighted toward balance, with requirements across combat power, intellect, and spirit alike. And yet at least for now, none of that felt remotely relevant.

…

The seedlings grew with remarkable speed. By the time the second 6-hour mark drew near, all three had put out seven or eight leaves — they could be transplanted.

The soil they had brought back was enough for all three of them, but the wood supply was running low.

Brian glanced at the dwindling stack of remaining fuel some distance away and made a mental calculation: once that woman came by again, they would have to go out for supplies.

They needed more fuel to maintain the temperature the seedlings required.

Teacher Cheng sat beside the fire, eyes closed — whether resting quietly or already asleep, it was hard to say.

Brian considered for a moment, then pulled Ed aside and lowered his voice. “Once I take the old man out for supplies, use that chance to… destroy his seedling.”

Ed’s eyes went wide instantly, and he stared at Brian in surprise.

“What’s wrong?” Brian frowned. “Didn’t we discuss this before? The game rules won’t let us go after him directly, but there’s nothing stopping us from going after the flower. The moment his seedling is destroyed, that woman will handle him on her own…”

“No!” Ed said through clenched teeth, his expression agitated. “The old man can’t be touched right now! What if our flowers run into trouble again later?! He has to stay until the very end!…”

“Are you losing your mind? If we wait until the end and there’s no opening, then what?” Brian’s brow furrowed harder. “The seedlings have already been transplanted. From here on, we’ll pay closer attention. Otherwise, if we wait another 6 hours until the roses bloom, the old man will start being wary of us — and he’ll be much harder to deal with then.”

“No, no, absolutely not!” Ed shook his head vigorously. “Better safe than sorry. At the very least, we wait until the flower buds appear — until then, we absolutely cannot move against the old man!”

“Why can’t I get through to you?!” Brian was growing annoyed, his voice rising without realizing it.

Cheng Weicai opened his eyes and looked over. Both men fell silent at once, each looking somewhat abashed.

Cheng Weicai said nothing. The old man quietly took a sip of water, gave his seedling a little water as well, then sat staring at it — no one could tell what he was thinking.

Brian, watching this, nudged Ed with his elbow and murmured, “He may have heard everything we just said. Don’t be stupid — he’s already on his guard. When I take him outside, you have to act. Understand?”

Ed’s lips moved slightly. He disagreed, but in the end said nothing more.

Soon enough, the second 6-hour mark arrived.

The Ice Queen returned once again, silent as before. This time, since all three flowers were unharmed, there were no casualties.

She studied each of the tender seedlings in their containers, and the ice-cold look in her eyes gradually softened. She watched them for a long, long time, then, as before, spoke: “I will return in 6 hours.”

The Ice Queen departed.

Brian glanced at Ed and gave a light cough. “The wood won’t hold much longer, and if the seedlings keep growing, the soil may not be enough either. We’ll need to make another trip to the city district… Ed, you stay behind to watch our seedlings. Keep them warm, don’t let the fire go out.”

Ed turned his face away and grunted an irritable acknowledgment.

Brian looked over at Cheng Weicai. “Teacher Cheng, I can’t carry very much on my own. Do you think…?”

“I’ll go too.” Teacher Cheng let out a quiet sigh. “The wind and snow outside are severe. Going alone to find supplies really is asking too much of you…”

Brian managed a thin smile. “Indeed. And don’t worry too much — Ed will be watching the roses. The flowers will be fine…”

His words broke off.

Because he saw it — Cheng Weicai reached into his jacket and produced a severed hand, which he quietly set down beside the flower pot.

—