The night after Kael's visit felt heavier, like the darkness itself had decided to linger. I couldn't sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw those storm-gray irises staring at me over a single strawberry, the way his tongue had flicked out to catch the juice, the way the shadows around him had reached for me like curious fingers.
I hated how it stuck in my mind.
So I did what any reasonable person would do at three in the morning: I went back to the field.
The moon hung low and fat, silver light spilling across the rows like spilled mercury. The plants were awake—quietly awake, leaves rustling without wind, whispering to each other in the language only I could hear now.
*He came.*
*He took.*
*He wants more.*
I knelt beside the tomato vine that had birthed the soul-devouring fruit. One cluster still hung heavy, dark red and innocent-looking in the moonlight. I traced a finger along a leaf, feeling the faint pulse of hunger inside it.
Then I remembered the "gift" Kael had left behind.
Tucked against the shed wall, half-buried in dirt where he'd dropped it before vanishing, lay a small black orb the size of a fist. Demon core. Pulsing faintly with crimson veins, it looked like a heart carved from volcanic glass. The air around it tasted like ash and iron.
Sprout Quill appeared the second I touched it, zipping in frantic circles. "Host! That's a demon core! High-grade! He just… left it here like pocket change?!"
I lifted the orb. It was warm. Almost hot. The crimson veins throbbed in time with my heartbeat.
"He said it was payment," I murmured. "For the strawberry."
Sprout's leaves quivered. "Payment? That thing could corrupt an entire village! Or… power something terrifying. What are we doing with it?"
I looked at the field. Then at the demon core. Then back at the tomato vine.
A slow, wicked idea bloomed.
"We plant it."
Sprout Quill froze mid-loop. "We… what now?"
I dug a small hole with my bare hands—deep, dark, welcoming. The soil parted easily, almost eagerly. I placed the demon core at the bottom, covered it with earth, then pressed my palms down and poured essence into the spot.
The ground drank it greedily.
For a moment, nothing.
Then the earth cracked.
A thin crimson shoot punched upward, twisting like smoke made solid. It grew fast—too fast—thickening into a stalk the color of dried blood, thorns sharp as obsidian. Leaves unfurled, black with red veins, and at the top… peppers.
Hellfire peppers.
They swelled quickly, skin glossy and veined with glowing magma, heat radiating in waves that made the air shimmer.
[Anomaly Harvest Initiated]
[Demonic Seed Integration Successful]
[New Crop Unlocked: Hellfire Pepper (Rare → Epic)]
[Effects: Extreme heat damage, soul-searing essence, minor demonic corruption on contact]
[Warning: Highly unstable. Handle with care. Or don't. Your choice.]
I reached out, careful, and plucked one.
It burned my fingers even through the essence shield I instinctively raised. The pepper throbbed like a living coal, tiny flames licking along its surface without consuming it.
Sprout Quill whispered, "Host… you just grew Satan's snack."
I grinned. "Good. Let's see how hot they really are."
I didn't have to wait long.
The ground rumbled—distant at first, then closer. A low growl rolled across the fields, followed by the sound of claws on stone. Shadows detached from the treeline, eyes glowing red, fangs bared.
Minor demons. Attracted by the demonic essence like moths to flame.
Six of them slunk forward, hulking shapes with too many limbs and too much hunger.
I stood up slowly.
One charged.
I hurled the hellfire pepper.
It struck the demon square in the chest. The pepper burst on impact—flames erupted in a roaring sphere, hellfire licking across black skin. The demon shrieked, thrashing as the flames ate inward, soul-searing essence burning away its very essence. It collapsed into ash within seconds.
The others hesitated.
I plucked another pepper, twirling it between my fingers like a deadly flower.
"Anyone else?" I asked sweetly.
They roared in unison and rushed.
I didn't move.
Instead, I crushed the pepper in my palm.
[Essence Pulse – Demonic Overload]
Crimson light exploded outward. Hellfire vines erupted from the ground, wrapping the remaining demons in burning chains. Peppers detonated like grenades. Flames roared. Screams turned to ash.
When the light faded, only scorched earth and a few wisps of smoke remained.
The field was silent again.
The new hellfire plant stood taller now, peppers glowing smugly.
[Battle Harvest Complete]
[Demonic Essence Absorbed ×6]
[Hellfire Pepper Plant → Level 2]
[Growth Acceleration: +150%]
[New Title Unlocked: Demon Farmer (Level 1)]
Sprout Quill floated down, voice hushed with awe. "You just turned a demon core into a weaponized vegetable garden. And won. In under two minutes."
I looked at the scorched patch. Then at the sky, where stars still glittered coldly.
Then I laughed—bright, breathless, a little feral.
"Kael Nocturne," I murmured to the night. "If that's your idea of a gift… I accept."
Somewhere in the darkness beyond the village, a prince paused mid-step, shadows curling tighter around him.
He tasted strawberry on his tongue.
And for the first time in years, the curse in his blood felt… curious.
Not angry.
Curious.
About a farmer who grew fire from dirt and fear from nothing.
The game had just begun.
And the harvest was going to be delicious.