READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 1: A Peaceful Life Interrupted
The gentle scent of flowers filled the air as Carter Brooks moved through the aisles of the small plant shop in Chicago. At 21, Carter had carved out a life he loved in this quiet corner of the bustling city. With his worn apron tied snugly around his waist and a watering can in hand, he tended to the plants like a loving parent.
"Hey there, little guy," Carter chuckled, gently pouring water onto a budding fern. "Grow up to be big and healthy, okay? Let's show the world how beautiful you can be."
He moved to another shelf of succulents. "You guys are looking a little thirsty today," he said, sprinkling water across their tiny pots. "There you go. All set to soak up the sun." He stopped to adjust a cactus and grinned. "Watch those spikes, buddy. You're already fierce enough."
Carter hummed as he worked, occasionally stopping to trim a leaf or adjust a pot. The shop was his sanctuary—a place where time slowed down, and the chaos of the world seemed far away.
The bell above the door jingled, and Carter turned to greet a customer, a middle-aged woman in a sunhat.
"Good morning!" he said brightly. "Looking for anything special today?"
The woman smiled. "Yes, I'm looking for something to brighten up my patio. Maybe some colorful flowers?"
"Oh, I've got just the thing," Carter replied, leading her to a display of vibrant geraniums. "These are hardy, bloom beautifully, and love the sun. Perfect for a patio."
The woman bent to inspect them. "They're lovely. Do they need a lot of care?"
"Not at all," Carter said. "Just water them a couple of times a week, make sure they get plenty of sunlight, and they'll thrive. If you want something even lower maintenance, I've got some marigolds over here that are great too."
She chuckled. "You really know your stuff. How long have you been doing this?"
Carter grinned. "About five years now. Plants are kind of my life. It started as a job, but now it's my favorite thing to do. Plus, they're great listeners." He gestured toward the fern he had been talking to earlier. "That one's a bit of a chatterbox, though."
The woman laughed. "Well, I'll take these geraniums. They'll brighten up my patio for sure."
"Great choice! I'll ring you up," Carter said, carrying the pots to the counter. As he bagged them, he added, "If you ever have any questions, just come back. I'm happy to help."
When she left, Carter returned to his work, happily watering and chatting with the greenery. It wasn't long before his boss, a stout man with a kind face, approached.
"Hey, Carter," his boss called.
Carter straightened. "What's up, boss?"
"We've got a delivery to make," his boss said, handing Carter a small bag of plants and a slip of paper with an address. "Can you handle it?"
Carter took the bag with a smile. "Sure thing, boss. See you later!"
With that, he stepped out into the busy streets, the bag of plants swinging gently at his side. The crisp city air filled his lungs as he walked, taking in the sights and sounds around him. A group of high school kids passed by, laughing and chatting animatedly.
"Dude, did you see how T.J. almost wiped out in gym class today?" one of the boys teased, nudging his friend.
"Hey, it's not my fault the floor was slippery!" T.J. shot back, grinning. "Besides, I still nailed that free throw."
"Barely," one of the girls said, rolling her eyes. "And don't forget who actually won the relay race."
"Yeah, yeah, we all know you're the track star, Maddie," another boy said with a smirk. "But I'll take my small victories."
As they walked past Carter, one of the girls noticed the bag he was carrying. "Ooh, are those flowers?"
Carter smiled. "Yep, just making a delivery."
"They're so pretty," she said. "My mom loves flowers."
"Then you should bring her by the shop sometime," Carter said. "We've got a great selection."
"Maybe we will!" she said with a grin as they continued on their way.
But then, without warning, a strange blue light erupted beneath their feet. Carter barely had time to react before he and the group of teenagers were suddenly lifted into the air.
"What the hell?" one of the boys shouted. "What's happening?"
"T.J., do something!" Maddie screamed, panic in her voice.
"What am I supposed to do? I don't even know what's going on!" T.J. shouted back, flailing.
"This isn't funny! Someone help us!" another girl cried, clutching onto her friend.
Carter's mind raced. "What is this?" he muttered, his heart pounding.
"Are we being abducted?" one of the boys yelled.
"By who? Aliens?" Maddie shot back.
Before anyone could answer, the light intensified, and in a flash, they vanished.
When Carter opened his eyes, he found himself in a vast hall with towering stained-glass windows and ornate decorations. The teenagers were there too, looking just as bewildered as he felt.
"Where are we?" Maddie whispered, clutching T.J.'s arm.
A voice echoed through the hall. "Welcome, Otherworlders."
They all turned to see an old man with white hair and piercing green eyes standing at the head of the room. He was dressed in flowing robes, a serene smile on his face.
"Who are you?" one of the girls demanded.
The man clasped his hands together. "I am Priest James, and you are in the heavenly church of the Kingdom of Greton, the Green City."
"Why are we here?" one of the boys asked, his voice shaking.
"You have been summoned to save our world from the demon lord," the priest said simply.
The group erupted in protests.
"Save your world? We're not heroes!"
"We're just kids!"
"There's been some mistake!" Maddie said. "We can't fight demons!"
The priest raised a hand, calming them. "Do not worry. You will be trained, and you will gain magical abilities. You already have the power to see your status. Simply say, 'Status Screen.'"
Carter, still reeling from the situation, hesitated. Then, out of curiosity, he whispered, "Status Screen."
Before him appeared a glowing panel filled with information:
Carter Brooks - Status Screen
Name: Carter Brooks
Age: 21
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Occupation: Florist
Level: 1
Health Points (HP): 100
Magic Points (MP): 50
Strength: 10
Agility: 12
Attack: 8
Defense: 10
Intelligence: 14
Charisma: 11
Luck: 9
Normal Skills:
Botany: Expert knowledge of plants, their uses, and growth patterns.
Gardening: Skilled in maintaining and cultivating plants for aesthetic and practical purposes.
Basic Survival: Proficient in finding shelter, water, and basic necessities in the wild.
Cooking: Ability to prepare simple and nutritious meals using available ingredients.
Foraging: Identifies and gathers edible or medicinal plants in natural environments.
Herbal Medicine: Knowledge of preparing and using plants for healing purposes.
Animal Care: Understanding of basic animal needs, including feeding and minor injuries.
Map Reading: Capable of navigating using maps and natural landmarks.
Knot Tying: Proficient in creating sturdy and practical knots for various uses.
Woodworking: Skilled in crafting basic wooden tools, furniture, or structures.
Fishing: Ability to catch fish using rods, nets, or traps.
Crafting Potions: Expertise in combining natural ingredients to create health, stamina, or magic-restoring potions.
First Aid: Treats minor wounds and injuries effectively in the field.
Tracking: Identifies animal or enemy trails and follows them accurately.
Public Speaking: Persuasive and clear communicator, capable of inspiring or negotiating.
Trading and Bartering: Skilled in negotiating favorable deals and trades.
Singing: Proficient in vocal performance, often used for entertainment or morale boosting.
Painting: Artistic ability to create visual representations, often used for relaxation or decoration.
Observation: Sharp attention to detail, allowing for quick assessment of surroundings.
Meditation: Calms the mind, restores focus, and slightly regenerates magic points over time.
Weapon Maintenance: Knowledge of cleaning and maintaining weapons to ensure durability and effectiveness.
Trap Setting: Ability to construct traps for capturing animals or defending areas.
Shield Crafting: Capable of creating sturdy shields from wood, stone, or other materials.
Simple Weapon Crafting: Skilled in making basic weapons such as spears, clubs, or bows.
Combat Stance: Awareness of proper fighting postures to increase defensive and offensive effectiveness.
Magic Skills:
Earth Magic (Level 1): Basic control over soil and rocks, enabling small-scale manipulation for barriers or projectiles.
Plant Magic (Level 1): Ability to enhance and manipulate plant growth, fostering rapid blooming or root movement.
Healing Touch: Gradually restores health to minor wounds and ailments through physical contact.
Root Bind: Summons roots to entangle and immobilize enemies, restricting their movements.
Soil Enrichment: Enhances soil quality, accelerating plant growth in the affected area.
Vine Whip: Summons a long, flexible vine to strike or grab objects and enemies.
Bloom Enhancement: Forces plants to bloom instantly, often used for aesthetic or practical distractions.
Stone Shield: Creates a temporary protective shield of stone around the user or allies.
Moss Cover: Generates a soft moss layer over surfaces to reduce damage from falls or impacts.
Growth Acceleration: Rapidly increases the size of a plant, useful for creating barriers or providing cover.
Pest Repellent Aura: Emits a magical aura that drives away harmful insects and pests.
Floral Illusions: Creates visually striking illusions using flowers and petals to distract or deceive enemies.
Seed Projectile: Shoots seeds with surprising force, capable of striking targets at a distance.
Thorn Barrage: Releases a flurry of sharp thorns to damage enemies in a wide area.
Petal Storm: Conjures a swirling storm of razor-sharp petals, causing damage in a controlled radius.
Leaf Cloak: Surrounds the user in a camouflage of leaves, blending them into natural surroundings.
Photosynthesis Aura: Slowly regenerates the user's health and magic points when in direct sunlight.
Earth Spike: Summons a sharp spike of earth to impale or block enemies.
Verdant Beacon: Emits a glowing green light that heals nearby allies over time.
Thorn Snare: Creates a network of thorny vines that restrict movement and deal damage over time.
Lifebloom: Sacrifices a portion of the user's magic points to instantly heal a large area of plants or allies.
Fungal Spores: Releases spores that cause confusion or paralysis in enemies.
Boulder Crush: Drops a large boulder from above to crush enemies or block passages.
Sand Swirl: Creates a small sandstorm to obscure vision and disorient enemies.
Rock Slide: Summons a cascade of rocks to damage enemies in a specific area.
Entangling Canopy: Grows a large canopy of branches and vines to trap enemies and provide cover.
Unique Skills:
Nature's Touch: Enhances growth and vitality of plants and allows communication with flora.
Earth Fortress: Creates a defensive wall of earth and stone.
Root Barricade: Summons a network of roots to form a barrier.
Thorn Armor: Covers the user in protective thorn-like growths, damaging attackers on contact.
Floral Surge: Releases a wave of energy that revitalizes allies and hinders enemies in a radius.
Verdant Architect: Allows the user to create homes, buildings, and other structures using earth and plant materials. These structures are durable, eco-friendly, and customizable.
Equipment:
None
Items:
Starter Coin Pouch (50 silver coins)
"What the hell?" Carter muttered, staring at the screen. "Earth and plant magic?"
The priest's gaze fell on him, curious. "Who are you, young man?"
Carter looked up. "I'm Carter Brooks. I was just minding my own business when I got caught in that magic circle."
The priest's expression turned grave. "You do not possess the qualities of a hero. You should not have been summoned."
"Can you send me back?" Carter asked, hope rising in his chest.
The priest's face fell. "I am sorry, young man. I do not have the power to return you to your world. No one does."
The words hit Carter like a punch to the gut. "I'm stuck here?" he whispered. "What am I supposed to do? Where am I going to live?"
The priest's expression softened. "We will provide you with some starting money to help you on your journey. After that, you must find your own path."
He materialized a small bag of coins and handed it to Carter, who accepted it with a shaky thank you.
"Someone will guide you to the city gates," the priest added.
From behind the priest, a beautiful woman with long auburn hair stepped forward. She bowed gracefully. "I am Elara. Please follow me, sir."
Carter nodded and followed her out of the hall. As he stepped into the sunlight of this strange new world, he looked back at the grand church.
"I guess my future starts now," he murmured, determination flickering in his eyes.