Returning from the successful extermination of the final ferret nest at the large lake was much easier. The wolves ranged out ahead, behind, and along her flanks. Anything that might have chosen to take a bite decided to quietly let the new rulers pass. Eve was able to run effortlessly with them since her Physical Stats were so high. When she reached the clearing located on her Map though, it looked completely changed.

An enormous series of vines appeared to have been victorious against a large number of what looked like crows, or ravens. If ravens and crows could grow to be three feet or larger. Who was she kidding?

Of course they can. One of the easiest evolutions with mana is size I bet. Eve thought. As she watched a pathway through the vines open for her. She hesitated on entering because the information from her Celestial’s Five Senses made her nervous.

Kudzu

Level 10

HP: 100/100

MP: 100/100

A loyal servant of She-Who-Slices this is a carnivorous plant that feeds on stupid birds.

“Well that’s rather distinct, what’s going on Wilson?” Eve asked as she eyed the entranceway to her home.

The System is happy to inform the User that the entity Kudzu has signed a contract with it to be a loyal servant of She-Who-Slices a.k.a. Eve Smith.

Eve blinked before saying, “And this means in layman’s terms, that, what exactly does this mean?”

The System informs the User that the entity known as Kudzu cannot harm the following entities in any manner:

She-Who-Slices a.k.a. Eve Smith

Humming-That-Cuts a.k.a. No. 1-6 a.k.a. The Samurai Six

Grey-Smalls a.k.a. Assorted Mice with No Names

Brown-Small a.k.a. Sparrow with No Name

Violation of the contract will result in the entity Kudzu being deposited directly in a nearby yellow star for incineration.

Well that’s one way to ensure compliance. Eve thought. Although the fact that the System can casually move someone to the inside of a yellow star shouldn’t be a shock.

“Bro, you are too awesome. Your sister can’t look directly at you anymore.” Eve said with sarcastic dead fish eyes as she entered the vine laden tunnel. “Stupid brother, see if I help you with math homework ever again. I bet he has some idiot cheat that lets him calculate that pie thing past infinity.”

Eve noted that while most of the Pack had been unwilling to enter the vines, Mudslide and All-Right had no such compunctions. It was probably a dominance thing of some sort, just in case Eve said in English, “I’m happy to show you my home Pack Leader.” The vines that had been suspiciously approaching the two wolves froze before withdrawing.

Crisis avoided. Kudzu must have increased their intelligence to at least human level sentience to catch on that fast. Eve thought. Actually, let’s test that.

“Kudzu, start talking.” Eve said quietly so the wolves wouldn’t hear what she was saying so easily. Several moments passed while vines moved around her before the connection formed in her mind. The rubbing of vines translated seamlessly with Celestial Mind through Polyglot.

“Welcome home Slicer. Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, wel-”

“Ok, stop that.” Eve said as the plant’s voice cut off instantly she continued, “What happened here, exactly.”

Kudzu explained how Quiet-That-Teaches had helped him gain power in order to rise above Humming-That-Cuts. In the process Kudzu had learned a great many things that allowed him to hunt better, such as creating flowers that smelled delicious. Vines that were sticky to grab better, poison thorns, and a host of other things.

“Is my garden ok?” Eve asked, her eyelid twitching. If this idiot plant has harmed my spices, that’s the end right there.

“The spice plants refused to listen when I tried to defend them. I was forced to cull them.” Kudzu said. He then continued with, “However since they wouldn’t listen, and Slicer’s delicious things were under threat I ate them. With my Integrate Plant everything they could produce I can do better, faster, and with more effect.”

Eve lowered her hand slowly to her side, not mentioning how close she had been to starting to murder the green idiot. “How much better are you at producing spice, Kudzu? Don’t try lying, because if I find out I will be unhappy. Do you want to see me unhappy?” Eve asked.

Kudzu answered with what could only be a disdainful sniff before saying, “Praise this Lord Plant. I can produce in four hours what those idiot plants required a week to create. I could go even faster if I have enough blood.”

“Kudzu did I mention how much of an incredible genius you were lately? Good work.” Eve said, her tone switching from threatening to praise in the blink of an eye, it was so fast the wolves behind her marveled at how thick her fur must be to turn her coat so fast. Eve ignored the stares from the fluffy creatures behind her as she finally reached the main entrance of her home.

Kudzu opened the door from the inside with a vine, allowing Eve access to her house before she entered, Eve asked the two wolves, “Mudslide, All-Right, would you like to see my Den?”

We are probably past the point where they will care that my Pack consists of mice, a sparrow, and Kudzu. Eve thought, before glancing at the small folded forms of the Six Samurai. The six pieces of paper had form an intricate woven series of folds that kept them anchored along the left and right sides of her hair. No. 1 through 6 count as Pack too, right? Yeah, definitely.

Eve felt a whisper of thought-emotion flicker through her mind. It was unformed, like the telepathic burble of a small child. She narrowed her eyes as she entered the house. If a plant can gain Sentience, why not my Six? Resolving to treat her loyal blades with a more motherly bent, well she could just copy her own mom for that.

Stepping over to her fridge, Eve immediately took out enough to create a decent meal for everyone involved. A quick application of the paper in her inventory increased the size of the table, while creating chairs that would be comfortable for the wolves.

“Give me a minute I’ll cook something for you. I’ll put spices in as well and separate them into pieces. You can tell me what you like from there, and I can make more.” Eve said. Considering she had a massive amount of new meat, she wasn’t worried about supplies now. With the knowledge that Kudzu could copy edible plants, vegetable supply was no longer an issue either.

Magical world. Magical solutions. Just add blood, instant potatoes! Well, as soon as I find some. God, I miss French fries. Eve thought as her Celestial Body and Celestial’s Five Senses made cooking a breeze. While she whipped up a meal, Eve didn’t let the conversation stagnate, however before she could say anything, Mudslide asked, “Are these small grey creatures, and this tiny bird part of your Pack?”

“Yes, Mudslide.” Eve answered quickly taking signal from the drool leaking from his jaws. A soft thwack from All-Right’s paw had him look suitably contrite. Now that they were out of view of their Pack it was clear the power dynamic changed. “The plant that guards my home is also part of my Pack, as well as these young ones.” Eve said, as No. 1 through 6 unfolded from her hair to float above her.

“Teeth that move without jaws, fascinating.” All-Right said, her voice amazed. Mudslide nodded as they watched the Samurai Six dance above her while she finished plating the first meal.

Moving the plate over to the wolves so they both had access, Eve went back to continue cooking a meal for herself. Murdering ferrets was hot, nasty, hunger inducing work after all.

“This method of mixing plants and meat for superior food is interesting, Sister.” All-Right said, her nose moving over the plate slowly scenting each piece of meat. Several crunches later almost eighty percent of the food had vanished. Eve took note form the corner of her eye about the things that remained. Plating her second plate, for herself, she started a second larger portion for the wolves. Making sure she didn’t include what they appeared not to like it took her a short amount of time to finish.

Clearing the old paper plate away with a flick of Domain of Paper I, Eve placed both her food, and the furry predator’s larger portions down on the table. Taking a seat, Eve said, “Enjoy!”

The quiet sound of crunching, a soft humming, and silverware moving was the only noise for a good long time. When the food was finally gone, Mudslide lazed on his side giving her a considering stare. All-Right sat sedately, and opened the conversation with, “The food was delicious. However, the agreement we made was rather hurried. We could like to hammer out the specifics now to ensure there is no future problem. We have found that when dealing with two-legs this is the best way.”

Eve nodded, while the basics of the deal between them were solid, she saw no reason to leave anything to chance. This part of the forest was a perfect opportunity to grow stronger under the aegis of a greater power. If she helped the wolves to grow their strength, it was inevitable they would move further into the forest depths where the mana was denser.

That was simply how things worked.

When the wolves moved, if she aided them in gaining new territory, then she would open new hunting grounds for herself. Best of all with her chameleon abilities it would be almost impossible for forest beasts to detect her involvement. At worst they would simply see Kudzu moving along with the wolves as they moved deeper into the forest. An alliance between a plant and wolf would be considered unique, true. It wouldn’t draw attention like an alliance between a human and the Pack though.

All that flashed through Eve’s mind as All-Right continued to speak, “First on the list, prey.”

The following hours were denoted with negotiations on the types of prey that had no limit, the types of predators to be removed at all costs, what to look for in terms of dangerous plants, and so forth. Eve especially noted the plants section of the conversation slating several of those species to be fed to Kudzu later.

By the time negotiations were over it was already nightfall, and the wolves looked expectantly to her for dinner.

“Fine. I see how cunning the Pack is.” Eve said, grinning. “I’ll make more food.”

While neither of the wolves said anything, their tails betrayed them quite effectively.