After arriving, he saw that the temple wasn't particularly large because it covered only about fifty square meters, and the area was filled with broken structures.
Stone walls lay scattered everywhere, with a few pillars still standing about three meters tall, forming a rough square formation.
"What a historical place. Too bad it's ruined and can't be used for shelter," he said with a sigh.
The cold was so intense that if he didn't find shelter soon, he would die from hypothermia due to the prolonged coldness and this temple, it is broken and open on all sides, offered little protection from the wind.
He couldn't even start a fire, as there was no wood anywhere to use.
[Host I detected a chest in the very center covered by the sand. It's located 8 steps away from you]
Hearing what Aria had said, he walked toward the spot and squatted down to inspect it.
As he brushed his hand across the ground, his fingers suddenly struck a hard and it is a solid object.
Clearing the sand away, he uncovered a large chest and pulled it out with a bit too much force.
Once it was finally free, he took a closer look and saw that it was a medium-sized chest made of wood, tightly sealed and showing signs of age.
So by using his hands, he forcefully opened it up. Seeing the chess opened up he peeked his head at it and saw the items inside.
Then the world system identified those items for him.
...
Item: Green crystal x3
Description: Can be used to do something.
Item: Ice Crystal x1
Description: Had a frozen power swirling inside. Touching it leaves a numb chill in the fingertips.
Item: Scroll
Description: Just a piece of paper, needs proper investigation if you want to dig deeper
...
Having four items with him, Jeff touched his chin in deep thought. He clearly had no idea what the uses of these items were, as their descriptions lacked any useful details.
[Wow Host, you are really lucky to have discovered this item. Now everything will be much easier, and we can finally use the green seeds.]
Hearing what Aria said, Jeff was left stunned and confused. Since this was his AI assistant speaking, he decided to ask.
"Really? What does all of this do?" he asked Aria.
[The green crystal is a power crystal made from light energy and plant essence. This must have been put in the chest a very long time ago, so it was perfectly preserved]
[Ice Crystal is a special item that can give a specific element in this case, ice. So the effect it would give later would be amazing]
[For the scroll after deep analyzation, it's called the Leaf Booster. Too bad its only at the basic structure but its ability is very strong later on]
[Now Host, let's start with real play now. To begin took out the seed I mean literally all of the green seed in your inventory]
Jeff did what she said as he crouched in the cold sand, as the desert night bit his skin. There were no stars but only the moon, as the wind was dry and quiet.
He laid out the items: four Green Seeds and three glowing green crystal.
[Now, Host let's begin. Place one of those Green Seeds into the sand. Don't bury it deep just let it feel the heat]
Hearing what Aria said, he followed the instructions as he put the green seed into the sand.
[The temperature dropped faster than I expected. But it's not a problem.]
"Didn't you say heat was necessary?" He uttered with a raised eyebrow.
[Well energy is the only thing that is necessary, for the heat it just accelerates growth. But lucky for you, this seed had tons of light energy]
[So now, place the Green Seed on the sand. Not extremely deep just touching the ground. That's enough to pull what little warmth remains stored under the surface]
Jeff obeyed, setting the small seed into the shallow groove of sand where the earth still held the memory of the day's burn.
[Now touch the Green Crystal to the seed directly]
He followed what it instructed and as he did, gently pressing the center part of the green crystal.
Suddenly, the crystal let off a soft green pulse, and the seed vibrated. The sand around it shifted slightly, and from that cold ground, a stem cracked upward.
It is so not fragile and gentle. As it forced its way through, like a spear breaking the surface.
[Congratulation for creating a Sprout Shooter]
[You have been awarded: 50 RP]
The Sprout Shooter stood about 4 feet, with a thick green stem and a round pod-shaped head slightly tilted forward like a small cannon.
Its surface had faint leaf-like ridges, and its pod gently pulsed with light almost like it was breathing.
Two stubby roots anchored it firmly into the sand, and its barrel-like mouth pointed straight ahead, ready to fire.
Its two black dot eyes were staring at him with a happy look, "Wow this looks so amazing, can I touch it?" he uttered extending his hand.
As he did, the Sprout Shooter lowered its head, and he caressed it gently. It wiggled its head happily, letting out sounds that resembled a cute puppy.
"Haha, since you're the very first one, I'll name you Jason," he said.
The green shooter trembled with joy upon receiving its name. Encouraged, Jeff repeated the process, and soon two more sprout shooters emerged.
There were now three in total, and by then, he had completely run out of seeds.
Jeff glanced at the three Sprout Shooters proudly lined up before him, each one standing firm like a leafy little soldier.
Jason the first creation tilted its head happily when Jeff looked over.
"What a happy fellow,"
Then he turned his attention to the remaining item in his hand which is the Ice Crystal, still swirling with cold mist inside.
"Aria, can I also use the Ice Crystal to change or upgrade this Sprout Shooter?" he asked.
[Yes, Host. But unlike planting, this is a direct modification. The unit is already grown, so we will use an external elemental catalyst method]
[With that place the Ice Crystal directly in front of the Sprout Shooter you wish to modify. Then, gently press the crystal against its pod, making it just enough contact to trigger fusion]
He followed Aria's instruction as he knelt in front of Jason, holding the Ice Crystal carefully.
[Jason appears ready, so begin when you're ready]
"Alright, buddy this might feel weird, so don't panic it's organic" Jeff said softly.
As he touched the Ice Crystal to the side of Jason's pod.
Immediately, a frosty glow spread across the pod's surface, and Jason stiffened. Tiny cracks of ice spiraled through the leaf ridges like veins, and a cold mist hissed around its stem.
The pod's green color deepened into a soft teal, and its mouth widened slightly, forming a cooler barrel shape, rimmed with frost.
Even the eyes changed slightly, now shimmering like smooth glass marbles.
[Mutation successful]
[Sprout Shooter has evolved into 'Frostbite Shooter']
[Added Effect:
Frost ammo - Fires chilled seed bursts capable of slowing enemy movement, while retaining all base functions]
Jeff stood in awe as Jason wiggled its icy pod, letting out a cool little puff of frozen breath, like a puppy exhaling on a cold day.
"Dang it's cold, I think with this it will help me survive the heat tomorrow," Jeff said, but due to Jason new characteristics.
The surrounding area began to turn much colder than before, making him shiver from the intensity of the colder.