Plants.
Not a patch.
Not a garden.
Fields.
Rows upon rows of lush, green farmland stretched as far as Scarlett's eyes could see, rolling gently into the horizon like waves frozen mid-motion. The soil was dark and rich, almost glossy, pulsing faintly with mana as though the land itself was breathing. Each stalk stood tall and healthy, leaves thick and vibrant, bending slightly in an invisible breeze.
Real farmland.
Not an illusion.
"This…" Scarlett whispered, her voice coming out hoarse. "This is crazy."
She took a cautious step forward, half-expecting the scenery to dissolve or snap back to what it had been before. Her boot sank slightly into the earth. Warm. Solid.
Her heart skipped.
Then she noticed movement.
Animals wandered peacefully between the fields, grazing lazily or hopping about without a care in the world. Not beast but actual livestocks.
Well.
Mostly.
A rabbit hopped past her ankle, fluffy and white, Scarlett followed it with her eyes, smiling faintly but then she noticed the difference…is this still a rabbit?
it is the size of small dogs and had three tails.
The rabbit paused, turned its head, and stared at her with round, beady eyes.
Scarlett stared back.
The rabbit twitched its nose.
Then hopped away, tails swaying behind it like decorative tassels.
"…Okay," Scarlett muttered, nodding slowly to herself. "Sure. Why not."
As if summoned by her acceptance of nonsense, another creature strutted confidently past her feet. It looked like a chicken.
Mostly.
Its feathers were glossy and well-kept, its posture proud, its steps deliberate.
It was also nearly the size of a turkey.
And it stopped.
Turned and looked directly at her.
Scarlett narrowed her eyes.
"Why does it look like it could judge me?" she murmured.
The bird tilted its head, let out a sharp cluck, and walked away like it had just won the argument.
Scarlett felt vaguely insulted.
She continued forward, taking in more of the space, her steps slowing as something else caught her attention.
The pond, only it was no longer a pond.
In its place flowed a clear, winding stream, mana water sparkling under the light like liquid crystal. The sound alone was soothing, a gentle murmur that eased tension she hadn't realized she was carrying.
Tall trees lined its banks, their trunks thick and ancient, branches heavy with unfamiliar fruit. The fruit glowed faintly with vitality, colors rich and inviting, reds too deep to be natural, golds that shimmered softly, pale blues that seemed cool just to look at.
Scarlett swallowed.
She didn't need to taste them to know.
These were treasures.
Not the kind you sold.
The kind you guarded with your life.
Joy hit her like a physical blow, knocking the breath from her lungs.
She pressed a hand to her chest, steadying herself.
"This isn't just a treasure," she whispered, almost reverently.
"This is robbery." She laughed loudly.
Her gaze snapped toward the ranch.
Or rather…
Where the ranch should have been.
She paused, The familiar wooden structure was gone.
Completely.
In its place stood a modern, elegant building.
Clean lines and smooth surfaces, wide windows reflecting the sky, materials that looked like a seamless blend of advanced technology and refined cultivation craftsmanship. The structure radiated quiet confidence, not flashy, not overbearing — just right.
"…Did my house upgrade itself?" Scarlett muttered.
She approached cautiously, half-expecting it to vanish if she got too close.
It didn't.
She reached the entrance and pushed the door open and rushed inside,
—and rushed back out.
She stared.
Ran back in.
Ran back out again.
"What kind of scam illusion is this?!"
The inside was massive.
Bigger than the outside.
Open, airy, bathed in soft natural light that came from nowhere and everywhere at once. The layout was sleek but warm, the kind of place that felt lived-in without actually showing signs of use.
Scarlett spun on her heel and bolted back outside.
Stared at the building.
Ran back in.
Ran back out again.
Her hair clung messily to her face as she panted.
"This is crazy, how real is this?!" she questioned.
And of course nobody answered.
She marched back inside, slower this time, jaw tight, eyes sharp.
The ground floor unfolded before her.
A spacious living area with low, comfortable seating.
A kitchen stocked with equipment she didn't recognize but instinctively understood how to use.
Bedroom, neat, quiet, ready.
A study lined with empty shelves and a sturdy desk that looked like it had seen centuries of use.
Everything was furnished.
Everything was prepared.
Like the space had been waiting.
Waiting for her.
Scarlett sank onto a chair, suddenly dizzy.
"I have no money," she whispered, almost laughing. "No backing. No family."
She pressed her palm against the armrest, feeling its solid warmth.
"But I have this."
Her lips curved upward despite herself.
She had just begun celebrating internally, planning, imagining, dreaming…
When—
"Cough."
Her body stiffened.
Every instinct she possessed snapped to attention.
"…No," she said softly.
"Cough cough."
Very slowly, she lowered her gaze.
Something stood by her feet.
White.
Round.
Small.
Extremely round.
"…A bear?" Scarlett said weakly.
The bear stared up at her.
Scarlett stared down at it.
The bear stared harder.
The silence stretched.
Then—
"Eh—stop that," the bear snapped suddenly. "You're making me nervous."
The bear's fur flushed pink.
Scarlett screamed internally.
Externally, she jumped back so fast she nearly tripped over the chair.
"WHY IS IT TALKING AND CHANGING COLORS?!"
"What do you mean why?" the bear shouted back, turning red. "What kind of greeting is that?!"
It stomped its tiny foot with surprising force.
"I've been trying to get your attention forever! And you just keep wandering around staring at everything like a village pumpkin!"
Scarlett pressed a hand to her forehead.
"…I just unlocked a talking bear," she whispered. "Okay. Sure. This is happening."
The bear gasped dramatically.
"A bear?!" it screeched. "How rude! How uncultured!"
It puffed out its chest — which only made it look rounder.
"I am a divine space spirit! Beautiful! Elegant! Powerful!"
Scarlett tilted her head.
"…You're round."
The bear froze.
Its eyes widened.
It let out a tiny, offended gasp.
Scarlett immediately crouched.
"I'm sorry!" she blurted. "I was shocked! Very shocked! You surprised me! Please don't curse me or explode or something!"
She reached out and patted the bear instinctively.
The fur was soft.
Alarmingly soft.
The bear froze under her hand.
Then—
"…Stop that," it muttered weakly. "You're embarrassing me."
Its fur turned a shy shade of pink.
After what felt like an eternity of apologies, explanations, and excessive petting, the bear finally huffed and sat down.
"I am the spirit of this space," it said proudly. "I've maintained it since my previous master passed away."
Scarlett listened, eyes bright, as it explained everything.
The accelerated time flow.
The automatic maintenance.
The expansion tied directly to her cultivation.
"All you have to do," the bear said smugly, "is grow stronger."
Scarlett's grin stretched so wide her cheeks hurt.
When she asked about cultivation manuals, the bear's eyes gleamed.
"Oh," it said, standing and gesturing dramatically. "There's something better."
It opened a door.
Scarlett stepped inside—
And froze.
Books.
Endless shelves.
Stretching upward, outward, forever.
"…Is this Belle's library?" she whispered.
The bear puffed out its chest proudly.
Scarlett looked at it speechless and sighed tiredly…