Haven Online

Cautiously, Xinya followed behind Melting Snow as the boy led them into the vast sea of golden corn. It was a sight to behold, for neither of them had ever been this close to actual growing corn before. 

They couldn't help but be in awe at the sheer size of the tall green stalks that seemed to reach upwards to 7-8 feet.

This was a learning experience for Xinya, who, although wanted to farm, knew next to nothing about the different types of crops and how they grew. 

Xinya was alarmed that he might bend or even break the vibrant green stalks since he had to push them out of his way as he walked. He was worried that he might somehow cause damage to someone else's property.

So he made sure to be extra careful and told Melting Snow to do the same. 

What he didn't know was that corn stalks are thick and strong; they are about 0.8–3 m long and 2–4.5 cm wide (diameter) with visible nodes and internodes. And when he reads up about all the different crops and their attributes, he would later look back at this moment and feel very silly.

The further they walked through the cornfield, the more ominous the atmosphere became for some reason. The idea that corn could be scary never once crossed Xinya's mind, but at this very moment, it was. 

There were many reasons why he was feeling this way. One speculation would be that it was because of the feeling of being surrounded all around by tall towering plants. And although he might be out in the open, there was still a sense of claustrophobia. 

But if someone had asked him, he would have said it was because of the sound. Every time he pushed one aside, he could hear the half-dry leaves of the corn stalks creak and rustle.

It was even worse when the wind picked up and blew across the entire field. Shivering a little at the sound, he somehow felt that a cornfield could be an excellent setting for a horror movie. 

'Maybe I should pitch the idea to Wei and get some feedback,' Xinya thought, getting more amused by the idea. 'I would call it 'The Dryad of the Corn.' 

Covering his mouth with his hand, Xinya tried desperately to smother the laugh that was building. He didn't want Melting Snow to think he was crazy, laughing at corn.

Shaking his head, he let go of the movie idea, it wasn't like anyone other than himself would be creeped out by corn. 'As if anyone would be crazy enough to buy the rights to a movie about corn, it's not even that scary.' 

~

It had been twenty minutes since they had set off into the corn, and Xinya was finally getting used to being in the field. He became more curious about the plant's growing process and began examining each stalk they walked by.

While Xinya was interested in the ripe corn with its silk hanging off, Melting Snow, on the other hand, was growing more irritated with every step he took.

He thought that these corn stalks were nothing but a hassle. Although Drifting Cloud told him to be gentle with them, all he wanted to do was chop them all down with his twin swords.

They were messing with his visibility, and he was irritated that they were taller than he was. They weren't even trees! Only trees were supposed to be bigger than him, not something he can eat.

With a huff, he glared at the seemingly endless rows of corn and wished he could pull them up by the roots. While grabbing a stalk that was about to hit him tightly in his hand, he suddenly changed his mind. 

'Hmm, these things aren't as fragile as Drifting Cloud said they were. They probably could make a nice makeshift weapon,' Melting Snow thought with a smile as he imagines himself brandishing a stalk of corn at an enemy. 'That be hilarious.'

"Melting Snow, are we getting closer to the man you heard?" asked Xinya, startling the boy out his thoughts. 

"Let me check," replied Melting Snow, tilting his head to the side as if honing in on a particular sound. His furry ears twitching as if to show that they picked up a signal. "Yeah, the person sounds a lot closer than before, I think we will soon cross paths with him."

Nodding his head at the answer, Xinya gestured for Melting Snow to continue leading the way. "That's good news; let's hurry so we can find him soon." 

~

The duo continued their trip through the cornfield for another 20 minutes or so until Xinya was stopped by Melting Snow's subtle signal.

"He's right up ahead," Melting Snow whispered, waving the green-haired man over so he could take a look.

Sneaking over to the furry-eared boy's side, Xinya peered out through the tall stalks to see where his luck had led him. To his surprise, it wasn't some dangerous situation or even a unique hidden place.

Instead, all he saw was a distraught old man who was clearly upset about his injured donkey. 

"My sweet Píngguǒ, whatever should I do," questioned the grey-haired man who was trying to soothe his pet. "It was entirely my fault. If only if I didn't try to take a shortcut, you would never have been hurt." 

Xinya and Melting Snow, who had been listening to the man's sad spiel, slowly glanced at each other. Confused by the man's words, Melting Snow mouthed 'shortcut?' To which Xinya could only shrug since he had no clue how a cornfield could be a short cut.

But noticing the overturned wagon and spilled fruits and vegetables, Xinya could piece together what happened. He presumed that the old man had been rushing to town to sell his produce and tried to use this field as a shortcut, but sadly an accident befell him. 

"What should I do? I need to go get help, but I also can't leave you alone like this," the old man muttered sorrowfully to the donkey he was petting.

Taking that as his cue, Xinya grabbed Melting Snow by the hand and pulled him out from where they were hidden in the corn stalks and over to the small crop circle, where the old man was standing.

"Maybe we can be of some assistance," Xinya said once he saw that the man had noticed them.

[Quest Triggered!] 

1. It means apple.