Webnovel Author In The Apocalypse World

He had finally selected the most meticulous researcher for the task, but the others refused to leave, crowding around to observe.

Since they were managing themselves, Jang Dojung hadn't objected.

Soon, Kim Haru and the others arrived at the lab, where most of the plants under study were mutated species being monitored carefully.

"The reproductive ability of pigweed is incredibly strong. Once planted, it quickly spreads over an area, with each region containing only one core, which also serves as its seed," Jang Dojung explained to Kim Haru as he reviewed the experimental data. "If Mr. Kim wants to grow it, he just needs a single pigweed core. Simply bury the core in the soil of your chosen location, and it won't take long before it grows into a large patch of pigweed."

"The bundle Do Seungjin brought over doesn't contain a core, just the leaves."

Kim Haru frowned slightly.

Where would he find a pigweed core? He wondered if posting a task at the Ability User Center might bring someone willing to retrieve one.

But considering Do Seungjin had mentioned that the pigweed regions in the west were highly dangerous, perhaps it wasn't worth the risk.

Do Seungjin who had been quietly trying to minimize his presence nearby, suddenly lit up, sensing an opportunity to prove himself. "Mr. Kim, I'll get the core for you! I'm quite skilled in handling those pigs."

He looked at Kim Haru with eager anticipation.

Jang Dojang and Jang Dojung exchanged glances and joined in to support him. "This could work. Director Do can handle a black pig alone, so he should have an even better chance of locating a pigweed core without directly confronting one. He knows those black pig very well."

Perhaps accomplishing this task could help make up for today's foolish blunder.

After a moment of thought, Kim Haru agreed.

"If there's only one core, don't take it," he reminded them, recalling what Jang Dojung had said about each patch of pigweed typically having just one core. "The black pig herd relies on it, and taking it could lead to trouble."

Whether it was starving everything the black pig didn't eat or having them chase after the scent of humans in revenge, neither was something Kim Haru wanted to see.

Do Seungjin nodded. "Of course, Mr. Kim, don't worry—I'll handle it with care."

As for his wish to see the pigs at Mr. Kim's place, he decided he'd save that for after he brought back the pigweed core and earned Mr. Kim's approval.

Failure wasn't even a possibility in Do Seungjin's mind.

And he wouldn't let himself fail.

After greeting Kim Haru and the others, Do Seungjin left to make preparations for infiltrating the black pig herd.
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Seeing Kim Haru seemed somewhat interested in the other plants in the lab, and with the test results for the orange still pending, Jang Dojung suggested, "Mr. Kim, would you like to look around? The plants here are mostly low on offensive power, so it's pretty safe."

Kim Haru gladly accepted.

Even if Jang Dojung hadn't suggested it, he was already planning to. While he was examining the pigweed, he had noticed a plant that looked very familiar.

Kim Haru headed straight for a water tank.

The tank wasn't very large, but inside was the plant that looked so familiar to him. Oval-shaped, broad leaves—weren't those lotus leaves?

He thought of his pond, which looked somewhat bare and always felt like it was missing something. Planting lotus flowers across half of it would surely look stunning when they bloomed in the summer. Even if it wasn't summer, the green lotus leaves could still add a touch of beauty to the pond.

And there would be edible lotus roots and seed pods as well. Even the lotus leaves could be used as cooking tools, and the petals could be stir-fried.

Before seeing these lotus leaves, the thought hadn't crossed his mind. But now that he'd seen them, the idea seemed more appealing by the minute.

Excited by the discovery, Kim Haru couldn't resist reaching out to touch the leaves.

"Be careful!" Jang Dojung called out urgently.

But just as he spoke, Kim Haru's fingers had already brushed the lotus leaf.

The cool, smooth texture felt just like the lotus leaves he remembered. Kim Haru froze, only now recalling that Jang Dojung had mentioned earlier that all the plants here were mutated plant!

He quickly withdrew his hand.

From the moment he touched it to the instant he pulled his hand away, the lotus leaf in the tank hadn't moved at all, as if it were lifeless, showing no reaction. It didn't seem to match the description of a mutated plant in the slightest.

Kim Haru couldn't help but glance over at Jang Dojung.

At the same time, Jang Dojung and Jang Dojang looked at Kim Haru, their eyes filled with shock.

As Jang Dojung had mentioned, the plants in this lab were indeed all mutated plant. The lotus leaf occupying an entire water tank was no exception.

This mutated lotus is called Luring Lotus. Unlike other mutated plants that looked drastically different from their original forms, the Luring Lotus appeared exactly the same as it did before mutation. It still bloomed, bore seed pods, and produced lotus roots, with a growth cycle that was shorter and more erratic than normal plants. Outwardly, there was no indication it was a mutated plant.

That was the Luring Lotus's skill.

Thanks to this ability, the Luring Lotus had "lured" countless humans and animals who were fooled by its appearance. When a creature touched the lotus leaf, the Luring Lotus would reveal its predatory nature: a single leaf would suddenly expand, wrapping the creature tightly within its folds.

When it eventually opened again, the creature inside would be reduced to nothing but bones.

All the flesh would be completely digested.

The leaf could even adjust its size based on the prey, ensuring that it could envelop the entire creature with no chance of escape.