I Thought It Was a Healing Farming Game - Chapter 22

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I thought this was supposed to be a relaxing farming game.
Chapter 22

“Roots deepen through hardship, and stems grow straight and true. Cherish them as you would your own children, but do not bear their struggles for them.”

Farming +10
Farming +10

.
.

Farming has reached Level 2!

When I came back to myself, Siad had already finished the book.
“All done, then.”
I offered a hearty round of applause as my captive audience.
“Wow, I didn’t notice the time passing at all.”
“I do hope it was helpful.”
“Of course it was! You saw how intently I was listening.”

Farming Book Volume 1: Now, This is Soil (Complete)

A chime sounded to celebrate the book’s completion, and a buff appeared at the edge of my screen.

Farming Buff (1.5x): For the next 3 hours, farming activity speed and experience gains increase by 1.5x, and stamina consumption decreases.

I couldn’t waste such a precious buff window.
“Well then, I’ll be off!”
I waved enthusiastically at Siad, flashed a grin, grabbed a Stamina Potion, and bolted out the door.
“Time to raise those crops strong and healthy!”
It was time to nurture the precious harvest that would earn me my deposit back.

* * *

Mini Garden Plot Ownership

“A garden plot? Ah, a new visitor. Come along this way.”
The man examined my deed and led me toward a grassy area.
We passed a row of plots marked with other residents’ nameplates, and as we neared the forest, empty cultivated fields began to appear.
“You can take any of these vacant plots.”
“Any one of them?”
“That’s right. Once you’ve decided, just give me a call.”
Following the farmer’s words, I began to examine the empty plots one by one.
At first glance, I passed over any soil that looked overly pale or yellowed.
‘This one has too many stones—roots won’t take well here.’
I ruled out any plot that was too rocky.
I narrowed down my choices to a few decent plots, including one that was thick with weeds.
I selected a plot where the soil was dark brown and moist, and grabbed a handful to feel it.
The earth crumbled moderately in my palm, and when I pressed it with my thumb, it fell through my fingers in fine grains.
‘This one’s good.’
I bent down and breathed in the smell of the soil. There was no musty mold—only the rich, earthy scent.
‘The weeds are thick, so there’s probably plenty of nutrients…and I can see earthworms. This is good soil.’
I brushed off my hands and stood up, then carefully surveyed two of the plots.
One was in full sunlight; the other was relatively shaded and cool.
“Hmm. What’s got you thinking so hard?”
The farmer, who’d been watching from a distance, called out with curious interest.
I pointed to the garden plots I’d chosen and spoke.
“I like these two spots here and there… I was trying to decide whether to plant fruiting vegetables and root crops first, or leafy greens.”
Generally, fruiting and root vegetables thrived in sunny, well-lit soil, while leafy greens grew better in shaded ground.
“Have you ever farmed before?”
“Yes, I lived and farmed with my grandmother. Which would be better?”

Farmer NPC Affinity +5

The man’s eyes grew serious at my words.
“Well now, we’ve got a young lady who actually knows something about farming. Let me see… then…”
“Thinking about variety, would the sunny plot be better?”
“Leafy greens are easy to manage and grow quickly, which is fine for beginners, but when you’re selling, fruiting and root vegetables fetch a better price.”
The man spoke while gazing at the sunlit plot.
I nodded in agreement.
“So it would be best to buy the one with good sunlight first, right?”
“Now, about that shaded plot…”
Though no one was nearby, the man lowered his voice like he was sharing a secret, cupping his hand near his mouth.
“It’s a bit cheaper.”
“Oh! Really?!”
Pleased by my reaction, the man pointed his finger along the shaded plots in a sweeping gesture.
“So grow some crops there and then just rent out that other plot too. Since it’s at the edge, nobody pays it any mind. It’s actually quite decent land, you know.”
“I’ll do that then. Thank you so much!”
“Once you’ve decided, just write your name on the nameplate there.”
As the man said, a wooden nameplate was planted in front of the garden plot I’d chosen.
I took the thick pen he handed me and wrote my name in the blank space on the nameplate.

Miel

Garden Plot Activation!

Soon the words “[My Garden Plot]” appeared clearly etched on the small map.
“My land!”
Though it was only a small garden plot, the feeling of owning land filled me with joy.
“Heh heh. You can borrow farming tools and fertilizer from right over there, so keep that in mind.”
“Yes!”
Excited, I ran toward the entrance to fetch the farming tools.
Near the entrance, tools were piled up in abundance.

Tool Rental
1 Gold: 1 hour of use
2 Gold: 3 hours of use

The prices and hours of use were written out in a row on a paper as large as a door. The longer the rental period, the cheaper the rate.
“If I pull weeds, work the soil, add compost, and such…?”
I counted on my fingers, thinking through the tasks ahead.
Though the plot was small, it would easily take four or five hours.
I dug into my pocket and took out 2 Gold.
I dropped the 2 Gold into a small box and picked up a hoe and a rake.
“Here we go.”

Time Remaining: 2 hours 59 minutes

I stood in the garden plot, took a deep breath, then hoisted the hoe high.
“I’ll do as much as I can in the next three hours!”
Thwack!
I brought the blade down hard, striking the earth with force.
Thwack, whoosh! Thwack!
I drove the hoe into the weeds, then lifted or twisted out the roots to remove them.
The pulled weeds I piled in one corner of the garden plot.
“Huff…”

Farming +15 (bonus)

As I pulled out weeds one by one, the shape of the plot gradually came into view.

Farming +18 (bonus)

Time remaining: 3 hours 38 minutes

Once I finished clearing the weeds, I collapsed onto the garden plot.
“Ah, that’s refreshing…….”
I flapped at my collar, then fell into reverie.
‘I miss it. My magnificent five-times-speed sharp hoe (+20 Reinforcement)…….’
The masterpiece hoe I’d crafted at the blacksmith.
I could till a thousand-pyong field in just an hour.
‘For now, this old tool is the best I can manage.’
But once I’m managing a larger plot, I’ll head straight to the blacksmith and upgrade my entire arsenal.
As I rested, my eyes caught sight of an elegant manor standing in the distance.
It was where the twin siblings lived.
‘I think I’d receive an invitation once I reach Farmer NPC Affinity level two, wouldn’t I?’
Until then, I’d need to build affinity through chance encounters or events like village meetings.
‘That’ll take forever. Maybe I should send a package with some sweet treats soon?’
I mulled it over while pushing myself up to my feet.
This time, I had to overturn the earth with the pickaxe, plot by plot. The damp soil came up, its color shifting as it surfaced.
As the field took shape, my stamina plummeted.
“Should’ve, known, better…….”
Breathing hard, I pulled out a Stamina Potion I’d brought along.
I popped the cork. I chugged the potion like water.
“Aaah—!”
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.

Stamina +50

Vigor returned to my weary body at once.
I picked up the rake with my renewed strength and continued the work.
By the time I’d finished leveling the soil, sweat pouring down my face, the sun was already sinking low on the horizon.
“Right—fertilizer.”
I needed to mix in fertilizer before planting seeds, but the general store would be closing soon.
‘If I run there now, can I make it? Time’s awfully tight. Even if I buy the fertilizer and come back, my tool rental window will have expired…….’
And carrying that heavy sack all the way here was its own problem.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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