I Thought It Was a Healing Farming Game - Chapter 37

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

I thought it was supposed to be a relaxing farming game.
37

I rinsed the clothes I’d left soaking in soapy water and scrubbed myself clean.
Then, without pause, I pulled the cart toward the Village Hall.
“A quality certificate? I’ll examine it for you right away.”
The clerk who’d taken my crops began a thorough inspection inside.
I settled into a chair and watched, passing the time.
‘If the quality’s good, I’ll get more Gold. Once I sell the crops, I want to buy another shaded plot of land.’
As I waited, imagining what I’d plant on the expanded land, the quality check soon finished.
“I’ll apply the certificate stickers for you.”
The stickers went onto the mesh bags of crops with quick, practiced efficiency.

Grade A
Grade A

The vast majority were Grade A.
Just below Special Grade, it was the next best quality—remarkably successful for a first harvest.
“Will you be selling everything?”
The clerk handed me a crop price list as I beamed quietly to myself.
“Here are today’s market rates by variety. Look them over and let me know what you’d like to sell.”
Crop prices fluctuated by type and by the day’s rates.
I studied the table, lost in thought.
‘Are there any crops likely to appreciate further?’
Most were common varieties—unlikely to fluctuate much.
I decided it made more sense to sell while they were fresh.
“Yes, I’d like to sell everything.”
“Understood.”
Before the words even settled, the clerk began weighing and calculating the crops.
The movements were so rapid I could barely follow their hands.
‘Impressive.’
As I watched the professional handiwork, the calculation was finished in moments.
The clerk verified the amount inside the envelope several times before handing over the payment.
“That comes to 280 Gold in total.”
“Thank you so much!”
As I took the thick white envelope, my mouth curved into a smile of its own.
Following Grandmother’s advice never to display money in public, I left the Village Hall and headed down a quiet path.
“Two, four, six…”
I counted out the Gold coins one by one and added them to my Inventory.
My total funds rose automatically.
“280 Gold.”
There was no way I could sit still with this much money.
I rushed straight to go shopping.
“I want to buy that shaded Vegetable Garden I saw last time.”
“Fifty Potato Seeds, fifty Cabbage Seeds, and ten Radish Seeds.”
“Oh, and I’ll take some Growth Accelerant and Fertilizer too.”
After that, I stopped by the Grocery Store to pick up vegetables and meat for side dishes.
“Don’t cut this part—give it to me in one piece.”
“Don’t cut it? What are you planning to do with it?”
“I’m going to boil it whole and eat it.”
When the shopping spree ended, my Inventory felt heavy with all sorts of goods.
As I headed home hauling everything, my eye suddenly caught the Blacksmith Shop behind the General Store.
‘Right, the Watering Can!’
It was just ten minutes before closing.
I kicked open the door and called out.
“Can I upgrade my Watering Can right now?!”
The old man organizing the shop caught my eye and gestured me over.
“Well, of course. Let me see what you’ve got.”
I quickly pulled the item from my Inventory and held it out.
“I received this tool as a gift and I’d like to upgrade it. Oh, and can I use this coupon too?”
I handed over the Upgrade Coupon I’d gotten for free from the Vegetable Garden owner.
“Of course. Just give me a moment.”
The old man chuckled and set the Watering Can on his anvil.
Then he rolled up his sleeves and hefted an enormous hammer with his muscular arms.
“Ungh!”
Clang!
The Watering Can made a sound like it might shatter into pieces.
I let out a small shriek and covered my ears.
‘My Watering Can!’
I’d gotten it from Siad, and I wasn’t sure it would survive such tremendous force.

Watering Can (+1)

Contrary to my fears, the Watering Can remained intact.
I let out a breath of relief and checked the item information.
‘It’s been strengthened, but no new attribute attached.’
I fumbled Gold coins from my pocket and called out urgently.
“One more time!”
Clang!
“Once more!”
Clang!
“Just one more!!”
Crash!

Watering Can that sprays water streams far and wide (+4)

At last, the Watering Can emerged with the Long-Range Attribute attached.
The old man wiped his forehead and asked.
“Anything else?”
“No, that’s perfect! Thank you so much, Grandfather.”
“Just come back if you need repairs.”
“Have a good day.”
I bowed politely and left the Blacksmith Shop.
“Should I test it?”
As a trial, I filled the upgraded Watering Can with water and gave it a spray.
Whoosh—
The stream of water stretched far and wide from where I stood.
“Now this is what I’m talking about.”
Working hours were going to shrink dramatically.
Everything had gone smoothly today.
The first harvest had succeeded, the settlement payment was generous, and I’d made excellent use of that money for shopping.
“And the Watering Can upgrade was a success too!”

Current funds: 15 Gold

I’d blown through my money and was now completely broke.
But since I’d chosen crops with longer growing seasons, once this harvest was complete, I should be able to scrape together most of the deposit.
‘I’ll make up the rest with my weekly wages.’
The moment I got home, I organized all my new purchases, then sat at my desk to check both my account book and my plans.
“All done!”
As I stretched both arms out wide, all the fatigue I’d been holding back came crashing down at once.
‘Now I can rest a bit… wait!’
A sudden thought jolted my eyes wide open.
I sprang from my chair and grabbed the basket of crops I’d set aside, then left my room.
Knock, knock.
“Siad! Do you have a moment?”
I waited quietly for a response, but there was no sound from inside.
Still holding the basket, I paced in front of the room before setting the gift down on the table.
“That’s strange. He didn’t mention going anywhere…….”
It seemed Siad had stepped out while I was away.
“I’ll give it to him later.”
For now, I tied on my apron, planning to prepare dinner with what I’d bought.
I also retrieved the secret weapon I’d been saving for today.
“Rice!”
My precious, invaluable rice.
Just thinking of fluffy white rice made my mouth water.
‘It’ll be delicious…… It’s been a while since I’ve had a proper meal like Grandmother used to make.’
I quickly soaked the rice, then set water to boil in a pot and sliced the leek and onion into generous chunks.
Once the water began rolling, I added the leek, whole garlic cloves, onion, and a few pieces of ginger one by one.
“It would be nice to have soybean paste…….”
When I have my own place someday, should I make my own from soybean blocks?
Thinking seriously about it, I seasoned the broth with black pepper, salt, and soy sauce.
Then I added half a spoonful of ground coffee to remove any gamey taste.
I dropped a thick piece of pork into the steaming broth and closed the lid.
“Next, quick-pickled vegetables.”
In a cheerful voice, I brought out the fresh radish and spring cabbage and set them on the cutting board.
I sliced them into bite-sized pieces, then mixed in red chili powder, minced garlic, sugar, and sesame seeds before drizzling in apple cider vinegar.
“I have most of the ingredients, but I’m out of fish sauce. And sesame oil too…….”
Sesame farming was tricky, and even Grandmother hadn’t grown much.
‘But the thirsty man digs his own well, doesn’t he?’
If I don’t have it, I can just grow sesame myself and press the oil.
“There’s nothing I can’t do. Even if it’s difficult, things work out if you just keep at it.”
In place of fish sauce, I minced some anchovies and worked the seasonings in with my hands.
I tasted a small leaf of cabbage, and the tangy, umami flavor spread across the crisp texture.
“That’s delicious.”
The aftertaste was slightly lacking, but this was good enough.
As I was slicing eggplant next, coating it in batter, and frying it until golden, I heard a small sound beyond the sizzle of hot oil.
When I turned around, Siad’s door was open.
Siad noticed the basket on the kitchen table and opened his mouth with a puzzled expression.
“Miel.”
“Siad! You were inside? Just a moment.”
I turned down the heat briefly and stepped toward him.
“Were you cooking?”
“Yes! These are gifts. I wanted to give you the first harvest before anyone else.”
I picked up the basket from the table and handed it to him; Siad received it with both hands.
“I’m always grateful to you, Siad.”

Siad’s Affection +30

“……Thank you. You were thinking of me.”
“Of course. I promised you’d be the first to get whatever I harvest.”

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