I Thought It Was a Healing Farming Game - Chapter 40

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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 40

As I wrestled with what to do, Siad quietly raised his hand.
“Enough. Let each of you write down your opinion on paper and submit it. I’ll consider all the suggestions and reach a conclusion.”
Each person received one blank sheet.
‘So the Night Market benefits the shop owners, but the nearby residents suffer from the noise, right? And if fights break out, they take the damage too.’
I pondered for a moment, then picked up my pen.
‘Perhaps… compensation payments… for the homes near the Night Market… would work well….’
Back in the countryside where I lived, we’d often reach compromises by providing extra compensation to affected residents.
Scratch, scratch.
By the time I finished adding several rules that the merchants would need to follow beyond the compensation, the entire sheet had filled up densely.
Kais, who’d finished writing long ago, watched me with curiosity as I continued scribbling.
“Writing a thesis, customer?”
“It’s better to be thorough, don’t you think?”
I offered a slight smile and quickly proofread the whole thing.
Then I folded the paper carefully and slipped it into the ballot box.
But there was still a second agenda to discuss.
“I wanna go home…….”
The twins couldn’t bear the boredom and swung their legs restlessly from their chairs.
“You two are so focused—amazing! Want more snacks?”
I pushed the snacks from my plate toward them and hastily tried to placate them.
“Now that the voting is done, we’ll move on to the second item on the agenda.”
In the meantime, Siad resumed the meeting with his measured voice.
“Regarding the Tomato Sauce that the village makes annually, there’s been a proposal that each household make it individually…….”
Bang!
“That’s something we all have to do together!”
Before Siad could even finish, a resident slammed the table and jumped to his feet.
Startled by the reaction, heated responses erupted from every corner of the room.
“Who on earth submitted that proposal?”
“Making an entire year’s worth of sauce alone? That’s ridiculous!”
“Our house doesn’t even have that much space!”
“Of course it’s much faster and easier when we all gather and make it together. We can clean up all at once too!”
“It’s when we all come together, see each other’s faces, and build community—how could we do that individually?”
Listening to the residents’ words pour out, I felt my mind go blank for a moment.
But soon I grasped the situation.
‘Making Tomato Sauce must be a really big event for the people here.’
Though I hadn’t been here long, I understood their sentiment completely.
I remembered how the whole countryside would stir with energy when kimchi-making season arrived back home.
‘It’s interesting. When I was playing the game, I just thought it was a simple seasonal event.’
Watching the residents’ passionate reactions, I felt my own blood begin to heat up.
Even as the meeting room descended into chaos, Siad remained unshaken and continued proceedings.
“For this matter, we’ll keep it simple—a vote of approval or disapproval.”
Stamps and small slips of paper were distributed.
Soon stamps were pounding from all directions, and papers rushed into the ballot box.
There was no need to open it to know it would be overflowing with votes against the proposal.
‘I should grow tomatoes in the Garden Plot over the summer and participate too.’
Anyone could participate by bringing the required amount of tomatoes—either homegrown or purchased.
‘Tomato Sauce! That would be delicious.’
Imagining all the dishes I could make with it, my mouth watered involuntarily.
Once Siad confirmed the last slip had gone into the ballot box, he spoke again.
“With that, we’ll conclude the Village Hall meeting. Thank you for your attendance.”
Ding!

Achievement: Attended Village Hall Meeting

* * *

The meeting ran late, so by the time I hurried through the Garden Plot and made it home, dusk had already fallen thick across the village.
I pushed open the door.
“I’m home! ……Oh?”
Though I’d returned late, Siad had arrived even later than I had.
“My apologies for the late hour, Miel.”
“Siad. Was there a lot of work? You must be exhausted.”
I reached to take his coat, but Siad shook his head gently, as if to say it was fine.
Instead, he turned to me and smiled softly.
“Has something good happened?”
“I have some good news for you, Miel.”
“For me? What is it?”
Seeing my interest piqued, Siad delivered his news with quiet joy.
“The Night Market will be opening.”
“Really?!”
“Yes. It’s been confirmed. Just a moment ago.”
Noticing my bewilderment, Siad continued.
“The discussion centered on thorough management to prevent any dangerous situations. There’s no need to worry.”
“That’s wonderful! I’ve been really looking forward to the Night Market.”
“I know.”
Watching him smile quietly, it seemed clear that Siad had thrown his weight behind my opinion.
“Thank you, Siad.”
“I did nothing. Your written proposal was simply persuasive. And the final decision lay with Kais.”
“Kais? I see. I should thank him too.”
Though it remained unclear whether he’d truly helped me.
Still, the fact that Kais had agreed with my position brought me joy.
Days drifted by in that state of excitement.

Temporary Part-time Work Posting

As the arrival date of the Trading Ship drew nearer, temporary part-time work postings multiplied rapidly.
‘The pay is good for special duty work like this.’
The Ranch was no exception.
I took on a new role guiding and assisting visitors who came to experience ranch life.
“It would probably be too much to add another part-time job…….”
Even as I told myself to focus on doing my current work well, my eyes eagerly scanned the postings whenever I came to the Village Hall.

Tavern Serving Part-time Work

“A tavern?”

Duration: 5:30 PM ~ 11:30 PM (3 days)
Requirements: Good health, respectable conduct, Credit Score 10 or higher

Having steadily accumulated a good Credit Score through my Ranch work, I easily met the requirements.
The problem was time.
Between Ranch work, Garden Plot maintenance, and Tavern shifts, I’d need two bodies just to manage it all.
‘The Night Market barely got approved. This time I should just enjoy it without taking on more work.’
Just as I turned to leave with that resolve, the payment listed on the last line caught my eye.

Daily Rate: 20 Gold

“I’ve registered you for the Tavern shift. Is there anything else you need?”
“No. Thank you so much!”
I left the Village Hall with a bright smile.
Enjoying myself was important, but once I earned enough money later, there’d be no need to hunt for part-time work like this anymore.
‘If not now, when else would I take on so much work? It’s all experience.’
Having made up my mind quickly, I walked along humming a cheerful tune.

* * *

Knock-knock.
The sound of knuckles rapped against the office door.
“Come in.”
At his brief permission, the secretary entered carrying a mountain of documents.
Kais clicked his tongue and lifted his coffee cup.
“It never ends…… Where do you keep finding more work to pile on?”
“You’d find things considerably easier if you delegated some of it, sir.”
Kais swallowed a sip of coffee and waved his hand dismissively.
“That won’t do. Leave it here.”
The secretary, accustomed to this response, separated a few pages and spread them out across the desk.
“These are documents you’ll need to review by morning. Temporary part-time work applications.”
“Understood.”
“There’s a new applicant in there as well.”
Kais, whose gaze had been resting indifferently on the pile, drew out a single sheet tucked among the rest.
His dark eyes scanned from the name through every detail of activity history without missing a thing.
“Miel…….”
He stared at the photograph attached to the document, and after a long moment, reached for the stamp.
With a firm press, crimson characters were impressed beneath it.

* * *

The sound of a ship’s horn, born from the sea, echoed all the way to the village center.
It was the signal announcing the arrival of a trading ship.
I ran toward the harbor at full speed, like someone who had been waiting for this day alone.
“It’s here!”
Siad, who had followed behind, pulled me back so I wouldn’t get too close to the vessel.
“You’ll be in danger if you stumble.”
I nodded obediently at his words, but my eyes remained fixed on the massive trading ship.

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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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