I Thought It Was a Healing Farming Game - Chapter 44

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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 It Was a Healing Farm Game
Chapter 44

‘No wonder Kaiss always looks exhausted, having to deal with such headaches. He really needs to get proper sleep……’
Sunk in these worries, I finished my shift at the Tavern.
After changing out of my uniform into casual clothes, I bowed politely to the other staff members.
“Hard work today.”
“You too. You have great instincts — it was much easier working with you around.”
“Is that so? I’m relieved. I was worried I’d be in the way. I’ll do my best tomorrow too.”
As I stepped out of the kitchen with a smile, Kaiss, who’d been sitting at the bar, held out an envelope.
“You did well. Customer.”
“Wow!”
The appearance of that money envelope—no, money pouch—instantly swept away all exhaustion. I took it gracefully with both hands.
“Thank you so much. You worked hard too. You looked busy, but you still checked on me here and there.”
“It’s only natural for a boss to look after his employees.”
Kaiss shrugged matter-of-factly.
“Go on now. You wanted to check out the Night Market, didn’t you?”
“Yes! I was just about to head over.”
I turned back toward Kaiss before I could take another step.
“But you’ll stay here the whole time?”
“Why?”
“No, it’s just… you always look so busy. I was wondering when you ever get a break……”
“I rest whenever I have time.”
“Would you like to go check out the Night Market with me?”
“Me? With you, customer?”
His tone suggested the idea had never crossed his mind. I felt a small pang of disappointment.
I pouted and gave him a pointed look.
“You’re always asking me to come play with you.”
“Hm.”
He nodded once and stood from his seat.
“Wait here.”
Kaiss disappeared into the kitchen and returned with a bottle of Cherry Juice, which he placed in a paper bag.
“Take this with you.”
“Oh, right!”
I hadn’t expected him to actually give me a whole bottle.
I made no effort to hide my joy as I accepted the paper bag.
“This stuff is really delicious.”
Kaiss looked down at me with his arms folded, then smiled slightly.
“Let’s go take a look at the Night Market for a bit.”

* * *

Because of closing time at the Tavern, Kaiss said he could only spare thirty minutes.
“I can’t believe you actually came with me.”
“I was just throwing it out there.”
“Maybe a little, but still! I’m happy you came anyway.”
Though my body was tired, my steps grew light with the thrill of exploring the Night Market.
“By the way, what kind of food do you like, Kaiss?”
“Steak. Medium rare.”
“So you like meat! What else?”
“Well… if we’re talking about what I eat regularly, coffee and dark chocolate.”
“You don’t like things too sweet, then?”
“Right. Moderately sweet is fine. Like those cookies you gave me last time?”
“Really? That’s so touching. Come on, let’s get you a snack.”
I bought charcoal-grilled skewers tailored to Kaiss’s taste and handed them to him, then picked up some grilled whole squid for myself.
The moment the vendor handed me the squid, perfectly browned, I grabbed a skewer and took a big bite.
“You’re tough.”
“You bet!”
I thrust my thumb up triumphantly, then wandered through the Night Market munching on perfectly grilled, springy squid.
Lanterns hung throughout the market glowed and sparkled overhead.
The cool night air and the cheerful din of the crowd made strolling between the vendors feel like stepping into a festival itself.
After wandering about and polishing off the whole squid in no time, Kaiss and I stopped in front of a Lucky Capsule machine.
“You can only draw once from the Lucky Capsule lottery. Would you like to purchase a ticket for 1 Gold?”
“Yes, I’d like to try! Kaiss, do you want to do it too?”
“Sure. Why not.”
Rather than wait for Kaiss, who was occupied with his skewer, I bought a ticket first.
“Insert the ticket into the slot and the capsule will drop out.”
I nodded and slid the ticket into the opening. Inside the machine, dozens of capsules began spinning.
Click.
A white capsule rolled out.
I grabbed it and popped the lid open.
“Let me see what we have here…”
Inside the capsule was a single slip of paper.

Chef’s Recipe Book Exchange Voucher

“Wow! A recipe book!”
“I’ll exchange that for the actual prize right away.”
I handed over the slip and received a real recipe book in return.

Chef’s Recipe Book: Learn 50 new cooking recipes.

With a satisfied smile, I clutched the book with its sturdy leather cover to my chest.
In the meantime, Kaiss had drawn his own capsule and spotted my recipe book. “Do you like it?” he asked.
“Do you like it?”
“Very much! I love cooking.”
“That’s a nice hobby.”

Kaiss’s Favorability +10

“What prize did you get, Kaiss?”
Kaiss showed me the slip of paper from inside his capsule. I leaned in close to read what was written on it.

100 Gold Exchange Voucher

My jaw dropped.
“Whoa.”
This was like winning the lottery.
“They put something like this in the capsule lottery?!”
Kaiss held the money pouch and gauged its weight between his fingertips, then smiled with satisfaction.
“We each got what we wanted.”
I fidgeted with the recipe book and reluctantly nodded in agreement.
“I suppose so. Congratulations, Kaiss!”
I tucked the recipe book into my Inventory and continued exploring the Night Market.
Kaiss glanced back and forth between the money pouch and me, then asked, “No regrets? The prizes are quite different.”
“Why would I be?”
“If I’d drawn first, you would have gotten the 100 Gold.”
“But you did draw, and luck favored you! If fortune smiles on me someday, I’ll be happy then. If not, well, that’s just how it goes.”
Kaiss tilted his head and frowned slightly.
“That’s… a frame of mind I find difficult to comprehend. Unless the recipe book you won as a prize is actually quite precious to you?”
“That’s part of it too.”
Kaiss heard my answer and fell silent for a moment, as if thinking, before speaking again.
“I have many other cookbooks in my office. Feel free to come look at them whenever you like.”
“Whenever? Even tomorrow?”
“Yes.”

I answered brightly, my face lighting up.
“Then I’ll come by tomorrow when I have free time!”
“Fine. It’s been thirty minutes. That’s enough.”
“Already?”
“See you next time, customer. As you can see, I’m a busy man—I can’t monopolize my time.”
“I understand…… See you tomorrow then. I’ve got to work while I sleep! Fighting!”
I sent Kaiss off with an encouraging cheer, waving him away energetically.
Kaiss waved his hand back at me, his fingers fluttering, and headed back toward the Tavern.
I’d nearly finished my tour of the Night Market. Before heading home, I wanted one last thing.
“Have you come for a reading?”
I parted the curtain and sat down across from the Fortune Teller.
“Yes. I’d like one.”
“Choose a subject, then. What would you like to know?”

Choices
1. Fortune
2. Love
3. Future
4. Counsel

“When the Night Market is open, you can only check one choice, so choose carefully.”
“I……”
After deliberating for a long while, I finally settled on one.
“I’d like to hear counsel!”
“The fee is one Gold.”
“Here you are!”
I pulled a Gold coin from my pocket and handed it over. The Fortune Teller moved her hand over the crystal orb.
Black smoke rose within the sphere, then gathered densely like storm clouds.
“……I sense an ominous presence converging.”
The Fortune Teller spoke in a measured voice.
“A calamity will soon bear down upon you, seeking to devour you whole. Among it may be honeyed words and offers that will be difficult to refuse.”
“Oh no. What should I do then?”
“Do not be swayed by another’s words. Never ask someone else to decide for you.”
The Fortune Teller looked directly at me across the crystal orb.
“Whatever you choose, the final decision must be yours alone.”
My expression grew serious and I nodded, and the Fortune Teller added her counsel.
“It is fine to waver. But when a crucial moment arrives, you must examine your own heart. Only then will you harbor no regrets, whatever path you choose.”

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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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