I Thought It Was a Healing Farming Game - Chapter 9

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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 9

“Right… the Work-Life Balance here really is excellent.”
I’d forgotten that the door wouldn’t open unless it was exactly on the hour.
“I have some time to kill. So maybe—”
I pulled out the Map from my inventory.
This time, I’d have to seek out the target character myself.
‘Since it’s morning, if I wander near his place, I might run into him by chance.’
As I swept the area near the locations I knew, a house with a red roof came into view.
“This is it.”
I got my bearings and spun around.
It was the home of Priam, a villager who ran an Orchard and a Wheat Field.
‘I should check in on Priam while I’m at it.’
Priam was a resident with an always-bright, vitamin-like energy—the sort of personality you’d associate with a puppy wagging its tail enthusiastically.
“Hello there!”
As I made my way to his house, I greeted people along the path, making my presence known.
Most of them pretended not to notice.
“Oh my. Looks like we have a new visitor. Welcome!”
But some would wave warmly in return.
“I’m so grateful to be here.”
As I made a polite bow with each greeting, the older folks seemed to take a liking to me.
I was walking along a winding dirt path bordered by fences when I spotted someone approaching from the opposite direction, pulling a cart.
It was an elderly woman laden with Tin Milk Cans.
“Good morning! What a beautiful day!”
I greeted her with a bright smile, then naturally approached and grasped the handle of the cart, saying:
“Where are you headed? Let me pull that for you.”
“Oh, how kind of you. I’m heading to the Village Community Center. Where do you live, dear?”

Village Resident Affinity +5

I gave her a brief account of where I was staying and why I’d come to this place.
“Is that so? Well, at least you’re healthy now—that’s a relief. I’m Miel, by the way, from down that path there.”
“I’m Miel too! Oh, that’s funny—our names sound almost the same.”
“They really do. What a strange coincidence. Normally my daughter pulls the cart, but she’s busy cleaning the barn today, so I brought it myself. And where are you off to, dear?”
“I was trying to visit the… the Red-Roofed House! I heard there’s a boy about my age living there.”
Since I hadn’t met Priam yet, I couldn’t very well pretend I knew him.
My vague answer drew a sigh from Miel.
“Oh, if you mean Priam, he headed out to the Orchard early this morning. Even if you go to the Red-Roofed House, you won’t find him there.”
“Oh… I see.”
I felt a little disappointed. I’d been hoping to meet him today.
“I’m sorry for getting in the way of your plans like this.”
“No, don’t worry. I had business at the Village Community Center anyway, and it’s closed, so I was heading back regardless.”
As we pulled the milk cart along, chatting pleasantly, the Clock Tower drew near without my noticing.
Passersby recognized Miel and greeted her one by one.
“Who’s this girl? Did you take in a granddaughter?”
“A newcomer to our village. Lucky for me, she helped me pull the cart.”

Village Resident Affinity +1
Village Resident Affinity +2

Perhaps because I was with Miel, the other villagers’ Affinity seemed to rise more readily.
By the time we arrived at the Village Community Center, it was already past 9:10 in the morning.
“Will this spot do, Miel?”
“Yes, thank you kindly, dear. Next time, come visit our Farm. I’ll bake you a pizza topped with some well-aged cheese.”
“Really? I’ll definitely come!”
My mouth was already watering just thinking about it.
I said goodbye to Miel’s grandmother and stood before the reception desk of the Village Community Center.
“Hello.”

Options
1. Apply for Resident Registration
2. Learn about the Village
3. Look for work

“I received a letter from the Village Community Center. It said you’d provide various kinds of assistance for settling into the village.”
“To do that, you’ll need to complete your Resident Registration first. Would you mind filling out this simple form?”
“Of course. I’d be happy to.”
I took the form from her.
It was asking for the most basic personal information.
Name, height, weight, age, blood type.
In the game, this information used to fill in automatically depending on how you’d configured your character at the start.
‘But this time I have to write it myself. And there are more varied questions — hobbies, special skills, likes and dislikes…’
When I’d played the game before, I’d never seen these detailed sections, so there was something novel about it.
I filled out my answers carefully and thoughtfully.

If there’s anything you’d like to do in the village or any hopes you have, please write them down.

Without hesitation, I picked up the pen and scribbled in my final answer.

I want to become close with the village residents.

A home of my own, farming, rest and relaxation — these were all secondary.
What I really wanted was to grow close again with the friends who’d stood by me through my illness.
“I’ve finished it.”
I submitted the form.
“Please wait a moment.”
The staff member disappeared behind the desk and returned carrying a box that looked as though it had been prepared in advance.
“Please take this. It contains various items to help you settle in. Instructions for use are included inside.”
“Thank you so much.”
I accepted the box with both hands. It was quite a large gift box.

Node Welcome Package: A gift prepared to welcome new residents. Contains various useful items.

Just as I was about to eagerly untie the ribbon, the desk clerk continued.
“Is there anything else I can help you with?”

Options
1. Learn about the Village
2. Look for work
3. Request assistance

“Ah, I was actually hoping to look for some work.”
I quickly selected an option and stashed the box in my inventory.
I could open the package later at home, but I could only check the Job Listings while I was here at the Community Center.
“I’ll register you in the job placement system. Do you have any higher-level skills?”
“Ah… well, they’re probably all Level 1.”
My skills had all been reset, after all.
I wanted to say ‘I was actually quite good at this before,’ but tears blurred my vision instead.
“I’ll search for jobs that match your skill level and Credit.”
As a newcomer with Level 1 skills and hardly any time in the village, there weren’t likely to be many options available to me.
The work would probably be hard, or the pay would be poor.
“Would you like to see the list of jobs you can start immediately?”
As the staff member spoke, a holographic Job Listings display appeared.

Job Listings
Weed-Pulling Job: Hand-pull weeds from a fifty-pyeong yard.
Stone Field Tilling Job: Till a stone field with a hoe.
Boat-Building Job: Seeking someone to live on-site for five years to construct a pleasure vessel.

“Sigh…….”
Even Cinderella would weep at this Job Listings board.
A groan escaped me without thinking.
“It’s fine if I don’t take work right now—could you look into other positions I might qualify for?”
The staff member’s fingers clattered across the keyboard as she continued.
“There’s a milk delivery posting that just came through. If you have prior experience working at a Ranch, or if a Resident can vouch for your Trustworthiness…….”
“Child, are you looking for work?”
Just then, Grandmother Miel appeared suddenly between the staff member and me.
“Yes, Grandmother.”
The grandmother smiled warmly and turned to the staff member at the desk.
“Set that Ranch posting so this child can take it. I’ll vouch for her Credit.”
Tap-tap-tap.
The staff member’s fingers moved swiftly across the keys.
“Shall I set both Credit and Skill Level to unrestricted?”
“Yes. Skills can be taught, after all.”
I clasped my hands together and covered my mouth, my face flooded with gratitude.
“Grandmother Miel……!”

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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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