Player Farming in the Dragon’s Lair - Chapter 85

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

85
Woo-jin returned to the Dragon Lair and pulled out the red chili peppers from his Subspace Backpack.
[Tower Red Chili Pepper]
– Grade: E
– Effect: None
– Description: Wild green peppers that grow in the Tower. These have ripened into red chili peppers.
He set aside the perfectly good E-grade red peppers and placed them in a spot where sunlight streamed in.
The rest—those in poor condition, bearing marks of insect damage or visible mold, too questionable to eat—he scraped out the insides and extracted only the seeds.
Scritch, scritch-scritch….
“It smells quite spicy, doesn’t it,” Kkamangi remarked.
“Your nose might start burning if you sniff too close, so be careful.”
Woo-jin worked through separating the red chili pepper seeds alongside the Doppelgänger.
The quantity of peppers wasn’t large, so the task didn’t take long.
Red chili pepper seeds, set aside in a wooden bowl.
He could see it piled quite full.
“Heh.”
Woo-jin immediately began breaking ground with the Doppelgänger.
Again, he planned to create a field of about ten pyeong.
First, he gauged with his eyes where the red peppers would be planted.
There were already quite a few fields with various things sown in them.
It seemed better to plant the red peppers a little distance apart from the other vegetables.
Recalling the red peppers he’d seen back on Hard Floor 16, he noticed their stems often spread outward as they grew. There was a chance they might affect neighboring crops, so he decided to keep them separate.
“Let’s make it here.”
(…) Nod!
As the Doppelgänger nodded in agreement, Woo-jin immediately drew out Ammoon.
Whoosh!
Snap!
Ammoon transformed into a spade shape and fit snugly in his hand.
“Soil Leveling, Soil Leveling!”
Thunk!
Thunk-thunk!
Crunch, crunch!
Each pass of the spade turned the soil and stones below over smoothly.
It was work his hands had grown familiar with after breaking ground many times already.
The Doppelgänger moved identically beside him.
(…) Soil Leveling.
Thump!
Whack!
Working side by side, their pace was swift.
On one side, the spade broke up large clumps of earth, while on the other, a hoe picked out small stones.
[You have acquired Soil Leveling Lv. 8.]
“Done.”
Like the other fields, a ten-pyeong plot complete with ridges and furrows was finished.
Woo-jin set down the spade and used the hoe to level the soil surface once more.
The Doppelgänger approached, carrying clumps of compost.
Patter.
The compost scattered evenly across the field.
[Using compost clumps raises soil fertility by 20%.]
[Using compost clumps raises the probability of crop grade increases by 20%.]
He immediately began planting the red chili pepper seeds.
“Seed Planting!”
Swish-swish-swish!
He placed two or three red chili pepper seeds at appropriate intervals into the prepared ridges. Though he had no knowledge of pepper seed-planting technique, based on his accumulated farming experience so far, this seemed about right.
[Proficiency in Seed Planting Lv. 7 rises slightly.]
[You have acquired Seed Planting Lv. 8.]
After sowing all the seeds, Woo-jin gently drew soil over them with his palm, covering them in a thin layer.
The red chili pepper seeds were small, so covering them too thickly would suffocate them. He applied the soil softly, just enough to hide the seeds.
“Rainfall!”
Whoosh.
A gentle rain fell evenly over the freshly planted field.
The dry soil soaked up the water in an instant, and the rich smell of earth rose into the air. The seeds buried within would slowly begin to drink it in.
[The God of Adventure asks how you’re supposed to eat what was just planted.]
“These? They have so many uses. Fresh green peppers, for instance—you dip them in soybean paste and they’re perfect with rice, a real rice thief as we say. As they ripen more, they become red peppers like these. When you grind them fine, that becomes chili powder. Chili powder is used to make gochujang, and it goes into kimchi too—the stuff we’re eating right now. Even instant ramen has a bit of chili powder in it, I’d wager.”
[The God of Adventure’s eyes widen in surprise as he realizes that peppers are an incredibly versatile crop.]
Woo-jin nodded.
The last time he went out, he’d planned to gather pepper seeds anyway, so being able to find them here in the tower saved him the trouble.
Planting the peppers was done.
Now came the work of making chili powder.
The red peppers he’d set aside earlier—the ones in decent condition.
[Millstone of Unknown Stone]
– Grade: C
– Effect
– Grain processing success rate +15%
– Loss prevention correction when processing grain
– Description: A millstone carved from the mysterious stone that makes up the Dragon Lair. It can process grain by applying consistent pressure.
He retrieved the red peppers he’d dried in the sunlight earlier.
He hadn’t separated the seeds. He planned to grind them together in the millstone.
When he thought about the chili powder sold in stores, most of it seemed finely ground without seeds, but he figured there was no real need for that, so he just tossed them in as they were.
Thump.
Woo-jin crouched down in front of the millstone.
The same trusty tool that had made carrot juice and processed rice.
This time it was chili powder’s turn.
“Doppelgänger, hold a bowl underneath for me.”
(……) Nod!
He positioned a broad wooden bowl beneath the millstone.
Woo-jin placed the well-dried red peppers into the groove of the upper stone.
Thump.
Red fragments scattered along the grooves of the millstone.
Just looking at them, they seemed plenty hot.
Woo-jin grasped the handle and began turning it slowly.
Crunch.
Crunch-crunch.
At first, the sensation of the pepper skins being crushed transmitted through his fingertips—rough and grinding. The brittle, dried skins and seeds crumbled between the stones, splintering into fine bits with a crisp, crackling sound.
Whisper.
Bright red powder began trickling down from beneath the millstone in small streams.
Not perfectly fine, but respectable nonetheless.
Among the vibrant red powder were fragments of crushed pepper skin, and as he ground closer, a sharp, pungent aroma suddenly bloomed through the air.
Kkamangi stepped back a pace.
“Meow! My nose is burning, meow!”
“That’s why I told you to stay back.”
He placed the peppers ground by the millstone back into its groove and began turning the handle again.
Grind!
Fine particles of chili powder began collecting in the wooden bowl.
It had the appearance of the chili powder you’d see at Coupang or the neighborhood mart.
[You have obtained Tower Chili Powder.]
[Tower Chili Powder]
– Grade: E
– Effect: None
– Description: Chili powder made by finely grinding Tower Red Chili Peppers. It should add a sharp, spicy kick to dishes.
“Heh heh, chili powder!”
Later on, he’d try making gochujang with this and some soybean paste.
And tonight’s dinner would be.
With chili powder on hand.
“Rockfish Spicy Soup!”
“What’s Rockfish Spicy Soup, meow?”
“A sharp and salty fish stew?”
“Fish stew!”
Kkamangi’s eyes sparkled.
As expected of a cat, she truly loved fish.
.
.
.
The Teleportation Ring I’d left in the Dragon Lair.
My own fish farm connected to the Continental Sea.
Whoosh!
Splash!
I cast my fishing rod down beneath the Continental Sea.
A piece of pork threaded onto the hook.
Before much time had passed, I felt a bite.
Something took the bait eagerly.
The line went taut in an instant, and I jumped to my feet, gripping the rod.
A heavy resistance transmitted through my fingertips.
The fish thrashed violently, clenching the line between its teeth.
But then.
Splash!
Water erupted as the surface rippled, and a fish flew up along the line with a violent splash.
Screech!
[You have caught a Tower Rockfish.]
[Grade: D]
[Size: 45cm]
[Fishing Lv. 2 proficiency has increased.]
[You have acquired Fishing Lv. 3.]
“Rockfish!”
While fishing, I’d secretly hoped for rockfish.
At every sashimi restaurant, rockfish meant spicy soup, and spicy soup meant rockfish.
Moreover, this specimen was an oversized jumbo that I’d never seen in my entire life.
“Kkamangi, take a photo of this for me.”
“A photo, you say meow?”
“Yeah, see that circle in the middle of the smartphone? Touch that and you’re good. Got it?”
“Understood meow!”
I held up the rockfish like some middle-aged fishing enthusiast and struck a thumbs-up pose.
Click!
“Hehe.”
A true trophy catch.
I immediately cast my rod again.
One fish, impressive as it was, wouldn’t be nearly enough.
I needed at least two more to eat my fill.
Splash!
Splash!
In less than thirty minutes, I’d caught two more rockfish.
[You have caught a Tower Rockfish.]
[You have caught a Tower Rockfish……]
Both specimens were over 40 centimeters.
Pat-pat.
The Doppelgänger gently tapped my shoulder with an open palm.
“Hm? You’re asking if I can leave the prep work to you?”
(……) Nod.
The Doppelgänger took the three rockfish and then drew out a kitchen knife, unfolding a sword form that belonged in a comic book.
Fwip-fwip-fwip!
In an instant, the scales were stripped away and the innards cleaned out.
Fine, evenly spaced score marks ran across the flesh—just like the cuts you’d see on rockfish spicy soup at a professional restaurant.
“Wow, you’re quite skilled.”
(……) Embarrassed.
I immediately began cooking rice and set about preparing the Rockfish Spicy Soup.
I filled the Black Mithril Pot with water and brought it to a rolling boil.
Next came the sauce.
I mixed the chili powder with minced garlic, then added salt and sugar.
A splash of water, a quick stir to combine, and the sauce was ready.
Then I julienned the onion, green onion, and perilla leaves for garnish.

Bubble, bubble!
I dropped three large rockfish into the boiling water in the pot.
After skimming off the white foam, I ladled in the seasoning sauce, adding it generously.
Bubble, bubble!
Then I added the onions, scallions, and perilla leaves.
[You have prepared Rockfish Spicy Soup through Cooking.]
[Your Cooking Proficiency Lv. 7 increases.]
[Rockfish Spicy Soup]
– Grade: A
– Effect
– Taste Bonus +100%
– Upon consumption: Strength and Stamina +30%
– Upon consumption: Improved Vision and Toxin Status Cured
– Description: A spicy soup made by simmering Tower Rockfish with seasonings and various vegetables.
Lee Woo-jin divided the rice and the spicy soup into bowls and distributed them.
[The God of Adventure takes rice and spicy soup, saying “I shall eat well!”]
“I’m going to eat well!”
First, a taste of the broth.
Slurp.
The hot, piquant broth characteristic of spicy soup.
An involuntary sound of admiration escaped me.
I sipped the broth a few more times.
Then I tasted the tender flesh of the rockfish.
Cooked perfectly without a trace of fishiness or off-flavors, the rockfish was braised in the spicy broth and tasted absolutely superb.
[The God of Discipline exclaims loudly, saying this truly is delicious food.]
[The God of Dominion nods in agreement.]
Lee Woo-jin topped his rice with rockfish flesh and broth, then ate it all in one bite.
[The God of Authority asks if you could give him another bowl of rice.]
[The God of Adventure laughs brightly and shouts “Me too!”]
Evening of the forty-eighth day in the Tower.
Eating Rockfish Spicy Soup.
A Player Farming in the Dragon Lair (Ongoing)
Author │ Gaebyeok S
Publisher │ Kim Ju-hyung
Published by │ J-Plus Media Co., Ltd.
Marketing │ Han Jae-hyuk
Address │ 401st Floor, 11 Digital-ro 33-gil, Guro-gu, Seoul (Guro-dong, Ace Tech Tower 8th)
Email │ [email protected]
Website │ www.jayplemedia.com
ⓒ Gaebyeok S 2026
※This work is published by J-Plus Media Co., Ltd. under contract with the copyright holder. The content may not be used in any form or by any means without permission from the publisher and author.
Violation may result in criminal and civil legal liability.

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