Chapter 23

“Captain! It’s delicious!”

“I wanna eat too!”

More melons and strawberries are given to the fairy captain.

The fairy with the largest wings.

The term ‘uper person’ was amusing. Perhaps a loose translation, but it was fascinating how the word ‘person’ was used for fairies.

Tasting the fruits handed out by the captain, the fairies looked blissful.

Each one fluttered about dazedly in an adorable manner.

Small statures with lively tones.

Cute faces and such behavior.

They were endearing creatures made up of many lovable traits.

I watched the fairies revel in happiness for a moment.

As things calmed down and the situation settled, the fairy captain approached me.

“Thank you for the wonderful gift. Is there anything you desire? If it’s something we can do, feel free to ask.”

It was the line I’d been waiting for.

In fact, my purpose here was clear.

“Could I perhaps obtain a Sky Dew Fruit?”

“Sky Dew Fruit? Of course! Can you wait until tomorrow? Today’s harvest has already been sent to the Sky Garden. I’ll hand over whatever is harvested tomorrow.”

“Just one would be enough.”

“Only five are harvested per day anyway. Just take them all. If the fairies are happy, surely we can do at least that much.”

“I appreciate it.”

“If you don’t have a place to stay for the day, you’re welcome to stay here. You seem like someone who’d get along fine with us. There’s plenty of time till morning. Feel free to relax.”

The captain’s tone was authoritative, yet their actions were warm and inviting.

I gratefully accepted their kindness and decided to stay at the fairy farmland.

Facing the existence of fairies made me realize anew that I was not on Earth but in this other world.

Indeed, I had entered the Valley of Starwind.

They say the most stimulating thing for humans is something visual.

Seeing these small, cute fairies certainly intensified that feeling.

“Waah! I like this human!”

“Smells good!”

The fairies who were eating melon now hovered around me.

The soft rustling of their wings was barely noticeable.

“Have you ever farmed? You smell a lot of soil!”

“Yeah, I farm. These melons? I grew them myself.”

“Cool! Cool! I know a magic that helps farming. Want me to teach you?”

“Magic?”

“Yeah! Magic that makes the soil fluffy. What do you think?”

I wasn’t sure what kind of magic the fairy was talking about.

But learning magic itself was a big gain.

Who would’ve thought I could learn magic here?

“Watch closely? Heeey! Heeeey!”

“…?”

“Heeey! Say Heeey!”

The fairy stroked the ground with their hands, causing it to ripple in colorful hues.

I wasn’t sure how this helped farming or what kind of magic it was, but I could tell they were doing something.

The problem was that no matter how I looked, I couldn’t understand what was happening.

“Can you show me again?”

“Heeey! Heeey!”

“Uh… Still don’t really get it.”

“Haha! Silly human! Want to show you again?”

“Yeah. Can you keep showing me?”

“Sure!”

The magic demonstration went on over a dozen times.

Well…

Being a complete novice, all I could gather was that the ground wobbled somehow.

That was my entire impression. I didn’t sense anything special.

As the magic continued, more fairies gathered around me.

Magic that sweetens the air.

Magic that creates cool breezes.

Magic that drops water droplets.

Magic that speeds up wing flapping.

All kinds of fairy magic dyed the world in various colors.

The surrounding air sparkled with tiny flames and gentle winds.

Though different from the grand magic I imagined, these small, cute spells suited the fairies perfectly.

Even if I couldn’t use them practically, they created a nice atmosphere.

Most were closer to tricks than proper magic.

Each fairy urged me to learn their magic, but I couldn’t understand anything just by watching.

So I kept smiling and clapping, which made the fairies giggle happily.

Their pure-heartedness brought a comforting sense of healing.

“Is it done like this?”

“Eeeeh! Nooo! Heeey! Heeey! Silly human!”

“Hahaha…”

“I’ll keep helping you! Heeey again!”

Heeey Heeey.

How exactly am I supposed to do this?

With no progress despite their persistence, I started feeling slightly discouraged.

Their expectant, sparkling eyes watching me try were somewhat burdensome.

Not that I knew anything about magic anyway.

The fairies tirelessly taught me magic as if dozens of teachers refused to give up on a struggling student.

Unfortunately…

The struggling student couldn’t grasp even the basics of magic.

The fairies’ cries of “Heeey!” relentlessly echoed in my ears.

Their innocent purity only made it more painful.

The day at the fairy farmland passed like this.

One fairy teaching magic.

Other fairies giggling as they hovered around me.

As the sky darkened, the fairies finished their tasks and returned to their tree homes, casting a soft glow like fireflies.

When I set up my tent, some fairies came over, glowing faintly.

It was especially cute when one asked if they could sleep nearby because I smelled nice.

Thus, I spent my first short night with fairies.

Day 28 ended like this.

Day 29 dawned.

“Good morning.”

“You woke up early?”

“Fairies hardly sleep. I’ve been waiting for you to wake up.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ve prepared the Sky Dew Fruits.”

“Oh!”

Finally.

At last.

Five Sky Dew Fruits were now in my hands.

Carefully placing the fruits given by the captain into my bag, I checked my achievement.

Achievement: Tasted Clouds! (Obtained Sky Dew Fruit)

The achievement was completed.

It was an exhilarating moment.

Though my farming wouldn’t immediately reach Advanced Level 1, there was no doubt it was confirmed.

“Thank you.”

“On our part, it was a fun experience. If you bring such fruits again, we’d be happy to welcome you anytime.”

“I might visit occasionally. See you. Bye.”

“Human, bye!”

“Bye bye! Take care!”

“See you again!”

With the fairies’ cheerful farewell, I left the fairy farmland.

Leaving the lush Fairy Forest behind, I would soon reach the city.

After walking a full day to the city, another day’s journey would bring me home.

My journey’s purpose was achieved, and now all that remained was the return trip.

I hurried along, occasionally recalling my time with the fairies with a smile.

Seems I’m particularly vulnerable to cuteness.

These memories must have left quite an impression.

Though solo travel wasn’t particularly special, the combination of beautiful scenery and peace made everything look prettier.

Setting up the now familiar tent for camping, I lay down.

It was a good night.

Day 29 ended like this.

Without any issues.

Day 30 morning.

“Kk…”

Saliva dripped.

If the pain was too intense, maybe the brain blocked sensations.

I wasn’t sure. The tingling sensation in my fingertips and toes had completely disappeared.

I wasn’t even sure if I’d taken the painkillers.

That brief memory was fading away.

Shit.

If I’d known Advanced Level 1 would come so soon, I would’ve prepared more painkillers.

No, did I really think it would happen without the dream system?

The knowledge and experiences flooding in, the abilities embedding themselves, mercilessly stirred my brain.

The powerful forces penetrating my body made me physically weak.

Paralyzed by the white-hot pain, my thoughts ceased.

Though I wished desperately to pass out, my strengthened body stubbornly endured the agony.

Damn this body.

Did I take the painkillers?

I wasn’t sure. With hazy senses, I fumbled through my bag and took another one.

A purple liquid swirled as I swallowed it.

Or was it green?

Was it melon or strawberry? Solid or liquid?

My thoughts twisted and turned.

All I could do was pull the sleeping bag over myself and thrash around on the floor.

Damn leveling up.

“Aaaaah!”

I let out a scream for good measure.

Rolling around on the floor like this, the pain gradually subsided.

Looking at my bag, the painkillers were already long gone.

Had I unconsciously taken them all?

My tongue felt numb and sluggish.

Still, it was fortunate the pain had lessened.

“Only 20 minutes?”

A bitter laugh escaped me.

It felt like two hours of hell.

Firmly resolving to prepare better next time, I packed up my tent.

Every part of my body ached.

Though the sharp pain pressed against me, I forced myself to take steps.

My teeth hurt from clenching them so hard.

This insane pain seemed like something I’d never get used to no matter how many times I experienced it.

Maybe I should learn how to pass out.

Or find magic to completely block sensations.

Something like that.

Realizing again that mid-level was the limit for what I could endure with just painkillers, I moved toward the city without time to enjoy my newly advanced farming skill.

Arriving quickly at Reyvik, the scenery hadn’t changed much from before.

I had no plans to do anything here, so I was content to spend just one night.

There was nothing to discuss about contracts, and I had no crops with me anyway.

Spending the night inside the castle walls was safe, but otherwise not much different from camping.

Damn medieval hygiene concepts.

I hate bugs.

Day 31 morning.

After spending the night in the city, I felt fine the next day.

I walked aimlessly all day, letting my mind wander.

It was boring.

I camped in a similar spot again. If I could just get through today, I’d be home.

With that single-minded determination, I trudged on without stopping.

Day 32 morning.

Finally, the Valley of Starwind came into view.

About a week, right?

I planned for a 10-day trip, but came back sooner than expected.

The short negotiation period with the fairies was the biggest reason.

The language barrier was non-existent, and I got the Sky Dew Fruits the very next day, providing a huge advantage.

Around lunchtime.

The sun felt scorching now.

In the season where spring fully ripens, I blankly stared at the splendid display of crops in my yard.

Fields painted in vibrant colors.

The diligent operation of the Mithril Sprinkler evenly watering the fields – it was a perfect scene.

Everything matched the image I’d envisioned in my mind, leaving nothing to criticize.

The fatigue from the journey melted away.

Garlic.

Kingsberry.

Strawberries.

Musk melons.

Passion fruit.

Chamomile.

Honeysuckle.

Pink cats (plants).

Licorice.

Delphinium.

Canary melons.

Many crops greeted me.

The hundreds of seeds I planted experimentally all bore beautiful fruit.

I picked each crop and stored them in my bag.

I should announce my return to the village tomorrow and bring some gifts.

That’s the charm of small-town life.

Harvesting continued from afternoon into the night.

Perhaps due to my refined movements and physical experience, my usually sore back felt fine.

Reaching Advanced Level definitely made a difference, allowing me to feel the effectiveness of the new ability.

Apart from the pain, one thing was certain:

The system would probably notify me of the level-up tonight.

I missed those messages after not seeing them in the dream for nearly a week.

With crops overflowing in my bag, I cleaned up and fell asleep.

The softness of the bed felt amazing.

There was a world of difference between sleeping outside and at home.

From avoiding bugs to the inner peace, everything was better at home.

Home truly was the best.

[Advanced Farming Level 1 Achieved! Choose your Advanced Level Effect!]

[1. Reduce maturation time for matured products by 30%.]

[2. Double livestock lifespan. Increase production by 20%.]

A long-awaited message greeted me.

Especially since it was the most delightful message, my joy doubled.

The pinnacle of farming.

Wine, whiskey, fruit wines.

Products that mature over time improve in quality.

The reason they’re called the flowers of farming naturally stems from their high prices.

The second option related to livestock.

Once a farm reaches a certain scale, raising animals becomes inevitable, mainly for obtaining items related to cooking or achievements.

It’s less about making money and more about steady side income while enjoying cute animals.

For efficiency, option 1 was clearly the right choice.

Without hesitation, I selected 1, and the options disappeared.

Most of the crops were sold.

Except for musk melons, kingsberries, and strawberries reserved for trading samples and gifts, everything else was sold to the system.

Buying seeds and selling crops always results in profit, so to cultivate ten thousand melons and strawberries, I needed to accumulate capital this way.

Thus, I gathered 18,360 gold.

Breaking into five digits in one go.

Smiling, I exited the dream.

The familiar flickering consciousness.

Surrendering my body to the enveloping darkness, I rested peacefully.

---