Chapter 28

The pleasant spark that warms the morning.

A slightly refined sense.

Damp and cozy experiences and memories heat up.

Cooking level has increased by one. Beginner Level 4.

Though slow, the steady progress always fills me with pride.

Moreover, my fishing level has risen.

The sensation of cooking is subtle. The vibrant preparation of the morning was all thanks to fishing.

Not that catching just one salmon would make a difference…

But even that contributed somewhat to the accumulated experience points—a fact that can’t be ignored.

Fishing is eyeing Intermediate Level 9.

Just one more step and I’ll unlock a second advanced skill.

That realization fuels my motivation.

Like rekindling a cooling flame, my desire for fishing bursts forth.

Catching that salmon played its part—it was the biggest factor, really.

Still, I can’t abandon my entire morning routine to rush off fishing in front of the mine.

There’s always a proper procedure for everything.

Something as simple as a refreshing glass of water.

It wakes me from my half-dream state.

This has become a daily habit now.

During the night, I bought about two thousand seeds in my dreams and headed out briskly to the yard.

Seeds exceeding the range of the Mithril Sprinkler start appearing.

Looking at the field size, which has grown too large to cover with just five sprinklers, I nod to myself.

Though it doesn’t count towards experience, the most visible growth indicator is my field.

The field continues to expand.

Seeds sprout, revealing vibrant life.

Seeing this, no farmer could fail to rejoice unless they’ve become jaded.

I consider myself diligent, so it’s only natural to feel joy.

With this comes another task.

Because I used all my resources crafting the Mithril Sprinkler for my journey, there’s no spare capacity to make more.

This means I’ll have to water parts of the land beyond the sprinklers manually for now.

After fishing, I resolve to head to the mine and mine diligently.

Mining seems poised to reach the advanced level next, so it’s a great progression.

Even without reason, I’d work hard, but having a purpose makes it easier to push harder.

Of course, that’s for later.

Right now, fishing is far more fun.

Spring crops.

Planting fruits for gifts and cash crops while solidifying such thoughts.

More is always better when it comes to crops. Even if it requires extra effort, the results never betray me.

Shuffling along with my fishing rod, I move.

Today’s destination is the beach.

Honestly, I also want to boast to Maxim about catching such fish.

Look how much your newbie has grown!

That’s the feeling I want to convey.

Most importantly, he kindly lent me his precious fishing rod.

He was truly the foundation of my initial growth—how could I not gift him a salmon?

Nowadays, earning around 1000 gold a day feels like pocket change.

Transactions with the lord have given me such peace of mind.

This is the moment when I vaguely understand why nobles always seem so relaxed.

Money does naturally lead to such calmness.

Warm humidity.

The salty scent of the sea hasn’t been felt in a long time.

The salty breeze greets me fully.

I remember grumbling about the 40-minute walk here when I first came.

Thinking back to those days of confusion between the game and reality brings a smile.

Nowadays, I don’t think about it much.

Different things are different, and I’ve adapted well.

Isn’t living well what matters most?

Enjoying the unique sinking sensation of the sand, I head toward the bridge on the beach where Maxim is.

“Ah! Minho. Long time no see!”

“Maxim. Did you enjoy the fruit?”

“Of course! I tried using it as bait, but it didn’t work, so I ended up eating it all. It was delicious.”

Using it as bait? Truly the mindset of an expert angler.

“If you need more, let me know.”

“I prefer fish over fruit anyway.”

Maxim smirks.

Always the same fishing addict.

His consistent demeanor makes me chuckle.

I carefully pull out the fish from my bag.

It’s the salmon.

If he doesn’t recognize it, I’ll just pretend nothing happened.

Though I intended to present it as a gift, wrapped as a rare catch.

Of course, that didn’t happen.

“Hmm? Wait a sec, buddy.”

Maxim’s eyes widen instantly.

The casual expression transforms into something serious.

“This is… you caught this yourself? This is a triple salmon!”

“Triple salmon?”

“Yeah! Triple salmon! Officially called salmonsalmonsalmon, but who says that? Just call it triple salmon. You caught this thing? It’s nearly impossible to find.”

“With the rod you gave me. It was a tough fight.”

“Now I can’t call you a beginner anymore. You’ve officially become a real fisherman. Giving you my rod was worth it.”

“It’s a gift, Maxim. Proof of a beginner’s growth thanks to your rod.”

Maxim’s eyes bulge.

He looks touched.

Approaching me, he places a hand on my shoulder and pats it a few times, ignoring the fish completely.

“I’ll take the gesture. But a true fisherman’s trophy isn’t meant to be handed over. If you’re a proper angler, you wouldn’t accept it either. The experience, the memory, the battle—all of it adds up. To us fishermen, these aren’t just fish. Once you’ve had such an experience, it’s hard to let go. Don’t you agree?”

“That’s true. It was exhilarating.”

“Yeah. I couldn’t possibly accept something like that. I don’t want to take away someone else’s memories. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated though. Truly.”

Maxim looks at me with a wistful gaze, as if seeing a fully grown child.

“Have you ever caught something like this, Maxim?”

“Sure. Maybe that’s why I can’t quit fishing. Minho, you might end up the same way.”

I somewhat agree with that.

Yesterday’s experience wasn’t just thrilling—it was closer to a sense of accomplishment after a tough battle.

The adrenaline rush of the process outweighed the result.

Especially since I initially failed, my motivation was sky-high.

At that point, nothing mattered except catching the salmon.

“Definitely fun.”

“Isn’t it? Hahaha. You’ve practically become a fisherman. When I first gave you the rod, I didn’t expect this kind of growth. Your talent is terrifying.”

“Hehe… somehow it turned out this way.”

“Excellent. Very excellent…”

“So, what should I do with this guy? I don’t want to sell it.”

“Eating it is best. What’s the fundamental purpose of fishing? To eat the fish, right? Whether it’s expensive or rare, it’s still fish meant to be eaten. Don’t lose sight of that. Don’t get caught up in others’ evaluations; do what you want. I ate every single one I caught.”

“You seem confident in your cooking skills.”

“Hahaha. Nah, I can’t cook. Why should I bother when there are plenty of good cooks in the village?”

That reminded me of Evangelin.

A suitable person to share this rare experience with, and she’s a great cook.

“Looks like someone just popped into your mind.”

“Yeah. A friend who cooks well came to mind.”

“Very nice. That friend is lucky.”

“Should I bring some leftovers?”

“That’s hard to refuse. Gastronomy is another concept altogether, isn’t it? Hahaha!”

Maxim laughs heartily.

His infectious laughter carries a strange charm.

After enjoying a bit of fishing, I bid farewell to Maxim and leave the beach.

Originally, I planned to give him the salmon, but his words made it awkward.

He’s a good person.

I know this village has many good people, but actions speak louder than words.

Everyone reacts differently when faced with action versus mere talk.

The idea of a 1000-gold meal gets my heart racing.

How will Evangelin transform this fish with her excellent cooking skills?

Good anticipation fills my chest with excitement.

Leaving the beach, I head straight to Evangelin’s house.

My excitement shows in my steps.

The lightness and quickness of my pace carry an indescribable sense of anticipation.

“Minho?”

“You’re home.”

“What brings you here?”

“I brought a nice gift. Or maybe calling it a gift is a bit odd?”

Giving ingredients to a chef as a “gift” feels a bit awkward.

Is giving cooking material really considered a gift? More like providing work.

I tilt my head, pulling out the salmon from my bag.

Its size—1.8 meters—nearly matches a person’s height, causing Evangelin’s mouth to gape open.

“What is this? Is it salmon?”

“Yes. It’s a rare triple salmon. Among the people I know, Evangelin cooks the best, so I brought it for us to enjoy together.”

“Really?”

Evangelin beams with a bright smile.

Is she happy about eating the salmon or being complimented on her cooking?

“Are we cooking and eating it right now?”

“Not necessarily. Whenever you’re free is fine.”

“Hmm. How about tomorrow? To make a good dish, I need to think about matching ingredients and cooking methods.”

“Alright. Since triple salmon doesn’t store well, I’ll take it back and bring it again tomorrow. Can I visit around lunchtime?”

“Yes. I’ll prepare well.”

Her usual tone remains unchanged. The situation feels normal.

Her gentle behavior makes even her speech seem soft.

When will her tone carry emotion and expression?

Actions and words create different feelings.

How delicious will a 1000-gold feast be?

More intriguingly, what buffs will it grant?

Such anticipation excites me.

After a short outing, lunch approaches.

As always, my destination is the fishing spot in front of the mine.

Two elusive ones remain.

To catch the Shining Gemfish and Meteor Carp, I must prepare thoroughly and challenge them.

No failures like yesterday.

Yesterday’s catches provided similar dishes, granting a +2 fishing buff lasting one hour.

With my fishing reaching Intermediate Level 9, combining buffs gives me the power equivalent to Advanced Level 2—an incredible ability.

Perhaps that’s why…

Every nerve tingles with heightened sensitivity.

Even small stimuli trigger intricate responses.

Confidence swells within me—I could catch any fish.

It’s a novel experience compared to yesterday.

I realized farming levels barely rise despite harvesting, likely due to the significant difference at each level.

That’s why buffs are crucial. As I progress, the abilities and experience gained per level will grow exponentially.

Standing on wet rocks reflecting the water, I cast my line.

Food is prepared abundantly.

I stocked up to refresh the 1-hour buff whenever it expires.

Time flows.

Despite eating repeatedly, no bites appear.

Only easy, lightweight catches fill my bag.

While the joy of catching exists, I yearn for the thrill of overcoming challenges.

As night deepens and transitions into the next day, I reluctantly stand up.

Eating so much to renew the buff left my stomach heavy.

Even consuming light meals like sashimi every hour strained my digestion.

Though my superior digestive system handled it fairly well, consistently eating at fixed intervals was unfamiliar.

Leading my sluggish body,

The slippery stone’s texture feels unpleasant.

Moonlight illuminates the forest.

Softly filtered light and dark shadows accompany me back home.

Beyond the brightness where the Light Ring doesn’t shine, a chilling darkness ripples.

They were right—these fish are rare.

Maybe catching the triple salmon wasn’t beginner’s luck after all.

The absence of other catches fuels my motivation.

Reaching advanced levels yet still facing challenging fish feels lucky.

These aren’t the only ones.

Renowned fish abound in each region, filling hundreds of achievement slots.

This moment reignites my interest in fishing, once dismissed as merely a money-making early-game activity.

Expecting a clear morning, I retire to bed.

The dampness in my body makes me feel slightly wrinkled during the shower, but I laugh it off.

Tomorrow’s triple salmon banquet awaits.

With that thought, I suppress my lingering regrets and throw myself onto the bed.

The day concludes.

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