Chapter 95

What is this “Gold”?

From the perspective of someone steeped in capitalism, it’s just mindlessly hoarding without any intellect, like being brainwashed to accumulate.

That’s me.

When you actually pile it up though, you realize you don’t need that much gold after all. Still, you keep gathering it anyway, developing squirrel-like habits. Is this a result of modern education?

No.

Looking at how people here hide their gold and desperately try to amass money, I wonder if it’s not more of a human instinct ingrained at the genetic level. Gold was important for convenience in life, but now it’s become even more crucial.

[Beginner Level 4 System]

A skill that leveled up by three levels in one day – the System.

If you ask how such results came about, it’s simple.

It was because I used gold.

Pay-to-win.

Even though I wasn’t doing hardcore cash injections, it felt that way.

Actually, this was something that happened quite often. Buying seeds from the shop, purchasing necessities, shopping around for various items – these were all normal activities. The only difference now compared to before is that these actions take place not in dreams but as real-life tasks early in the morning.

Buying wheat and rice seeds, acquiring diverse cooking ingredients for Evangelin to use, purchasing feed for Suri and seeds for the greenhouse…

When needed, I’d also buy various materials, tools, and equipment.

Since these actions rewarded me with skill level-ups, it felt like receiving unexpected gifts. Like a child receiving presents from Santa on Christmas. The more gold spent, the higher the level went. Money had essentially become experience points.

It was quite a simple mechanism. All those ponderings on how to level up skills after obtaining them turned out to be useless, which was slightly disappointing. But given the clarity of this alternative solution, I couldn’t complain. More money leads to a better life – a story applicable almost anywhere, but one that resonated strongly with me intuitively.

“I should work harder to earn money…”

Until now, I hadn’t aggressively pursued the merchant route, so some greed started to arise. Even just increasing the quantity of crops popular in the royal court could potentially double my earnings. Of course, this assumes that automation systems are functioning properly. For now, having the spirits working diligently is sufficient. We can think about industrialization when the time comes.

Turning my eyes away from the system, an undercurrent of emotions begins to seep through, faintly appearing before my eyes.

Ah.

Finally, I’ve gained the excitement to see them fully.

Clearly, something was broken, but it wasn’t my fault; it was due to external factors.

That realization was quite relieving. There were times when I suspected I might have developed some kind of psychosis because things felt different from before. Now that worry has disappeared.

Preparation.

If we genuinely like each other, isn’t it right to prepare something accordingly? To observers, we might seem somewhere between dating and marriage. In reality, our relationship is somewhere between close friends and less-than-lovers. Sometimes our actions resemble those of couples or lovers, but thinking about it now, subtle hints they dropped previously start to surface like little bells.

I, who was seemingly indifferent…

Perhaps, words spoken with a bit of heart…

“Peep!”

“That’s right, that’s right. Our Suri.”

My attachment to Suri grows stronger. This adorable screech owl flies into my hand, closes its eyes tightly as if asking to be petted, and nudges its head forward cutely. Carefully avoiding its ear tufts, I gently stroke its forehead with my finger. It shivers slightly with each movement of my finger, making soft cooing sounds and entrusting itself to my touch.

So this is what it feels like when the dam of emotions breaks. What was once blocked like a dam is now flowing down gently. Like watering parched earth slowly drying out. Every small detail that was hard to notice before is now coming to light entirely.

I thought I wasn’t much different, but I guess I was wrong. Subconsciously, there were definitely moments where I held back from getting closer.

“Minho…ssi?”

“Come on in.”

“You seem unusually gentle today.”

Evangelin’s cheeks turn red. Despite doing nothing special, her behavior becomes a little shy and cautious.

Is this how changes reveal themselves?

I didn’t expect it to be this obvious.

“Come inside.”

“Okay.”

That “okay,” accompanied by a bashful smile, emerges in a clear voice tinged with shyness. Mesmerizing yet not quite hypnotic, hovering ambiguously on the border.

Mesmerized, I eat breakfast.

Is this how beautiful Evangelin looks while preparing breakfast? I’m newly impressed by her grace, exclaiming silently at her beauty.

“Are you going to work?”

“Yeah.”

“Could you stay for just a cup of tea?”

She’s never made such a request before. Twisting her fingers slightly, unable to meet my gaze, she turns her head away. Her tongue darts out briefly to moisten her lips, and the sight catches my full attention.

Her shyness stirs my emotions again.

“I’ll make the tea. I happen to have some good ones.”

Sitting her down, I prepare the tea. The fragrant leaves release a delicate aroma, creating a strange stillness with their soft, crisp atmosphere.

The steam rising from the teacup obscures her face.

Before I can marvel at this newfound fact, Evangelin’s soft voice continues.

“Um…”

“Yeah.”

“If…uh…”

Despite her hesitation dragging on, I don’t rush her, slowly lifting the teacup instead. Her lips move as she takes several deep breaths.

“Jack says he likes it here too. And I…”

“Yeah.”

“So…”

I see her swallow.

With physical maturity comes naturally heightened senses.

Non-verbal expressions.

In truth, these communicate more honestly than words. Being able to fully interpret these gestures is sometimes a blessing, but in situations like this, it’s also somewhat frustrating since I can roughly predict what she’s about to say.

“What do you think…if I said I wanted to live here together? If that’s okay…”

The word “if” as a period seems a bit amusing.

Though deep down, she knows the answer already.

“…”

Hmm.

This was unexpected.

Setting down my tea straightaway feels like it takes an eternity.

“Do you mean living together?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you know what you’re saying?”

“A little. Maybe more than a little.”

Hiding her face behind the teacup.

I quietly observe her holding the cup with both hands, hiding her expression.

“Alright. I welcome it.”

Casually.

As usual, with a calm demeanor, when I respond, Evangelin’s expression brightens radiantly.

Like a halo shining around her, her smile is as warm as spring sunshine, stunningly beautiful.

Time seems to stop, etching this moment vividly into my memory.

Perhaps, if there’s a memory I won’t lose even after much time passes, it would be something like this.

Struggling to shake off the shock, I take a sip of tea.

“Yeah.”

“Then, a separate space to sleep?”

“No.”

“Huh?”

“The bed’s big enough…”

I blink.

Was she always this proactive?

“Yeah.”

“Okay. Um…then, I’ll go do some housework. The tea was delicious. Yeah.”

Acting like a broken machine, she clatters off to the kitchen in a flustered rush. Her short red hair trailing behind swirls my vision.

What is this?

A proposal?

That sudden phrase hits quite hard.

Especially since it coincides with this period of reawakened emotions.

While it might not feel deliberate, the timing is quite perfect.

Had it been earlier, I probably would have responded nonchalantly with “Sure,” acknowledging the possibility with a slightly bitter tone.

But now, I’m showing some flustered behavior myself, though it doesn’t show outwardly.

“I’m going to work.”

“Take care.”

She never forgets her farewell greetings.

Etiquette, diligence – if I had to pick an embodiment of these words, I’d definitely choose her.

Stepping outside, the dry, crisp air fills my lungs.

Cool breezes.

Colorful autumn leaves swirling around.

Among them, the soft, sticky silver spirits and Jack rolling around on the ground.

Surprisingly, two fairies are also laughing amidst them. Does Jack have some special affinity for befriending fairies and spirits? Or is it the innocence of childhood at work?

“I should get to work.”

Dazedly.

Trying to erase the somewhat shocking event from earlier, I walk aimlessly. Without any particular destination, I find myself greeted by a clear, transparent lakeside.

I casually toss out a fishing rod.

An innate, natural instinct embedded in my body.

To clear my thoughts, I sit down leisurely.

The bench was requested by Ann.

Sitting here, I experience a faint illusion of narcissus-like fragrance.

“Hmm?”

“Maxim?”

“Are you also fishing here, Lord Baron?”

“It’s my chair.”

“Hahaha. Somehow. I sensed the skilled carpenter’s touch and noticed you were using it well.”

Meeting Maxim here, away from the beach, and at a fishing spot no less.

“What deep thoughts are you pondering? Your face is full of worries.”

“Not worries. Just thinking about trying some fishing after a long time.”

“There’s nothing better than fishing for clearing your mind. You look much better than before.”

“But you said my face was full of worries.”

“That’s what it means to live. Always smiling and showing no expression isn’t truly living, is it?”

“Isn’t smiling good?”

“How can anyone live smiling all the time? Isn’t it better to openly share and solve worries rather than hide them?”

“Is that so?”

“So. What are you thinking about?”

“Just normal life worries.”

Yeah. Normal life worries.

It’s funny that I can finally worry about these kinds of things now.

Can it even be called worry?

Even if the result is already half-decided, if happy worries count as worries, then they are worries indeed.

“Well. If it’s something very difficult, let the lady of the house know.”

“Uh?”

“If we’ve received something, how can we just stay silent? If it’s hard to talk directly, we’ll circulate the message and try to resolve it.”

“More importantly, who’s ‘the lady of the house’?”

“What? Aren’t you two… Hahaha. Even if you deny it, if people say so, that’s just how it goes, right? A fine gentleman and lady suit each other perfectly.”

“Haha…”

“Lord Baron, we’re grateful to have someone like you taking care of our village. Truly.”

Maxim’s final words hit home somehow.

Silently.

We spend time catching fish without saying much.

Though it felt aimless, I somehow felt it was fulfilling.

There was no addition of logging or mining machines.

No upgrades or developments either.

But spending time leisurely like this isn’t bad at all, despite the accompanying act of fishing.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

“Good expression.”

“It’s a human expression.”

“Hahaha. That’s right.”

Putting away the fishing gear, I stand up.

After fishing for quite a while, it’s already gotten dark.

I must’ve been so engrossed in fishing that I lost track of time.

Returning home, I’m greeted by a savory smell and warm food.

“Hi!”

“Welcome back.”

Ann.

And Evangelin greet me together.

A natural smile spreads across my face.

After dinner, the house that used to have only me now has two additional people.

“Can I sleep here tonight?”

“Sure.”

“Great!”

Hmm.

This “just tonight” from Ann will probably become “tomorrow night”…

And the next day…

And the day after…

Feeling like every day will continue like this isn’t unfounded, is it?

Did Evangelin talk to her?

There’s a strange feeling in that “me too” expression.

Ending the day with three people instead of alone feels quite new.

When I arrive home, high-quality content awaits me.

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