Chapter 1

There is a game called Valley of Starwind.

Known as a healing game, it allows players to leisurely enjoy the slow-paced life of farm living.

Healing game.

As Koreans often do, when given a time-unlimited healing game, the reality is that we break our time into extreme fragments and shout efficiency to the max.

Kimchi-style farm game.

Though it carried such a nickname, however one chose to enjoy it, the fact that this game was about healing remained unchanged.

It was enjoyable, after all.

Healing, in whichever way, is about finding your own style of enjoyment—nothing more.

Still, this concept of “healing” itself…

Yeah.

Because it adopted the form of a game, one could fully immerse themselves in its pleasures.

The protagonist’s superhuman 24-hour slave lifestyle.

To-do lists broken down to the minute for the sake of efficiency.

Extreme calculations of crop efficiency.

On lucky days, rushing straight to the mines like a dinosaur smashing through walls.

Running around the neighborhood like a lunatic with beer and mayonnaise just to get cooking recipes.

I even begged NPCs to open up sales routes.

Gathered materials tooth and nail for adventures and exploration.

Repeated the same actions at the same times for 216 days straight to achieve certain accomplishments.

That was my style of gameplay.

If someone asked if this was truly a healing game, well—I found it fun.

From a step back, I could laugh off the protagonist’s superhuman feats because it was all part of the game.

Occasionally, I’d think that if I lived this diligently in real life, I’d definitely succeed.

But then thinking about sleeping only 4-5 hours a day while working full-time made me lose interest right away.

Living like that in reality?

Hmm.

A month would be pushing it.

It’d be fortunate not to die considering how brutal the schedule was every single day.

That was the healing farm life made possible by the game format.

Because it was a game.

Even if you collapsed or died from exhaustion while exploring.

Even if farming left you lying on the ground out of fatigue.

Even if you got lost in the mine.

All of it was okay because it was a game—you always got a second chance.

And I enjoyed it without questioning any of it.

…

The heavy scent of grass, unfamiliar at home.

The harsh sunlight streaming through the windows.

The faint, familiar smell of timber filling the house.

If the game music played now, it’d feel like a landscape I’ve never seen but somehow know intimately.

What would it be like to bring the 2D world into 3D reality? This must be it.

A haunting melody drifts through my mind like an illusion.

A chill runs down my spine.

Shaking my head violently, I wonder if this is a dream—but there’s no fuzziness, no uncertainty typical of dreams.

That sharp, clear sensation.

The uncomfortable feeling brought by big data.

“What is this?”

My mouth feels dry.

The texture of swallowing saliva travels clearly down my throat.

The heightened sensitivity of my body sends every heartbeat vividly through me.

Tension washes over me.

The pain of pinching my cheeks feels all too real.

Knowing this isn’t a dream but hoping against hope that it is—I face reality helplessly.

“What is this thing?”

Why would someone go so far as to kidnap me?

This isn’t some hidden camera prank, is it?

With half my wits gone, I try my best to assess the situation.

Getting up from the rustling bed, the mattress feels soft. The unfamiliar bedding is strange, but the cozy feeling remains.

The small size of the house. Turning my head, I can see everything at once.

Sunlight streaming through the window, specks of dust floating sharply in the air.

An unlit fireplace.

Bundles of crops and a table. A letter sits atop it.

A tiny bathroom.

This must be what a simple medieval studio looks like.

This is the starting scenery of Valley of Starwind. It would have been charming in the game, but now in reality, it feels like a chilling thriller.

Just yesterday, I had achieved the accomplishment “Should I Lick the Yogurt Lid?” and planned to explore the Forbidden Garden.

That was all in the game, wasn’t it?

Not reality.

I was playing a game. There’s no talk of virtual reality games anywhere in the world.

Certainly not ones with this perfect sensory experience.

Standing up, I look around.

The rough texture of wooden planks feels cold.

Is it because I’m imagining it?

Or is it the slightly chilly temperature making me feel this way?

Without hiding the shivers running down my spine, I turn my head faster.

No signs of human presence.

Overwhelmed by the oppressive feeling, I step outside.

The sun slowly warms the earth.

The cool night air has turned into a breeze brushing through my hair.

Under normal circumstances, I’d say:

“Ah, refreshing.”

“What a nice temperature, perfect for a walk.”

But now, with the changed environment, I’m just dumbfounded.

This is the starting scenery of Valley of Starwind.

Experiencing it in 3D reality feels strangely surreal.

The yard stretches out with trees, grass, and piles of stones.

Various tools lie scattered nearby.

The silver glint shows they’re practically unused.

An axe.

A hoe.

A pickaxe.

A watering can.

A sickle.

These tangled items hint at the future awaiting me.

A future filled with physical labor.

A sigh escapes me involuntarily.

For some reason,

My chest feels tight.

Why?

Why am I here?

I’m not even a hardcore player. I’ve only seen the ending once. Why am I in this world?

What does it want from me?

Unless…

Is this a dream?

Will I wake up and return home if I sleep now?

My thoughts won’t settle.

Sitting on the low staircase leading to the yard, I absentmindedly toss gray rocks.

The dull sound as they roll across the floor feels pitiful.

It’s like looking at myself.

Strangely, my body feels unusually healthy.

The fine muscles visible on my arms and legs catch my eye.

Seeing them makes me inexplicably happy; a silly smile appears.

Having led a sedentary life, I didn’t expect such muscles to form on my body.

Watching myself react so emotionally makes me realize how shattered my mental state must be.

Normally,

I don’t cry or laugh easily, nor do I experience such extreme emotional fluctuations.

Thinking about it makes me feel depressed again.

What is this?

Suddenly, my head rings with a “ding.”

Feeling dizzy, I retreat inside.

The scent of wood hits me anew.

Only then do I notice the yellowed letter on the table.

Carefully moving closer, I shift the bundle of crops aside to reveal crooked handwriting.

Tearing open the letter,

Strangely, I can decipher the crooked script.

Even though it’s a language I’ve never seen before, I can read it.

This fact makes the whole situation seem even more real.

A scientifically inexplicable phenomenon unfolding right before my eyes.

Finally, with my wavering heart settling, I accept that this world—whether it’s Valley of Starwind or somewhere else—is not my home.

[Welcome to Valley of Starwind!

You now have the privilege to fully immerse yourself in Valley of Starwind.

Didn’t you find the game version disappointing?

Didn’t you envy the hardworking protagonist?

Now you can enjoy the full-body healing farm life beyond just fingers and eyes!

Your environment awaits!

Adventures and explorations!

Cooking and gastronomy!

Combat and growth!

Gathering and farming!

Mining and logging!

Achievements and the satisfaction that comes with them!

Are you ready to experience all this?

I believe you will be happy without a doubt.

Valley of Starwind is such a place.

Happy, relaxing, and joyful.

If, someday, this healing life becomes tiresome and you wish to return, remember!

Of course, I know you’ll never want to leave.

But just in case, let me inform you.

Sometimes you might miss home.

‘True Ending!’

When you reach the true ending, you’ll be given the chance to end your healing farm life.

But I don’t think you’ll abandon this delightful healing life to return to a gloomy place.

Because this is Valley of Starwind!

Wishing you happiness and joy in your farm life.

Thank you.]

“What the hell is this nonsense?”

Squinting my eyes, I reread the letter multiple times.

One point: being able to fully read a letter written in an unknown language.

Another: the overly friendly explanation.

And another: the explicit mention of Valley of Starwind.

Together, these points paint a simple and intuitive picture.

For some inexplicable reason, I’ve ended up in Valley of Starwind.

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