Chapter 27

Day 36’s morning.

Even after fishing all night, I was a bit disappointed that my Fishing Level hadn’t budged. Still, no need to rush. Knowing it will eventually level up, there’s no point in getting anxious.

Last night, I bought about 2,000 seeds—mostly spices and vegetables for personal consumption. Things like basil, mint, rosemary, arugula, lettuce, perilla leaves, and water dropwort. Vegetables with a bitter, aromatic taste and scent.

Perfect for side dishes or adding to main courses, they’re excellent for boosting Cooking Level. With plenty of money, I can afford such luxuries.

Planning to fish all day, I kept the morning seed-planting time short. Even so, it’ll take 2-3 hours, but if I rest after breakfast, I should finish by 9-10 AM. Afterward, relaxing fishing awaits.

After a quick breakfast and Health Recovery Buff, I set off.

Today, I plan to try something special. Rare fish unique to Valley of Starwind, not found on Earth—special fish near dungeons and mines.

Like the Glittering Gemstone Fish, Meteor Carp, and SalmonSalmonSalmon (yes, that’s its real name).

They rarely appear and are tough to catch. Hard means more experience points, and difficulty guarantees better growth.

Around Intermediate Level 8, it seemed worth trying. Though Advanced is recommended, I trust my mixed abilities.

Heading toward the mine instead of the forest, the river connecting them winds through lush woods. Walking along its banks, the gentle moisture refreshes my skin.

With my rod over my shoulder, I hum as I walk—light as ever. Maybe improved physical stats make singing easier too; my whistling hits perfect notes, lifting my mood.

Reaching the rocky area near the mine, I cast my line into the river. A faint sweat beads on my palms from the tension. The angler’s senses tingle—a big one’s coming.

For 30 minutes, only small fry bite. Tension doesn’t ease; instead, the anticipation grows stronger, tightening my grip.

Suddenly, a powerful tug shocks me—a rare fish! Yes, it’s here!

My footing slips slightly on the hard rock, but I steady myself and reel in. The rod bends impressively, proving Maxim’s quality. Good equipment ensures stability during high-level challenges.

No time to relax strained muscles. The rod sways violently as the fish thrashes below. Balance remains precarious.

Fishing in games might seem simple, but this feels far harder than expected. Regretting not eating Fishing +1 Buff food beforehand, I force energy into my weary body.

Deadlocked—I’m neither reeling it in nor being dragged under. The rod creaks alarmingly.

“Ugh…”

Loosen, then pull again. Now I have some leeway, but the fish fights back fiercely.

The angler’s senses whisper: “This is tough. Come back better prepared.”

Shaking my head stubbornly, I grit my teeth. Defeat by just a fish? Never.

Gripping the rod tightly, I squeeze every ounce of strength out of my body, sapping the fish’s power. A war of endurance begins.

But the fish shows no signs of tiring. Instead, its struggles grow fiercer, making me strain even harder. My forearms ache horribly.

The angler’s senses scream: “Enough!” Injury looms closer.

Unable to risk harm, I reluctantly release the line. Unprepared, I lost to this fish.

It stung. Losing to just a fish wounded my pride.

Massaging sore wrists and arms, I stabilize myself before hastily pulling out cooking ingredients. Even a one-hour buff would help.

Cooking buffs stack twice, drink buffs twice—but drinks aren’t feasible now, so I focus on food. Fish-based recipes often grant fishing buffs.

Quickly preparing sashimi and grilled fish using caught fish.

Though my cooking skills are lacking, knife handling is my forte thanks to Combat Level and weapon expertise. Not optimized for cooking, but still effective.

Using sea bream for sashimi, applying a skill by blanching the skin in hot water then cooling it immediately.

Grilling requires nothing fancy—just smother premium crops with spices and toss them in.

Despite hurried preparation, the dishes look decent. Plating at Level 3 isn’t perfect, but appearances aren’t everything.

Picking up a piece of sashimi…

The crispy, nutty texture of the skin contrasts beautifully with the tender flesh. Hot water blanching enhances flavor, creating a delightful dance on the tongue.

Delicious. Sashimi truly is an unmatched feast. Being able to indulge without worrying about cost or quality feels like a blessing.

Next, biting into the grilled fish. Flaky white meat melts in the mouth while the crispy skin crackles satisfyingly. Oils burst, amplifying richness. The simplicity of salt and spices complements perfectly.

Both dishes were devoured quickly, leaving me eager for another attempt.

[Sea Bream Sashimi]

[Duration: 01:00:00]

[Effect: Fishing +1]

[Grilled Fish]

[Duration: 01:00:00]

[Effect: Fishing +1]

Just what I wanted. Combined Fishing +2 boosts my effective level to Advanced 1.

A strange sensation washes over me—tingling nerves. Is this the sixth sense of anglers?

Casting again, confidence returns. No way I’ll lose to a mere fish.

Especially not to silly names like SalmonSalmonSalmon, Glittering Gemstone Fish, or Meteor Carp.

Not when legendary Rainbow Carp or King of the Abyss await elsewhere.

Waiting anxiously, knowing failure within an hour means redoing meals. While easy to prepare, losing buffs mid-fight worries me.

About 30 minutes pass when familiar vibrations course through my hands. It’s the same fish.

Yes. The very same one that handed me my first defeat.

The angler’s senses confirm it—the fish responsible for that loss. Anticipation brings a smile to my lips.

The rod strains under immense pressure. Muscles tense, core engaged, legs braced.

Every muscle works in harmony, supporting me. Breathing slows, calm descends.

This time feels different. Confidence surges—victory assured in a drawn-out battle.

Problem is, the buff lasts only 30 more minutes. All must be done within.

Deciding on a decisive strike, I commit fully to landing this fish.

Promising myself success, I adjust tactics—alternating between pulling and releasing tension expertly.

At Advanced Level, technique shines. Less effort yields greater results. Sensory precision sharpens.

Gradually, the fish starts yielding. Progress compared to the first attempt is clear.

Checking the timer—40 minutes elapsed, 20 left. Ten minutes of struggle have passed already.

Taking deep breaths calms rising anxiety. Patience pays off.

Rock scraping against soles, rod groaning, fish thrashing underwater—all merge into heightened awareness.

Relaxing momentarily, I wait for the right moment. Only 10 minutes remain. Strained muscles ache from exertion.

Finally, the fish weakens. Its frantic movements slow. Time to reel it in carefully.

Feigning weakness, I give it false hope of escape while conserving strength.

“Now!”

Seizing the opportunity, I yank forcefully. A magnificent fish leaps dramatically above the surface—its name glowing overhead: [SalmonSalmonSalmon]. Chuckling escapes despite clenched lips at the absurd moniker.

The massive salmon flails wildly on the bent rod. Easily matching my height, around 1.8 meters long. No wonder it was so tough.

A sigh of relief escapes as I knock it unconscious and secure it in my bag.

“Woo…that was exhausting.”

Collapsing onto the rocks, sweat drenches me. One of the toughest days recently—rivaled only by life-or-death monster battles.

Deciding against catching more, I relocate. Determined to return later, I leisurely walk downstream to a familiar spot.

Fishing here feels peaceful. Regardless of difficulty, occasional challenges add flavor.

Appreciating the utility of buffs made today worthwhile.

Glancing at the sleeping SalmonSalmonSalmon in my bag, I continue fishing. Should I sell or eat it?

The UI suggests 1,000 gold—not cheap, but not urgent enough to sell. Perhaps alternative uses exist. Cooking seems extravagant at 1,000 gold per meal.

Deciding to think further, it remains a happy dilemma after catching SalmonSalmonSalmon.

Continuing until nightfall, fatigue fades with the challenge behind me. Finishing work, I head home.

Not completely drained, but tired enough to feel accomplished. Recently, extreme physical tests were rare, making this fishing experience unexpected yet enjoyable.

Thus ends Day 36’s evening.