Chapter 29

The eyes opened.

Staggering slightly, I made my way to the crafting table after getting up.

Even though this morning brought no new growth, there was nothing to regret.

I gave thanks for the rapid progress I’d experienced so far and enjoyed a moment of leisure with a glass of water.

The cool liquid slid down my throat, chilling my brain—it felt amazing.

Perhaps all the forced knowledge and experience had piled up, but starting the day with cold water had become surprisingly delightful. It was like quenching something overheated with a splash of coldness. Even though it wasn’t actual tempering, the feeling was oddly satisfying.

I stepped outside after opening the door. Until I reached the conditions needed to advance fishing to a higher level, mornings would continue in this routine.

If those conditions were met, I’d shift gears slightly and try something different.

Cooking had stabilized nicely, and funds were flowing steadily without much fluctuation. Though outdoor activities were enjoyable, it was time to focus on strengthening my foundation.

For example:

Expanding the house.

Building a barn and chicken coop.

Restoring the greenhouse.

Rebuilding the massive warehouse.

These were big projects, but they still counted as “housework” since they were close to home.

It was the perfect timing. Memories of cutting trees recklessly, mining rocks, and piling materials aimlessly from old gaming days resurfaced.

Mining improved my skills, logging boosted others, and somewhere along the line, construction (whether it was a skill or not) joined in too. Everything worked together seamlessly at this stage—always the sweet spot for growth.

But not today. Right now, planting seeds was enough to start my day. The cycle of planting and harvesting kept the fields balanced, thanks to maintaining around 2-3 thousand seeds. Expanding wildly might bring quick results, but such imbalance wasn’t ideal.

Besides, planting seeds wasn’t particularly fun compared to other engaging tasks that motivated me more. Automating this process someday would be nice, though.

After finishing with the seeds, I still had some time before lunch, so I revisited the crafting table to browse through building options.

Chicken coop.

Barn.

House expansion.

Fish pond.

Stable.

Windmill.

Shed.

Pier.

Watchtower.

Workshop.

Altar.

Wonder.

As I scrolled further, my eyes landed on “Wonder.” This was unfamiliar territory—names I hadn’t seen in games before.

1. Spirit Valley Pagoda.

2. Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa.

3. Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque.

4. Cluny Abbey.

More entries followed, but they were grayed out, locked behind certain conditions.

Strange names, none native to this world, yet reminiscent of European landmarks back on Earth. So, “wonders” referred to these architectural marvels. Would choosing one require me to build it myself?

Curiosity led me to check the requirements… only to quickly shut the menu when faced with astronomical material costs ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions. Not happening anytime soon. Maybe in the distant future.

Turning my attention back to basic builds, I reviewed the specs for the chicken coop, barn, and house expansion.

Wood 500, stone 250, fiber 70.

Wood 800, stone 550.

Gold 5000, wood 2200, stone 1500.

No rare materials required; just grind harder and gather everything. But having the resources didn’t mean instant success—there’d be physical labor involved: cutting logs, fitting beams, shaping stones. Life had thrown construction into the mix somehow.

Praying for a construction skill, I glanced over the crafting table again. From mithril swords and armor to air conditioners, refrigerators, and boilers, the variety was staggering. Shopping online felt similar, except here DIY ruled—you gathered your own materials instead of paying cash.

Lost in browsing, lunchtime arrived before I knew it. Following the sunlit street, I headed toward Evangelin’s house.

“Who’s there?”

Footsteps shuffled inside. Jack, Evangelin’s non-verbal brother, couldn’t speak, meaning someone else was home.

“I’ve brought salmon.”

“Oh, Minho! Come in.”

Carrying freshly caught salmon, I entered. Bags were truly convenient—the fish remained pristine no matter what.

“Hello, Minho!”

“Luna?”

“Evangelin invited me. She mentioned we’re hosting a feast today?”

The silver-haired singer whose voice could charm anyone—even medieval idols existed here apparently.

Though the concept seemed odd, she clearly thrived somehow. Her skin glowed, her hair shimmered, each strand alive with vitality.

“I thought more people should join since the salmon is quite large for just two or three of us.”

“Perfect!”

“Maxim came too.”

In the corner, Maxim yawned lazily, then perked up upon spotting the fish.

“Oh! Thanks for inviting me, Minho. These occasions are always welcome.”

“Hehe, you bet.”

“The salmon looks fresh. Did you preserve it well?”

“You know it.”

Thanks to the bag, preservation was effortless—but it was still my ability, so boasting felt justified.

This small gathering turned festive. Jack smiled warmly despite his silence, emotions clear even without words. Sensitivity heightened, every gesture spoke volumes.

“For today’s menu, we have salmon bruschetta, sashimi, sushi, steak, and grilled salmon.”

Chef Evangelin listed off dishes that made mouths water just hearing them. Passing all ingredients to her, I admired how radiant she looked while explaining, her crimson hair swaying gracefully.

“Is there anything I can help with?”

“All prep work is done. Just trim the salmon if you’d like. Otherwise, sitting back and enjoying yourself is helping plenty.”

“Thank you.”

Her preparation was flawless, leaving me in awe. Humming softly, I noticed Luna staring intently.

“Feel like singing too?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“You were humming just now—it sounded great! What song is it?”

Oh. Without realizing, I must’ve hummed something modern. How to explain this music from another era?

Time for my ultimate excuse—and source of endless excuses—to save the day.

“It’s a lullaby my grandpa used to sing when I was little.”

“No lyrics? That tune was lovely.”

“There are.”

“Sing it!”

“In front of everyone? The idol of all? A bit embarrassing…”

“That doesn’t matter! Your singing is what matters!”

Luna grinned brightly, full of infectious energy. Medieval idol indeed—a baffling concept no matter how many times I thought about it.

How exactly did she gain popularity without internet?

Blocking such thoughts, I cleared my throat. For the first time since arriving here, I sang an impromptu melody.

“Ooh!”

Luna clapped delightedly, encouraging me to continue.

“Not bad, mate. Didn’t know you had such talent.”

“Aaaah!”

Maxim chimed in, even Jack nodding approvingly. Flattered but slightly embarrassed, I managed to sing the first verse.

When Evangelin emerged from the kitchen, my song ended perfectly.

“That was beautiful.”

Placing the salmon bruschetta on the table, she whispered softly. Her faint scent lingered near me, her short red hair brushing past gently.

“Thank you.”

“Whatwhatwhat? Evangelin! Why are you flirting?”

“What are you talking about? I’m not.”

“Don’t deny it! My intuition says otherwise!”

Luna teased, giggling mischievously. Evangelin responded calmly, unaffected by the playful jabs—or so it seemed.

Yet her cheeks betrayed subtle pinkness. Was it from cooking or genuine shyness?

“Here’s the salmon bruschetta. Sashimi and sushi will follow shortly.”

“Evan~gelin~ This bruschetta is AMAZING!”

“Thank you.”

Apparently, someone forgot who sang earlier. While eating, Luna added dramatic flair to her compliments.

The bruschetta was divine. Chewy bread topped with tender salmon wrapped in thinly sliced red onion and scallions. Simple yet extraordinary, the salmon melted gloriously, countered perfectly by crisp vegetables.

Now I understood why Maxim devoured rare fish eagerly. Quality ingredients really did make up 80% of cooking success.

As Evangelin returned to the kitchen, Luna leaned closer conspiratorially.

“How did you win her over? Two years of charm failed for me. Is it your face? Dedication? Talent? Compassion?”

“Win her over? Stop exaggerating. We’re just friends.”

“Hmm… intriguing. I’ll keep observing. Evan isn’t mine to give away!”

Thwack!

Before she could finish, Evangelin lightly tapped Luna’s head.

“Don’t embarrass Minho.”

“Aww!!! Already claiming him? That hurts, Evan.”

“Delicious sushi. Here.”

“Mmhm. Yummy. I forgive you.”

Luna’s cheeks puffed up like a chipmunk’s as she chewed happily. Ignoring her antics, Evangelin served the next courses—sashimi and sushi.

Everything tasted wonderful. Beyond wonderful.

Rare textures of raw salmon. Its rich oil dissolving luxuriously.

With each bite of sushi, delicate grains complemented the fish beautifully. Every dish was impeccable.

We finished the meal with warm salmon steak and oven-baked delights. Satisfied, Luna patted her belly rhythmically, her silver hair dancing alongside.

“Great dinner as always. Such feasts never get old.”

Maxim slapped my shoulder heartily, laughing.

“Thank you for the delicious meal.”

“Wow! Our chef excels once again. You’ve proven your former profession brilliantly tonight.”

“True! Evangelin’s cooking is unmatched! Thank you again!”

Luna, Maxim, and even Jack expressed gratitude toward Evangelin. Adding my own thanks, I watched her smile warmly, her eyes curving into half-moons.

And so, the feast concluded.

Maxim left, followed by Luna skipping off cheerfully.

I headed out to fish, though today yielded nothing special beyond finding decent equipment in a treasure chest. Fish seemed rarer than expected.

Dreaming of another gourmet adventure, I licked my lips, returning home late at night to rest.

Today had been undeniably delicious.

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