Chapter 5

As soon as morning arrived, memories and experiences flooded my brain, heating it up like a sizzling pan.

The cold sting of fishing.

The sharp, low burn of logging.

The hot, dull ache of mining.

Every day’s worth of experience filling my skills to the brim always feels rewarding. Each morning greets me with different kinds of pain, but the sense of accomplishment outweighs the unfamiliarity.

The gold I calculated in my dreams amounted to 68 Gold, 20 Silver. Even though all I did for two whole days was fish, I felt like a seasoned angler already.

Logging at Level 4. Mining at Level 2. And Fishing? A whopping Level 8! Though still beginner-level, this growth was certainly meaningful.

Fishing just needs a little more leveling up to reach Intermediate rank, where treasure chests and higher-quality items unlock. I might hit Intermediate tomorrow. That thrill is quite the motivation booster!

Stepping outside my house, I’m greeted by vibrant manifestations of life itself.

Day 4 means the crops I planted on Day 1 have grown. The fresh green energy exuding from them, with their yellow kernels poking out, feels oddly comforting. Minari Sugar Carrots—whether they exist in reality or not, here they’re real enough. Harvesting 20 of these plants doesn’t amount to much monetarily compared to fishing, but considering *Starwind Valley*’s nature, large-scale farming is key to accumulating capital later on. Satisfied with taking the first step, I unconsciously nod.

The gathered crops neatly entered my bag.

Today, as usual, I plan to combine fishing, logging, and mining. My arms, which had been overworked for nearly 20 hours catching fish, throb slightly despite feeling fully recovered. Must be residual fatigue.

I swung my arms around pointlessly before heading toward the forest, carrying a lantern this time to avoid any mishaps from yesterday.

Same spot. Same serene atmosphere. I casually cast my fishing rod into the water. The float plops down, creating gentle ripples that announce the start of another day.

There are many reasons why Starwind Valley is beloved, but its high degree of freedom and vast content stand out.

If you love exploration, you can take the adventurer route. If magic’s your thing, there’s the mage path. Or if you’re into stories, you can simply follow along.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury of choosing. To achieve the true ending—or whatever that entails—I must experience every single action tied to achievements.

That means fulfilling everything: adventurer, miner, farmer, logger, fisherman…all of it. Farming serves as the most efficient foundation for accomplishing this efficiently. Hence why some call it a farming game or even a “healing” disguise for efficiency-driven farm management.

“Hoooorah!”

Catching fish feels easier now, requiring almost no effort. Placing the caught fish into my bag has become second nature.

Swinging an axe at trees, smashing rocks with a pickaxe, casting lines into lakes—it’s all part of the routine. Though less exhausting than before, the work remains tough. Here, tool quality matters significantly; better tools reduce stamina consumption while increasing efficiency.

Mining expeditions to obtain iron and other metals are essential since breaking stones in my yard only yields…well, stones. Entering mines becomes unavoidable.

Of course, monsters inevitably await within those mines. Despite being divided between dungeons and mines, both contain hostile creatures. Facing them unarmed—with no sword or axe practice under my belt—is daunting. Without combat skills, I doubt I’d fare well. Though leveling combat might help…

Combat requires practice, and the risks involved in that first battle could be catastrophic. It might even be the most dangerous fight yet.

This is why I focus so heavily on fishing. Aside from early funding, the treasure chest unlocked upon reaching Intermediate Fishing Level is crucial. While unsure how it translates to reality, in the game, it provides rare equipment and materials via gacha mechanics.

Why else would fishing be hailed as the golden opportunity brimming with milk and honey during the early stages?

Equipment levels range from 1-100, but with good luck, you could snag a Level 30 set early on through fishing. Without ever stepping foot in a mine or dungeon, one can begin combat and mining fully equipped—all thanks to fishing.

That’s what I’m aiming for. Over-preparation never hurts.

All I hope for is that the treasure chest actually exists. Without it, my plans might crumble. While guaranteed in the game, things here remain uncertain. The lack of basic storage options like bags and warehouses during Day 1 was frustrating.

“I should probably cook something…”

While optional, cooking plays a significant role in maintaining comfort. Besides restoring health and stamina, food grants buffs—important boosts for various tasks. Although I’m not sure about gourmet enjoyment here, eating delicious meals gives strength regardless.

Buffs vary widely, reducing stamina consumption and enhancing skill proficiency. Most importantly, speed increases—especially movement speed—are invaluable. Early-game mobility relies solely on foot travel, but with these buffs, journey times drastically shorten. In combat scenarios, they also aid kiting tactics.

Given my circumstances, cooking isn’t negotiable—even if it’s mainly for convenience. Plus, having a goal helps maintain motivation.

“Do fish recipes exist?”

Not sure. Checking the UI might reveal answers, but limited information forces me into repetitive tasks. Trying anything new feels risky without proper knowledge.

Lost in thought, time flew by unnoticed. By the time I realized, the sky had shifted to deep navy and soft purple hues. Turning on my lantern bathed the surroundings in crimson light, creating an eerie yet beautiful ambiance. The lake shimmered faintly under the glow, a rare sight reserved for night.

Confident I’d soon reach Intermediate Fishing Level, I decided to continue just a bit longer. As darkness fell, focusing solely on fishing seemed safest. Around this time, faint rustling sounds emerged from the shadows.

Approaching steadily, the sound grew louder until finally revealing a woman bathed in red.

“Nice seeing you again.”

Her voice—calm, steady, melodic—caught my attention immediately.

“Hello. Out for a nighttime stroll?” I replied slowly, bowing slightly.

“Yes. Forest air carries the best scents at dawn and dusk.”

Breathing deeply, I absorbed the crisp evening air, distinctly cooler than daytime warmth. Whether fragrant or not, it definitely felt different.

“Thanks for the lantern. It’s been useful.”

“Not at all. You seem fond of fishing?”

“Ah, not exactly fond of it so much as…”

*Splash!* A fish thrashed violently before settling into my bag.

Carelessly tossing it inside, I suddenly remembered how strange it might look.

“Uh…yeah, right.”

Worried she’d question my bag choice, my response came out awkwardly.

“Maksim would approve. He’s our village’s sole fisherman. Have you met him?”

“Yes, he gave me this rod.”

“Figures. That familiar silver rod stood out.”

Evangelin’s eyes sparkled invitingly. Her charm felt genuine—not like a character in a game—but like a real, captivating woman who suits orange tones perfectly.

“You know?”

“What?”

“You’re pretty famous around here.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Being new draws attention, plus your grandfather lived here long ago.”

“Oh, guess I’ve been too busy to greet everyone properly.”

“Don’t worry about it. People generally like you. New faces are rare here—we’re quite rural after all.”

“Still, it’s a great place to unwind.”

“Is it?”

With delicate grace, Evangelin swept her hair behind her ear. The motion lingered faintly in the lantern’s glow.

“Well, see you later. Would be nice meeting again tonight.”

“Travel safely.”

Like last time, she vanished gracefully into the darkness, leaving only the gently swaying fishing rod behind.

*”Hoooorah!”*

My habitual battle cry echoed softly into the quiet night as I reeled in roughly ten more fish before departing.

Thanks to the lantern, returning home proved straightforward. Seeing the ground meant finding the path easily, avoiding yesterday’s aimless wandering.

Lying down after a quick wash, consciousness faded swiftly.

*

[Nearing Intermediate Fishing Level 1! Choose your reward!]

[Option 1: Increase fish value by 30%.]

[Option 2: Boost treasure chest spawn rate by 12%.]

Hmm. This feature wasn’t present earlier. Unclear whether it’s newly added or overlooked, but either way, it’s beneficial.

After pondering briefly, I tapped Option 2.

Though Option 1 seems logical for mid-game gold income, the allure of rare gear and materials via treasure chests couldn’t be ignored. Planning to acquire equipment through chests before tackling mines and dungeons made boosting their spawn rate more appealing. In a pure gaming context, I’d likely choose fish value instead.

“At least they give treasure chests, right?”

Relieved, I reviewed today’s earnings via the Economy menu: 91 Gold, 35 Silver—including proceeds from the Day 4 crops. Their exact contribution remains unclear.

Purchasing a couple of meals ensured a hearty day ahead. Afterward, 211 Gold remained. Collecting ~300 more unlocks the UI.

Exploring the system interface further, I stumbled upon the Achievements tab. Several gray-locked entries now gleamed white.

[Achievement Unlocked] Love Fishing? (Caught 100 Fish)

[Achievement Unlocked] Noob No More! (Reached Intermediate Level in Any Skill)

Satisfying milestones, even without rewards. Unlocking certain features depends on completing achievements, so progress remains necessary.

Finishing everything, my consciousness drifted away like fading dreams. For me, true rest begins now.