Chapter 55

Day 25 of Summer.

The heat is oppressive. Even Evangelin and Jack, who arrive during the cooler hours, can’t escape the sweltering sun.

So that morning, I gifted them parasols to shield them from the sun as they come and go.

And I paid their weekly wages. Since I’ve hired them as personal chefs, it’s important to pay them properly.

I decided on a weekly wage of 5000 gold. Considering Suri also takes care of housework and looks after the place, and since this is the first week filled with hardship, I added an extra 1000 gold, making it 6000 gold in total.

I didn’t feel the slightest bit regretful about it. Spending money on something that makes me this happy is one of the best fixed expenses I have.

Evangelin smiled brightly after receiving the parasol and gold, expressing her gratitude. The morning meal has become richer and tastier because of her. I’m not sure why exactly, but cooking really does seem to change depending on the person’s mood.

After finishing my morning tasks, I sneak over to the crafting table to build a chicken coop. Bass mentioned he’ll be able to bring animals in about 2-3 days.

I glance into my bag for remaining materials. Thanks to the piles of stones I’ve gathered from mining regularly at the mine, I don’t need to worry about stone supplies.

The real issue is wood. Since I haven’t been cutting down trees consistently, I mostly rely on purchasing from the shop. Luckily, there’s enough wood for the chicken coop, so I activate the blueprint at the crafting table, projecting a hologram of soft blue light.

“Piece of cake.”

The chicken coop has the lowest construction difficulty. Apart from requiring 70 fibers, which is a bit unusual, it’s extremely easy. After a few quick cuts and adjustments to the stone and wood, the chicken coop is soon complete.

It probably took about two hours. With the coop finished, all we need now is for Bass to bring the animals, and soon the barn and chicken coop will be bustling with life. It feels like the once quiet space is about to get lively.

With some time left, I head to the corner of the yard to chop down some trees and level up my logging skills. Also, it’s a good chance to test out the new axe I recently acquired.

The field stretches wide, the land vast. A legacy from Grandpa’s rabbit farm.

Though I never met him, I’m incredibly grateful. Thanks to the expansive land he left behind, I live comfortably. The front yard is enormous, and no matter how much I tidy it, there’s always more to do. Lately, I’ve designated part of the space as farmland and haven’t touched the rest.

Looking at the tangled cluster of trees growing wild, I feel a surge of determination.

The culprit responsible for making my first day here so grueling. Memories flash by of me collapsing on the ground, crying out against the world while chopping down trees, questioning what kind of healing this was supposed to be. That was already three months ago.

Time really flies. Lately, I’ve even forgotten that reaching the ending would allow me to return home. Despite knowing the percentage completion of the ending conditions, I don’t bother checking. This lifestyle suits me well—a testament to both my thoughts and actions, even if I occasionally waver between conflicting desires deep inside.

“Huff.”

I lift the axe and gaze at the tree before me.

Stamina.

Strength.

Endurance.

The active sensations heating up my body. At higher levels, maybe I could fell this tree in one swing. Perhaps it’s possible.

In the early days, hacking away dozens or even hundreds of times barely made a dent in these trees. Now, I estimate it might take just one or two swings. Though I’m not quite there yet, it’s enough to evoke a sense of progress.

Thud!

A familiar sound. The axe bites into the wood, sending a chunk tumbling to the ground.

Thud!

Diagonally. Adjusting again to guide the tree to fall in the desired direction—thud! thud! The rhythmic sounds chip away at the wood.

The satisfying strain on my muscles as I pull back my arms. The appropriate resistance transmitted through the axe handle.

Each strike releases a natural breath. The axe, being a weapon of sorts, applies combat experience in a fun way here.

With a groaning crack, the tree collapses. The logs automatically enter my bag, resizing themselves into manageable pieces stored as numbers.

My gaze shifts to the next target—thick, towering trees.

The larger ones I couldn’t conquer before now seem insignificant against the upgraded performance of both my axe and physique.

One hug isn’t enough to encircle the girth of these massive trees. It might take three people holding hands to manage. Yet, none of them stand a chance against me now.

Chopping, slicing, tearing apart with ease. The heavy vibrations resonate through the earth as the tree crashes down. The size determines the distinct resonance of each impact. Larger trees create threatening tremors and clouds of dust.

“Huff.”

Perhaps it’s because working under direct sunlight is so exhausting. My stamina drains faster than usual. Mining is similar, but walking around searching for ores provides a sort of rest in between.

Logging is different. Cut one tree, and another stands right beside it. No breaks—an advantage and disadvantage rolled into one. The output is high, but so is the stamina consumption.

I lean against a tree to catch my breath. My sweat-soaked clothes have darkened in color.

I equip an accessory that aids recovery and status maintenance. Normally, I wouldn’t bother wearing it during regular work, but it’s here for moments like this.

My stamina replenishes, and my condition stabilizes. Looking rather ridiculous with accessories dangling from every limb, I know efficiency often comes at the cost of appearance. Ignoring my disheveled state, I steady my breathing and lift the axe again, determined to see this through.

The rhythmic “thud-thud” fills the air. Trees crack and fall with satisfying crunches. Those two sounds are all I hear.

Mid-task, Evangelin calls out to me. After enjoying the dinner she prepared, I dive back into work. Day 25 ends with logging.

—

Day 26 of Summer.

My logging skill reached Intermediate Level 3. I wake up and briefly review my schedule for the coming days.

Around the 28th, there will be a trade with Reyvik City. In the meantime, Bass will deliver livestock, which I’ll then manage in the barn and chicken coop. All equipment is already purchased, so I eagerly await the animals.

After handling those tasks, I plan to visit the fairy briefly. Around the 34th, there will be a regular trade with the Royal Palace. Before and after that, I aim to achieve the achievement related to Ruins of the Dragon.

The schedule is somewhat tight. It’s also the perfect time to taste the fruit wine I’ve been fermenting.

Jotting down the notes in my head onto paper clarifies everything. While things may not always go as planned, having a roadmap gives a clearer sense of direction.

In the morning, I enjoy breakfast with Evangelin and tend to the crops. After lunch, I explore the eastern path to prepare for the upcoming Ruins of the Dragon expedition.

The Dragon Fruit achievement was surprisingly easy. Gilbert suggested buying dragonfruit from the store, and simply doing so unlocked the achievement. Thankfully, it wasn’t too difficult. If it had involved battling the dragon boss on dungeon floor 50, it might’ve been nerve-wracking.

The Eastern Path.

Possibly leading to the Ruins of the Dragon. Based on preliminary research, I suspect completing this task will naturally unlock the achievement, though I can’t confirm it yet. For now, I’ll gather more information.

Day 26 ends with various discoveries.

—

Day 27 of Summer.

“Minho!”

“Bass?”

In the afternoon, I was sipping tea at home when Bass showed up.

Glancing outside, I see cows, goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits, and ducks tagging along. Their loud squawks and clucks greet me as I step out. Animals!

“I brought you some good ones.”

“How much is it?”

“Total of 16,000 gold. Is that okay?”

“Of course. Here you go.”

“Wow. Guess you’re doing well these days. You know how to take care of them?”

“Yes, I have a general idea.”

“In that case, I won’t explain further. If you need anything or have questions, feel free to ask. You’re always welcome.”

“Thank you, Bass.”

“Yeah, take good care of them.”

The animals—two pairs of each species—stare at me silently.

Do they recognize me as the feeder? Their innocent eyes fill me with warmth.

The owl perched on my shoulder curiously observes the new arrivals. Though owls sometimes prey on chickens or ducks, I trust this one won’t.

Still, I’ll make sure to feed the owl regularly, just in case.

I neatly transfer the animals to the tidy barn.

Cows, sheep, and goats move into the barn. They follow me without issues.

The sheep and goats bleat happily as they follow. The cow lets out a low moo and settles into its spacious area.

Petting them a few times earns delighted responses. They’re gentle, thankfully. As a novice farmer, I worried they might be difficult to manage, but luckily, that hasn’t been the case.

Chickens, ducks, and rabbits move into the chicken coop. Though called a coop, it’s more like individual suites.

Since I’m not raising them en masse, I prioritized hygiene, welfare, and overall living conditions.

Clucking chickens, quacking ducks, and hopping rabbits follow me obediently.

After sorting each species into their designated areas, I double-check all the equipment in the barns.

Milk containers.

Cheese fermenters.

Boilers for winter preparation.

Feed troughs.

Water dispensers.

Everything functions properly. While this isn’t purely for profit, maintaining these animals requires a significant investment.

In games, selling animal byproducts provided income. Here, upkeep costs are substantial.

Unlike games where hay covered all dietary needs, each animal here has specific requirements.

Cows need hay and nutritional feed.

Goats prefer small amounts of grains, fruits, and hay.

Each animal has unique dietary needs.

Even water consumption varies. Cows drink around 50-60 liters daily and eat about 15 kilograms of hay. Preparing such quantities demands careful planning.

Still, producing dairy products grants buffs for cooking recipes and opens up new possibilities.

Duck feathers and sheep wool can make fabric for clothing.

Rabbit feet serve magical tool-making purposes.

Most importantly, they’re adorable. Watching them live and thrive brings joy and liveliness.

By Day 27 of Summer, I’ve finally begun my agricultural life alongside livestock.