Chapter 66

Magic has reached初级 5th Level.

Even if it’s slow, it’s satisfying to see growth.

The results of my consistent efforts in training magic are gradually showing.

While I’m at the System Shop, I casually browse through my personal stats.

Advanced Farming 3rd Level.

Advanced Fishing 1st Level.

Advanced Mining 1st Level.

Intermediate Combat 7th Level.

Intermediate Logging 3rd Level.

Intermediate Cooking 1st Level.

Basic Magic 5th Level.

Since summer began, growth has slowed slightly, but it’s still steadily climbing.

Especially Combat is growing fiercely.

I thought it was a skill that doesn’t grow much since I only occasionally visit dungeons.

But after many twists and turns, it’s reached Level 7.

Compared to the effort put in, this skill seems to be rising unusually fast.

Yesterday’s 2 million Gold catches my eye.

Naturally, the desire to unlock new modes grows rapidly.

Still, even with 2 million Gold, industrial-scale unlocking remains difficult.

Firstly, even if you unlock a mode, you can’t use it right away.

Secondly, without large-scale transactions, efficiency won’t improve much.

Selling at the shop might help, but it could take half a year to see real benefits.

When I have more leisure time…

It won’t be too late to unlock then.

There’s no reason to delay unlocking the rest, so I quickly open them.

Professor Mode [700kG]

Work Speed Upgrade [250kG]

950k Gold invested for two modes.

Work Speed Upgrade relates to skill efficiency.

Professor Mode gives options when skills reach certain levels.

At higher levels like Intermediate or Advanced, this mode allows obtaining both options instead of choosing one.

“Hmm…”

A slight doubt arises here.

Is this mode from the game I used to play?

Or is it an additional mode given in this game-like reality?

I’m uncertain.

Certainly, this place is a reality slightly different from the game.

Things like deserts and achievements sometimes create a sense of dissonance.

During my gaming days, I never heard about additional effects when leveling up.

In that regard, having such modes means either they were designed this way…

Or I’ve forgotten.

Following yesterday, today brings another strange question, creating subtle unease.

Could there be facts about this world that I don’t know?

Things I’ve forgotten…

Or situations where I had to forget.

Imagination.

Delusions.

Thoughts grow like clouds.

Unable to discern truth from falsehood.

Suspicion amplifies without proper understanding.

“Phew.”

Taking a deep breath…

Exhaling slowly to shake off these thoughts.

Worrying now won’t solve anything.

I’ll figure it out as I live in this world.

Hoping this seemingly relaxing game doesn’t turn into a mystery-filled detective game…

My consciousness slowly fades.

Sleep envelops me gently and deeply.

Restful time arrives.

[1. Fish Value Increased by 30%.]

[2. Additional Minerals Per Vein Maximized at 2.]

[3. Crop Value Increased by 10%.]

[4. Equipment Efficiency Increased by 15%.]

[5. Livestock Lifespan Doubled; Production Increased by 20%.]

[6. Maximum Treasure Box Grade +30.]

[7. Buff Efficiency Increased by 25%.]

[8. Random Mineral Appearance During Mining.]

As soon as I wake up, a faint pain washes over my head.

Additional effects from unlocking the Professor Mode.

It’s a pleasant pain, not unbearable.

“Pia.”

Suri’s chirping.

Long-time-no-see wobbly steps.

Staggering forward, spreading wings wide.

It’s a request to be held.

Rising from bed, I tightly embrace Suri.

What’s gotten into you?

Warmth transfers to my chest.

The uneasy heart from dreams calms.

Though you didn’t enter my dream…

Can you read my emotions?

Warm feelings naturally form crescent-shaped eyes.

“Thank you, Suri.”

“Peep.”

Suri flutters and lands on my shoulder.

Perhaps because it’s early…

The darkest part of dawn before sunrise.

Elementals sprawl across the floor, dozing off.

After some time, light approaches.

The timid peeking head of dawn.

The golden brilliance clearing the horizon’s darkness.

Do they feel it?

Seeing the faint reflection on the window, elementals jump up.

Bouncy movements.

Noticing I’ve risen, they gather at the door, demanding to be let out.

Opening the door, they burst out energetically.

The silver pre-dawn glow.

Each scattering light trails while planting seeds into the soil.

Unfailingly digging and sowing the earth, their motions form a robust automated seeding process.

Early morning.

Before actual dawn, I warp straight to the mine.

After completing the morning livestock routine, it’s to test the effects of the newly opened Professor Mode.

Also, I want to confirm the increased efficiency from the Work Speed Upgrade skill.

“Uh?”

Clang!

Skill efficiency is unclear.

Mining Mithril feels easy now.

Still, Mithril comes out in twos…

Occasionally, Iron, Silver, and Gold ores pop out randomly—definitely the mode’s effect.

Sometimes Orichalcum shines gold, and Ether-infused ingots appear.

700k Gold isn’t spent lightly.

I clearly feel the effect of reaching advanced levels in skills.

Definitely good.

This makes me naturally imagine what’s next.

Master.

Master-level skills.

Though far-off and challenging, the rewards seem sweet judging by today’s joy.

“Good stuff.”

The words escape involuntarily.

Mining is fun.

Increased rewards visibly make me smile.

Accumulating and gathering materials solidifies my foundation.

Losing track of time, I snap back to reality before getting addicted.

Returning home, my clothes are drenched in sweat.

“Welcome back?”

“Yes, I’ll freshen up.”

“Alright, go ahead.”

Evangelin greets me with a smile as she’s already home.

Towels are always neatly prepared.

Evangelin’s diligence fills the gaps in my insufficient housekeeping.

After finishing mining, I eat breakfast.

Chit-chatting.

Evangelin scolds me for working too hard in the morning.

Smiling through her advice to relax more, I head to the lake.

Fish value increase and treasure box grade upgrade.

It’s been a while since I last fished purely for relaxation.

Actually, desert combat was closer to a battle challenge.

Relaxing hobby fishing hasn’t happened in a long time.

Sitting on the chair gifted by Anne, I stretch out leisurely and cast the fishing rod.

Calm water surface.

Faint forest scent.

Small shade created by lush trees.

Enjoying the silence with closed eyes.

Beyond sight, a refined sensitivity developed through practice.

If the fishing rod moves, I immediately notice.

“Here!”

An ordinary fish.

Nonchalantly catching and putting it in the bag.

A faint translucent box floats in the air.

An elegant brown wooden box framed in gold.

Appearing occasionally, nothing special usually comes out.

Even if equipment appears, it’s rarely better than what I currently have, so I glance and store it in the bag.

How will the upgraded treasure boxes perform?

With anticipation…

Iron ingots appear.

“Hmph.”

Chuckling, I recast the line.

Treasure boxes are random after all.

Even if better equipment appears, it won’t instantly boost to Level 30.

Purely luck-based.

Recently, I haven’t fished much.

Carp.

Rockfish.

Porgy.

The satisfying sensation in my hands.

Fish cutting through water gracefully flying up.

Their colors momentarily dyeing the scene beautifully.

Suri taps my cheek.

The intention is clear, so I quietly toss a fish.

Flying through the air, Suri deftly catches it with its beak and eats enthusiastically.

Side entertainment while fishing—watching Suri eat.

For about two hours…

Despite the upgraded treasure box grades, the appearing equipment hasn’t changed much.

Ultimately luck-based.

Skill boosts don’t show immediate effects in short periods.

Compared to mining, fishing’s effects are less immediate.

Still, fishing requires a relaxed and leisurely mindset, so I don’t mind.

Maybe someday a big catch will come.

Even if not, it’s fine.

Current equipment utility and power are excellent.

As lunchtime arrives, I pack up the fishing gear and head home, looking forward to Evangelin’s cooking.

On the way, I see elementals.

They happily dig and plant seeds in the soil.

Their bright and joyful expressions are contagious.

After a hearty lunch, I step outside.

Livestock lifespan and production increases aren’t noticeable yet, so the remaining tests are equipment efficiency and buff efficiency.

To experience equipment efficiency, combat is necessary.

Conclusion: Head to the dungeon.

Honestly, it’s not appealing, but experiments require it.

Having tested everything else, I can’t delay this.

Heavy footsteps lead me to the dungeon entrance, emanating unpleasant odors.

Decaying smells.

Unpleasant mucus.

Places reeking of filth lead to Floor 1.

Skipping difficult testing spots, I head directly to Floor 20.

Dark Knights.

Also farming Dark Flames needed for Spirit Valley Pagoda.

Swish!

Drawing my sword…

Definitely less tension than before.

Experience provides steady breathing.

Relaxed, drawn-out breaths ready to break apart at any moment.

Footsteps.

Eyes observing movement patterns.

Pupils tracking muscle movements predict the next move.

Sword.

Flame-spewing sword prepares for precise strikes.

Always ready to unleash fiery explosions.

Equipment.

Does the buff efficiency apply to equipment separately or together with increased equipment efficiency?

Stronger recovery, stability, and protection wrap around my body compared to before.

Effects related to defense and protection feel stronger.

Confident enough to block a Dark Knight’s sword with armor alone.

Of course, I don’t actually test this.

Just trusting the confidence and solidity.

“Huff.”

Splitting the gap.

Boundary of movement.

Space between actions.

Slipping through hesitation, flames split the darkness.

BOOM!

Fiery black flames cut through the Dark Knight’s torso.

Between shield and sword.

Perfectly timed strikes disrupt balance.

The Dark Knight attempts a counterattack with its shield.

My movements read the situation better than before.

Easily dodging the shield.

My turn.

Kicking the shield slightly to tilt it.

Shifting balance.

Drawing swirling black flames, my sword cleanly slices through the Dark Knight.

Explosive flames erupt.

Silently watching the Dark Knight’s body explode into darkness, I collect the emitted dark flames.

Combat is smooth.

Partly due to improved equipment efficiency, partly due to Combat skill effects.

Going deeper would face numerous weak enemies.

No plans to wrestle with pickaxes against Golems on Floor 30, so I finish combat here and return home.

Experimental purposes fulfilled.

Whenever opening a mode, immediate effects are always satisfying.

Same result today.

Different direction from skill growth, but still feels like progress.

Though bought with money, it’s the result of honest work.

End of the day.

Ending with a smile leaves no regrets.

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