Chapter 80

Day 56 of summer passed without a hitch, just handling one more transaction with the city.

While at it, I casually asked if there were any religious facilities or church buildings in the city.

To my delight, the answer came back an enthusiastic “yes.”

I resolved to head straight to Reyvik as soon as time allowed.

Whenever it happened, unresolved issues needed solving—and promptly so.

—

As dawn broke on day 56, transitioning into autumn, I read the system message and browsed the store.

—

New autumn crops had been unlocked with the season change:

Cabbages, radishes, leeks, chives, lettuce, wheat, rice, and more…

A quick scan revealed no standout sellers but plenty suitable for cooking. Most seemed perfect for obtaining buffs through delicious meals. There were even vegetables ideal for making kimchi—a soul food staple for Koreans! Though lacking pickling skills, I figured my cooking skill might fill the gap. With a hopeful sigh, I swallowed my saliva.

—

Making money meant growing wheat or rice on a large scale. After agreeing internally to grow enough veggies for personal use and focusing on grains, I moved forward.

Aside from that, cranberries seemed like the only other viable cash crop. Disappointingly, autumn didn’t promise the profits of spring or summer. Still, I consoled myself with the idea that this season offered new opportunities for buff research. Thankfully, my greenhouse kept spring and summer crops thriving, easing concerns.

—

Buying all seeds between 1,000 and 2,000 gold pieces, I heavily invested in wheat and rice. Watching my gold dwindle hurt, but experience taught me crops would yield profits upon harvest.

—

Relaxing into slumber, I let go of consciousness effortlessly, now a practiced skill.

—

The first day of autumn arrived.

No need for air conditioning anymore; cool breezes swept through, carrying the scent of fallen leaves. The air felt crisp and dry, clouds floated high in the clear sky.

—

“HOOO!”

Sully immediately noticed me waking up and flew over, perching on my shoulder. The spirits waddled closer too.

“Alright then, let’s get to work!”

Leading the excited group outside while changing clothes, I enjoyed the colorful foliage drifting from trees. The refreshing autumn temperature caressed my skin.

Sully preferred autumn over summer, flapping its wings playfully above my shoulder. Even the spirits seemed livelier, jumping higher than usual.

—

My fields were disheveled after summer’s chaos—dug-up patches everywhere, disorder reigning supreme. Until inspecting the plants, planning sections was impossible. For now, rough divisions remained based on last season’s layout.

Designating areas for personal consumption, I allocated most space for wheat and rice farming, leaving smaller plots for experimentation. Dead crops left unharvested littered the ground, remnants of failed spirit welfare projects needing removal since spirits couldn’t handle such tasks.

—

“Hey you guys!”

At my call, the spirits eagerly turned their big eyes toward me.

“Okay, here are your seeds. Keep doing what you’ve been doing in the greenhouse, but follow the zones I’ve marked out this time. Got it?”

Excitedly nodding, they followed instructions, mouths already stuffed full of seeds.

Planting cabbage, radish, spinach, leek, chive, lettuce, and cranberry in designated spots, I reserved extra room for future additions. Compared to the vast wheat and rice fields, these plots were minuscule.

One by one, the spirits mimicked my actions, watching intently before confirming with nods.

—

Dividing larger sections for wheat and rice planting, I distributed seeds accordingly.

“Alright, understood?”

Even minor mistakes could be corrected tomorrow, so I entrusted the planting entirely to them. Watching them gleefully scatter seeds filled me with hope—they truly were my future incarnate. Automating farmwork made life so much easier.

—

After checking livestock, free time usually awaited, but today required extra effort. First days of each season always proved busy, requiring cleanup of random plantings by spirits. One by one, I cleared yellowed, dead crops.

—

Jack and Evangelin approached. Jack dashed straight to the spirits, while Evangelin chuckled awkwardly, scratching her cheek. Though unsure whether Jack supervised or simply played around, his involvement pleased me nonetheless.

—

Breakfast finished, hands shaken off, I prepared for the next major task: exploring dragon ruins and tackling emotional barriers.

Clutching the brooch retrieved from my bag, memories surfaced of receiving it from the priest of the flood-ravaged village. Reflecting on emotions, why did love-related feelings alone seem blocked?

Perhaps… it wasn’t about walls. Maybe my emotions had dried up, become indifferent. Could this stiffness stem from my own self-imposed limitations? Contemplating potential causes unsettled me slightly.

Still, avoiding challenges due to fear felt disrespectful to their goodwill. Clutching the brooch tightly, I hurried preparations for the capital visit.

—

Prepared for such occasions, I’d crafted an additional warp device stored safely in my bag alongside the brooch hung around my neck. Embarking on a journey to seek churches, I set forth under the warm yet crisp autumn breeze.

—

“Safe travels.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

With Sully perched on my shoulder, I walked toward Reyvik, weaving through nearby villages along winding paths.

—

Unfortunately, Whereit lacked both a church and religious presence, wasting valuable time.

Following map guidance, I strolled through untouched nature scented with dry grass and fallen leaves. Steps naturally quickened thanks to enhanced physical stats.

—

What once was a half-ruined village now thrived vibrantly. Once filled with sorrow, it stood tall again despite predictions of permanent decline. Witnessing its resilience warmed my heart.

Though uncertain how much my small contributions mattered, bonds strengthened subtly. Visiting where I’d first met the priest, vivid memories arose of dedicated clergy working tirelessly amidst mud-soaked robes.

—

“Eh…”

“Hello?”

Alive he was!

A frail child carrying firewood glanced up, eyes widening dramatically before breaking into a radiant smile. Her speech still lisped, teeth not fully grown, yet vitality radiated from those formerly dim eyes.

“What have you been up to?”

“Yesss! Thank youuu!”

Bowing deeply after placing wood down, her polite demeanor brought a chuckle to my lips. Who wouldn’t smile seeing such earnestness? My heart melted accordingly.

—

“Where might I find the village elder?”

“Oh yes! Follow me please!”

“Thank you.”

Trailing the lisping cutie along now solidified roads, I admired gradual recovery efforts. Conversations buzzed happily, people ate together, worked energetically—it all painted a heartwarming picture of healing wounds.

—

“Tonnng-san!”

“Sarah? Oh, it’s you—the benefactor from back then!”

Meeting the surprised elder evoked warmth from our past handshake.

“It’s been a while.”

“Oh dear, glad to see you! We can finally repay what we owed back then. Perfect timing indeed.”

“No need. I’m not here for repayment. Actually, do you know where the church or clergy relocated to? That’s why I came asking.”

“They’ve moved on to help others elsewhere. As for the temple, I’m unsure—but perhaps Reyvik has one?”

“Got it, thank you.”

“Oh, leaving already?”

“I have places to go.”

“Ajooossii is going…?”

Little Sarah tugged lightly at my pants, reluctance evident. Squatting down, I grasped her soft, delicate hand.

“Here’s a present.”

From my bag emerged a fruit basket tailored to sweet-loving kids.

“I’ll come again.”

“Will you?”

“Yes.”

“Yayyy!”

Handing over the gift plus several crates destined for the village, I bid farewell.

“What’s this?”

“Please share. Enjoy!”

“Oh no, you don’t have to…”

“No worries, consider it a happy reunion gift.”

Forcing the gifts into reluctant hands, I departed, heart warmed by Sarah’s persistent waving until I vanished from sight.

—

Traveling swiftly almost horse-like speed, I reached Reyvik by evening. This moment highlighted the advantages of non-human stamina.

Inquiring locals led me to the outskirts housing a grand cathedral.

—

The Church.

The Sun Temple.

Its radiant glow illuminated twilight shadows, showcasing unique brilliance amid darkness.

Approaching the entrance, a robed priest waited silently, hands clasped.

“We do not receive visitors this late.”

“Ah.”

“Please return tomorrow morning.”

Smoothly dismissing me, the priest’s gentle tone carried firm resolve. Reluctantly stepping back, I accepted waiting another day.

Satisfied merely knowing a church existed, I headed home.

—

Returning later that night, greeted warmly by Evangelin, dinner awaited.

—

Emotions weren’t barren. Seeing her cheerful face sparked genuine smiles within me.

Just thinking about deeper connections… thoughts abruptly halted. Why?

—

“Something troubling you?”

Evangelin sat beside me, concern softening her voice.

“No, let’s eat.”

“Yes.”

Dinner tasted wonderful—as always.

—

Life continued peacefully, hearts growing closer step by step.

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