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Chapter 8 – Let’s Plant Vegetables!
The rural life I envisioned turned out to be easier than I expected.
The most pressing task right now is tending to the medicinal herb garden.
But that…
“Leave it all to me!”
Nureongi handled everything.
“Nureongi, aren’t you tired?”
“I’m naturally full of energy!”
“What on earth did you eat to be like that? Ah, you must have eaten the herbs.”
Nureongi always said that he ate the herbs from the herb garden.
That must be why he had such a healthy body. Honestly, he was much stronger than I was, being sickly myself.
“Then maybe today I’ll venture deeper into the herb garden.”
I had only ever ventured to the entrance of the garden.
I didn’t know what herbs grew inside.
Not that I expected anything special, mind you.
“You’re going deeper into the herb garden?”
“Yeah, I am.”
“Then I shall guide you!”
“Well, you must frequent that area often.”
“Not exactly.”
Nureongi shook his head at my words.
“What do you mean?”
“I was only responsible for this section.”
“You only managed the entrance? Then what about beyond that?”
“I recall my partner managed it.”
An area unknown even to Nureongi?
Honestly, I was excited.
I was also curious about what Father had cultivated there.
So, I headed straight for the second section of the herb garden.
Then—
[Yakseon’s Herb Garden – Checking Second Section Conditions.]
A message appeared before my eyes.
“This needs conditions, too?”
“Hoo, this is new information!”
I waited for the message to appear.
Then, messages appeared one after another:
[Tower Conquest 1 Time – Achieved]
[Yakseon’s Dimension Gate Used – Achieved]
[Yakseon’s Notebook Used – Achieved]
[Conditions have been met.]
[You have acquired the entry condition for the second area of Yakseon’s Herb Garden.]
The entry condition for the second area has been met.
It was undoubtedly about using every possible function available to the master of the herb garden.
That much was certain.
“Then how on earth did Father gain entry?”
“It might actually be possible precisely because he hasn’t awakened.”
“So, if you don’t awaken, you can be free from the system?”
I don’t know how my father, who was not awakened, managed to cultivate that field.
But what matters is that I inherited it.
I boldly stepped into the second section.
[Yakseon’s Herb Garden – You have entered the second section.]
And this was my first impression when I saw the field.
“…What the hell? Where did all the herbs go?”
It was a barren wasteland.
The scenery truly deserved that description.
A spacious field, you say?
Nothing but dirt!
It was so barren that you could barely spot any weeds.
“What the hell happened here?”
“Maybe they disappeared when the owner changed.”
“How could that be?”
“My partner ignored the system from the start and just grew herbs anyway.”
“Hmm… That certainly sounds plausible.”
My father never even activated the system; he just grew medicinal herbs in the field.
The system must have seen him as a thorn in its side.
That’s why, after he passed away, they immediately cleared the field.
That was the most likely explanation.
“So the first section survived thanks to Nureongi?”
Beside me, Nureongi wore an innocent expression.
Without him, the first section would have been reset too.
I absentmindedly ruffled Nureongi’s head.
“Thanks, Nureongi.”
“Hehe! I only did what I had to do!”
The fact that the herb garden was empty didn’t matter.
I could replant it anyway.
After all, I came here to leisurely farm.
Then—
[Yakseon’s Herb Garden – Effects of the Second Section]
[▶Crop Growth Speed +500%]
[▶Crop Nutrition +500%]
[▶Crop Taste Increased by 500%
[▶Rare grade crops can be sown.]
[▶Gates of Grade D or Below Can Be Installed]
A message appeared before my eyes.
“…Crazy.”
I was startled by the message.
And no wonder—the effects were immense.
“Crop growth speed is five times faster?”
“And it says the nutrition and taste are five times better!”
Now I understand why the system demanded qualifications.
The first section was merely a sample.
The true power of Yakseon’s herb garden began in the second section.
What if I planted crops here?
“It’ll grow into something incredible.”
Seeing those effects, a smile crept onto my face.
“By the way, what are rare-grade crops?”
“Ah, I know about that!”
Nureongi jumped up and brought a scholar’s cap from somewhere.
He immediately began his explanation.
“There are four grades of medicinal herbs in total!”
“No need to guess—they’re probably common, rare, heroic, and legendary.”
“Exactly! All the herbs you’re currently growing, young master, are common!”
They’re herbs that originally grew on Earth.
Those seem to be treated as common.
Then the ones above them were obvious.
“So, I suppose the rest must be obtained from places like dungeons.”
“Exactly! Moreover, starting from the rare grade, the effects are exceptionally potent!”
“Then later on, I absolutely must obtain rare-grade herbs or higher.”
“Indeed! That will be of great help to you, young master!”
Father probably planted common herbs in the second area, too.
Since they were not blessed by the system,
They would only have the typical effects of ordinary herbs.
But I am different.
“With this…”
I can heal my frail body.
Just as I cured the tremors that tormented me.
“Then, young master, what shall we plant here?”
“What should I plant to make people say that I planted it well?”
“If you like, I can transplant herbs from the first section!”
“No, that’s not necessary.”
Why bother with herbs that are already growing well?
It’s better to cultivate new ones.
Even if they aren’t a rare grade.
“Actually, there’s something I’ve been wanting to try growing.”
“Is that so?”
“Ever since I decided to return to farming, I’ve wanted to grow them.”
That thing everyone thinks of when they return to farming.
The thing that lets you feel the joy of growing and harvesting it yourself.
“Let’s plant vegetables.”
It was none other than vegetables.
* * *
After deciding to grow vegetables in the field.
I gathered various items from the village chief’s house.
“He really didn’t have to give me this much.”
The village chief gave me a total of five types:
Potatoes, radishes, napa cabbage, lettuce, and green onions.
They were all perfect for spring planting.
“Potatoes! They’re my favorite!”
“No wonder you enjoyed the doenjang-jjigae earlier.”
“It was soft and fluffy—absolutely superb!”
“Now we can grow our own to eat.”
“Won’t I get fat if we keep this up?”
“Hehe! You’d still be adorable, though.”
Planting wasn’t difficult.
Since we had seed potatoes, we just cut them and planted them.
I also learned how to plant radishes, cabbage, lettuce, and green onions.
We quickly planted all five types of vegetables.
“I wonder how delicious these little guys will turn out?”
“Right! They’ll definitely be fantastic!”
We planned to focus on other things until they grew.
At that moment,
[The energy in Yakseon’s herb garden accelerates the growth of the crops.]
That message appeared.
Simultaneously, the crops began to sprout and grow rapidly.
“Wh-what is this?! Why are they growing so rapidly?”
“The growth rate is insane!”
The vegetables reacted the moment they were planted.
They immediately sprouted and grew rapidly.
At that unbelievable sight, Nureongi and I gaped in astonishment.
In the meantime,
“They’re all grown, aren’t they?”
The vegetables we had planted were fully grown.
“This isn’t just five times faster, is it?
“It seems the base growth rate of the second section itself is different.”
Indeed.
A mysterious power emanated from the soil of the second section.
Could this power accelerate crop growth?
Then everything would be solved.
“Who cares? It’s good news for us.”
If the crops grew quickly, that was fine by me.
First, I headed straight for the potatoes. Then…
Whoosh!
I pulled up the potato.
Countless potatoes came up with it.
And that wasn’t all!
“These are huge!”
Were they so large because they were packed with nutrients?
The potatoes were large, plump, and smooth.
They were truly premium potatoes!
And that wasn’t all.
“It’d be tasty to make geotjeori with napa cabbage, too.”
[T/N: Geotjeori is a type of fresh, unfermented kimchi in Korean cuisine.]
The cabbage, radishes, lettuce, and green onions were fantastic, too. You could practically taste them just by looking at them. I immediately brushed the dirt off a radish and took a bite. The sweetness hit my tongue!
“Nureongi, try this!”
“Whoa! What is this sweetness?! Is this really a radish?”
“Wow, this finally feels like the real deal of returning to farming.”
Growing and eating it myself.
That alone makes me feel the joy of returning to farming. Though I did grow them a bit quickly, of course.
“But still, this is quite a lot.”
The harvest was plentiful compared to what I planted.
That must be the effect of the field.
It was too much for just me and Nureongi to handle!
“Hmm, the village chief would be surprised if I shared this with him.”
I took some seed potatoes earlier, and they’ve already grown.
The village chief would be amazed.
Plus, he might find out that I’m an awakener.
I pondered how to handle these vegetables.
And…
“Should I list them on the Awakener Market?”
A suitable method came to mind.
* * *
He is one of South Korea’s S-ranked awakeners.
His name is Ji Hyeon-ho, and he is known by the nickname “Iron-Blooded Sword Master.”
He was…
“Again!”
An immense gourmet.
“The meat isn’t cooked evenly!”
“I-I’m sorry!”
“And why are the vegetables so mushy?”
“I’ll make them again immediately!”
He enjoyed fine dining so much that he had a personal chef.
But was it because he enjoyed fine dining too much?
Ordinary food couldn’t satisfy him.
Just look at the food served moments ago.
“Have I truly become strange?”
The chef who just fled the scene was one of Korea’s most renowned chefs. There was no way a dish prepared by him could be bad.
Ultimately, the problem lay with Ji Hyun-ho himself.
“Honestly, the chef’s skill isn’t the problem.”
If there was a problem, it was the ingredients!
Ingredients born and raised on Earth were all pretty much the same.
Only things like wyvern meat obtained from dungeons could satisfy Ji Hyun-ho’s palate.
“Should I try sourcing ingredients myself?”
With that thought, Ji-hyun-ho opened the Awakener Market.
It was a mysterious marketplace accessible to all awakeners. Since transactions could be conducted remotely, it was incredibly convenient.
Moreover, the currency used was Earth’s currency.
“Orc meat? I’m sick of that lately. And ent roots… It sounds tough.”
He looked calm and thoughtful.
His aura was truly worthy of the nickname “Iron-Blooded Sword Master.”
Of course, he was merely shopping for ingredients.
Then.
[Extra Large Premium Potatoes – 200,000 won]
[Seller: Hua Tuo]
One potato caught Ji-hyun-ho’s eye.
“Huh? A mere potato costs 200,000 won for five kilograms?”
Typically, premium potatoes cost around 20,000 won for five kilograms.
But this potato was a whopping ten times that price.
He usually spares no expense for fine dining.
But 200,000 won for a potato?
“Even though I have plenty of money, this is a bit much.”
But what exactly is a gourmet?
An adventurer who explores the realm of taste.
Therefore, Ji Hyun-ho closed his eyes and bought the 200,000-won potato.
[You have purchased extra-large premium potatoes.]
Suddenly, a box of potatoes appeared before his eyes!
Ji Hyun-ho was stunned when he saw them.
“Why are these potatoes so huge? They’re incredibly smooth, too!”
He gulped, staring at the potatoes.
Just looking at them, he could feel their irresistible charm.
He immediately shouted to the chef.
“Chef Jang! Cook something with these potatoes right now!”
“Ah, understood!”
The chef took the potatoes and quickly prepared a dish.
It was truffle mashed potatoes.
He boiled and mashed the potatoes, then mixed them with heavy cream and butter.
After adding truffle oil, salt, and pepper, the dish was complete!
Gulp!
Ji-hyun-ho swallowed hard at the aroma wafting over.
“This… this is making me swallow my saliva.”
It was almost laughable to see.
But the important thing was the taste, not the smell!
Ji-hyun-ho scooped out a large spoonful and put it in his mouth.
At that moment!
“This is potato…”
Potato fairies began dancing in his mouth.
When he came to his senses,
“More! I have to buy more before the potatoes sell out!”
He frantically clicked on the Awakener Market.
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