Chapter 4 - Start of the Natural Journey

SAM'S POV:

'Good day! I have learned you need someone to help you with your work?' I've humbly asked the middle age woman sitting at the front of her home. She dress simply and nice, with wavy brown hair beneath a straw hat. She wears a peaceful and warm face.

I've assumed NPC's must be treated like humans. This may gave them pleasant feeling towards you, increasing an opportunity to get quests.

'Oh... May I ask how you know about us?'

'I've actually ask the village people for someone with fields and gardens. I'd love planting plants and vegetables!'

That is actually half truth. I have a hobby to plant flowers and vegetables at home, but it was not my true goal here inside the game. Although I believe that I must accustomed to plants and herbs here, to create potions and foods.

Yes, I still plan to open a restaurant. It may be a far away goal right now, but let's take one step each time.

As I asked this question, I plaster my most friendliest face I can do.

'Ohhh. What a great lady. Yes, we're looking for someone to helps us manage our little garden. Please follow me inside our home, let's talk while drinking tea. Do you like tea, I may asked?'

'Absolutely perfect, thank you!'

I've followed her and sits on a wooden chair inside.

Simplicity would be the best word to describe inside. Wooden chairs and tables, a bookshelf, pictures hanging on the wall and a piano.

'My name is Sam, nice meeting you,'

'Mine is Rose, here's the tea. I presume you would like to work with us?'

'Yes!' and we've talk about the vacancy

Ting!

You have received the quest, Field Attendant.

The couple Rose and Jorge has medium size field. They need an assistant to do manual labor. Although you have an appeared as girl, they are not concerned as long as you work well.

You would work 2 hours minimum everyday for a week. This would help you become trustworthy. On the next days after a week, you can just visit their field to help them. However, if they have emergency on their field, you are advise to help them.

Reward: 10 bronze coin every hour. Increases affinity to the couple. May receive farming skills.

An employment type quest. A steady income everyday. However, ten bronze coin seems a lesser reward compare to other quests. However, she was just beginner and she like to acquire Farming Skill. It really suits her.

'I would like to accept it!'

You accept the quest.

'Wonderful, let's go to our field. My husband is working there right now.'

We went to 'Villager's Farm' located at the outermost Northwest part of the village. It was quite a walk from their home.

9:15 AM

Lots's of men and women works on their respective farms this hour. Wheat and grains were the most basic food for villagers. Then, there are fields with vegetables and livestocks. Surprisingly, most of the villagers can use magic and Soul Link like them. Some used tools, others were animals. Someone even create a clouds to water the plants.

I thought I have an advantage here, but I look like a beginner here. This was quite a problem.

She's planning to become outstanding farmer for about a week due to her Soul Link. Observing villagers work, she thought she has an advantage.

'Husband, we have an applicant' Rose says mildly.

Jorge, her husband, look towards us and walk slowly. He appears observing me.

'So you are another greenhorn to work with us,'

What a petty NPC.

I always deal with different kind of people. He thought he can intimidate me? Hmp! I steel my nerves and plaster a friendly smile.

'I am honored to learn and grow here,' What bullshit, I think.

'Snort,' and he turns. 'You are under observation. I have 5 seeds here, you must plant it at our fields. After 3 days, I would check it's condition and determines if you pass or not.' He turns back and present the seeds. No seeds are identical.

As I observe Mrs. Rose besides me, she looks a little fidgety. She glares discreetly to her husbands but did not say anything.

'I would start immediately,' I said as I receive it.

I've walk towards the tools put inside a wooden box and pick trowel and pick. Then looked at the seeds I receive.

You have received 5 unknown seeds. Due to your insufficient Insight, you cannot determine it.

Insights and other stats in the game works like in real world. It was quite amazing for the game to develop with such intricate details.

I can't determine the seeds, so I must plant them a little far with each other. But before that...

I put it in my inventory and place my hand on an empty soil bed

First Skill: Elemental Blessing.

Elemental Blessing - Passive: Increase magic ability of the soul by 10%. (Growth Type).

She actually chose another passive skill as her first skill. She's one of those few players who acts this way.

First, hunting were not her priority. She would become a business tycoon here, not the best warrior. Next, she has a brother who would eagerly help her if ever she needs to go hunting.

Let's see if this is effective.

Sam think simply. Plants may use the 'magic' in this world as its nutrient. If she convert the 'earth' soil to became her empowered soil, with strengthen magic ability, plants may grow better.

She really think about it it but reality slaps her really hard.

Converting is easy, but her problem is having little mana. A simple patch of soil drains her health and mana. Yes, health and mana. She never thought health is needed to do this simple thing.

She felt a little tired and her sweat started to pour.

What the hell?!

However, bystanders have different reactions and feelings.

'What a pitifull lady, she met Grumpy Jorge'

'Jorge was really good farmer. However, he takes some things into extreme'

'I've heard he came from nobles, but he farms here in our village?'

'Shhhh... He may hear you'

'But, it seems like the seeds are different. Will she could plant it in Jorge's satisfaction?'

'How many young lady and boys did not passed?'

'That was quite many. Mikal was the only one who passed his tests, right?'

'Yes, Mikal was now....'

Different whispered can be heard around them. Jorge can hear all of it but he just snorted.

'Jorge, you really gave 5 intermediate seeds. That is too much for her,' Rose quietly whispers. Most of the farmer here could discern what type of seeds it is. As a farmer, Rose could tell that it was quite a challenge for beginners to plant it successfully.

'It seems you like her,' Jorge muttered. 'However, farming is a sacred and noble profession. They must not underestimate it always. If she really respect it and exert efforts, she could pass my test. But you see, she just started to plant the first seed and she looks tired,hmp!' then he went back to his own work.

After a few minutes, other villagers also go back to their own work.

After an hour of struggle, Sam finished planting five seeds. She really felt tired and thirsty.

She look around her just to see that the couple were working. As she was seen by Rose, she immediately take a water bottle and give it to her.

'Here, take it'

'Thanks!' I am really thirsty.

'I have cooked a simple lunch for the three of us. Let's go to our hut. I am almost finished grilling the fishes.'

'We have built this simple hut in case we've got a busy day here,' Rose explains while grilling. It was entirely made of bamboo, with simple kitchen, table and chairs inside. The smell coming from the food is really good. As someone who works inside the kitchen all day, she could tell that this grilled fish would be delicious.

Aside from salt, it seems she is using a herb I did not know. Feels like this gameworld has different spices and herbs compare outside. Hmmmm... Challenging and exciting! Bring it on!

'You must not be discourage if you fail, I would try to talk to my husband in case,' She said.

'Thank you. But, I believe in myself. If ever I did not pass, I would still work in the fields,' I've replied.

I rather believe in my abilities. Don't make it flop, Dev! I've sacrificed an active skill! I've thought inwardly.

But when Rose sees her head rise and looks above, she thought he was praying to God to create miracles.

She would never know that Sam really creates her first miracle today.