[Land Reclamation Skill…]
[Land Reclamation Skill’s experience has slightly…]
[Skill Level Up!]
[Land Reclamation LV. 1 → Land Reclamation LV. 2]
“Whew… that was tough.”
“Kyuu!!”
“You did well too.”
“Hehe…”
After finishing the sweet potato harvest, Hiro and Pepper gathered the vines on one side and prepared the ground for cultivation.
“Shall we pile the sweet potato vines on one side for now? Let’s move them.”
“Kyuu!”
Hiro, together with Pepper, piled the vines on one side.
“Now, let’s sow the seeds.”
“Kyuu!”
“Let’s make some holes in the furrows.”
“I can do it, kyuu!”
“How?”
“Like this!”
Pepper hurriedly ran over, jumped into the furrow, and thrust its foot in to create a hole for the seeds. The size and depth were just right.
“Good. You make the holes, and I’ll plant the seeds.”
“Kyuu!”
Pepper, eager to help Hiro, cheerfully continued making holes. Hiro followed, placing the seeds into the holes as they moved forward.
[You have used the Seed Sowing Skill.]
[The Seed Sowing Skill’s experience has slightly increased.]
“This should be enough.”
With only 53 seeds, planting was done quickly.
“Pepper.”
“Kyuu!”
“Time to water!”
[You have used the Watering Skill.]
Whoooosh!
“Make sure to water evenly.”
“Kyuu!”
Following Hiro’s instructions, Pepper watered every corner of the garden thoroughly.
[The garden is imbued with spirit energy.]
[The growth speed of sweet potatoes has increased.]
[The germination rate of sweet potatoes has risen.]
[The Watering Skill’s experience has slightly increased.]
“All done!”
“Great job. This is convenient.”
Before Pepper arrived, Hiro had to struggle to fetch water from the well to irrigate the field. Thanks to Pepper, it became much easier.
‘It really is faster working together rather than alone.’
“Shall we roast some sweet potatoes now?”
“Kyuu?”
“Pepper, can you gather some twigs?”
“Sure!”
At Hiro’s request, Pepper ran off and started collecting fallen twigs nearby. Hiro did the same, gathering scattered leaves into one spot.
“Alright… let’s give this a try.”
“Kyuu!”
Hiro ignited the lighter.
Whooosh!!!
“Whoa!”
“Kyuuak!?”
Hiro and Pepper were startled. The lighter created a massive pillar of fire that shot up into the sky—an incredible flame! True to its name, the “Ancient Lighter” had firepower beyond imagination.
“Darn! This thing isn’t for lighting fires but for incinerating everything! What the…?”
Hiro hurriedly put out the fire and examined the lighter, then frowned.
“If you’re going to give me something, at least set the firepower properly. Why max it out?”
“Kyuu!”
Hiro reduced the flame intensity and tried again.
Whoosh.
This time, the fire was just right for lighting.
Hiro ignited some leaves and pushed them between the gathered twigs.
Crackle!
The fire quickly spread to the twigs, growing larger in an instant.
“Pepper, let’s put them in now.”
“Okay!”
The two of them carefully pushed four sweet potatoes into the fire, enough to eat.
It would have been nice to have foil, but there was none available here.
Crackle… snap…
Hiro and Pepper quietly waited for the sweet potatoes to cook.
The soft sound of the twigs burning echoed around them, and Hiro absentmindedly watched the fire.
It wasn’t too hot from a comfortable distance.
‘Waiting like this isn’t so bad.’
As he gazed into the fire, he felt his stray thoughts melt away.
The fire burned brightly, as if fueled by Hiro’s worries and anxieties.
His mind felt at ease.
‘No wonder people like to zone out while watching a campfire.’
“Fire-watching is the best.”
“Fire-watching?”
“It’s called fire-watching—just zoning out while looking at the fire, like this…”
As Hiro relaxed while staring at the fire, Pepper, who had been observing him closely, nodded in understanding.
“Kyuuu…”
Pepper, too, followed Hiro’s lead, quietly gazing at the fire in a daze.
But soon, perhaps feeling bored, Pepper started licking Hiro’s palm.
It seemed that fire-watching didn’t hold much meaning for a spirit.
“Well, I think they’re ready now.”
Hiro carefully pulled out the sweet potatoes with a shovel.
‘They’re a bit burnt.’
The skin was slightly charred, but it wasn’t a big issue.
“Let’s see… ouch!”
“Kyuu!?”
“It’s fine. It’s just a bit hot. Whew… whew…”
Hiro blew on the sweet potato to cool it as much as possible, then carefully peeled it with his fingertips.
“Oh! It looks well-cooked.”
“Kyuu!”
The sweet potatoes turned out better than expected.
The yellow flesh peeked out shyly, releasing a sweet aroma.
“Mmm… sweet.”
The sweet scent filled the air, making Hiro’s mouth water.
“Looks delicious, right?”
“Kyuu!”
“Well then…”
Hiro took a big bite of the roasted sweet potato.
“Mmm! This is delicious!”
The sweet potato melted softly and sweetly in his mouth.
The warm texture filled his mouth with sweetness.
It was a bit hot, but not unbearable.
Chomp chomp!
The exterior was a little crispy, while the inside was moist.
The sweet potato’s flavor spread, bringing an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
“This is good.”
It was sweeter and more savory than any sweet potato Hiro had eaten in the real world.
Ding!
[You have completed a delicious dish using spirit-infused crops as the first Apostle.]
[You have created Delicious Ground Sweet Potatoes.]
[Skill, Cooking LV. 1, has been created.]
[Cooking LV. 1]
– Rank: E
– Type: Passive
– EXP: 0.00%
– Description: Enhances cooking abilities. Special effects are granted to completed dishes.
– Effect: Cooking enhancement. Completed dish effects +10%.
‘Cooking skill?’
Hiro hadn’t expected to gain a skill like this.
He checked the roasted sweet potato.
[Ground Sweet Potato]
– Rank: E
– Description: A roasted sweet potato cooked by an inexperienced chef.
Extremely sweet and savory.
Consuming it provides a strong sense of fullness.
Imbued with spirit energy.
– Upon consumption, options last for 60 minutes.
– Cultivator: Hiro.
– Options:
– Stamina +11
– Defense +5%
– Health +5%
– Health Recovery +1,500
– Fire Resistance +10%
– Fullness +40%
“There are options added?”
The fire resistance means gaining resistance to fire-related damage.
“Kyuu!!”
“Hm? Oh, you can eat too.”
With Hiro’s permission, Pepper finally started munching on the sweet potato eagerly.
“It’s so delicious, kyuu!”
“Right? Eat slowly, it’s hot.”
“Kyuu!!”
The sweet potatoes were so tasty that Pepper wagged its tail wildly while gobbling them down.
“Master! This is the best thing I’ve ever tasted! I love it so much, kyuu!!!”
“Oh dear…”
“Kyuu?”
“How can you eat like that with your face all dirty?”
Pepper’s mouth was smeared with sweet potato and soot.
Hiro, having no choice, grabbed some sweet potato vines, wiped Pepper’s face, and then used the Watering Skill to collect water and wash it.
“Kyuuang!”
“Now you’re clean.”
Hiro and Pepper continued to eat the remaining roasted sweet potatoes until they were full.
‘The taste is good, and the options are decent.’
While chewing on the roasted sweet potatoes, Hiro organized his thoughts.
Hiro’s goal was to create his own farm, sell the produce, and succeed.
The ground sweet potatoes seemed perfect for selling.
However, there was a problem.
“But how am I going to sell these?”
Hiro opened the auction house.
Ding!
[You cannot access the auction house.]
[To use the auction house, you must reach Level 20.]
He was under-leveled.
Moreover…
“You need an Auction House Access Pass…”
Even reaching Level 20 wasn’t enough; he needed the pass to access the auction house.
If this were Plants Village, it would be a simple matter to resolve.
But this was the Spirit Realm.
Could he even obtain an Auction House Access Pass here?
“Hmm… I’ll have to think about this after reaching Level 20.”
“Kyuu… Master… I’m so full, kyuu…”
“Me too.”
The sweet potatoes Hiro had grown were as thick as an arm, so eating just two was enough to be full.
Pepper’s belly was bloated.
Yawn…
“Kyuaaaang…”
A little time passed.
The two yawned simultaneously.
They had eaten well and were now full.
Plus, the fire hadn’t gone out yet, creating a warm, cozy atmosphere.
“Ugh…”
His eyes were closing.
His eyelids felt as heavy as hundreds of kilograms.
Hiro tried to resist the drowsiness.
“Kyuuang… kyuuang…”
Next to him, Pepper was already asleep.
Someone once said that even the strongest person couldn’t lift drooping eyelids.
“Ugh…”
Resistance was futile.
Hiro gave up, lay down, and closed his eyes.
“Damn… food coma…”
That day, Hiro fell into a deep sleep after enjoying the delicious sweet potatoes.
***
A few days later…
Hiro spent a leisurely time, scouting the surroundings.
‘I need to understand what’s around here.’
He had no information about the Spirit Realm.
Staying unguarded in such a place could lead to unforeseen events.
Knowing something was essential for preparing a response.
“Pepper, do you know anything about this forest?”
“Kyuu… I’m not sure, kyuu. It’s different from where I lived, kyuu.”
“Hm…”
Pepper was a low-tier spirit.
Thus, it had rarely ventured far from its home, so it didn’t know much about other areas.
‘At least there don’t seem to be any monsters near the temple…’
While walking, Hiro marked trees with his shovel.
It was a sign that he had checked this area.
“Guess that’s good news? It means this area is safe.”
The Spirit Realm was uncharted territory.
That meant there was no information, and the monsters’ levels were unknown.
Hiro’s level was only 4.
If a strong monster appeared, he would have no chance and die, so he had to be cautious.
‘Dying would be a waste.’
“Kyuu! Master! Kyuu!”
“Hm? What’s up?”
“Look at this, kyuu!”
At that moment…
Pepper smelled something.
“What is it?”
“Over there, kyuu!”
Pepper pointed to a hole in the middle of a nearby tree.
“There’s a strange smell coming from there!”
“A strange smell? What is it?”
“Hold on!”
Pepper quickly climbed the tree, kicked something inside the hole, and knocked it down.
It was…
“A seed?”
It was a seed.
Ding!
[You have discovered a hidden seed in the forest.]
[The seed was hidden by a squirrel a long time ago.]
[Squirrels living in the forest have a habit of hiding various seeds in different places.]
[You have obtained a tomato seed.]
[Luck +5]
[You have acquired the title ‘Finder’s Keepers!’]
[Finder’s Keepers!]
– Rank: C (Unique)
– Acquisition Requirement: Be the first Apostle to discover a squirrel-hidden seed in the Spirit Realm.
– Options:
– Spirit Power +5
– Search Range +10%
– Search Probability +10%
– Active Skill: ‘Search LV. 1’ available.
– Description: This seed is now mine.
“So… this means…”
Hiro muttered to himself as he looked at the seed on the ground.
“It’s a squirrel’s hidden seed?”
That day, for the first time since starting the Overlord, Hiro raided a squirrel’s stash.
Cliche Novel 