Chapter 6
Next to it, carrot seeds were displayed. So maybe this one was a carrot seed too?
“I think it would be good to buy that one too, byee!”
“Why?”
At my question, Lor looked flustered for a moment. His big eyes rolled around before he answered in a voice that clearly lacked confidence.
“It just feels like a good seed, darling…”
Feels like? That didn’t sound like useful information at all.
“W-well, ahhh… maybe something good will happen if we grow it…”
“Something good? Like what?”
“I-it’ll just… just taste good!”
I sighed. He could’ve said that from the start.
Still, since I came here to buy seeds for the garden, adding one more pouch wouldn’t hurt.
And besides—Lor was a dragon, after all.
According to “Legendary Beings Within the Gates (abridged edition)”, dragons possess wisdom and foresight beyond that of humans.
Maybe he really did sense something special from that seed.
“Ugh?”
Though, judging by his clueless face right now, I doubted it.
I picked up the small cloth pouch and placed it on the counter.
But as soon as I did, the old shopkeeper frowned awkwardly.
“No, you can’t buy that one. It’s not for sale.”
“Oh, really?”
“Someone left it here without permission… Sorry about that.”
“Ugh, no way…”
Lor drooped his head in disappointment.
Well, if it’s not for sale, there’s nothing I can do.
I turned to put the seed pouch back when—
“W-wait! Young man!”
“Yes?”
The old man hurriedly stopped me.
“You said you just moved into a nearby village, right? By any chance, do you live in Gyehwa Village?”
“Yes.”
“That… blue-tiled house right in front of the valley?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
I nodded without thinking, then suddenly wondered—
‘Wait, how does he know where I live?’
Maybe he knew the elderly lady who used to own the place?
“Huh… so that’s where you live…”
The old man muttered to himself, looking strangely troubled. His wrinkled face carried a kind of deep, old sorrow.
“Hmm… well… if that’s the case… maybe you’ll be able to handle it.”
Uh-oh. Why did he suddenly sound like an NPC from a side quest?
“Take it. You don’t need to pay. Consider it a service.”
What?!
“Phew, we’re back.”
“heyyy!”
I parked the scooter in front of the gate and unloaded all the shopping bags onto the porch.
Snacks, groceries, daily necessities—you name it.
After buying so much, the porch was piled high with stuff.
It had been a great market trip.
The shopkeeper even threw in some fertilizer as a bonus. I should visit again sometime.
Though, honestly, I still had no idea why he handed me that not-for-sale seed pouch so easily.
Well, since I got it, I might as well grow it properly.
“Lor, stay here and watch the house. I’ll return the scooter.”
“Understood! okayy!”
Once I unwrapped him from the blanket, Lor darted up onto the porch and immediately tore open the bag of glutinous rice donuts.
I shook my head with a sigh and headed to the village chief’s house to return the scooter.
I’d already met him while handing out gifts to the village elders after moving in.
Even if I wasn’t sure how long I’d be staying, it was important to blend in for now.
Most of the elders had greeted me kindly—except for one household:
the one right next door.
The chief said an old woman lived there alone, but no matter how many times I knocked, no one answered.
I was thinking of trying again with a gift once I got back, when—
“…Oh?”
There she was, standing in front of her gate.
A small, stern-looking old lady. She eyed me briefly and asked,
“You the one who moved in next door?”
“Ah, yes! Hello, I’m—”
Before I could even finish my polite self-introduction—
Bang!
The old lady gave me a curt glance, turned around, and disappeared inside her house.
…Did I do something wrong?
That afternoon, I stood in front of the overgrown garden.
Since I’d bought the seeds anyway, I decided to start working right away.
First, I had to remove the weeds.
The garden hadn’t been touched in ages—it was basically a weed field.
The only tools I had were a hoe and a small trowel I found under the porch.
Still, I used to be a hunter.
How hard could it be?
…An hour later.
“Ugh…”
I dropped the hoe, gasping for air.
‘This is brutal…’
With my broken mana circuits, my stamina was nothing like before.
Even pulling weeds had me exhausted.
And despite the effort, progress was slow.
At this rate, it would take all day just to clear a small section.
“Heh heh! Fear not, Protector! I shall assist thee, ppya!”
Lor joined in, taking human form to help pull weeds.
“Ugh! Why won’t this come out?!”
But his tiny hands could only pluck off the leaves, leaving the roots intact.
Soon, he was rolling around in frustration, covered in dirt and grass stains.
I appreciated the effort—but sent him back inside.
There was no need for both of us to suffer.
I took a deep breath and bent down again, ready to resume—
“Ugh!”
Suddenly, pain shot through my right hand. I dropped the hoe.
‘Damn this useless body…’
As I trudged forward to pick it up, I froze.
“Cough, cough…?”
An elderly figure was standing there—the old woman from next door.
I hadn’t even noticed her approach. She stared silently at my garden, her gaze sharp as a blade.
I scrambled up and greeted her.
“Hello, ma’am. Is something the matter—”
“You think that’s how you do it?”
“Huh?”
“Hand me that hoe.”
“Oh, uh, yes…”
Without waiting, she marched past me, pulled out another hoe from under my porch, and demonstrated.
Whack!
“You dig like this. That’s how it comes out fast.”
Her wrist flick was powerful and clean.
With one motion, the weed came out, roots and all.
“Now you try.”
“L-like this?”
I copied her awkwardly, and she gave a small approving nod.
“Yeah, like that. Not bad.”
“Th-thank you…”
She was… actually really nice!
I followed her lead, and before I knew it, we were both working side by side under the setting sun.
Thanks to her help, I finished weeding and planting much faster than expected.
Of course, we only worked on a small section—she warned me not to overdo it on the first day.
“Should I plant this part like this?”
“You want to see it freeze to death?”
“Ah—no, sorry! Then over here…?”
“That side. That’s better.”
Despite her curt tone, she guided me patiently.
Maybe she just wasn’t talkative—but she was very kind.
When we were done, I set the hoe down and turned to thank her again.
“Thank you so much, ma’am. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“…Hmph.”
She avoided my eyes, pretending to look off into the distance—though the corners of her mouth had lifted ever so slightly.
“When did you move in?”
“Yesterday, ma’am. My name’s Lee Hee-soo.”
Her name was Park Deok-hee, and she lived alone, farming by herself.
“From Seoul, you say?”
“Yes.”
“Then you’re one of them… hunters, or whatever they call you?”
