Chapter 16: Baek Seonu

Planting the Forti seeds brought back from Eliya, it was already evening before I realized it.

“I’m feeling a bit hungry.”

Without much thought, I opened the freezer door, then quickly shut it again.

“I’ll eat the beef after Kasia gets back.”

If there’s no beef when she returns, she’ll surely feel disappointed.

So the menu I chose was the Egg Medley.

Yeah, I just made it.

Maybe Egg Omakase would have been better.

I plan to make various dishes using eggs since they’re the most abundant ingredient in the house and fairly simple to prepare.

First up, scrambled eggs.

Tap.

I cracked five eggs into a large stainless steel bowl and whisked them with chopsticks until the whites and yolks blended evenly.

After melting butter in the frying pan, I poured in the egg mixture and stirred gently with chopsticks before it set, making for fluffy scrambled eggs.

Growl.

“Smelling this delicious aroma makes my stomach demand food. I better hurry up with the rest of the dishes.”

Next was rolled omelet!

Like with scrambled eggs, I beat raw eggs in a bowl and seasoned them with salt and sugar.

If it were a Japanese-style rolled omelet, I’d add tsuyu or something to enhance the umami and make it tender.

But I’m making the Korean-style rolled omelet here.

Korean-style rolled omelet requires finely chopped carrots, onions, and green onions mixed in.

That way, it turns out both pretty and healthy!

I poured the egg mixture into the heated pan and, once the edges started cooking, rolled it up.

After rolling it all up, I added the remaining egg mixture and rolled it once more.

Because of the colorful ingredients, the omelet looked vibrant and appetizing.

Finally, sunny side up.

The name sounds fancy, but it’s basically a half-cooked fried egg.

I cooked it lightly and set the table; it looked so delicious I swallowed hard.

“Here, see? So many different dishes just with eggs…”

Having spent the last few days together, I realized I’d gotten used to not being alone and found myself looking for Kasia again.

“Familiarity can be scary… Well, I’ll just enjoy this myself for now.”

Before Kasia arrived, eating alone was natural, but now it felt awkward.

I’d changed that much in just a few days.

Without even savoring the food properly, I quickly finished the meal.

I looked for something to do alone and ended up tossing and turning on the bed until I finally fell asleep.

Several days later.

The Forti sprouts I’d been hoping for finally appeared.

Tiny but distinct sprouts were clearly growing from the translucent seeds.

Out of the various experimental sowing methods, the only sprouted batch was the one planted shallowly without covering the seeds with soil, but soaked thoroughly with water.

“If the ones I covered with soil later sprout too, I’ll have to compare their growth rates.”

I was deep in thought about the Forti sprouts when someone showed up.

“Hello! Are you managing all these fields by yourself?”

“Hello. Yes, that’s right.”

Though I’ve lived in Chilcheon-ri for three years, this was the first time I’d seen this face.

A traveler, maybe?

“My name is Baek Seonwoo.”

I wanted to admire the cute Forti sprouts, but she kept talking.

“I’m the granddaughter of Park Yunok. I came to visit for a bit. Do you know my grandmother? She’s a lifelong resident of Chilcheon-ri.”

“Oh? Mrs. Park? Of course I know her!”

Now that she mentioned Mrs. Park’s name and said her granddaughter was about my age, it rang a bell.

Knowing she’s Mrs. Park’s granddaughter made me feel a strange sense of closeness.

So that’s why blood ties, hometown ties, and school ties matter, huh.

“And you are?”

“Hm?”

“Your name. You only told me yours.”

“Ah! Sorry, I’m Do Minho.”

I’d almost ignored her out of annoyance and forgot to introduce myself.

I hope Mrs. Park isn’t talking badly about me.

“But why is your field so empty? The land is wide.”

“Yeah, it’s kind of like that. I’m a beginner farmer. So I’m still clumsy and short on hands. For now, I’m just trying to grow this much well.”

She walked over to the peanut field after surveying my land here and there.

“Hmm~”

She crouched down to inspect the leaves of the peanuts, which had grown quite a bit.

“These peanuts look really good. At least a B grade, and maybe even an A if things go well. Are you sure you’re a beginner?”

I wasn’t sure if she really knew what she was talking about, but it felt good to be recognized for my farming work.

“How can you estimate grades just by looking at the leaves? Without a grader, you can’t really know.”

“I make predictions based on various clues. Soil that looks rich in nutrients, vibrant and lush green leaves, and… Ah! Sorry, I’m trying to analyze too much. It’s an occupational hazard.”

An occupational hazard?

I remember Mrs. Park saying her granddaughter worked at a large company in Seoul—maybe it’s an agricultural company.

“I see… Since it’s not harvest season yet, it will take time to confirm the grade, but it’d be amazing if you’re right.”

“I’ve been researching various crops for about five years. I’ve seen a lot of high grades. I’m sure it’s right.”

Is she researching crop efficacy?

Anyway, enough small talk. I’m busy.

Since she’s Mrs. Park’s granddaughter, I decided to be polite.

“Do you have any other business? I have to tend to other crops.”

Hmm, that was polite.

She smiled and bowed slightly at me.

“I should get going too. I’ll visit again if I remember. I plan to stay in Chilcheon-ri for about a week.”

Finally, she left.

Now was the time to shower the Forti sprouts with all the affection they deserved.

The next day.

“Minho, the weather is really nice today. What are you up to?”

“Oh, hello. I just fed the chickens in the poultry house.”

Baek Seonwoo hurried to the poultry house and watched the chickens eat.

“Oh my, what kind of chicken is that? Its color is pretty, and it’s much bigger than the others.”

“You mean Goldie? He’s the leader.”

“Ah~ I thought so. He looks so dignified.”

Just then, Goldie looked at Baek Seonwoo and spoke.

(You here again? Owner’s female? Nice to see you. I’m Goldie the chicken.)

I pretended not to hear.

The next day.

“Good morning, Minho~ What are you doing today?”

While stroking the peanut leaves and watering them, Baek Seonwoo approached once again without fail.

“Hello, Seonwoo. Today I’m going to plant chili peppers.”

“Wow! Can I help? Whenever I research crops, I always want to try planting them myself.”

Though I worried she might not plant well since she was only a researcher, I agreed because more hands would be helpful.

“Today’s clear weather is perfect for transplanting chili peppers.”

“Transplanting?”

“I’ll show you.”

I brought a seedling tray with chili pepper sprouts from the shed.

“Planting sprouts directly into the field without moving them around is called transplanting.”

“Then why didn’t you do that when you planted peanuts?”

“I was drying some manure fertilizer, so I waited until it was fully ready. The soil and fertilizer are good, so they’ll grow well anyway.”

Manure fertilizer is made by collecting chicken droppings and mixing them with wheat bran.

Since peanuts are known to be easy to grow, I’d decided to always mix manure fertilizer with the soil for other crops too.

Suddenly, I remembered how much Goldie helped when I planted peanuts last time.

I hoped Goldie would dig for me again this time…

But the problem was Baek Seonwoo.

Would it be okay to show her talking with Goldie?

Or should I just introduce Goldie as a genius chicken who understands me perfectly?

I made up my mind.

“When do we start?”

“Right now. Goldie~ Let’s plant chili peppers! Come here!”

“Was someone else here? Wait, Goldie…?”

When I called Goldie, Baek Seonwoo glanced around and then looked toward the poultry house, probably remembering the golden-colored chicken from yesterday.

Just then, Goldie came out after finishing breakfast.

(Owner, you called? What should I do today?)

“Like when we planted peanuts, dig the soil shallowly while walking.”

(Got it. How much space between holes?)

“Hmm. About 50 cm?”

Goldie started right away.

Clomp, clomp, clomp. Walking and scooping handfuls of soil to scatter behind.

“What… what is this? Am I dreaming?”

Baek Seonwoo’s eyes went wide, and she pinched her cheek.

“Ouch! So you’re not dreaming…?”

“I’m actually an Awakened.”

“Whaaat!? So you can talk to animals?”

That’s a misunderstanding anyone could have.

Because other than that, I don’t show any special traits.

Since I’d already revealed it, I decided to tell her a little more.

Since she’s a crop researcher, maybe she could be of help someday.

“Only the animals I raise. And crops can feel emotions too.”

“Y-you mean the peanuts too?”

“Exactly.”

Baek Seonwoo was so stunned that her mouth hung open.

I wondered if her jaw would actually fall off.

“I can’t leave Goldie to work alone, so I’ll help too. What about you, Seonwoo?”

“Ah, uh! Yes! I’ll help too!”

“Then put the seedlings into the holes and cover the soil about… this much? Around 20 cm.”

“Eh? Ah, okay…”

Baek Seonwoo still looked dazed as she carried the seedling tray and walked over.

Transplanting isn’t easy.

You have to bend over and set the seedlings upright carefully so they don’t topple.

“Grow strong like the peanuts.”

“Don’t get sick, grow well.”

I always say nice things while planting.

Though I’m aiming for Rapid Growth with the Empathy Skill, it also makes me feel better to say kind words while working.

Baek Seonwoo kept glancing at Goldie throughout the work.

She must’ve found him pretty fascinating.

With Goldie and Baek Seonwoo helping, the fieldwork finished quickly.

“Good job.”

“You too. Are you hungry? Want a little snack?”

Normally, a snack break during work is called ‘saejam,’ but that wasn’t important.

I just wanted to serve a simple dish to someone who helped with the farming.

“Hmm… If it’s a snack, then makgeolli before? I’ve always wanted to try Chilcheon-ri Makgeolli since coming to the countryside. Is it weird to want that in the morning? Hehe.”

“Sounds good. Wait a moment. I’ll bring some red ginseng for Goldie’s snack too.”

(Red ginseng tastes great. Energy pumping! Today I’ll aim for three eggs!)

I invited Baek Seonwoo inside.

I planned to show off my favorite dish: kimchi jeon.

I asked her to sit at the table and rest while I heated oil in the frying pan.

Tap, tap, tap, tap.

While it heated, I finely chopped kimchi and mixed it with tempura flour, pancake mix, and cold water to make the batter.

Pouring it widely into the pan, the sizzling sound and aroma instantly whetted the appetite.

Sizzle—

“Wow! It already smells delicious. It has to be crispy to be good, right?”

“Of course! Crispiest ever~!”

Since I made a lot of batter, I ended up cooking four kimchi pancakes.

“Whoa!? Isn’t this too much?”

“A bit much, yes. But since we have makgeolli, once you start eating, you won’t be able to stop.”

I brought out the Chilcheon-ri Makgeolli that you can only buy in Chilcheon-ri.

Holding chopsticks in both hands, I tore a piece of kimchi jeon.

Some people dip it in soy sauce, but kimchi jeon is already seasoned by the kimchi, so it tastes great on its own.

“Try it quickly. How is it?”

Baek Seonwoo took a bite-sized piece and put it in her mouth.

“Wow… It’s incredibly crispy! And the sourness of the kimchi makes it so savory, my mouth’s watering.”

“Hahaha. Let’s drink! Great work today!”

“Toasting~! Good job!”

There’s no better way to get close quickly than sharing drinks.

At first, I was annoyed and wondered why she kept coming around, but after working together and talking, I realized she was a good person.

“So, how old are you?”

“Thirty-one… huh?”

Caught off guard by the personal question, I hesitated but was curious too.

“Wow! You’re an oppa. Can I call you oppa? I’m twenty-seven.”

“Sure, call me whatever you like.”

“Let’s speak casually!”

“Uh… okay?”

It felt nice to hear ‘oppa’ again after a long time talking to a woman my age.

Kasia is… well, only looks the same age, but she’s over a hundred years old since she’s a different species, so she doesn’t count.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure! What is it?”

“Why do you research crops? Haven’t most of their uses and cultivation methods been figured out?”

Baek Seonwoo flinched.

I asked casually, but that reaction was unexpected.

Does she have some secret she can’t tell?

“Actually, I’m researching to make potions.”

That time I was the one who flinched.

I thought of the Forti I planted in the field.

“Potions already exist. And there are some ingredients for healing, aren’t there?”

“Not yet. But I believe they exist somewhere. It’s that kind of world. Also… that’s what it says in my Skill Window.”

“Skill Window?”

“Yes, I’m an Awakened too. Like you, though non-combat.”