Farming in the Tower Alone [EN]: Chapter 67

Thwack!

[You have defeated the corrupted Ent’s Large Branch Scout.]

[You have gained 500 experience.]

[You have leveled up.]

[You have gained 1 bonus stat.]

Sejun defeated the last Branch Scout. He felt a surge of new energy flow through him. The world around him seemed a little brighter, a little sharper.

“Status Window.”

Sejun thought about how to become stronger. He decided to focus on his magic skills and checked his status window.

[Park Sejun Lv. 25]

Talents: Average Joe, Friend of Nature, Landlord

Stats: Strength (15.6) Stamina (16.1) Agility (13) Magic (17.25)

Class: Top Farmer (C)

Skills: Seed Sowing Lv. 4, Harvesting Lv. 4, Seed Shop Lv. 2, Seed Collection Lv. 2, Beekeeping Lv. 4, Thunder Lv. 1, Cooking Lv. 3

Sejun looked at his status window with satisfaction. He had gained two new talents, and his stats had increased considerably. Plus, he had seven skills.

Sejun smiled, a warm feeling spreading in his chest. He couldn’t believe how far he had come. He, who was just an ordinary person…

“You’ve grown well, Park Sejun.”

Just as Sejun was praising himself, Thwack.

“I did well too, nya!”

Theo, who had defeated the Branch Scout, returned to Sejun’s lap, wanting to be praised.

“You were amazing, Theo! Did you see how fast you were?” Sejun stroked Theo’s head.

Hop.

Squeak!

The Black Rabbit climbed onto his shoulder, sticking out its rear and wanting praise.

“Yes, Black Rabbit, you did a good job too.”

Tap tap.

Kooeng!

Kooeng came running quickly from afar. It seemed unfair that only his older brothers were receiving praise. Kooeng tried to jump at Sejun like his older brothers.

“Kooeng! Stop!” Sejun hurriedly stopped Kooeng’s charge to save his own life.

Kooeng was still very heavy, even when small. When he ran fast, he was like a speeding rock. If he jumped on Sejun, it would be very dangerous!

Kweeeh…

Kooeng made a small, sad sound, his ears drooping. He looked up at Sejun with big, watery eyes. Daddy hates me…

“Kooeng, you did a good job too. Let’s eat honey.”

Kooeng!

Kooeng’s expression brightened at the word honey, and he enlarged his body.

“Huh?”

He grabbed Sejun’s arm, put him on his back, and ran to the small brick house, its walls warm from the afternoon sun. There was honey in Sejun’s house.

Wobble. Wobble.

Arriving at the house, Sejun poured thick, golden honey into a roughly carved wooden bowl, made just the right size for Kooeng’s paws. The sweet smell filled the air, making Kooeng’s nose twitch. He gave it to him.

Plop.

Lick. Lick.

Kooeng!

While Kooeng was dipping his front paws into the bowl and licking up the honey, spamming “Delicious!”

Kuh-ooh.

Gurgle.

Pyaorong.

Sejun, Theo, and Black Rabbit quickly fell asleep.

Kkulorong.

Kooeng, who had finished eating the honey, climbed onto Sejun’s chest and fell asleep as well. It is said that Sejun had a nightmare of being buried alive that day.

“Wow! We’ve arrived…”

“Phew. That was tough.”

“I want to eat something, anything…”

Oren and his gang, who hadn’t eaten anything while climbing up to the 99th floor, looked around for something to eat. But there was nothing around.

“Let’s go find King Uma and sell these things.” They could earn money and buy something to eat.

Oren lifted the bundle of goods from outside the tower and put it on his shoulder.

“This way.”

One of the subordinates looked at the map Skaram had given him and walked forward. Thus, the nine cats carrying bundles on their backs entered the territory of the Black Minotaurs.

Moo!

The youngest of the Black Minotaurs, U Sam-cheon-pal, who had been waiting for the cats at the boundary of their territory under King Uma’s orders, spotted the cats and signaled.

“Ugh… what is it?”

Sejun, who had a terrible nightmare, woke up feeling the aches all over his body.

“Huh? What’s this?”

Sejun looked down at the heaviness he felt on his right leg.

Dangling.

Theo was hanging from Sejun’s knee, sleeping.

“Hey, wake up.”

Sejun shook his knee to wake Theo up.

“I’m awake, nya.”

Theo replied with his eyes still closed.

Sejun carried Theo, still dangling from his leg, and went down to the cool, damp cave, where Fire Leaf glowed softly against the dark stone wall.

[Master! Good morning!]

Fire Leaf, now with three leaves, greeted him energetically.

“Yes. Good morning.”

Swish.

Sejun replied and went to the wall. He added another mark to the wall, counting the days he had been alone. He was now on day 240. The morning of the 240th day of his isolation had begun.

“The 9th Blue Moon isn’t far away.”

The next Blue Moon would occur from midnight on the 242nd day. In terms of time, there were less than 40 hours left. But Sejun wasn’t too worried because of Eileen.

Sejun had once proposed to Eileen, who appeared during the Blue Moon, that they eat together at his farm. He wanted to repay her directly.

[The Tower’s Administrator says that Eileen was very powerful, and it was best for Sejun to become stronger before meeting her directly. It was for his own safety.]

Eileen, who couldn’t leave the Tower Administrator’s area, told a lie to protect him. And Sejun completely erased his worries about the Blue Moon because of Eileen’s words.

With Sejun’s current abilities, he wouldn’t faint from even a Mama Crimson Giant Bear or King Uma’s roar.

Sejun mistakenly believed that Eileen was overwhelmingly stronger than other monsters.

Swish.

Sejun filled a wooden watering can with water and gave it to Fire Leaf. He felt sorry for not taking care of it properly, so he was paying more attention to Fire Leaf.

“Grow well, our Fire Leaf.”

[Hehehet. Thank you, Master!]

Munch munch.

After watering Fire Leaf, Sejun ate dried sweet potato for breakfast while watching the flames Fire Leaf created.

Chomp chomp chomp.

Theo closed his eyes, moving only his tongue, and diligently savored his Churu.

While Sejun was enjoying fire-gazing, watching the flames Fire Leaf created,

[Master! You don’t look good!]

Ugh. I didn’t sleep well. My body feels heavy and tired.

[Don’t worry, Master! I’ll refresh you!] Firestone chirped happily.

“Huh?! Refresh me?” Sejun asked, surprised. He looked at Firestone, a small plant pot with three leaves. Suddenly, one of Firestone’s leaves glowed white. A soft, white light, like a gentle flame, floated from the leaf and went into Sejun’s body.

[Flame of Purification will work for 3 hours.]

“Flame of Purification?” Sejun repeated.

[Yes! It cleans your body and makes you feel better by burning away bad stuff inside you.] Firestone explained.

White flames surrounded Sejun. He thought he would burn, but it didn’t hurt at all! It felt warm and… cleansing. It was like the tiredness and bad feelings were being washed away by the fire, making him feel lighter and better.

Theo, who had fallen asleep while eating Churu, was unaware that flames were rising on Sejun’s body.

“Firestone, you’re incredible!” Sejun exclaimed. “You can do so much!”

[Hehe!] Firestone’s leaf wiggled happily. [I’m so happy I could help you, Master!]

“That’s amazing! Do you have any other powers?” Sejun asked, excited.

[Yes, Master! Many!] Firestone replied proudly.

[Flame of Affinity will work for 3 hours.]

[This flame helps you control fire and makes fire stronger!] Firestone explained.

Sejun was eager to try the Flame of Affinity. He thought, “The western forest is full of dry wood. Perfect for fire!” He also remembered the annoying twig scouts. “Maybe if I burn them all, I can finally sleep well!”

And so, the plan for a trip to the western forest was made.

The team was ready! Sejun, of course, would lead the way. Theo, still sleepy but always ready for adventure, would come too. Black Rabbit hopped excitedly, and Kkueng waddled along happily. And to keep them all safe, the strong and protective Momma Crimson Giant Bear would be their guardian.

Roar!

Sejun and the animals, riding on Momma Crimson Giant Bear’s back, arrived at the entrance of the western forest in 30 minutes.

Moo!

Moo!

The Black Minotaurs surrounded the cats in multiple layers to prevent them from escaping.

“W-we are just wandering merchants!” one cat stammered. “We came to sell special things to King Uma!”

“P-please, don’t hurt us!” another cried, trembling.

“Someone, save us!” a third cat wailed.

Ohren and his cat friends were terrified. They knew Black Minotaurs were usually peaceful with merchants, but facing them now, they couldn’t help but shake with fear.

It was the natural fear of prey facing a predator. Theo, who had bravely accused Woo Cheonsam of being a thief to Sejun, was definitely unusual. He would never admit it, but he was braver than most.

Moo!

The Black Minotaurs guided the cats to King Uma while surrounding them.

“Phew. That’s a relief.”

“I know, right? I thought we were going to die.”

“The hardship is over now.”

The cats moved along with the Black Minotaurs, relieved that their hardship was over, but their hardship had not even begun yet.

If they had known that meeting King Uma was the beginning of their hardship, they might have gone down the tower right away. But such luck did not come.

The entrance to the western forest was blocked by a mess of dry, twisted branches.

“Why are there so many branches here?” Sejun wondered aloud. He reached for his dagger, ready to clear the way.

*THUMP!* Momma Crimson Giant Bear suddenly stepped in front of him, her huge paw stopping him from going further.

*Roar! Roar!* Momma Crimson Giant Bear growled, warning him.

[Be careful, Sejun! They attack if you get too close!] she rumbled.

“They… move?” Sejun asked, surprised.

Kkueng nodded seriously. [Yes.]

Momma Crimson Giant Bear carefully nudged the branches with her paw. *SNAP!* The dry branches suddenly sprang to life, twisting and wrapping themselves around her paw like angry snakes. Words suddenly appeared above them, glowing faintly: [Rotten Branch Guardian of the Fallen Ent].

They can camouflage…

Momma Crimson Giant Bear tore off the branch guardians attached to her forepaw.

In that short time, dozens of branch guardians nearby intertwined their fur and bodies, forcing Momma Crimson Giant Bear to pull them off along with her fur.

“Ugh, these are annoying!” Sejun grumbled.

They weren’t strong, but they were like sticky, irritating insects, clinging and pulling.

*Clang!* Sejun struck his dagger against his hand axe, creating sparks. Remembering Firestone’s Flame of Affinity, he focused on the sparks, trying to control them. A small flame, like a bright orange flower bud, bloomed in his palm.

“Burn!” Sejun commanded, throwing the small flame at the branch guardians.

*WHOOSH!* The flame exploded outwards, catching the dry branches instantly. The fire roared to life, quickly spreading and consuming the Rotten Branch Guardians.

[You have defeated the Rotten Branch Guardian of the Fallen Ent.]

[You have gained 10 experience.]

“Spread!” Sejun instructed the fire. He tried to guide it into the forest, but the flames moved slowly, like lazy snails. “At this rate,” he thought, “it will take forever to burn anything!”

Then, *WHOOSH!* Momma Crimson Giant Bear understood. She gently swung her massive paw, creating a powerful gust of wind.

*WHIRR!* The wind caught the flames, pushing them forward with incredible speed. The fire surged through the dry branches, devouring everything in its path. The Rotten Branch Guardians didn’t even have time to react; they were simply engulfed in flames and turned to ash. A huge fire now raged along the edge of the western forest.

*Ding! Ding!* Two bright lights flashed in front of Sejun’s eyes. He had leveled up! Twice! He felt a surge of energy and power flow through him.

Purrrr.

Bbyarorong.

Kkulorong.

Before he knew it, Theo, Black Rabbit, and Kkueng, who had come with him, were sleeping comfortably on Momma Crimson Giant Bear’s back.

Hours passed as the fire blazed, turning the edge of the forest into a crackling inferno.

*SWISH…* A strange sound drifted from deeper within the western forest. Then, a thick, grey fog began to creep out from the trees, like smoke in reverse.

*Psh…* As the fog touched the flames, the fire sputtered and weakened, dying down quickly. This was no ordinary fog.

Just then, Sejun felt the warm feeling from Firestone’s flame fade away. A message appeared: [Flame of Affinity has disappeared.] “Oh, right,” Sejun thought, “Firestone said it lasts for three hours.”

“Everyone, back! Let’s go!” Sejun called out. He quickly climbed back onto Momma Crimson Giant Bear’s back. “Time to retreat!” he shouted, a grin on his face. Momma Crimson Giant Bear turned and lumbered away from the strange fog, carrying her passengers safely.