Farming in the Tower Alone [EN]: Chapter 88

Sejun looked up, curious. “What’s all the excitement?”

(Yes! Master, something amazing! Big and shiny!)

Sejun’s eyebrows went up. ‘Big and shiny? Now you’ve got my attention.’

Hearing the golden bat, Sejun put down the wood and went into the subspace prison.

Inside the prison, on the dusty floor, sat a golden tumbler. It was large and ornate, almost gaudy, catching the dim light and reflecting it in sharp glints.

(Yes! I got it for you, Master!) The golden bat pointed proudly at the golden tumbler with its tiny wings.

The golden bat remembered its old master, Skaram, who loved big, shiny things. So, it thought Sejun would like this too.

Just then, Theo, who had been clinging to Sejun’s leg, peeked into the prison. “That’s trash!” he declared.

(Tra… Trash?! I brought this from outside the tower for you, Master!)

“That’s why it’s trash! Chairman Park said things from outside are trash!” Theo said, puffing out his chest.

(That can’t be…)

“You brought this directly from outside the tower?” Sejun asked, a new thought forming in his mind.

(Yes! Master! I can go outside the tower! For a whole minute!) The golden bat chirped, puffing out its chest. “I can go outside the tower! For a whole minute!” It hovered in the air, wings beating fast, waiting for praise.

Instead of praise, Sejun frowned at the golden bat. “You used your special ability to bring back… *this*?” He gestured at the tumbler. “With your talent, you could bring back food! Snacks, bread, drinks, even ramen! And you chose a tumbler?” Sejun shook his head, disappointed.

(Huh?!!!) The golden bat flinched at Sejun’s words, its bright golden fur seeming to dim a little. It had wanted so much to impress him.

‘I’m a useless bat…’ It thought miserably. It wanted to hide, just like when it was abandoned for being a different color as soon as it was born.

As the golden bat was about to hide its face with its wings in despair, Sejun spoke again, his voice softer. “Golden Bat, you are wasting a tremendous talent.”

(Huh? Talent?)

“Yes. Theo, the contract.”

“Here it is!” Theo said, handing over the paper.

Scritch. Scritch.

Sejun began to write. He had been going to wait, but he couldn’t ignore such a great talent.

“In exchange for me letting you out of here, you work for me for 10 years,” Sejun said, offering the contract to the golden bat.

(You’ll give me three meals a day and bonuses?!) The golden bat was amazed. Just getting out was enough, but food and money for 10 years?! This master was strange, but… interesting.

“Now, stamp it.”

(Yes!)

Plop.

The golden bat stamped the contract with its tiny thumb.

“Welcome, Golden Bat.”

Clang.

Sejun unlocked the chains.

(Thank you!)

Flap. Flap.

The golden bat zoomed around the room, loops and swirls of golden light against the grey stone. It chirped happily, a sound like tiny bells.

“Sit down for now. I need to ask you some things.”

(Yes!)

The golden bat landed on Sejun’s shoulder.

“Can you go outside the tower every day?”

(No. Once a week.)

“Really? Then when you go outside the tower…”

Sejun wanted to understand the golden bat’s powers. He started asking questions. “So, you can go outside the tower every day?”

What he learned was that the golden bat could go to Earth once a week. It could go to a few specific places, but it didn’t know exactly where.

Also, it could bring things back as long as they were less than 5kg and small enough to fit within a circle around it.

If he could figure out where the golden bat went…

‘Then I can get supplies!’

“Tsk.”

Sejun’s mouth watered. He felt a thrill of excitement.

“Okay. We’ll talk more in the morning.”

Sejun finished and came out of the prison.

“What are you doing?”

Flap. Flap.

Sejun asked, seeing the golden bat hesitating at the prison door.

(Ca… Can I come out too?)

“Of course. You’re free now.”

Hearing Sejun’s words, the golden bat took a deep breath and carefully came out, poking its head into the fresh, earthy air of the farm. It smelled of growing plants and damp soil, so different from the stale air of the prison.

(Wow…)

The golden bat was moved.

Bat bat!

Flap. Flap.

It started flying around excitedly.

“Don’t go too far.”

Clang.

Sejun locked the prison door. He planned to use it as a storage room now.

He took the wood back to the Ents, but they didn’t eat it.

“Why aren’t you eating it?”

[Master, it doesn’t have any life force.]

“Life force?”

It seemed they only ate things that were very fresh.

“Okay. Time for bed.”

Sejun hurried home, feeling very sleepy.

“Oof.”

Sejun woke up as soon as he opened his eyes.

“Huh?”

Sejun’s lap felt empty.

“Where did he go?”

Theo, who usually slept on his lap, was gone.

Scritch.

Sejun marked another day on the wall and went outside.

“This is Black Rabbit, Kkueng!”

(Yes! Brothers!)

Theo was introducing Black Rabbit and Kkueng to the golden bat.

Squeak!

Kkueng!

Black Rabbit and Kkueng tried to look important, like older brothers.

“Golden Bat, you’re the youngest now, so take care of your older brothers!”

(Yes! Brothers!)

The pecking order was quickly set.

Just then,

Flap. Flap.

The black dragon statue flew in.

-Park Sejun, you lazy fellow! Why did you wake up so late?!

Kaiser waited for Sejun to wake up. He was very angry.

Sejun stretched and yawned. “Ah, Kaiser, good morning!”

Kaiser just grunted. “Yes.” He sounded annoyed.

Sejun frowned. “What’s wrong? Is Aileen still not talking to you?”

Kaiser snapped, “Yes… No! That’s not why I’m here!” He seemed even angrier now. The connection they had briefly shared when Aileen asked about the World Tree was now gone, lost in Kaiser’s sudden outburst.

Sejun waited, a little confused. “Okay… then why are you here?”

Kaiser huffed. “I came to tell you the Ent seeds you planted yesterday have grown! So, you can go and get rid of those bad Ents now.”

“Ah, great! So, are you going to help?” Sejun asked hopefully.

Kaiser’s voice rose. “Help? Why would I help?! You have to do it!”

“Me?!” Sejun pointed at himself, surprised.

“Yes, you!” Kaiser insisted. “Go to the west forest today and hunt those corrupted Ents!”

With a flap of his wings, Kaiser turned and flew back to the fountain, clearly finished with the conversation.

Theo tilted his head. “Are we going to the west forest, Meow?” He stretched out his claws, sharpening them on the floor in excitement.

“Squawk!” The Black Rabbit hopped eagerly.

“Kooeng!” Kooeng thumped his chest, holding his branch weapon high.

Just then, Sejun’s stomach let out a loud rumble. *Grumble.* “Oops, breakfast first,” Sejun said, patting his belly.

As Sejun turned towards the kitchen, Theo was suddenly there, clinging to his leg! In his paws, he held a Churu treat, looking up at Sejun with big, pleading eyes.

“Squawk!” The Black Rabbit chirped, joining in.

“Kooeng! Kooeng!” Kooeng nudged Sejun’s hand with his head.

Baa! Baa! Even Iona and Ppyu Ppyu followed, as if it was the most normal thing in the world for everyone to join Sejun for breakfast.

Kooeng, especially, seemed very interested in Sejun’s food. He kept looking at the kitchen door, probably hoping for extra helpings.

Breakfast was a bit of a mess, but a happy one. *Chomp chomp chomp.* Sejun used his left hand to squeeze Churu into Theo’s mouth, while his right hand held a spoon, eating the warm soup and soft steamed potatoes the rabbits had made.

*Gulp. Gulp. Kooeng!* Every time Kooeng finished his bowl of soup in one big gulp, Sejun smiled and refilled it.

Luckily, the Black Rabbit and Golden Bat were well-behaved. They sat quietly on Sejun’s shoulders, holding on tight without getting in the way.

“Whew,” Sejun said, patting his stomach. He had eaten a lot to get ready for the day, but instead of feeling energized, he just felt full and a little sleepy.

After breakfast, Sejun went down to the cave. He needed to pack his bag – his special magic bag that could hold much more than it looked. He filled it with crops and other things he might need for the Ents in the west forest.

Once his bag was packed, he went to see Fire.

[Master! I’ll give you a boost!] Fire’s voice rang out happily.

Fire was offering his Fire buff again. “Okay, thank you, Fire,” Sejun said with a smile.

He still wasn’t sure exactly what the Flame of Protection did, but Fire was always so eager to help, he didn’t want to refuse.

[Iyaaa!] Fire’s leaves glowed bright blue, and a warm feeling spread through Sejun’s body.

[The Flame of Protection will last for 3 hours.]

[The Flame of Protection will keep you safe.]

“Ent No. 1, come with me,” Sejun said to the bigger Ent. He had called the first Ent born “Ent No. 1,” and the second one “Ent No. 2.” It was simple, but it worked.

He had wanted to bring both Ents, but they had both been very clear: one of them *had* to stay and protect Fire. They wouldn’t leave Fire alone. So, Sejun decided to take Ent No. 1, who seemed a little stronger.

*Creak. Creak.* Ent No. 1 moved slowly, following Sejun. Fire had told Ent No. 1 to listen to Sejun as if Sejun was Fire himself.

When Sejun and Ent No. 1 came back up to the surface, Theo, the Black Rabbit, Kooeng, the Golden Bat, Iona, and Ppyu Ppyu were all waiting patiently.

“Oh? Iona, you’re coming too?” Sejun asked, surprised and pleased.

“Yes,” Iona replied. “I need to find some special plants, and Ppyu Ppyu needs to practice her magic in a new place.”

“Great! Let’s go together then,” Sejun said, feeling much braver knowing Iona would be with them.

“Kooeng!” Kooeng puffed himself up, growing bigger and stronger. He lowered his back so everyone could climb on, even Ent No. 1.

Theo jumped onto Sejun’s lap and settled down, but he was looking at Iona with narrowed eyes. *‘I mustn’t fall asleep, Meow,’* he thought fiercely.

“Kkyut kkyut kkyut,” Theo muttered, trying to stay awake. He saw Iona smiling kindly at him, and he knew he had to stay alert. He was *not* going to let Iona take his spot on Sejun’s lap again!

“Alright, let’s go!” Sejun shouted, patting Kooeng’s side.

“Kooeng!”

*Thump, thump, thump.* Kooeng’s big feet pounded on the ground as he started running towards the west forest.

But then… *Grumble… Kkulorong…* The gentle rocking of Kooeng’s back and the warm sun were too much. Theo’s eyelids drooped, and soon he was fast asleep on Sejun’s lap. Next to him, Iona had also drifted off, and in a sweet gesture, she had gently tucked Theo’s tail under her hand, keeping it safe and warm.

After about forty minutes of running, they reached the edge of the west forest. The entrance looked burned and broken. Only a couple of weak sentries were still standing guard. The forest hadn’t recovered from the fire Sejun had set before.

“Wake up, sleepyheads,” Sejun chuckled, gently shaking Theo and Iona. He climbed off Kooeng’s back, stretching his legs.

*Thwack!* Before anyone could react, Sejun’s hand axe flew through the air and hit a sentry, knocking it down instantly. He stepped into the shadows of the west forest.

“You, eat this and come with us,” Sejun told Ent No. 1, pulling him out of his magic bag.

*Creak.* Ent No. 1 nodded slowly and started munching on the fallen sentry.

As they moved past the entrance, *rustle, rustle.* Yellow and purple flowers started to move towards them. Sticky Flower Attackers and Poison Mist Flower Attackers – Sejun recognized them instantly.

*Scratch!* Theo’s claws flashed out. “I’ll soften them up for you, Chairman Park, Meow!” he cried, leaping forward.

“Squawk!” The Black Rabbit hopped into action.

“Kooeng!” Kooeng charged, swinging his branch.

*Thwack!* Another flower fell as Sejun followed behind, carefully watching the fight.

[You have defeated a Corrupted Ent’s Poison Mist Flower Attacker.]

[You have gained 1500 experience.]

Sejun waited until the animals had weakened the monsters, then stepped in to deliver the final blow. It was a good way to get experience, and the animals seemed to enjoy the fight.

Even as they fought, messages kept popping up in front of Sejun’s eyes.

[A tenant farmer has created a new cherry tomato field, 100-pyeong in size.]

[You have gained 200 experience.]

[Your farm is now bigger than 30,000 pyeong!]

[Your Landowner talent has grown into Baekseok꾼!]

“Baekseok-what-now?” Sejun muttered, a little confused by the strange word. He quickly checked his new talent.

[Talent: Baekseok꾼 (Master Farmer)]

– This special talent is only for farmers with very, very big farms – bigger than 30,000 pyeong!

– You can now have up to 100 farmers working for you.

– These farmers can use your farming skills! (If they use your skills, you get a small bonus – 3% of what they earn.)

– You can choose up to 5 guards to protect your farm. (You will get half of the experience points when these guards defeat enemies near your farm, within 1 kilometer.)

– This talent will get even better as your farm grows bigger!

“Wow! Half of the experience?!” Sejun exclaimed. And the best part was, it didn’t take away any experience from his animal friends! It seemed like letting the animals fight was now the smartest way to get stronger, faster.

Sejun quickly made a decision. He pointed at Theo, the Black Rabbit, Kooeng, Iona, and Ppyu Ppyu. “You five! You are now the sentries of my farm!”

“Alright,” Sejun said with a grin, “Sentries, attack!”

The animals, now official farm sentries, charged into the forest, ready to defeat any monsters in their way. Their adventure in the west forest had truly begun.