STATUS UPDATE
Mana: 1
Strength: 1
Lucas narrowed his eyes.
"...Huh? That’s it?"
The system panel trembled slightly, then popped up again—noisy as usual.
[(￣▽￣)ノ
Hey, don’t underestimate it, King~
Stat increases are the foundation. Foundations matter.]
Lucas clicked his tongue. "Foundation my ass. Feels pretty average."
[(≧▽≦)
Hehe~ relax, the next info is pretty special~]
"Special in what way?" Lucas leaned back in his chair. "You talk too much."
The panel suddenly blinked.
[DING!]
CONGRATULATIONS!
You have unlocked a new skill!
SKILL UNLOCKED: [HOEMANSHIP]
---
Lucas froze.
"...What?"
The system panel appeared larger than usual, complete with tacky animations.
[(ﾟДﾟ;)
E-eh!? Calm down, don’t react like that!
I’ll explain it slowly, okay~]
Lucas swallowed. "Hoemanship...? What the hell is that?"
[(￣ー￣)✧
It’s a simple skill—but extrely powerful.]
An animation appeared on the panel.
A chibi version of Lucas was shown hoeing the ground.
A tir above his head read 10 MINUTES.
[(≧▽≦)
Here’s the short explanation:]
[HOEMANSHIP]
Whenever the Host performs an activity using a Hoe—
whether a Great Hoe or a regular Hoe—
the Host’s proficiency in that activity increases by 3x the normal result for 30 minutes.
Note: This skill cannot be stacked. After the 30-minute duration ends, the Host must begin the initial 10-minute activity again to reactivate the effect.
---
The animation continued.
The sa chibi Lucas hoed again—this ti his movents were far more efficient, clean, and fast.
Large text appeared:
EFFICIENCY x3
MASTERY BOOST x3
Lucas stared at the panel without blinking.
"...What if I fight using a Hoe?"
[(￣▽￣)b
Of course it applies~]
Lucas’s throat bobbed.
Damn.
"So... this has a huge impact on the duel later."
[(☆▽☆)
Obviously!
Hoemanship is a core skill for a King who can’t live without a Hoe~]
Lucas fell silent for a mont, then let out a long breath.
"...But why did I even get such a ridiculous skill?"
The system panel rotated slowly. For the first ti, its tone softened.
[(￣_￣)
Because of effort.]
[(￣ー￣)
Effort to live better.
Hard work without shortcuts.
And training to fight using a Hoe, even if it looks ridiculous.]
[(≧▽≦)
All of that beca the trigger~]
Lucas leaned back, staring at the ceiling of his room.
Even though the na was stupid.
Even though the concept was absurd.
"...It’s useful," he muttered.
The system panel blinked in satisfaction.
[(￣▽￣)♪
Hehe~
Welco to your specialization path, King.]
Lucas gave a thin grin.
Hoemanship, huh...
---
Lucas stretched his shoulders, then slowly rolled his neck.
"Still tired..." he muttered.
The plan was simple: take a bath, go to bed early, continue training tomorrow.
But just as he stepped toward the bathroom, one thought snagged in his mind.
Tomatoes.
He stopped.
The tomato field was almost ready for harvest. The color had already turned evenly red. Just a matter of days now.
"...Where am I even going to sell them?" Lucas frowned.
He let out a quiet sigh. "Damn. I’m still way too clueless about this stuff."
[POP!]
The system panel appeared casually.
[(￣▽￣)ノ
Relax, Host~
Rember, in this world, tomatoes are a highly valuable commodity.]
Lucas glanced at the panel. "What do you an?"
[(￣ー￣)
Don’t stress about buyers.
As long as the Host is willing to put in the effort, soone will co and make an offer.]
Lucas fell silent for a mont.
[(≧▽≦)
What matters more right now—
what are you going to store the tomatoes in?]
"...Baskets?" Lucas answered instinctively, then his eyes widened.
"Damn. You’re right."
[(￣▽￣)b
Of course~
That’s what I’m here for—to help you think.]
Lucas imdiately turned around and headed toward the small storage shed behind the house.
The sa place where he had taken the regular Hoe before.
The shed was cramped, filled with the sll of wood and dust.
He rummaged through the corners, opening old piles.
"...Baskets... baskets..."
Eventually, he found one.
Lucas lifted it, weighing it in his hands for a mont.
Silence.
"...Just this?" he muttered.
He stared at the basket for a long mont, then clicked his tongue softly.
"This won’t be enough."
---
While Lucas was still standing in the small storage shed, staring at the only basket with an irritated expression—
Elsewhere.
At the edge of a quiet forest.
A horse stood upright and calm, its reins securely tied to the trunk of a tree. Not far from it, a horse-drawn carriage was parked along the dirt road, one wheel slightly sunk into the damp soil.
Aldric stood beside the horse, arms crossed. His light armor was clean, his deanor calm—too calm.
In front of him, Boran paced restlessly near the carriage.
"This... this is going too far, Sir Aldric," Boran finally said, keeping his voice low.
"We don’t need to destroy the Voss family as well."
Aldric glanced at him briefly, his expression unchanged.
"We only need that tomato farmland," Boran continued quickly.
"That’s all. The land. Nothing more."
He swallowed.
"I’m just a black market rchant. I don’t want this to get too big."
Aldric let out a slow breath, as if listening to a trivial complaint.
"Relax," he said flatly.
"This isn’t a big problem."
"Not a big problem?" Boran stopped pacing and stared at Aldric.
"Sir Aldric, you’re a Regional Knight. Voss Territory is part of the area you’re supposed to protect."
His voice rose.
"If the Voss family is ruined, you’ll be affected too."
Aldric fell silent for a mont.
Then—he laughed.
A short laugh. Light. Almost mocking.
"Do you think I’m stupid?" he said with a thin grin.
"Of course I know that."
He stepped closer, his tone still relaxed.
"That’s exactly why I don’t work with just any bandits."
Aldric turned his gaze toward the forest road.
"The group I chose is strong enough," he continued.
"And their na... is well-known."
The creaking of wooden wheels echoed from the distance.
Boran stiffened.
Aldric patted Boran on the shoulder.
"The Central Authority will believe it if I lose to them."
Not long after, a horse-drawn carriage erged from between the trees, followed by several ard n. Their steps were steady, their formation disciplined.
Bandits.
Their leader walked at the front—large-bodied, broad-shouldered, with a hardened face marked by scars. His presence clearly set him apart from the rest.
He let out a low laugh when he saw Aldric.
"Heh... honestly," he said.
"Didn’t think we’d ever get to work directly with a knight from House Rosevelt."
A few other bandits chuckled quietly.
"A Regional Knight, no less."
Aldric chuckled softly. His tone was relaxed—almost friendly.
"The world is wide," he said calmly.
"And interests are often more flexible than honor."
He took a step forward.
"As long as you follow orders," Aldric continued, his eyes narrowing slightly,
"you’ll receive proper paynt."
He paused.
"More than enough."
The bandits exchanged glances.
Boran swallowed, then forced a thin smile.
"Well," Kuyiras said quietly, his hand brushing the side of the carriage.
"That’s what we like to hear."
Aldric nodded once.
"The plan is simple," he said.
"It starts with—"
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