I Thought It Was a Healing Farming Game Chapter 4

“Is that so?”

I mumbled a reply with the candy still in my mouth.

It wasn’t exactly wrong.

Just as he’d said, I already felt a strong sense of familiarity with the villagers here.

But I couldn’t exactly tell him that outright, so after thinking for a moment, I came up with a plausible excuse.

“But you saved me even though I was a complete stranger, didn’t you? Of course I should trust you.”

At my words, Siad slowly averted his gaze.

“I merely did what I was supposed to do.”

He set the empty bottle down on the bedside table before continuing.

“Come to think of it, we haven’t properly introduced ourselves yet.”

Ding!

— Tutorial: Choices —

Choices can help you decide how to respond in certain situations.

Your relationships may develop differently depending on your choices, so please choose carefully.

Three choices appeared in front of Siad.

1. Tell him my name.
2. Wait for him to introduce himself first.
3. Explain that I’m not in a condition to introduce myself yet and ask for more time.

Remembering that Siad preferred polite people, I didn’t need to think twice about which option to choose.

“My name is Yumiel! Please feel free to call me Miel.”

I answered without hesitation.

“Yumiel…”

He rolled my name around in his mouth, trying out its pronunciation, then nodded.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Miel.”

Siad held out his hand for a handshake.

“My name is Siad.”

Feeling excited, I took his hand.

‘I’ll get to meet the other villagers one by one like this, won’t I?’

From there, things unfolded pretty much as I’d expected.

Siad asked why I’d been lying unconscious in the forest all by myself.

“Ah, well…”

Choices

1. Tell him I’ve lost all my memories.
2. Claim that I’ve lost some of my memories.
3. Say I had an accident while making my way to Node.

Without hesitation, I chose the option for partial memory loss.

That way, he’d be more likely to suggest that I stay in the village for a while.

“The truth is, I was receiving treatment because I was sick. But when I regained consciousness after my surgery, I found myself here. I just can’t remember how I got here.”

“Having no memory of how you arrived must be troubling. In that case, you could stay in Node for the time being, or…”

Siad paused before continuing.

“If you wish, I can help you reach a large city by way of the harbor.”

‘Huh?’

I stared at him in confusion.

Choices

1. Say that I’d like to stay in the village.
2. Ask him to help me reach another city through the harbor.

Was leaving the village an option from the very beginning?

I thought he was supposed to suggest that I stay in the village and slowly try to recover my memories.

‘Well… it’s been quite a while since I first started playing the game. Maybe I just don’t remember.’

Besides, it seemed unlikely that anyone would choose to leave for somewhere else right at the beginning.

I already knew which answer I was going to pick anyway, so it didn’t matter.

“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, could I stay here? I remember living in the countryside when I was little, so… I feel more comfortable in a village than in a city.”

“You lived in the countryside as a child?”

“Yes. So I think I’ll be able to adjust quickly!”

I made sure to emphasize just how much I wanted to stay.

“…Very well. Then you may stay at my house for the time being.”

Siad’s Affection +2

An affection indicator briefly appeared above Siad’s head before disappearing.

— Tutorial: Affection —

In the village of Node, you can interact with the residents and gradually develop closer relationships with them.

Affection can increase or decrease through various interactions, including conversations, gifts, and village events.

As your affection level rises, new information about the residents will become available. We recommend getting along with everyone!

Reading the explanation made the fact that the game had reset feel all the more real.

‘It’s a shame, but there’s nothing I can do. I can make new memories all over again!’

I pushed aside my negative thoughts and decided to enjoy the special time I’d been given.

“Um, I’d like to look around the village.”

“You’ve only just woken up, so you shouldn’t overexert yourself yet. I’ll show you around tomorrow.”

The first day was originally meant for learning about the village and getting familiar with the game’s systems.

‘But… we’re getting along so well. Maybe I can persuade him to let me look around today?’

Perhaps because I’d entered the game, I no longer felt any pain in my body, and I was full of energy.

“I’m not hurting at all. My wounds seem to be nothing more than a few minor scratches, too. I’ll just take a short walk, okay? Please?”

Now that I had such a healthy body, I’d already thought of so many things I wanted to do—and so many things I needed to do.

Siad looked troubled as he refused me once again.

“I have other matters to attend to today, so I won’t be able to accompany you.”

“I can get around just fine on my own! I’m good at finding my way, too.”

“I can’t let you go out alone, Lady Miel…”

“Couldn’t I just go for a little while? Please? It’s so stuffy being cooped up in this room…”

I clasped both hands together and gazed up at him pleadingly.

After a long silence, Siad finally gave in and allowed me to go out.

“You must limit yourself to a brief walk around the nearby area.”

“Yay!”

I threw both arms into the air in celebration.

Judging by how easily I’d gotten permission, it seemed I didn’t necessarily have to follow the game’s systems to the letter.

“I’ll bring you some clothes and shoes.”

“Okaaay!”

Siad left the room and returned with a white dress and a pair of sandals in his hands.

Things like this really drove home the fact that I was inside a game.

‘It’s not like Siad knows my measurements, so how did he manage to find clothes that fit me so quickly?’

As I accepted the clothes, marveling at how strange it all was, Siad handed me one more thing.

“A map of the village.”

Item: Village Map

The moment I saw the physical version of the minimap, I was so delighted I could have jumped for joy.

“Thank you, Siad! Really, really! I’ll only look around the nearby area for a tiny bit.”

Siad’s Affection +3

“Yes. Please make sure you return safely.”

“Of course! I’ll be back before sunset!”

As soon as Siad left the room, I quickly changed into the clothes he’d given me, grabbed the map, and headed outside.

‘I really am in Node.’

Instead of the familiar smell of disinfectant, the refreshing scent of grass filled my lungs.

The moment I looked up, I saw a clear blue sky with fluffy clouds drifting across it.

I stopped walking to admire the view.

‘Since it’s my first day, I should explore every corner of the village and make sure the residents get to know my face.’

I set off with a spring in my step.

“Village sightseeing~ Villager sightseeing~.”

I hummed a made-up tune as I gently stepped over the garden threshold.

And that was when I spotted a black figure perched atop the wall surrounding Siad’s house.

“Hm?”

Thinking it might be a cat, I looked up. The motionless figure suddenly moved, tilting its head back.

From barely a handspan away, I found myself staring into a pair of black eyes.

“Hello, visitor.”

The sight of someone greeting me in a languid voice startled me so badly that I nearly jumped out of my skin before I could even scream.

“Eek—! H-Hello!!”

I greeted him with a shriek worthy of a crow, and he let out a quiet exclamation.

“Oh.”

I’d just made a complete fool of myself in front of someone I was meeting for the first time.

Trying to calm my pounding heart, I parted my fingers just enough to peek at his reaction.

The man was still sprawled across the top of the wall, his head tilted back as he gazed at me without a care in the world.

His smooth black hair framed slightly upturned eyes and a sharply defined jawline.