NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: Another Type of Farming
Fin's POV
Word had gotten around that I had 'helped.' I heard another voice calling out before I could even take three steps around the corner.
"Fin! Fin, dear, could you help me for a moment?"
I turned to see Agatha struggling with a heavy basket of vegetables. Before I could even respond, another voice chimed in.
"Help! My chickens got out again! That stupid rooster is taunting me!"
"Please! My grandson dropped his toy down the well!"
I blinked. How did this happen? I had just gotten here!
Still, I wasn't about to turn down easy points. And maybe if I helped, I'd find more ways to rack up achievements. With a sigh, I adjusted the Ranger's Cloak and got to work.
The vegetable basket? Easy. I carried it for the older woman while she patted my head and muttered about my strength.
The chickens? That was another story. The rooster was taunting the poor farmer, standing just out of reach every time he lunged. I narrowed my eyes, using my Observation Haki to track its movements. Then, with a perfectly timed step, I snagged it in one smooth motion.
"Gotcha."
The farmer gawked. "How in the world—?"
I shrugged, handing him the bird. "Just good reflexes."
The toy in the well? That took a bit more creativity. I borrowed a fishing pole, tied a small rock to the end, and lowered it. With precise control, I had to 'feel' when the toy was within reach, then carefully reeled it back up. The kid cheered, and the grateful mother shoved a warm meat pie into my hands.
Not a bad trade.
This continued for a while. One small task led to another. Fetching things, carrying heavy loads, even helping an older man find his missing glasses—only to realise they were on top of his head.
Eventually, I sat on a barrel, munching on the pie, when the system chimed.
[Achievement Unlocked - Helping Hand: Complete 10 acts of kindness in town!]
[+50 PP]
I nearly choked. I had been farming points without realising it.
I smirked. "This is looking real good right now."
With that, I wiped my hands clean.
I took another bite of the meat pie, savouring the taste. I didn't get pies like this often.
Then, without warning, a sudden shift in the air tingled my Observation Haki. My instincts flared, alerting me to the incoming attack before it even happened.
From the corner of his eye, I caught the blonde girl smirking as she flicked her hand, launching a small rock straight at me.
It was almost laughable how slow it was. I tilted my head slightly with minimal effort, allowing the rock to sail harmlessly past me and plop into the fountain behind me.
"Hah. Nice try."
Or so I thought.
I turned back and felt something cold and wet against his fingers. I looked down, my heart sinking.
The meat pie.
Gone.
It'd slipped from my hands, landing on the ground, its flaky crust smeared with dirt.
I stared.
My soul hurt.
I loved that pie.
I missed that pie.
Slowly, I lifted my gaze toward the blonde girl, who was now giggling with her group, utterly pleased with herself.
My hands tightened, "This means war, bitch!"
I clenched my fists, my eye twitching as I glared at the ruined remains of my beloved meat pie. I exhaled before standing up and dusting off my cloak.
"Oi".
The group of girls, still giggling, turned their attention to me. The blonde girl in the centre, the obvious leader of the group, raised an eyebrow.
"What the hell was that for?"
The girl placed a hand on her hip, tilting her head slightly, her smirk widening.
"You may address me as Seraphina Vale."
I blinked.
"Cool. Don't care."
That made her falter for a second, but she quickly recovered, flipping her long blonde hair behind her shoulder. "Hmph. I was merely testing you, commoner."
"Testing me? For what? My patience? 'Cause congratulations, you succeeded."
Seraphina chuckled, stepping forward.
"My family values strength above all else. And I was seeing if you had any."
Is she serious? Why would anyone do this?
"By throwing a rock?" I responded confusedly.
"By seeing how you would react, obviously."
I rubbed my temple. I don't have time for this noble, aristocratic bullshit.
"Right. And what? If I let you get away with it, does that mean I'm weak?"
Seraphina smiled as if I'd discovered the world's most obvious truth.
"Exactly"
"… You're an idiot."
The group of girls gasped. Seraphina's eye twitched.
"Mind your tongue, peasant."
"Or what? Are you gonna throw another rock at me? Real terrifying." I rolled my eyes, walking away.
I'm not a violent man, especially against spoiled little girls.
Seraphina huffed, crossing her arms.
"What are you going to do about it, huh? Chicken"
I don't need to waste my energy here
"…"
PING!
[MISSION QUEST: BEAT YOUR BULLY] - Objective: Defeat Seraphina and her friends.
Reward: 100PP.
A slow smile tugged at my lips. Thank you, system!
I smacked my hands together.
Seraphina's confident smirk faltered for a fraction of a second.
She huffed, crossing her arms. "What?"
...Timeskip…
Dusting off my hands, I looked down at the results of my work. Seraphina and her group lay in a heap, groaning, their expensive clothes covered in dirt. One girl had a shoe missing. Another had her hair undone, ribbons strewn across the ground like discarded confetti.
Seraphina was sitting up, rubbing her arm with a look of disbelief, her perfect noble poise nowhere to be found.
[MISSION COMPLETE!]
Reward: 100PP
Easy money.
I exhaled through my nose, stretching out my arms. My knuckles ached a little, but nothing too bad. Observation Haki made it easy to counter their every move before they even thought about making it. They weren't weak, per se—Seraphina had some solid footwork, probably drilled into her from a young age—but compared to me? Yeah. Not even close.
She glared up at me, face red with embarrassment. "You…! You cheated!"
I tilted my head. "How?"
Seraphina opened her mouth, then closed it.
I smirked. "Exactly."
She huffed, looking away, muttering something under her breath. I ignored it. Not my problem.
I stretched, rolling my shoulders as I glanced at the horizon.
The sun was dipping lower now, streaks of orange and red bleeding into the sky. My stomach grumbled faintly. Right. It was about time to head home before Helga started worrying.
I adjusted my Ranger's Cloak, brushed some dust off my sleeves, and then turned away from the scene, leaving Seraphina and her defeated squad behind.
All in all, a good day.
...
End of Chapter.