Chapter 6: Harvest Season

The wheat danced beneath a gentle breeze, each stalk golden and full, swaying like it was humming a lullaby to the sun.

Caelum wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, the hem of his shirt already damp. He leaned against his hoe and looked over the field that had become his pride and joy over the last few years. The harvest this year would be bountiful.

Ding!

A soft chime echoed in his mind.

[Skill Level Up!]Farming (Lv. 42) — Your hands have learned the rhythm of the soil. Crops grow faster and healthier. Animals are more responsive to care. Slight resistance to fatigue while working outdoors.

Caelum raised an eyebrow. "Nice."

He casually flexed his fingers and stretched his back. "Level 42, huh? That's, what, ten levels higher than the village chief?"

Correction: Village Chief's Farming Level: 37.You now hold the highest Farming skill in the Southern Ridge Region.

Caelum blinked. "Wait, I've got regional leaderboard clout now?"

[You do. Not that anyone's competing.]

He let out a dry laugh and shook his head. "Watch out world. I might start my own agricultural guild next. Call it the 'Plowshares of Destiny.'"

...Name availability pending.

The absurdity of it brought a smirk to his lips as he wiped the dirt off his hands and turned toward the house.

Elaria was hanging laundry when he returned, her long, coppery hair tied into a loose braid that swayed as she worked. Liora, their two-year-old whirlwind, was running in chaotic circles around the clothesline, a bucket on her head and a stick in her hand.

"I dub thee—Sir Mudbottom!" she declared, poking at a particularly offended-looking chicken.

Caelum paused to take in the view. His wife. His daughter. Their home.

He didn't need the system to tell him he was blessed.

"You're back early," Elaria said, glancing over her shoulder with a smile.

"Harvest's nearly ready. The wheat's practically begging me to cut it." He walked over and stole a kiss on her cheek.

"Oh no," she said with mock concern. "Don't tell me the wheat's developed feelings for you too. Should I be jealous?"

Caelum placed a hand dramatically over his heart. "Nothing could ever come between me and the woman who makes laundry look like art."

She rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth curled upward.

"Papa!" Liora shrieked and ran at him full speed, the bucket bouncing off her head as she tackled his legs.

He staggered slightly but caught her easily. "Whoa there, Sir Mudbottom. You've grown in strength!"

"I'm a knight now!"

"Then it's time for your knightly duties. Are you ready to protect the vegetable garden from the evil crows?"

Her eyes went wide. "Crows?"

"Big ones. Sneaky. With names like... Edgar."

"No crow shall pass!" she shouted, running off with the stick held high.

Caelum glanced at Elaria. "I might've created a monster."

"She might've come that way," Elaria said fondly, folding the last of the linens. "But she's our monster."

By midday, Caelum was on the roof fixing one of the tiles that had slipped after last week's rain, humming an old tune from the world he used to know.

It was strange, how little he thought about that world now.

There was a time, just after his transmigration, where he'd lie awake wondering if this was real. If he'd wake up in his cramped apartment with his half-eaten ramen and uninstalled game updates waiting for him.

But those thoughts faded quickly—replaced by calluses on his hands, by laughter at the dinner table, by the quiet peace of a life that had never existed in that world.

He'd left the academy admission letter behind on the first day, used his inheritance money to buy land in a nameless village that didn't even appear in the game's storyline, and started a life no player would've chosen.

And yet, every morning, he woke up glad he had.

"System," he said, laying on the roof for a moment. "What's the hero up to?"

Hero currently training at Veritas Academy. Projected trajectory remains within acceptable parameters.

"Nice. 

Not active. Peace period remains uninterrupted. Trade lines between kingdoms steady. No anomalous fluctuations detected.

Caelum let out a sigh of relief.

Farming Bonus: You now unlock 'Perfect Soil Prep' passive. 10% higher yield. +2 friendship with village chickens.

Caelum chuckled. "That's more like it."

Later that evening, Elaria stirred stew in the kitchen while Liora sorted beans into "good beans" and "evil beans" on the floor.

Caelum chopped wood outside, content with the way life had settled.

As he split the final log, he glanced toward the sky. A few darker clouds rolled in on the horizon, hinting at rain in the coming days.

Nothing threatening. Just nature doing its thing.

Dinner passed with warmth, laughter, and the kind of soft teasing only a close-knit family could share.

Elaria's stew—spiced just right—had Caelum practically inhaling it. Liora had declared herself a "vegetable sorceress" after tossing wild herbs into the pot. Caelum winced a little at the vaguely minty aftertaste, but Liora's proud beam was worth every questionable bite.

As Liora cleaned off her bowl like a goblin hoarding gold, she raised her spoon like a scepter. "With this, I shall defeat the Evil Bean King and rescue the Carrot Princess!"

Elaria giggled. "Don't forget your allies, little knight. Even the strongest heroes need friends."

"I have Papa and Sir Clucksalot!" she declared.

The chicken in question clucked outside the window as if on cue.

Caelum gave a theatrical nod. "A noble companion. Though I hear he once fought a fox and lived."

Liora gasped. "He is a legend!"

Sir Clucksalot flapped his wings and strutted across the yard like a general surveying his troops. Caelum smiled, knowing full well the chicken's most recent victory was over a garden gnome.

Later that evening, Elaria rested against Caelum on the porch, the soft clink of their mugs filled with warm milk breaking the silence. The stars shone clearly above, a gentle breeze rustling the trees.

"It's quiet," she murmured.

Caelum nodded. "Best kind of evening."

"I don't think I ever imagined I'd find something like this. A place I could belong."

"You do," he said, voice soft but sure.

Elaria didn't respond, but her hand found his, fingers lacing together.

He didn't know the full truth of her past—though sometimes her eyes told stories she never said aloud. He had his secrets too. The truth that this world wasn't his. That his life had started with a blinding light and the words You have been transmigrated floating in his vision.

But he wasn't the hero. He was just the extra. And extras didn't change the world—they just found places to fit in.

The next morning, Caelum rose early, as usual. The sun was only a pale blur on the horizon, dew still clinging to the grass. He stretched, blinked, and caught a familiar blue shimmer in his vision.

[Farming Skill has reached Level 42.]—New passive unlocked: Enhanced Growth. Crops now mature 15% faster.—Additional perk: Soil Insight. You can now identify the best planting time instinctively.

"Nice," he muttered, rubbing his eyes. "Kinda wish I could unlock Weed Removal Aura though."

He chuckled as he headed toward the field, hoe in hand, but then the shimmer returned.

[System Notice]Hero's success rate: 61%. Current route: Standard Conflict.Estimated outcome: Failure.

Caelum blinked. "Still? Didn't that guy get the Sword of Light last month?"

Yes. But the Demon King has not awakened completely. Without his full awakening, the only peaceful ending route—Demon King's Alliance—cannot be unlocked.

He furrowed his brows, leaning against the fence. "Wait, you mean the secret ending?"

Correct. In the 'Unity Route,' the Hero teams up with the Demon King. Together, they reshape the world. It's both the easiest and hardest path.

Caelum squinted. "That doesn't even make sense."

Easiest, because no final battle is required. Hardest, because it requires the Demon King to fully awaken—conscious and rational. If he awakens improperly, he will act on instinct and destroy everything in his path.

Caelum rubbed his temple. "So it's a gamble."

Yes.

He sighed. "So if the Hero messes this up, worst case scenario?"

Mass destruction. Demon King wakes half-conscious and annihilates everything in a blind frenzy. He will seek to force his awakening through slaughter, consuming life and magic to reach clarity.

Caelum stared at the message, then slowly dragged a hand down his face. "So, basically, either they become best buds and save the world—or we get magical apocalypse."

Essentially.

"Why is everything in this world built like a messed-up gacha game?"

It was originally designed that way.

Caelum exhaled and turned his gaze toward the sky. "Well, still not my problem. I'm just the tomato guy."

Correction: Level 42 Farmer with high-tier soil affinity.

He smirked. "Don't try to flatter me into getting involved."

…

Caelum blinked. "That's it? No ominous warnings this time?"

You already know the outcome.

"Right. Mass murder demon king, or galactic peace. No pressure on the hero."

Indeed.

Caelum stretched. "Well. If the Demon King ends up ruling again like in that alternate ending… wasn't he actually kinda good at it?"

In that route, the Demon King becomes a benevolent ruler. He brings lasting peace through dominance and magical reform. Many died in the transition—but it was widely considered the best ending by players and even developers.

He tilted his head. "Huh. Figures. Leave it to the villain to actually fix the system."

You have a 0.01% chance of triggering that route.

"Good. Let's keep it that way. I'll just...water my cabbages."

Back in the village, life returned to its comfortable rhythm. Caelum stopped by the market, sold dried herbs, exchanged gossip with the locals, and bought Liora a wooden sword carved with a little sun emblem.

"Now I can be a Knight of the Bean!" she declared.

Sir Clucksalot squawked dramatically.

That night, under the stars again, Elaria leaned on Caelum's shoulder.

"I feel like something's changing," she said.

"Season's shifting," Caelum replied casually. "You know how things get near equinox."

She stared at the stars for a moment. "Not just the weather. I don't know. It's like the world's holding its breath."

He nodded, not denying it.

But for now, he would hold onto this quiet.

Let the hero deal with the Demon King. Let the story play out how it's meant to.

He was just an extra, after all.

The sound of a squeaky wooden sword slicing through the air echoed across the yard.

"Hyah!""Take that, you vile cabbage fiend!"

Liora stood on top of a barrel, wielding her new sun-marked training sword. Sir Clucksalot fluttered nervously behind her, perhaps unsure whether she was the hero of the tale or its villain.

Caelum leaned on his rake, arms crossed, smiling as he watched her duel the imaginary forces of rot and overgrowth. "At this rate, I won't need a scarecrow."

"She takes after you," Elaria said with a grin as she approached, a basket of freshly picked berries in her arms.

Caelum snorted. "Me? I'm just a simple farmer. Her strength clearly comes from your side."

"She's three and already swinging a stick like a knight. That's definitely your genes showing off."

"Well," Caelum said dramatically, "it does take exceptional reflexes to avoid stepping on all the garden slugs."

They shared a laugh, the kind that came easily when love softened the edges of everyday life. The breeze was warm, the sky unmarred by clouds, and even the system had stayed blissfully quiet.

For now.

That afternoon, Caelum wandered into the village square to trade some of his dried herbs and preserved goods. He passed by the usual spots—the cobbler, the baker, the old man who tried to sell "ancient magical screws" that suspiciously looked like rusted nails.

"Caelum!" someone called. "Heard you're turning the south plot into a potato paradise."

"That's the dream," he said, tipping his straw hat. "One spud at a time."

Chuckles followed. In a world once shaped by sword and sorcery, a peaceful life like his felt like rebellion.

Still, he caught murmurs—whispers of tension in the far lands.

A caravan driver mentioned more guards being hired for trips near the southern border.A traveling bard sang a song with a new verse—one that spoke of flames consuming towers of white stone.And one merchant, pale-faced, spoke of refugees passing through border towns, their homes lost to "creatures that looked more shadow than flesh."

Caelum didn't say anything. But he listened.

That night, the stars felt further away. The wind blew colder despite the warm fire inside.

Elaria sat beside him, combing Liora's hair into a braid. The child giggled, wriggling every time the brush tickled her ears.

"Hold still," Elaria murmured with faux sternness.

"But Mamaaaa—"

"No 'buts,' brave knight. Even heroes need tidy hair."

Caelum smiled, placing another log on the hearth. The fire crackled, casting soft gold across their wooden walls. As he sat down beside them, his system pinged silently, a single line of text appearing like an echo in the back of his mind.

—Demon King Awakening Progress: 8%—

Just a number. No warning. No explanation.

He sighed.

"What's wrong?" Elaria asked, watching him.

"Just thinking about potatoes," he lied smoothly.

She arched an eyebrow. "That's a very serious expression for tubers."

"They're important. Strategic root-based warfare."

Liora giggled. "The Great Spud War!"

Caelum leaned in conspiratorially. "It's coming. We must prepare. They'll rise from the soil. Eyes everywhere."

Elaria shook her head with a mock sigh. "I married a lunatic."

"An honest farmer lunatic," he said, placing a kiss on her temple.

She smiled, resting her head on his shoulder, and the moment lingered.

The next morning, Caelum stepped outside and found a small bird perched on his fence. It wasn't unusual—except this one was mechanical.

Clockwork wings. A crystal for an eye.

It chirped once, then opened its beak.

A flickering projection burst to life: a tiny hologram of the royal emblem, followed by a calm, professional voice.

"Notice to all outlying territories. The Academy of Arcane Advancement is reopening applications for field talent. Promising individuals, regardless of status, are encouraged to apply. Immediate placement and scholarship funding available."

"...Due to increased magical disturbance patterns and several confirmed breaches of forbidden zones, the Academy is reinstating its Warden Initiative. Regional scouts may approach you with recommendations. This is not a mandatory conscription."

The bird chirped again and exploded in a puff of harmless smoke.

Caelum stared at the ashes. "Well, that's not ominous at all."

Later, while harvesting tomatoes, the system finally chimed in again.

You could have applied. You still have a record in the Academy's old database. They'd welcome someone with your skillset.

Caelum rolled his eyes. "Yeah, because when they see Farmer – Level 42, they're gonna scream in excitement."

You've also maxed out your Soil Manipulation sub-skill, have unusually high magical resilience, and are immune to four minor curses thanks to your frequent contact with wild herbs.

"…Still not interested."

Hero's chances have dropped to 58%. Demon King's awakening now at 12%.

Caelum stood up, brushing dirt off his gloves. "Let me guess—standard route's going poorly?"

The Hero has a temper.

Caelum chuckled. "Well, that's a surprise. Isn't he supposed to be the Chosen One?"

Chosen. Not perfect.

"Yeah, well. If things go bad, I'll just keep farming. Maybe I'll be the first person to raise a cabbage with anti-magic properties."

You already have. You named it Kevin. You later pickled it.

Caelum blinked. "Oh. Right. RIP Kevin."

Kevin achieved enlightenment before fermentation.

He smirked, despite himself.

The system didn't speak again for a while. The sun continued its lazy descent, casting amber rays across the field.

That evening, Elaria came up behind him, wrapping her arms around his middle as he stared at the horizon.

"You okay?" she asked.

He leaned back into her, resting his hands on hers. "Yeah."

"You've been quieter today."

"Just thinking."

"You always are," she said softly. "But when you're too quiet, I worry."

He hesitated, then smiled. "Promise I'm still here. Just… watching the skies."

"Waiting for something?"

"No. Hoping it doesn't come."

She didn't press. She never did. And that's what made her so irreplaceable.

And as the stars returned to the sky again, Caelum whispered to the wind:

"Let the hero handle it. I've got my own world to protect."

The sun peeked over the hills like a lazy cat, casting golden light over the fields Caelum had come to love like a second skin. Dew clung to the leaves, sparkling under the soft breeze that whispered secrets to the trees.

Caelum tugged on his boots, tossed a burlap sack over his shoulder, and stepped outside with a yawn that earned him a disapproving glance from an old crow perched atop the fence.

"No commentary from the peanut gallery," he muttered.

The crow cawed and flapped off, probably to gossip with the chickens.

Liora came running from the garden, hair tangled with wildflowers, her tiny feet kicking up loose dirt.

"Papa! Mama's trying to move the barrels again!"

Caelum's heart skipped. "She promised she'd rest today."

"She lied!"

With a sigh, he followed his daughter to the storage shed. Inside, Elaria stood defiant, sleeves rolled up, trying to lift a water barrel twice her size.

"I had it under control," she huffed when he arrived.

"You were five seconds from throwing out your back."

"I was warming up."

He nudged her aside and took over. "You're lucky you're cute."

"You're lucky I like you."

They shared a quick grin, and the barrel found its new place without further protest.

Midday brought the entire village out for the start of Harvest Week—an event marked by food stalls, music, and fiercely competitive vegetable carving.

Caelum found himself roped into judging the "Largest Turnip" contest by the mayor's grandson, who bribed him with a bag of fried honey sticks.

He wandered past rows of proudly displayed produce, greeted warmly by neighbors who had long since stopped treating him like an outsider. There were songs being played on old flutes, children chasing dogs around stalls, and a barrel of cider that vanished frighteningly fast.

Elaria manned a small table of dried herbs and tonics. She had a natural way with people, calming even the rowdiest customers with a smile and a few gentle words.

Liora, meanwhile, had entered the "Best Dirt Pie" competition and was currently attempting to bribe a judge with two acorns and a half-eaten carrot.

It worked.

That evening, as Caelum lay under the stars beside a dozing Liora, Elaria joined him on the grass with a steaming mug of spiced tea.

"You look tired," she whispered.

"I am. Judging root vegetables is a burden no man should carry."

She chuckled. "You're terrible."

"Accurate."

The sky shimmered with a thousand pinpricks of light. Crickets sang in the distance. A firefly landed briefly on Caelum's knee before continuing its journey.

He sipped his tea slowly. "You know, sometimes I wonder if this is all real."

Elaria looked at him sideways. "What do you mean?"

"This life… it feels like a dream I don't want to wake from."

She didn't answer right away. Then, softly, "Even if it is… does it matter?"

He smiled. "I guess not."

The system pinged gently, not with urgency, but like a nudge between old acquaintances.

Farming Skill: Level 44 reached.New Passive: Efficient Harvester – Yields increased by 15%.Hero Progress Report:– Party morale: Declining.– Royal Army showing signs of fragmentation.– Demon King Awakening: 25%.

Projected Timeline to Collapse (If Unchecked): 13 Months.

Caelum stared at the stars again.

"Thirteen months."

Approximate.

"I'm not the hero. I'm not even in the story. That's not my role."

Agreed.

"…Then why tell me?"

Because you might be the only one left when it ends.

He said nothing. Not because he agreed—but because he couldn't argue with it either.

The next day, word came from a traveling merchant that a noble outpost had been razed in the north. They spoke in hushed tones—about rising shadows, vanishing caravans, and soldiers who abandoned their posts without a trace.

Caelum listened from the back of the tavern, face unreadable.

"They're saying it might've been demons," someone whispered.

"No way. They've been silent for decades."

"Well… maybe not anymore."

He left before the discussion could turn to hysteria.

Back home, Liora sat atop his shoulders as they picked late apples from the orchard.

"Papa?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think monsters ever get tired of being monsters?"

He blinked. "That's… a very deep question."

"I mean, if I was scary all the time, I'd probably want to be something else."

"Maybe they don't have a choice."

"Then someone should give them one."

He paused under the apple tree, her weight warm on his shoulders, her words strangely piercing.

"Yeah," he said finally. "Maybe someone should."

That night, while he and Elaria watched the moon rise, he asked a question he hadn't dared to voice before.

"If the world was ending… would you want to know?"

Elaria turned to him slowly. "Yes."

"Even if you couldn't stop it?"

She nodded. "Because I'd want to spend every second left exactly like this."

He took her hand, squeezed it gently, and made a silent vow he wasn't sure he could keep.

But he'd try anyway.

Even if he was just an extra.

[End of Chapter 6]